The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-11-27
THANKSGIVING DAY.
BY REV. A. C. THOMAS.

An engagement to officiate at the we'd
ding of an intimate friend, required me
to mount my horse before the peep of
dawn on Thanksgiving Day, 1910. The
parents OF the bride, at whose house the
nuptials we're to celebrated, resided in a
village fourteen or fifteen miles dis
tant. l arrived in season to breakfast
with the parties, and, having performed
the ceremony, started home about II
o'clock being disposed to return by an
other and less frequented route.
AS I journeyed leisurely along, per.
ceived, at nearly every farmers habita-
ton which 1 passed, the usual evidences
of happiness on a Thanksgiving Day.
Families we're congregated, and old
folks and young folks seemed to me to
have pleasing prospects of turkeys
and pumpkiu-pies = for these things
have intimate relation to the social
enjoyment of such occasions. Admirable
customl said I. Oh, that it were observed
throughout the whole land, and every
where on the same days For would not
the happiness of each family be increas-
ed by the reflection, that every other fam
lily was enjoying the same blessing
And why should not the weather. folks
see to it that their poorer neighbors were
amply supplied for the occasion? And
why should not the tenants of our aims
houses, yea, and of our prisons also, be
provided with great abundance, and of
the very best, on that day? Verify, the
dinner of the rich would be more savory,
if they knew that the poor had reason to
be specially thankful; and surely we
should not partake of our good things
with less relish, if we knew that even the
prisoners reioiced togetherl
These and similar thoughts, together
with some speculations as to how such a
universal observance might be effected,
so deeply occupied my mind that 1 lost
my way about noon; and stopping at a
very genteel house to inquire the road,
was invited to dismount, and partake of
Thanksgiving dinner. The courteous
manner of the invitation, and the vener-
able appearance of the good man of the
house, encouraged inclination, and en-
tered his dwelling, first overhesripg the
instructions given to "the boys" namely,
that my beast should also have Thanks
giving repast.
I was introduced to the wife, and CONS,
NIL
daughters in law, and soon found myself
gratifying philoprogenitiveness, by play
ing with divers youngsters of the third
generation. Happy family here ye are
all together" said I, "while 1 am some
hundreds of miles distant from my kim
dred."
"One of ours is also absent from home"
said the good matron; 'if he we're only
present, our JOY would be full"
I saw tear in her eye as she spoke,
and thought proper to change the CONVEX
sation. And to what should l change it,
but to my plan for a universal Thanks
giving? The thought was well received;
and we talked about it in the free flow
ing OF full hearts--for on Thanksgiving
Day, if at no other time, the heart will
have its way, the head to the contrary,
Notwithstanding. In this case, however,
there was perfect unity with head and
heart.
Presently dinner was announced, and
goodly company were we, and happy
also, as we moved in procession to the
large room. First in order went the old
folks oman and wife for nearly forty
years.; then came !, las an honored
guesf) with a buxom daughter en- my
arm; then followed che other mem bers Of
the family; and the ploughmsn brought
up the rear.
And what famous dinner met our
viewl The large oaken table with a cloth
as white as snow. was well-nigh covered
with al manner OF dishes, a large
tn key being most prominent. There WIS
enough for thrice our number, and TO
spare.
at is thus observed now.-KDIToR.