The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-11-28

so delicious as the mushrooms gathered in
our own pastures.
II would serve my dinner just like any
other,, she continued, "but everything
should be home like
Mrs. Endicott is, stately Massachusetts,
matron. and q real representative woman
II believe in the old New England Thanks
giving" said she, "and since it has become
q national holiday much of its show is lost,
| think. l can remember the scene at my
fathers, in Salem, when his carriage house
was packed with turkeys, joints and other
edibles for this purpose, and the yard would
De nIled with his poorer neighbUrs, who
stood in front Of the wide double door, across
which bar had been placed, and received
the gifts as fast as two men could pass them
out There were turkeys enough only for
his special proteges, but everybody could
have joint and the vegetables to go with it.
Our own dinner we have always taken
at the old homestead; If we could not go our
selves we always sent the children, until
this year.
Our family has always gathered there,
from the oldest down to the wee babe in
arms, and around the table, set in old-fash-
ioned style and profusion, with roast turkey,
chicken-pie, ham and all kinds Of fruit pies,
mince pies and puddings, we have renewed
the family ties on each Thanksgiving Day.
OF the ceremo we never omit. The young
est toddler ne company, the little child
that has &C Il into the family since the last
thanksgiving festival. is placed on his feet
ON the table, while his mother stands at the
opposite end, and the rest OF the family gath
er at the sides, to guard his safe journey
from one end of the table to the other; every
time he t0tters tn ere are many ready hands
extended to guard his uncertain steps till he
arrives triumphantly at the other end.
mo, do not know that there is any sig
nihcance in this. presume some proud
mother Of our family in primative times may
nave done this, and the example has since
been followed"
.'The custom is pretty enough for poem, %
said "and have noticed one thing today
That pleases me vastly. In every house al
most, that have called, there is lady's
writing desk in the parlor; naturally to one
OF my guild this is very gratifying, and see
you have two. 81
Yes" said she with sigh, "9ne is mine
and this smaller one at my elbow is my
daughters. We have made good use of them.
too, but she has gone and left hers"-here
the gentle eyes filled with tears "Yes, it is
hard TO have an ocean between u.s." she con-
tinued in broken voice. in answer to a re-
mark to that effect, "but one should never
stand between ones child and happiness.
That is his likeness on the mantel," indl
eating handsome gentleman with frank
looking eyes and sensitive mouth. Il can
bear it better because | know he is good.
And as yet presume have not fully real
lied what it will be without her, for our
house is still filled with wedding guests,
claiming my attention, and keeping away
the loneliness that is sure to make itself felt
by and by.'
Mrs. Postmaster General Dickinson is
comely lady, portly and dignifed, but bright
and rosy. as girl OF 16.
YES" said she, II have very decided
views on Thanksgiving. l think the day
should be set apart as one entirely devoid of
fashion. No Thanksgiving seems appropri-
ate to me but the good old New England va
riety described by DR.. Holland in his ex-
qulsite poem, Bitter Sweet and Mrs. Stowe
In the Minister'S Wooing.' The dinner in
the kitchen, with its brick floor and time
the other garnished with rows on rows of
drying pumpkin and SQUASH, and long
strings of apples and glowing red peppers,
punches Of sage, with its pale, milky green
seeming more delicate than ever beside the
dark bunch OF thyme and the rusty-hued
pennyroyal.
81 would have the dinner composed of all
the homely viands of country life, and
placed on the groaning table all at once; no
walters but the sweet service of love,
as, those surrounding it helped each
ished, with the side dishes and
ceremony; no fashionable acouaintances in
vited that day, only the home folks; and if
this was made impossible, as it generally is
now, in this progressive age, when families
are olten dlvided Dy many leagues, so that
we could not have the good old grand
parents, the children and grandchildren, the
wee ones playing blind mans buff and puss
in the corner, after the dinner is cleared
away, then / would have in
vlted those to whom the day would bring an
unaccustomed joy; the humber acquain-
tances, which every true woman has on her
list and not listed as the least honored,
either, though their circumstances preclude
them at the more fashionable gatherings"
Mr.. and Mrs. Cleveland will spend the
White House keeps her own counsels, and
her Thanksgiving arrangements are past
finding out.