Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1893-11-30

|
The tweDty-fourth Of November. 1892,
dawned clear and cold-an ideal Thanks
| giving Day. All business was suspended:
the quiet streets were deserted save for
an occasional pedestrian hurryng through
the crisp air to the good dinner awaiting
him; the whole city was keeping Thanks
| giving in the true New England way.
In an old historic square In the lower
part of the city was an eager crowd Of
boys swarming upon the steps of an old
building, each holding tightly in his hand
little blue ticket, bearing the word
Herald" and each trying to stand nearest
to the door that was soon to open to admit
them, for 10 the Cradle of Liberty, made
memorable by the men who held the old
New England holiday most sacred. the
Boston Herald was to feast its 600 news
boys.
1t was motley crowd; boys white
and black. of every creed and nationality;
some pale and thin from too many years
spent Ia the slums of a great city others,
with manly forms and rudy faces, who
were not afraid to battle with the world
and were longing to be In the thickest of
the fight There were the proverbial news
toys who had savings" 10 the bank, and
the little lad sent out to pick up living
at an age when boys In sheltered homes
had scarcely left the nursery; but all were
hsppy and hopeful and clean and present
Ing the best holiday appearance possible
under the circumstances.
As the clocks rang out the hour OF
twelve, the great doors were thrown open
and the boys. passing their tickets to two
policemen who guarded the entrance. en-
tered the hall Behind them was the
throng Of people anxious to gain the gal
leries from which 10 watch the feast-al-
ready the platform was occupied by the
Herald staff with ladies and few distin-
guished guests. The six long tables were
inviting with snowy cloths, and large dish
es piled high with fruit. When the boys
were in their places the ministeI of-the-
day advanced to the front of the platform
and asked a blessing. Hardly had the
amen" died away when yell of delight
burst forth from GOO throats, and GOO boys
fell upon the tables. Fruit being the only
thing there, 1t was the first to be disposed
of. The divinity OF table etiquette. who
ever she may be. must have dined else
where that day. for dishes were overturned
and fruits crsmmed into hungry mouths
and yawning pockets-but stop, ever and
again the spectators noticed that some
strong fellow would share with smaller
one the unequal portion which had fallen
TO his lot
When order was again restored. walters
brought the plates with real New
England dinner-turkey, mashed potato.
squash and the inevitable cranberry sauce,
aud beside each plate put another with a
generous piece of pie. Some ate pie first
and turkey afterward, others alternated
mouthful of turkey with a mouthful Of
pie, while Others ate with more decorum
than Is seen at many a private table
Was ever dinner so relished but the
crowning glory was yet 10 come. and 81
the first sign OF approaching ice-cream The
boys pounded on plates with knife and
fork and spoon and shouted in sheer de
light, while ruth compelS me 10 say that
some OF the spectators, joining in the en-
thusiasm, 80 far forgot themselves a. to
shout. too.
lees OF all favors were followed by
sherbet, until every boy had all he could
eat even 10 the fourth and iifth plateful.
and the only reason they lived TO enjoy
another Thanksgiving was because good
digestion waits on appetite, aud health On
both"
Last, but not least came the great
hampers OF crisp. home made doughnut-
sent 10y the ladies OF the Educational and
Industrial union. Faneuil hall has echoed
many an eloquent speech In the days long
gone, but none more eloquent thsn the
shout with which the new-boy> gave
three rousing cheers for the Nr,dh before
they went away.
The Thanks giving dinner was over but /
IL remains yet In the minds OF the spectA-
tors 10 whom all Thanksgiving viii be
brighter Tor the pleasure brought into the I
lives OF those poor boys, and blessed are
the men who remembered that "lnas- I
much a We do il unto one of these, my
little ones, We DO il unto Me"