Democratic messenger., 1894-11-24
OLD TIMES RECALLED.
"reminiscences of Thank SgiVing>
Long Ago.

"reminiscences of fThankSsiNi ins>
Long Ago.
The IhanksgivingS of the present
time may bc more refined. more stylish.
than those of half century ago, but no
style or elegance can give our yuun.
people or their parents the exhiara-
tion "r the happiness Of the Thanks
givings that | recall of more than 40
years ago.
oLct me for n little while imagine
myself young girl Will you go
with me. gentle reader. 10 "Bullard'>
Hill" in Massachusetts. and enter u
large. commodious house, with un
limited room for ten happy children
and many guests besides
The door swings open. and the child
rem rush in from school III boi>terous
mirih. tossing hooks and garments on
the table
"Hurrah. No more school This week,
for i, Is Thanksgiving. Nov, what
shall We do to help YOU. ma
Now. set us all 10 work 10 help
YOU. ma
"l'm Your books on their shelves
and YOUR garments in their proper
places first, and then we will find YOU
plenty to do." said the gentle mother.
The help that the children could give
was plainly pointed out and rheeriully
entered upon. The turkeys. chickens
and ducks were to he killed and care
fully dressed hv the elder boys. The
rai>in>. fruit and other material for
pies. the cake. biscuit and bread were
allotted Ia the girls under the mothers
supervision. and this gave full employ
ment Tor one day and was accomplished
with cheerful. happy hearts in joyful
anticipation ot the full consummation
of their labnrs ON the happy Thanks
giving day. Why does the return of
that day now bring 81 little Of the
delightful cxhilaration and charms
that both old and Young experienced
in the long ago.
The next dav's work for the hoys
was To bring wood and to keep two
large brick ovens heated To- accomplish
all the baking that could he properly
attended Ia before the longcd tnr day
dawned for them al!
The work Is done, aud all are ready
The table, extending the full length of
the large dining room, "groans with
costly piles of food and sends out n
most appetizing welcome to the guests
aud family. who now file in from the
parlor and take their seats. Then the
carving is begun. and all understand
that there is To he no haste. They
come I" partake not only of the
abundance with which the table is
loaded, but also of the richer enioy-
ment of loving social intercourse, in
which the voices of the youngest. with
all their frolic and merriment. can
Join without rebuke.
The carving finished and The plates
well filled. there is of' course less con
versaiion. but the demands of appetite
do not check the pleasant; tests aud
sporiive repartees that are constantly
passing from one /" the other. making
| The feast most iubilant.
! Now the first course is removed, aud
a. the children volunteer to aid in
that work the sport and fun that they
brin" I" the work seems tn furnish
infinite amusement for the guests.
! Did YOU ever notice how much more
brilliant iests and repartees appear To
he after hearty meal. or at least how
little dispose,l the listeners are To
critIcise even Il poor attempt at fun:
Well, after such suritt of turkey.
chickens, ducks and the MANY little
delicacie> that help To fill the table,
what more can he expected or disposed
Of: But whoever heard Of Thanks
giving dinner without The plum pud-
ding. the rich mince pies AMI pies Of
squash. custard and apple. together
with fruits of all kinds. the tea and
coffee, with the richest cream and
cheese that would fill our nmlcrn
cheescmakers with envy?
The candles mo gas or lamps in
these days were lighted long before
the happy circle rose from the table
and adjourned I" the parlor.
After a pleasant hour in the parlor,
while the dining room was being put
in order. all returned To il TO crack
and eat nuts. with fine apples; 10 play
with the children the games that now
We seldom hear ot.-blind mans buff,
hunt the slipper fox and geese, etc
or To hear from the grandparents
stories connected with the old French
and Indian war or the later one Of the
Revolution. Mrs. H. W. Reecher in
| p,,1.