The Newtown bee., 1896-11-20
Nothnagle on Friday evening, November
BETHEL.
THANKSGIVING MEMORIES.

IHANkSt1IE LSCt Ill MEMOhAESs
 A week hence comes Thanksgiving ay. an old-fashioned New England GUS om of children and grandchildren con- ng home to the old homestead, a reunion s f the family. To the young the day B long remembered as being one of the lappiest days of their lives. How often ' we tt ink of the old Colonial house, one oof slantipg back down within the each of a tall boy. The best room is heated up for tho occasion, not with our modern stoves but fire burns on the hearth or fireplace in the great stone chimney. A large stick of hard wood was used as a back log and the old fash toned hand irons with brass tops stood in front and was piled high with great sticks of dry wood that sent the sparks flying upward. It made 8 blaze that shone brightly, warming the front room. These rooms were furnished with a rag | carpet and the big arm chair and old | Boston rocker with few stiff back flag 1 seats and the old fiddle back style so common in early days. Here was also large cherry table, brass candle sticks with snufTers and tray, tallow dips or candles which were lighted while the fire was in use. Matches were not invented until later on. Early on Thanksgiving day morning we were up bright and early to split oven wood which must be dry for use. The big oven must be heated until the bricks became just the right color and then with the long handle peel the coals are removed and ashes swept out and then filled with pans of pudding and a great turkey, apare-rib and big h nk of beef. Then the great iron door is closed for an hour or more. Pies and doughnuts were always prepared one day before. In those days people talked of hard times the same as to-day. Very little money was in circulation. Our father worked hard to raise corn and fat a few hogs and perhaps beef. We lived on corn meal pudding and milk or mo- asses, with buckwheat cakes in thei' season. We wore a cloth that was made of wool filling and cotton warp. Wher tbreadbare it was white and too cOnspic uous for our pride. Shoes of scow hide and stockings knit from wool that was spun into thread by our mothers, who worked night and day for our comfort. And we were thankful that we had ag good as our neighbors, just what we are all striving for at the present time. The poor and the unfortunate were all re membcrcd The poor and unfortunate are with us this year, which must not be forgotten. Lat us be contented and thankful for what we have and also be thankful that we live in a land of plenty and a nation at peace with the rest of the world. Let us thank the Giver of All Good Gifts on Thanksgiving day.
 IN WOLF PITS DISTRICT, 5. B. Knowles is carting wood to the lime kiln.
 Mrs Hurlbut has been visiting in New Preston.
 E. B. Hoyt has visited his brother, W. F, Hoyt.
 MT Mason has sold his farm to Mrs Eddy. He will move to Bethel.
 Mrs Seeber is sick Miss Sarah Seeber, who has been sick, is better. George A, Shepard 65 Sons have nearly finished two new brick buildings, one to replace the naptha house lately destroy i ed by fire. This is one story building with cellar under, 20x4O, nearly fire proof. It is situated at 8 safe distance away from the main building. The other is two-story building to be used for tip printing and other work. MT Shepard and sons have by great perseverance built up large plant for tanning and dying slgIns used for hat trimmings, new class of business lately introduced into this country. Hat feathers have been, until within a few years, manufactured and prepared in the old country. The firm gives employment to a large class of | wOrkmen, both men and women, in the various departments. The success of the concern will help the town and it should be liberally patronized by home manufactures.
 Monday and Tuesday were warm and pleasant, what the old folks use to call Indian summer days. The laggards among the farmers have hardly finished the fall work Corn picking will last un- til long after cold weather sets in. Hog butchering will commence in earnest soon as the weather is colder. The markets are well filled with wild game.
 Edmond Hoyt of Middlebury was in town on Monday.
 Mir and Mrs George Hannon returned, Monday night, from Orange, N. J. Mrs Harmon has spent three weeks visiting Mir and Mrs Robert Drew on Orange Mountain.
 John Slack and daughter are visiting Rev H. L. Slack and family on Chestnut street.
 Frank Hines, Clarence Hickok and Ralph Bennett are out on hunting tour on the Monroe hills.
 GREENFIELD HILL. l DEERFIED AND VICINITY.
 Miss Clara A. Bradley has spent a few days in Black Rock.
 Mrs Clark R. Nichols is in very poor health.
 | F. Bradley and wife of Southford