Connecticut western news., 1897-11-25

An Occasion When the Turkey Outshines
 the Eaxle-Dats of the Festival Chosen
 In 17s2-FittinE Souvenirs and Games.
 seasonable Decorations.
 For long time the observance of Thanksgiving day was an annual custom belonging almost exclusively to the north ern states of the Union. but now the ob- servance knows no north, south, east nor west, and everywhere over our broad land the beautiful custom rests upon us like a benediotion- From far and near the mem bers of the family circle who have flown away from the home nest find their way back for Thanksgiving, like carrier pi- geons, bearing with them tender thoughts and remembrance of the loved ones who. with the poet. decided that ito stay at home is best !"
 There Is no law saying that Thanksgiv- ing shall be observed, nor is there need of any, for the law of custom has decided the matter and the president issues each year Thanksgiving proclamation setting aside certain day in the latter rart of November for the general celebration The first public Thanksgiving day ap- pointed officially in this country was ob- served by the Puritans on Oct 24 lG2i In l778 the chaplain of congress recon. mended that "Wednesday. Dec 30. bc ob served as day of public thanksgiving and praise. In l17g the first Tuesday in Nay was set aside. and in October l17y. Con gressman Root sugRcstcd that the day bc changed to Thursday Dec but in l1S2 Thursday. Nov 2S. was chosen. and from that time to the present the last Thursday in November has been the day decided upon for the great festival
 It Is a good day to lay aside and forget all differences and to keep in ones 8 heart only the tenderness and sunshine out of which the lips and eyes will make such loving smiles and glances
 After father and mother. the oldest grandchild and the newest baby. the next most important Thanksgiving parsonage Is the turkey He is a noble biped. and, while 1t may not be his aim in life to shine at the festal Thanksgiving board, it Is most assuredly his end The turkey Is the great American bird. and on Thanks giving days he outshines the lordly eagle In point of utility and as a subject for dis cussion of the most absorbing kind Tho exact origin of the turkey is buried In ob- scurity, but he himself Is so resplendens that his ancestry may be forgiven him. or rather the haziness of 1t may be Any bird so thoroughly satisfactory and admi- rable as the turkey must have had @ noble ancestry, and the proud blood of some great and royal biped must perforve flow gladly through his veins
 In the fore part of the sixteenth century the old world had become acquainted with the charms of the new world bird. and wherever he has been introduced he has made favorable and lasting impression. Who can imagine a Thanksgiving dinner without it's piece de resistance being the turkey stuffed with chestnuts. oysters or truf1es and revealing It's noble propor- tions and golden brown breast to the ad- miring gaze of the assembled dinersY Can 1t be possible that the turkey will ever occupy less lofty pinnacle than he at present enjoysp Perish the thought Ak.a to our Thanksgiving day celebra- ton is the green corn dance of the Indian, which probably had its orlgin hundreds of | years ago. It falls due every September and Is observed with great enthusiasm and picturesque savagery The event Is | commemorative of the yearly ripening of | the corn and grain, and all the members | of the tribe assemble at a given place. ar | rayed in the glories of paint. feathers. red | blankets, beads, moccasins and other sim liar adornments But, alas, there is nc roast turkey In its place Is boiling | caldron of real dog So saith tradition, at any rate But to return to civilization. The exchange of Thanksgiving souvenirs | is almost as universal now as that oi birthday and Christmas remembrances and really the occasion is eninently fitting ] for such a custom One always enjoJ he possession of pretty souvenirs. for many happy little memories cluster around | them, like sunbeams around a summer l rose Thanksgi ing sou enirs should no, | be elaborate. but apIrop rintc and suggcs tive of the merry occasion All kinds oi | cunning little bonbon boxes arc now
 shown. decorated with tiny gilt turkeys ol
 sil> cred baby pigs with tiny candy apple.
 In their innocent little mouths Smal
 paper pumpkins. filled with dainty bon
 bons, are also timely little souvenirs. ane
 real Thanksgiving candies in tho way o
 sugar turkeys. an car of ripe corn in cream
 paste, nuts and pumpkins in chocolat,
 and barley sugar are esl ecially arL roprlat.
 decorations
 Autumn leaves and flowers form bcauti
 tul adornment for the dining rDoin and tn
 ble, the halls and parlors. and only th,
 rich autumn colors Of rcd and rusict. tar
 and gold and brown, should be allowed X
 hold high reyelry at the great autumn
 carnival of the year
 It is a happy custom now for Thanks
 giving evening to be filled up with merry
 informal games and dances, in which ok
 and young may both join with equal pro