The times., 1898-11-25

The people of the District of Columbia
and surrounding country celebrated AN
old-time Thanksgiving Day yesterday
Even the old-time snow was not lacking
and old-time services of praise were held
in church and hall. The oid-time turkey
and cranberry sauce were present, as ot
yore and the old-time fashion of cele-
brating the day indoors was observed.
True, there were no old-time aborigines
to be feared and the oid-time watch lock
was not needed to clear the passage TO
church. Nevertheless, yesterday was the
most old-time Thanksgiving observed here
in many years.
BY some the day had been set aside as
a holiday Of sport and pleasure while
others regarded the occasion as time
for the solemn offering Of thanks and
praise TO the donor of all things good.
Bell, book, gown and candle called forth
the great mass of the citizenry TO ser
vices of thanksgiving in almost every
church. Here radiant, pulsing music
opened all hearts to the blessings of life
and hopeful. helpful sermons described
the beauties of gratitude for strength
and health and worldly good.
At high noon the city was one great,
grand odor OF hunger inspiring cookery.
How poor that household wherein the
,easonable turkey was not, and how sad
that housekeeper who was not busted in
basting a turkey with a great ladle!
Even the calloused dyspeptic pater who
sat above stairs and pored over ''Cyrano
de Bergerac'' lost all interest in his task.
as great mouthfuls OF appetite poured
into his throat from his palate. Verify il
turkey well roasted is thing of tempta-
ton, and with cranberry sauce how could
L man profit with stalled OK?
And then the Thanksgiving dinner, a
blessed institution which was observed in
nearly 5000 homes in this city. There
was the proud turkey in the center,
bathed in his own wealth. There was
the tasty cranberry sauce, the celery, the
golden mashed potatoes, the-but why in
vite hunger at this late hour? There sat
the master of the house with gilt erinS
carvers in hand, while a half dozen voices
pleaded for leg. and four of these were
ater well satisfied with some other por-
ton.
And when night had fallen happy
groups sat around ruddy fires and with
music or story dared the raging clements
outdoors
But there were others. Many of these
left the city with shining faces and spent
the day In other cities with family or
friends. Others eagerly oiled up ancient
guns or borrowed modern rifles and set
forth to spend the day in GREATNESS
pleasure hunting the tricky squirrel. the
vanishing rabbit or feathered game. These
huntsmen observed the day with appro-
pirate yolleys. even though many of them
returned burdened with only their rifles.
Then there were those who chose the
day for other sports. Thousands OF de-
'jirious, bowling spectators forgot the
ioamp and the cold and rooted" for two
,Gozen brawny athletes, who endeavored
10 pound one another beyond identifca-
ltion SO that a touchdown might be scored
lOthers found pleasure in foot races and
l%eats of strength, but all enjoyed the
Cay.
During the evening the young people
made merry at dances and entertain
ments, which lasted far into the MORN
| ing.
| When the oldest inhabitants awoke YES
| terday morning he had much to relate
| about the Thanksgiving Days during the
century which produced snow These
/ could be counted on the nngers of one
hand and the Oldest inhabitant was much
elated thereat. The snow was a surprise
TO everybody, and made this section Of the
globe miserable during the forenoon. The
sun managed to straggle out during the
| afternoon, and gave the people one more
thing to be thankful for.
/ from the White House TO the huddles
of Swampoodle, the people OF the District
observed the day and all gave thanks and
cound something to be thankful for The
Door were thankful for what they had
the wealthy were thankful that they had
| plenty.
Good Democrats were thankful for more
Congressman, Republicans were thank
| full for a majority in both houses Mer-
chants were thankful for year of good
business. The employed were thankful
that they had employment. and the un-
| employed were thankful that they were
able to accept position should one show
up.
| Dispensers OF strong liquors were
thankful for the universal thirst, while
! godly men We're thankful that the world
is growing better. The Bohemian who
| makes his home at the restaurant tab c
| where hangs his hat was thankful that
he had no taxes to pay while the prop
erty holder was thankful that he had a
home. The turkey was thankful that
there Were few of him loft aud .Ia