The Somerset reporter., 1900-11-22
AN OLD TINE FEAST.
THE FIRST THANKSGIVING IN PLYM-
OUTH COLONY.

Miles stnndisb md John Aides Greet
Massnsoit and Ills BraVes-Viands
with which They Were ReRaled.
Roast Pig and succotnrb
A background of woods. all flushed
with many hnes. a canopy OF white
drifting sky with here and there a
bright blue spot. bring to the mind an
idea Of the Cay aud the surroundings
amid which our brave Plymouth sires
founded DIR day of Thanksgiving.
Before the summer tresses Of trees
have fully gone in a small clearing Of
the sonlber woods two snowy tables
are spread. 1t the left is n log house
with one large chimney. from which
issues. into the clear autumn air. a
cloud of smoke. The fair faced Pur
tan women are hnrrying In and out
preparing for the feast At a little
distance the governor. elder and cap
tain of the colony are eagerly talking
and at short intervals peering into the
surrounding woods in anticipation #
the arrival of Massasoit and his
braves. Here also is John Alden.
that fair Saxon STRIPPING. who. peer
Ing through the shadows of the forest
boughs, sees. At SOME distance still. "a
thin. dark line. which. growing each
moment more certain in outline tells
of the approach of the Indian war
riors'
At this moment Miles Standish calls
Are they yet in sight, my fricnd?'
Almost within speaking distance
captain" and with this reply John Al
den enters the Kitchen.
Good day John Alden" says fresh
young voice. and he. looking eagerly in
the direction from which ii comes. sees
a dear face all smiling in its happiness
rs it not well that we have such "A
fair day. Priscilla further asks before
the mantle of shyness has quite left
him. At this moment the Indians.
headed by Massasoit. entered the clear
ing and were greeted 10y the governor
"Welcome. friends. welcome" he said
in a hearty. jovial voice and led them
directly to the table.
The men of Plymouth colony had in
vited these guests for friendly CON
course and combined with this plan the
harvest feast. Delicate appetites were
in those times rather defect than a
grace, and hospitality consisted in pro-
viding great quantities and many va
rieties of food. Realizing this fact. the
good women Of Plymoutnh had prcpar-
cd accordingly. The harvest had been
abundant. and the result was a gOodly
feast. Plenty of dishes of pewter and
wood lined the table and by each lay a
napkin and spoon. but neither knives
nor forks. for these were regarded as
curious implements of extreme luxury.
Massasoit sat next to the excellent ell
der at the table with the colonists,
while the men of his tribe sat, ut n lit
tie distance. beside the other table
What a feast greeted the eyes of the
guests! Chowder and roasted pig in
plenty. succeeded by mighty dish Of
succotash, that compound of dried
beans hulled corn. sailed beef. pork
and chicken, may be called the charter
dish of Plymouth: then came wild fowl
dressed in various ways, n great bowl
of salad of Prisclla's composition and
ut last various sweet dishes. all deli
ciouSly prepared and how strangely
new to the Indians,
After Elder Brewster had said a
blessing all began the meal 1t was IA
beautiful sight. The bright, pure sun
shone on all-the women coming from
the cookroom laden with steaming dish
es. the Puritan elders extending hos
pitalty. the Indians, friends of the
white men and native owners of the
soil. enjoying their new surroundings.
All are happy in the pleasure of friend
ship and rich In this. the first harvest
of Plymouth. which God had endowed.
In gazing through the mist which en-
velops the time intervening between
that first Thanksgiving day and this
Thanksgiving day we see again those
brave and loyal hearted men in the
dusk of that primeval forest bidding
good night To their sworn allies Mas
sasoit and his followers. We follow
them until they pass through the woods
and fade from sight amid the distant
hills.
Again in retrospection the faces Of
those serene and glorious men and wo-
men appear to us in all their simple
grandeur. notwithstanding the suffer
ings that they experienced the proceed
ing winter. these founders of our ever
growing land chose a day which was
filed with thanksgiving to God for hay-
ing brought them through the shadows
to this bright harvest day.
ThnnLsgibbIn Am Creepin ROun'.
In de fall OF de year when de leabcs turn brown,
An drap fun de trees till dey kiver up de grouu'