Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1900-11-24

gathering II occurred from the latter
part OF September to the middle of Octo-
Der, lasting eight days at time. 1t was
the feast OF rejoicing after the harvest'
ing OF the crops. when the great work
OF the year was done. The same idea
has prevailed in almost all nations.
Greece had its Elusinian mysteries, last
ing nine days in September, being held
In honor Of Dcmctcr. the goddess Of crops
and plenty. 'yrhe Romans, too, cclebrat-
ed a festival In honor Of Ceres, who was
the Roman Dcmetcr. This took place
early in Octobcts When the harvests had
been brought IN the people Of England
gathered % cclebtnte the Harvest Home,
q festival AZ which there was much jol.
lily and rejoicing.
The first Thanksgiv in America was
probably that held by the Pilgrims in the
fall OF 1921 when Gov. Bradford sent q
party out to secure game that a feast
might be observed. The colonists had
seen the first fruits Of their sowing, aNA
although the results were nothing ,Ifaat,
yet they were enough to make them
thankful and far better than they might
have been. The hunters went out and
bagged great quantities Of turkeys and
onists, to last them week. Massasiot,
who had been a good friend to the set
tiers. came into the feast with ninety of
his followers and they were royalty en-.
tertained for three days. Besides the
feasting, there were trials of their skill
with the rifle aud general jollity. OF
aud on the autumn celebrations were held
by the colonists FOR many years. II did
not become regular custom to fix q day
Tor Thanksgiving until 1868, when pres,
idential proclamation was issued calling
upon the nation to offer up prayers and
thanks. Ever since that time. each au,
tumn has seen the return Of the custom,
and II has come TO be observed through
out the nation. IL Is day Of rejoicing
II Is prc-cminently, too, the day when
family ties are strengthened. The family
Is the foundation OF national greatness
and consequently the country Is IA,
stronger because Of the observance Of
this day. II ls.a day, when, as far n,
possible, care Is banished from the mind
The spirit Of humanity is abroad and ii,
poor and needy are helped to happiness
by those who are more fortunately stu
ated.
In New England the day Is associate,
with the great Old'faShioned house will
blazing hcurths, around which the mem
beers u the family gather and listen t,
strange and thrilling tales after dinner
Different congregations meet IN their re
spcctiye churches and offer up praise an,
thanks for the bountics Of the year Con
trbutiOns are taken up for the poor
Talks are given that are calculated I,
inspire the listeners 10 greater effort il
the future,
No doubt the most wholesome custom
Of Thanks giving j. the gathering Of tn
members II a family about a common
board and their participation IN common
pleasures Nothing in the world 50 erase
care, 80 soOthes down trihing difference
and petty feelings Of resentment thar
III. sort OF reunion. Especially Is thi
true II there are u number Of young pco
pie, Tor then the elders put themselvc
about n make the children have gOoD
time, There are games Of blind man
buff and hide and seek, and ghosts il
the attic that ar" the source OF mingled
wonder and fear 10 young hearts. Their
j. such roHpng as the old house has no
known for many a day, and II, halls re
sound with the shout, and pcaIs Of mcr
rs laughter. Then there /, the might,
dinner without which Thanksgiving /
not success. The long, strong table !
loaded down until IL groans with tn
weight II the smoking turkeys, the grca
dishes Of potatoes squash, cranbcrric
mad score Of other dclec'ab.n thing.
TA"-s follow pumpkin and mnce p!"
and fruit and candy and dc.icacics tina
can scarcely be named for number, The
stories are told or read, and there !, sing
ing and playing by those who are gfte
In musical way.
Surely tho world il better after 8
much u rejoicing and freedom from care