Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1900-11-21

gathering. Ii occurred from the latter
part of September to the middle of Octo-
Der, lasting eight days at a time. 1t was
the feast OF rejoicing after the harvest
ing Of the crops. when the great work
of the year was zone 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 Demeter. the goddess OF crops
and plenty The Romans too, eelebrat-
ed a festival ia honor Of Ceres, who was
the Roman Dellctar This took place
early in October. When the harvests had
been brought in the people Of England
gathered to celebrate the Harvest Home,
a festival at which there was much jol.
lily and rejoicing. ).
The FIRST Thanksgiving in America was
probably that held by the Pilgrims in the
fall Of 1921 when Gov Bradford sent a
party out TO secure game that feast
might be observed The eolonists had
seen the first fruits OF their sowing, and
although the. results were nothing great,
yet they were enough to make them
thankful and far better than they might
have been. The hunters went out and
hagged grifHt quantities Of turkeys and
other game. enough, says one OF the col
onists, TO last them a4sweek. 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 and general jollity. OF
and on the autumn celebrations were held
by the coIonists for many years. 1t did
not become regular custom to fix day
for Thanksgiving until 1868. wien pres.
idential proclamation was issued calling
upon the nation to offer up prayers and
thanks. Eyer since that time. each au-
tumn has seen the return OF the custom
and it has come to he observed through
out the nation. II is a day of rejoicing.
1t is pre-eminently. too. the day when
family ties are strengthened. The family
is the fOundatioa OF national greatness,
and CONSEQUENTLY the country is far
stronger because OF the observance OF
this day. 1T Is a day, when. as far as
possible, care is banished from the mind.
The spirit Of humanity is abroad and the
poor and needy are helped TO happiness
by those who are more fortunately situ-
ated. gre
In New England the day is associated
with the great old-fashioned house with
blazing hcagths around which the meui-
tiers OF the family gather and listen to
strange and thrilling tales after dinner.
Different congregations meet in their re-
spective chprehes and offer up ~ oise and
thanks for the boun;ies Of the year. Con
tributions Aare taken up for the poor.
Talks are given that are calculated Ia
inspire the listeners to greater effort id
the future
No doubt the most wholesome custom
of Thanksgiving is the gathering OF the
members of family about common
board and their participation in common
pleasures. Nothing IN the world so erase,
care. 50 soothes down trihiug difference,
and petty feelings of resentment thar
this sort 81 reunion. Especially is thi
true if there are a number of young PEG
pie for then the elders put themselve
about to make the children have a goo,
time. There are games OF blind man
buff and hide and seek, and ghosts il
the attic that are the source OF minGle,
wonder and fear to young hearts Their
is such romping as the old house has no
known for many day, and its halls re
sound with the shouts and peals of meT
~ laughter. Then there is the might
dinner without which Thanksgiving i
not success. The long, strong table
loaded down until il groaus with tn
weight Of the smoking turkeys, the grea
fishes Of potatoes. squash. cranberrie
and 4 score Of other delectable things
There follow pumpkin and minee pie
and fruit aud candy and delicacies tha
can scarcely be named for number The
stories are told or read, and there is sing
ing and playing by those who are gifte
IN q musical way.
Surely the world is better after 6
much OF rejoicing and freedom from car,