Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-11-27

gathering. 1t 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 Demeter, the goddess of crops
and plenty. The Romans, too, celebrat-
ed festival in honor of Ceres, who was
the Roman Demeter. This took place
early in October. When the harvests had
been brought in the people of England
gathered to celebrate the Harvest Home,
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 a feast
might be observed. The colonists 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
bagged great quantities of turkeys and
other game, enough, says one of the col
onists, to last them a 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 and general jollity. Off
and on the autumn celebrations were held
by the colonists for many years. 1t did
not become a regular custom to fix day
for Thanksgiving until 1863. when a 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 it has come to be observed through
out the nation. 1t is day of rejoicing.
1t is prominently, too, the day when
family ties are strengthened. The family
Is the foundation of national greatness,
and consequently the country is far
stronger because Of the observance of
this day. 1t is 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 stu
ated.
In New England the day is associated
with the great oldfashioned house with
blazing hearths, around which the mem
bers OF the family gather and listen to
strange and thrilling tales after dinner.
Different congregations meet in their re-
spective churches and offer up praise and
thanks for the bounties of the year. Con-
tribdtions are taken up for the poor.
Talks are given that are calculated to
inspire the listeners to greater effort in
the future.
No doubt the most wholesome custom
Of Thanksgiving is the gathering of the
members of a family about a common
board and their participation in common
pleasures. Nothing in the world so grasses
care, so soothes down trifling differences
and petty feelings of resentment than
this sort of reunion. Especially is this
true il there are a number of young peo-
pie, for then the elders put themselves
about to make the children have a good
time. There are games of blind mans
buff and hide and seek. and ghosts in
the attic that are the source of mingled
wonder and fear to young hearts. There
Is such romping as the old house has not
known for many a day, and its halls re-
sound with the shouts and peals of mer-
~ laughter. Then there is the mighty
dinner without which Thanksgiving is
not success. The long, strong table is
loaded down until il groans with the
weight of the smoking turkeys, the great
dishes OF potatoes. squash. cranberries
and score OF other delectable things.
There follow pumpkin and mince pies
and fruit and candy and delicacies that
can scarcely be named for number Then
stories are told or read. and there is sing
Ing and playing by those who are gifted
In a musical way.
Surely the world is better after so
much OF rejoicing and freedom from care.