Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-11-20
TH.NksGIVING FESTIVAL.

All Rights Reserved by Banning Co., Chi
cago.
THANKSGIVING FESTIVAL.
Thy bounty shines in Autumn ulconI
fined, and spreaGs cohliioA AeN ' go
that live"
The month of November is especially ap-
propriate for the observance OF Ihanhs-
giving, which has become one OF TOUT OF
our great national holidays. II Is the mar
vest home Of the seasons, the final garner
ingof the frpts which bring the frution of
hopes born of the bright new year, WINE WINE 70
to all, let us hope, II brings thank iti g
Surely. as a nation We q not neeq TO search
long for reasons to give thanks; and And
great cause for rejoicing; for in many
Romes The day will ind only sad hearts and
mournfIIl memories, this is the common IoT
OF all. If we cannot reJolce oHer-ilu -
within ourselves, let US stop and count our
mercies and comparing them VIII IL; otnS ,
side of ourselves and our narrow cllSle anu
be one OF the great common protherhoou OF
man; rejoicing as one united Ianllly OF pa
trioIic Americans.
why We Celebrate.
While we have come to regard Thanks
giving commemoration dlstmcty our
own, it may have had its origin in the
CereaIia of the Romans, the wine festival
OF the Spanish Cid, or the harvest home OF
in connection with the devotional part OF
the services may have been suggested to
anniversaries. But the cause which led
to the appointment OF our first Amer
lean ThanbksgiEying; vas fr6 6ne 6edpif5r
trials that were sufficient to make the
stoutest heart quail, and give way TO de-
suffering this small handful of brave and
independent people endured. The weary
pointment when the drought threatened
ruin to all their crops. 1t was then the
season of prayer. And seemingly in an
swer-to their petitions the rain descended
upon all the parched land, until the very
In those times not only one day, but seven
Were set apart for this great celebration:
beginning and ending, with prayer and
praise to that Providence which led them
through their time of trial 10 brighter days.
1t is a far cry from that time to the pres
ent but the general expression of gratitude
has changed but little outwardly. Instead
of a week, however, we confine the celebra-
ton; though in many sections the prep
arations for the feast occupy some days of
are so many time and labor-saving meth
DDS now adapted, that the occasion need
in the household. Yet Thanksgiving would
not be THANKSGIVING without the odor of
mince pies and other good and savorX
things floating through the air.
The Many Good Things.
If there is, at any time, an excuse for
reasonable human beings to be guilty, of
Over-indulgence, it is certainly when this
feast of heterogeneous nature is displayed
in such tempting abundance before them.
joy the liberality of the fruits of all the
earth that are now set before US, as our
forefathers enjoyed their simpler and more
homely viands, still at this season of the
year appetite comes with eating and
There is something kind O. hearty like
about the atmosphere,
When the heat of summers over and the
coolin' fall is here"
The Dinner.
This. it must be remembered, is more
than all things else, a family gathering;
all needless form and ceremony are to be
avoided. Thankfulness and good cheer
are the spirits that rule the feast There
is very little variation in the dishes served
as certain Yiands are so closely associated
with, the day 1t would seem almost like
to leave them off the menu or
make any very radical change in their
Imagine Thanksgiving with
out turkey One might as well forego the
feast altogether as to leave this Hamlet
out of the play; Many housekeepers pre-
fer to wait for this occasion before serving
the first turkey of the season; this is a very
sensible idea, as every one is better able
to ENJOY 1t when not satiated from a too
frequent diet.
Making Preparations.
Very often the young housekeeper. who
serves her. first Thanksgiving feast, in her
desire to emulate mothers dinner over
taxes her strength, ability and nerves TO
such an extent she is unable to enjoy the
This is certainly loves labor lost. Select a
few simple and appropriate dishes and do
art except in cooking these dishes in an
appeuzing manner. Do not aim to give
the lCed OF iullnesS ana plenty by a con-
EIomerate mixture of attempts with dishes
beyond your experience and strength.
aog F6r enamp be PEa 6c DAYS
and cranberry jelly. Nuts may be cracked
and fruit arranged. and even the turkey
StutteG, unless oysters are employed, on
the day before If no maid is in attend
ance, many. housewives have adopted a
plan by which they save many steps and
the annoyance OF some one continually
having to leave the table. This is to set a
hand; on this arrange all silver, dishes and
such things as cannot be placed on the ia BILE
at the beginning of the meal. Also the
salad materials, the fruits and nuts. Even
ths after dinner coffee can be made at the
table by using a small alcohol lamp. The
only things necessary TO call one from the
very cold or that aide-de-camp of the lord
" turk. the mince pie, which must, accord
ing TO time honored customs, be served hot.
Decorations.
For table decorations avoid hot house
products, except chrysanthemums, then if
the housewife Is the fortunate possessor
OF her srandmother'S willow-ware china
or pattern OF like design, she will find she
dinner Many an ingenious country hos
tess, when flowers are scarce, arrange a
center-piece Of the autumn fruits and vege-
Ia bles, with dark green ivy for a back
ground. A basket may be made from a
meoium-sized. common field pumpkin.
nlled with fruit and nuts and al the base
I he dark green ivy, TO carry out the harvest
nome idea Those who live in or near coun-
try places have the MOSES. lichens. bright
red berries and autumn leaves which may
be gathered and preserved. Crimson
geraniums and ivy leaves are very effec-
tive, giving warmth and added cheerful
ness. Whatever may be used for decora-
tons, the tablecloth must be pure, spotIess
white.
MENUS FOR EVERY DAY IN THE
WEEK.