St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-12-03
AT HALE'S TAVERN.
A Merry Thanksgiving Party'-A Bit
of History from the Early Days.

A self-invlte1 party OF eight went 10
Wells River for their dinner last Thurs
day and WIRE royalty entertained by
Landlord Hale at Hales Tavern. The
party consisted of Maj and Mrs. n. T.
Bowman, MIR and Mrs. A Alexander Dun
nett, Major and Mrs. J D. Lawton, Dr.
H. S. Browne and Miss Kate Burton.
They were joined by party OF Wells
River peop'e and music was furnished for
the occasion by that veteran traveller,
Mr.. Wlkie, with piano compartment
BY Mrs. Hale. There was such suggest
iveness of home about the house and ev-
erythiug was so we'll served that no one
regretted that their holiday had been
spent in hotel whci may well be called
a "Traveller's Home Dinner was
served at high noon and after grace was
said by Rev. Mr.. Boularger, Major Bow
man read the following interesting
account of the first Thanksgiving din
ner in New England
In the year 1852 the appearance Of
Boston was very different from what it
is at the present day There was the
harbor, formed by the same peninsula,
and stretching away beyond, the ever
restless ocean. 1t was now mid winter.
The crops OF the previous year had been
blasted and the ship which was
expected to bring supplies from Europe
had failed to arrive. Day after day the
prospect OF famine became more evident.
One scant meal day was all that could
be afforded
One bright afternoon in February Gov
ernor Winthrop walked .orth to call on
some of bis people. He came suddenly
upon a child weeping bitterly.
"What is the matter, my child?' he
asked.
"Oh, am so hungry" was the reply.
lust then voice called:
Come in, my dear
lie looked up aud saw a Wan, enact
ated, sadtaced woman. His pity was
deeply stirred, but he continued his walk,
and soon met S, veral men Of good sense,
energy and piety. They graspcd hands
without the usual cheerful customary
salutations.
II have started out" said the COVER
nor. to see if we can devise any plan
for the relief OF the starving colony"
That is just what we are doing" said
one OF them. Let us get Parson Mill
brooks and consult together"
Alter some deliberation hunting expe-
diion, though fraught with toll and
danger, seemed to be the only mode
they could then attempt.
Who will go? Who will volunteer?
We compel no one," said the governor,
A moments silence.
Il will go, said firm voice, and an old
man who had been active in instigating
the immigration arose to bis eet. God
vii be with me, and perhaps give soma
thirg to bring back to you. II not, can
lie down in the forest and die as peace.
fully as here"
Instantly a score of voices exclaimed,
we will go with you"
They dec ded to hold a day of fasting
and prayer, looking to Him who taught
them to ask for daily bread. This was
to occur on the morrow, and the meet
ing broke up. Night calmly rested down
upon the suffering people.
Morning again dawned upon Boston.
John Mason, the leading volunteer OF the
previous day, walked out into the open
air, turned toward the ocean. Quickly
his eyes dilated, his cheeks glowed. The
next moment he shouted:
The sh p is coming! The ship is COM
ing The ship is coming" Far away on
the rolling pillows was the ship so ar
IDENTIFY longed for, plainly visible. He
ran through the streets, stopping at
every house, shouting, "The ship is com
ing"
Men, women and children rushed into
the streets, clapping their bands with
Joy, laughing, running. Tears, too, were
there joyiu tears and praise and prayer
trembled on the lips of the gathering
crowd.
They fastened to the governors man
sion, to apprise him of the glad news
Faster and faster beat their hearts as
the ship neared the landing. At length
it arrives. 1t brings life. That night
for the first time in many months the set
tiers sat down to a Widespread table
Angels must have looked down on thS
scene and rejoiced also.
The governor announced new proc
lamation. Instead OF dav of fasting, q
day of thanksgiving was recommended
The people joytully acceded All as
sembled at the appoint hour. The
minister read the 103d Psalm beginning
thus:
Bless the Lord, o, my soul, and forge
not all his benefits"
During the sermon flowing tears o
gratitude tell from every eye. Thu
was kept the first New England Thanks
giving.