The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-11-23
THE AMERICAN THANKSGIVING.

The waning year grows brown and gray
and dull;
And poets sing November, black and
sere;"
But from the bounteous garne-ed harvest
store,
With grateful hearts We draw Thanks
giving cheer.
In the American calendar Of especially
appointed days set apart for the celebra-
ton of marked events in our nations his
tory. there is but one other which we
consider of the same Importance as
Thanksgiving. This is the day which
celebrates the victory OF that spirit OF
Independence so characteristic of the
American, the day beloved by the small
boy, the glorious Fourth of July"
The descendants of those sturdy Puri-
tan fore-fathers and fore-mothers, who
| originated this American version Of the
Jewish feast of the Tabernacle, the Cere-
ala of the Romans. the Harvest Home of
the Saxon and Celt, have made a wide
departure from the observances of their
ancestors. although they still retain the
institution, and certainly with good and
]
| blessings and bounties have been show
cred upon Us. a hundred times one humid
red fold since that little band Of less
tnan hundred brave. courageous much
tried souls on that bleak New England
coast appointed day for special Thanks
giving, because they were still alive.
| free, and able to obtain food and drink
more than sufficient for the barest neces-
sities of life: for half their original num-
| Der had died on account OF the terrible
| hardshfps they encountered.
IN fact, we should celebrate our
i thanksgiving with new and increasing
fervor each year. although perhaps not
In the same manner that the stern old
Puritan deemed the most fitting.
he one feature ''oId families stin re-
tain, and form of entertainment most
desirable and suitable for the busy, rest
less American IS the house-party. This
gathering should be as far as possible
from formal or fashionable one. but
be more Of a family assembly from far
and near. an lat home" day to ones
own people and the neighbor without
home. who finds it hard to be thankful
for the good times he sees but is not a
partaker thereof.
A Thanksgiving house-party has ad- I
vantages over the Christmas GATHERING.
as in most sections the season allows
outdoor entertainment for the guests
and there is vest abundant material for
the decoration Of the house which are
inexpensive and appropriate Guests who
arrive early viii enjoy taking part in an
expedition in search Of the autumn leaves
hardy ferns laurel. red berries and such
available materials; and also find pleas-
ure in arranging these afterward. This
gives the honey feekng'' SO grateful to
the world-weary, and also relieves the
hostess very materially if she is too busy
with other matters TO assume this re-
sponsibility. The long-sighted home
maker viii provide for this exigency, in a
measure. during her summer rambles in
the country; but nature helps even the
less provident by furnishing the rich.
brilliant autumn colors in fruit and veg
etabie and nuts. and the cnrysanthemums
are most essentially the Thanksgiving
flower.
The Thanksgiving Dinner.
However elaborate and elegant the din
ner may be. there must be certain indis-
pensabes on the THANKSGIVING menu.
The turkey, OF course, as everybody as
sociates the two most naturally. as being
peculiarly American. And the pumpkin
pie the golden crown of this generous
banquet. must not be omitted or the
piquant little cranberry, which doubtless
was discovered by our New England fore
fathers in the marshes Of Cape Cod
Neither must the crisp. refreshing celery {
be forgotten. as it has a close affinity
to the toothsome Turk Baked potatoes
white and sweet, apple pie. nuts. raisins,
and coffee; ell these make . dinner sim
PIE. wholesome. appetlzing and in keep
ing with the day. More msy be added
II one wishes TO display lavishness rather
than good taste or a regard for hvgenic
laws; but more cannot be as honestly
enjoyed from the Oldest to the youngest
guest With the simpler viands none
need be disbarred on account Of rich ,
ness or indigestibility
The wife and mother who Is the work
ng housekeeper as well. is unjust to her y
self her fsmiy and her guests If she
undertakes a more elaborate dinner than
Ter time. strength and resources allow.
That all may enjoy the dinner prepared
~ mothers hands, and she herself not
'e too tired to further add to the pleas
ire ef the occasion BY eating. and en-
owing. as well as taking part in the
ivcly conversation Of the table. let every
hing be simPliaed as much as possible.
% that there be no confusion 20 make :
he guest conscious Of an effort to fur
fish entertainment
oysters on the half shell may appro-
,rlately take the place OF soup and 7
erve as FISH course IS well This
ouree entails 50 little trouble where il
s possible 70 obtain the uno7ane6 oys-
ers from the deale-. who VIII deliver
hem opened nths halt shell packed On =
-aeked ice 81 8 stated rine. ch8rging.
an extra ten cents A dozen. :
which any busy housewife viii gladly
ay. When ready TO serve the oysters Il
eouiyes bat. few seconds 20 remove
hsm from the ice 20 chilled plate. half r
dozen oysters for each guest. ard place
he half q a lemon and spray of pars-
IS or c-ess IN the center. viaerar. cat O.
up and pepper sauce may be placed on
Re table fo- those who season their oyz-
rs with these. and prefer % eat thero a.
cocktail
Cranberry jelly nay b. made "dsys
efore il IS needed and - en- The be;t-r q
sr standing. The turkey IS improved.
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