The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-11-25
DAY OF PUBLIC
THANKSGIVING
Appropriate Observance in tho
Churches, Homes and Institutions
The PRISONERS MADE MERRY
All Duy Observance at Y. NJ c. A-Doaa-
tlcn Day atSt j'ssph's Hsspltal-Out
Door Sports Theatres Crowded

THANKSGIVING day. as II was observed
An this city. fulfilled In all respects the
fondest anticipations OF the thousands
who participated in it's feasting' It's
churchgoing and It's peculiar and dis
tinctive Joy.
Rich man. poor man, beggar' thiet'
doctor lawyer and especially the butcher
man had that for which he could well give
thanks, the one that he was rich ana
nrosperous. the other that he was not
poorer: the one that he was blessed win
the capacity for successful begging. the
osher that he was on the sunny side OF
nrison walls: the doctor that there would
be aching stomachs awaiting his mer-
eenary ministrations on the morrow the
LAWYER that things were coming his way
with a vengeance: the butcher man, well
who is there needing TO be told why he
felt thsnkful7
True enough. the weather might have
been touched up in places and the turkey
colored smoke from a thousand chimneys
would have looked bit better curling up
awainst n rich. blue sky then against
threatening snowy-gray one. IL ls always
considered a safe wager here In Provl-
dence that Thanksgiving will either prove
= drtxxly day or else the snow clouds VIII
menace out of door comfort from early
until late.
"A for the celebration. one would as
wisely record the domestic observance OF
Christmas or OF Easter day as or THANKS
giving. IL seems sacreligiously appro-
pirate to suggest Turkey day as a desis-
nation for this annual 4o-cents pound
feast. Roughly speaking the day Is COM
monty divided fnro TWO perIous' tnose
being one OF fasting and one OF feasting'
II is not 10 be denied that the popular
conception OF Thanksgiving OF 1904 fell far
abort OF the rigorous standard set by our
puritanical forebears. and II Is not TO be
denied that the fall has helped make the
day the more livable.
The family reunions, or course. con-
stitute one Of the chiefest charms OF the
day and let II su.iice 10 say that such
occasions were legion in Providence yes
terday and served TO bring happiness TO
q thousand homes, happiness that the
othsr days deny.
There was evident. as usual. the kindly
charlta bieness OF the weli-to-do In the
eending OF bountifully laden baskets TO
the homes OF the needy, and into many
cheerless family Thanksgiving day
brought new hope. new JOY and an aoid-
ing faith In Divine Providence because II
had been permitted TO know the content
ment and happiness OF true Thanks
giving feast.
At the various pseudo-charitable insti-
tutions, notably the Y. M. G. A" the
usual provisions were made for the en-
tertainment OF those whose circumstances
forbade their leaving the city for homes
eisewhere The restaurants and hotels
were busy throughout the midday and
afternoon. while the streets bore their
Sunday appearance. the idle crowds prom
snading with the leisurely movement that
knows not the necessity of haste. The
football games were well patronized,
while the theatres were literally jammed.
-he churches throughout the city held
their usual Thanksgiving services, In most
Instances several churches of like de-
nomination uniting In a common service
at one OF the edifices represented.