The Rich Hill tribune., 1907-11-21
The SPIRIT
AND FEAST OF
THANKSGIVING

Side by side with the long. un-
broken custom handed down 20 as BY |
our foretathers" OF setting apart an
nually a special day for Thanksgiving |
has also dwelt with us the idea that |
we must have as nearly az practicable |
the same kind OF q feast as that en-
ioyed by the first settlers upon these
shores. From a sentimental view
point this theory is undoubtedly cor
rect. and would really work out beau
tifully were It not for certain changed
conditions affecting our supply OF sea
sonabie provisions. A regulation plan
OF directions for getting up a proper
Thanksgiving dinner even this year
would suggest the providing Of oy-
sters. turkeys. chicken for chicken pie,
with vegetables. fruits. rich pastries,
and delicacies in abundance. The idea
Is to arrange a composite meal which
shall comprise as nearly as may be
the various fruits and products Of the
earth. And a good and praiseworthy
idea It is. too, II only everybody had
the wherewithal 10 purchase these
fruits; but unfortunately this must be
an oysturless and a turkeyless Thanks
giving for many persons. The causes
contributing 10 this state Of things
cannot be discussed here: nor does
Il much matter 10 the man who en-
tiers a meat market and sees a turkey
which he longs % purchase for his
family, but which he knows he cannot
AFFORD. Just why the commodity. with
many others. Is so FAR beyond his
means. The thing is he knows Il is
beyond his means, and therefore be
will have TO do without 81. He must
20 some extent give up the idea OF try
ing to initiate thar first Thanksgiving
dinner in the forest
In some respects the preparation Of
that feast, OF the obtaining the arti-
cles comprised IN Il, must have been
a comparatively simple matter The
settlers had but 10 take down the
fowling piece, go into the woods. and
bring home the wild game. Well filled
oyster beds lay quite near the shore
The harvest was fruitful: grain. wild
fruits, such vegetables as they knev
how 70 raise were abundant; nuts oI
various kinds we're plentlful-what
then. was to hinder the making ready
a feast that should htly supplement
the public Thanksgiving rendered untS
the Lord? There Is the point. Tn,
feast is but the outward sign or tokei
AZ that which underlies the Who'll,
Thanksgiving ides IL is the feelini
in the heart. the sentiment OF graft
tude for good received. that after ali
constitutes the real Thanksgiving
With this feeling present the absence
OF the turkey. even though he Is every
where acknowledged 70 be the kin
OF the feast. need not be counted
misfortune
We. too apt 20 forget just hoy
things were with the settlers. W
take the idea Of that great hisiorica
feast into our minds. and We oyerloo
the dark shadows that must have bee
"a that FIRST Thanksgiving picture.
would be a good thing II we would tr
TO remember the little graveyard b
.he waters edge" and make an eiiol
20 recall what the record says, thg
not one household IN the New Mass'
chusetts colony but had recently bee
visited b, death or severe and prs
tracted Illness. But still the preparl
tions for the feast went on. and az
convenient time they "solemuiEed
day of thanksgiving unto the Lord
Surely We can learn a lesson frol
the Rimple faith OF those pious soul
We are not called upon to-day TO so
fer the priyatlons which were the L
OF our forcfathcrs, but any year ma
bring changed conditions which me
nocessitate more or less seli-denial q
our part II the man who finds hlr
self unable 10 buy material for a
expensive dinner knows that his faf
ily circle Is complete and unbrokc
and everybody tn health and fully ah
10 enjoy tho dinner when Il Is pr
pared, be surely has good and SUI
Client cause Tor thaukfuluesn
SO. even IL In some cases the u
keys place must be fllod by a chic
en-. and perhaps not any too large
chicken. and even if a number
plainer dishes have 90 be made 10 a
awer Tor the assortment Of rich 10.
which We have always considered ne
essary for tho Thanksgiving table.
us not depart on this account fro
any ,of the ume.honorcd customs I
longing 20 the day The family
unions can be complete and enioyab
The tallest grand child and the ne
e. baby can each be accorded the
fun share Of attention, and old a
young alike may an have part In q
joyousness and general good cheer,