davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23
WITHIN OUR OWN HEARTS
Annual Season OF Praise and Prayer
Belongs to Each of Us For
Ourselves,
year

The president aIi the governors OF
states appoint Thanksgiving day; but
each person makes ii for himself. 1t
cannot be made in haste. The choic-
est things Of the year must be gath
cred together in thought and put into
It. First are the permanent treasures
of life God is. and is our Father.
We have his word and his spirit We
are in his family not as servants but
as sons. and 1.-The son abideth for
ever" We have, therefore. future
unbounded by time In the fathers
house. These everlasting values en-
rich present life beyond limit. The
day when mems attention is concen-
trated on them becomes Thanksgiving
day.
We put into II also what the years
have given Instantly affections and
friendships. Ties suspended by cir
cumstances, not broken. are renewed.
as faces of the absent ones reappear
In the home, The past is revived In
the family interchange of experiences,
as members of a household survey
the treasures they have gained and
gathered together. The wealth of the
years grows as it moves our graft
tude.
The blessings OF this year must be
put into Thanksgiving day. The work
that was planned when the winters
! shortest days began to lengthen is
done. The harvest is completed. We
! do not count the losses today. We
| put the disappointments and sorrows
/ out of sight for the present We are
/ not making a fast but a feast The
| tables are loaded with good things,
| which symbolic the good things OF
! the year and of all the years and of
! the eternal life. And how many OF
them are here with us-the husband.
the wife, the children, father and
mother. friends at hand and mes.
| gages from those afar. the horne and
! all II contains. We have Christian
| fellowship. a great and prosperous
country at peace with the world and
with a helpful mission to other ma
tons which Is being nobly fulfilled.
But something still is lacking. II
Is the flavor to the food, the piquancv
4 10 the Hppetlie. but' HuWNAS ~ dAoi u
! the table What we give gives value
to what we have God setteth the
| solitary IN families" II there Is 4
chair vacant at our table some lonely
one must be found to I'LL it While
there are homes unprovided, ours can
not be completely really for the festi
val send portions unto him TO-
whom nothing Is prepared: for thi'
dav is holy unto our Lord" Thus on
table Is adorned and its plainest foor
I made rich
Now the day 's made We unite +
thanksgiving and We share the feat
in hanny fellowship surrounded b
ar amounted multitude Of merry mr.
king homes. whose unspoken greet"
to one another explains the mesni'
OF our national ThanksgivinS dc
For the Joy of the Lord Is 20
strength"
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23
DAY OF FAMILY REUNIONS
Thanksgiving Not Complete II Face
10 Missed From the House
hold Gathering.

During the first long winter in Ply
mouth one-half the little band of pill
grims died. The winter snow covered
their leveled graves, and when spring
warmth removed that friendly cover
ing the survivors planted grain above
the graves. that waving blades Of
wheat or corn might hide the colonys
loss from the cruel eyes of the foe
whom fear alone restrained from open
warfare. The pilgrims hearts we're
stout. and though their eyes might
grow dim at times in looking over the
neids where only mysterious patches
or a brighter green revealed to their
sad knowledge the secret of n hidden
grave. they dashed away the tears
and only strove the more to carry on
tho task those tired fingers had let
fai!. And when autumn came with its
abundant harvest the great thanksgiv-
ing feast they held was IN communion
with the lost. Secure in the belief
that their dear ones In happier
spheres were rejoicing with them,
they gave thanks for home. for har.
vest and for hope
Since then Thanksgiving day has
been day of family reunions. The
distant son returns. the grandchildren
gather around the table. the old peo-
pie take pleasure in welcoming the
familiar faces that time is changing
and the new faces added to the widen.
Ing family circle. II is day of care.
less mirth and thankful gladness
Some go to church TO find an expres.
sion for the feelings which find them
voiceless, and otherrs feel only vaeue.
ly. II at all. the need of more than the
tact acceptance acid enjoyment of all
that the day brings. There are house.
hold games and the sports OF winter.
and II the great football contests seem
TO overshadow more spontaneous al.
versions the actual figures would show
that not one In thousand OF the
population of the country attends the
matches. The thoughts of the preach.
ers are apt to turn TO the betterment
or civic or political conditions. raa.
soning that the way TO show thank.
fulness for public blessings is TO PRO
cure more of them. Not even these
serious thoughts can turn the charac-
ter OF the day away from that I'm.
pressed upon 1t al the beginning. an
occasion for feasting on what Provi.
dence has bestow ed in reward for
courage and for toll. The minor
strain that runs through the music of
the affections is heard by those whose
hearts once thrilled to voices silent
now. but the spirit of the day is to re-
1oice.
For what is secure in memory. for
the blessings of the year and the day,
for the promise Of the future, may we
be truly thankful.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23

blessings and remember. perhaps. now
many there are less favored than our
selves. There is not time for a COM
plete and permanent smoothing out OF
the wrinkles Of care and perplexity
before we sit down at the beautifully
laden table. but on the whole we are
ready to enter into the spirit OF the
time. IL Thanksgiving. then. a rever-
sal or an occasional accentuation of
the proper habit OF Christians life?
II there must be rusty hinges, should
they be upon the doors of praise.
while the other door OF grumbling
works with constant ease? The I'M
disputed right OF way in the Thanks
giving season ought to be the right of
way for all the year. Praise first
then grumhle, If you positively must.
but be sure e slve the right OF way
TO gratitude. That would be better
for our homes than big legacy, and
more smoothing to our foreheads than
any of the measures the beauty ma.
kers ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23
soma of the PLUMP Turkey.

am growing quite uneasy. I'm so fat
I'm getting wheezy,
For a month they've kept me fed TIN
my suspicious are aroused
Aye. so fat l merely wobbie, and l hard
ly care To gobhle.
And az night they all take pains to
see that l am safely housed
l surnise there's something doing-can
II be there's trouble brewng7-
From the interest they take It's al
most certain as can be
Every bone IN me is shaking and my very
soul Is quaking.
For l fear the worst is cominS-com
ing mighty quick to me.
I in fancy see a platter and hear the
clink and clatter
or the dishes knives and forks as Bri
dget flies around the room
But the worst OF all my dreaming is the
fash OF crimson cleaning
When my head is ON the block and
at last have met my doom.
Life is growing sad and pslling-pardon,
please, the tear drops falling
For a turkeys life is hard this time
OF year, as you can see;
Woe IL me and deep my sobhinE. and my
heart with grief is thrObbing.
For 1 fear the worst 10 comink-eom
Ing mighty quick to mel
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23

beth, as she returned in few min
utes with an open letter in her hand
Cant understand what?" she wai
asked
why, here's a special delivery from
Gertrude saying she will not be in the
city until tomorrow. What does II
mean? She just telephoned me ar
hour ago that she would be here tc
dinner"
Don threw up both hands and
laughed.
"Ha. Ha, Betsy. Betsy. I'll bet OF
Betsy every time," He threw him
self on the lounge and smothered his
face in the pillows.
stop rolling round that way and
tell me what the matter isl" Elizabeth
commanded.
You're a great grit But ther
women are all alike"
Tell me this instant what yoV
mean"
Don rose from the couch. and dror
ping upon one knee before the onend
ed mistress OF the house he said
Sister. mine. forgive NE II YOU car
but l couldn't resist the temptation"
Get up! Get up. / say! Do 30
mean to tell me that you played tina
trick on met"
BETSY. you made such fuss abor
Certrude's coming that l thought
ike to SEQ how you would act IL II
Iadv herself should happen to q
nounce such a mad possibility. SO
vent TO the corner telephone
.ound out!"
Donald warner. you are a ne;
,N'-. the meanest thing on earth
lis sis .er dropped into chair a.
overed Der face with her hands.
Poor dear. It was shame
base tricki" Don admitted contritt
as be patted her head and deferred
the faces OF the smiling group. II
lust think. sister, my room is cleane.
he whispered for her ear alone.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23
1lrthd.y Cake.

Onehalf pound butter. one-half
pound dates, one-half pound brown
sugar. one-half pound citron, sliced,
one-half pound -four, two pounds rails
ms. sliced. yolks Eve eggs. one pound
currants. one tablespoon brandy, one
tablespoon each cinnamon, allspice
and cloves, one teaspoon mace, one
tablespoon vanilla. one teaspoon OF
lemon, one teaspoon almond, cream.
butter and sugar. add egg one at
time. then one-halt the -four. Then
add spices and one-half teaspoon soda,
dissolved in little water. Mix the
remainder OF the flour with the pre-
pared fruit and mix in with the hands.
Bake two and one-half hours in q
steady oven in which there is a jar
Of water.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23

home and make it beautiful Is the
dream OIL many of these homeless
ones. To make home ministrant and
hospitable and so to crown it with
a higher beauty ought to be the sug-
gestion of the happy feasting and fell
lowship of Thanksgiving.
The community was the host In
that first Plymouth festival. yet the
community divided into families. As
they kept the feast in the large family
groups into which the necessity OF
house building and defense had up to
this time divided them, did any or
them think. we wonder. of the law or
the passover established for other
exiles and pilgrims so many centuries
before: "And If the household be too
little for the lamb. let him and his
neighbor next unto his house take 1t
according to the number OF the
souls?
AS a community we are today much
further from absolute want and peril
of starvation than the Pilgrims were
when they began the custom Of the
yearly feast Of thanksgiving Yet
there are many Oh our pSOpAo "nO'
IL they keep the feast, must keep 1t
in the midst of poverty and peril %
want. In the widst of greater want
and peril the forefathers invited
strangers to the feast. providing what
they could. They were wholly free
from that false pride. so common now
adays. which thinks most OF appear
ances and is ashamed to offer hos
pitality unless 1t is possible. also. to
make a show of wealth. Out OF what
they had the fathers gave God thanks
and entertained the strangers at their
gates. The other spirit Of false pride
and shame robs both guest and host
of the best Joy of the Thanksgiving
time-the Joy Of common faith in the
Giver of all good. and of cordial well
come which has nothing to conceai
and nothing to assert This simplici'
ty of welcome, this quietness OF a
cheerful spirit, must ever be more
grateful to the guest than formal
| show of multiplied courses and elao-
crate adornment OF the table.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23
Fish and Lemon Juice.

Take a threepound fish. Clean. cut
and sprinkle with salt. Leave tor
three hours; cut fine one good, medi-
um-sized onion. let simmer in table
spoonful OF butter, add one pint OF
boiling water, pinch of ginger. pepper,
mustard; put in the fish; boil slow
20 minutes. Sauce-Beat well tho
yolks OF six eggs. Juice of three lem
ons; add the hot gravy from fish to
yolks and lemons. stirring well. so
eggs will not curdle; then put back
on stove, let come to a boil and place
fish in a dish. pour sauce over, put
away to cool; garnish with lettuce
leaves. add one tablespoonful of
chopped parsley to sauce.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23
Sweet spiced Pickles.

Soak cucssmbers in cold water conf
tanning a handful of salt over night.
After thoroughly washing them in the
morning. drain. and scald in vinegar
and water. half and half. then drain
of and put pickles in cans. Put one
and one-half teaspoonfuls of mixed
whole spices, also small pieces of
horseradish in tops of cans and one.
half cupful suga' to each quart of vim
egar Cover with scalding vinegar
and seal.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23
Hymn of Praise

We hold our hands to Thee o Lord OF Hosts
And praise Thee for Thy blessings manifold.
We thank Thee for the hounteous harvest yield.
The garnered opulencs OF vine and field.
The work Of with full fruiuon wned.
We thank Thee that live with souls Attuned
To all the beauty OF the pulsng world.
We thank Thee for the heroes OF the quiet ways
When 10 man knovsth but who live thy praise,
The silent heroes IN the ways forgot.
We praise Thee that brother lives snslaved.
Free hearts free homes aye. let thanks giving r1sa
Thu end OF str4fs-shs soldiers duty done;
The rich reward -shs Joys OF freedom
Tnank cod ys people. toe the gift OF peace.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23
Nut custard Tarts.

One-quarter of pound of ground
chestnuts. one-quarter Of a pound of
sugar, oue-Quarter of pound of but
ter. one pint Of milk. three eggs Beat
the eggs and sugar well together. melt
and add the butter. then the ground
nuts and lastly the milk Pour into
a double boiler and stir over the fire.
until the mixture thickens Line
some patty pans with rich paste. near
ly fill with the cooked mixture and
bake in a moderate oven.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23

Not wealth nor place nor cut of gown,
T is work well done sets hearts alight;
Alike to those of farm and town
Shines Homes fair beacon fondly
bright:
Far float youths SONGS across the
night
Now let the crisp winds roar and veer,
Strong doors shut out the storm kio. s
might
This Harvest Home of all The year.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23

One-half cup butter, l \ cups sugar.
three eggs. 21s cups -four. II tea
spoons baking powder. one-half cup
milk one cup nuts. any preferred. Rub
the butter and sugar TO a cream.
add eggs well beaten. then the -four
sifted two times with powder. Mix
with the milk ana nuts into a thin
batter and bake In paper-lined tin IS
minutes
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23

Now good digestion wait on appe-
lite. as Shakespeare says" said the
landlady when the star boaTder began
carving the turkey.
Shakespeare also aid that all this
world a stage. Mrs. Pinchem. but
don't you think 1t is carrying the
Shakspearean idea and the stage
simne a tribe too lar when you try TO
serve papier maehe turkey?
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23
To Starch Linens.

In starching linens and similar
goods too light for mourning starch
and too dark for the white, put N the
boiling starch large piece of tissue
paper In shade to match as nearly as
possible the dress material. This viii
dissolve. and when the starch is
strained nothing but the dye will re-
main. making a starch of the exact
color desired.
This is a good hint for the woman
who does much color embroidery of
the stiffiy starched variety.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23

Forgot tie weight of labor's crown.
To pleasure now the hours invite;
The merry shouts of children drown
Their elders talk of business" trite
With smiles is every face bedight,
Ring out the voices sweet and clear
Each maids queen. each lads knight
This Harvest Home Of all the year.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23

ter she had been reading
Why. Elizabeth. what's this all
about?" asked her husband.
Il suppose you won't think It is any
thing, but it just spoils our day to
sether. We weren't going to have
any one here tomorrow except thu
family, and now Gertrude Allison has
written that she will be out in the
afternoon"
Elizabeth, you amt going back
on your old school friends that way.
are you? She won't be here for din
ner. so I don't see why you should
object to her coming for little while.
even If it is Thanksgiving"
%, Tom, / didn't think you would
lose all your sentiment so soon. You
seem t. have forgotten altogether
that this is our first Thanksgiving in
our new home" And Elizabeth pet
tishly wiped away a few tears.
Here comes Don. Perhaps he can
suggest way out of your troubles.
sait her husband with evident relief
Hello, sis. what's the matter? You
look as black as a thunder cloud.
see. had a quarrel with Tom. and the
first year, too. You ought to be
ashamed of yourself. Mr.. Leonard"
Dent be silly. Dom" his sister
pouted. II suppose you will disagree
with me just as Tom did Here's a
letter from Gertrude saying she viii
be here on Thanksgiving"
We'll, sister mine. may ask the
cause OF your displeasure?"
'The cause! That's just like a man.
Can't you see. either. that we want to
be alone on that day."
Poor Betsy! Shall l telegraph,
Only the family wanted Others will
please stay at home and"
do stop your nonsense, Don.
suppose am foolish, but l thought
we'd have such a good time together. "
Elizabeth sighed
About an hour before dinner time
the telephone rang and was answered
by Elizabeth.
Hello! Who is It? o. Gertrude!
Well. well. old girl, are you actually
there? Glad? guess am. Just
wait until get you at arms length
Coming out to dinner? Oh. that:
! lovely And stay all night. can't you
Good! You needn't think I'll let you
| go tomorrow You've got to give me
week at least Won't we have 6
good time talking over old tines
But you must stay. Don't be min
ute late Goodby."
"Oh. for heavens sake. whatll
| do?" asked Elizabeth. as she hung VI
the receiver with a nervous bang ant
faced her husband.
Where am / going to put her. II
like to know. There's nothing to d.
but make Don give up his room anC
go to the hotel And, oh-Tll have Il
clean that room at once! It's tht
worst looking place l ever saw.
Half an hour later as Don mounted
the stairs he was surprised to find hi
special sanctum undergoing an un
usual process.
"Impossible!" he exclaimed.
Don't you dare to come in here!'
his sister commanded.
| certainly hpt IL yOu Jun "iSh'
Go down and tell Nora to put on al
extra plate. Gertrude is coming t
dinner" Elizabeth added In a tom
that left no room for comments. Ant
Don obeyed, speechless for once.
Dinner was ready. but there was nj
sign OF Gertrude.
Let's sit down and eat" suggested
Don.
"Yes, very likely!" his sister re
torted, appealing to the little famil
gathering.
The bell rang. There she is now
Sis" said Don. Go and give her
sisters welcome"
u can't understand It," said Eliza
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23

evil n
Lord what have but empty hands.
And aching feet from hopeless quests.
And memories of barren lands.
And days and years Of unreSts2
The that / fam would swing
Holds neither fragrant herb srtCeB
There hrst-fruits may bring
To heap IN thankful sacrifice
Shall amid lffe's stlbble CLEAN
To find the grain the harvest leaves.
Then gaze Contented and serene
The while my neishbors count their sheaVes
There is gold, nor house, nor land
That may thank Thee 1t is mines
/ MAJ not measure with my hand
Thy uthing Of my corn and wine.
Had all these. then might hneel
And pray with fervent. easy speech
That were echo of my veal
OF all that was within my reach
Shall with pharisaic grace
Bow down and play the hypOcrite
And fling my prayer in Thy face
With not heartborn word in It'll
Nay not money let me count
The worth of all that have hads
Nor rniserlihe tell the amount
Of what rich gifts have made me glad
Though have tasted of defeat,
Still have left the strength to rise.
The tempter the foe to meet
With newer courage IN my eyes
So thus pray with empty hands
But not Lord. with empty heart
Though from fair houses and rich lands
My lines are ever cast apartI
Poor IN all things save this That
Need never thank Thee for my spoil
And that there is no haunting sigh
To break my slumber after toll
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23
snanhrttI = La Mexlcann.

A savory and delicious dish enjoyed
by the Mexicans, 0nehalf package
spaghetti. cooked In boiling salt wa,
ter. twenty minutes. drain, add one
can of tomatoes. strain. Have cook
ing one pound Hamburg steak with
two large onions. Chop fine and add
10 mixture. Season with red pepper,
paprika, adding six olives chopped
enc.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23
SET APART FOR GRATITUDE
Thanksgiving the Day Of All Days on
Which We Should Remember
Our BLESSINGS.

On Thanksgiving day most OF US.
with deliberate intention and perhaps
no little effort. close the door by
which grumbles enter and open wide
the other door that lets In praise. For
once gratitude has the right OF way
and we are just little bit ashamed
20 be found in the dull company CT
complaint At the Thanksgiving serv.
Zee, II we attend It we gsve ourselves
20 . deliberate enumeration of our
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23
Gallant

Nov. Mr. Blunt, says one Of T.
ladies of uncertain age but positiN
looks, Il know just what you are thin
ing Of as you sit here between u'
You are thinking How harry could
be with either were t'other de-
eharmer away Truly. nov. aren
Fou7'
Honestly. 1 am not" declares III
brutal man.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23

Fields are barren and woods are brown
Southwark turns the wild birds flight
Winter is coming with roar and fro
Spreading his mantle cleaning its
But at the fathers hearth unite
The old and young from far and r
To greet with laughter and delisL
The Harvest Home of all the year.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23

When the winds of bleak November
DOS0n the chimney moan and sigh,
Stirring INFO life each enber
Till the fumes roar fierce and high
Then my thoughts revert to boyhood,
When Thanksgiving Day drew nigh.
In the flames I see the farmhouse,
And the woodland brown and Sere
Where the sportsman S rifle echoed
As thar day of days drew near.
Scenes which ever shall be cherished
In the burning logs appear.
can see the deep old cellar
Where the apple bins, piled high.
OUershadotved heaps of pumpkins
Golden as the sunset sky,
And the casks of neGo fan cider
Stood along the wall close by.
As the oId-tinre scenes are fading
While the fire slowly dies,
Visions of q grooming table
Are presented to my eyes,
And almost scent the fragrance
of the mince and pumpkin pies.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23
ENVoI

Prince. grant that when our youth takes
flight
And Ages sure MESSAGE doth appear
Heaped high, Loves store shall Joy
invite
That Harvest Home of Life's round
year.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-11-23
REXAs6lNf'
y IHA''GuDT
BY GLHHcHr Z7nn1ep hmm
~ BLANcAF MNMrp NzLIW

SHOULD think people
would know enough &c
stay at home on Thanks
giyingi any one o
sense would know fam
lies like to b. alone one
day in the car" Eliza
betn threw down the let
ter she had been reading