Evening star., 1912-11-24

meal can usually get them in oasket
from some charity organization or go IN
a body and be fed by various associations
which make it point to see that epicu-
rean patriotism Is kept alive and nour1sn-
ed on this annual feast day.
And always there must be turkey!
Army officers and soldiers of fortune have
often told Of the utter failure OF the
Thanksgiving dinner, served way on
somewhere in exile. because the piece de
resistance was substituted for by a
chicken, bit of roast beef or a duck.
For turkey is synonymous with Amer
ica It and the Indians were both here
before the white man. Historians. not
above embellsh;ng dry facts with slight
touch of folklore insist that Wild turkey
was served at the very hrst Thanksgiving
dinner in this country.
Whether it was roasted, boiled, or
baked. the chroniclers fail to relate. Ger
tainly 1t was not stuffed with oysters.
nor redolent Of chestnuts. nor fanked by
the great, quivering, mounds of crimson
translucency which accompany 1t today
on such a holiday. But 1t was turkey
the very first, that is-so identified with
naturalized origin really think the day
merely an excuse for the bird
However, turkey became a feature of
this historic meal so long ago that the
reason is lost in oblivion. One Is inclined
to the opinion that necessity governed
choice. Probably turkey was the only
fowl running around loose.
~srrvH lie ,fSv3vHe doN "a
Mayfiower folk did not even have tur-
key. Amid cargo Of rare old furniture
and china that was to enrich and s1ve
social prestige to later generations they
abstained and gave verbal thanks that
they had been saved from the peril Of
the sea and permitted to find a home In
the new land. Thanksgiving day then
was fast day. Giving up every sort Of
occupation and spending the time in Bible
reading and prayer the colonists re-
solemnity.
Not until thirteen years following the
settling OF Massachusetts did Thanksgiv.
ing day receive official state cognizance,
although it was generally observed by
church going and-after q few years OF
stern fasting-a better dinner than was
served on week days. BY degrees the fea-
ture of the great day became the dinner
that always accompanied 1t. And. thanks
to the substantial manner In which things
were fashioned In those times and to that
propensity Of the New Englander to save
everything that wouldn't spoil. . very
clear idea OF the table arrangements and
costumes Of the guests can be had.
At the National Museum there are sew
eral cases filled with clothing. Jewels
cutlery dishes and glassware which
graced Thanksgiving feasts way back In
colonial days. On little tags attached to
various articles are names OF the great
families of early New England, OF New
York and Of Maryland and Virginia The
descendants Of the pioneers have como to
realize that the nomadio hives led now
precious relics and have intrusted them
to the care Of the government.
In one exhibition case q table, set at an
angle Of As degrees. shows the sort Of
chinaware and cut glass used at q long
gone Thanksgiving day dinner by MEM
bers Of the Sopp family. Nobody could
mistake the purpose Of the great blue
china dish that ornaments the center Of
the table. In It the turkey was placed
waiter expresses It.
No side dishes. with little dabs oe this
and that. mArred the idea Of plenty. The
vegetable dishes all came upon the table
and from them portions were placed In
the saucers and plates ehown with the
service First q soup tureen. OF vari-
colored china ornamented by q grinn's
head. was brought in. This and the
long handled pewter soupspoon are shown
at the museum. The soup plates held
enough for three such ''helpings" ~ will
be fashionable this Thanksgiving day.
After that came the dinner proper.
Around the mates were arranged in.