Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1913-11-26

can wildly picture the powdered hair Of tho
grown-ups, the eager faces Of the youngsters, the
grinning darkies in the south, Or CHEEKY white
e"help" OF the north. s
u i At the museum imagination Is stimulated by q
sight Of the very garments and Jewels worn at
Thanksgiving dinners just about the time the
holiday received its christening as national
event. Dainty and suggestive Of the beauty OF
youth is pale blue. ribbed silk empire gown
with short pulled sleeves, a . cobwebby white
hand embroidered kerchief and plain fall OF
wide skirt Near It are the ridiculously little
I. high-heeled white satin shoes, the gay colored
fan, Immense tortoise shell combs and gold beads
and miniature locket worn by the revolutionary
maiden.
Il; Looking at her footgear one smiles In reminis-
n cence OF. the fairy tales OF grandmothers who
always insist. upon the sensibleness OF the way
THEIR grandmothers dressed. a flaming red
cloak. with Red Riding Hood cape, and q beauti-
full beaded hand bag completed the toilette IN
which the girl probably rode many miles horse
back with her arms clasped tight around the
body Of male relative, or, perhaps rested warm.
sly inside one Of the numbering road coaches
which the museum contains. From family
long famed in history comes down a rarely beau.
tiful gold engraved snuff box and lace wristlets
and handkerchief, which the owner was wont to
display such occasions as that Of stately
Thanksgiving. In every detail Of china and sill
yer the costumes there Is evidenced this sug-
gestion Of dignity and caste.
And yet, very gay and festive must have APP
peared gathering Of well.known folk Of the
late revolutionary period when Thanksgiving
sufficiently new as national holiday to be
observed with particular enthusiasm
A complete full dress costume Of man OF
affairs OF Marylald displayed behind glass at the
museum, reveals the dandyism prevailing. The
knee breaches Of corded tan silk. with gem
encrusted buckles; the coat Of the same mate
rial is on the frock variety-with many plaits
at the back seltcovered buttons and q high
turnover collar Of the Robespierre style. The
gloves, silken hose, threecornered hat and
capped great coat are all delicate Of texture and
IN marked contrast to the somber garb now
thought appropriate for wear at a Thanksgiving
dinner. $Et
But 1t was not all beer and skittles" then!
& Amid the display Of old mahogany table, Candida
| bra, cushioned dining chairs and array of costly
old china and glass used Thanksgiving days
at Mount Vernon is the camp outfit OF George
Washington from which he partook Of SO many
frugal meals.
st5 One distressing winter of the struggle he ate
his Thanksgiving dinner "in the field" and 1t is
recorded that he had nothing except the regula-
ton soldierly provender.
His little camp chest still contains the nll-
merous pewter forks and spoons and dishes that
served him in lieu OF silver and porcelain. Over
fire that could be built in the open one pic
& lures bread being toasted for him the iron
toaster which is still intact. There were bottles
of seasonings, such as salt and pepper and a few
shallow pewter plates.
St II ever one needed faith in order to be thank
full It was then. and yet he who issued the first
national proclamation of Thanksgiving came
through it to leave visible evidence that not all
early Thanksgiving dinners were sumptuous
feasts.
annual meals-regarded by the very rich Of to-
day as a maudlin tribute to the national spirit
and by the very poor as a merciful pause IL the
starvation Of winter.