Arizona republican., 1917-11-29
Written for The Arizona Republics

 sit down to a Thanksgiving feast, and l wonder how many will think Of the reason why this particular day IS set aside for this purpose, why there IS Thanksgiving day at all, and what the first one was like?
 Nearly three hundred years have passed since the first Thanksgiving celebration was held in the United States, yet I doubt if any has seemed so real as the first one.
 One day in November, 1921, one of the Pilgrims said to another of the Pilgrims:
 God has been so good to us, deliv- ering us from the stern rule of James l, giving us bounteous crops in this beautiful new land of ours. and letting us worship Him in peace, that we ought to show our thankfulness in some way so He would know we really and truly appreciated His goodness. Don't you think so, brother?"
 T do, indeed" replied the other, But how shall we?'
 Suppose we call a meeting in our council chamber, and decide on a fit ting thanksgiving" said the first. So they went to their court house (which was very different from our courthouses or city halls of these days, being built of huge logs, with heavy doors of roughly hewed lumber. with big clumsy bolts and bars. The build | ing was guarded by a few soldiers who marched back and forth with queer looking muskets on their shoulders and some rusty cannon) and after a few words with the mayor who re- ceived them graciously, it being neal election time again, one of the pilgrims reached up and began to pull on. a rope that was hanging down from the roof. A big bell began to ring; this was the bell which was used to cal people to the court house when there was danger threatening or they were needed for something special.
 When the other Pilgrims heard tho bell ringing, they grabbed their guns axes or whatever would serve as 2 weapon of defence and came running to the town hall.
 What is it?" they asked, "has 2 strange vessel been sigthed, or are tn, Indians coming?"
 Be not afraid this time, brethren and forgive us for summoning vol from your work; for this is a sum. mons of peace and gladness," said tn, Pilgrim who had first thought of hay ing Thanksgiving celebration. "W, are met together for the purpose O deciding just how we can appropri ately thank God for his goodness t us this past year. Who can sugges a way?"
 Let's have a big feast!" cried ; boys voice.
 And music and dancing" cried girls voice.
 Shame on thee, child" sad tn girls mother, thou must not think o light matters, for these be perilou times"
 Let us have prayer and fasting, suggested an old man.
 Let us fire off all the cannon a once." said a soldier.
 "Noi No." said another, I've mus not waste our ammunition.
 Tt seems to me, since this is harves time, that it would be fitting an proper to prepare big feast from pal of all the good things God has give us, and eat it here in the town hal your honor." said the Pilgrim who ha thought it up.
 Good! good! they all shouted, "an the mayor will make a speech"
 "On what day of the week will W hold this feast?" asked one of tn women.
 Not on Sunday, for that is the da we must devote to holy duties and tak out resi- said the old man who ha suggested prayer and fasting.
 And not on Monday" exclaimed woman. for that's the day I mu! wash our clothes, and Tuesday is iror ing day!"
 meeting day" chimed in anotht woman.
 Well what's the matter with Thur: hex,
 Thursday seems to be the best da in the week! We wouldn't want Friday, because it is said to be an LII lucky day, and Saturday is alwa! housekeeping day" said one of Il Pilgrim wives, and the other wome all nodded their heads.
 Then Thursday is unanimous adopted. is it not?" asked the mayo All those in favor of Thursday. ss yea"
 Everybody shouted Yea" at ono and the mayor pounded on the table.
 Now. everybody not in favor Thursday, say nay"
 Nay" whined lean looking fello and when they all turned and glar at him, said, T don't believe in feas ing-I think we ought to save wh we have-we never know when ha times are coming
 Throw him out!" some young m shouted, put the old calamity howl out."
 "Orderi Order." roared the may, pounding on his table
 Then one of the women remember some beans she had left boiling in kettle, which was hung over the fl place, and whispered something to husband, who rOse and said
 Your honor. if there is no mo business to be attended to, I move adjourn"
 Second the motion" said the re
 The meeting is adjourned" said mayor. but l would suggest we all m' again tonight and appoint a commit who will decide just what part each us is to take in this matter"
 They all promised to be on ha and then went to their own cabi When they again met at the towr. h that night, each was told by the col mittee appointed for that purpose j, what each should furnish and wi each should do. One man whose CT had been mostly potatoes, was to fl nish the potatoes for the feast, a other would furnish the turkeys. a So on. The women who were the b cooks were chosen and told what tt should make. Some of the women col make good pies, but their bread W as heavy as rocks, while others ma delicious bread, but their pies were fit to eat. Some of the women col only make cake. So the work was vided according to their liking a ability. The committee also decit just hom much would be needed to around.
 They were busy lot, those Pilgril for the next few days, Some of men were detailed to make the tables which were placed in the m