New Britain herald., 1923-12-01

the Father of the Universe. He was
 only an ordinary citizen, but he, as an
 individual, was typical of a nation
 which uttered thanks for the blessings
 of the past year,
 Tn it's original form Thank ksgiying
 Day was what its name suggested. It
 was a day given over to expressing thanks to the Giver of all gifts. Even
 today, it is only slightly tainted with commercialism. Secondary in i'm portance to its. religious aspect, are
 the family reunions. From afar sons
 and daughters gather under tine roof tree of the old homestead, be it ever
 so humble, to sit again with the old
 folks and enjoy that generous bounty
 which knows no limit. Every heart
 is warmed by the glow of parental love, the same love which burned
 when the children were babes in arms. | | Mother with her sleeves rolled up and
 refusing all assistance ushers in the
 courses of the meal, oftentimes with
 an apology for the cooking because
 I didn't have good luck this year" While sentiment may be forgotten in the hour or more devoted to eating, it
 
 present throughout the day.
 Who among us, is not truly grateful | for all the goodness that Providence
 has bestowed during the yeAr? Peace and prosperity have truly made our
 country great place in which to live for it surely seems that God has smiled upon us and given generously of His gifts. Within every human heart there was longing to be able to tell God just how thankful we were to Him and ask Him to be as gener- ous in the coming year.
 "waal," drawled my friend Bill Bumps as he dropped into a one armed lunch chair and began to stir his coffee, 'I see them Civic Leaguers are at 1t again"
 What are they doing now, Bill?" inquired a neighbor through a mouth full of pie.
 'Talkin', as usual" replied Bill la conically. "I don't know whether their talk amounts to much. They don't seem to have succeeded in re- formin' the world, as far as can see. Seems to me the police court judges are just as busy as ever and although Bill Hart isn't lettin' the grass grow under his feet, makers of hooch must be doin' something besides studyin' the Bible evenings.
 Its gettin' so that every time step into a ,terbaeca shop to get a dimc's worth of eating terbacca, feel sort of guilty. l reckon I must have a criminal instinct some place in my makeup, because can't break off the habit of oatin' terbacca. I've gotta have my rations first thing in the mornin' or my breakfast won't set right. Just the same, know I'm doin' wrong and the Civic League is goin' to get mo one Of these days.
 Their latest fad is to try to put a stop to rallies and such at fairs and bazaars. I wonder if that will apply to rummage sales I don't know where a feller takes A bigger chance, unless it's at one of these church sup pers where young bride is apt to slip in an experiment on making cake.
 ''Shueks, I can't see any harm in [ these here fair rallies. I know a fel- low who won quite q large sum Of | money and what do you think he did | with it? Planked it into a home for his wife and kids. Course, 1t was i'll gotten gain, l admit, but it seems 10 mo that he didn't deserve much pun ishment for what he did with it.
 Tt sure is a funny world. Here New Britain has been puttcrin' along for years and managin' to get ahead In the world We've all been mindin' T our own business, workin' eight or ' more hours day, playin' and sleepin' i, and tryin' 10 get little sunshine out :. of life. And all the time we've been ignorant of how wicked we was. . Yess'r we've been steeped in sin al. : these years and didn't know it. It's a wonder to me that the city hasn't ' been known as Devils Acre or some- lining like that. The old boy with the ' horns and hoof has owned us body !. and soul. And we didn't know nuthin' . about it until this here Civic League began to do business and then all of a sudden il dawned upon us how ter ribly far down hill we had gone. It ' makes me weep to think what would Y have become of us if the Civic League . hadn't taken upon itself the burden Of telling us that we were headed plumb straight for the place where roal strikes don't bother nobody. It's just possible, of course, that some of he Civic Leaguers will be found there along with the rest Of us weak and wicked mortals But l doubt it. The members Of the Civic League ain't hat kind. They're holy and sancti. nonious and I guess they must have special influence with Heaven to keep lhat way. l reckon we should be thankful for having such pure men in Jur midst"
 T suppose the Civic League will op- pose Paonessa if he runs for office again." remarked our neighbor as he iDished his third piece Of pie.
 'Wasl," drawied Bill Bumps. If that's the case I'm going to get to- yether all the money l can and bet 1t ,n Angelo"