Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 December 1893 — BOBBY’S THANKSGIVING. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BOBBY’S THANKSGIVING.

T a table fairly groan ing under everything that’s good That you or I could think of in the catalogue of food, There sat a happy family, as jolly as could be, ,To colob rate 'thanksgiv i n g Day with due festivity.

The boys, with mouths wide open, kept their eyes upon the tray. As ff the turkey on it would spread wings and fly away; The while the girls sat up quite straight, their dignity at hand. And by their prim example gave the boys a reprimand. But such a shining gobbler, with his drumsticks in the air, Would make a Chesterfield unquiet, forget himself and stare. How can we blame the hungry boys If they perchance betrayed Conspicuously the fact that they had stomachs to be stayed? Above the steaming turkey rose the master, six feet tall, And silence, deep, impressive, fell alike on one and all. Ho bowed his head and reverently, In language full and clear. He thanked our great Creator for the blessings of the year.

And when the simple prayer was done, thus

the good father spoke: “My children. It becomes each one his blessing to Invoke; Therefore let each one here thank him for this Thanksgiving treat. For all the favors ho ha 9 shown, and these good things to eat.” With trembling voice and reverent air each pious one bowed low And thanked our Heavenly Father great that he had blessod them so, For all the good things, and their home, to them a hallowed spot. Until it came to little Bob, the smallest of the lot And thus he spoke, his bead bowed down, while round be glanced an eye: “I sank Thee for the turkey and the great big chicken pie; I sank Thee for the other fings”—at this prospect of bliss He paused, and then—“say, mamma, please, w’at’s cornin’ after this?”