Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 November 1895 — Thanksgiving as It Used to Be. [ARTICLE]

Thanksgiving as It Used to Be.

Another Thanksgiving Day is here. It comes fraught with memories dear Of home, and friends, and by-gone days, With all the hallowed olden ways Of celebrating and giving praise To Him, the infinite, the good, Whose bounty’s shown in all our food That fills the larder year by year, Aud gladdens hearts, promotes good cheer. The observance of this time-honored day Is Puritanic, so they say, But Thanksgiving now does not seem to me As first I knew it, or as it used to be. ’Tis strange that we drift so far away In our observance of this honored day. The plum puddings, pies, and jelly cake That our dear mother was wont to make, The brown stuffed turkey, with oysters fine, 1 Crab-apple eider, home-brewed wine, Apples crisp, of rosiest hue, Shellback, hazel, and walnuts, too; Thus the menu year after year Abounding ever with good cheer. The dance that followed in the night Which gave such inexpressible delight To each hearty lad and buxom lass The closing hours of the day to pass. O joyous day! for which our recollections grow Brighter as each fleeting year departs And thrills And sets again aglow Most tender mem’ries in our heart of hearts.