Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 November 1912 — THANKSGIVING NIGHT. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THANKSGIVING NIGHT.

Last night I got to thinking, when I couldn’t go to sleep, Of the way Thanksgiving served me in the days when, joy was cheap--Of how we’d have a turkey, and of how I’d beg a taste Whenever they would open up the oven door to “baste” The bulgirig breast, and how then from the oven came a drift. Of tantalizing odor, such as only boys have sniffed.

I got to thinking of it—for I couldn’t go to sleep— " Of mince pies i-n. the pantry, where I’d sidle in and peep, And jelly and plum butter and the peach preserves and cake— And- then I got to thinking of how fine ’twould be to take A trip back to the old days, when the dancing candle light Played pranks with all the shadows on the wall Thanksgiving night.

The boys I used to play with! I could shut my eyes and see The whole troop of them waiting, and a-waiving hands to me; All freckled, ragged-trousered, with their scans and mittens, too, They made a splendid picture—but , the picture wasn’t true; For they’ve grown up, as I have, and strange paths have lured our feet— The paths that find Tomorrow, and that never, never meet.

I wondered if they also were not lying half awake And thinking of the turkey, and the jelly, and the cake; And if they had their fancies of the lazy little street That leads beneath the maples where the topmost branches meet — ' And suddenly I heard them—heard the murmurs low and clear That told me they were with me, and ' were very, very near.

And then I curled up boylike, with my cheek on my hand, And shut my eyes and whisperedto myself, you understand— Our little “Now I lay me,” clear to its "My soul to keep.” Just as I used to say it when I hurried sleep. And something seemed to tojmh me like a hand held out to bless — And all at once my heart throbbed to a hymn of thankfulness. D. Nesbit