WHAT ARE YOU MOST THANKFUL FOR?

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, November 25, 1896.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

What Are You Most Thankful For?

   A gentleman who was instructing some public school pupils on the subject of the American Thanksgiving day asked them what was the thought that first entered their minds when Thanksgiving day was mentioned. They shouted unanimously, "Turkey!" "And what part of the turkey?" continued the questioner. "The stuffing," cried a fat boy who looked as if he knew what he was talking about

   The children were not so far wrong. A good dinner is something these fine, growing young animals have a right to be thankful for, a dinner with—stuffing. Maybe when the coming race is here, the thought of a good time will not invariably be associated first of all with visions of eating, but the coming race is not here. At present even men and women are far enough from outgrowing what a writer calls "the idea that we are enjoying ourselves best when we eat the most."

   Thanksgiving day is peculiarly an American holiday. A Thanksgiving feast must, therefore, be composed so far as possible of American dishes. Mixed up foreign culinary fancies with French names are out of place upon an American board the last Thursday in November. Let us have the roast turkey with cranberry sauce, the toothsome succotash and sweet potato, the pies, pumpkin and mince. Ice cream may be said to be an American dish too.

   Cider as a drink has been an accompaniment of the day ever since apple trees were large enough to bear in New England. Tradition says the old fashioned Connecticuters like theirs hard. But there is a more delicate drink than cider, hard or soft. It is the pure, unfermented juice of the fully ripe Concord or Catawba grape. Both these grapes are American. Sweeten the juice with a little granulated sugar if you like it that way.

   This year all our grown people have reason to be thankful, first and chiefly, because the presidential election is over. If the excitement and hurrah had lasted a month longer, nobody would have had any spirit left in him to be thankful with. Those who have done well in business during this trying year have much to be thankful for. Those who have not done well may be glad that they have still life and time before them to pull themselves together and try it over again. Many a fine fortune has been accumulated by men who began at the bottom when past middle life.

   There is one blessing we should be thankful for beyond most others. It is good health. The person who has health has no right to complain of anything. He can accomplish whatever he persistently wills to do. He has only to summon up pluck and patience and use the ability he is endowed with.

   Finally let us be thankful for the blessing of life itself. Nothing was ever said truer than that where there is life there is hope. The world is full of splendid achievement for every one of us—so much to do, to be and to learn. The true lesson of life is to be always learning.

   City people enjoy their Thanksgiving, of course. But it is a day when the thoughts of thousands of those city dwellers wander back to an old home in the country, a home where the father and mother were dear, brave, kindly farm folk, who brought their children up in the way they should go and gave them that best of all inheritances a human being can have—the habit of steady work. Hearts grow warm and gentle at the recollection of such a vanished childhood home, such a home as the poet was thinking of when he wrote "The Deacon's Thanksgiving:"

   Ya-a-s, they're comin home Thanksgivin,

   An the gobbler's gittin fat,

   An the hubbard squash's a-ripenin

   Fer the pies an sich as that,

   So we'll send the double waggin

   Tew the deepo fer all hands,

   An we'll bring 'em home Thanksgivin

   As long's the old nest stands—

   Human nests uv boards an shingles,

   Batten doors an ceilin's low,

   Clabboards warped an weather beaten.

   Homely h'arths whar home fires glow.

   An the old folks gray an stoopin,

   Reachin out weth lovin hands,

   In all airth the truest welcome.

   As long's the old nest stands.

Chinese Newspaper In Chicago.

   Chicago has a newspaper printed in the characters of the Chinese language. The first issue made its appearance on Nov. 14. It is a four-page sheet, published by Wong Chin Foo at 253 Dearborn street, and is called The Chinese News. It will be printed semimonthly. It was entered in the postoffice as second class matter. The only English type used in the paper is a replication of the title and the names of the advertisers at the head of their respective advertisements.

Surprised Their Teacher.

   Thirty-seven of the boys and girls who are pupils of Miss Lulu Day at the Pomeroy-st. school, [Cortland], gave her a complete surprise at her home, 33 Hubbard-st., last night. The little people met at the home of Olive Cogswell on Elm-st. and from there proceeded in a body to Miss Day's. They had not forgotten to provide refreshments and the evening was most delightfully passed in partaking of them and in the playing of games. Everything was done by their hostess to make the occasion a bright spot in the lives of the children. At about 10:30 o'clock the party broke up, all agreeing that they had had a good time.

Fire in a Tea Store.

   A serious fire was by prompt action averted at the store of the Grand Union Tea company at 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon. A large hanging lamp suspended over Manager F. M. Quick's desk came loose from its fastenings and fell with a crash to the desk. The lamp was lighted and the oil spreading, the top of the desk was at once enveloped in flames. Mr. Quick was as "quick" as his name indicates and securing a pail of water dashed it on the flames, extinguishing them before much damage was done.

Cortland Opera House.

"Shore Acres" Coming To-night.

   Mr. George W. Wilson, so long identified with the Boston Museum Stock company, has been specially engaged to play Nathaniel Berry in James A. Herne's beautiful play, "Shore Acres." Mr. Wilson has probably played more character parts than any other actor on the English speaking stage. After the death of Mr. Warren he became Boston's favorite comedian, and the late Edwin Booth thought Mr. Wilson the best actor in his line of work in this country. Mr. Wilson will be seen as Uncle Nat in "Shore Acres" at the Opera House to-night.

BREVITIES.

   —The dry goods stores will be closed to-morrow, Thanksgiving day.

   —The St. Vitus Dancing club gives a party in Taylor hall to-morrow evening.

   —To-morrow is Thanksgiving day and a legal holiday and no paper will be issued from this office.

   —Mr. and Mrs. Delos Bauder entertained a few friends last evening at their pleasant home on Lincoln-ave.

   —New advertisements to-day are—W. J. Perkins, Before Buying, page 6; A. H. Watkins, Genuine Bargains, page 7.

   —In police court this morning the case of The People against Richard Delemater, charged with petit larceny, was adjourned until next Monday.

   —The Western Union telegraph office will observe its usual holiday hours tomorrow. The office will be open until 10 A. M., and from 4 to 6 P. M.

   —Daniels' orchestra played at a party at Truxton last evening and this evening the orchestra of eight men goes to Greene to play at a Thanksgiving party.

   —Calvin Eddy, the young colored man who was in jail on the charge of petit larceny, has been sentenced to fifty-nine days in jail and the sentence suspended.

   —Mrs. Lewis S. Barber died at her home in Cuyler after an illness of several years, aged 51 years. The funeral was held at Cuyler at 1 o'clock this afternoon.

   —Miss Irene M. Ingoldsby pleasantly entertained a few of her friends last night at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hatch on Tompkins-st. Refreshments were served and a delightful evening was passed.

   —Thanksgiving services will be held at Grace Episcopal church to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock. The sermon will be preached by the rector, Rev. Amos Watkins.

   —There will be a regular meeting of Cortland Chapter, No. 50, R. A. M. tonight. The mark degree will be worked. On Friday night the regular convocation of Cortland Commandery Knights Templars will be held.

   —Cooper Brothers took off the first heat at their foundry to-day. One year ago to-morrow morning they were burned out. The new foundry has been built on a much larger and finer scale than the old one.

   —The postoffice will observe Thanksgiving to-morrow by being open only from 7 to 10 A. M. and from 6 to 7 P. M. There will be but one delivery by the carriers, and the money order department will be closed all day.

   —There will be union Thanksgiving services to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock at the Congregational church. The sermon will be preached by the pastor, Rev. W. H. Pound, and the other pastors will assist in the service. At the Memorial Baptist church there will be special services and Mr. H. T. Colestock of Hamilton Theological seminary will preach.

McGRAWVILLE.

Crisp Local Happenings at the Corset City.

   Mumps is the fashionable disease here just at present. Among those in style are Messrs. B. D. Hicks, Howard Masten, Will Belden and Henry Ayres.

   The box factory will be closed until Friday morning.

   Mr. Vern Porter, who has been living in Willet for the post few months, returned to this place Tuesday.

   Messrs. Floyd Phillips and Otto Grant have contracted to cut fifty cords of wood from two trees on Samuel Doud's farm.

   Examinations were held in the academy yesterday and to-day. The fall term closed to-day and the winter term will begin Monday.

   The Y. M. C. A. property was sold at auction last evening. The sale brought enough to just about settle their bills.

   The funeral of Fred Clegg was held Tuesday at the house at 1 and Presbyterian church at 2 P. M. It was one of the largest ever held in McGrawville and spoke eloquently of the regard in which the deceased was held. Rev. J. J. Cowles delivered a masterly and touching sermon while Messrs. Geo. D. Bailey, W. H. Huntley, Fred Maricle and L. L. Wellman furnished appropriate vocal music. The members of W. J. Buchanan Hose Co. attended in a body in full uniform. The floral tributes were handsome and profuse. Among them was a handsome wreath from the members of the hose company of which he was a member. The factories were closed during the funeral.