6

Thanksgiving Day

The chill November days one after another passed uneventfully away until the twenty-eighth of the month. That day had been designated by the President of the United States as a day of national Thanksgiving. It was for the pupils at the institution a customary holiday. After breakfast they arrayed themselves in holiday attire, and at ten o’clock a.m. proceeded to the chapel, where a Thanksgiving discourse was delivered by one of the teachers. He reviewed some of the principal events of the past year and endeavored to impress upon his silent congregation the fact that they owed the many blessings they had received to the kind providence of God, who is the giver of every good and perfect gift. Finally all rose to their feet and stood in rapt attention while he, in silent language, returned thanks to God that all his unfortunate creatures at the institution had been so liberally provided for, had been kept in health, and enabled to enjoy many pleasures and privileges.

At the conclusion of the prayer the boys and girls repaired again to their respective study rooms in opposite wings of the main building. Their daily bill of fare for dinner, though not greatly varied, was wholesome and bountiful—usually consisting of fresh bread, boiled beef, gravy, two kinds of vegetables and pastry or pudding for dessert, with water for drink; but Thanksgiving dinner was always an extra affair. The coming of the dinner hour was, therefore, waited for with some impatience. At last everything was ready; each of the snowy tables was graced with a fat turkey and liberal supplies of vegetables, cranberry sauce, mince pies, etc., and the pupils were summoned to partake of the repast, which, after the usual returning thanks to God, they did with alacrity.

During the afternoon the girls, under the supervision of one of the lady teachers, amused themselves in various ways. Some, donning warm wraps, sallied forth for a short walk; others improvised waltzes and whirled with swift, graceful movements around the large sewing room, now transformed into a place for play. Still others engaged in quiet games, such as checkers and chess, and some of the more indolent indulged in an afternoon nap. The boys meanwhile also amused themselves in various ways.

The short afternoon drew swiftly to a close. The supper for this evening also proved an extra affair. There were in abundance bonbons and nuts, which were divided evenly and placed on the plates of each pupil; also apples, cakes, and honey for all. The supper over, after some delay the girls were formed into line and conducted through the grand central hall extending between the library parlors and reception room, into the boys’ large study room. This study room, unlike that of the girls, was furnished with long, movable study tables. These had been pushed back into obscure corners and piled one upon another, to make room for the party in contemplation. Here, with some of the teachers to aid in devising amusements, a pleasant, sociable time was enjoyed until ten o’clock p.m. Good-nights were then said, and the girls conducted back to their study room, from whence they separated, going to their respective apartments. So ended this pleasant Thanksgiving Day.