six feet in height, was instructed in the mysteries of scouring knives.
He said he had no idea how knives were cleaned, and thought his
Thanksgiving lesson worth learning.

After the housework was done the boys gathered a great quantity of
holly, and our pretty new dining-room was profusely decorated. All the
family then attended the Thanksgiving services in the Christian Church;
that is all except the "Mother," who must needs watch the dinner in
process of preparation. We had a real Thanksgiving feast, in all except
that our turkey was fried chicken.

Mr. Tupper contributed oranges, which were quite a treat. One of the
girls came to mother very much excited, eyes wide open and hands up,
exclaiming "O, Mrs. Bye, what are them big yeller things in the dining
room?" When told that they were oranges, she said, "Law! I never seed
none before." There were others who had never tasted them, and they
watched closely to see how the teachers managed them, before they
ventured to eat theirs. Two of the teachers had written Thanksgiving
verses on cards tied with ribbon, and placed at each plate. After dinner
we moved our chairs back and read our verses, after which we sang
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow," and I think it is rarely sung
more heartily. Then again the boys donned the aprons and cleared the
tables and washed the dishes, while the teachers watched the fun and
laughed until we were tired. While the molasses was boiling, the
scholars played games in the sitting-rooms. Then came the "candy-pull,"
and very _sweetly_ closed the day's festivities.

I am sure we went to prayer meeting in the evening with very thankful
hearts. Some of the scholars said it was the happiest day they had ever
known.