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his experience and ascertaining wherein
improvements may be made upon his
own record. It benefits each to go up
higher in thought and resolves and
such moods of mind are precursors
of better conditions." This was follow-
ed by a pretty Thanksgiving story
of a single woman, leading a lonely
life, who made a feast for the halt,
the lame, and the blind near her to
try to comfort them," and found she
had herself been benefited for they
left peace in the abode when they departed.
Ellen Farquhar asked contributions
for Abby Munroe's school, a barrel
was being packed and a great many
things useless to our housekeepers
became valuable to the negroes around
Aiken who have learned how to mend
any article mendable. Ellen Farquhar
also asked, "Who will cut down their
sleeves to confirm to the new fashion
in this respect. A few brave women intended
to wear theirs exactly as worn
last season, but several would alter
and get ride of the balloon effect
Ellen herselfl confessed to a resolve
to take some little seams in her own.
She gave John Kendrick Bang's fine
poem "Thanksgiving Day" which closes
with the verse

For light an air for sun and shade,
For children merry and for cheer
For music and the glad parade,
Of blessings through the year,
For all the fruitful earth's encrease,
For home and life and love divine,
For hope, and faith, and perfect
peace,
My thanks, dear Lord, are thine"