"come let us sit by the window," said mother, "and i will tell you about the first thanksgiving day of all. think how many years ago it was that our pilgrim fathers held thanksgiving day in america.

"you will remember that they landed from the mayflower in the middle of winter on the cold bleak shores of massachusetts. during that winter more than half their number perished from cold and hunger. nevertheless, when spring came they set out bravely to work to clear the land and plant their corn.

"a friendly indian named squanto showed them the indian way of making sure of rich soil by putting small fish into each hill, and he taught them many other things that helped them to live in their new country.

"when the first autumn came they were so happy at having a good harvest, thanks to squanto's help, that when governor bradford appointed a day for thanksgiving they invited massasoit, chief of the tribe to which their friend squanto belonged, and ninety of his men to a three days' feast.

"so you see our thanksgiving is very american, for the first one was attended by the indians, who were here in america long before columbus discovered it."