Norwich bulletin., 1913-05-10
OLD LETTERS

converted into an unpleasant memory to be ever after connected Wltn travelling by water. No company, however congenial, could compensate for the discomfort to be endured un- der such circumstances.
 The next l open tells me of the al- fractions of beautiful Berlin and re- minds me that I was remembered even In the hurry. of sightseeing, then one from Antwerp, naITates the art treas ures of that city, followed by a gloW- ing account of Paris. beautiful Paris What would a postcard have told me of these places? A few words or gen eral enjoyment, such as all the Worto might read. Carlsbad comes to my hand in the following enclosure, with a bit of the Tyrol thrown in as side trip, and I am reminded of one whose health was there rega1ned, as ne sojourned in the former place. Next best to seeing these spots for one self is having our friends view dl' them for us, and write their experiences.
 Now for a long quick jump across 4 continent and here we are in Chlna and we read of beautiful cities there visited by one, who in former days was here for school training. Faith ful in school work. he proved faithful in later duties, and being in the navy visited many of the coast towns or his own country and Of Japan The dear fellow lost his life in defence of his country a I0W years dll6I, pul " C1l deserved better fate. "A useful lie seemingly cut short. but who can tell? Perhaps a short life well spent IS as meritorious as many that count greater number of years. Certainly to those who knew him best when here, a tender feeling thrills through the heart at mention of his name. l won der what has become of his fellow student. He was married, know, soon after his return to China, and was sent into the interior of the country to construct telegraph lines, and I've never heard of him since.
 Another thing comes to my mind as I glance over these old letters. How essential to life in many countries IS one animal! One tells me of the sea lion and its usefulness to the native Alaskan. Almost every part of the animal is of service to the native. From his bones, weapons are made, also ribs for their canoes, and for their tents. both of which are covered with the skins. Waterproof clothing is made from the intestines. the flip pers furnish the soles of the boo.s made from a portion of the hide, fuel and light are obtained from the blub- ber the flesh is cured for food wnlcn is stored In big pouches contrived from the stomachs of the same sea- lion. What, indeed, could serve them better in their household economy.
 That reminds me of the value of the reindeer to those who count their wealth by the size of their herd of reindeer. To them owners turn for T substitute for horses. and depend upon them for food clothing, milk, and many other things. Turning to warm CT climes. what would the dWellers in the desert do without the camel? How many needs he supplies beside that of being beast of burden! And this list might be continued were time and fo6 Gi0 all a 111p 11f seems equally important Think of Mexico and it's cactus plant or of Arabia and its palm trees.
 little of sadness must generally mingle with pleasure in turning over old letters. So many of the writers have gone out of our reach. Some have entered the world beyond others are lost to our knowledge. and we are left to wonder as to their location, but old associations are pleasure and of great worth.
 Which reminds me of an incident of friend came to visit me one day, and how do you think I entertained her? Why, I took down from the shelf a box filled with wedding invitations and announcements, and what fun we had looking them over together, Many of them concerned the children of those whose weddings we attended How they recalled former days! It was almost like visit with our old schoolmates. Here was one printed on a thin wooden card. and well did we recall the party itself and the varied gifts that were carried. Another on tin foil told of ten years of married life and the result in prosperity and advent of little ones to help celebrate the anniversary. Here is one from California. there one from the Middle Weat, and third from the coast of Maine. Ours was a large class at N F. A., and with few exceptions. all the boys and girls married young in life. Surely we had mere than a boz full of pleasure from those old c~~[s
 So I will end as I began Cf ~--.: will always bo more T-'T~d than post cards, deliehtfTl as the last may be to these who receive thfn'.
 AN IDLER.