Norwich bulletin., 1914-05-16
aAs EMPTY AS ALAsT YEARS BIRDS NEsT.s

(Written Specially for The Bulletin-)
 We have all heard the expression, As empty as last years birds nest" How much it may signify depends up- on circumstances. The Journalist ap- plies 1t to himself. His brain is emp come from somewhere, and his work is completed after all The bereaved mother feels that her hands are empty when she Is called upon to give up her beloved child to the Heavenly Fa- ther who sent it to her. It is not all ways death leaves her hands empty. When the little one first starts off to school. when the boy or girl leaves home for college life, the same feeling is left in the home.
 The mothers hands are empty. What else is it that makes the mother weep over the bride? She knows that happiness waits for her child, but her own hands and home will be so empty. AS empty as a last years bird s nest" Why does the departure of a row in the household? They all know it to be for his advantage. but the home will seem so empty. As in the case of the journalist, so in these last, the vacancy in home, and heart, and hands. is generally filled in some way, unless one prefers the emptiness. Let ters and visits and exchange of favors soon replace the missing duties and life goes on differently, but no less surely.
 Some people, however, prefer to hug their griefS and are never so contented as when retailing their sorrows and afflictions to all whose patience enables them to furnish such audience when required. Mrs. Mears was one of those who delighted in telling her tale of woe to all who would listen. When reminded of others who were much afflicted her only r0niU would be: T am much worse off than they. My only children are so far away from me, my husband is so absorbed in business that he has no time to spend at home. and even my friends are de. Serting me. I am indeed to be pitied."
 Yes. Mrs. Mears." responded her friend, Mrs. Hope, but you have much to be thankful for. Your children are separated by distance only. All six of mine are dead"
 doleful Mrs. Mears. Mine might as well be- for all the good it does me"
 And then you have a devoted hus- band to comfort you" continued Mrs. Hope, while mine was drowned many years ago. I haven't even the comfort of visiting his grave. Serves you right" was the blunt reply you en- couraged him to go on that sea voy- age, when trip on land would have been much safer and better. I don't wonder that you blame yourself when you think of it. But I suppose you have got used to it by this time."
 A spasn of pain swept across Mrs Hopes face for a moment, and she rose to go. feeling that even her friendship could no longer endure the strain put upon it. "Of course, you're going" complained Mrs. Mears. '-My friends all make me such short calls of late. I wanted to tell you of the last letter I received from my boy Raymond. He Is doing so we'll, and likes his work, but letters are a pool substitute for my boy.
 Mrs. Mears and Mrs. Hope had beer friends from children, and playmates and neighbors in the days when they were Emma and Edna to each other but even then. Emma was inclined ts look on the dark side of things, while Edna always saw something to please her in every turn. Edna Hope was mol surprised at her friends state of mint however much she may have deploret it. Her own life would have beer lonely had she not devoted it to oth' CTS She was very fond of childreI and never so happy as when a merr! group filled her rooms with laughtel and frolic. She sincerely mournet for her husband, but out of her owI sorrow she found some comfort il bringing sympathy and consolation tt those similarly bereft.
 But Mrs. Mears presently found, a. do many others, that fancied griefs
 may become real ones. She deter.