XIII 

 FRIENDS IN NEED 



T II THEN the fields were still bleak and 

 ^ ^ cheerless with the unbroken snow, 

 and the skies were still dark from the 

 scowl of winter ; bluebird, the sweet har- 

 binger of spring, brought • us the good 

 tidings of great joy. 



In the same manner, when the old 

 earth is naked and forsaken, and the tall 

 trees, bereft of all their green gladness, 

 stand shivering and complaining, certain 

 sweet little heralds bring us the news of 

 approaching winter. 



It may be a flock of twenty snow-birds, 

 or only a solitary black-capped titmouse 

 perched in the old apple-tree near the 

 house, but either are reliable messen- 



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