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THE BROWNIES:
THEIR BOOK

BY

PALMER

COX

PUBLISHED BY
THE CENTURY CO.
NEW-YORK

Copyright, 1887, by THE CENTURY CO.

o -'n

'BROWNIES, like fairies and goblins, are
imaginary little sprites, who are supposed
to delight in harmless pranks and helpful
deeds. They work and sport while weary
households sleep, and never allow themselves
to be seen by mortal eyes.

vii

cS

CONTENTS.

I THE BROWNIE AT. SCHOOL

TmH BlowN~ES' REID

THE BROWNS ON SKATES

THE BROWIES ON BICYCLES .

THE BROWNIE AT LAWN-TENIS

BROWNIES' GOOD WoRK

PAGE
. 1

t~sr
r r P
-r=

THE BROWNmES AT THE GyTNASIUM

THE BROwNIES' FEAST

THE BROWNIES TOBOGGANING

THE BRowNIs' BAIAOON

THE BROWNIES

CANOEING

THE BROWNIES IN THE MENAGERIE

THE BROWNIES' CIRus

THE BROWNIES

AT BASE-BALL

THE BROWNIES AND THE BEES

THE BROWNIES ON ROLLER SxATE

PAGE
36

.62

68

AI

THE BROWNS AT THE SEASIDE

SPINNING-WHEEL

THE BROWNIES'

BROWNIES RETURN

THE BROWNIES' SINGING-SCHOOL

THE BROWNIES'

90

FRIENDLY TURN

THE BROWNIES' FOURTH OF JULY

THE BROWNIES IN THE TOY-SHOP

THE

.108

114

. 120

126

132

138

.---i,

THE BROWNIES AT SCHOOL.

S Brownies rambled 'round one night,
S A country schoolhouse came in sight;
iiF And there they paused awhile to speak
About the place, where through the week
The scholars came, with smile or whine,
Each morning at the stroke of nine.
"This is," said one, the place, indeed,
Where children come to write and read.
'T is here, through rules and rods to suit, f
The young idea learns to shoot;
And here the idler with a grin
In nearest neighbor- pokes the pin,
Or sighs to break his scribbled slate
And spring at once to man's estate.
How oft from shades of yonder grove
/ I 've viewed at eve the shouting drove
As from the door they crowding broke,
Like oxen from beneath the yoke."
i

Another said: "The teacher's chair,
The ruler, pen, and birch are there;
The blackboard hangs against the wall;
The slate 's at hand, the books and all.
We might go in to read and write
And master sums like scholars bright."

N, -j

"I '1l play," cried one, "the teacher's part;
I know some lessons quite by heart,
And every section of the land
To me is plain as open hand."
"With all respect, my friend, to you,"
Another said, "that would not do.
.'L You 're hardly fitted, sir, to rule;
Your place should be the dunce's stool.
You 're not with. great endowments
blessed;
Besides, your temper 's not the best,
And those who train the budding mind
Should own a disposition kind.
The rod looks better on the tree
Than resting by the master's knee;
I'll be the teacher, if you please;
I know the rivers, lakes, and seas,
And, like a banker's clerk, can throw
The figures nimbly in a row.
I have the patience, love, and grace,
So requisite in such a case."

Now some bent o'er a slate or book,
And some at blackboards station took.
They clustered 'round the globe with zeal,
And kept it turning like a wheel.

r t

Said one, I 've often
The world is rounder
And here, indeed, we
With both the poles
With latitudes and
All measured out on
Another said, "I thought
The world from Maine to
Or could, without a guide,
My way from Cork to Puget
But here so many things '

On sundry points, I blush
I 've been a thousand miles
"'T is like an egg," another
"A little longer than it 's wide,
With islands scattered through the s(
Where savages may live at ease;

heard it said,
than your head,
find it true.
at once in view,
each degree
land and sea."
I knew
S Timbuctoo,
have found
Sound;
I find

,. to say,
astray."
T cried,

And buried up in Polar snows
You find the hardy Eskimos;
S While here and there some scorching spots
1 Are set apart for Hottentots.
And see the rivers small and great,
SThat drain a province or a state;
The name and shape of every nation;
-_ Their faith, extent, and population;
And whether governed by a King,
A President, or council ring." 3y.

While some with such expressions bold
Surveyed the globe as 'round it rolled,
Still others turned to ink and pen,
And, spreading like a brooding hen,
They scrawled a page to show the band
Their special "style," or "business hand."

The teacher had enough to do,
To act his part to nature true:
He lectured well the infant squad,
SHe rapped the desk and shook the rod,
And stood the dunce upon the stool,
A laughing-stock to all the school-
But frequent changes please the crowd,
So lengthy reign was not allowed;
And when one master had his hour,
Another took the rod of power;
And thus they changed to suit the case,
Till many filled the honored place.

So taken up was every mind
With fun and study well combined,
1* 5

They noticed not the hours depart,
Until the sun commenced to dart
A sheaf of lances, long and bright,
Above the distant mountain height;
Then from the schoolroom, in a heap,
They jumped and tumbled, twenty deep,
In eager haste to disappear
In deepest shades of forest siear.
6

When next the children gathered there,
With wondering faces fresh and fair,
It took an hour of morning prime,
According to the teacher's time,
To get the books in place once more,
And order to the room restore.
So great had been the haste to hide,
The windows were left open wide;
And scholars knew, without a doubt,
That Brownies had been thereabout.

L THE BROWNIES' RIDE.

E night a cunning Brownie band
SWas roaming through a farmer's land,
And while the rogues went prying 'rOund,
The farmer's mare at rest they found;
And peeping through the stable-door,
They saw the harness that she wore.
.The sight was tempting to the eye,
For there the cart was standing nigh.

"That mare," said one, "deserves her feed--
Believe me, she's no common breed;
Her grit is good: I 've seen her dash
Up yonder slope without the lash,
Until her load -a ton of hay -
Went bouncing in beside the bay.
In this same cart, old Farmer Gill
Takes all his corn and wheat to mill;
It must be strong, though rude and rough
It runs on wheels, and that 's enough."

Now, Brownies seldom idle stand
When there 's a chance for fun at hand.
8

So plans were laid without delay;
The mare was dragged from oats and hay,
The harness from the peg they drew,
And every one to action flew.
It was a sight one should behold
To see them working, young and old;
Two wrinkled elves, like leather browned,
Whose beards descended near the ground,
Along with youngsters did their best
With all the ardor of the rest.

While some prepared a rein or trace,
Another slid the bit in place;
More buckled bands with all their might,
Or drew the harness close and tight.

When every strap a buckle found,
And every part was safe and sound,
Then 'round the cart the Brownies flew,-
The hardest task was yet to do.
It often puzzles bearded men, '
Though o'er and o'er performed again.

Some held the shafts to steer them straight,
More did their best to balance weight,
While others showed both strength and art
In backing Mag into the cart.
At length the heavy job was done,
And horse and cart moved off as one.

Now down the road the gentle steed
Was forced to trot at greatest speed.
A merrier crowd than journeyed there
Was never seen at Dublin Fair.
Some found a seat, while others stood,
Or hung behind as best they could;
While many, strung along, astride,
Upon the mare enjoyed the ride. '

The night was dark, the lucky elves
r J Had all the turnpike to themselves.
( No surly keeper barred the way,
ni I HFor use of road demanding pay,
SNor were they startled by the cry
iI Of robbers shouting, "Stand or die !"
S* Across the bridge and up the hill
SAnd through the woods to Warren's mill,-
"" A lengthy ride, ten miles at least,-
f/ L^ r Without a rest they drove the beast,
And then were loath enough to rein
Old Mag around for home again.
11

Nor was the speed, returning, slow;
The mare was more inclined to go,
.-. .= = Because the feed of oats and hay
Unfinished in her manger lay.
So through the yard she wheeled her load
As briskly as she took the road.
S--" No time remained to then undo
S-_ The many straps which tight they drew,
For in the east the reddening sky
.--- C" Gave warning that the sun was nigh.
12

d

The halter rope was quickly wound
About the nearest post they found;
Then off they scam- < pered, left and right,
And disappeared at l once from sight.

When Farmer Gill that morning fair
Came out and viewed his jaded mare,
I may not here in verse repeat
His exclamations all complete.
He gnashed his teeth, and glared around,
And struck his fists, and stamped the ground,
And chased the dog across the farm,
Because it failed to give alarm.
"I 'd give a stack of hay," he cried,
"To catch the rogue who stole the ride!"
But still awry suspicion flew,-
Who stole the ride he never knew.
^ -' -'

THE BROWNIES ON SKATES.

#O NE night, when the cold moon hung low
And winter wrapped the world in snow
And bridged the streams in wood and field
With ice as smooth as shining shield,
_ Some skaters swept
in graceful style '-
The glistening surface, 'M '"
file on file. :
For hours the Brownies -
viewed the show, -3 _
Commenting on the
groups below;

C Said one: "That pleasure might be ours -
S We have the feet and motive powers;
No mortal need us Brownies teach,
If skates were but within our reach."
Another answered: "Then, my friend,
.To hear my plan let all attend.
I have a building in my mind
That we within an hour can find.
Three golden balls hang by the door,
Like oranges from Cuba's shore;
Behind the dusty counter stands
A native of queer, far-off lands;
The place is filled with various things,
From baby-carts to banjo-strings;
Here hangs a gun without a lock
Some Pilgrim bore to Plymouth rock;
And there a pair of goggles lie,
That saw the red-coats marching by;
While piles of club and rocker skates
Of every shape the buyer waits!
Though second-hand, I 'm sure they'll do,
And serve our wants as well as new.
That place we 'll enter as we may,
To-morrow night, and bear away
A pair, the. best that come to hand,
For every member of the band."
At once, the enterprise so bold
Received support from young and old.
A place to muster near the town,
And meeting hour they noted down;
-- And then retiring for the night,
They soon were lost to sound and sight.
15

When evening next her visit paid
To fold the earth in robes of shade,
From out the woods
--e aIrss the mead

i- The Brownies gat.h-
S ered as agreed,
To venture boldly
9A,~ i .. and p)ro(.ure

The skates that would their fun insure.
As mice can get to cake and cheese
Without a key whenever they please,
So, cunning Brownies can proceed
And help themselves to what they need.

For bolts and bars they little care
If but a nail is wanting there!
Or, failing this, with ease descend
Like Santa Claus and gain their end.
As children to the windows fly
At news of Jumbo passing by,
So rushed the eager band away
To fields of ice without delay.
2* 17
*

Though far too large- at heel and toe,
The skates were somehow made to go.
But. out behind and out before,
Like spurs, they stuck a span or more,
Alike afflicting foe and friend
In bringing journeys to an end.
SThey had their slips and sudden spreads,
Where heels flew higher than their heads,
As people do, however nice,
When venturing first upon the ice.
But soon they learned to curve and wheel
'ja And cut fine scrolls with scoring steel,
To race in clusters to and fro,
To jump and turn and backward go,
Until a rest on bed so cool,
Was more the wonder than the rule.

But from the lake they all withdrew
Some hours before the night was through,
And hastened back with lively feet
Through narrow lane and silent street,
Until they reached the broker's door
With every skate that left the store.

And, ere the first faint gleam of day,
The skates were 2p safely stowed away;
Of their brief ab- sence not a trace
Was left within the dusty place.
Sk6

THE BROWNIES ON BICYCLES.

NE evening Brownies, peeping down
SFrom bluffs that overlooked the town,
Saw wheelmen passing to and fro
Upon the boulevard below.
S It seems," said one,
Te el "an easy trick, -
The wheel goes 'round so
smooth and quick; .
You simply sit and work
your feet.
And glide with grace along
the street.

The pleasure would be fine indeed
If we could thus in line proceed."

"Last night," another answer made,
"As by the river's bank I strayed,
Where here and there a building stands,
And town and country-side join hands,
Before me stood a massive wall
With engine-rooms and chimneys tall.

"To scale the place a way I found,
And, creeping in, looked all around;

There bicycles of every grade
Are manufactured for the trade;
Some made for baby hands to guide,
And some for older folk to ride.
20

"Though built to keep intruders out,
With shutters thick and casings stout,
I noticed twenty ways or more,
By roof, by window, wall and door,
Where we, by exercising skill,
May travel in and out at will."

Another spoke, in nowise slow
To catch at pleasures as they go,
And said, "Why let another day
Come creeping in to drag away?
Let's active measures now employ
To seize at once the promised joy.
On bicycles quick let us ride,
While yet our wants may be supplied."

So when the town grew hushed and still,
The Brownies ventured down the hill,
And soon the bandowas
drawing nigh
The building with
the chim-
neys
high.

When people
d lock their doors
at night,
And double-bolt them left and right,
And think through patents, new and old,
To leave the burglars in the cold,
21

The cunning Brownies smile to see
The springing bolt and turning key;
For well they know if fancy leads
Their band to venture daring
deeds,
The miser's gold, the mer-
chant's ware
To them is open as the air.

, , i i n I I [ 1

Not long could door or windows stand
Fast locked before the Brownie band;
And soon the bicycles they sought
From every room and bench were brought.
22

The rogues ere long began to show
As many colors as the bow;
For paint and varnish lately spread
Besmeared them all from foot to head.
Some turned to jay-birds in a minute,
And some as quick might shame the linnet;
While more with crimson-tinted breast
Seemed fitted for the robin's nest.

But whether red or green or blue,
The work on hand was hurried through;
They took the wheels from blacksmith fires,
Though wanting bolts and even tires,
And rigged the parts with skill and speed
To answer well their pressing need.
And soon, enough were made complete
To give the greater part a seat,
And let the rest- through cunning find
Some way of hanging on behind.
And then no spurt along the road,
Or 'round the yard their courage showed,
But twenty times a -measured mile
They whirled away in single file,
Or bunched together in a crowd
If width of road or skill allowed.
At times, while rolling down the grade,
Collisions some confusion made,
For every member of the band,
At steering wished to try his hand;
Though some, perhaps, were not 'designed
For labor of that special kind.

But Brownies are the folk to bear
Misfortunes with unruffled air;
So on through rough and smooth they spun
Until the turning-point was won.
Then back they wheeled with every spoke,
An hour before the thrush awoke.

--_ - -

.,L 7, -, . .
.'

+,,

TIE BROWNIES AT LAWN-TENNIS.

IbNE evening as the woods grew dark,
The Brownies wandered through a park,
And soon a building, quaint and small,
Appeared to draw the gaze of all.
Said one: This place contains, no doubt,
The tools of workmen hereabout."
Another said i "You're quite astray,
The workmen's tools are miles away;
Within this building may be found
The fixtures for the tennis ground.
A meadow near, both long and wide,
For half the year is set aside,
And marked with many a square and court,
For those who love the royal sport.
On afternoons assembled there,
The active men and maidens fair
Keep up the game until the day
Has faded into evening gray."
"In other lands than those we tread,
I played the game," another said,
"And proved my skill and muscle stout,
As server' and as 'striker-out.'
25

The lock that hangs before us there
Bears witness to the keeper's care,
And tramps or burglars might go by,
If such a sign should meet the eye.
But we, who laugh at
locks or law
Designed to keep man-
kind in awe,

cautious mind,
But all the same an en-
trance find." .. //7

CJI

Ere long, the path that lay between
The building and the-meadow green,
Was crowded with the bustling throng,
All bearing implements along;
Some lugging stakes or racket sets,
And others buried up. in nets.
To set the posts and mark the ground
The proper size and shape around,
27

With service-line and line of base,
And courts, both left and right, in place,
Was work that caused but slight delay;
And soon the sport was under way.
And then a strange and stirring scene
Was pictured out upon the green.

Some watched the game and noted well

Where this or

that one would excel.
*8~^bk~

And shouts and calls that filled the air
Proved even-handed playing there.
With anxious looks some kept the score,
And shouted "'vantage "game all!" or
To some, ".love, forty! "-" deuce !" to more.
But when deuce set!" the scorer cried,
Applause would ring on every side.
At times so hot the contest grew,
Established laws aside they threw,
And in the game where four should stand,
At least a dozen took a hand.
Some tangled in the netting lay
And some from base-lines strayed away.
Some hit the ball when out of place
Or scrambled through unlawful space.
But still no game was forced to halt
Because of this or greater fault.
28

- .A: ,

And there they sported on the lawn
Until the ruddy streaks of dawn
Gave warning that the day was near,
And Brownies all must disappear.

3* 29

THE BROWNIES' GOOD WORK.

ONE time, while Brownies passed around
An honest farmer's piece of ground,
They paused to view the garden fair
And fields of grain that needed care.
"My friends," said one who often spoke -'
About the ways of human folk,
"Now here 's a case in point, I claim,
- -_-_--_- Where neighbors scarce deserve the name:
This farmer on his back is laid
--- With broken ribs and shoulder-blade,
Received, I hear, some weeks ago;
While at the village here below,
He checked a
46 running team,
S :::A] to save
Some children
from an early
grave.
Now overripe
his harvest
1111Vstands
In waiting for
the reaper's
hands;
The piece of
wheat we
lately passed
pIs shelling out
at every blast;

Those pumpkins in that corner plot
Begin to show the signs of rot;
The mold has fastened on their skin,
The ripest ones are caving in,
And soon the pig in yonder sty
With scornful grunt would pass ('
them by.
His Early Rose potatoes there
Are much in need of light and air;
The turnip withers where it lies,
The beet and carrot want to rise.
'Oh, pull us up!' they seem to cry
To every one that passes by;
'The frost will finish our repose,
The grubs are working at our toes;
Unless you come and save us soon,
We 'll not be worth a picayune!'
The corn is breaking '0 from the stalk,
The hens around the hill can walk,
And with their ever\ ready bill
May pick the ker- nels at their will.
His neighbors are a -- sordid crowd,
Who 've such a shameful waste allowed;
So wrapped in self some men can be,
Beyond their purse they seldom see;
'T is left for us to play the friend
And here a helping hand extend.
But as the wakeful chanticleer
Is crowing in the stable near,
Too little of the present night
Is left to set the matter right.

"To-morrow eve, at that dark hour
When birds grow still in leafy bower
And bats forsake the ruined pile
To exercise their wings awhile,
In yonder shady grove we 'll meet,
With all our active force complete,
Prepared to give this farmer aid
With basket, barrel, hook, and spade.

But, ere we part, one caution more:
Let some invade a druggist's store,
And bring along a coated pill;

We '11 dose the dog to keep him still.
For barking dogs, however kind,
Can oft disturb a Brownie's mind."
-When next the bat of evening flew,
And drowsy things of day withdrew,
When beetles droned across the lea,
And turkeys sought the safest tree
To form aloft a social row
And criticise the fox below,-
Then cunning Brownies might be seen
Advancing from the forest green;

Now jumping
Now crawling
Now keeping
Now "cutting
Some bearing
Some pushing
While others,
Seemed eager

fences, as they ran,
through (a safer plan);
to the roads awhile,
corners," country style;
hoes, and baskets more,
barrows on before,
swinging sickles bright,
for the grain in sight.

But in advance of all the throng
Three daring Brownies moved along,
Whose duty was to venture close
And give the barking dog his dose.
33

Now soon the work was under way,
Each chose the part he was to play:
While some who handled hoes the best
Brought "Early Roses" from their nest,
'^ To turnip-tops some laid their hands,
/. More plied the hook, or twisted bands.
And soon the sheaves lay piled around,
Like heroes on disputed ground.
S ,. Now let the eye turn where it might,
SI' A pleasing prospect was in sight;
For garden ground or larger field
Alike a busy crowd revealed:
Some pulling carrots from. their bed,
Some bearing burdens on their head,
Or working at a fever heat
While prying out a monster beet.
Now here two heavy loads have met,
And there a barrow has upset,
While workers every effort strain
The rolling pumpkins to regain;
And long before the stars with-
drew,
S. The crop was safe, the work
S.was through.
SIn shocks the corn, secure and
'- ~ .- good,
S Now like a Sioux encampment
stood;
The wheat was safely stowed
-- away;
In bins the "Early Roses"
lay,

T" ~- .- While carrots, tur-
.;. "-.. nips, beets, and all
Received attention,
great and small.
,_l -- When morning dawn-
I I ed, no sight or sound
C,,_ Of friendly Brownies
-- could be found;
T 'And when at last old
-Towser broke
The spell, and from
his. slumber woke,
He rushed around, be-
lieving still
Some mischief lay be-
hind the pill.
But though the fields
looked bare and
strange,
"His mind could hardly
grasp the change.
And when the farmer
learned at morn
That safe from harm were wheat and corn,
That all his barley, oats, and rye
Were in the barn, secure and dry,
That carrots, beets, and turnips round
Were safely taken from the ground,
The honest farmer thought, of course,
His neighbors had turned out in force
While helpless on the bed he lay,
And kindly stowed his crop away.
35

But when he thanked them for their aid,
And hoped they yet might be repaid
S For acting such a friendly part,
His words appeared to pierce each heart;
For well they knew that other hands
Than theirs had laid his grain in bands,
That other backs had bent in toil
To save the products of the soil.
And then they felt as such folk will
Who fail to nobly act, until
More earnest helpers, stepping in,
Do all the praise and honor win.

THE BROWNIES AT THE GYMNASIUM.

THE Brownies once, while roaming 'round,
By chance approached a college ground;
And, as they skirmished every side,
A large gymnasium they espied.
Their eyes grew bright as they surveyed
The means for exercise displayed.
The club, the weight, the hanging ring,
The horizontal bar, and swing,
The boxing-gloves that please the heart
Of him who loves the manly art,
All brought expres- sions of delight,
As one by one they came in sight.
The time was short, and words were few
That named the work for each to do.

Their mystic art, as may be found
On pages now in volumes bound,
Was quite enough to bear them in
Through walls of wood and roofs of tin.
No hasp can hold, no bolt can
stand
Before the Brownie's tiny hand;
The sash will rise, the panel yield.
And leave him master of the
field.-
When safe they stood
within the hall,
A pleasant time was V
promised all.

r k^e,
o NciI

Said one: "The clubs let me obtain
That Indians use upon the plain,
And here I '11 stand to test my power,
And swing them 'round my head an hour;
Though not the largest in the band,
I claim to own no infant hand;
And muscle in this arm you '11 meet
That well might grace a trained athlete.
. Two goats once blocked a mountain pass,
S0. Contending o'er a tuft of grass.
Important messages of state
Forbade me there to stand and wait;
Without a pause, the pair I neared
SAnd seized the larger by the beard;
: .... ~I dragged him from his panting foe
And hurled him to the plain below."

"For clubs," a second an-
swered there,
" Or heavy weights I little care;
Let those by generous nat-
ure planned
At heavy lifting try their
hand;
But give me bar or give me L
ring,
Where I can turn, contort,
and swing,
And I '11 outdo, with move-
ments fine,
The monkey on his tropic
vine."

Thus skill and strength and wind they tried
By means they found on every side.
Some claimed at once the high trapeze,
And there performed with grace and ease;
They turned and tumbled left and right,
As though they held existence light.
At times a finger-tip was all
Between them and a fearful fall.
On strength of toes they now depend,
Or now on coat-tails of a friend-
And had that cloth been less than best
That looms could furnish, east or west,
Some members of the Brownie race
Might now be missing from their place.
39

But fear, we know, scarce ever finds
A home within their active minds.
And little danger they could see
In what would trouble you or me.
Some stood to prove their muscle strong,
And swung the clubs both large and long
That men who met to practice there
Had often found no light affair.

A rope they found as
\'round they ran,
And then a "tug-of-war"
began;
First over benches, stools,
and chairs,
Then up and down the wind-
ing stairs,
They pulled and hauled and tugged
around,
Now giving up, now gaining ground,
Some lost their footing at the go,
And on their backs slid to and fro
Without a chance their state to mend
Until the contest found an end.

Their coats from tail to collar rent
Showed some through trying treatment went,
And more, with usage much the same,
All twisted out of shape, and lame,
Had scarce a button to their name.
40

r *-I l

a3

The judge selected for the case
Ran here and there about the place
With warning cries and gesture wide,
And seemed unable to decide.

And there they might be tug-
ging still,
With equal strength and equal
will-
But while they struggled, stars
withdrew
And hints of morning broader
grew,
Till arrows from the rising sun
Soon made them drop the rope
and run.

B

cS

THE BROWNIES' FEAST.

N best of spirits, blithe and free,-
As Brownies always seem to be,-
A jovial band, with hop and leap,
Were passing through a forest deep,
When in an open space they spied
A heavy caldron, large and wide,
Where woodmen, working at their trade,
A rustic boiling-place had made.
"My friends," said one, "a chance like this
No cunning Brownie band should miss;
All unobserved, we may prepare -
And boil a pudding nicely there;
Some dying embers smolder still
1 Which we may soon revive at will;
S And by the roots of yonder tree
6 A brook goes babbling to the sea.
At Parker's mill, some miles below,
They 're grinding flour as white as snow;
.An easy task for us to bear
Enough to serve our need from there:
42

I noticed, as I passed to-night,
A window with a broken light,
And through the opening we '1 pour I)
Though bolts and bars be on the door."
"And I," another Brownie cried,
"Will find the plums and currants dried;
I 'll have some here in half an hour '
To sprinkle thickly through the flour;
So stir yourselves, and bear in mind
That some must spice and sugar find."'
"I know," cried one," where hens have made
Their nest beneath the burdock shade -
I saw them stealing out with care
To lay their eggs in secret there.
The farmer's wife, through sun and rain,
Has sought to find that nest in vain:
They cackle by the wall of stones,
The hollow stump and pile of bones,
And by the ditch that lies below,
Where yellow weeds and nettles grow;
And draw her after everywhere
Until she quits them in despair.
The task be mine to thither lead

SIi To help me bear a tender load
Along the rough and rugged road."
T -- (Away, away, on every side,
At once the lively Brownies glide;
Some after plums, more 'round the hill-
The shortest way to reach the mill-
While some on wings and some on legs
Go darting off to find the eggs.

A few remained upon the spot
To build a fire beneath the pot;
Some gathered bark from trunks of trees,
While others, on their hands and knees,
Around the embers puffed and blew
Until the sparks to blazes grew;
And scarcely was the kindling burned
Before the absent ones returned.
All loaded down they came, in groups,
In couples, singly, and in troops.

Upon their shoulders, heads, and backs
They bore along the floury sacks;
With plums and currants others came,
Each bag and basket filled the same;
W le in tWhile those who gave
SBefthe hens a call
LikeHad taken nest-egg,
nest, and all;
TheyAnd more, a pressing
want to meet,
From some one's line had hauled a sheet,
The monstrous pudding to infold
While in the boiling pot it rolled.
The roues were flour from head to feet
Before the mixture was complete.
Like snow-birds in a drift of snow
They worked and elbowed in the dough,
Till every particle they brought
Was in the mass before them wrought.
And soon the sheet around the pile
Was wrapped in most artistic style.
Then every plan and scheme was tried
To hoist it o'er the caldron's side.
At times, it seemed about to fall,
And overwhelm or bury all;
Yet none forsook their post through fear, -
But harder worked with danger near.
They pulled and hauled and orders gave,
And pushed and pried with
stick and stave,O ,
NOR-~--w

Until, in spite of height and heat,
They had performed the trying feat.
To take the pudding from the pot
They might have found as hard and hot.
But water on the fire they threw,
And then to work again they flew.
And soon the steaming treasure sat
Upon a stone both broad and flat, '_
Which answered for a table grand, -
When nothing better was at hand.
46

Some think that Brownies never eat,
But live on odors soft and sweet,
That through the verdant woods proceed
Or steal across the dewy mead;
But those who could have gained a sight
Of them, around their pudding white,
Would have perceived that elves of air
Can relish more substantial fare.
They clustered close, and delved and ate
Without a knife, a spoon, or plate;
Some picking out the plums with care,
And leaving all the pastry there.
While some let plums and currants go,
But paid attention to the dough.
The purpose of each Brownie's mind
Was not to leave a crumb behind,
That, when the morning sun should shine
Through leafy tree and clinging vine,
No traces of their sumptuous feast
It might reveal to man or beast;
And well they gauged what all could bear,
When they their pudding did prepare;
For when the rich repast was done,
The rogues could neither fly nor run.
-The miller never missed his flour,
For Brownies wield a mystic power;
Whate'er they take they can restore
In greater plenty than before.

THE BROWNIES

TOBOGGANING.

ONE evening, when the snow lay white
level plain and mountain height,

On
The
r Brownies
Mustered, one
.- and all,
In answer to a spe-
cial call.
r, *- .,,'. i ^/ wfS

__ I __ _s

All clustered in a ring they stood
Within the shelter of the wood,
S While earnest faces brighter grew
At thought of enterprises new.
KTT"O-- Said one, "It seems that all the rage,
With human kind of every age,
Is on toboggans swift to slide
u' \. Down steepest hill or mountain side.
"I Our plans at once we must prepare,
And try, ourselves, that pleasure rare.
We might enough toboggans find
In town, perhaps, of every kind,
If some one chanced to know where they
Awaiting sale are stowed away."

Another spoke: "Within us lies
The power to make our own supplies;
We '11 not depend on other hands
To satisfy these new demands;
The merchants' wares we 'll let alone
And make toboggans of our own;
A lumber-yard some miles from here
Holds seasoned lumber all the year.
There pine and cedar may be found,
And oak and ash are piled around.
Some boards are thick and some are
thin,
But all will bend like sheets of tin.
At once we 'll hasten to the -spot,
And, though a fence surrounds the lot,
We 'll skirmish 'round and persevere,
And gain an entrance,-never fear."
5 49

[ )This brought a smile to every face,
11'1 I For Brownies love to climb and race,
And undertake such work as will
Bring into play their wondrous skill.
The pointers on the dial plate
Could hardly mark a later date,
-- l Before they scampered o'er the miles
SThat brought them to the lumber piles,
of" And then they clambered, crept, and squeezed,
c And gained admittance where they pleased;
For other ways than builders show
To scale a wall the Brownies know.

Some sought for birch, and some for pine,
And some for cedar, soft, and fine.
With free selection well content. J 1
Soon under heavy loads they bent. ti
It chanced to be a windy i'
night,
Which made their
labor far from
light;
But, though a heavy
tax was laid
On strength and
patience, undis-
mayed
They worked their
way by hook or
crook,
And reached at last ,
a sheltered nook;

-_ Then lively work the crowd
began
To make toboggans true to
plan.
The force was large, the rogues had skill,
And hands were willing--better still;
S So here a twist, and there a bend,
Soon brought their labors to an end.
Without the aid of steam or glue, -
They curved them like a war
canoe;-
No little forethought some dis-
played,
But wisely "double-enders "
made,
That should they turn, as turn
they might,
They'd keep the downward
course aright; r r-2'
They fashioned some for three -_ $
or four,
And some to carry eight or more,
While some were made to take a crowd
And room for half the band allowed.
Before the middle watch of night,
The Brownies sought the mountain height,
And down the steepest grade it showed
The band in wild procession rode;
Some lay at length, some found a seat;
Some bravely stood on bracing feet.
B_ But trouble, as you understand,
Oft moves with pleasure, hand in hand,

And even Brownies were not free
From evil snag or stubborn tree
That split toboggans like a quill,
And scattered riders down the hill.

With pitch and toss and plunge they flew,-
Some skimmed the drifts, some tunneled through;
Then out across the frozen plain
At dizzy speed they shot amain,
52

*' ., *, I Through splintered rails and
S,'' flying gates
,,''1, Of half a dozen large estates;
i Until it seemed that ocean wide
Alone .V 0
could
c- -' \check the
.. c ..Y' fearful ride.
Some, growing
dizzy with the speed,
At times a friendly hand would need
To help them keep their proper grip
Through all the dangers of the trip.

And thus until the stars had waned,
The sport of coasting was maintained. '
Then, while they sought with lively race
In deeper woods a hiding-place,
"How strange," said one, "we never tried
Till now the wild toboggan ride I
But since we 've proved the pleasure
fine
L. That's found upon the steep incline,
We'll often muster on the height,
And make the most of every night,
Until the rains of spring descend
And bring such pleasures to an
end."
:' ', Another answered frank and free:
1"I)a all such musters count on me;
orthough my bback is badly strained,
V) My elbow-joint and ankle sprained,

I '1l be the first upon the
ground
As long as patch of snow
is found,
And bravely do my part
to steer
Toboggans on their wild
career."

So every evening, foul
or fair,
The jovial Brownies
gathered there,
Till with the days of
Spring, at last,
Came drenching shower
and melting blast,
Which sent the mountain's
ice and snow
To fill the rivers miles
below.

'V '" Z I'.C I

THE BROWNIES' BALLOON.

WHILE rambling through the forest shade,
A sudden halt some Brownies made;
For spread about on bush and ground
An old balloon at rest they found,
That while upon some flying trip
Had given aeronauts the slip,
And, falling here in foliage green,
Through all the summer-lay unseen.
The Brownies gathered fast to stare
Upon the monster lying there,

And when they learned the use and plan
Of valves and ropes, the rogues began
To lay their schemes and name a night
When all could take an airy flight.
We want," said one, "no tame affair,
Like some that rise with heated air,
-- And hardly clear the chimney-top
Before they lose their life and drop.
The bag with gas must be. supplied,
That will insure a lengthy ride;
When we set sail 't is not to fly
Above a spire and call it high.
The boat, or basket, must be strong,
Designed to take the crowd along;
For that which leaves a part behind
Would hardly suit the Brownie -
mind.
The works that serve the town of Bray
With gas are scarce two miles away.
To-morrow night we 'll come and bear,
As best we can, this burden there;
And when inflated, fit to rise,
We 'll take a sail around the skies."

S Next evening, as the scheme was planned,
SThe Brownies promptly were on hand;.
For when some pleasure lies in view,
S The absentees are always few.
SBut 't was no easy task to haul
The old balloon, car, ropes and all,
-- Across the rocks and fallen trees
.-<---^? And through the marshes to their knees.

But Brownies, persevering still,
Will keep their course through every ill,
And in the main, as history shows,
Succeed in aught they do propose.

So, though it cost them rather dear,
In scratches there and tumbles here,
They worked until the wondrous feat
Of transportation was complete.
57

,* r..
.';

Then while some busy fingers played
Around the rents that branches made,
An extra coil of rope was tied
In long festoons around the side,
That all the party, young and old,
Might find a trusty seat or hold.
And while they worked, they chatted free
About the wonders they would see.
Said one: As smoothly as a kite,
We '11 rise above the clouds to-night,
And may the question settle soon,
About the surface of the moon."
Now all was ready for the gas,
And soon the lank and tangled mass
Began to flop about and rise,
S As though impatient for the skies;
Then was there work for every hand
That could be mustered in. the band,
To keep the growing monster low
Until they stood prepared to go;
To this and that they made it fast,
Round stones and stakes the rope
was cast;

58

I I zz-

But strong it grew and stronger still,
As every wrinkle seemed to fill;
And when at last it bounded clear,
And started on its wild career,
A rooted stump and garden gate,
It carried off as special freight.
Though all the Brownies went, a part
Were not in proper shape to start;
Arrangements hardly were complete,
Some wanted room and more a seat,
While some in acrobatic style
Must put' their trust in toes awhile.
But Brownies are not hard to please,
And soon they rested at their ease;
Some found support, both safe and strong,
Upon the gate that went along,
By some the stump was utilized,
And furnished seats they highly prized.

Now, as they rose they ran afoul
Of screaming hawk and hooting owl,
And flitting bats that hooked their wings
At once around the ropes and strings,
59

As though content to there abide
And take the chances of the ride.
On passing through a heavy cloud,
One thus addressed the moistened crowd:
"Although the earth, from which we rise,
Now many miles below us lies,
To sharpest eye, strain as it may,
The moon looks just as far away."
"The earth is good enough for me!"
Another said, "with grassy lea,
And shady groves, of -- songsters full.-
Will some one give the valve a pull ?"
And soon they all were well content,
To start upon a \ A mild descent.

commenced to go,
to check the flow;
control to gain,
to rush amain.
Then some began
to wring their
hands,
And more to vol-
unteer com-
mands;
While some were
craning out to
view
What part of earth their wreck
would strew,
A marshy plain, a rocky shore,
Or ocean with its sullen roar.
60

It happened as they neared
the ground,
A rushing gale was sweep- --
ing round,
That caught and carried them
with speed
Across the forest
and the mead.
Then lively catch-
ing might be
seen
At cedar tops and
branches green;
While still the S
stump behind
them swung,
On this it caught,
to that it hung,
And, as an anchor,
played a part
They little thought of at the start.
At length, in spite of sweeping blast,
Some friendly branches held them fast:
And then, descending, safe and sound,
The daring Brownies reached the ground.
But in the tree-top on the hill
The old balloon is hanging still,
And saves the farmers on the plain
From placing scare-crows in their grain.

THE BROWNIES CANOEING.

S day in shades of evening sank,
The Brownies reached a river bank;
And there awhile stood gazing down
At students from a neighboring town,
Whose light canoes charmed
every eye,
As one by one they floated by.
Said one, "We 'll follow as
until they gain the point below.
9 TUntil they gain the point below.

Al.

"lLh'JiXJ^!

There stands a house, but
lately made,
,. e Wherein the club's effects are
laid;
e We'll take possession after
dark
S,- And in these strange affairs
embark."
They all declared, at any cost,
A chance like this should ne'er be lost;
And keeping well the men in sight
They followed closely as they might.
The moon was climbing o'er the hill,
The owl was hooting by the mill,
When from the building on the sands
The boats were shoved with willing
J hands.
A "Shadow" model some explored,
And then well-pleased they rushed on
board;
J The open "Peterboro'," too,
Found its supporters-and a crew.
The Indian "Birch-bark" seemed too
frail
And lacked the adjunct of a sail,
Yet of a load it did not
fail,-
For all the boats were in
demand;
As well those which with
skill were planned
63

By men of keenest judgment ripe,
As those of humbler, home-made type.
And soon away sailed all the fleet
With every Brownie in his seat.

The start was promising and fine;
With little skill and less design
They steered along as suited best,
And let the current do the rest.
64

All nature seemed to be aware
That something strange was stirring there.
The owl to-whooed, the raven croaked;
The mink and rat with caution poked
Their heads above the wave, aghast;
While frogs a look of wonder cast
And held their breath till all had passed. - j.
As every stream will show a bendl, i-
If one explores from end to end, k,- .ill

So every river, great and small,
Must have its rapids and its fall;
And those who on its surface glide
O'er rough as well as smooth must ride.
The stream whereon had started out
The Brownie band in gleeful rout
Was wild enough to please a trout.
At times it tum- E bled on its way
0 'er shelving rocks f-'~. and bowlders gray.
At times it formed from side to side
A brood of whirl- pools deep andwide,
That with each oth- er seemed to vie
As fated objects drifted nigh.
Ere long each watchful Brownie there,
Of all these facts grew well aware;
Some losing faith, as-people will,
In their companions' care or skill,
Would seize the paddle for a time,
Until a disapproving chime
Of voices made them rest their hand,
'And let still others take command.
p But, spite of current, whirl,
or go,
In spite of hungry tribes
below,-

The eel, the craw-fish, leech, and pout,
That watched them from the starting out,
And thought each moment flitting by
Might spill them out a year's supply,-
SThe Brownies drifted onward still;
And though confusion baffled skill,
Canoes throughout the trying race
Kept right side up in every case.
But sport that traveled hand in hand
With horrors hardly pleased the band,
As pallid cheek and popping eye
On every side could testify;
And all agreed that wisdom lay
In steering home without delay.

So landing quick, the boats they tied
To roots or trees as chance supplied,
And plunging in the woods profound,
They soon were lost to sight and sound.

THE BROWNIES IN THE MENAGERIE.

[E Brownies heard the news with ST
glee, .G 0r .I,
That in a city near the sea -
A spacious building was designed
For holding beasts of every kind.
From polar snows, from desert
sand,
From mountain peak, and tim-
bered land, UNDER T
The beasts with claw and
beasts with hoof, \
LIVI'NG
A11 met beneath one slated c Ios,
roof.
S That night, like bees before
the wind,
With home in sight, and
storm behind,
The band of Brownies might ', V
be seen,
All scudding from the forest green.
Less time it" took the walls to scale
Than is required to tell the tale.
The art that makes the lock seem
weak,
The bolt to slide, the hinge to creak,
Was theirs to use as heretofore,
S With good effect, on sash and door;
And soon the band stood face to face
With all the wonders of the 'place.
68

To Brownies, as to children dear,
The monkey seemed a creature queer;
They watched its skill to climb and cling,
By either toe or tail to swing;
Perhaps they got some hints that might
Come well in hand some future night,
When climbing up a wall or tree,
Or chimney, as the case might be.

Then off to other parts they 'd
Strange
To gather roundd .sne cr-at.ure

To w atEIh th r i-:il v-.mn-nt-' oIf the

-) Or at. the spotted ,se-rliimts stare.
Ar.,iiund th. slephiL ,ion lung
i Theliv sto.,d an int.,rei.st.c 11 throng,
[De) t)lt o I'Sr t it1s stren1ith of
,ell-

The mammoth turtle from its pen
Was driven 'round and 'round again,
And though the coach proved rather
Slow
SThey kept it hours upon the go.
Said one, "Before your face and
eyes
I 'll take that snake from where it
lies,
And like a Hindoo of the East,
SBenumb and charm the crawling
beast,
Then twist him 'round me on the
spot
And tie him in a sailor's knot."
Another then was quick to shout,
"We'll leave that snake performance out!
SI grant you all the power you claim
To charm, to tie, to twist and tame;
But let me still suggest you try
Your art when no one else is nigh.
Of all the beasts that creep or crawl
From Rupert's Land to China's wall,
In torrid, mild, or frigid zone,
The snake is best to let alone."

Against this counsel, seeming good,
At least .a score of others stood.
Said one, My friend, suppress alarm;
There 's nothing here to threaten harm.
Be sure the power that mortals hold
Is not denied the Brownies bold." '
70

So, harmlessly as silken bands
The snakes were twisted in their hands.
Some hauled them freely 'round the place;
Some braided others in a trace;
And every knot to sailors known,
Was quickly tied, and quickly shown.

Thus, 'round
For some to

from cage to cage they went,
smile, and some comment
On Nature's way of dealing out
To this a tail, to that a. snout

Of extra length, and then deny
To something else a fair supply.
- But when the bear and tiger growled,
And wolf and lynx in chorus howled,
And starting from its broken sleep,
The lion rose with sudden leap,
And, bounding 'round the rocking cage,
With lifted mane, roared loud with rage,
And thrust its paws between the bars,
Until it seemed to shake the stars,-
71

I IIIo I .

A panic seized the Brownies all,
And out they scampered from the hall,
As if they feared incautious men
Had built too frail a prison pen.
72

THE BROWNIES' CIRCUS.

ONE night the circus was in town
With tumbling men and painted clown,
And Brownies came from forest deep
Around the tent to climb and creep,
And through the canvas, as they might
Of inner movements gain a sight.

Said one, A chance we '11 hardly find
That better suits the Brownie mind;
To-night when all this great array
Of people take their homeward way,
SWe 'II promptly make a swift descent
And take possession of the tent,
And here, till morning light is shown,
We 'll have a circus of our own."
"I best," cried one, "of all the band
The elephant can take in hand;
I noticed how they led him round
And marked the place he may be found;
On me you may depend to keep
The monster harmless as a sheep."

The laughing crowd that filled the place,
Had hardly homeward turned its face,
Before the eager waiting band
Took full possession as they planned,
And 'round they scampered left and
right =

To see what offered most delight.
Cried one, "If I can only find
The whip, I '11 have a happy mind;
For I '11 be master of the ring
And keep the horses on the spring,
Announce the names of those who ride,
And snap the whip on every side."
Another said, "I 'II be a clown;
I saw the way they tumble down,
And how the cunning rogues contrive
To always keep the fun alive."
74

With such remarks away they went
At this or that around the tent;
The wire that not an hour before
The Japanese had traveled o'er
From end to end with careful stride,
Was hunted up and quickly tried.
Not one alone upon it stepped,
But up by twos and threes they crept,
Until the strand appeared to bear
No less than half the Brownies there.
Some showed an easy, graceful pose,
But some put little faith in toes,
And thought that fingers, after all,
Are best if one begins to fall.

When weary of a sport they grew,
Away to other tricks they flew.
They rode upon the rolling ball
Without regard to slip or fall;
Both up and down the steep incline
They kept their place, with balance fine,
Until it bounded from the road,
And whirled away without its load.
75

They galloped 'round the dusty ring
Without a saddle, strap or string,
And jumped through hoops both large and small,
And over banners, poles and all.

In time the elephant was found
And held as though in fetters bound;
Their mystic power controlled the beast,-
He- seemed afraid to move the least,
But filled with wonder, limp and lax,
He stood and trembled in his tracks,
While all the band from first to last
Across his back in order passed.

So thus they saw the moments fly
Till dawn began to paint the sky;
And then by every flap and tear
They made their way to open air,
SAnd off through lanes and alleys passed
To reach their hiding-place at last.
7* 77

THE BROWNIES AT BASE-BALL.

a level lot ---
Where clubs from different
cities c-.ame
To play t.hi- unt.ion's favorite
game.

Then spoke a member of the
band:

"This game extends throughout the land;
No city, town, or village 'round,
But has its club, and diamond ground,
With bases marked, and paths between,
And seats for crowds to view the scene.
At other games we've not been slow
Our mystic art and skill to show;
Let's take our turn at ball and bat,
And prove ourselves expert at that."

-, 4 Another answered: "I w have p
A method to equip our ba
There is a firm in yonder town,
Whose goods have won them wide renown;
Their special branch of business lies
In sending forth these club supplies.
The balls are wound as hard as stones,
The bats are turned as smooth as bones,
And masks are made to guard the nose
Of him who fears the batter's blows,
Or stops the pitcher's curves and throws.
To know the place such goods to find,
Is quite. enough for Browny-kind!"
SWhen hungry bats came forth to wheel
'Round eaves and find their evening meal,
The cunning Brownies sought the store,
To work their way through sash and door.
And soon their beaming faces told
Success had crowned their efforts
bold.
A goodly number of the throng
Took extra implements along,
79

planned
,nd.

~. C~ ~

In case of mishap on the way,
Or loss, or breakage during play.
The night was clear, the road was good,
And soon within the field they stood.

Then games were played without a pause,
According to the printed laws.
There, turn about, each took
his place
At first or third or" second U 6

At left or right or center field, ..............
To pitch, to catch, or bat to wield,
Or else as "short-stop" standing by
To catch a "grounder" or a "fly."

Soon every corner of the ground
Its separate set of players found.
A dozen games upon the green,
With ins and outs might there be seen;
The umpires noting all with care
To tell if hits were foul or fair,

The "strikes and "balls to plainly shout,
And say if men were "safe" or "out,"
And give decision just and wise
When knotty questions would arise.

But many Brownies thought it best
To leave the sport and watch the rest;
And from the seats or fences high
They viewed the scene with anxious eye
And never failed, the contest through, -
To render praise when praise was due.
81

While others, freed from games on hand,
In merry groups aside would stand,
And pitch and catch with rarest skill
To keep themselves in practice still.

Now "double plays" and balls well curved
And "base hits" often were observed,
While "errors" were but seldom seen
Through all the games upon that green..

Before the flush of morn arose
To bring their contests to a close,
The balls and bats in every case
Were carried back and put in place;
And when the Brownies left the store,
All was in order as before.

THE BROWNIES AND THE BEES.

I ILE Brownies once were rambling through
y A forest where tall timber grew,
SThe hum of bees above their head
To much remark and wonder led.
They gazed at branches in the air
And listened at the roots with care,
And soon a pine of giant size
Was found to hold the hidden prize.
Said one : Some wild bees here have made
Their home within the forest shade,
Where neither fox nor prying bear
Can steal the treasure gathered there."
Another spoke: "You 're quick and bright,
And as a rule judge matters right;
But here, my friend, you 're all astray,
And like the blind mole grope your way.
I chance well to remember still,
How months ago, when up the hill,
83

A farmer near, with bell and horn,
Pursued a swarm one sunny morn.
The fearful din the town awoke,
The clapper from his bell he
broke;
But still their queen's directing cry

The bees heard o'er the clamor high;
And held their bearing for this pine
As straight as runs the county line.
With taxes here, and failures there,
The man can ill such losses bear.
In view of this, our duty 's clear:
To-morrow night we 'll muster here,
And when we give this tree a fall,
In proper shape we '11 hive them all,
84

And take the queen and working throng
And lazy drones where they belong."

Next evening, at the time they 'd set,
Around the pine the Brownies met
With tools collected, as they sped
From mill and shop and farmer's shed;
While some, to all their wants alive,
With ready hands procured a 'hive.

Ere work began, said one: I fear
But little sport awaits us here.
Be sure a trying task we 'll find;
The bee is fuss and fire combined.
Let's take him in his drowsy hour, ~
Or when palavering to the flower.
For bees, however wild or tame,
In all lands are about the same;
And those will rue it who neglect
To treat the buzzer with respect."

Ere long, by steady grasp and blow,
The towering tree was leveled low;
And then the hive was made to rest
In proper style above the nest, .^
Until the queen and all her train
Did full and fair possession gain.
Then 'round the hive a sheet was tied,
h That some were thoughtful
to provide,
And off on poles, as best
they could,
They bore the burden from the wood.
85

But trouble, as one may divine,
Occurred at points along the line,

'T was bad enough on level ground,
Where, now and then, one exit found;

But when the Brownies lacked a road,
Or climbed the fences with their load,-
Then numbers of the prisoners there
Came trooping out to take the air,

And managed straight enough to fly
To keep excitement running high.

With branches broken off to suit,
And grass uplifted by the root,
87

In vain some daring Brownies tried
To brush the buzzing plagues aside.
Said one, whose features proved to all
That bees had paid his face a call:
"I 'd rather dare the raging main
Than meddle with such things again."
"The noble voice," another cried,
"Of duty still must rule and guide,-
Or in the ditch the sun would see
The tumbled hive for all of me."

And when at last the fence they found
That girt the farmer's orchard 'round,
And laid the hive upon the stand,
There hardly was, in all the band,
A single Brownie who was free
From some reminders of the bee.

But thoughts of what a great surprise
Ere long would light the farmer's eyes
Soon drove away from every brain
The slightest thought of toil or pain.

	Front Cover
	Front Matter
	Title Page
	Table of Contents
	The Brownies at school
	The Brownies ride
	The Brownies on skates
	The Brownies on bicycles
	The Brownies at lawn-tennis
	The Brownies' good work
	The Brownies at the gymnasium
	The Brownies' feast
	The Brownies tobogganing
	The Brownies' balloon
	The Brownies canoeing
	The Brownies in the menagerie
	The Brownies' circus
	The Brownies at baseball
	The Brownies and the bees
	The Brownies on roller skates
	The Brownies at the seaside
	The Brownies and the spinning-...
	The Brownies' voyage
	The Brownies' return
	The Brownies' singing-school
	The Brownies' friendly turn
	The Brownies' Fourth of July
	The Brownies in the toy-shop
	Back Cover
	Spine