The Project Gutenberg eBook ofAnother Brownie Book

The Project Gutenberg eBook ofAnother Brownie BookThis ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.Title: Another Brownie BookAuthor: Palmer CoxRelease date: January 2, 2019 [eBook #58598]Most recently updated: February 13, 2021Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by David Edwards, Jane Robins and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby the University of Florida Digital Collections.)*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ANOTHER BROWNIE BOOK ***

This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: Another Brownie BookAuthor: Palmer CoxRelease date: January 2, 2019 [eBook #58598]Most recently updated: February 13, 2021Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by David Edwards, Jane Robins and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby the University of Florida Digital Collections.)

Title: Another Brownie Book

Author: Palmer Cox

Release date: January 2, 2019 [eBook #58598]Most recently updated: February 13, 2021

Language: English

Credits: Produced by David Edwards, Jane Robins and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby the University of Florida Digital Collections.)

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ANOTHER BROWNIE BOOK ***

BYPALMER COX

PUBLISHED BYTHE CENTURY CO.NEW-YORK

PAGETHEBROWNIES' SNOW-MAN1THEBROWNIESIN THEACADEMY7THEBROWNIESIN THEORCHARD12THEBROWNIES' YACHT-RACE17THEBROWNIESATARCHERY25THEBROWNIESFISHING30THEBROWNIESATNIAGARAFALLS35THEBROWNIES' GARDEN38THEBROWNIES' CELEBRATION43THEBROWNIESIN THESWIMMING-SCHOOL46THEBROWNIESAND THEWHALE49THEBROWNIES' KITES56THEBROWNIES' DANCINGSCHOOL60THEBROWNIES' CANDY-PULL71THEBROWNIESAND THELOCOMOTIVE80THEBROWNIES' FANCYBALL86THEBROWNIESON THETUGBOAT92THEBROWNIES' TALLY-HO98THEBROWNIESON THERACETRACK105THEBROWNIES' BIRTHDAYDINNER110THEBROWNIES' HALLOW-EVE116THEBROWNIES' FLAG-POLE123THEBROWNIESON THECANAL128THEBROWNIESIN THESTUDIO137

When snowdrifts blocked the country roads,And trees were bending with their loads,The wind grew mild which had been raw,And winter yielded to a thaw;That night the Brownies stood to stareIn wonder on the village square.Said one, "This plot where drifts now rollSeems like an acre from the Pole.I have a scheme which nothing lacks:Now while the snow so closely packs,And may be molded in the hand,We'll build a statue tall and grandWhich here shall stand at morning prime,To be the wonder of the time."Another cried, "That suits us all.To work let every member fall.When once the task we undertakeBe sure no dwarfish man we'll make;

When snowdrifts blocked the country roads,

And trees were bending with their loads,

The wind grew mild which had been raw,

And winter yielded to a thaw;

That night the Brownies stood to stare

In wonder on the village square.

Said one, "This plot where drifts now roll

Seems like an acre from the Pole.

I have a scheme which nothing lacks:

Now while the snow so closely packs,

And may be molded in the hand,

We'll build a statue tall and grand

Which here shall stand at morning prime,

To be the wonder of the time."

Another cried, "That suits us all.

To work let every member fall.

When once the task we undertake

Be sure no dwarfish man we'll make;

But one that proudly may look downOn half the buildings in the town.I know the place where builders keepTheir benches while the snow is deep;The poles, and ladders too, are there,To use when working high in air.While some for these with me will fly,Let some their hands to snow apply,And not a feature of the manShall be neglected in our plan."You know the night, some time ago,We tramped so far through drifted snowTo ornament with quaint designThe windows of a mansion fine;And how, on lengthy ladders thereAnd scaffold swinging in the air,We worked our brushes with a willFrom icy cap to window-sill,And made the people, great and small,Believe Jack Frost had done it all?—To-night we'll work as well, and showA grand result before we go."The snow that night was at its best,And held its shape however pressed;Like dough beneath the baker's handIt seemed to answer each demand.The rolls, when tumbled to and fro,Increased with every turning, so

But one that proudly may look down

On half the buildings in the town.

I know the place where builders keep

Their benches while the snow is deep;

The poles, and ladders too, are there,

To use when working high in air.

While some for these with me will fly,

Let some their hands to snow apply,

And not a feature of the man

Shall be neglected in our plan.

"You know the night, some time ago,We tramped so far through drifted snowTo ornament with quaint designThe windows of a mansion fine;And how, on lengthy ladders thereAnd scaffold swinging in the air,We worked our brushes with a willFrom icy cap to window-sill,And made the people, great and small,Believe Jack Frost had done it all?—To-night we'll work as well, and showA grand result before we go."

"You know the night, some time ago,

We tramped so far through drifted snow

To ornament with quaint design

The windows of a mansion fine;

And how, on lengthy ladders there

And scaffold swinging in the air,

We worked our brushes with a will

From icy cap to window-sill,

And made the people, great and small,

Believe Jack Frost had done it all?—

To-night we'll work as well, and show

A grand result before we go."

The snow that night was at its best,And held its shape however pressed;Like dough beneath the baker's handIt seemed to answer each demand.The rolls, when tumbled to and fro,Increased with every turning, so

The snow that night was at its best,

And held its shape however pressed;

Like dough beneath the baker's hand

It seemed to answer each demand.

The rolls, when tumbled to and fro,

Increased with every turning, so

First like a cushion on they sped,Then like a pillow, next, a bed,Until the snow, adhering there,Would leave the grass or pebbles bare.As higher blocks of snow were laidStill higher scaffolding was made,And ladders brought to use insteadOf those too short to reach the head.

First like a cushion on they sped,

Then like a pillow, next, a bed,

Until the snow, adhering there,

Would leave the grass or pebbles bare.

As higher blocks of snow were laid

Still higher scaffolding was made,

And ladders brought to use instead

Of those too short to reach the head.

Thus grew the form from hour to hour;For Brownies' hands have wondrous power,And let them turn to what they willSurprising work will follow still.Some shaped the legs or smoothed the waist,Some saw plump arms were rightly placed;The head was fixed with proper pose,Well fashioned were both ears and nose.So close thronged Brownies high and low,A looker-on would hardly knowWhat plan or shape the busy bandOf cunning Brownies had in hand.But plan they had, and deftness too,As well was seen when they were through.The rounded form and manly portShowed modeling of rarest sort,While charcoal eyes, so well designedThey seemed to read the very mind,Long icicles for beard and hair,Were last affixed with taste and care.And when the poles around the baseHad been returned each to its place,And every ladder, bench, and boardThey had in use, again was stored,The Brownies stood around awhileTo gaze upon their work and smile.Each points at head, or hand, or toe,His special handiwork to show.In truth, they had good reason thereWith joy and pride to stand and stare,And contemplate the object whiteWhich loomed above to such a height,And not unlike some hero old,For courage famed, or action bold,With finger pointed out, as though,To indicate the coming foe.But morning light soon came to chaseThe Brownies to their hiding-place.And children on their way to schoolForgot their lessons and the ruleWhile gazing on the statue tallThat seemed to guard the County Hall.And after drifts had left the square,When roads and shingle-roofs were bare,The Brownies' statue, like a tower,Still bravely faced both wind and shower—Though sinking slowly all the while,And losing corpulence and style,Till gardeners, on the first of May,With shovels pitched the man away.

Thus grew the form from hour to hour;

For Brownies' hands have wondrous power,

And let them turn to what they will

Surprising work will follow still.

Some shaped the legs or smoothed the waist,

Some saw plump arms were rightly placed;

The head was fixed with proper pose,

Well fashioned were both ears and nose.

So close thronged Brownies high and low,

A looker-on would hardly know

What plan or shape the busy band

Of cunning Brownies had in hand.

But plan they had, and deftness too,

As well was seen when they were through.

The rounded form and manly port

Showed modeling of rarest sort,

While charcoal eyes, so well designed

They seemed to read the very mind,

Long icicles for beard and hair,

Were last affixed with taste and care.

And when the poles around the base

Had been returned each to its place,

And every ladder, bench, and board

They had in use, again was stored,

The Brownies stood around awhile

To gaze upon their work and smile.

Each points at head, or hand, or toe,

His special handiwork to show.

In truth, they had good reason there

With joy and pride to stand and stare,

And contemplate the object white

Which loomed above to such a height,

And not unlike some hero old,

For courage famed, or action bold,

With finger pointed out, as though,

To indicate the coming foe.

But morning light soon came to chase

The Brownies to their hiding-place.

And children on their way to school

Forgot their lessons and the rule

While gazing on the statue tall

That seemed to guard the County Hall.

And after drifts had left the square,

When roads and shingle-roofs were bare,

The Brownies' statue, like a tower,

Still bravely faced both wind and shower—

Though sinking slowly all the while,

And losing corpulence and style,

Till gardeners, on the first of May,

With shovels pitched the man away.

The Brownies once with capers spryTo an Academy drew nigh,Which, founded by a generous hand,Spread light and learning through the land.The students, by ambition fired,And men of science had retired;So Brownies, through their mystic power,Now took advantage of the hour.A battery was soon displayed,And strange experiments were made;Electric currents were appliedTo meadow-frogs they found inside,Which sage professors, nights and days,Had gathered up, in various ways.To making pills some turned the mind,While some to Dentistry inclined,And aching teeth, both small and large,Were there extracted free of charge.

The Brownies once with capers spry

To an Academy drew nigh,

Which, founded by a generous hand,

Spread light and learning through the land.

The students, by ambition fired,

And men of science had retired;

So Brownies, through their mystic power,

Now took advantage of the hour.

A battery was soon displayed,

And strange experiments were made;

Electric currents were applied

To meadow-frogs they found inside,

Which sage professors, nights and days,

Had gathered up, in various ways.

To making pills some turned the mind,

While some to Dentistry inclined,

And aching teeth, both small and large,

Were there extracted free of charge.

More gazed where phrenologic chartsShowed heads partitioned off in parts.Said one: "Let others knowledge gainThrough which to conquer ache and pain,But by these charts I'll do my bestTo learn where Fancy makes her nest."Another cried, as he surveyedThe bumps that were so well arrayed:"These heads exhibit, full and clear,Which one to love and whom to fear;Who is with noble thoughts inspired,And who with hate or envy fired;The man as timid as the hare,The man destructive as the bear.While choosing partners, one may findIt well to keep these charts in mind."A microscope at length, they found;And next, the Brownies gathered roundA stereopticon machineThat cast its rays upon a screen.A thousand times it magnified,Till, stretching out on every side,An object large and larger spread,And filled the gazing group with dread.The locust, beetle, and the beeSoon gained proportions strange to see,And seemed like monsters close at handTo put an end to all the band.Ere long a door was open swung,To show some skeletons that hungFrom hook and peg, which caused a shoutOf fear to rise from those about.Said one: "Thus Science works its wayThrough old remains from day to day;And those who during life could findNo time, perhaps, to aid mankind,May, after all, in some such placeFor years assist the human raceBy giving students, as you see,Some knowledge of Anatomy."At other times, all breathless groupedO'er crucibles, the Brownies stooped

More gazed where phrenologic charts

Showed heads partitioned off in parts.

Said one: "Let others knowledge gain

Through which to conquer ache and pain,

But by these charts I'll do my best

To learn where Fancy makes her nest."

Another cried, as he surveyed

The bumps that were so well arrayed:

"These heads exhibit, full and clear,

Which one to love and whom to fear;

Who is with noble thoughts inspired,

And who with hate or envy fired;

The man as timid as the hare,

The man destructive as the bear.

While choosing partners, one may find

It well to keep these charts in mind."

A microscope at length, they found;And next, the Brownies gathered roundA stereopticon machineThat cast its rays upon a screen.A thousand times it magnified,Till, stretching out on every side,

A microscope at length, they found;

And next, the Brownies gathered round

A stereopticon machine

That cast its rays upon a screen.

A thousand times it magnified,

Till, stretching out on every side,

An object large and larger spread,And filled the gazing group with dread.The locust, beetle, and the beeSoon gained proportions strange to see,And seemed like monsters close at handTo put an end to all the band.

An object large and larger spread,

And filled the gazing group with dread.

The locust, beetle, and the bee

Soon gained proportions strange to see,

And seemed like monsters close at hand

To put an end to all the band.

Ere long a door was open swung,To show some skeletons that hungFrom hook and peg, which caused a shoutOf fear to rise from those about.Said one: "Thus Science works its wayThrough old remains from day to day;And those who during life could findNo time, perhaps, to aid mankind,May, after all, in some such placeFor years assist the human raceBy giving students, as you see,Some knowledge of Anatomy."At other times, all breathless groupedO'er crucibles, the Brownies stooped

Ere long a door was open swung,

To show some skeletons that hung

From hook and peg, which caused a shout

Of fear to rise from those about.

Said one: "Thus Science works its way

Through old remains from day to day;

And those who during life could find

No time, perhaps, to aid mankind,

May, after all, in some such place

For years assist the human race

By giving students, as you see,

Some knowledge of Anatomy."

At other times, all breathless grouped

O'er crucibles, the Brownies stooped

To separate, with greatest skill,The grains which cure from those that kill;While burning acids, blazes blue,And odors strong confused the crew.Cried one: "Through trials hard to bear,The student must himself prepare,Though mixing paint, or mixing pill—Or mixing phrases, if you will—No careless study satisfiesIf one would to distinction rise;The minds that shed from pole to poleThe light of years, as round we roll,Are first enriched through patient toil,And kindled by the midnight oil."Thus, spicing logic with a joke,They chatted on till morning broke;And then with wild and rapid raceThe Brownie band forsook the place.

To separate, with greatest skill,

The grains which cure from those that kill;

While burning acids, blazes blue,

And odors strong confused the crew.

Cried one: "Through trials hard to bear,

The student must himself prepare,

Though mixing paint, or mixing pill—

Or mixing phrases, if you will—

No careless study satisfies

If one would to distinction rise;

The minds that shed from pole to pole

The light of years, as round we roll,

Are first enriched through patient toil,

And kindled by the midnight oil."

Thus, spicing logic with a joke,They chatted on till morning broke;And then with wild and rapid raceThe Brownie band forsook the place.

Thus, spicing logic with a joke,

They chatted on till morning broke;

And then with wild and rapid race

The Brownie band forsook the place.

THEautumn nights began to fillThe mind with thoughts of winter chill,When Brownies in an orchard met,Where ripened fruit was hanging yet.Said one, "The apples here, indeed,Must now be mellow to the seed;And, ere another night, should beRemoved at once from every tree.For any evening now may callThe frost to nip and ruin all."Another quickly answer made:"This man is scarcely worthy aid;'Tis said his harsh and cruel swayHas turned his children's love away."If this be true, 't would serve him right"If frost should paint his orchard white.""It matters not who owns the place,Or why neglect thus shows its face,"A third replied; "the fact is clearThat fruit should hang no longer here.If worthy people here resideThen will our hands be well applied;And if unworthy folks we serve,Still better notice we'll deserve.""You speak our minds so full and fair,"One loudly cried, "that speech we'll spare.But like the buttons on your back,We'll follow closely in your track,And do our part with willing hand,Without one doubtingiforand."Kind deeds the Brownies often doUnknown to me as well as you;The wounded hare, by hunters maimed,Is sheltered and supplied and tamed.The straying cat they sometimes findHalf-starved, and chased by dogs unkind,And bring it home from many fearsTo those who mourned its loss with tears.And to the bird so young and bare,With wings unfit to fan the air,That preying owls had thought to rendThe Brownie often proves a friend.Then bags and baskets were brought outFrom barns and buildings round about,With kettles, pans, and wooden-ware,That prying eyes discovered there;Nay, even blankets from the beds,The pillow-slips, and table-spreadsWere in some manner brought to lightTo render service through the night.If there's a place where Brownies feelAt home with either hand or heel,And seem from all restrictions free,That place is in a branching tree.At times, with balance fair and fineThey held their stations in a line;At times, in rivalry and prideTo outer twigs they scattered wide;And oft with one united strainThey shook the tree with might and main,Till, swaying wildly to and fro,It rocked upon the roots below.So skilled at climbing were they allThe sum of accidents was small:Some hats were crushed, some heads were sore,Some backs were blue, ere work was o'er;For hands will slip and feet will slide,And boughs will break and forks divide,And hours that promise sport sublimeMay introduce a limping time.So some who clambered up the treeWith ready use of hand and knee,Found other ways they could descendThan by the trunk, you may depend.The startled birds of night came outAnd watched them as they moved about;Concluding thieves were out in forceThey cawed around the place till hoarse.But birds, like people, should be slowTo judge before the facts they know;For neither tramps nor thieves were here,But Brownies, honest and sincere,Who worked like mad to strip the treesBefore they felt the morning breeze.And well they gauged their task and time,For ere the sun commenced to primeThe sky with faintest tinge of redThe Brownies from the orchard fled,While all the fruit was laid with careBeyond the reach of nipping air.

HEautumn nights began to fill

The mind with thoughts of winter chill,

When Brownies in an orchard met,

Where ripened fruit was hanging yet.

Said one, "The apples here, indeed,

Must now be mellow to the seed;

And, ere another night, should be

Removed at once from every tree.

For any evening now may call

The frost to nip and ruin all."

Another quickly answer made:

"This man is scarcely worthy aid;

'Tis said his harsh and cruel sway

Has turned his children's love away.

"If this be true, 't would serve him right"

If frost should paint his orchard white."

"It matters not who owns the place,

Or why neglect thus shows its face,"

A third replied; "the fact is clear

That fruit should hang no longer here.

If worthy people here reside

Then will our hands be well applied;

And if unworthy folks we serve,

Still better notice we'll deserve."

"You speak our minds so full and fair,"

One loudly cried, "that speech we'll spare.

But like the buttons on your back,

We'll follow closely in your track,

And do our part with willing hand,

Without one doubtingiforand."

Kind deeds the Brownies often do

Unknown to me as well as you;

The wounded hare, by hunters maimed,

Is sheltered and supplied and tamed.

The straying cat they sometimes find

Half-starved, and chased by dogs unkind,

And bring it home from many fears

To those who mourned its loss with tears.

And to the bird so young and bare,

With wings unfit to fan the air,

That preying owls had thought to rend

The Brownie often proves a friend.

Then bags and baskets were brought out

From barns and buildings round about,

With kettles, pans, and wooden-ware,

That prying eyes discovered there;

Nay, even blankets from the beds,

The pillow-slips, and table-spreads

Were in some manner brought to light

To render service through the night.

If there's a place where Brownies feelAt home with either hand or heel,And seem from all restrictions free,That place is in a branching tree.At times, with balance fair and fineThey held their stations in a line;At times, in rivalry and prideTo outer twigs they scattered wide;And oft with one united strainThey shook the tree with might and main,Till, swaying wildly to and fro,It rocked upon the roots below.So skilled at climbing were they allThe sum of accidents was small:Some hats were crushed, some heads were sore,Some backs were blue, ere work was o'er;For hands will slip and feet will slide,And boughs will break and forks divide,And hours that promise sport sublimeMay introduce a limping time.So some who clambered up the treeWith ready use of hand and knee,Found other ways they could descendThan by the trunk, you may depend.The startled birds of night came outAnd watched them as they moved about;Concluding thieves were out in forceThey cawed around the place till hoarse.But birds, like people, should be slowTo judge before the facts they know;For neither tramps nor thieves were here,But Brownies, honest and sincere,Who worked like mad to strip the treesBefore they felt the morning breeze.And well they gauged their task and time,For ere the sun commenced to primeThe sky with faintest tinge of redThe Brownies from the orchard fled,While all the fruit was laid with careBeyond the reach of nipping air.

If there's a place where Brownies feel

At home with either hand or heel,

And seem from all restrictions free,

That place is in a branching tree.

At times, with balance fair and fine

They held their stations in a line;

At times, in rivalry and pride

To outer twigs they scattered wide;

And oft with one united strain

They shook the tree with might and main,

Till, swaying wildly to and fro,

It rocked upon the roots below.

So skilled at climbing were they all

The sum of accidents was small:

Some hats were crushed, some heads were sore,

Some backs were blue, ere work was o'er;

For hands will slip and feet will slide,

And boughs will break and forks divide,

And hours that promise sport sublime

May introduce a limping time.

So some who clambered up the tree

With ready use of hand and knee,

Found other ways they could descend

Than by the trunk, you may depend.

The startled birds of night came out

And watched them as they moved about;

Concluding thieves were out in force

They cawed around the place till hoarse.

But birds, like people, should be slow

To judge before the facts they know;

For neither tramps nor thieves were here,

But Brownies, honest and sincere,

Who worked like mad to strip the trees

Before they felt the morning breeze.

And well they gauged their task and time,

For ere the sun commenced to prime

The sky with faintest tinge of red

The Brownies from the orchard fled,

While all the fruit was laid with care

Beyond the reach of nipping air.

WHENfleets of yachts were sailing roundThe rippling bay and ruffled sound,And steering out where Neptune raves,To try their speed in rougher waves,The Brownies from a lofty placeLooked out upon the novel race.Said one: "A race is under way.They'll start from somewhere in the bay,To leave the frowning forts behind,And Jersey headlands, as you'll find,And sail around, as I surmise,The light-ship that at anchor lies.All sails are spread, the masts will bend,For some rich prize they now contend—A golden cup or goblet fine,Or punch-bowl of antique design."Another said: "To-night, when allHave left the boats, we'll make a call,And boldly sail a yacht or twoAround that ship, as people do.If I can read the signs arightThat nature shows 'twill be a nightWhen sails will stretch before the blast,And not hang idly round the mast."So thus they talked, and plans they laid,And waited for the evening shade.And when the lamps in city squareAnd narrow street began to glare,The Brownies ventured from their placeTo find the yachts and sail their race.In equal numbers now the band,Divided up, the vessels manned.Short time they wasted in debateWho should be captain, cook, or mate;But it was settled at the startThat all would take an active part,And be prepared to pull and haulIf trouble came in shape of squall.For in the cunning Brownie crowdNo domineering is allowed;All stand alike with equal power,And friendly feeling rules the hour.The Brownies' prophecy was true.That night the wind increased and blew,And dipped the sails into the wave,And work to every Brownie gave;Not one on board but had to clew,Or reef, or steer, or something do.Sometimes the yachts ran side by sideA mile or more, then parted wide,Still tacking round and shifting sailTo take advantage of the gale.

HENfleets of yachts were sailing round

The rippling bay and ruffled sound,

And steering out where Neptune raves,

To try their speed in rougher waves,

The Brownies from a lofty place

Looked out upon the novel race.

Said one: "A race is under way.

They'll start from somewhere in the bay,

To leave the frowning forts behind,

And Jersey headlands, as you'll find,

And sail around, as I surmise,

The light-ship that at anchor lies.

All sails are spread, the masts will bend,

For some rich prize they now contend—

A golden cup or goblet fine,

Or punch-bowl of antique design."

Another said: "To-night, when all

Have left the boats, we'll make a call,

And boldly sail a yacht or two

Around that ship, as people do.

If I can read the signs aright

That nature shows 'twill be a night

When sails will stretch before the blast,

And not hang idly round the mast."

So thus they talked, and plans they laid,

And waited for the evening shade.

And when the lamps in city square

And narrow street began to glare,

The Brownies ventured from their place

To find the yachts and sail their race.

In equal numbers now the band,

Divided up, the vessels manned.

Short time they wasted in debate

Who should be captain, cook, or mate;

But it was settled at the start

That all would take an active part,

And be prepared to pull and haul

If trouble came in shape of squall.

For in the cunning Brownie crowd

No domineering is allowed;

All stand alike with equal power,

And friendly feeling rules the hour.

The Brownies' prophecy was true.

That night the wind increased and blew,

And dipped the sails into the wave,

And work to every Brownie gave;

Not one on board but had to clew,

Or reef, or steer, or something do.

Sometimes the yachts ran side by side

A mile or more, then parted wide,

Still tacking round and shifting sail

To take advantage of the gale.

Sometimes a sloop beyond controlAt random ran, or punched a holeClean through her scudding rival's jibs,Or thumped her soundly on the ribs.Of Brownies there were two or threeWho tumbled headlong in the sea,While they performed some action bold,And failed to keep a proper hold.At first it seemed they would be lost;For here and there they pitched and tossed,Now on the crests of billows white,Now in the trough, clear out of sight,But all the while with valiant heartPerforming miracles of art.

Sometimes a sloop beyond control

At random ran, or punched a hole

Clean through her scudding rival's jibs,

Or thumped her soundly on the ribs.

Of Brownies there were two or three

Who tumbled headlong in the sea,

While they performed some action bold,

And failed to keep a proper hold.

At first it seemed they would be lost;

For here and there they pitched and tossed,

Now on the crests of billows white,

Now in the trough, clear out of sight,

But all the while with valiant heart

Performing miracles of art.

Some life-preservers soon were thrown;And ready hands let sails alone,And turned to render aid with speedTo those who stood so much in need.But accident could not displaceOr weaken interest in the race;And soon each active Brownie stoodWhere he could do the greatest good;It mattered not if shifting sail,Or at the helm, or on the rail.With arm to arm and hip to hip,They lay in rows to trim the ship.All hands were anxious to succeedAnd prove their yachts had greatest speed.But though we sail, or though we ride,Or though we sleep, the moments glide;And none must bear this fact in mindMore constantly than Brownie kind.For stars began to lose their glowWhile Brownies still had miles to go.Said one, who scanned the eastern skyWith doubtless an experienced eye:"We'll crowd all sail, for fear the dayWill find us still upon the bay—Since it would prove a sad affairIf morning light should find us there."But when the winds began to failAnd lightly pressed the flapping sail,It was determined by the bandTo run their yachts to nearest land,So they could reach their hiding-placeBefore the sun revealed his face.

Some life-preservers soon were thrown;

And ready hands let sails alone,

And turned to render aid with speed

To those who stood so much in need.

But accident could not displace

Or weaken interest in the race;

And soon each active Brownie stood

Where he could do the greatest good;

It mattered not if shifting sail,

Or at the helm, or on the rail.

With arm to arm and hip to hip,

They lay in rows to trim the ship.

All hands were anxious to succeed

And prove their yachts had greatest speed.

But though we sail, or though we ride,

Or though we sleep, the moments glide;

And none must bear this fact in mind

More constantly than Brownie kind.

For stars began to lose their glow

While Brownies still had miles to go.

Said one, who scanned the eastern sky

With doubtless an experienced eye:

"We'll crowd all sail, for fear the day

Will find us still upon the bay—

Since it would prove a sad affair

If morning light should find us there."

But when the winds began to fail

And lightly pressed the flapping sail,

It was determined by the band

To run their yachts to nearest land,

So they could reach their hiding-place

Before the sun revealed his face.

By happy chance a cove they reachedWhere high and dry the boats were beached,And all in safety made their wayTo secret haunts without delay.

By happy chance a cove they reached

Where high and dry the boats were beached,

And all in safety made their way

To secret haunts without delay.

One night the Brownies strayed aroundA green and level stretch of ground,Where young folk oft their skill displayedAt archery, till evening's shade.The targets standing in the park,With arrows resting in the mark,Soon showed the cunning Brownie bandThe skill of those who'd tried a hand.A few in outer rings were fast,Some pierced the "gold," and more had passedWithout a touch, until they sankIn trunk of tree or grassy bank.Said one: "On page and parchment old,The story often has been told,How men of valor bent the bowTo spread confusion through the foe.And even now, in later times(As travelers find in distant climes),Some savage tribes on plain and hillCan make it interesting still."Another spoke: "A scene like this,Reminds me of that valiant Swiss,Who in the dark and trying hourRevealed such nerve and matchless power,And from the head of his brave sonThe apple shot, and freedom won!While such a chance is offered here,We'll find the bows that must be near,And as an hour or two of nightWill bring us 'round the morning light,We'll take such targets as we may,To safer haunts, some miles away.Then at our leisure we can shootAt bull's-eyes round or luscious fruit,Till like the Swiss of olden time,With steady nerves and skill sublime,Each one can split an apple fairOn every head that offers there."Now buildings that were fastened tightAgainst the prowlers of the night,At the wee Brownies' touch and callSoon opened and surrendered all.So some with bulky targets strode,That made for eight or ten a load.And called for engineering skillTo steer them up or down the hill;Some carried bows of rarest kind,That reached before and trailed behind.The English "self-yew" bow was there,Of nicest make and "cast" so rare,Well tipped with horn, the proper thing,With "nocks," or notches, for the string.Still others formed an "arrow line"That bristled like the porcupine.When safe within the forest shade,The targets often were displayed.At first, however near they stood,Some scattered trouble through the wood.The trees were stripped of leaves and bark,With arrows searching for the mark.The hares to other groves withdrew,And frighted birds in circles flew.But practice soon improves the artOf all, however dull or smart;And there they stood to do their best,And let all other pleasures rest,While quickly grew their skill and power,And confidence, from hour to hour.When targets seemed too plain or wide,A smaller mark the Brownies tried.By turns each member took his standAnd risked his head to serve the band.

One night the Brownies strayed around

A green and level stretch of ground,

Where young folk oft their skill displayed

At archery, till evening's shade.

The targets standing in the park,

With arrows resting in the mark,

Soon showed the cunning Brownie band

The skill of those who'd tried a hand.

A few in outer rings were fast,

Some pierced the "gold," and more had passed

Without a touch, until they sank

In trunk of tree or grassy bank.

Said one: "On page and parchment old,

The story often has been told,

How men of valor bent the bow

To spread confusion through the foe.

And even now, in later times

(As travelers find in distant climes),

Some savage tribes on plain and hill

Can make it interesting still."

Another spoke: "A scene like this,

Reminds me of that valiant Swiss,

Who in the dark and trying hour

Revealed such nerve and matchless power,

And from the head of his brave son

The apple shot, and freedom won!

While such a chance is offered here,

We'll find the bows that must be near,

And as an hour or two of night

Will bring us 'round the morning light,

We'll take such targets as we may,

To safer haunts, some miles away.

Then at our leisure we can shoot

At bull's-eyes round or luscious fruit,

Till like the Swiss of olden time,

With steady nerves and skill sublime,

Each one can split an apple fair

On every head that offers there."

Now buildings that were fastened tight

Against the prowlers of the night,

At the wee Brownies' touch and call

Soon opened and surrendered all.

So some with bulky targets strode,

That made for eight or ten a load.

And called for engineering skill

To steer them up or down the hill;

Some carried bows of rarest kind,

That reached before and trailed behind.

The English "self-yew" bow was there,

Of nicest make and "cast" so rare,

Well tipped with horn, the proper thing,

With "nocks," or notches, for the string.

Still others formed an "arrow line"

That bristled like the porcupine.

When safe within the forest shade,

The targets often were displayed.

At first, however near they stood,

Some scattered trouble through the wood.

The trees were stripped of leaves and bark,

With arrows searching for the mark.

The hares to other groves withdrew,

And frighted birds in circles flew.

But practice soon improves the art

Of all, however dull or smart;

And there they stood to do their best,

And let all other pleasures rest,

While quickly grew their skill and power,

And confidence, from hour to hour.

When targets seemed too plain or wide,

A smaller mark the Brownies tried.

By turns each member took his stand

And risked his head to serve the band.

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