It happened as they neared the ground,A rushing gale was sweeping round,That caught and carried them with speedAcross the forest and the mead.Then lively catching might be seenAt cedar tops and branchesgreen;While still the stump behindthem swung,On this it caught, to that ithung,And, as an anchor, played apart
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 groundBut in the tree-top on the hillThe old balloon is hanging still,And saves the farmers on the plainFrom placing scare-crows in their grain.
As day in shades of evening sank,The Brownies reached a river bank;And there awhile stood gazing downAt students from a neighboring town,
Whose light canoes charmedevery eye,As one by one they floated by.Said one, "We'll follow, as theygo,Until they gain the point below.
standing by a logThere stands a house, but lately made,Wherein the club's effects are laid;We'll take possession after dark,And in these strange affairs embark."
runningThey all declared, at any cost,A chance like this should ne'er be lost;And keeping well the men in sightThey 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 sandsThe boats were shoved with willing hands.A "Shadow" model some explored,And then well-pleased they rushed on board;The open "Peterboro'," too,Found its supporters—and a crew.The Indian "Birch-bark" seemed too frailAnd 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 plannedmore runningholding hands and running
By men of keenest judgment ripe,As those of humbler, home-made type.And soon away sailed all the fleetWith every Brownie in his seat.
Taking the canoe
The start was promising and fine;With little skill and less designThey steered along as suited best,And let the current do the rest.
All nature seemed to be awareThat 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 castAnd held their breath till all had passed.As every stream will show a bend,If one explores from end to end,
Carrying the canoe
So every river, great and small,Must have its rapids and its fall;And those who on its surface glideO'er rough as well as smooth must ride.The stream whereon had started outThe Brownie band in gleeful rout
Was wild enoughAt times it tum-O'er shelving rocksAt times it formedA brood of whirl-That with each oth-As fated objectspaddlingto please a trout.bled on its wayand bowlders grayfrom side to sidepools deep and wideer seemed to viedrifted 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,
more paddlingUntil a disapproving chimeOf voices made them rest their hand,And let still others take command.But, spite of current, whirl or go,In spite of hungry tribes below,—
floatingThe eel, the craw-fish, leech, and pout,That watched them from the starting out,And thought each moment flitting byMight spill them out a year's supply,—The Brownies drifted onward still;And though confusion baffled skill,
Canoes throughout the trying raceKept right side up in every case.But sport that traveled hand in handWith horrors hardly pleased the band,As pallid cheek and popping eyeOn every side could testify;And all agreed that wisdom layIn steering home without delay.So landing quick, the boats they tiedTo roots or trees as chance supplied,And plunging in the woods profound,They soon were lost to sight and sound.
tied to roots
HE Brownies heard the news with glee,That in a city near the seaA spacious building was designedFor holding beasts of every kind.From polar snows, from desert sand,From mountain peak, and timbered land,The beasts with claw and beasts with hoof,All met beneath one slated roof.That night, like bees before the wind,With home in sight, and storm behind,The band of Brownies might be seen,All scudding from the forest green.Less time it took the walls to scaleThan 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,With good effect, on sash and door;And soon the band stood face to faceWith all the wonders of the place.
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 mightCome 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 rangeTo gather 'round some creature strange;To watch the movements of the bear,Or at the spotted serpents stare.Around the sleeping lion longThey stood an interested throng,Debating o'er its strength of limb,Its heavy mane or visage grim.
Then off to other parts they'd rangeTo gather 'round some creature strange;To watch the movements of the bear,Or at the spotted serpents stare.Around the sleeping lion longThey stood an interested throng,Debating o'er its strength of limb,Its heavy mane or visage grim.
On a turtleThe mammoth turtle from its penWas driven 'round and 'round again,And though the coach proved rather slowThey kept it hours upon the go.Said one, "Before your face and eyesI'll take that snake from where it lies,And like a Hindoo of the East,Benumb and charm the crawling beast,Then twist him 'round me on the spotAnd tie him in a sailor's knot."Another then was quick to shout,
"We'll leave that snake performance out!I grant you all the power you claimTo charm, to tie, to twist and tame;But let me still suggest you tryYour art when no one else is nigh.Of all the beasts that creep or crawlFrom 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 holdIs not denied the Brownies bold."Talking
So, harmlessly as silken bandsThe 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 from cage to cage they went,For some to smile, and some comment
On Nature's way of dealing outTo this a tail, to that a snout
On Nature's way of dealing outTo this a tail, to that a snout
Of extra length, and then denyTo 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,—
cages
A panic seized the Brownies all,And out they scampered from the hall,As if they feared incautious menHad built too frail a prison pen.
Onenight the circus was in townWith tumbling men and painted clown,And Brownies came from forest deepAround the tent to climb and creep,And through the canvas, as they mightOf inner movements gain a sight.
On the tent ropes
Pointing to selfSaid one, "A chance we'll hardly findThat better suits the Brownie mind;To-night when all this great arrayOf people take their homeward way,We'll promptly make a swift descentAnd 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 bandThe elephant can take in hand;I noticed how they led him roundAnd marked the place he may be found;On me you may depend to keepThe monster harmless as a sheep."The laughing crowd that filled the place,Had hardly homeward turned its face,Before the eager waiting bandTook full possession as they planned,And 'round they scampered left and rightRunning for the whip
To see what offered most delight.Cried one, "If I can only findThe whip, I'll have a happy mind;
standing bowleggedFor I'll be master of the ringAnd keep the horses on the spring,Announce the names of those who ride,And snap the whip on every side."Another said, "I'll be a clown;I saw the way they tumble down,And how the cunning rogues contriveTo always keep the fun alive."
On the high wire
With such remarks away they wentAt this or that around the tent;The wire that not an hour beforeThe Japanese had traveled o'erFrom 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 bearNo 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 ballWithout regard to slip or fall;Both up and down the steep inclineThey kept their place, with balance fine,Until it bounded from the road,And whirled away without its load.They galloped 'round the dusty ringWithout a saddle, strap or string,And jumped through hoops both large and small,And over banners, poles and all.In time the elephant was foundAnd 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 lastAcross his back in order passed.
tumbling
Over the elephant
So thus they saw the moments flyTill dawn began to paint the sky;And then by every flap and tearThey made their way to open air,And off through lanes and alleys passedTo reach their hiding-place at last.
One evening, from a shaded spot, The Brownies viewed a level lot
Where clubs from different cities cameTo play the nation's favorite game.Then spoke a member of the band:
Where clubs from different cities cameTo play the nation's favorite game.Then spoke a member of the band:
planning the diamond"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 slowOur mystic art and skill to show;Let's take our turn at ball and bat,And prove ourselves expert at that."Another answered: "Iballhave plannedA method to equip our band.
There is a firm in yonder town,Whose goods have won them wide renown;Their special branch of business liesIn 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 noseOf him who fears the batter's blows,Trying to catch the ball
Or stops the pitcher's curves and throws.To know the place such goods to find,Is quite enough for Browny-kind!"When 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 toldSuccess had crowned their efforts bold.A goodly number of the throngTook extra implements along,
Or stops the pitcher's curves and throws.To know the place such goods to find,Is quite enough for Browny-kind!"When 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 toldSuccess had crowned their efforts bold.A goodly number of the throngTook extra implements along,
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 apause,According to the printed laws.There, turn about, each took his placeAt first or third or second base,
At left or right or center field.To pitch, to catch, or bat to wield,Or else as "short-stop" standing byTo catch a "grounder" or a "fly."Soon every corner of the groundIts separate set of players found.A dozen games upon the green,With ins and outs might there be seen;Trying to hit the ball
The umpires noting all with careTo tell if hits were foul or fair,
sliding in
The "strikes" and "balls" to plainly shout,And say if men were "safe" or "out,"And give decision just and wiseWhen knotty questions would arise.
In the tummyBut many Brownies thought it bestTo leave the sport and watch the rest;And from the seats or fences highThey viewed the scene with anxious eyeAnd never failed, the contest through,To render praise when praise was due.policeman
While others, freed from games on hand,In merry groups aside would stand,And pitch and catch with rarest skillTo keep themselves in practice still.
Playing ball
Now "double plays" and balls well curvedAnd "base hits" often were observed,While "errors" were but seldom seenThrough all the games upon that green.Before the flush of morn aroseTo bring their contests to a close,The balls and bats in every caseWere carried back and put in place;And when the Brownies left the store,All was in order as before.
W
HILE Brownies once were rambling throughA forest where tall timber grew,The hum of bees above their headTo much remark and wonder led.They gazed at branches in the airAnd listened at the roots with care,And soon a pine of giant sizeWas found to hold the hidden prize.Said one: "Some wild bees here have madeTheir home within the forest shade,Where neither fox nor prying bearCan 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,
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 pineAs 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'll hive them all,And take the queen and working throngAnd lazy drones where they belong."Next evening, at the time they'd set,Around the pine the Brownies metWith tools collected, as they spedFrom 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 fearBut 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 neglectTo 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 restIn proper style above the nest,Until the queen and all her trainDid full and fair possession gain.attacked by bees
Policeman waving off bees
Then 'round the hive a sheetdiving beewas tied,That some were thoughtful to provide,And off on poles, as best they could,They bore the burden from the wood.
running from diving bee
But trouble, as one may divine,Occurred at points along the line.'Twas bad enough on level ground,Where, now and then,oneexit found;
Trouble
But when the Brownies lacked a road,Or climbed the fences with their load,—Then numbers of the prisoners thereCame trooping out to take the air,And managed straight enough to flyTo keep excitement running high.
over fence
With branches broken off to suit,And grass uplifted by the root,In vain some daring Brownies triedTo brush the buzzing plagues aside.Said one, whose features proved to allThat bees had paid his face a call:"I'd rather dare the raging mainThan meddle with such things again.""The noble voice," another cried,"Of duty still must rule and guide,—Or in the ditch the sun would seeThe tumbled hive for all of me."And when at last the fence they foundThat 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 freeFrom some reminders of the bee.But thoughts of what a great surpriseEre long would light the farmer's eyesSoon drove away from every brainThe slightest thought of toil or pain.
Two cameos
T
HE Brownies planned at close of dayTo reach a town some miles away,Where roller skating, so 'twas said,Of all amusements kept ahead.Said one: "When deeper shadows fall,We'll cross the river, find the hall,
On the way
And learn the nature of the sportOf which we hear such good report."To reach the bridge that led to town,With eager steps they hastened down;But recent rains had caused a rise—The stream was now a fearful size;The bridge was nearly swept away,Submerged in parts, and wet with spray.
But when the cunning Brownies getTheir mind on some maneuver set,Nor wind nor flood, nor frost nor fireCan ever make the rogues retire.
Some walked the dripping logs with ease,While others crept on hands and kneesWith movements rather safe than fast,And inch by inch the danger passed.
Running to get there
Now, guided by the rumbling soundThat told where skaters circled 'round,Through dimly lighted streets they flew,And close about the building drew.Without delay the active band,By spouts and other means at hand,Of skill and daring furnished proofAnd gained possession of the roof;Then through the skylight viewed the showPresented by the crowds below.
Looking through the skylight
Said one: "While I survey that floorI'm filled with longing more and more,
On his shouldersAnd discontent with me will bideTill 'round the rink I smoothly glide.At night I've ridden through the air,Where bats abide, and owls repair;I've rolled in surf of ocean wide,And coasted down the mountain-side;And now to sweep around a hallOn roller skates would crown it all."
"My plans," the leader answer made,"Are in my mind already laid.Within an hour the folk belowWill quit their sport and homeward go;
Then will the timeFor us to leave thisAnd prove how wellWe may commandWhen came theAnd people fromcrashedbe ripe, indeed,roof with speed,our toes and heelswhen set on wheels."closing hour at last,rink had passed,
The Brownies hurried down to findThe roller skates they'd left behind.Then such a scene was there as fewMay ever have a chance to view.
Some hardly circled 'round the place,Before they moved with ease and grace,And skated freely to and fro,Upon a single heel or toe.Some coats were torn beyond repair,By catches here and clutches there,When those who felt their faith give way,Groped right and left without delay;leap frog on skates
While some who strove their friends to aid,Upon the floor themselves were laid,To spread confusion there awhile,As large and larger grew the pile.
Skating and falling
Some rose with fingers out of joint,Or black and blue at every point;
injuredAnd few but felt some portion sore,From introductions to the floor.But such mishaps were lost to sight,Amid the common wild delight,—For little plaint do Brownies makeO'er bump or bruise or even break.
But stars at length began to wane,And dawn came creeping through the pane;And much against the will of all,The rogues were forced to leave the hall.
ithin a forest dark and wide,Some distance from the ocean side,A band of Brownies played aroundOn mossy stone or grassy mound,Or, climbing through the branching tree,Performed their antics wild and free.
ithin a forest dark and wide,Some distance from the ocean side,A band of Brownies played aroundOn mossy stone or grassy mound,Or, climbing through the branching tree,Performed their antics wild and free.
When one, arising in his placeWith sparkling eyes and beaming faceSoon won attention from the rest,And thus the listening throng addressed:"For years and years, through heat and cold,Our home has been this forest old;The saplings which we used to bendNow like a schooner's masts ascend.
Yet here we live, content to rideA springing bough with childish pride,Content to bathe in brook or bogAlong with lizard, leech, and frog;We're far behind the age you'll findIf once you note the human kind.
Yet here we live, content to rideA springing bough with childish pride,Content to bathe in brook or bogAlong with lizard, leech, and frog;We're far behind the age you'll findIf once you note the human kind.
The modern youths no longer laveTheir limbs beneath the muddy waveOf meadow pool or village pond,But seek the ocean far beyond.
If pleasure in the sea is foundNot offered by the streams around,The Brownie band at once should haste
These unfamiliar joys to taste;No torch nor lantern's ray we'll needTo show our path o'er dewy mead,The ponds and pitfalls in the swale,The open ditch, the slivered rail,The poison vine and thistle highShow clear before the Brownie'seye."—Next evening, as their planthey'd laid,The band soon gathered in theshade.All clustered like a swarm ofbeesThey darted from the shelteringtrees;And straight across the country wideBegan their journey to the tide.And when they neared the beach at last,—The stout, the lean, the slow, the fast,—
'T was hard to say, of all the lot,Who foremost reached the famous spot.
"And now," said one with active mind."What proper garments can we find?In bathing costume, as you know,The people in the ocean go."
Another spoke, "For such demands,The building large that yonder stands,
Off they go
As one can see on passing by,Is full of garments clean and dry.There every fashion, loose or tight,We may secure with labor light."Though Brownies never carry keys,They find an entrance where they please;And never do they chuckle moreThan when some miser bars his door;For well they know that, spite of locks,
Of rings and staples, bolts and blocks,Were they inclined to play such prankHe'd find at morn an empty bank.So now the crafty Brownie crewSoon brought the bathing-suits to view;Some, working on the inner side,The waiting throng without supplied.—
'Twas busy work, as may be guessed,Before the band was fully dressed;Some still had cloth enough to lend,Though shortened up at either end;Sortie ran about to find a pin,While others rolled, and puckered in,Brownie and crab
And made the best of what they found,However strange it hung around.Then, when a boat was manned with careTo watch for daring swimmers there,—