The Brownies: Their Book Part 11

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THE BROWNIES AND THE SPINNING-WHEEL.

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ONE evening, with the falling dew, Some Brownies 'round a cottage drew.

Said one: "I've learned the reason why We miss the 'Biddy, Biddy!' cry, That every morning brought a score Of fowls around this cottage door; 'T is rheumatism most severe That keeps the widow prisoned here.

Her sheep go bleating through the field, In quest of salt no herb can yield, To early roost the fowls withdraw While each bewails an empty craw.

And sore neglect you may discern On every side, where'er you turn.

If aid come to the widow's need, From Brownies' hands it must proceed."

Another said: "The wool, I know, Went through the mill a month ago.

I saw them when they bore the sack Tip yonder hill, a wondrous pack That caught the branches overhead, And round their heels the gravel spread.

Her spinning-wheel is lying there In fragments quite beyond repair.

A pa.s.sing goat, with manners bold, Mistook it for a rival old,

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And knocked it 'round for half an hour With all his noted b.u.t.ting power.

They say it was a striking scene, That twilight conflict on the green; The wheel was resting on the shed, The frame around the garden spread, Before the goat had gained his sight, And judged the article aright."

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A third remarked: "I call to mind Another wheel that we may find.

Though somewhat worn by use and time, It seems to be in order prime; Now, night is but a babe as yet, The dew has scarce the clover wet; By running fast and working hard We soon can bring it to the yard; Then stationed here in open air The widow's wool shall be our care."

This suited all, and soon with zeal They started off to find the wheel; Their course across the country lay Where great obstructions barred the way; But Brownies seldom go around However rough or wild the ground.

O'er rocky slope and marshy bed, With one accord they pushed ahead,Across the tail-race of a mill, And through a churchyard on the hill.

They found the wheel, with head and feet, And band and fixtures, all complete;

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And soon beneath the trying load Were struggling on the homeward road.

They had some trouble, toil, and care, Some hoisting here, and hauling there;

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At times, the wheel upon a fence Defied them all to drag it thence, As though determined to remain And serve the farmer, guarding grain.

But patient head and willing hand Can wonders work in every land; And cunning Brownies never yield, But aye as victors leave the field.

Some ran for sticks, and some for pries, And more for blocks on which to rise, That every hand or shoulder there, In such a pinch might do its share.

Before the door they set the wheel, And near at hand the winding reel, That some might wind while others spun, And thus the task be quickly done.

No time was wasted, now, to find What best would suit each hand or mind.

Some through the cottage crept about To find the wool and pa.s.s it out; With some to turn, and some to pull, And some to shout, "The spindle's full!"

The wheel gave out a droning song,-- The work in hand was pushed along.

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Their mode of action and their skill With wonder might a spinster fill; For out across the yard entire They spun the yarn like endless wire,-- Beyond the well with steady haul, Across the patch of beans and all, Until the walls, or ditches wide, A greater stretch of wool denied.

The widow's yarn was quickly wound In tidy b.a.l.l.s, quite large and round.

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And ere the night began to fade, The borrowed wheel at home was laid; And none the worse for rack or wear, Except a blemish here and there, A spindle bent, a broken band,-- 'T was ready for the owner's hand.

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THE BROWNIES' VOYAGE.

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ONE night, a restless Brownie band Resolved to leave their native strand, And visit islands fair and green, That in the distance might be seen.

In answer to a summons wide, The Brownies came from every side-- A novel spectacle they made, All mustered in the forest shade.

With working implements they came, Of every fas.h.i.+on, use, and name.

Said one, "How many times have we Surveyed those islands in the sea, And longed for means to thither sail And ramble over hill and vale!

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That pleasure rare we may command, Without the aid of human hand.

And ere the faintest streak of gray Has advertised the coming day, A st.u.r.dy craft, both tough and tall, With masts and halyards, shrouds and all, With sails to spread, and helm to guide, Completed from the ways shall glide.

So exercise your mystic power And make the most of every hour!"

With axes, hammers, saws, and rules, Dividers, squares, and boring tools, The active Brownies scattered 'round, And every one his labor found.

Some fell to chopping down the trees, And some to hewing ribs and knees; While more the ponderous keelson made, And fast the shapely hull was laid.

Then over all they clambered soon, Like bees around their hive in June.

'T was hammer, hammer, here and there, And rip and racket everywhere,

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