The Brownies: Their Book Part 14

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And thus, in spite of every ill, The task was carried forward still.

Some were by nature well designed For work of this laborious kind, And never felt so truly great, As when half crushed beneath a weight.

While wondering comrades stood aghast, And thought each step must be the last.

But some were slight and ill could bear The heavy loads that proved their share,

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Though at some sport or cunning plan They far beyond their comrades ran.

Around the house some staid to pile The gathered wood in proper style; Which ever harder work they found As high and higher rose the mound.

Above the window-sill it grew, And next, the cornice hid from view; And, ere the dawn had forced a stop, The pile o'erlooked the chimney-top.

Some hands were sore, some backs were blue, And legs were sc.r.a.ped with slipping through Where ice and snow had left their mark On rounded log and smoothest bark.

That morning, when the parson rose, Against the pane he pressed his nose, And tried the outer world to scan To learn how signs of weather ran.

But, 'round the house, behind, before, In front of window, shed, and door, The wood was piled to such a height But little sky was left in sight!

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When next he climbed his pulpit stair, He touched upon the strange affair, And asked a blessing rich to fall Upon the heads and homes of all Who through the night had worked so hard To heap the fuel 'round the yard.

His hearers knew they had no claim To such a blessing if it came, But whispered: "We don't understand-- It must have been the Brownie Band."

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THE BROWNIES' FOURTH OF JULY.

WHEN Independence Day was nigh, And children laid their pennies by, Arranging plans how every cent Should celebrate the grand event, The Brownies in their earnest way Expressed themselves about the day.

Said one: "The time is drawing near-- To every freeman's heart so dear-- When citizens throughout the land, From Western slope to Eastern strand,

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Will celebrate with booming gun Their liberties so dearly won!"

"A fitting time," another cried, "For us, who many sports have tried,

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To introduce our mystic art And in some manner play a part."

A third replied, with beaming face: "Trust me to lead you to a place Where fireworks of every kind Are made to suit the loyal mind.

"There, Roman candles are in store, And bombs that like a cannon roar; While 'round the room one may behold Designs of every size and mold,-- The wheels that turn, when all ablaze, And scatter sparks a thousand ways; The eagle bird, with pinions spread; The busts of statesmen ages dead; And him who led his tattered band Against invaders of the land Until he shook the country free From grasp of kings beyond the sea.

"We may, from this supply, with ease Secure a share whene'er we please; And on these hills behind the town That to the plain go sloping down,

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We'll take position, come what may, And celebrate the Nation's Day."

That eve, when stars began to s.h.i.+ne, The eager band was formed in line, And, acting on the plans well laid, A journey to the town was made.

The Brownies never go astray, However puzzling is the way; With guides before and guards behind, They cut through every turn and wind, Until a halt was made at last Before a building bolted fast.

But those who think they'd turn around And leave because no keys are found Should entertain the thought no more, But study up the Brownie lore.

They rummaged boxes piled around And helped themselves to what they found, Some eager to secure the wheel That would so many sparks reveal.

Some active members of the band To bombs and crackers turned their hand, While more those emblems sought to find That call the Nation's birth to mind, And bring from every side the shout When all their meaning blazes out.

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Ere long, upon the homeward road They hastened with their novel load: And when the bell in chapel tower Gave notice of the midnight hour, The ruddy flame, the turning wheel, The showering sparks and deafening peal Showed Brownies in the proper way Gave welcome to the glorious day.

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The lighted eagles, through the night, Looked down like constellations bright; The rockets, whizzing to and fro, Lit up the slumbering town below; While, towering there with eyes of fire, As when he made his foes retire, Above all emblems duly raised, The Father of his Country blazed.

But ere the Brownies' large supply Had gone to light the summer sky, Some plasters would have served the band Much better than the goods on hand; For there were cases all about Where Brownies thought the fuse was out, Till with a sudden fizz and flare It caught the jokers unaware.

At times, in spite of warning cries, Some proved too slow at closing eyes; Some ears were stunned, some noses got Too close to something quick and hot, And fingers bore for days and weeks The trace of hasty powder's freaks.

Some dodging 'round would get a share Of splendor meant for upper air, And with a black or speckled face They ran about from place to place, To find new dangers blaze and burn On every side where'er they'd turn.

But few were there who felt afraid Of bursting bomb or fusillade, And to the prize they'd stick and hang Until it vanished with a "bang,"

Or darting upward seemed to fly On special business to the sky.

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But there, while darkness wrapped the hill, The Brownies celebrated still; For, pleasures such as this they found But seldom in their roaming 'round; And with reluctant feet they fled When morning tinged the sky with red.

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THE BROWNIES IN THE TOY-SHOP.

AS shades of evening settled down, The Brownies rambled through the town, To pry at this, to pause at that; By something else to hold a chat, And in their free and easy vein Express themselves in language plain.

At length before a store, their eyes Were fixed with wonder and surprise On toys of wood, and wax, and tin, And toys of rubber piled within.