The Brownies: Their Book Part 5

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.

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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.

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They cl.u.s.tered 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 s.h.i.+ne Through leafy tree and clinging vine, No traces of their sumptuous feast

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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

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ONE evening, when the snow lay white On level plain and mountain height, The Brownies mustered, one and all, In answer to a special call.

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All cl.u.s.tered in a ring they stood Within the shelter of the wood, While earnest faces brighter grew At thought of enterprises new.

Said one, "It seems that all the rage, With human kind of every age, Is on toboggans swift to slide Down steepest hill or mountain side.

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'll 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."

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This brought a smile to every face, 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, Before they scampered o'er the miles That brought them to the lumber piles, And then they clambered, crept, and squeezed, 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 Soon under heavy loads they bent.

It chanced to be a windy night, Which made their labor far from light, But, though a heavy tax was laid On strength and patience, undismayed They worked their way by hook or crook, And reached at last a sheltered nook;

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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; So here a twist, and there a bend, Soon brought their labors to an end.

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Without the aid of steam or glue, They curved them like a war canoe; No little forethought some displayed, But wisely "double-enders" made, That should they turn, as turn they might, They'd keep the downward course aright; They fas.h.i.+oned some for three or four, And some to carry eight or more,

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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.

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.

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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,

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Through splintered rails and flying gates Of half a dozen large estates; Until it seemed that ocean wide Alone could check the 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!

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But since we've proved the pleasure fine 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: "In all such musters count on me; For though my back is badly strained, My elbow-joint and ankle sprained, I'll 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.

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