Another Brownie Book

<h2><SPAN name="THE_BROWNIES_CELEBRATION" id="THE_BROWNIES_CELEBRATION"></SPAN>THE BROWNIES' CELEBRATION.</h2> <div class="container"> <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i043c.jpg" width-obs="100" height-obs="99" alt="O" class="alignlefth" /> </span> <div class="i7"> &nbsp; &nbsp;<span class="smcapa">NE</span> night the Brownies reached a mound</div> <div class="i8">That rose above the country round.</div> <div class="i8">Said one, as seated on the place</div> <div class="i8">He glanced about with thoughtful face:</div> <div class="i8">"If almanacs have matters right</div> <div class="i8">The Fourth begins at twelve to-night,&mdash;</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i043e.jpg" width-obs="196" height-obs="100" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i043d.jpg" width-obs="124" height-obs="150" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i8">A fitting time for us to fill</div> <div class="i8">Yon cannon there and shake the hill,</div> <div class="i8">And make the people all about</div> <div class="i8">Think war again has broken out.</div> <div class="i8">I know where powder may be found</div> <div class="i8">Both by the keg and by the pound;</div> <div class="i8">Men use it in a tunnel near</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i044a.jpg" width-obs="200" height-obs="411" alt="" class="aligcenter" /> <div class="i8">For blasting purposes, I hear.</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</SPAN></span> <div class="i8">To get supplies all hands will go,</div> <div class="i8">And when we come we'll not be slow</div> <div class="i8">To teach the folks the proper way</div> <div class="i8">To honor Independence Day."</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i8">It was not long till powder came.</div> <div class="i8">Then from the muzzle broke the flame,</div> <div class="i8">And echo answered to the sound</div> <div class="i8">That startled folk for miles around.</div> <div class="i8">'Twas lucky for the Brownies' Band</div> <div class="i8">They were not of the mortal brand,</div> <div class="i8">Or half the crew would have been hurled</div> <div class="i8">In pieces to another world.</div> <div class="i8">For when at last the cannon roared,</div> <div class="i8">So huge the charge had Brownies poured,</div> <div class="i8">The metal of the gun rebelled</div> <div class="i8">And threw all ways the load it held.</div> <div class="i8">The pieces clipped the daisy-heads</div> <div class="i8">And tore the tree-tops into shreds.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i8">But Brownies are not slow to spy</div> <div class="i8">A danger, as are you and I.</div> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i044b.jpg" width-obs="560" height-obs="194" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</SPAN></span> <ANTIMG src="images/i045.jpg" width-obs="442" height-obs="500" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</SPAN></span> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i046a.jpg" width-obs="80" height-obs="104" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i6">For they through strange and mystic art</div> <div class="i6">Observed it as it flew apart,</div> <div class="i6">And ducked and dodged and flattened out,</div> <div class="i6">To shun the fragments flung about.</div> <div class="i6">Some rogues were lifted from their feet</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i046b.jpg" width-obs="150" height-obs="104" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i6">And, turning somersaults complete,</div> <div class="i6">Like leaves went twirling through the air</div> <div class="i0">But only to receive a scare;</div> <div class="i0">And ere the smoke away had cleared</div> <div class="i0">In forest shade they disappeared.</div> </div></div> </div> <hr class="chap" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />