Another Brownie Book

<h2><SPAN name="THE_BROWNIES_CANDY-PULL" id="THE_BROWNIES_CANDY-PULL"></SPAN>THE BROWNIES' CANDY-PULL.</h2> <div class="container"> <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i071c.jpg" width-obs="58" height-obs="120" alt="O" class="alignlefta" /> </span> <div class="i4">NE evening, while the Brownies sat</div> <div class="i4">Enjoying free and friendly chat,</div> <div class="i4">Some on the trees, some on the ground,</div> <div class="i4">And others perched on fences round&mdash;</div> <div class="i4">One Brownie, rising in his place,</div> <div class="i4">Addressed the band with beaming face.</div> <div class="i4">The listeners gathered with delight</div> <div class="i4">Around the member, bold and bright,</div> <div class="i4">To hear him tell of scenes he'd spied</div> <div class="i4">While roaming through the country wide.</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</SPAN></span> <div class="i4">"Last eve," said he, "to shun the blast,</div> <div class="i4">Behind a cottage fence I passed.</div> <div class="i4">While there, I heard a merry rout,</div> <div class="i4">And as the yard was dark without,</div> <div class="i4">I crawled along through weeds and grass,</div> <div class="i4">Through melon-vines and broken glass,</div> <div class="i4">Until I might, unnoticed, win</div> <div class="i4">A glimpse of all the sport within.</div> <div class="i6">At length, below the window-pane,</div> <div class="i6">To reach the sill I stretched in vain;</div> <div class="i10">But, thanks to my inquiring mind</div> <div class="i10">And sundry bricks, I chanced to find</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i072.jpg" width-obs="426" height-obs="450" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</SPAN></span> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i073a.jpg" width-obs="132" height-obs="150" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i073b.jpg" width-obs="210" height-obs="282" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i10">The facts I can relate in full</div> <div class="i10">About that lively candy-pull.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i10">"An hour or more, I well believe,</div> <div class="i10">I stood, their actions to perceive,</div> <div class="i10">With elbows resting on the sill,</div> <div class="i10">And nose against the window still.</div> <div class="i10">I watched them closely at their fun,</div> <div class="i10">And learned how everything was done.</div> <div class="i10">The younger members took the lead,</div> <div class="i10">And carried on the work with speed.</div> <div class="i10">With nimble feet they ran about</div> <div class="i10">From place to place, with laugh and shout;</div> <div class="i10">But older heads looked on the while,</div> <div class="i10">And cheered the youngsters with a smile,</div> <div class="i10">And gave advice in manner kind</div> <div class="i10">To guide the inexperienced mind.</div> <div class="i10">They placed the sugar in a pot,</div> <div class="i10">And stirred it round till boiling hot;</div> <div class="i10">Then rolled and worked it in their hands,</div> <div class="i10">And stretched it out in shining bands,</div> <div class="i10">Until it reached across the floor,</div> <div class="i10">From mantel-piece to kitchen door.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i10">"These eyes of mine for many a night</div> <div class="i10">Have not beheld a finer sight.</div> <div class="i10">To pull the candy was the part</div> <div class="i10">Of some who seemed to know the art.</div> <div class="i10">The moon had slipped behind the hill,</div> <div class="i10">And hoarse had grown the whip-poor-will;</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</SPAN></span> <div class="i10">But still, with nose against the pane,</div> <div class="i10">I kept my place through wind and rain.</div> <div class="i10">There, perched upon the shaky pile,</div> <div class="i10">With bated breath I gazed the while.</div> <div class="i10">I watched them with the sharpest sight</div> <div class="i10">That I might tell the tale aright;</div> <div class="i10">For all the active youngsters there</div> <div class="i10">Appeared to have of work their share.</div> <div class="i10">Some put fresh sugar in the pot,</div> <div class="i10">Some kept the fire blazing hot,</div> <div class="i10">And worked away as best they could</div> <div class="i10">To keep the stove well filled with wood.</div> <div class="i10">Indeed, ourselves, with all our skill,</div> <div class="i10">At moving here and there at will,</div> <div class="i10">Would have to 'lively' be and 'tear</div> <div class="i10">Around' to beat those children there!</div> <div class="i10">Some cut it up, more passed it round,</div> <div class="i10">While others ate it by the pound!"</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i074.jpg" width-obs="450" height-obs="124" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i10">At this, a murmur of surprise</div> <div class="i10">On every side began to rise;</div> <div class="i10">Then smiles o'er every visage flitted,</div> <div class="i10">As wide as cheeks and ears permitted,</div> <div class="i10">That told what train of thought had sped</div> <div class="i10">At once through every Brownie's head&mdash;</div> <div class="i10">A thought of pleasure near at hand</div> <div class="i10">That well would suit the cunning band.</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</SPAN></span></div> </div></div> <div class="container"> <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> <ANTIMG src="images/i075a.jpg" width-obs="97" height-obs="120" alt="T" class="alignlefta" /> <div class="i6a">HE Brownies act without delay</div> <div class="i7">When new ideas cross their way,</div> <div class="i7">And soon one raised a finger small</div> <div class="i7">And close attention gained from all.</div> <div class="i7">They crowded near with anxious glance</div> <div class="i7">To learn what scheme he could advance&mdash;</div> <div class="i7">What methods mention or employ</div> <div class="i7">To bring about the promised joy.</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i075b.jpg" width-obs="150" height-obs="97" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i0">Said he: "A vacant house is near.</div> <div class="i0">The owner leaves it every year</div> <div class="i0">For several months, and pleasure seeks</div> <div class="i0">On ocean waves or mountain peaks.</div> <div class="i0">The range is there against the wall,</div> <div class="i0">The pots, the pans, the spoons, and all,</div> <div class="i0">While cans of syrup may be found</div> <div class="i7">In every grocer's store around.</div> <div class="i7">The Brownie must be dull and tame,</div> <div class="i7">And scarce deserves to bear the name,</div> <div class="i7">Who will not join with heart and hand</div> <div class="i7">To carry out a scheme so grand."</div> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i075c.jpg" width-obs="104" height-obs="110" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span></div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i8">Another cried: "When to his bed</div> <div class="i8">The sun to-morrow stoops his head,</div> <div class="i8">Again we'll muster in full force</div> <div class="i8">And to that building turn our course."</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i7">Next eve they gained the street at last</div> <div class="i7">That through the silent city passed;</div> <div class="i7">And soon they paused, their eyes they raised</div> <div class="i7">And on the vacant mansion gazed.</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</SPAN></span> <div class="i7">In vain the miser hides his store,</div> <div class="i7">In vain the merchant bars his door,</div> <div class="i7">In vain the locksmith changes keys&mdash;</div> <div class="i7">The Brownies enter where they please.</div> <div class="i7">Through iron doors, through gates of brass,</div> <div class="i7">And walls of stone they safely pass,</div> <div class="i7">And smile to think how soon they can</div> <div class="i7">Upset the studied schemes of man.</div> <div class="i7">Within that house, without delay,</div> <div class="i7">Behind the guide they worked their way,</div> <div class="i7">More happy far and full of glee</div> <div class="i7">Than was the owner, out at sea.</div> <div class="i7">The whale, the shark, or fish that flies</div> <div class="i7">Had less attraction for his eyes</div> <div class="i7">Than had the shining candy-balls</div> <div class="i7">For Brownies, swarming through his halls.</div> <div class="i7">Soon coal was from the cellar brought</div> <div class="i7">And kindling wood came, quick as thought;</div> <div class="i7">Then pots and pans came rattling in</div> <div class="i7">And syrup sweet, in cans of tin.</div> <div class="i7">Just where the syrup had been found</div> <div class="i7">It matters not. It was around.</div> <div class="i7">The cunning band was soon possessed</div> <div class="i7">Of full supplies and of the best;</div> <div class="i7">Next tablespoons of silver fine</div> <div class="i7">In every hand appeared to shine,</div> <div class="i7">And ladles long, of costly ware,</div> <div class="i7">That had been laid away with care.</div> <div class="i7">No sooner was the syrup hot</div> <div class="i7">Than some around the kettle got,</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</SPAN></span> <ANTIMG src="images/i077a.jpg" width-obs="419" height-obs="404" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i7">And dabbed away in eager haste</div> <div class="i7">To be the first to get a taste.</div> <div class="i7">Then some were scalded when the spoon</div> <div class="i7">Let fall its contents all too soon,</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i077b.jpg" width-obs="283" height-obs="155" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</SPAN></span> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i078a.jpg" width-obs="178" height-obs="156" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i12">And gave the tongue too warm a mess</div> <div class="i12">To carry without some distress.</div> <div class="i12">Then steps were into service brought</div> <div class="i12">That dancing-masters never taught,</div> <div class="i12">And smothered cries and swinging hand</div> <div class="i12">Would wake the wonder of the band.</div> <div class="i12">And when the candy boiled until</div> <div class="i12">It could be pulled and hauled at will,</div> <div class="i12">Take every shape or twist, and seem</div> <div class="i12">As free as fancy in a dream,</div> <div class="i8">The busy, happy-hearted crew</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i078b.jpg" width-obs="333" height-obs="109" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i7">Enjoyed the moments as they flew.</div> <div class="i7">The Brownies in the building stayed</div> <div class="i7">And candy ate as fast as made.</div> <div class="i7">But when at length the brightening sky</div> <div class="i7">Gave warning they must homeward fly,</div> <div class="i7">They quickly sought the open air</div> <div class="i7">And had but little time to spare.</div> <div class="i7">The shortest way, as often found,</div> <div class="i7">Was o'er the roughest piece of ground,</div> <div class="i7">Where rocks as large as houses lay</div> <div class="i7">All scattered round in wild array.</div> <div class="i7">Some covered o'er with clinging vines,</div> <div class="i7">Some bearing up gigantic pines,</div> <div class="i7">Or spreading oaks, that rooted fast,</div> <div class="i7">For centuries had stood the blast.</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</SPAN></span> <ANTIMG src="images/i079.jpg" width-obs="422" height-obs="500" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i7">But over all the rugged ground</div> <div class="i7">The Brownies passed with lightsome bound,</div> <div class="i7">Now jumping clear from block to block,</div> <div class="i7">Now sliding down the shelving rock,</div> <div class="i7">Or cheering on the lagging kind</div> <div class="i7">Who here and there would fall behind.</div> </div></div> </div> <hr class="chap" /> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</SPAN></span></p> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i080a.jpg" width-obs="167" height-obs="168" alt="" /></div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />