Another Brownie Book

<h2><SPAN name="THE_BROWNIES_TALLY-HO" id="THE_BROWNIES_TALLY-HO"></SPAN>THE BROWNIES' TALLY-HO.</h2> <div class="container"> <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i098a.jpg" width-obs="99" height-obs="120" alt="A" class="alignlefta" /> </span> <div class="i6"> &nbsp;<span class="smcapa">S</span> shades of evening closed around,</div> <div class="i7">The Brownies, from some wooded ground,</div> <div class="i7">Looked out to view with staring eye</div> <div class="i7">A Tally-Ho, then passing by.</div> <div class="i7">Around the park they saw it roll,</div> <div class="i7">Now sweeping round a wooded knoll,</div> <div class="i7">Now rumbling o'er an arching bridge,</div> <div class="i0">Now hid behind a rocky ridge,</div> <div class="i0">Now wheeling out again in view</div> <div class="i0">To whirl along some avenue.</div> <div class="i0">They hardly could restrain a shout</div> <div class="i0">When they observed the grand turnout.</div> <div class="i0">The long, brass horn, that trilled so loud,</div> <div class="i0">The prancing horses, and the crowd</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i098b.jpg" width-obs="400" height-obs="500" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</SPAN></span> <div class="i7">Of people perched so high in air</div> <div class="i7">Pleased every wondering Brownie there.</div> <div class="i7">Said one: "A rig like this we see</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i099a.jpg" width-obs="185" height-obs="127" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i0">Would suit the Brownies to a T!</div> <div class="i0">And I'm the one, here let me say,</div> <div class="i0">To put such pleasures in our way:</div> <div class="i0">I know the very place to go</div> <div class="i0">To-night to find a Tally-Ho.</div> <div class="i0">It never yet has borne a load</div> <div class="i7">Of happy hearts along the road;</div> <div class="i7">But, bright and new in every part</div> <div class="i7">'Tis ready for an early start.</div> <div class="i7">The horses in the stable stand</div> <div class="i7">With harness ready for the hand;</div> <div class="i7">If all agree, we'll take a ride</div> <div class="i7">For miles across the country wide."</div> <div class="i7">Another said: "The plan is fine;</div> <div class="i7">You well deserve to head the line;</div> <div class="i7">But, on the road, the reins I'll draw;</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i099b.jpg" width-obs="166" height-obs="108" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i0">I know the way to 'gee' and 'haw,'</div> <div class="i0">And how to turn a corner round,</div> <div class="i0">And still keep wheels upon the ground."</div> <div class="i0">Another answered: "No, my friend,</div> <div class="i0">We'll not on one alone depend;</div> <div class="i0">But three or four the reins will hold,</div> <div class="i7">That horses may be well controlled.</div> <div class="i7">The curves are short, the hills are steep,</div> <div class="i7">The horses fast, and ditches deep,</div> <div class="i7">And at some places half the band</div> <div class="i7">May have to take the lines in hand."</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</SPAN></span> <ANTIMG src="images/i100a.jpg" width-obs="224" height-obs="107" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i100b.jpg" width-obs="148" height-obs="150" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i10">That night, according to their plan,</div> <div class="i10">The Brownies to the stable ran;</div> <div class="i10">Through swamps they cut to reach the place,</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i100c.jpg" width-obs="224" height-obs="117" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i10">And cleared the fences in their race</div> <div class="i10">As lightly as the swallow flies</div> <div class="i10">To catch its morning meal supplies.</div> <div class="i11">Though, in the race, some clothes were soiled,</div> <div class="i12">And stylish shoes completely spoiled,</div> <div class="i0">&nbsp;</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i100d.jpg" width-obs="450" height-obs="356" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</SPAN></span> <div class="i6">Across the roughest hill or rock</div> <div class="i6">They scampered like a frightened flock,</div> <div class="i6">Now o'er inclosures knee and knee,</div> <div class="i6">With equal speed they clambered free</div> <div class="i6">And soon with faces all aglow</div> <div class="i6">They crowded round the Tally-Ho;</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i101a.jpg" width-obs="450" height-obs="78" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i6">But little time they stood to stare</div> <div class="i6">Or smile upon the strange affair.</div> <div class="i6">As many hands make labor light,</div> <div class="i6">And active fingers win the fight,</div> <div class="i6">Each busy Brownie played his part,</div> <div class="i6">And soon 't was ready for the start.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i6">But ere they took their seats to ride</div> <div class="i6">By more than one the horns were tried,</div> <div class="i6">Each striving with tremendous strain</div> <div class="i6">The most enlivening sound to gain,</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i101b.jpg" width-obs="480" height-obs="254" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i6">And prove he had a special right</div> <div class="i6">To blow the horn throughout the night.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</SPAN></span> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i102a.jpg" width-obs="480" height-obs="319" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> </span> <div class="i8">Though some were crowded in a seat,</div> <div class="i8">And some were forced to keep their feet</div> <div class="i8">Or sit upon another's lap,</div> <div class="i8">And some were hanging to a strap,</div> <div class="i8">With merry laugh and ringing shout,</div> <div class="i8">And tooting horns, they drove about.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i8">A dozen miles, perhaps, or more,</div> <div class="i8">The lively band had traveled o'er,</div> <div class="i8">Commenting on their happy lot</div> <div class="i8">And keeping horses on the trot,</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i102c.jpg" width-obs="107" height-obs="122" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i2">When, as they passed a stunted oak</div> <div class="i2">A wheel was caught, the axle broke!</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i2">Then some went out with sudden pitch,</div> <div class="i2">And some were tumbled in the ditch,</div> <div class="i2">And one jumped off to save his neck,</div> <div class="i2">While others still hung to the wreck.</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</SPAN></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i103b.jpg" width-obs="123" height-obs="125" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i2">Confusion reigned, for coats were rent,</div> <div class="i2">And hats were crushed, and horns were bent,</div> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i103a.jpg" width-obs="131" height-obs="104" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i10">And what began with fun and clatter</div> <div class="i10">Had turned to quite a serious matter.</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i103c.jpg" width-obs="450" height-obs="434" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</SPAN></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i4">Some blamed the drivers, others thought</div> <div class="i4">The tooting horns the trouble brought.</div> <div class="i4">More said, that they small wisdom showed,</div> <div class="i4">Who left the root so near the road.</div> <div class="i4">But while they talked about their plight</div> <div class="i4">Upon them burst the morning light</div> <div class="i4">With all the grandeur and the sheen</div> <div class="i5">That June could lavish on the scene.</div> <div class="i6">So hitching horses where they could,</div> <div class="i7">The Brownies scampered for the wood.</div> <div class="i8">And lucky were the Brownies spry:</div> <div class="i8">A dark and deep ravine was nigh</div> <div class="i10">That seemed to swallow them alive</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i104.jpg" width-obs="400" height-obs="529" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i0">So quick were they to jump and dive,</div> <div class="i0">To safely hide from blazing day</div> <div class="i0">That fast had driven night away,</div> <div class="i0">And forced them to leave all repairs</div> <div class="i0">To other heads and hands than theirs.</div> </div></div> </div> <hr class="chap" /> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</SPAN></span></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />