Part 5

On Hallow-eve, that night of fun, When elves and goblins frisk and run, And many games and tricks are tried At every pleasant fireside, The Brownies halted to survey A village that below them lay, And wondered as they rested there To hear the laughter fill the air That from the happy children came As they enjoyed some pleasant game. Said one: "What means this merry flow That comes so loudly from below, Uncommon pleasures must abound Where so much laughter can be found." Another said: "Now, by your leave, I'll tell you 't is All-Hallow-eve, When people meet to have their sport At curious games of every sort; I know them all from first to last, And now, before the night has passed, For some convenient place we'll start Without delay to play our part." Two dozen mouths commenced to show Their teeth in white and even row; Two dozen voices cried with speed, "The plan is good we're all agreed."

And in a trice four dozen feet Went down the hill with even beat. Without a long or wearying race The Brownies soon secured a place That answered well in every way For all the games they wished to play. There tubs of water could be found, By which to stoop or kneel around, And strive to bring the pennies out That on the bottom slipped about. Then heads were wet and shoulders, too, Where some would still the coin pursue, And mouth about now here and there Without a pause or breath of air Until in pride, with joyful cries, They held aloft the captured prize. More stood the tempting bait beneath, And with a hasty snap of teeth The whirling apple thought to claim And shun the while the candle's flame,-- But found that with such pleasure goes An eye-brow singed, or blistered nose.

More named the oats as people do To try which hearts are false, which true, And on the griddle placed the pair To let them part or smoulder there; And smiled to see, through woe or weal, How often hearts were true as steel. Still others tried to read their fate Or fortune in a dish or plate, Learn whether they would ever wed, Or lead a single life instead; Or if their mate would be a blessing, Or prove a partner most distressing.

Then others in the open air, Of fun and frolic had their share; Played "hide and seek," and "blindman's buff," And "tag" o'er places smooth or rough, And "snap the whip" and "trip the toe," And games that none but Brownies know. As if their lives at stake were placed, They jumped around and dodged and raced, And tumbled headlong to the ground When feet some hard obstruction found; At times across the level mead, Some proved their special claims to speed, And as reward of merit wore A wreath of green till sport was o'er. The hours flew past as hours will When joys do every moment fill; The moon grew weak and said good-night, And turned her pallid face from sight; Then weakening stars began to fail, But still the Brownies kept the vale; Full many a time had hours retired Much faster than the band desired, And pleasure seemed too sweet to lay Aside, because of coming day, But never yet with greater pain Did they behold the crimson stain That morning spread along the sky, And told them they must homeward fly

THE BROWNIES' [Illustration] FLAG-POLE.

The Brownies through a village bound, Paused in their run to look around, And wondered why the central square Revealed no flag-pole tall and fair. Said one: "Without delay we'll go To woods that stand some miles below. The tall spruce lifts its tapering crest So straight and high above the rest, We soon can choose a flag-pole there To ornament this village square. Then every one a hand will lend To trim it off from end to end, To peel it smooth and paint it white, And hoist it in the square to-night."

Then to the woods the Brownies ran At once to carry out their plan; While some ran here and there with speed For implements to serve their need, Some rambled through the forest free To find the proper kind of tree, Then climbed the tree while yet it stood To learn if it was sound and good, Without a flaw, a twist, or bend, To mar its looks from end to end. When one was found that suited well, To work the active Brownies fell; And soon with sticks beneath their load, The band in grand procession strode; It gave them quite enough to do To safely put the project through, But when they reached the square, at last, Some ropes around the pole were passed And from the tops of maples tall A crowd began to pull and haul, While others gathered at the base Until the flag-pole stood in place.

For Brownies seldom idle stand When there is fun or work on hand. At night when darkness wraps us round They come from secret haunts profound, With brushes, pots of paint, and all, They clamber over fence and wall; And soon on objects here and there That hold positions high in air, And most attract the human eye, The marks of Brownie fingers lie. Sometimes with feet that never tire They climb the tall cathedral spire; When all the town is still below, Save watchmen pacing to and fro, By light of moon, and stars alone, They dust the marble and the stone, And with their brushes, small and great, They paint and gild the dial-plate; And bring the figures plain in sight That all may note Time's rapid flight. And accidents they often know While through the heavy works they go, Where slowly turning wheels at last In bad position hold them fast. But Brownies, notwithstanding all The hardships that may them befall, Still persevere in every case Till morning drives them from the place. And then with happy hearts they fly To hide away from human eye.

THE BROWNIES ON THE CANAL.

One night the Brownies stood beside A long canal, whose silent tide Connected seaboard cities great With inland sections of the state. The laden boats, so large and strong, Were tied to trees by hawsers long; No boatmen stood by helm or oar, No mules were tugging on the shore; All work on land and water too Had been abandoned by the crew. Said one: "We see, without a doubt, What some dispute has brought about. Perhaps a strike for greater pay, For even rates, or shorter day, Has caused the boats to loiter here With cargoes costing some one dear. These cabbages so large and round Should, long ere this, the dish have found, Upon some kitchen-stove or range To spread an odor rich and strange; Those squashes, too, should not be lost By long exposure to the frost, When they would prove so great a prize To old and young, if baked in pies. And then those pippins, ripe and fair, From some fine orchard picked with care, Should not to rot and ruin go, Though work is hard or wages low, When thousands would be glad to stew The smallest apples there in view."

Another said: "We lack the might To set the wrongs of labor right, But by the power within us placed We'll see that nothing goes to waste. So every hand must be applied That boats upon their way may glide."

Then some ran here and there with speed To find a team to suit their need. A pair of mules, that grazed about The grassy banks, were fitted out With straps and ropes without delay To start the boats upon their way; And next some straying goats were found, Where in a yard they nibbled round Destroying plants of rarest kind That owners in the town could find. Soon, taken from their rich repast, They found themselves in harness fast; Then into active service pressed They trod the tow-path with the rest.

On deck some Brownies took their stand To man the helm, or give command, And oversee the work; while more Stayed with the teams upon the shore.

At times the rope would drag along And catch on snags or branches long, And cause delays they ill could bear, For little time they had to spare.

With accidents they often met, And some were bruised and more were wet; Some tumbled headlong down the hold; And some from heaping cargoes rolled.

But what care Brownies for a bruise, Or garments wet, from hat to shoes, When enterprises bold and new Must ere the dawn be carried through? If half the band were drenched, no doubt The work would still be carried out, For extra strength would then be found In those who still were safe and sound.

But once, when "low bridge!" was the shout They stood and stared or ran about Till in the water, heels o'er head, Some members of the band were spread.

A few could swim, and held their own; But more went downward like a stone Until, without the plummet's aid, They learned how deep canals are made. In spite of all the kicks and flings That fright at such a moment brings, Through lack of art, or weight of fear, It looked as if their end was near. The order now to stop the team Would pass along with sign and scream, And those on land would know by this That something startling was amiss; And those on board could plainly see Unless assistance there could be, In shape of ropes and fingers strong, There'd be some vacancies, ere long!

By chance a net was to be had, That boatmen used for catching shad-- A gill-net of the strongest kind, For heavy catches well designed; Few shad against its meshes ran But left their bones on some one's pan, This bulky thing the active crew Far overboard with promptness threw. A hold at once some Brownies found, While others in its folds were bound, Until like fish in great dismay Inside the net they struggling lay. But willing hands were overhead, And quickly from the muddy bed Where shedder crabs and turtles crawled The dripping net was upward hauled, With all the Brownies clinging fast, Till safe on deck they stood at last.

Sometimes a mule fell off the road And in the stream with all its load. Then precious time would be consumed Before the trip could be resumed. Thus on they went from mile to mile, With many strange mishaps the while, But working bravely through the night Until the city came in sight.

Said one: "Now, thanks to bearded goats And patient mules, the heavy boats For hours have glided on their way, And reached the waters of the bay. But see, the sun's about to show His colors to the world below, And other birds than those of night Begin to take their morning flight. Our time is up; we've done our best; The ebbing tide must do the rest; Now drifting downward to their pier Let barges unassisted steer, While we make haste, with nimble feet, To find in woods a safe retreat."

THE BROWNIES IN THE STUDIO.

The Brownies once approached in glee A slumbering city by the sea. "In yonder town," the leader cried, "I hear the artist does reside Who pictures out, with patient hand, The doings of the Brownie band." "I'd freely give," another said, "The cap that now protects my head, To find the room, where, day by day, He shows us at our work or play." A third replied: "Your cap retain To shield your poll from snow or rain. His studio is farther down, Within a corner-building brown. So follow me a mile or more And soon we'll reach the office door."

Then through the park, around the square, And down the broadest thoroughfare, The anxious Brownies quickly passed, And reached the building huge at last.

They paused awhile to view the sight, To speak about its age and height, And read the signs, so long and wide, That met the gaze on every side. But little time was wasted there, For soon their feet had found the stair. And next the room, where oft are told Their funny actions, free and bold, Was honored by a friendly call From all the Brownies, great and small.

Then what a gallery they found, As here and there they moved around-- For now they gaze upon a scene That showed them sporting on the green; Then, hastening o'er the fields with speed To help some farmer in his need. Said one, "Upon this desk, no doubt, Where now we cluster round about, Our doings have been plainly told From month to month, through heat and cold. And there's the ink, I apprehend, On which our very lives depend. Be careful, moving to and fro, Lest we upset it as we go. For who can tell what tales untold That darksome liquid may unfold!"

A telephone gave great delight To those who tried it half the night, Some asking after fresh supplies; Or if their stocks were on the rise; What ship was safe; what bank was firm; Or who desired a second term.

Thus messages ran to and fro With "Who are you?" "Hallo!" "Hallo!" And all the repetitions known To those who use the telephone.

"Oh, here's the pen, as I opine," Said one, "that's written every line; Indebted to this pen are we For all our fame and history." "See here," another said, "I've found The pointed pencil, long and round, That pictures all our looks so wise, Our smiles so broad and staring eyes; 'Tis well it draws us all aright, Or we might bear it off to-night. But glad are we to have our name In every region known to fame, To know that children lisp our praise, And on our faces love to gaze." Old pistols that brave service knew At Bunker Hill, were brought to view In mimic duels on the floor, And snapped at paces three or four; While from the foils the Brownies plied, The sparks in showers scattered wide, As thrust and parry, cut and guard, In swift succession followed hard. The British and Mongolian slash Were tried in turn with brilliant dash, Till foils, and skill, and temper too, Were amply tested through and through.

They found old shields that bore the dint Of spears and arrow-heads of flint, And held them up in proper pose; Then rained upon them Spartan blows.

Lay figures, draped in ancient styles, From some drew graceful bows and smiles, Until the laugh of comrades nigh Led them to look with sharper eye. A portrait now they criticize, Which every one could recognize: The features, garments, and the style, Soon brought to every face a smile. Some tried a hand at painting there, And showed their skill was something rare; While others talked and rummaged through The desk to find the stories new, That told about some late affair, Of which the world was not aware. But pleasure seemed to have the power To hasten every passing hour, And bring too soon the morning chime, However well they note the time. Now, from a chapel's brazen bell, The startling hint of morning fell, And Brownies realized the need Of leaving for their haunts with speed. So down the staircase to the street They made their way with nimble feet, And ere the sun could show his face, The band had reached a hiding-place.