Another Brownie Book

<h2><SPAN name="THE_BROWNIES_AND_THE_LOCOMOTIVE" id="THE_BROWNIES_AND_THE_LOCOMOTIVE"></SPAN>THE BROWNIES AND THE LOCOMOTIVE.</h2> <div class="container"> <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i080b.jpg" width-obs="150" height-obs="71" alt="ONE" class="alignleftd" /> </span> <div class="i0">&nbsp;</div> <div class="i10"><span class="smcapa">NIGHT</span> the Brownies found their way</div> <div class="i10">To where some tracks and switches lay,</div> <div class="i10">And buildings stood, such as are found</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i080c.jpg" width-obs="158" height-obs="194" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i10">In every town on railroad ground.</div> <div class="i2">They moved about from place to place,</div> <div class="i2">With prying eyes and cautious pace</div> <div class="i2">They peeped in shops and gained a view,</div> <div class="i2">Where cars were standing bright and new;</div> <div class="i2">While others, that had service known,</div> <div class="i2">And in some crash were overthrown,</div> <div class="i2">On jack-screws, blocks, and such affairs,</div> <div class="i2">Were undergoing full repairs.</div> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i080d.jpg" width-obs="162" height-obs="146" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i11">The table that turns end for end</div> <div class="i11">Its heavy load, without a bend,</div> <div class="i11">Was next inspected through and through</div> <div class="i11">And tested by the wondering crew.</div> <div class="i11">They scanned the signal-lights with care</div> <div class="i11">That told the state of switches there,&mdash;</div> <div class="i11">Showed whether tracks kept straight ahead,</div> <div class="i11">Or simply to some siding led.</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</SPAN></span> <div class="i8">Then round a locomotive strong</div> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i081a.jpg" width-obs="81" height-obs="128" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i8">They gathered in an earnest throng,</div> <div class="i8">Commenting on the style it showed,</div> <div class="i8">Its strength and speed upon the road.</div> <div class="i8">Said one: "That 'pilot' placed before</div> <div class="i8">Will toss a cow a block or more;</div> <div class="i8">You'd hardly find a bone intact</div> <div class="i8">When such a thing her frame has racked&mdash;</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i081b.jpg" width-obs="170" height-obs="520" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i8">Above the fence, and, if you please,</div> <div class="i6">Above the smoke-stack and the trees</div> <div class="i6">Will go the horns and heels in air,</div> <div class="i6">When hoisted by that same affair."</div> <div class="i6">"Sometimes it saves," another cried,</div> <div class="i6">"And throws an object far aside</div> <div class="i6">That would to powder have been ground,</div> <div class="i6">If rushing wheels a chance had found.</div> <div class="i6">I saw a goat tossed from the track</div> <div class="i6">And landed on a farmer's stack,</div> <div class="i6">And though surprised at fate so strange,</div> <div class="i6">He seemed delighted at the change;</div> <div class="i6">And lived content, on best of fare,</div> <div class="i6">Until the farmer found him there."</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i081c.jpg" width-obs="212" height-obs="150" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i0">Another said: "We'll have some fun</div> <div class="i0">And down the road this engine run.</div> <div class="i0">The steam is up, as gauges show;</div> <div class="i0">She's puffing, ready now to go;</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</SPAN></span> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i082a.jpg" width-obs="86" height-obs="114" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i6">The fireman and the engineer</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i082b.jpg" width-obs="89" height-obs="99" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i6">Are at their supper, in the rear</div> <div class="i6">Of yonder shed. I took a peep,</div> <div class="i6">And found the watchman fast asleep.</div> <div class="i6">So now's our time, if we but haste,</div> <div class="i6">The joys of railway life to taste.</div> <div class="i6">I know the engine-driver's art,</div> <div class="i6">Just how to stop, reverse, and start;</div> <div class="i6">I've watched them when they little knew</div> <div class="i6">From every move I knowledge drew;</div> <div class="i6">We'll not be seen till under way,</div> <div class="i6">And then, my friends, here let me say,</div> <div class="i6">The man or beast will something lack</div> <div class="i6">Who strives to stop us on the track."</div> <div class="i6">Then some upon the engine stepped,</div> <div class="i6">And some upon the pilot crept,</div> <div class="i6">And more upon the tender found</div> <div class="i6">A place to sit and look around.</div> <div class="i6">And soon away the engine rolled</div> <div class="i6">At speed 'twas fearful to behold;</div> <div class="i6">It seemed they ran, where tracks were straight,</div> <div class="i6">At least at mile-a-minute rate;</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i082d.jpg" width-obs="200" height-obs="144" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i6">And even where the curves were short</div> <div class="i6">The engine turned them with a snort</div> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i082c.jpg" width-obs="95" height-obs="95" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i6">That made the Brownies' hearts the while</div> <div class="i6">Rise in their throats, for half a mile.</div> <div class="i6">But travelers many dangers run</div> <div class="i6">On safest roads beneath the sun.</div> <div class="i6">They ran through yards, where dogs came out</div> <div class="i6">To choke with dust that whirled about,</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</SPAN></span> <ANTIMG src="images/i083a.jpg" width-obs="491" height-obs="123" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i083b.jpg" width-obs="200" height-obs="269" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i4">And so could neither growl nor bark</div> <div class="i4">Till they had vanished in the dark;</div> <div class="i4">Some pigs that wandered late at night,</div> <div class="i4">And neither turned to left nor right,</div> <div class="i6">But on the crossing held debate</div> <div class="i6">Who first should squeeze beneath the gate,</div> <div class="i6">Were helped above the fence to rise</div> <div class="i6">Ere they had time to squeal surprise,</div> <div class="i6">And never after cared to stray</div> <div class="i6">Along the track by night or day.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i6">But when a town was just in sight,</div> <div class="i6">And speed was at its greatest height,&mdash;</div> <div class="i6">Alas! that such a thing should be,&mdash;</div> <div class="i6">An open switch the Brownies see.</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i083c.jpg" width-obs="209" height-obs="151" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i6">Then some thought best at once to go</div> <div class="i6">Into the weeds and ditch below;</div> <div class="i6">But many on the engine stayed</div> <div class="i6">And held their grip, though much dismayed.</div> <div class="i6">And waited for the shock to fall</div> <div class="i6">That would decide the fate of all.</div> <div class="i6">In vain reversing tricks were tried,</div> <div class="i6">And brakes to every wheel applied;</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</SPAN></span> <ANTIMG src="images/i084.jpg" width-obs="479" height-obs="490" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i6">The locomotive forward flew,</div> <div class="i6">In spite of all that skill could do.</div> <div class="i6">But just as they approached the place</div> <div class="i6">Where trouble met them face to face,</div> <div class="i6">Through some arrangement, as it seemed,</div> <div class="i6">Of which the Brownies never dreamed,</div> <div class="i6">The automatic switch was closed,</div> <div class="i6">A safety signal-light exposed,</div> <div class="i6">And they were free to roll ahead,</div> <div class="i6">And wait for those who'd leaped in dread;</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</SPAN></span> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i085a.jpg" width-obs="125" height-obs="138" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i6">Although the end seemed near at hand</div> <div class="i6">Of every Brownie in the band,</div> <div class="i6">And darkest heads through horrid fright</div> <div class="i6">Were in a moment changed to white,</div> <div class="i6">The injuries indeed were small.</div> <div class="i6">A few had suffered from their fall,</div> <div class="i6">And some were sprained about the toes,</div> <div class="i6">While more were scraped upon the nose;</div> <div class="i6">But all were able to succeed</div> <div class="i6">In climbing to a place with speed,</div> <div class="i6">And there they stayed until once more</div> <div class="i6">They passed the heavy round-house door.</div> <div class="i6">Then jumping down on every side</div> <div class="i6">The Brownies scampered off to hide;</div> <div class="i6">And as they crossed the trestle high</div> <div class="i6">The sun was creeping up the sky,</div> <div class="i6">And urged them onward in their race</div> <div class="i6">To find some safe abiding place.</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i085b.jpg" width-obs="482" height-obs="176" alt="" class="aligncenter" /></div> </div></div> <hr class="chap" /> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</SPAN></span></p> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i086a.jpg" width-obs="136" height-obs="133" alt="" /></div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />