Another Brownie Book

<h2><SPAN name="THE_BROWNIES_ON_THE_RACE_TRACK" id="THE_BROWNIES_ON_THE_RACE_TRACK"></SPAN>THE BROWNIES ON<br/> <ANTIMG src="images/i105a.jpg" width-obs="450" height-obs="245" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <span class="mleft6">THE RACE-TRACK.</span></h2> <div class="container"> <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i105b.jpg" width-obs="120" height-obs="111" alt="W" class="alignleftf" /> </span> <div class="i7a"><span class="smcapa">HILE</span> Brownies moved around one night</div> <div class="i8">A seaside race-track came in sight.</div> <div class="i8">"'T is here," said one, "the finest breed</div> <div class="i8">Of horses often show their speed;</div> <div class="i8">Here, neck and neck, and nose and nose,</div> <div class="i8">Beneath the jockeys' urging blows,</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i105c.jpg" width-obs="201" height-obs="246" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i8">They sweep around the level mile</div> <div class="i0">The people shouting all the while;</div> <div class="i0">And climbing up or crowding through</div> <div class="i0">To gain a better point of view,</div> <div class="i0">So they can see beyond a doubt</div> <div class="i0">How favorites are holding out."</div> <div class="i0">Another said: "I know the place</div> <div class="i0">Where horses wait to-morrow's race;</div> <div class="i0">We'll strap the saddles on their back,</div> <div class="i0">And lead them out upon the track.</div> <div class="i0">Then some will act the jockey's part,</div> <div class="i0">And some, as judges, watch the start,</div> <div class="i0">And drop the crimson flag to show</div> <div class="i0">The start is fair and all must go."</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</SPAN></span> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i106a.jpg" width-obs="70" height-obs="99" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i3">Ere long, the Brownies turned to haul</div> <div class="i3">Each wondering race-horse from his stall.</div> <div class="i3">They bridled them without delay,</div> <div class="i3">And saddles strapped in proper way.</div> <div class="i3">Some restless horses rearing there</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i106.jpg" width-obs="500" height-obs="475" alt="" /> <div class="i3">Would toss their holders high in air,</div> <div class="i3">And test the courage and the art</div> <div class="i3">Of those who took an active part.</div> <div class="i3">Said one: "I've lurked in yonder wood,</div> <div class="i3">And watched the races when I could.</div> <div class="i3">I know how all is done with care</div> <div class="i3">When thus for racing they prepare;</div> <div class="i3">How every buckle must be tight,</div> <div class="i3">And every strap and stirrup right,</div> <div class="i3">Or jockeys would be on the ground</div> <div class="i3">Before they circled half way round."</div> <div class="i3">When all was ready for the show</div> <div class="i3">Each Brownie rogue was nowise slow</div> <div class="i3">At climbing up to take a place</div> <div class="i3">And be a jockey in the race.</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</SPAN></span> <div class="i3">Full half a dozen Brownies tried</div> <div class="i3">Upon one saddle now to ride;</div> <div class="i3">But some were into service pressed</div> <div class="i3">As judges to control the rest&mdash;</div> <div class="i3">To see that rules were kept complete,</div> <div class="i3">And then decide who won the heat.</div> <div class="i3">A dozen times they tried to start;</div> <div class="i3">Some shot ahead like jockeys smart,</div> <div class="i3">And were prepared to take the lead</div> <div class="i3">Around the track at flying speed.</div> <div class="i3">But others were so far behind,</div> <div class="i3">On horses of unruly mind,</div> <div class="i3">The judges from the stand declare</div> <div class="i3">The start was anything but fair.</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i107.jpg" width-obs="500" height-obs="347" alt="" class="aligncenter" /></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</SPAN></span> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i108a.jpg" width-obs="147" height-obs="125" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i9">So back they'd jog at his command,</div> <div class="i9">In better shape to pass the stand.</div> <div class="i9">Indeed it was no simple trick</div> <div class="i9">To ride those horses, shy and quick,</div> <div class="i9">And only for the mystic art</div> <div class="i9">That is the Brownies' special part,</div> <div class="i7">A dozen backs, at least, had found</div> <div class="i7">A resting-place upon the ground.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i7">The rules of racing were not quite</div> <div class="i7">Observed in full upon that night.</div> <div class="i7">Around and round the track they flew,</div> <div class="i7">In spite of all the judge could do.</div> <div class="i7">The race, he tried to let them know,</div> <div class="i7">Had been decided long ago.</div> <div class="i7">But still the horses kept the track,</div> <div class="i7">With Brownies clinging to each back.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i108b.jpg" width-obs="112" height-obs="108" alt="" class="alignleft" /> </span> <div class="i9">Some racers of the jumping kind</div> <div class="i9">At times disturbed the riders' mind</div> <div class="i9">When from the track they sudden wheeled,</div> <div class="i9">And over fences took the field,</div> <div class="i9">As if they hoped in some such mode</div> <div class="i9">To rid themselves of half their load.</div> <div class="i7">But horses, howsoever smart,</div> <div class="i7">Are not a match for Brownie art,</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i108c.jpg" width-obs="79" height-obs="74" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i5">For still the riders stuck through all,</div> <div class="i5">In spite of fence, or ditch, or wall.</div> <div class="i5">Some clung to saddle, some to mane,</div> <div class="i5">While others tugged at bridle rein.</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</SPAN></span> <ANTIMG src="images/i109.jpg" width-obs="480" height-obs="500" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i5">So all the steeds found it would pay</div> <div class="i5">To let the Brownies have their way,</div> <div class="i5">Until a glimpse of rising sun</div> <div class="i5">Soon made them leave the place and run.</div> </div></div> </div> <hr class="chap" /> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</SPAN></span></p> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i110.jpg" width-obs="500" height-obs="189" alt="" /></div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />