Another Brownie Book

<h2><SPAN name="THE_BROWNIES_FLAG_POLE" id="THE_BROWNIES_FLAG_POLE"></SPAN>THE BROWNIES' <span class="mleft2">FLAG-POLE.</span><br/> <ANTIMG src="images/i123a.jpg" width-obs="301" height-obs="240" alt="" /></h2> <div class="container"> <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i123b.jpg" width-obs="116" height-obs="120" alt="T" class="alignlefta" /> </span> <div class="i7a"> &nbsp;<span class="smcapa">HE</span> Brownies through a village bound,</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i123c.jpg" width-obs="138" height-obs="500" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i8">Paused in their run to look around,</div> <div class="i8">And wondered why the central square</div> <div class="i8">Revealed no flag-pole tall and fair.</div> <div class="i8">Said one: "Without delay we'll go</div> <div class="i8">To woods that stand some miles below.</div> <div class="i8">The tall spruce lifts its tapering crest</div> <div class="i8">So straight and high above the rest,</div> <div class="i8">We soon can choose a flag-pole there</div> <div class="i8">To ornament this village square.</div> <div class="i8">Then every one a hand will lend</div> <div class="i8">To trim it off from end to end,</div> <div class="i8">To peel it smooth and paint it white,</div> <div class="i8">And hoist it in the square to-night."</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i8">Then to the woods the Brownies ran</div> <div class="i8">At once to carry out their plan;</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</SPAN></span> <div class="i0">While some ran here and there with speed</div> <div class="i0">For implements to serve their need,</div> <div class="i0">Some rambled through the forest free</div> <div class="i0">To find the proper kind of tree,</div> <div class="i0">Then climbed the tree while yet it stood</div> <div class="i0">To learn if it was sound and good,</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i124.jpg" width-obs="403" height-obs="500" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i10">Without a flaw, a twist, or bend,</div> <div class="i10">To mar its looks from end to end.</div> <div class="i10">When one was found that suited well,</div> <div class="i10">To work the active Brownies fell;</div> <div class="i3">And soon with sticks beneath their load,</div> <div class="i3">The band in grand procession strode;</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</SPAN></span> <div class="i3">It gave them quite enough to do</div> <div class="i3">To safely put the project through,</div> <div class="i3">But when they reached the square, at last,</div> <div class="i3">Some ropes around the pole were passed</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i125.jpg" width-obs="273" height-obs="450" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i3">And from the tops of maples tall</div> <div class="i3">A crowd began to pull and haul,</div> <div class="i3">While others gathered at the base</div> <div class="i3">Until the flag-pole stood in place.</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</SPAN></span> <ANTIMG src="images/i126.jpg" width-obs="450" height-obs="452" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i3">For Brownies seldom idle stand</div> <div class="i3">When there is fun or work on hand.</div> <div class="i3">At night when darkness wraps us round</div> <div class="i3">They come from secret haunts profound,</div> <div class="i3">With brushes, pots of paint, and all,</div> <div class="i3">They clamber over fence and wall;</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</SPAN></span> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i127a.jpg" width-obs="163" height-obs="204" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i3">And soon on objects here and there</div> <div class="i3">That hold positions high in air,</div> <div class="i3">And most attract the human eye,</div> <div class="i3">The marks of Brownie fingers lie.</div> <div class="i3">Sometimes with feet that never tire</div> <div class="i3">They climb the tall cathedral spire;</div> <div class="i3">When all the town is still below,</div> <div class="i3">Save watchmen pacing to and fro,</div> <div class="i3">By light of moon, and stars alone,</div> <div class="i3">They dust the marble and the stone,</div> <div class="i3">And with their brushes, small and great,</div> <div class="i3">They paint and gild the dial-plate;</div> <div class="i3">And bring the figures plain in sight</div> <div class="i3">That all may note Time's rapid flight.</div> <div class="i3">And accidents they often know</div> <div class="i3">While through the heavy works they go,</div> <div class="i3">Where slowly turning wheels at last</div> <div class="i3">In bad position hold them fast.</div> <div class="i3">But Brownies, notwithstanding all</div> <div class="i3">The hardships that may them befall,</div> <div class="i3">Still persevere in every case</div> <div class="i3">Till morning drives them from the place.</div> <div class="i3">And then with happy hearts they fly</div> <div class="i3">To hide away from human eye.</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i127b.jpg" width-obs="167" height-obs="84" alt="" class="aligncenter" /></div> </div></div> <hr class="chap" /> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</SPAN></span></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />