No More Learning

The Brownies* Plum Pudding.
^WAS the evening of the twenty-fourth of
December. The clouds had been gray and heavy
all day, and now the snow flakes were beginning
to fall thick and fast, so fast that already quite
a white blanket was spread over the earth.
This did not please the Brownies; they had
work to do, and a snow storm would hinder
rather than help its progress.
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? 12 The Brownies* Plum Pudding.
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? The Brownies' Plum Pudding. 1 3
Somewhere in the woods, nobody knew where,
for the Brownies kept the secret all to them-
selves, was a great big Christmas Pudding full
of plums and citrons, raisins and spices, and the
Brownies wanted to bring that pudding home.
It was so big and heavy that they had built
something that made one think of a raft or per-
haps a ladder with the sides very far apart. How
they put the pudding on it would be hard to tell,
but they managed it and bravely they struggled
with their burden perched on their little shoul-
ders. They took turns so that no one got too
tired, but all were glad when they were safely
out of the woods and had landed the pudding in
the hollow of the old tree back of the school
house, for this had been the spot chosen for the
grand feast of the morrow. Then to their homes
they skipped away to dream of the good times in
store for them, and if their backs did ache and
their poor little feet felt sore and weary, the
Tision of the pudding dancing in their heads
made them forget all their woes.
And what a treat they had on Christmas
Day! The pudding was so good, and the day
was so merry that the Brownies wished, as they
ghut their sleepy eyes, that Christmas came more
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? 14 The Raid of the Insect? ,
than once a year. They made up their minds
Chat they would never let a Christmas go by
without having a plum pudding, for it was tb<<
hest thing they had ever tasted.
The Raid of the Insects.
She was Queen of the garden, this beautiful
creature, and all the flowers loved her. Each
vied with the other in trying to please her. The
tall white lilies held their heads still higher as
she passed by, the tiny bud opened its curled
petals further and further until it burst into ?
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? The Raid of the Insects.
IS
gtoAovs rose, the blue bells tinkled their sweet-
est music, and the shj, gentle mignonette shed
forth its loveliest perf um
in its power for her sake.
very flower did all
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? i6
The Raid of the Insects,
And the Queen loved all the flowers, too. She
begged the sun to shine down upon them, and
she asked the morning dews to bathe their bright
faces, and the gentle rains to give them plenty to
drink.
At last there came a day when the lilies hung
their heads; blue bell and heart ease fell from
their stems; the poppies that had gleamed so
brightly in the sunlight covered their faces and
shone no more, and all the garden seemed full of
gloom and sadness.
The insects had done it all. With their
sharpest weapons they had attacked the flowers,
making them one by one yield to their violence.
How this grieved the Flower Queen; but at
last she thought of the Brownies, and she smiled,
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? The Raid of the Insects.
17
for well she knew these clever little workers.
She found a tnimpet flower that had escaped the
cruel foe, and blew one gentle blast. Quick as
a wink the Brownies came running. Their faces
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? 1 8 The Brownies' Wedding Gift.
looked sad when they heard the trouble, but
thej promised to do all in their power to help
their gentle Queen, and bravely they went to
work. They took turns at the grindstone and
sharpened their spears and swords and axes until
they glistened in the moonlight, and the insects
might well have trembled had they seen
them.
In the morning when the sun peeped out to
waken the flowers, the insects once more started
on their raid, but they were not prepared for
what followed. Curled up underneath flowers
and bushes hid the Brownies. Out they rushed,
and war raged fiercely; but the Brownies came
off the victors, and the bees and the beetles, the
hornets, ants and caterpillars lay dead upon the
ground.
The Brownies' Wedding Gift
Once upon a time, long, long years ago, there
lived somewhere the other side of the Atlantic
Ocean, a maiden who was as beautiful as an
angel, and better than being beautiful, she was
also good and gentle.
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? The Brownies' Wedding Gift. 19
Elsie and her father lived alone, for har
mother had died many years before, and this
beautiful maid kept her father's house, and man-
aged all things like some wise and noljle queen?
The poor people of the village loved her, for it
was her genue hands that brought broths and
strengthening food to the sick mother:^^. her beau-
tiful eyes that read comforting words to the old
women, and in her untiring arms many a poor
little baby had been rocked to the land of
dreams.
There was somebody in the village who loved
her better than all the people put together, but
he dared not tell her, for he was poor, very poor,
and she was rich as a young princess. Xow it
happened that the maiden loved the youth ea
much as he loved her, but she was too proud to
show her love, because she thought that the
young man did not care for her.
One day great changes came to the home of
Elsie. Iler father had gone on a journey, and
when he returned he did not come "lone but
brought with him a wife, and she brought with
her two proud and unlovely daughters.
It was a great trial for the m^iiden; she
and ber father had always been so happjr
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? fo
The Brownies' Wedding Gift.
together, and
she wept when
she thought
of how little
of his time
and love
could now
be spared
for her. Well
might she
weep -- for the
new mother
set right to
work to pnt
her daughters
in the place of
Elsie, and
with cruel
words and
taunts com-
pelled her to
wait upon
these step-sis-
ters, until her
life became one dreadful burden. Tales, un-
kind and untrue, were carried to the father, and
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? The Brownies' Wedding Gift
21
when his wrath was turned upon her slie could
stand it no longer, and made up her mind to
leave her home forever.
One night, when thej all had gone to a ball,
to which Elsie also had been invited, but from
? which she had been compelled to stay awav be-
cause her beauty so far out-shone the gaudy
make-up of the sisters -- she packed a few treas-
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? 22 The Brownies' Wedding Gift.
Tires, and with many tears and farewell glanceB,
for the spot she loved so well, she went alone into
the great, wide world.
It chanced that Earnest, the youth who loved
the maiden with all his heart, had grown restless
and nnhappj thinking of his sweetheart, and
jet not daring to tell her his love, and he had
oome to her home thinking tliat perhaps he
might iind comfort in being thus near her. lie
wandered np and down, when all at once he
stopped, looked around him, and then rubbed
his eyes -- for he surely must have been dream-
ing; this could not be Elsie who stood before
him. But it was she and no other -- poor Elsie
leaving her home, sad and broken-hearted.
Pride no longer held the youth speechless,
and sorrow made Elsie see the tenderness and
gympathy in her lover's eyes. Oh, how happy
she was as she pom'ed out to him all her troubles
and found comfort and rest in his loving arms.
Ti^hile the lovers stood together planning a
Hfe for the future -- things had been entirely
taken out of their hands by the good little
Brownies,
They had known Elsie, and worsliipped her
for her goodness, and now the time had conw
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? The Brownies and the Farmer. 23
when the J might show their appreciation; and
while the lovers talked, they had gathered
silently around them. Then the Queen of the
Brownies spoke : "Good and lovely maiden, and
noble youth/' said she, "we know of your trou-
bles, and we want to help you. Listen to what I
tell you, and you shall have riches in abundance.
Go, when I have finished talking, enter the
Briarly woods. There, in the hollow tree, you
mil find a casket filled with bright and shining
gold; take it, spend it wisely, and take with it
the blessings and good will of the Brownies. "
It was a wonderful wedding present, and filled
the lovers' hearts -with gratitude.
The Brownies and the Farmer.
. ^TE Brownies were sorrowful, more sorrowful
^lian they had ever been in their lives before,
and that is saying a great deal; for Brownies,
you know, live such a long, long while, and the
saddest part of all was that there seemed no way
out of their trouble. The Brownies who lived
in the apple orchard saw it first, and when they
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? 24 The Brownies and the Farmer.
told cfieir friends, all with one voice cried out:
"The wrong must be righted! "
I^^ow this was the trouble. Farmer Grump
had bought the Old Clover Farm, where the
BroAvnies had lived happily for years, and now
each day was full of trials and discomforts, for
this cruel farmer seemed always to be finding a
way to make the life of his stock miserable. The
cows had great boards tied over their eyes -- so
large that they could not see, and so heavy that
when the poor creatures went to crop the grass.
Bang! Bang! went the board against their
noses.
The pigs suffered, too. Into their noses had
been driven rings that almost made them bleed
when rooting in the ground. And what happi-
ness do you suppose life holds for a pig if he
cannot root?
The Brownies liked the donkey, for he seemed
such a patient, long suffering animal; but the
farmer's children made his life wretched -- they
beat him, they stoned him, they even took their
naughty little feet and kicked him.
The sheep suffered, and the horses, as they
dragged the plough through the hard earth or
hauled heavy loads along the sandy roads, felt
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? The Brownies and the Farmer. 23
when they might show their appreciation; and
while the lovers talked, they had gathered
silently around them. Then the Queen of the
Brownies spoke: "Good and lovely maiden, and
noble youth," said she, "we know of your trou-
bles, and we want to help you. Listen to what I
tell you, and you shall have riches in abundance.
Go, when I have finished talking, enter the
Briarly woods. There, in the hollow tree, you
will find a casket filled with bright and shining
gold; take it, spend it wisely, and take with it
the blessings and good will of the Brownies. "
It was a wonderful wedding present, and filled
the lovers' hearts with gTatitude.
The Broi/nies and the Farmer.
"?
"^E Brownies were sorrowful, more sorrowful
lian they had ever been in their lives before,
and that is saying a gTcat deal; for Brownies,
you know, live such a long, long while, and the
saddest part of all was that there seemed no way
out Oi their trouble. The Brownies who lived
in tlve apple orchard saw it first, and when they
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? 24 l^^e Brownies and the Farmer.
told cfleir friends, all with one voice cried out:
"The wrong must be righted! "
Isow this was the trouble. Farmer Grump
had bought the Old Clover Farm, where the
Brownies had lived happily for years, and now
each day was full of trials and discomforts, for
this cruel farmer seemed always to be finding a
way to make the life of his stock miserable. The
cows had great boards tied over their eyes -- so
large that they could not see, and so heavy that
when the poor creatures went to crop the grass.
Bang! Bang! went the board against their
noses.
The pigs suffered, too. Into their noses had
been driven rings that almost made them bleed
when rooting in the ground. And what happi-
ness do you suppose life holds for a pig if he
cannot root?
The Brownies liked the donkey, for he seemed
such a patient, long suffering animal; but the
farmeris children made his life wretched -- they
beat him, they stoned him, they even took their
naughty little feet and kicked him.
The sheep suffered, and the horses, ai^ they
dragged the plough through the hard earth or
hauled heavy loads along the sandy roadsi, felt
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? The Brownies and the Farmer.
25
constantly the slash, slash of the farmer's cow-
hide whip.
Everything on the place suffered; so, do you
wonder the Brownies looked sorrowful?
At last they could stand it no longer, and all
met one night at the "Seek us further'^ tree^
^"'^^'^
cs^here the oldest Brownie lived. He had gotten
up in the limbs, so that all might hear, or, at
any rate, see him, and announced that thev nad
long witnessed these scenes of cruelty in silence,
but now something must be done, and they
wanted all the Brownies to help. He thought it
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? 26 The Brownies and the Farmer.
would be a good plan if they went when no one
was around, and whispered in the sufferers' ears
that the time had come when they must rebe).
They must stand up for their rights.
'hurrah! '' and "Three cheers! " cried the
Brownies in chorus, as they waved their funny
little hats. The farmer heard the noise, but he
thought it was only the wind blowing through
the trees in the apple orchard.
The meeting was dismissed, and quietly and
carefully the Brownies went about their work --
and they did it well, too; for the next morning,
when the farmer went to harness his horses, and,
as usual, brought the cruel w^hip down on their
back -- l? '^. found that two could play at the same
game, foi up wert the horses' heels, and sorry
trouble Farmer Grump had to get them hai^
nessed.
Then ihe pigs took their turn. They showed
their long white tusks, and acted so savagely
that the farmer left them in fright Even Ned,
the patient donkey, kicked up his heels, gal-
loped away, and no one could come near him.
Everything seemed possessed with the 8am6
Bpirit, and Farmer Grump went to his breakfast
the most puzzled man you could possibly find
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? The Brownies and tlie Farmer,
27
Bnt tlie animals won the day, for that very after-
noon tlie farmer went to town, and when he
came back he was carrying a large board painted
in great big letters, telling all the neighbors that
Ins stock was to be sold the very next daj. This
lie hung up by the roadside, and as it was market
day, the fprmers learned the news, as their tired
horses jogged slowly along towards homa Th^
decided that they would attend the sale, and
were on hand bright and early the next day.
The old farm place was crowded with buyera,
anjdous to get horses and pigs and other animala
for little money.
How happy the Brownies were as they
crowded aroimd, for the new owners had thrown
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? ? d
The Brownies and the Farmer.
^s-r^sw ~ . - _\F =^^>>> ? >>-<<
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? The Brownies' Ride 2$
the cruel devices of Farmer Gnimp away. They
were happy when they thought of the good
homes these poor animals had found -- but
gladdest of all were they when they thought of
l^ed, for Widow Love had bought him to cart
to market the beautiful butter that she made
every week. They knew that she would be very
kind and gentle to their old friend. That he
would have the softest of straw for his bed at
night, and the finest oats for his dinner, while
there would be no cruel children to beat and
kick him and make his life miserable. Xed lived,
a long while to enjoy this beautiful home, and
the Brownies always found him a faithful
servant
The Brownies' Ride.
"Are you in the humor for a lark, boys? ^' It
was Dot, the very smallest, and, as everybody
knows, the most mischievous of all the Brownies,
who said it.
'^e are that! " was the reply.
They were coming home from school, these
Brownie boys, and dinner pails and books were
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? y> The Brownies* Ride*
tlirown down at once while they crowded around
Dot to hear of the prospective fun.
"You know that clover field to tlie right a^
the big stone house," he began, "^^ell, some
time ago Grimes put up a sign, which read:
Horses taken to Pasture. ' You should see the
ittck he has had. I guess as many as a doaem
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? The Brownies* Ride. 51
borses are running around in that pasture field
It's bad for them to do nothing but eat all day,
so I thought we would be doing a good thing for
them, and for ourselves too, if to-nighL^ -- ^you
know it is moon-light -- ^we borrow these horses
and go for a ride. "
You should have heard the yells of delight
with which this scheme was greeted. IN^obody
but approved, except, of course. Croak; he al-
ways objects to everything.
The plan was for them to meet at the school-
house at ten o'clock, then go together to the
pasture lot. A number of the Brownies were tc
bring ropes, which they would tie around the
horses' necks, and haul them into the road.
The hour came; the Brownies met, and the
work began. They had forgotten saddles, but
some of them crawled through the windows in
the harness maker's shop and came back loaded
with both saddles and bridles. Such a time as
they had getting them on, and so many Brownies
had been invited that there were not enough
horses to go around; so two, and sometimes three
saddles must be put on one horse.
All wa<< ready at last, and off they started. It
was so funny to see them. Some of them actually
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? 3i The Quarrel.
hung on to the stirrup straps. Things went
pretty smoothly at first, but, oh my! what a
difference by and by. Saddles slipped, bridles
came undone, and the Brownie boys, and even
the poor horses, went over and rolled aroimd in
the mud. But the bitter must be taken with the
sweet, so nobody dared complain. When the
ride was over, and the horses and harness were
put in their proper places, everybody pronounced
it one of the best frolics he had ever had in hi3
Efe.
The Quarrel.
They were rivals -- the Gobbler and tho
Gander. Their home was at the Brookside
Farm, and it would be hard to find a prettier
home than this. It was a big old-fashioned
house, and it had stood for years and years. The
brook ran along on one side, and day after day it
babbled as it flowed, and the little daisies lifted
up their pretty heads to listen to its merry
songs, and when night came their drowsy head?
dropped as the brook murmured a low, sweet
lullaby.
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? The Quarrel. -^3
The gander had been enjoying the cool, ckar
waters of the brook. He had thought himself a
very beautiful bird, as he sailed gracefully up
and do^vn, arching his long white neck mth a
perfect air of contentment. The other geese at
the farm were quite young, some of them so
young that they looked like little lumps of yel-
low gold as they plunged boldly into the water.
And why should they fear? For the brook had
murmured, coaxingly: "Come, little baby bird.
Come bathe in my waters; I will not hurt you;
I will sing you low, pretty songs. " The gander
remembered when the brook had gently called
to him, and he smiled as he thought how long
ago.
His swim over, he had come on shore, and
once more donned his cap and trousers, and even
better satisfied than ever, had started home for
his dinner.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! '' he heai-d behind him, and
again, "Ha! Hal Ha! " Turning around, whom
should he see but the gobbler rigged in his very
best, his tail spread out just as wide as he could
get it, and looking very grand indeed, even the
gander had to admit as much as his eyes rested
upon him.
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? 34
The Quarrel.
'TDon't you think you are a sight ! ^ said the
Oohbler. "Go look at yourself in the brook over
'-WMtff
fonder; you^ll surely agree with me that a moir
ridiculous bird than yourself never lived. "
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? The Quarrel. 33
^^Eidiciiloiis, indeed! '' replied the angry-
Gander. "K you but knew what a sight you
were, never again would you strut around the
baxuyardi"
*^Strut do you call it? " exclaimed the GobDit? r.
*T. pride myself that my walk is most elegant
Now, if I waddled as you do I'd hang my head
with shame. ''
**'Tis hut your jealousy that makes you talk
so," said the Gander; "you think because you are
tall and your legs are long, that you'll be much
admired and praised -- but people do not notice
you when I am sailing on the waters; then it is
that you must stand in the backgTound, and my
short legs and broad-web feet serve me as your
feet and legs never can you. "
TVord followed word, and these foolish birds
grew angrier all the time. The rooster stopped
the quarrel, for their loud words had attracted
the other birds. 'T)o you know," said he, "you
have kept up this foolish nonsense so long that
now you have lost your dinner?