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.
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.
Childrens - Brownies
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? The Brownies' Visitors.
The Isle of Fun and Frolic was the home of
the Brownie boys and girls, and no one can e'er
deny that the island was well named. These
youngsters had no thought but to run and play,
to sleep and to eat. They loved the flowers and
they loved the birds -- and the butterflies led
them lively chases in their games of hide and
seek. But one day came a change in their lives,
and they learned that others lived in the world
besides themselves. Little Peak Hat discovered
it, as she stood on the rock looking out toward
the sea. It was a great vessel ploughing the
waves, its white sails flapping in the winds, and
as she watched she saw it moving steadily to-
ward the island. All the Brownies came rush^
ing at her call, and their wonder knew no limit.
On came the vessel, closer and closer; the Brown-
ies watched as long as they dared, and ther. ,
fearful of being seen, hurried away to hide them-
selves where they might occasionally take a peep.
"What great big creatures were landing on the
island, and what loi"'d voices they hiid as they
called to each other. It sounded to the 'Broimiea
like the roar of distant thunder. A]( day long
S
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? 6 The Brownies' Visitors.
the little people remained hidden, but when
night came they stole from their hiding places to
talk it over. What kind little hearts these Brown-
ies had. All the nice pieces of wood should be
pfled up for these strange people's comfort, the
l>est grapes should be saved for them, they would
coax the fish to nibble, and do all in their power
to m>>if*^ these queer guests happy. Indeed th^
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? The Brownies' Visitors.
^''^med to think of nothing else, and had /on
visited their home in the old forest, you i juld
have found them busily engaged in plpaning
how they could add to the comfort of their
strange guests. The Brownies are never so happy
as when they are busy making others happy.
They believe that the best way to enjoy life, is
to give pleasure to those they meet. Of course
the visitors did not
know what was mak-
ing their visit so
pleasant, for these
busy little creatures
always work quietly
and seciretly. The vis-
itors did not stay
long, but the Brown-
ies did good service,
and when they had
gone, they quite
missed the pleasure they had felt in mak-
ing others happy, and they were continually
wishing that some favoring wind would bear
some other ship to their shores that they might
again have an opportunity of renewing their
acquaintance with these queer people.
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? The Fairy Queen's Palace.
All the Brownies had
promised to help, and when
a Brownie undertakes a
thing he works as busily as
a beaver until it is accom-
plished. ISTow this is what
they determined to do.
The Fairy Queen^s palace
had been destroyed -- a
wind that had swept
through the forest
carrying trees before
it, and spreading ruin
as it traveled, had
lifted up the Fairy
Queen's home and
dashed it all to pieces.
Poor little Queen;
how sorrowful she felt
to lose the pretty
house whert the royal
family of Fairyland
had so long
lived.
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? The Fairy Queen's Pala. . . 9
But true to their nature the Brownies came to
the rescue, promising to build a palace far more
beautiful than the one that was lost. Such help-
ful little creatures as the Brownies never lived.
Xo chance of doing good to one in trouble ever
escapes these generous little fellows, and certain-
ly this was a work to be hailed with much joy.
For a long while before they commenced, you
could see them gathered in groups, discussing
how and where they should begin, and how they
could make the palace more beautiful. They
were a funny looking set when they started out
for the place where the house was to be built
Each one carried something. One little fellow
had an axe; another, hammer and nails, one the
mortar hod, and still another the plane, while
the master worker could be seen with the square
in his hand giving directions to the whole
crowd.
They commenced their work one beautiful
moonlight night. Brownies you know, work
when the darkness has put all the world to sleep.
What a time they had getting all the things to-
gether. Arriving at the spot, some fell to chop-
ping wood, while others mixed the mortar and
rigged up the pulleys by which they were to raise
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? lo The Fairy Queen's Palace
the stuff to the roof. How the hammers rang out
as they struck the bright little nails. The grind-
stone went spinning around so fast it hummed
quite a tune, as the carpenter sharpened his tools,
far the Brownies had so much to do they must
work their very fastest. The plasterer mixed the
mortar; the painters made their brushes fly over
the house; the masons worked with a will at the
chimney, and the paperhanger's scissors shut
with a click as he cut off the paper for the palace
walls, which were to be so prettily decorated.
When morning came, all was finished, and the
Brownies felt proud and happy as thev looked at
their night's work. They worked as if by magic,
and almost before you could think, the palace
rose high in the air. The Brownies don't have
accidents very often, but they must have been
nervous this time, for while four or five of them
were seated on a "Jack" painting the outside,
over went the paint, brushes and all, and the
little fellows who were standing on a ladder
imdemeatli had an unexpected bath.
Tliey were only sorry to think that they had
left their camera at home, for they would have
been happy to give the children a picture of the
house as it looked when it was finished.
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? The Brownies' Plum Pudding.
If
Although they were tired, and their eyes were
growing heavy with sleep, they felt repaid for
all their efforts, especial-
ly when the Tairy Queen
seemed the proudest and
happiest of them all. She
thanked them heartily
for their loving service,
and when they had se&n
her safely settled in her
new home, they all disappeared, to be seen
no more until there was more good work to be
done.
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!
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? The Brownies' Visitors.
The Isle of Fun and Frolic was the home of
the Brownie boys and girls, and no one can e'er
deny that the island was well named. These
youngsters had no thought but to run and play,
to sleep and to eat. They loved the flowers and
they loved the birds -- and the butterflies led
them lively chases in their games of hide and
seek. But one day came a change in their lives,
and they learned that others lived in the world
besides themselves. Little Peak Hat discovered
it, as she stood on the rock looking out toward
the sea. It was a great vessel ploughing the
waves, its white sails flapping in the winds, and
as she watched she saw it moving steadily to-
ward the island. All the Brownies came rush^
ing at her call, and their wonder knew no limit.
On came the vessel, closer and closer; the Brown-
ies watched as long as they dared, and ther. ,
fearful of being seen, hurried away to hide them-
selves where they might occasionally take a peep.
"What great big creatures were landing on the
island, and what loi"'d voices they hiid as they
called to each other. It sounded to the 'Broimiea
like the roar of distant thunder. A]( day long
S
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? 6 The Brownies' Visitors.
the little people remained hidden, but when
night came they stole from their hiding places to
talk it over. What kind little hearts these Brown-
ies had. All the nice pieces of wood should be
pfled up for these strange people's comfort, the
l>est grapes should be saved for them, they would
coax the fish to nibble, and do all in their power
to m>>if*^ these queer guests happy. Indeed th^
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? The Brownies' Visitors.
^''^med to think of nothing else, and had /on
visited their home in the old forest, you i juld
have found them busily engaged in plpaning
how they could add to the comfort of their
strange guests. The Brownies are never so happy
as when they are busy making others happy.
They believe that the best way to enjoy life, is
to give pleasure to those they meet. Of course
the visitors did not
know what was mak-
ing their visit so
pleasant, for these
busy little creatures
always work quietly
and seciretly. The vis-
itors did not stay
long, but the Brown-
ies did good service,
and when they had
gone, they quite
missed the pleasure they had felt in mak-
ing others happy, and they were continually
wishing that some favoring wind would bear
some other ship to their shores that they might
again have an opportunity of renewing their
acquaintance with these queer people.
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? The Fairy Queen's Palace.
All the Brownies had
promised to help, and when
a Brownie undertakes a
thing he works as busily as
a beaver until it is accom-
plished. ISTow this is what
they determined to do.
The Fairy Queen^s palace
had been destroyed -- a
wind that had swept
through the forest
carrying trees before
it, and spreading ruin
as it traveled, had
lifted up the Fairy
Queen's home and
dashed it all to pieces.
Poor little Queen;
how sorrowful she felt
to lose the pretty
house whert the royal
family of Fairyland
had so long
lived.
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? The Fairy Queen's Pala. . . 9
But true to their nature the Brownies came to
the rescue, promising to build a palace far more
beautiful than the one that was lost. Such help-
ful little creatures as the Brownies never lived.
Xo chance of doing good to one in trouble ever
escapes these generous little fellows, and certain-
ly this was a work to be hailed with much joy.
For a long while before they commenced, you
could see them gathered in groups, discussing
how and where they should begin, and how they
could make the palace more beautiful. They
were a funny looking set when they started out
for the place where the house was to be built
Each one carried something. One little fellow
had an axe; another, hammer and nails, one the
mortar hod, and still another the plane, while
the master worker could be seen with the square
in his hand giving directions to the whole
crowd.
They commenced their work one beautiful
moonlight night. Brownies you know, work
when the darkness has put all the world to sleep.
What a time they had getting all the things to-
gether. Arriving at the spot, some fell to chop-
ping wood, while others mixed the mortar and
rigged up the pulleys by which they were to raise
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? lo The Fairy Queen's Palace
the stuff to the roof. How the hammers rang out
as they struck the bright little nails. The grind-
stone went spinning around so fast it hummed
quite a tune, as the carpenter sharpened his tools,
far the Brownies had so much to do they must
work their very fastest. The plasterer mixed the
mortar; the painters made their brushes fly over
the house; the masons worked with a will at the
chimney, and the paperhanger's scissors shut
with a click as he cut off the paper for the palace
walls, which were to be so prettily decorated.
When morning came, all was finished, and the
Brownies felt proud and happy as thev looked at
their night's work. They worked as if by magic,
and almost before you could think, the palace
rose high in the air. The Brownies don't have
accidents very often, but they must have been
nervous this time, for while four or five of them
were seated on a "Jack" painting the outside,
over went the paint, brushes and all, and the
little fellows who were standing on a ladder
imdemeatli had an unexpected bath.
Tliey were only sorry to think that they had
left their camera at home, for they would have
been happy to give the children a picture of the
house as it looked when it was finished.
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? The Brownies' Plum Pudding.
If
Although they were tired, and their eyes were
growing heavy with sleep, they felt repaid for
all their efforts, especial-
ly when the Tairy Queen
seemed the proudest and
happiest of them all. She
thanked them heartily
for their loving service,
and when they had se&n
her safely settled in her
new home, they all disappeared, to be seen
no more until there was more good work to be
done.
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
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-24 14:31 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/ucw. ark:/13960/t0jt0118r Public Domain / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd
? 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!
