That climbing-vines support might find. Cried one, "Here, side by side, will stand The fairest flowers in the land. The thrifty bees for miles around Ere long will seek this plot of ground, And be surprised to find each morn New blossoms do each bed adorn. And in their own peculiar screed Will bless the hands that sowed the seed." And while that night they labored there, The cunning rogues had taken care With sticks and strings to nicely frame In line the letters of their name. That when came round the proper time For plants to leaf and vines to climb, The Brownies would remembered be, If people there had eyes to see. But morning broke (as break it will Though one's awake or sleeping still), And then the seeds on every side The hurried Brownies scattered wide. [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration: BROWNIE] Along the road and through the lane They pattered on the ground like rain, Where Brownies, as away they flew, Both right and left full handfuls threw, And children often halted there To pick the blossoms, sweet and fair, That sprung like daisies from the mead Where fleeing Brownies flung the seed. [Illustration] [Illustration] THE BROWNIES' CELEBRATION. [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] One night the Brownies reached a mound That rose above the country round. Said one, as seated on the place He glanced about with thoughtful face: "If almanacs have matters right The Fourth begins at twelve to-night,-- A fitting time for us to fill Yon cannon there and shake the hill, And make the people all about Think war again has broken out. I know where powder may be found Both by the keg and by the pound; Men use it in a tunnel near For blasting purposes, I hear. To get supplies all hands will go, And when we come we'll not be slow To teach the folks the proper way To honor Independence Day." It was not long till powder came. Then from the muzzle broke the flame, And echo answered to the sound That startled folk for miles around. 'Twas lucky for the Brownies' Band They were not of the mortal brand, Or half the crew would have been hurled In pieces to another world. For when at last the cannon roared, So huge the charge had Brownies poured, The metal of the gun rebelled And threw all ways the load it held. The pieces clipped the daisy-heads And tore the tree-tops into shreds. But Brownies are not slow to spy A danger, as are you and I. [Illustration: 'Tis the star spangled banner O long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave ] [Illustration] [Illustration]