It could be pulled and hauled at will, Take every shape or twist, and seem As free as fancy in a dream, The busy, happy-hearted crew Enjoyed the moments as they flew. The Brownies in the building stayed And candy ate as fast as made. But when at length the brightening sky Gave warning they must homeward fly, They quickly sought the open air And had but little time to spare. The shortest way, as often found, Was o'er the roughest piece of ground, Where rocks as large as houses lay All scattered round in wild array. Some covered o'er with clinging vines, Some bearing up gigantic pines, Or spreading oaks, that rooted fast, For centuries had stood the blast. But over all the rugged ground The Brownies passed with lightsome bound, Now jumping clear from block to block, Now sliding down the shelving rock, Or cheering on the lagging kind Who here and there would fall behind. [Illustration] [Illustration] THE BROWNIES AND THE LOCOMOTIVE. [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] One night the Brownies found their way To where some tracks and switches lay, And buildings stood, such as are found In every town on railroad ground. They moved about from place to place, With prying eyes and cautious pace They peeped in shops and gained a view, Where cars were standing bright and new; While others, that had service known, And in some crash were overthrown, On jack-screws, blocks, and such affairs, Were undergoing full repairs. The table that turns end for end Its heavy load, without a bend, Was next inspected through and through And tested by the wondering crew. They scanned the signal-lights with care That told the state of switches there,-- Showed whether tracks kept straight ahead, Or simply to some siding led. [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration]