More named the oats as people do To try which hearts are false, which true, And on the griddle placed the pair To let them part or smoulder there; And smiled to see, through woe or weal, How often hearts were true as steel. Still others tried to read their fate Or fortune in a dish or plate, Learn whether they would ever wed, Or lead a single life instead; Or if their mate would be a blessing, Or prove a partner most distressing. [Illustration] [Illustration] Then others in the open air, Of fun and frolic had their share; Played "hide and seek," and "blindman's buff," And "tag" o'er places smooth or rough, And "snap the whip" and "trip the toe," And games that none but Brownies know. As if their lives at stake were placed, They jumped around and dodged and raced, And tumbled headlong to the ground When feet some hard obstruction found; At times across the level mead, Some proved their special claims to speed, And as reward of merit wore A wreath of green till sport was o'er. The hours flew past as hours will When joys do every moment fill; The moon grew weak and said good-night, And turned her pallid face from sight; Then weakening stars began to fail, But still the Brownies kept the vale; Full many a time had hours retired Much faster than the band desired, And pleasure seemed too sweet to lay Aside, because of coming day, But never yet with greater pain Did they behold the crimson stain That morning spread along the sky, And told them they must homeward fly THE BROWNIES' [Illustration] FLAG-POLE. [Illustration] The Brownies through a village bound, Paused in their run to look around, And wondered why the central square Revealed no flag-pole tall and fair. Said one: "Without delay we'll go To woods that stand some miles below. The tall spruce lifts its tapering crest So straight and high above the rest, We soon can choose a flag-pole there To ornament this village square. Then every one a hand will lend To trim it off from end to end, To peel it smooth and paint it white, And hoist it in the square to-night." [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration]