St. Nicholas Vol. XIII, September, 1886, No. 11: An Illustrated Magazine for Young FolksVarious
History
St. Nicholas Vol. XIII, September, 1886, No. 11: An Illustrated Magazine for Young Folks
Various
Children's literature -- Periodicals; Children's periodicals, American
It may be said that the invention of these numerals and of algebra for
the higher mathematics stamps the old Hindoos as one of the most
wonderful races of the world.
(_To be concluded._)
[Illustration: "THIS SEAT RESERVED."]
THE BROWNIES AT LAWN-TENNIS.
BY PALMER COX.
One evening as the woods grew dark,
The Brownies wandered through a park,
And soon a building, quaint and small,
Appeared to draw the gaze of all.
Said one: "This place contains, no doubt,
The tools of workmen hereabout,
Who trim the vine, and shape the tree,
Or smooth the walks, as chance may be."
Another said: "You're quite astray,
The workmen's tools are miles away;
Within this building may be found
The fixtures for the tennis ground.
A meadow near, both long and wide,
For half the year is set aside,
And marked with many a square and court,
For those who love the royal sport.
On afternoons assembled there,
The active men and maidens fair
Keep up the game until the day
Has faded into evening gray.
And then the racket, net, and ball
Are stowed away for future call."
[Illustration]
"In other lands than those we tread,
I played the game," another said,
"And proved my skill and muscle stout,
As 'server' and as 'striker-out.'
And all the rules can quote as well
As those who print them out to sell;
The lock that hangs before us there
Bears witness to the keeper's care,
And tramps or burglars might go by,
If such a sign should meet the eye.
But we, who laugh at locks or law
Designed to keep mankind in awe,
May praise the keeper's cautious mind,
But all the same an entrance find,
And for the present evening claim
Whate'er is needed for the game."
Ere long, the path that lay between
The building and the meadow green,
Was crowded with the bustling throng,
All bearing implements along;
Some lugging stakes or racket sets,
And others buried up in nets
Until their feet alone they showed
Beneath their loose and trailing load.
To set the posts and mark the ground
The proper size and shape around,
With service-line and line of base,
And courts, both left and right, in place,
Was work that caused but slight delay;
And soon the sport was under way.
And then a strange and stirring scene
Was pictured out upon the green.
[Illustration]
Some watched the game and noted well
Where this or that one would excel.
And shouts and calls that filled the air
Proved even-handed playing there.
With anxious looks some kept the score,
And shouted "'vantage!" "game all!" or
To some "love, forty!" "deuce!" to more;
But when "deuce set!" the scorer cried,
Applause would ring on every side.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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