The Brownies: Their Book

APPLETON-CENTURY-CROFTS, INC. NEW YORK
Copyright 1887, by The Century Co. Copyright renewed, 1915, by The Century Co. ————— All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission of the publisher. Printed in U. S. A.


Or sighs to break his scribbled slate And spring at once to man's estate. How oft from shades of yonder grove I've viewed at eve the shouting drove As from the door they crowding broke, Like oxen from beneath the yoke. Another said: The teacher's chair, The ruler, pen, and birch are there, The blackboard hangs against the wall; The slate's at hand, the books and all. We might go in to read and write And master sums like scholars bright.

I'll play, cried one, the teacher's part; I know some lessons quite by heart, And every section of the land To me is plain as open hand. With all respect, my friend, to you, Another said, that would not do. You're hardly fitted, sir, to rule;
Your place should be the dunce's stool. You're not with great endowments blessed;
Besides, your temper's not the best, And those who train the budding mind Should own a disposition kind. The rod looks better on the tree Than resting by the master's knee;
I'll be the teacher, if you please; I know the rivers, lakes, and seas, And, like a banker's clerk, can throw The figures nimbly in a row. I have the patience, love, and grace, So requisite in such a case.
Now some bent o'er a slate or book, And some at blackboards station took. They clustered 'round the globe with zeal, And kept it turning like a wheel.