All was ready at last and off they started. It was so funny to see them. Some of them actually hung on to the stirrup straps. Things went pretty smoothly at first, but Oh my! what a difference by and by. Saddles slipped, bridles came undone, and the Brownie boys and even the poor horses went over and rolled around in the mud. But the bitter must be taken with the sweet so nobody dared complain, when the ride was over and the horses and harness were put in their proper places, everybody pronounced it one of the best frolics he had ever had in his life.
BROWNIES AT SCHOOL.
There was a great commotion in Brownie land, for the good Queen had just sent forth a command that all the Brownie lads and lasses must go to school. She had sent her messenger to all the mothers and fathers, bearing her orders that they must send the children to the old school house early the next evening. They could use the same room that real children used, for they would go to school when most little people were asleep. The Brownies were greatly excited. They could be seen talking together in the most earnest manner; some pleased, others sorry over the unusual event.
However, all the children and a good many of the parents assembled the next evening and listened with great interest to the words of Prof. Lofty, as he told them what he expected them to do during the winter.
Brownies have no names you know, so the teacher had to ask the scholars to put a letter on their backs so she could tell them apart. They, looked quite funny running around with this kind of a mark; quite like the kindergarten children when they go on a picnic and have the tags tied to their dresses, so they can be identified when it comes time to go home. The Brownies proved good students, and soon became very wise.