Page:St. Nicholas - Volume 41, Part 1.djvu/77

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1913.]
THE BROWNIES BUILD A BRIDGE
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Nor where it ended or began.
The birds along the river’s side
Sat on the branches, open-eyed;
No sleep brought rest to beast or bird

Old plans were found that showed aright
How certain sections should unite,
And tasks proved easy that before
Upon their time and patience wore.

That watched the work, the clamor heard,
I they could talk or we aright
Could read their thoughts, 't would wive delight
To learn just how opinions ran
Among the furred and feathered clan.

Forgot were corn-fields, frogs, and peas,
The mice, and snakes, and bumblebees,
The grubs, and bugs in wood or clay,
And measuring worms that inch their way.
The work went faster toward the close,
And from the chaos order rose.

A barge was brought that played a part
Most sorely needed from the start,
For midway out, with anchors down,
It on their efforts placed the crown,
And work from there was pushed ahead
That to a finish quickly led.

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