THE BROWNIES IN HOLLAND.

 
  

If through a sad mistake a few
==. Went in the stream, as people do

 

 

Se eet Who sometimes overestimate
The strength of ice beneath the skate,
Their comrades would not. leave them there,
But every risk and danger share
With willing hand and courage good,
Till every one in safety stood.
While in that country moving round,
Commenting on the sights they found,
They paused to stare with wondering eyes
Upon a windmill large of size.
Said one: “This turned in days gone by
To grind the farmer’s wheat and rye,
But disconnected now with stone,
Or working-gear, it stands alone,
Affording shelter to the mice
When winter coats the land with ice.”
At length some daring ones began
To climb the mill, and boldly ran
Upon the roof, then, worst of all,
Upon the vanes to freely crawl,
Until one half the Brownies there
Had found a place to perch in air.
'T is strange, indeed, how storms can rise
As though at once from cloudless skies ;
'T’ ig strange how squalls capsize the boat
Just when it seemed to safest float ;
- And strange how soon, through groaning trees,

There came that night a sweeping breeze,
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