St. Nicholas/Volume 41/Number 1/The Brownies Build a Bridge

by Palmer Cox

THE BROWNIES BUILD A BRIDGE

BY PALMER COX

To throw a bridge across the stream?
Said one, as they stood by the place
And watched the water in its race:
“Not only for ourselves in haste,
When wading fails to suit our taste,
But for the people who must cross
On slippery stones all green with moss,

build a bridge from
shore to shore
Across a stream where
waters pour
In haste to mix their sparkling flow
With ocean waves some miles below,
Is not a task to waken fear
Or questions in an engineer.
Then why should doubt oppress a band
Who have all kinds of trades at hand,
When they have in their heads a scheme

Will we erect from side to side
A structure which will bridge the tide.”
Another said: “A year or two
Ago a scheme like this fell through;
But workmen left their things about
To carry on the plan laid out.
We ’ll take the stuff from where it lies,
And build a bridge for a surprise;
When in the morning people flock
To cross the stream, they ’ll have a shock.
’T will be a joy to leave the log,
The stone, and water to the frog,
And cross upon our airy way
Without a cent of toll to pay.”
Material was near hand,
Which was good fortune for the band,
And soon a stream of Brownies flowed
Both to and fro—some with a load,
And more in haste to heed the cry
Of those whose arms were piled too high.
But willing hands are never slow,
And soon the bridge began to grow.
Some in mid-air the birds surprised,
Swinging on ropes with hooks devised,
To make things safe, if that could be.
’T was an exciting thing to see!
Indeed, a Brownie, without guy
Or safety hitch or fixture nigh,
Swinging and turning, is, I say,
A sight to take the breath away.
At times, a hammer, bolt, or bar
Would slip and spread a panic far.
Perhaps a wrench would rattle down
And light upon a Brownie’s crown
While bending at some labor there
That called for all his time and care,
Then skip half-way the span across,
To splash into the stream, a loss.
But work in air at risk of neck

Does not the Brownie courage check, And in the mine or in the cloud, Of their condition they are proud. Said one: “There ’s pleasure in the task That gives folks aid before they ask; ’T is well to keep an open eye To note a want or hardship nigh, For none can help from Brownies seek, And we must let our actions speak. So drive the bolt in overhead, And turn the nut to tighter thread; We ’ll give the people round a chance	Without mistake, or fuss, or clatter, We ’ll never know—but that ’s no matter. Then speed if ever was required To bring the finish they desired; Then blows were doubled, loads increased, And he did best who said the least. Some sections tumbled from the top, And rod and brace together drop, And working tools—a perilous slip— That on the frame still held their grip, And being steel, as now appears, Increased the Brownies’ toil and fears.
Across the swinging bridge to dance.” But talk fell in with ringing stroke And turning wrench, and never broke Or checked the rush that was begun, And would keep up till all was done. And what the Brownies build will stay In spite of winds that round it play And whistle in the loudest key As they come rushing from the sea. It took long ropes, a pull, a heave With mystic hands, once may believe, To check the sinking or the drift, And sections to their stations lift. How rivets found their proper place, And so, too, every rod and brace,	Said one, between the stroke and strain, To those more given to complain: “What though we toil, what though we run To aid mankind till rise of sun? If blessings come from friendly act, They fit the better through the fact.” ’T was hard to swim against the tide With heavy pieces trailing wide, And long enough to form a span Of great importance in the plan. At times, these pieces would break loose And great confusion would produce, And in a manner represent A ship by some explosion rent; And none could tell where ruin ran,

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.