The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-02-24
AMONG THE BROWNIES.
Palmer Cox's Strange Conceits Realis-
tically Presented at Shepard's.


The Brownies, those strange little crea-
lures whose wonderful adventures have
made the name of Palmer Cox as familiar
as household word, are at Shepard and
Company's this week and the ladies and
children who go to the third floor OF the
big store will have the opportunity to
ENJOY one of the best examples Of cora
tive art that has ever been shown in the
city OF Providence.
For nearly week strange preparations
have been under way at the head of the
stairway on the third floor OF Shepard's
store and this morning, when the wonder
full picture, for il cannot be designated by
any other term, was thrown open TO the
public, the mystery was explained.
Just in front of the elevator n section OF
the store has been partitioned off, and
here tho Brownies hold high carnival, for
Mr.. Jay Abrahams, the well-known
Bo,ton decorator, has succeeded in making
a most life-like representation of Palmer
Cox's strange conceits.
The picture il elf is 35b feet long and
Ii feet high and while the background is
painted in oil the figures, of which there
are no less than 200, are of wax and papier
mache. The arrangement of the work is
most artistic, for within this limited space
all of the most striking exploits OF the
Brownies have been represented.
At the left of the scene is mountain
covered with snow. The hill slopes
gradually down to the bottom OF the pic
ture, and at the top are several Indian
wigwams with twenty-five or thirty of
the braves wrapped in their blankets.
Some of them are DIR agging the luckless
Brownie dude up the hill for the purpose
OF taking his scalp, for the Brownie dude,
in the picture as well as in the poems, is
always in hot water.
Al the foot OF the hill the Brownie
Santa Claus is discovered spinning over
L. 4. -. I.
presents, being drawn by the traditional
reindeers
At the other side of the mountain the
scene changes and the rear end OF the pro-
cession that winds its way through the
entire picture Is discovered. There are
the white coated sailors, and the many
characters that are so familiar, all headed
by the dude brigade.
To the right of the mountain is n minia-
ture lake, in which there is a boat with
sails spread, that is manned by Brownies.
Two or three of the little creatures have
fallen overheard and they battle for their
lives among the huge waves, following the
craft as it sails round without being able
TO catch up.
At one side OF the lake two baseball
mines are contesting for the champion
ship, and on the bleachers, by the side of
the field, scores of Brownies sit and APP
plaud a fortunate hit.
Blarnoy Castle, which stands Just above
the field is alive with Irish Brownies
They arc clambering all over the old castle
and one dude, who leaned far out OF
the window TO reach the stone that
"who ere kisses.
He never misses
To grow eloquent"
has Just been released by his companions
and Is dropping TO the ground below.
From the castle picturesque little
bridge spans river, at the headpf which
is a charming waterfall Here the appear
ance OF the falls and the rapids have been
produced by the use of mirrors and the
effect is very attractive. From the side
of the bridge number of Brownies
are fishing and n strange procession Is con-
tinually passing across the structure.
There Is the Chinaman wheeling the dude
i'm a wheclbarrow, the policeman chasing
another dude, Brownies on bicycles-in
fact oil the strange conceits that have de-
lighted the admirers of Palmer Cox's work.
Just above the bridge host OF Brownies
arc arriving from cloudland seated on
policans and at the side of the river the
little people are enjoying picnic OF fruit,
cake aud other delicacies.
"A lawn tennis game and n merry-go-
round are in progress at the extreme
right of the picture and from these scenes
OF gayety another mountain rises to the
clouds. This is covered by Brownie.
dressed TO represent old men OF
the mountain, all having the long
white boards and Tho regulation
garb OF the character. Some have pipes
in their mouth, many carry odd musical
instruments. few ere pecriDg cantions-
ly over the prccipicc. The long procession
that has passed from the snow covered
hill passes slowly up the mountain for
even the most timid are anxious to greet
Uncle Sam, who stands st the top.