Santa Claus's Scout

Santa Claus's Scout

by Eunice Ward.

On Christmas Eve, when lights are dim,

But eager eyes with excitement shine,

The Sandman steals from the chimney-place,

And glancing round, makes a backward sign.

He dips his hand in his pouch of sand,

The silver grains flinging far and white;

And listens, then, for the drowsy sighs

That come when eyes under lashes hide.

He softly tiptoes from crib to crib,

And sifts the sand in a tiny heap;

Then up the chimney he gaily calls,

"Come, Santa Claus, they are sound asleep!"