s room
By some naughty boy, and of course could not come.
From the hall-ways came running, all loose to be sure,
Every boy, in a hurry his place to secure,

And there on the cold ground, in the night air to stand,
While the searchers were looking for things contraband.
In a room two Rockets were picked up by a scout,
That Santa Claus dropped as he made his way out.

While up in the cockloft, so cosy and snug,
Lay the old brass cannon, like a "bug in a rug,"
Where Santa Claus left it to be raised up higher,
And then, after all, the old thing hung fire.

What can be the matter? what's all this about?
That every boy from his bed is turned out
In the night air to shiver and freeze,
With nought on his feet but his old Reveilles?

There to wait for a long half hour
Still as the bell in the old clock tower;
The scouts and the searchers have all done their best,
And the boys are allowed to return to their rest,

[Illustration: MAKING TAFFY AFTER TAPS.
(Sketched by Cadet Hall, Class of '83.)]

And all tumble into their little cot beds,
While visions of "Calling Day" float through their heads,
Sleeping and snoring like other good boys,
For Santa Claus had filled all their stockings with toys.

But lo! from the roof comes a thundering noise,
Loud enough to waken all of the boys;
That old brass cannon had crept out of its lair,
In the Grand Celebration determined to share.

From the roof of the Barracks dark and gray
The old brass cannon blazed away,
Waking the neighbors far and near,
To let them know there was nothing to fear;

For old St. Nick had done his work,
And into his sleigh had skipped with a jerk;
And calling by name each tiny reindeer,
As he rode out of sight he cried "Happy New Year."

* * * * *

Dedicated to all the "Boys" who took part in the "Grand Celebration," by

SANTA CLAUS.

* * * * *

Transcriber's Notes:

Minor typographical errors have been corrected. Added Contents.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Our Little Brown House, A Poem of West
Point, by Maria L. Stewart

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OUR LITTLE BROWN HOUSE ***

***** This file should be named 26626.txt or 26626.zip *****
This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
http://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/6/2/26626/

Produced by K Nordquist, Diane Monico, and the Online
Distr