The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-08-09
ADELINE'S GREAT FAITH
BY SUSANNA PALMER.


letter to Santa and stuffed It up the
chimney as usual and 1t had to be
extracted with the accompaniment Of
much SCOT and emotion by her father.
"Thunderation!" Puffie had said, try.
ing to brush the SCOT from his face
and smearing 1t on the collar. This
Is the end OF such foolishness! What
an awful reach that child has! That
letter was almost up on the chimney
coping. She can't believe in such fool
ishness-'
The ideal" said Mrs. Puffle indig.
nantly. II think 1t is perfectly sweet
that Adeline still believes In Santa
Claus! What is a little SCOT on your
collar compared with nurturing the
imagination of your child! You haven't
any heart, Henry Puzzle! I'm pos
itively ashamed Of your"
We'll, it's me the SCOT Is on, you'll
notice." said Puffie grimly and I'M
dramatically. THAT makes some diff
ferencel Oh. well. II the kid still
thinks Santa Claus exists we might as
well let her keep on thinking She'll
outgrow It fast enough!
They labeled nearly all Adeline's
gifts From Santa Claus" and she re-
ceived them with the same wide eyed
wonder which had attended her Christ
masses from babyhood.
81 got this from Santa" the Puzzles
heard her telling the little girl next
door as she exhibited her new doll.
THERE" said Mrs Puffle accusing
ly. And you would have blighted
that innocent faith! It Is perfectly
beautiful"
1t was the same when Adeline was
ten. She babbled merrily about what
she wanted Santa Claus to bring her.
Resting her limpid eyes upon her
wondering parent, she would beseech-
ingly ask Puffle whether he thought
II she wrote very careful note to
Santa, he would do such a wonderful
thing as bring her gold bracelet. IF
wrote 1t vur-ry carefully, daddy?" she
! repeated in her birdlike tones.
! And Puffle's heart melting at the
tender trust of his child. he told Ade-
line thai he thought Santa would be
10 TeSlSt neT appeal.
"Only," PUZZLE added, with memories
of the year previous, 'Gt is not neces-
sary, dearie, to chuck your letter quite
so high up the chimney"
why, daddy" Adeline protested in
round eyed amazement. 1T is so much
easier for him to get it if it is high up!
He has to reach clear down the chin
ney, you know!"
ITO be sure" Puffle stammered.
81 don't see," he afterward remark
ed to his wife, why she hasn't dis
covered that Santa Claus is a fake.
Some of the other children must know
! The little imps are only too glad to
give it away when they are disillusion-
ed. They must have told herr"
! "You don't understand, Adeline!"
| protested Mrs. Pufile. You don't real
ize at all what a sweet, trusting nature
! that child has! it would never enter
her head to suspect! | just want to
cry when | think how terrible she will
| feel when she does End out. ! hope 1t
will be a long long time yet"
well, don't see how 1t can be, so
| long as she has eyes and ears and
; some brains" growled Puffle.
Pufie was smitten dumb with
amaZement when at IL Adeline. as
holiday time approached, began to
chirp in her sweet, childish way what
Santa was going to bring her.
"He brought my bracelet last year."
she said to her parents. Don't you
think he'll bring me little silver
! watch this time? He would II he
! knew how wanted 1t. Santa has new
er disappointed me, never!"
Henry" said Mrs. Puffe a little
later, wiping her eyes, 1--WE must get
Adeline that watch! ! wouldn't dis.
appoint her faith for worlds!"
She's too young for a watch" OBJ.
jecter Puffie feebly.
But think of her trust" re.
preached Mrs. Pufhe. ut is beauti-
full"
1t was the day after Christmas that
/ the Puffles, having raised a window
TO cool off the house, heard outdoors,
Just beneath the window, a converse
ton between Adeline and the little
|
girl next door.
do you believe in Santa Claus"
asked the little girl
Adeline laughed a superior and
amused laugh, Santa CLAUSE" she re-
peated, Goodness me, no! knew
there wasn't any such thing when
was seven, but I've had to keep 1t up
SOS not to disappoint dad and moth.
er, They have such a good time think.
ing believe in Santa Claus. And.
say"-Adeline' voice became trium.
phant-"do you know something?
! get twice as many presents-they
have to give me some from Santa
Claus besides those they give me
themselves"
"Tee-hee'" giggled the little neigh
Dor girl appreciately.
There growled Puffe to his
stricken wife, II guess If there's any