Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-01-10
ADElINE's GREATFAlTH
BY SUSANNA PALMER.

much SCOT and emotion by her father.
"Thunderationi" Puffie had said. try
ing to brush the SCOT from his lace
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. Puffe. lndig-
nantly. Il think II is perfectly.swcst
that Adeline still believes In Santa
Claus! What 10 q little SCOT on your
collar compared with nurturing thet
imagination Of your child! You haven't
any heart, Henry Puiile! I'm POI
itively ashamed Of you!"
We'll, it's me the SCOT Is on. you'll
notice." said PUNE grimly and IN
dramatically THAT makes some dlf-
ference! Oh. we'll. II the kid stu
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 Pufles
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! 1t is perfectly
beautiful"
It was the same when Adeline waA
ten. She babbled merrily about what
she wanted Santa Claus to bring her,
Resting her limpid eyes upon her
wondering parent, she would bessech-
ingly ask Puzzle whether he thought
II she wrote a very careful note 10
Santa, he would do such wonderful
thing as bring her gold bracelet "If
wrote 1t vur-ry carefully, daddy.i" she
repeated In her birdlike tones.
And Puffie's heart melting at the
tender trust Of his child, he told Ade-
line that he thought Santa would be
unable to resist her appeal.
only" Puffie added, with memories
OF the year previous, ut is not necess
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 1t II 1t is high upl
He has to reach clear down the chin
ney, you know!"
ITO be sure" Puffie stammered
81 don't see," he afterward remarkt
ed to his wife, why she hasn't dis
covered that Santa Claus is fake
Some of the other children must know
The little imps are only too glad I'd
give it away when they are disillusloni
ed They must have told herr"
you don't understand, Adelinel :
protested Mrs. Puffle. You don't real1
ize at all what sweet, trusting nature
that child has! 1t would never enter
her head to suspect! | just want to
cry when think how terrible she will
feel when she does find out. hope IL
will be a long. long time yeti"
well, l don't see how it can be. %
long as she has eyes and ears and
some brains" growled Puffle.
Ruffe was smitten dumb with
amazement when at II 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 a little silver
watch this time? He would II he
knew how wanted It. Santa has new
er disappointed me, never!" -
Henry" said Mrs. Puffe a little
later, wiping her eyes, I'VE must get
Adeline that watch I wouldn't dis
appoint her faith for worlds!"
She's too young for a watch" OBJ
jecter Puffle feebly.
But think Of her trustl" REL
preached Mrs. Puffe. 1T is beauti-
full"
II was the day after Christmas that
the Puffles, having raised a window.
10 cool of the house, heard outdoors
just beneath the window, a CONVERSE
ton between Adeline and the little
girl next door
do you believe in Santa CLAUSE"
asked the little girl.
Adeline laughed a superior and
amused laugh. Santa Claus?". she re-
peated. Goodness me, no. knew
there wasn't any such thing when /
was seven, but I've had to keep II up
SOS not to disappoint dad and moth
, er. They have such a good time think
ing / believe in Santa Claus. And
say"-Adeline's voice became trium1
/ phant-"do you know somethlngi I
get twice as many presents-thsy'
i. have to give me some from SAINT
e Claus besides those they give ~
a themselves"
"Tee-hee!" giggled the little neish'
1 Dor girl appreciately.
e "There!" growled Pufne to n
d stricken wife. Il guess II there's a.
chimney sweeping done In this houal
e hereafter It'll be done BY probe
n sional. Chicago Daily News.