The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-12
The Eoeni,,e Story
Big Brothers Mistake.
(By John Darline.)

The big brother John turned on his
heel. Jaw, come on! You're nothin
out kids, or you wouldn't believe such
fairy tales"' John was eight.
The two younger brothers looked aft
er him in silence. They had always
believed in John. and this was q blow
to their faith-in John.
Johns NUT Jimmy concluded, in
elegantly, and dismissed the matter
from his mind.
He's mupfh,'' repeated Tiny, nod
ding vociferously, and returning to his
digging.
But as the day wore on and the chill
dren's hour rolled around the two little
minds returned to the subject of Santa
Claus. They had been thinking of him
ana talking OF him and waiting for him
| for days-ever since the shops began to
snow rosy. round images OF him in the
| windows. And their big brother had
said there was no Santa Claus. It
wasn't true. but why had ohm said it :?
"Aunty Doris" Jimmy asked when
| their mothers pretty sister had cud-
died them down in her lap on the rug
before the smouldering hickory logs
Just before bedtime, where does Santa
Claus live?"
"Oh, away up in the sky near the
North Pole" romanced Doris Wheaton.
In e touds by e little 'tar?" asked
Tiny. who was all but asleep. His fat.
rosy cheeks were as warm as toast
against Doris's hand.
Eyes, Tiny, by the little STAR replied
Doris. And it won't be long now till
he comes sliding down the skyline
coasting from enc cloud to another till
he gets to daddy's and mothers house
top" Doris went on.
I knew'd it, Jimmy muttered.
You what, Jimmy?''
Il knew'd he was up there. John
said there wasn't any Santa Claus"
He did say it; he did," repeated Tiny
isleepily.
Doris bit he'd lips and tears rushed
te-her eyes. These babies!' her heart
cried. These babies! Not SO soon;
not SO soon!''
Doris loved children. She fairly
adored her two baby nephews, and she
wanted them to miss not a single one
of life's pretty childhood days. She
loved to make Christmas golden spot
in their little horizons. Later-there
would be some way to explain about
the myth. But not now-they were
such babies!
Feeling that the idea had not taken
root in their minds, she did not men,
ton it again, but kept on telling them
of how Santa Claus would come down
the chimney and fill their stockings,
and of how happy every one would be
together.
After they were in bed Doris began
to think of the suspicion that had en-
tered into their minds. She knew John
would speak Of 1t again. and she de-
termined to make this Christmas one
Of absolute belief in Santa Claus for
those little fellows.
Doris had one persistent admirer who
was always trying to get the boys to
call him Uncle Dave" much to the
amusement of the family.
eff you want to be real Uncle
Dave to Tiny and Jimmy" she told
him one night soon after Jimmy's re-
mark about Santa Claus, Just help me
to confirm the boys belief in Santa
Claus this year."
to Them" cried Dave Annis jubilantly.
What shall do?"
go up in an airship dressed as Santa
Claus and come down just at dusk and
land on the housetop," replied Doris,
Dave whistled. 1T could be DONE"
he said slowly.
mo. I'm joking. Dave. 1 wouldn't
have you risk your life that way. But
do think of something feasible-do."
Dave was silent for a few moments.
Then he sat up straight and deter
mination bristled from his gestures.
Leave it to me. Doris, leave it to
me! Fer further instructions as to
what you are to do with the kiddies
ask me on the oath Of December at
4 o'clock in the afternoon. That's
ALL
Of pleadinEs from Doris. But under
standing that he meant to make the
children's vision of Santa Claus come
true, Doris kept on telling them of
his coming until the very day before
Christmas.
IAN tonight Santa Claus comes.
Aunty Doris?" asked Jimmy toward
evening.
Doris nodded and Rugged the two
boys closely in her own JOY. Yes. to-
night, and maybe he'll come scouting
around the sky early in the evening
to see IL you are all good boys and
ready for bed early" she told them.
I'm Sleepy now" Tiny said. IT won't
ope' my eyes to lOOk-no, I won't Aunty
Dos" said Tiny.
AN so won't I, Aunty Doris" ac-
Quiesced Jimmy.
Doris Rugged them again. Lets take
one good look at the sky before we
sight Of old Santa Claus anywhere. He
might be around early"
They went, according to instructions
Doris had received from her deter
mined adm:rer. to the big front win
dows OF the nursery. The wonderful
red glow of the setting sun warmed
the room and Doris took the two babies
on her lap and cuddled them on the
window seat. Lets watch for him
and then go to bed" she whispered
Her own heart was beating quickly.
Jimmy strained his neck and Tiny
glued his little nose to the window
pane. Their eyes searched the stretch
of sky that was plainly visible across
the heath opposite their nursery
windows.
II don't tee 'im.'' said Tiny.
''Oh-oh-oh! What's that?r cried
Jimmy, pointing to q spot in the sky
that was growing larger and coming
closer.
where? Oh. where?" asked Doris.
II tee. I tee!" Tiny cried.
The three watched the airship sailing
slowly through the crisp winter air 1t
was monoplane. Now It was In sight: