Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1914-02-12
ADELINE'S GREAT FAITH
BY SUSANNA PALMER.

"hSu AuSllue was nine Jno Huu0S
began wondering among themselves
whether she still believed In Santa
0Claus. Adeline had written her usual
letter to Santa and stuffed it up the
chimney as usual and it had to be
extracted with the accompaniment of
much SCOT and emotion by her father.
"Thunderation!" Puffle had said, try
ing to brush the SCOT from his face
and smearing 1t on the collar. This
4s 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
1shness-"
"The ideal" said Mrs. Puflle, indig-
nantly. Il think it is perfectly sweet
that Adeline still believes in Santa
Claus! What Is a little SCOT on your
collar compared with nurturing the
imagination of Jour child! You haven't
any heart, Henry Puffle! I'm pos
itively ashamed of your
well, it's me the SCOT is on, you'll
notice!" said Puf7e grimly and un-
dramatically. "That makes some diff
ference! Oh, we'll, II the kid still
( thinks Santa Claus exists we might as
well let her keep on thinking. She'll
loutgrow 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.
II got this from Santa" the Puffles
heard her telling the little girl next
door as she exhibited her new doll.
"There!" said Mrs. Puffie accusing
Iy. And you would have blighted
that innocent faith! 1t 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
If she wrote a very careful note to
Santa, he would do such wonderful
thing as bring her gold bracelet. "If
wrote it vur-ry carefully, daddy" she
repeated in her birdlike tones.
And Puffies heart melting at the
tender trust of his child, he told AIDE
line that he thought Santa would be
unable to resist her appeal.
"Only," Puffle added, with memories
of the year previous, at is not neces
eary, dearie, to chuck your letter quite
30 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.
'T 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 her!"
You don't understand, Adeline!'
protested Mrs. Puf1e. you don't real
ize at all what a 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 II
will be long, long time yeti"
well, I don't see how it can be, sc
long as she has eyes and ears and
some brains," growled Puffie.
Puffie was smitten dumb with
amazemeRt when at IL Adeline, as
holiday time approached, began tc
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 If he
knew how wanted it. Santa has new
or disappointed me, never!"
Henry" said Mrs. Puffe a little
later, wiping her eyes, I'VE must gel
AdeIine that watch! I wouldn't dis
appoint her faith for worlds!"
She's too young for watch" OBJ
jecter Puffie feebly.
But think of her trust!" re
preached Mrs. Puffle. ut is beauti
full"
It was the day after Christmas thai
the Puffes, having raised a window
to cool off the house, heard outdoors
Just beneath the window, converse
ton between Adeline and the little
girl next door
do you believe in Santa Claus"
asked the little girl
Adeine laughed a superior an6
amused laugh. Santa CLAUSE" she re
peated, Goodness me, no! I knew