The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1915-04-09
ADELlNE's GREAT FAITH
BY SUSANNA PALMER.

When Adeline was nine the Pufdes
began wondering among themselves
whether she still believed in Santa
Claus. Adeiine 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.
Thunderstorm Putf1e had said, try
ing to brush the SCOT from his face
and smearing it 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 foca-
ishness-"
1.-The ideal" said Mrs. Puf1e, 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 your child! You haven't
any heart, Henry Puffle! I'm pos
itively ashamed of your
We'll, it's me the SCOT is on, you'll
notice!" said Puffle grimly and UNI
dramatically. THAT makes some diff
ference! Oh, well, if 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 Adellnes
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 Pufdes
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 was
ten. She babbled merriiy about what
she wanted Santa Claus to bring her.
Resting her limpid eyes upon her
wondering parent, she would beseech-
fngly ask Puffle whether he thought
if she wrote very careful note to
Santa. he would do such wonderful
thing as bring her gold bracelet. III
l wrote it vur-ry carefully, daddy she
repeated in her birdlike tones.
And Puff1e's 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," Puff1e added, with memories
of the year previous, sit 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" Puffie stammered.
81 don't see," he afterward remark
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 to
give it away when they are disillusion-
ed. They must have told her.!
"You don't understand, Adeline!"
protested Mrs. Pudie. you don't real
ize at all what sweet. trusting nature
that child has! It would never enter
her head to suspect! l just want to
cry when I think how terrible she will
feel when she does find out. | hope 1t
will be long long time yeti"
well, l don't see how it can be, so
long as she has eyes and ears and
some brains" growled Puf1e.
Puffie 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 little silver
watch this time? He would If he
knew how l wanted it. Santa has new
er disappointed me, never!'
Henry" said Mrs Puffie little
later, wiping her eyes, we must get
Adeline that watch! I wouldn't dis
appoint her faith for worlds!"
shes too young for a watch" OBJ
jecter Puff1e feebly.
''But think of her trust!" re-
preached Mrs. Puffe at is beauti-
full"
1t was the day after Christmas that
the Puff1es, having raised 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 CLAUSE"
asked the little girl
Adeline laughed superior and
amused laugh. Santa CLAUSE" she re-
peated Goodness me, no! l knew
there wasn't any such thing when 1
was seven, but I've had to keep it up
SOS not to disappoint dad and moth
er. They have such good time think
ing I believe in Santa Claus. And,
say"-Adeline's voice became trium-
phant-tdo you know something? l
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 Puff1e to his
stricken wife. 81 guess If there's any
chimney sweeping done in this house
hereafter it'll be done by profess
eional. Chicago Daily News.