The Miracle on 34th Street by A. L. Singer Read Free Book Online Page A

be fine," Bryan whispered. "All you have to do is tell the truth."
    Kringle looked toward the prosecution table, where Collins was busily setting up. "Is there anything I should know about him?"
    "He doesn't believe in Santa Claus," Bryan replied.
    Moments later, Judge Harper emerged from a door behind the bench.
    Collins hopped out of his seat. "In the matter of Kriss Kringle, Your Honor, the commitment papers are before you. If Your Honor please, I should like to call the first witness."
    Judge Harper nodded.
    "Mr. Kringle," Collins said, "will you please take the stand?"
    Kriss Kringle smiled as he approached the witness stand. "Good morning, Judge," he said. "How's that grandson of yours?"
    Judge Harper swallowed hard.
    "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?" the court bailiff asked Kringle.
    "I do," Kringle answered.
    "Before you begin, Mr. Collins," Judge Harper said, "I want to explain to the witness that this is a hearing , not a trial. Mr. Kringle, you do not have to answer any questions against your wishes, or even testify at all."
    "We have no objections, Your Honor," Bryan said.
    "What is your name?" Collins asked.
    "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself." Kringle stood up and extended his hand to Collins. "I'm Mr. Kringle. Kriss Kringle."
    Giggles rang out in the gallery.
    Whack! Judge Harper pounded his gavel. "Order!" he yelled.
    "Where do you live, Mr. Kringle?" Collins asked.
    "At the moment I'm at the Bellevue Hospital. It's very comfortable."
    More giggles. Judge Harper slammed the gavel again.
    "Mr. Kringle," Collins continued, "do you believe that you are Santa Claus?"
    "Yes."
    Collins looked surprised by the answer. "The state rests, Your Honor," he quickly said, walking back to his seat.
    A low mumbling went through the gallery.
    "Mr. Bedford, do you wish to cross-examine the witness?" Judge Harper asked.
    "No further questions at this time," Bryan replied. He gave Kringle a nod.
    "It was very nice seeing you again, Judge Harper," Kringle said as he went back to the defense table.
    Judge Harper gave Bryan a sharp look. "In view of your client's statement, do you still intend to put in a defense?"
    Bryan stood up. "I do, Your Honor. I should like to call my first witness."
    He placed a thick telephone book on the witness chair.
    A little girl slowly walked up to the stand and sat on the book. Kriss Kringle smiled. He remembered her well. She was the girl who had asked him for a Patty Pollywog.
    "What's your name?" Bryan asked.
    "Dorothy Lowry," the girl answered.
    "Dorothy, what did you get for Christmas last year?" Bryan continued.
    "Um . . . a dollhouse and—"
    "Who gave you that dollhouse?"
    "Him." Dorothy pointed to Kringle. "Santa Claus."
    "How can you be sure he's Santa Claus?" Bryan asked.
    "Because he looks like Santa Claus. And he's very nice."
    Bryan pointed to Collins. "Could that man be Santa Claus?"
    "Nope. Santa Claus don't got a bald head." The gallery burst out laughing.
    WHACK! "Order!" Judge Harper shouted.
    Collins leaped to his feet. "This testimony is ridiculous. Mr. Bedford is making a mockery of this court. It hasn't been established that there is such a person as Santa Claus!"
    "Your Honor" Bryan said, "I would ask Mr. Collins if he can offer any proof that there is no Santa Claus."
    Collins stared at him. He gulped, then turned to the judge. "Your Honor, I would like to request a recess until tomorrow so that I might adequately prepare to meet Mr. Bedford's challenge."
    "Does Mr. Bedford have any objections?" Judge Harper asked.
    "No Your Honor," Bryan replied
    "This court stands in recess," Judge Harper announced, "until nine o'clock tomorrow morning."
    Grinning confidently, Bryan sat next to Kringle. "He bought it!" Bryan said. "I knew if I got him angry enough, he'd take the offensive. There's no way, in a court of law, we can prove that Santa Claus exists or that you are him."
    "But haven't you given Mr. Collins an