The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-03-03

But while the people around him, no more
particular about their personal habits
than he, were still in good health, this
poor old man was suffering dreadfully, and
the angekok, or medicine man, declared
his case hopeless.
Jan was wild with grief. He could not
talk to any body, nor could he, by any eff
fort, keep still. There were plenty OF kind
neighbors to leave with his father, and'eo
Jan slipped from the hut, through the
dismal tunnel which was the entrance and
went out alone into the wild, dark night.
The stars looked down upon him with
friendly, calm smile. But they seemed
cold and far of. He went on and on, fear
ing no interruption of the loneliness he
wanted, for all his friends were making
themselves comfortable in their dim, hot
dwellings.
But all at once n faint, sweet sound
smote upon his ear. Like all his race, Jan
was passionately fond Of music. Now,
as these wonderful soft tones came steal
ing across the snow, he stood still, and all
his restlessness left him. He lifted his
face to the starshine, and tears dropped
upon his cheeks.
Then he became aware that another
light than that OF the stars was about him.
sic ceased as suddenly as it had begun,
and he heard the call of hungry voice.
What it said 1 cannot with certainty re-
peat, but 1t sounded wonderfully like
"HulloW
JAMS dazed eyes saw figure beside
him looking like man, but tall and
strangely clad. In one hand it carried n
radiatlng light, aud in the other long,
slender, dark object.
All in moment the boy felt perfectly
certain that this must be ono of those
marvellous beings of whom the country s
legends told-being far more powerful
and intelligent than men, who let them
selves be seen only on rare occasions, and
sometimes perform wonders to help those
who are in trouble This good son lost no
time in falling at the strangers feet and
impioring his aid in behalf of his suffer
ing father. ..@=
"Well," said the appartion, 81 will
do what / can. Is your igloo built OF
stone or of ices''
"Of stone. - responded Jan respectfully
"Hum," said the marvellous being.
"Then of course your father has no fresh
air to breath. How long is it since he
washed his facet"
mot for many days." answered Jan,
without the least mbarrassment, for he
did not know there was reason for shame.
wait for me here" and the stranger
strobe off into the distance.
When he returned he brought pail,
such az Is used for carrying water. This
he gave to Jan, and the boy received il
with the greatest Willingness, for he had
unlimited faith in his companion. The
stranger babe him follow to stream OF
water, to break the ice while he cheered
his labor with that sweet, sorrowful mu-
sic. II seemed to come from the long, dark
object he carried with him. The pail was
filled to the melodious strains.
Now" said the stranger, ceasing to
play, "this water has been drawn under
the influence of my music. 1t has great
powers. You must take it with you."
Jan eagerly sssented.
"You must pour n little of it into some
other vessel and battle your fathers face
and hands"
At this JAMS countenanoe began tc
! lengthen. He knew his father would OBJ
ject to the prescription.
"Then set the pail outside the igloo, ~
went on the stranger in authoritative
tones. "After awhile you must pour out
some more water and battle his face aud
before this hour tomorrow. At this houI
you must meet me here. "
The music began again, and the myste.
rious being moved quickly away. Jan
did not feel very happy, but was resolved
to follow the strangers directions. When
he reached home, he found his father alone
and asleep. 1t seemed favorable oppor-
tunity to begin his work Carefully pour
ing out little water, he began to lave the
fevered brow and cheeks.
The old man awoke in moment and
began to protest most energetically. Jan
had to stop work long enough to tell how
BIO had obtained the amazing prescription.
"Think of it, father" he pleaded. "a
medicine man who comes with light
and sweet music. Surely he must know
what will cure you"
So the old man submitted to the six
washings, although he groaned and COM
planned under the affection. But some
thing-possibly the repeated shock-seem-
ed to have good effect upon him. When
the time arrived for Jan to meet the won
derful angekok, his father felt we'll enough
to sit up.
Again the stranger came, heralded by
music. He smiled when he heard JAM
good account of the patient.
'Follow mo to the water, was his com
mand.
The pail was again filled to the sound
of music, and Jan started homeward to
give his father six more washings.
When these were faithfully performed,
the sick man was almost well. He decid-
ed to go with his son and sec the angekok
for himself.
The light and music had even more eff
feet upon him than they had had upon
Jan. He confidently believed that the
strangers wonderful power had restored
him to health.
Tho mysterious benefaotor refused to
take back the pail in which the water had
been brought.
keep it, )" said he. ''Fill 1t every day
with water from the stream. 1t will have
a wonderful effect, even il / am not near
to play for you while you draw
But although Jan and his father CRATE
fully accepted the gift they did not carry
out the directions which accompanied it.
They had no confidence in the water I'M
less it were endowed with the strange pow
er which the strangers music gave. But
the remarkable story was often repeated,
and my little friend had had 1t from the
lips of Jan himself. S. Holmes
In Philadelphia Press.
For the Rhode Island senatorshlp.
PROVIDENCE. r. l., March 3.-Ex Gov
ernor George Peabody Westmore has
formally entered the contest for United