The Durham daily globe. (Durham, N.C.) 1889-1894, 1894-03-15
MUSIC on THE SNOW.

When Jan was about Il years of age, he
and his father were all that was left of
the family. They were very happy to-
gether, being even more devoted to each
other than an Eskimo father and son usu-
ally are, and that Is saying a good deal.
However sad it was for these two to be
left all alone, it gave them certain advan-
tages. For example, they had a whole
iglOo TO themselves. An igloo is the stone
hut in which the Eskimos spend the dark
months of their year. It is small, badly
ventilated, and, to our way of thinking.
utterly unfit TO live in. But Jan thought
1t a very nice place. The light Of a tiny
lamp was sufficient for illumination, and
he had nothing to do but eat and sleep
and talk.
Now, one winter, in the midst of this
long night, JAMS father fell very i'll. This
did not seem strange to me, for he was
living almost without air and water-the
Eskimos do not like to wash themselves.
But while the people around him, no more
particular about their personal habits
b 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 anybody, nor could he, by any eff
fort, keep still. There were plenty of kind
neighbors to leave with his father, and so
Jan slipped from the hut, through the
dismal tunnel which was the entrance and
went out alone into the wild, lark night.
The stars looked down pom him with a
friendly, calm smile. But they seemed
cold and far off. 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 a faint, sweet sound
smOte upon his ear. Like all his race, Jan
was p~assionately fond of music. Now,
az 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.
1t was warmer and yellOwer. The mu-
sic ceased as suddenly as it had begun,
and he heard the call of a hungry voice.
What it said l cannot with certainty re-
peat, but it sounded wonderfully like
"HulIor'
JAMS dazed eyes saw a figure beside
him looking like a man, but tall and
strangely clad. In one nan it carried a
radiating light, and in the other q long,
slender, dark object.
All in q moment the boy felt perfectly
certain that this must be one 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
implOring his aid in behalf of his suffer
ing father.
"WelI," said the apparition, 81 will
do what ! can. Is your igloo built Of
stone or of ice?"
"Of ~stone," responded Jan respectfully.
"Hum," said the marvellous being.
"Then Of curse your father has no fresh
air to breath. How long is it since he
washed his face?"
"NOt for many days" answered Jan,
without the least mbarrassment, for be
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 a pail,
such as is used for carrying water. This
he gave to Jan, and the boy received it
with the greatest Willingness, for he had
unlimited faith in his companion. The
stranger babe him follow to a stream Of
water, to break the ice while be cheercd
his labor with that sweet, s0rrOwful mu-
sic. 1t seemed to come from The long, dark
object he carried with him. The pail was
1i!lcd to the melOdious strains.
"NOw," said the stranger, ceasing to
play, "tAis water has been drawn under
the influence of my music. 1t has great
powers. You must take it with YOU"
Jan eagerly assented.
"You must pour a little Of it into some
other vessel and battle your fathers face
aud hands,"
At this JAMS countenance began to
lengthen. He knew his father would OBJ
ject to the prescription.
''TLen 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
hands again. 1t must be done six times
before this hOur tomorrow. At this hour
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 a favorable oPpOr-
tunity to begin his work. Carefully pour
ing out a little water, he began tOlave the
fevered brow and checks.
The old man awoke in a moment and
began to protest most energotically. Jan
had to stop work long enough to tell how
no had obtained the amazing prescription.
Think of it, father" he pleaded. -
medicine man who comes with a light
and sweet music. Surely he must know
what viii cure you
So the old man submitted to the six
~washings. although he groaned and COM
planned under the affection. But some
thing-possibIy the repeated shock-soem-
ed to have a good effect upon him. When
the time arrived for Jan 10 meet the Won
derful angekok, his father felt well enough
to sit up.
Again the stranger came, heraldel ~
music. He smiled when he heard Jams
good account Of the patient.
Follow me to the water, > was his com
mand.
The pail was again filed to the sound
OF music, and Jan started homeward 10
give his father six more washings.
Whom rheca wera faithfully OprfO-mef