Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-03-03
MUSIC ON THE SNOW.

| 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, 1t gave them certain advan-
sages. For example, they had a whole
lgloo to themselves. An igloo Is the stone
hut in which the Eskimos spend the dark
months Of their year IL Is small, badly
ventilated, and, to our way Of thinking,
utterly unfit to live In. But Jan thought
Il 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, I'm 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
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 ef-
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, dark night
The stars looked down upon 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 . faint, sweet sound
smote upon bis ear. Like all his race, Jan
was psssionately fond of music. Now,
as these wonderful, soft tones came steal
ing across the snow, he stood still, and all
bis 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.
10 was warmer and yellower The mu-
sic ceased as suddenly as II had begun,
and he heard the call Of hungry voice.
What 1t said l cannot with certainty re-
peat, but 1t sounded wonderfully like
"Hullop'
JAMS dazed eyes saw figure beside
him looking like a man, but tall and
strangely clad. In one hand 1t carried a
radiating light, and In the other long,
slender, dark object.
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
tmploring his aid in behalf of his suffer
ing father.
"Well," said the apparition, "I will
do what ! can. II 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 flesh
air to breath. How long is it since he
washed his facet"
"Not for many days" answered Jan.
without the least Embarrassment, for be
did not know there was reason for shame
"Waft for me here" and the stranger
strode off into the distance.
When he returned, he brought pail,
such as 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 bade him follow to a stream Of
water, to break the ice while he cheered
his labor with that sweet, sorrowful mu-
sic. IL 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 n with YOU"
Jan eagerly assented.
"You must pour a little of It into some
other vessel and bathe your fathers face
and hands"
At this JAMS countenance began to
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 bathe his face aud
hands again. II must be done six times
before this hour tomorrow. At this hour
you must meet me here.
The music began again, and the mystic
rious being moved quickly away. Jan
die 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 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
he 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.
plained under the affliction. But some
thing-possibly the repeated shock-seem-
cd TO have good effect upon him. When
the time arrived for Jan To meet the won
derful angekok, his father felt well enough
to sit up.
Again the stranger came, heralded by
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 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-
I'd to go with his son and see the angekok
for himself.
The light and music had even more eff
tect upon him than they had had upon
Jan. He confidently believed that the
strangers wonderful power had restored
him TO health.
The mysterjoys benefactor refused TO
hke back the pail in which the water had
been brought.
keep It." said be- "Fill IL every day
with water from the stream. IL will have