The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1896-06-12
QUAINT ARCTIC LEGEND.
AN OLD RUSSIAN STORY ABOUT TIE
LOST TRIBES OF ISRAEL.

The Atlanta Constitution publishes
an article referring to the reputed
| finding Of the north pole by Explorer
Nanscn, and says that people speak
ing the Hebrew language live there
and are supposed to be members Of
the lost tribes of Israel. In this. con-
nection it may not be inappropriate
TO recall an old legend extant among
the orthodox Jews Of Russia regard
ing the subject, and which confirms
the report Of the explorer
Years and years ago, so the story
runs, according to the Atlanta Jewish
Sentiment, an cxlled Jew on the bleak
wilds Of Northern Siberia, in an effort
to reach an Oycrhanging branch OF a
tree, placed his foot upon log fioat-
ing in the water. No sooner had his
foot touched the log when it seemed
INSPIRED with life and moved rapidly
of, bearing the exile away toward the
vast ice fields, which are plainly visi-
bic and plentiful toward the north
Rapidly the current swept the log
northward, bearing with it the I'M
fortunate Jew, who was so benumbcd
with fear aud cold that he was unable
to formulate plan of escape from his
pcriiOus position.
For three consecutive days and
nights the p iSoncr clung to the log,
passing through towering fields of ice
burgS and dashing under arches cut
by the current through the sky-scrap-
ing fields Of ice. Out into the beauti-
full sunshine our Traveller eventually
emerged. The grass was green and
the trees were garbcd in the splendor
Of nature, and birds made merry mu-
sic in every branch. People, great in
numbers, were cOngregated on either
bank Of the stream. all dressed in holi-
day rliment Of the finest texture, but
similar in character to the clothing
worn by our ancestors 2,G00 years ago.
The current of the stream ceased to
flow, the log driftcd to the bank. and
the almost famished and thoroughly
frightened traveller repeated for the
thOusandth time the Hebrew words,
"Shama-lsrael," and in an uncertain
manner dismOuntcd from the log.
The inhabitants crowded about.
and, speaking in Hebrew with which
language he was thoroughly convcr-
sant), learned of his need of food and
rest, and supplied those wants, after
which they inquired whence he came
and whittier he was going. Numer
Gus inquiries were made regarding
the people who lived beyond the cir
cumscribcd world, who, in reciprocity,
Informed him Of themselves and their
mode of living, which had in no wise
changed since the advent Of the Chris
tian era.
They worked and worshippcd even
as did the Jew in ancient times, when
Palestine was a garden and Jerusalem
the center of civilization. The trav-
eler learned that these people were
the lost tribe Of Israel, who had mi
grated to this goodly county, led by
the descendant Of Aaron-namcd Jo-
scph-who had passed away without
leaving any descendants. With them
they had brought many Of the vessels
and much of the paraphernalia of Sol
omons Temple, and patterned their
house of worship after this famous
temple of Jerusalem.
The traveller was told that. the
streams current was active six days
in the week, and on the seventh be-
came quiet and did not move, but as
he was member Of different tribe
to themselves he would not be allowed
to remain within the country. So he
was placed in boat, which was push
ed out into the current and was borne
by i circuitous route back to Siberia.
A forwards he was pardOned, return.
ed TO Russia, and told his adventure.