The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1898-02-12
A MAGIC SNUFFBOX.

magic Snu1tDOX. Stevenson mover told
the story in full, however, and it re-
mains to most people us tantalizing as
that other untold legend, the tale of
"Old Grouse In the Gunroon,," i'll
"Sho Stops to Conquer.
Now when the writer last went cover
the sea to Skye" he heard this very
"legend of the snuilboX," told much as
follows:
In the old days there dwelt in one
of the Hebridean islands worthy man
named Ian Dhu McGillaspick. Tho
namo of his little farm, which he held
in rentago from tho Mcdonald himself,
was Observation-Disclosures = Il
good Long name, you must admit aud
signifying i'll the English tongue "the
big cairn of the well of st. Brandan. -
One day Ian Dhu McGillaspick was
going down to the shore to take his boat
for voyage to Oban, no less, when,
CHANGING to pass by the well, he ell
countered grave, gray haired gentle
man, who saluted him with dignity
and inquired his name. On being told
of Ian's identity the stranger said:
In me you behold st. Brandan
Pleased am | to observe the manner i'll
which you have kept my well, and to
show my gratitude will grant you
boon. # 1 believe, Ian Dhu, that
you like snuif?'
Ian's eyes glistcned. Snuff was indeed
q favoritc luxury of his. Then tho saint
took from his girdle handsome snuff
box of oak, full to tho top'of fragrant,
titillating mixture.
Take this magic box, Ian, F" said he
$50 long rs you keep tho lid Hospitality
open the box will remain filled to the
brim no matter how many people take
pinchos out of it, But once close the lid
inhospitably, and every grain of snuff
shall disappear from within it. -
With these words the saint laid the
open box i'll lam hands and vanished.
Ian tried the snuff and found it excel
lent. Overjoyed, he fastened down to
the beach where his boat lay and offered
his gift to the fishermen. One after an
other they tested the snuff. But just as
fast as one pinch was taken from the
magic box another appeared in its place.
Thereafter Ian Dhu McGillaspicl1
prospered and grew richer every day.
Presently he was almost looked upon as
n laird. Ian, quito properly, ascribed
every bit of this remarkable good for
tune to tho snuffbox. Above all, you
may feel assured that he never closed
the lid of tho box
1t happened about this time that Il
new lord of the isles came to rule over
the dominions of the McDonalds, and
hearing of Ian Dhu's rise i'll the world
he determined To pay him visit, as
great chieftains did by way of honoring
the better sort Of their vassals and
clansmcn.
Ian Dhu was there to welcome him,
and i'll his outstrctched hand, invitingly
open, was St. Brandan' S snuffbox, still
full to the brim.
Unfortunately this lord of the isles
had been brought up in France, in
which country it was matter of ETH
quettc to pass the snuffbox closed to Il
superior. The chieftain was "a naughty
man, and, seeing what he believed to
be an insult, he cried out 1iercely to
poor Ian Dhu: "You rascal Do YOU
dare to affront mc:' Then before the
astonishcd Ian could get his breath to
explain the lord of the isles sprung for
ward and snatching the open snuffbox
closed the lid.
Ian uttered cry and tried to recover
his talisman, but all TO late. When the
proud chief opened the box, he found
not one single grain of snuff within. St.
Brandan $ promise had been fulfilled
the closing OF the magic snuffhox had
caused the disappearance Of the magic
snuff. Then was the lord OF the isles
more wrath than ever, believing that
Ian Dhu had played some cunning trick.
Ian Dhu WAS tied hand and foot out
side his own door, without even pinch
of snuff 10 comfort him, while the lord
of the isles and his following finished
the feast he had prepared
But just as the unfortunate man had
given up all hope who should appear
before him but that very same st. Bran
dan. who had given him the box.
Never fear, Ian hu, )" said the good
saint. 1t WAS not Your fault that the
lid was closed.
Quickly he cut Ian's bonds, removed
his gag and babe him hasten before the
lord of the isles once more. Into the
presence of the chief Ian hurried and,
throwing himself on his knees, made,
known the entire story.
a first the chief Scoficd. but ON in
quiry, finding that tho tales told about
the snutfboX's capacity were indeed
marvellous, he began to believe Feel
ing full of rcmorsc for having deprived
Ian Dhu of his magic snuff, he resolved
10 make reparation.
My friend, he said to Ian II will
make IL bargain with you. This snuff
box is of no further use to you, bat |
should like to preserve it as IL relic of
the excellent St Brandau (iivn il to