The Forrest City times., 1899-07-07
A Singular Escape
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By F. M. Colby.

DRIGHT and yellow rose the sun over ID the wintry ice-field3-such a sun rise us no one ever sees in any but a northern land. There was something in the rugged grandeur of the scenery, in the whiteness of the snow, the black ness of the rocks which peeped out from its voluminous wreatbs. the lightness of the atmosphere, and, above all the impressive silence, which would have affected forcibly the senses of stran- ger.
 No living being was in sight, either among the stupendous crags which lowered above, or on the lower ice fields, which lay so gleaming white be- tween the black cliffs and the greenness of the sea.
 Hut presently, from dwelling pitched far up among the ice-cliffs, there appeared signs of life. Smoke was seen issuing from the low chimney, and shortly afterward the single door was thrown open, and woman made her appearance, leading a goat by cord, with which she fastened the animal to n post in front of the hut-for the dwelling was only hut, and a very odd looking one at that.
 1t was built of layers of stones up five or six feet from the ground, with turf between the layers to keep out the cold. The roof above this was also covered with turf, which in the short, warm summertime sprouted with thick, green grass, that provided many nice break fast to the nanny goat, who would often climb the family mansion, and clinging with her sharp hoofs to the turf, nibble a meal with much satisfaction.
 This stone-and-earth house was the home of Hilda Ulricson, poor widow It stood on the western coast of Green land, where the winter is cold and long and the days are so short that one can scarcely more than have time to get up turn round, and it is night again.
 Dame Hilda's husband, Ulf, had been hunter and fisherman, and they had lived together happily for many years but one day the preceding summer, as he was out to sea after seals, in hi. the stout-hearted Norseman had never been heard or since.
 As for his widow, she continued to dwell in the strange little Greenland hut, where she lived quite alone, with her goat and her two children, Jansen and IlSe.
 Jansen-or Jan. as he was called was stout, active boy of about 13 years of age, with thick brown hair, round f, black eyes, that his mother said looked just like those of poor Ulf
 Ilse, his sister, was dainty little thing of six, whose blue eyes were like the violets that bloomed among the rocks in the early summer. and long golden curls, that fell around her laugh ing face like sunbeams.
 Jan! Jan!" called his mother, going within doors, its time you were up The storm is over and the sun is bright Ton have the traps to visit after break fast, and you must be getting ready"
 Jan obeyed, like the obedient boy he was, and presently came yawning down the ladder from the loft, where he had slept warmly under his fur coverlet.
 As he stepped upon the kitchen floor, he was greeted by his little sister with
 You said you would ask mother to let me go with you when you went to the traps again. You have not forgot ten it, dear Jan?'
 The boy looked at the mother inquir- ingly.
 No, no,' said Mrs. Ulricson, shaking her head. "llse is too small and tender to go with you. Besides, she would only be in your way"
 'Oh, she wouldn't be the least trouble, mother. and she would like so much to go. Wouldn't yon, Ilse?"
 That l would" answered the little girl, tossing her sunny curls. T am not afraid of the cold, and I could help Jan carry tLe furs, indeed l could"