Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1899-07-27
I A Singular Escape
By F. NJ. Colby.
j ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

! III the TuSSSu BIduOSuA "a NhS SSSbSAS
in the whiteness of the snow, the black,
ness of the rocks which peeped out from
its voluminous wreaths, 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 cleaning white be-
tween the black cliffs and the greenness
of the sea.
But 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 a cord,
with which she fastened the animal TO
a post in front of the hut-for the
dwelling was only hut, and 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
q meal with much satisfaction.
This stone-and-earth house was the
home of Hilda Ulricson, poor widow.
1t 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
a 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 his
kaiak, there came great storm, and
the stout-hcarted Norseman had never
been heard of 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 Use.
Jansen-or Jan, as he was called
was stout, active boy of about 10 years
of age, with thick brown hair, round,
wind-tanned face, and brave, merry
black eyes, that his mother said looked
just like those of poor Ulf.
Use, 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.
"Janl JAM" called his mother, going
within doors, Its time you were up.
The storm is over and the sun is bright.
You 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 JAM"
The boy looked at the mother inquir-
ingly.
mo, no" said Mrs. Uiricson, shaking
her head. Else 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 you, Ilse?"
That | would" answered the little
girl, tossing her sunny curls. 81 am not
afraid of the cold, and could help Jan
carry the furs, indeed could"
Mrs. Ulriscon saw that they would
both be disappointed if she refused to
let Use go, and yet she feared that
something would befall her if she con-
sented.
at is so far" she said, rehectively.
and have you forgotten the raven that
perched on our roof no longer ago than
Wednesday week? fear its visit will
bring us no good. The day before your
poor father was lost raven perched
upon the hoase-top and croaked dismal
". 1t was an ill-omened-bird."
81 saw two ravens the same day, and
don't Won remember how hard it froZe
that night? and l found three foxes in
the trap next morning. No Won
der the black fellow croaked so the
1ther day; suppose it was because it
vas cold"
Jan said this very seriously, but there
was a shrewd humor in his black eyes.
His mother sighed. She was think
h,y of stout Ulfs fate, and the ravens
visit had filled her mind with dread
forcboding.
However, after breakfast was over,
she told Use that she might put on her
eider-lined jacket and scarlet cloth
hood, and go with her brother. The
child needed no second bidding, and by
the time Jan was ready she was pre-
pared for the journey.
Mind and let nothing befall your
sister. JAM" enjoined the widow, as the
children, hand in hand, walked away
from the door, the boy carrying a
sharp Ratchet in bis hand, the only
weapon he had. Lead her carefully
over the ice, and return as early Us you
can"
"Yes, yes, l WILL" replied Jan. I'VE
will get back by noon; and don't worry,
mother; don't believe the raven
meant anything"
They skipped away, talking and
laughing merrily. Their mother stood
and watched them as they went across
the snow-feld - watched them until
she could distinguish no longer JAMS
green spencer or Uses scarlet hood, and
! then, uttering a sigh, she returned to