98 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



The old man's bushy whiskers were heavy with the icicles which 

 clung to them, and when the blazing fire flared its lights, illuminat- 

 ing them with the warm hues of the summer sunset, he would 

 rave as he struck them down, and glare with rage as they fell 

 snapping and crackling at his feet. 



One night, as together they sat smoking and dozing before the 

 fire, a strange feeling of fear came over them, the air seemed 

 growing warmer and the ice began to melt. Said North Wind: 

 " I wonder what warm thing is coming, the snow seems vanishing 

 and sinking lower in the earth." But the old man cared not, 

 and was silent. He knew his lodge was strong, and he chuckled 

 with scorn as he bade North Wind abandon his fears and depart 

 for his home. But North Wind went drifting the fast falling snow 

 higher on the mountain until it groaned under its heavy burden, 

 and scolding and blasting, his voice gradually died away. Still 

 the old man remained silent and moved not, but lost in thought 

 sat looking into the fire when there came a loud knock at his door. 

 " Some foolish breath of North Wind is wandering," thought he, 

 and he heeded it not. 



Again came the rapping, but swifter and louder, and a pleading 

 voice begged to come in. 



Still the old man remained silent, and drawing nearer to the 

 fire quieted himself for sleep; but the rapping continued, louder, 

 fiercer, and increased his anger. " Who dares approach the door 

 of my lodge? " he shrieked. " You are not North Wind, who 

 alone can enter here. Begone! no refuge here for trifling winds, 

 go back to your home in the sky." But as he spoke, the strong 

 bar securing the door fell from its fastening, the door swung open 

 and a stalwart young warrior stood before him shaking the snow 

 from his shoulders as he noiselessly closed the door. 



Safe within the lodge, the warrior heeded not the old man's 

 anger, but with a cheerful greeting drew close to the fire, extend- 

 ing his hands to its ruddy blaze, when a glow as of summer 

 illumined the lodge. But the kindly greeting and the glowing 

 light served only to incense the old man, and rising in rage he 

 ordered the warrior to depart. 



" Go! " he exclaimed, " I know you not. You have entered 

 my lodge and you bring a strange light. Why have you forced 

 my lodge door? You are young, and youth has no need of my 

 fire. When I enter my lodge, all the earth sleeps. You are strong, 

 with the glow of sunshine on your face. Long ago I buried the 

 sunshine beneath the snowdrifts. Go! you have no place here. 



