St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-04-05
Columbus Before the Council of Sala
manrS

In one of the most remote streets Of Sal
amanca, which was then very populous
city-about the year 14S6-a man deeply
absorbed by his thoughts sat in an unpre-
tending dwelling before table covered
with maps and folios. His head Was rest
ing on his hand, and his looks wandered
about with the peculiar, dreamy express
sion which characterizes the man whose
mind persistently and obstinately pursues
one idea.
The man was still young, but the
weather beaten features of his intellectual
face ard the deep lines which furrowed
his lofty brow, made him appear older
than he really was, and showed that his
body had undergone fatigue and privation,
aud that the untiring activity of his mind
had drained his life's strength. At his
feet little six year old boy play with the
small model OF boat and at the only
window Of the abode stood young woman,
diligently trying to clean the black velvet
mantel of the husband. The occupation
did not however prevent her casting from
time to time a loving and anxious look to-
ward the man who was brooding over his
thoughts.
Suddenly she listened at the open win
dow; the striking of a distant church
clock had struck her ear. Carefully she
hung tbs garment over a chair, stepped
up to the husband, and gently laid her
hand on his shoulder
"Cristoforo, said She in the soft tones
Of her Italian language, "Cristoforo, it is
time!''
The man started up from his dream and
gazed at her with vacant look,
"Ah! it is you, Felipa," he said, putting
his arm around her; what do you wish,
my lover"
at is time for you to get ready, Cristo-
foro. The council will assemble in half
an hour"
"And my fate, yours and tbs the child's
fate will be decided" shouted Cristoforo
Columbo, jumping up and lifting his i'm
posing looking figure to full height ''Here
where wisdom and leaning have found
resting place, shall not experience dis
appointment; here they will understand
what unfathomable source of wealth and
power open to the country, for which I
trace a road to the countries in the far
west of Asia, whose very existince have
been until now confined to the domain of
the fable. Scientific men will speak a
word in my favor to his majesty. Already
do see myself on the high sseas steering
towards the longed-for goal, and then
when l return, Felipa, laden with fame
and treasures, then will | reward you for
all your self denial and all you have suf-
fered wi b me-"
Treasures are not necessary for that"
the young woman smiling;
your love is sufficient for me, 'but for
your sake do | long for the fame which
your heart Graves, " and handing him the
cloak-like garment and helping him to put
it on; ego now" added she, ego now, and
may God and all His saints accompany
you"
Farewell, my wifep' cried Columbo,
"and may our meeting be happy one,"
and lifting the boy and kissing him on his
brow, he whispered: diego. my darling,
your curly hair will yet be adorned with
the princely crown which your father will
have conquered for you" Then gather
ing up few papers and hiding them in
the folds of his cloak he left the room.
Proud hopes swelled his breast as he
was walking towards the palace, in whose
halls the savants of the university of Sal
were to examine the offer which
he had made to the king of Aragon, to dis
cover the fabulous lands of the East and to
subject them to his power. For years and
years the experienced sailor had followed
up his thought, namely, that he would
reach India by sailing across the ocean
from east to west. He had pursued it
with the obstinacy of conviction, without,
thus far, to find either faith in his great,
world renewing idea, nor shy help towards
it's realization.
But to-day he would, he must succeed
in convincing his judges; his heart told
him so-he would conquer
And inspired by this hope, filled with
by this noble and great idea,
be laid his plans before the learned men,
who were awaiting him, and sustained his
belief with all that foreign as well as per-
,onal experience had taught him. In vain.
No ioyfnl establishment. no encouraging
questioning as to his plans answered his
* plantations.
The silent attention with which he had
1t first been listened to. soon gave way to
/ noisy restlessness, which recalled the in
jpired man from his visions to reality; and
when he looked around him he saw that
out 3 few among the large assembly were
busy examining charts and naps-some
some partially, incredulously-
questioning that on which he had based all
MS faith. The majorit of the learned
Judges had gone away; others followed
hem with pitiful or scornful smile on
heir lips, and around Colombo and be-
hind him the voices of scorn could be heard
the idea-the very soul of his
ife-as the weaving of lunatic's brain.
The blood rose to his head and heart Con-
he clenched his fist, gloouaily ne
started in the voidl but not to see these
wretches vino Knocked his enthusiasm, nor
20 avenge himself. As painfully he strug-
gled for self-composure, there arose be-
fore his inner eyes, like Fata Morgana
The land of his longings. Smiling shores
lie ;ked in strange and wonderful bloom