The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1891-12-09
SINGLE TAX DEPARTMENT.
HISTORY,
AS 1t Might Have Been.

,,
When the intrepid voyager, Christo-
pher Column bus, returned to Spain after
his first voyage across the Atlantic, he
made haste to pay his respects to King
Ferdinand and Queen lisa bella, through
whose generosity he had been enabled
to undertake his daring enterprise. He
felt in duty bound to make his first re-
port to these, his royal patrons and he
took care in the meanwhile to keep out
of the way of the newspaper interview
ers. who were, OF course, laying Tor
him. Without waiting to change his
linen or even to have his boots polish
ed, he proceeded to the castle and rang
the visitors hell The king answered
the door personally, apologizing for not
having sent Isabella, as that lady was
in her boudoir at the moment taking
out her curl papers. After shaking
hands heartily with the distinguished
sailor, Ferdinand showed him into the
parlor and begged him to be seated.
Just at this moment Isabella appeared,
and most cordially greeted Columbus
gushingly observing that it was aw. v.
fully nice to have him back again.
Columbus expressed his thanks and was
about to begin his narrative, when the
king stopped him with a gesture.
Before you ssy word, Chris, put
in his majesty, permit me to hand you
little present, as testimony OF es-
TEEN from myself and the queen.
So saying, he, with courtly grace,
handed the great navigator a parch-
ment roll, neatly tied with red tape.
Don't mind examining it just yet,
said the king. "Be so good as to pro-
ceed with your report. How Gid the
scheme pan out?"
Columbus at once entered on an in
teresting account of his voyage, detail
ing his many hardships and the giorl-
Gus reward of his perseverance and he
roism., Incidentally he mentioned. with
pardonab le pride, that he had made the
fastest Atlantic trip on record
"Ho! ho." exclaimed his majesty at
the conclusion of the recital, land so
you discovered IA continent, hey? Bully
for you, Chris. knew your head was
level and so did Bella here, although
every body else called you a crank. |
presume you planted the flag OF Spain
upon landing?"
81 did, your majesty may even say,
YOU bet l did, answered Column bus,
with a low and courtly bow.
(Which act, according to information
al law" said Ferdinand, constituted
the crown of Spain the owner of the
property y right of discovery"
Precisely SO, your majesty" replied
Columbus.
You're a positive old duck, that's
what you are" exclaimed the emotion
al queen, f
we will not detain you longer just
now" said the king, ''as we are due at
the opera in half an hour; but trust
you will find our appreciation of your
services adequately expressed in the
little present l have given you. Good
evening, Mr.. Col1,m bus"
Columb bus, having taken formal
farewell of the queen, proceeded to his
home, where he greeted his wife and
children with great cordially. OF
course after tea he gave them full
and particular account of his adven-
lures, winding up with his visit to the
castle. "And now" said he. in conclu-
sion, 'let us have look at this pres
ent; am really curious to know what
it can be"
Doodle, I'll bet" exclaimed his eld-
est boy, u shaver in his teens
Bring the scissors, missus," said
the great commander. and they We're
brought at once. The red tape was
quickly severed and the parchment I'M
rolled "A title-deed from the crown"
said Columbus, holding the document
open, signed, sealed and delivered!"
For building lot or what?' asked
Mrs Columbus, anxiously.
building lot nothing roared her
husband "Listen, Granting to Chris
topher Columbus, his heirs and assigns
forever, all that parcel OR tract OF land,
whatever it may be, that he has discov-
cred as the agent of Spain. ~
"Gracious!" calculated Mrs, Column
bus. This means that you are the own
er of ="
"Of the continent of America. Ex-
actly," continued her husband, land a
very handsom, little estate it is, too"
"Oh! isn't that splendid, Chris, my
dear" said the overioyed woman
Just think what we can make selling
off lots when the boom sets in!'
Sell off nothing!" said Columbus
with unusual warmth. Look here,
madam, believe with the editor of the
Christian Guardian, that forethought
and prudence are admirable qualities
which deserve to be rewarded, and I'm
going to display them. l will never
sell an inch of this land. My title to it
is straight and clear. and I'm going to
keep it in the family, No Colum bus
from now to the end of time need do a
stroke Of work if our fellow-men want
to use the continent of America as a
place of residence"
True" said Mrs. c. 81 see the wis
dom of that"
1--WE won't sell an acre of it; we'll
only grant leases" said Christopher,
thoughtfully, land I'll put condition
in my will absolutely prohibiting any
future Columbus from departing from
this policy. just think what position
our family will be in in the nineteenth
century when there will be about 1O0,-
100000 people living in America.
You bet there'll be Doodle for our
folks" exclaimed the eldest boy.
And that night before the family re-
tired, Columbus, who was pious man,
returned thanks to the bountiful Creator
for havinAmade beautiful continent
for the exclusive benefit of the Colum.