Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1891-12-03
SINGLE TAX DEPARTMENT.
HISTORY,
As 1t Might Have Been.

When the intrepid voyager, Christie
pher Columb returned to Spain after
his first voyage across the Atlantic, he
made haste to pay his respects to King
Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, 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 for
him. Without waiting to change his
linen or even to have his boots polish
ed, he proceeded to the castle and rang
the visitors bell 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 Jaw
fully nice to have him back again"
Columbus expressed his thanks, and was
about to begin his narrative, when the
king stopped him with gesture.
Before you say a 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-
coed with your report How did tho
scheme pan out?"
Columbus at once entered on an in
teresting account of his voyage, detail
ing his many hardships and the glori-
Gus reward of his perseverance and he
roism. Incidentally he mentioned, with
pardonable pride, that he had made the
fastest Atlantic trip on record.
'Ho! ho!" exclaimed his majesty ut
the conclusion of the recital, land so
you discovered continent, hey? Bully
for you, Chris! 1 knew your head was
level and so did Bella here. although
every body else called you crank. I
presume you planted the flag OF Spain
upon landing?"
81 did, your majesty may even say,
you bet 1 did," answered Columbus,
with low and courtly bow.
(which act according to internation-
al law" said Ferdinand, constituted
the crown of Spain the owner of the
property by 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.
I'VE 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.. Columbus"
Columbus, having taken a 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 a full
and particular account of his adven-
lures, winding up with his visit to the
castle. "And now," said he, in conclu-
sion, '1et US have look at this pres
ent; I am really curious to know what
it can be-"
Doodle, I'll bet" exclaimed his eld-
est boy, shaver in his teens.
Bring the scissors, missus," said
the great commander, and they were
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.
la
husband. Listen, Granting to Chris
topher Colum bus, 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 handsome little estate it is, too"
''Oh! isn't that splendid, Chris, my
DEAR" said the overjoyed woman.
Just think what we can make selling
off lots when the boom sets inn
Sell off nothing" said Column bus,
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. 1 will never
sell an inch of this land Ny 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
stroke of work if our fellow-men want
to use the continent of America as
place of residence"
True said Mrs. C. 81 see the wis
dom of that"
"We won't sell an acre of it; well
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 1907
600, 900 people living in America"
''You bet there'li 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 having made beautiful continent |
for the exclusive benefit of the Column |
buses.-Toronto Grip
Celestial Currency.
It was in the fall of 1865, and Uncle |
Cephas' first year of freedom was draw
ing to a close His little crop of corn |
bod bao,, l,a,,1o5 nm and ebnolya6 and