The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-11-14
MRS. CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.

The Little Sketch History Gives of the
Great Discoverer's Wife
No history of Columbus is complete In
these days without more than q passing
~allusion to Felipa Monis de Palestrella, his
wife. IL ia q pity We know no moro OF her.
Doubtless her influence kept him from dis
enlargement in many an hour of darkness.
When Columbus entered Lisbon he was
In the full prime of manly strength and
beauty. about thirty-fve years old, tall, of
almost perfect proportions, and of noble
and dignifed demeanor. His face was
rather long. but rudy with health. hia hair
blonde, his eyes light. but kindly and in
telligent. He was exceedingly modest in
his apparel, as became the son of u wooden
weaver, and he was affable to all. but dig
nified always. To crown all. he was most
assiduous in his attendance upon religious
services, and while iii Lisbon he heard mass
daily at the church of the convent of All
Saints.
In the convent were a number of young
ladies of the world. placed there to be edu-
daily mass. One of these was much at
trscted by the grave young stranger. whose
fair color and light hair made him con-
spicuous In this dark-eyed, black-haired
Lisbon congregation.
Is il any wonder that the blue eyes of
poW uAO AA .
face, or that the soft luster of the dark eyes
of the Lusitanian maiden burned its gentle
wav into the heart of the young Genoese?
For some time Felipa and Columbus did
not meet outside OF the church, but with
the tenacious faith which was the main
spring Of his whole life, Columbus believed
that the day would come when the story
their eyes had told would be translated into
words.
At last fortune favored them and they
M 1909 L.A h. nNn -f Chat
which had been; his eloquence won her
mind as completely as his manly grace had
already captivated her heart. while the
beauty of her character. as he soon learned
to know ii. hut crowned the victory gained
at first by her beauty. The supreme mo-
mont at last arrived when they said to each
other, II love you" Columbus was poor;
indeed, he often found himself pinched for
means, and out of his slender income he
felt himself obliged to assist his father,
who. poverty stricken in his old age, lived
at Sayona.
By a strange and altogether happy dis |
pensation of providence. the promised
bride of the great discoverer was the daugh-
ter of a well-known navigator. and Italian
captain, Bartolomeo Perestrella, who was a
sharer in the enthusiasm and some OF the
voyages of that famous Portuguese navl- |
gator. Prince Henry. Perestrella was one
of the three enthusiasts who. sailing farther
in one direction than any Portuguese had
before attempted. rediscoversd the island
of Porto Santo, one of the Madeira group. |
This Island WIS given to Perestrella in
honor of the discovery. Perestrella died.
leaving Porto Santo to his children. 1t was
o portion of this barren heritage which
formed Felipa's only fortune.
Strong in their love. Columbus and his
Italian sweetheart felt that together they
could face the b~itterest trials an! the great
est deprivations. In a short time, about
1873 OF 1474, they were married, setting up
their modest Larea and Penates in Lisbon. :
Felipa's widowed mother lived with them.
Here for a time they dwelt most happily,
but the bee was already buzzinR in Column
bus bonnet and a growing friendship and
peculiar affinity for Fe!ipa's brot~her-in-law,
Pedro Correa, induced him to move to
Porto, where Pedro lived.
Columbus and his Felipa made them
selves q pleasant home in this then obscure
corner of the world. and lived most peace
fully. rejoicing in each other and in a son,
who was born to them and whom they
named Diego.
After this we get from history little more
knowledge of Mrs. Columbus, as she will
doubtless be called by many of the visitors
who see the relics of the Porto Santo home
at the Worlds fair. How long she filed
his life, perfect with domestic peace, we do
not know. The last mention of her is in
the will of her husband. who directs that
masses be said for the repose of her soul.