The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1892-02-06
SINGLE TAX DEPARTMENT.
HISTORY.


ms hrst voyage across the Atlantic, he
made haste to pay his respects to King
rerdinand and Queen Isabella, through
whose generosity he had been enabled
70 undertake his daring enterprise. He
ieit In duty bound to make his first re-
port to these, his royal patrons, and he
Nook care in the meanwhile to keep out
Oh the way OF the newspaper interview
efs' who were, OF course, laying for
him without waiting to change his
linen or even to have his boots polish
cd ne proceeded to the castle and rang
the VISITORS bell The king answered
.ne eoor personally, apologizing for not
Diving 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-
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 word. Chris" put
in his majesty, permit me to hand you
a little present, as a testimony of es-
TEEN from myself and the queen"
So saying, he. with courtly grace,
handed the great navigator parch-
ment roll, neatly tied with red tape.
Don't mind examining it just yet, I"
said the king. BE so good as to pro-
coed with your report How did the
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 tripson record.
"Ho! no." exclaimed his majesty at
the conclusion of the recital. land so
you discovered a continent, hey? Bully
for you, Chris. ! knew your head was
level and SO did Bella here, although
every body else called you a crank I
presume you planted the flag of Spain
upon landing?"
II did, your majesty may even say.
you bet l did," answered Columbus,
with low and courtly bow.
(which act according to information
al law" said Ferdinand, CONSTITUTED
the crown of Spain the owner of the
property ~ right Of discovery"
Precisely so. your majesty" replied
Colum bus.
You're 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 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 cordiality. 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, 'let us have look at this pres
ent; am really curious to know what
II 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 un-
rolled. "A title-deed from the CROWN"
said Columbus, holding the document
open, ''signed. sealed and delivered?'
For a building lot or what?" asked
Mrs. Columbus anxiously.
Building lot nothing" roared her
husband Listen, Granting to Chris
TOPPER 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 -"
s'Of the continent Of America. Ex-
actly," continued her husband, land q
very handsome little estate il Is, too"
'Oh! isn't that splendid, Chris, my
DEAR" said the overjoyed woman.
'.Just think what we can make selling
of lots when the boom sets inr'
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 win 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 q
stroke Of work il our fellow-men want
to use the continent of America as q
place of residence"
'.Truer said Mrs c. ~ see the wis
dom of that"
ave 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