Arizona republican., 1892-11-16

WOulu De bnlppeu DUCK anu lOlIu be-
tween Spain and the West Indies every
time there was a revolution in Cuba for
half. century.
1t was now settled that Columbus
should undertake the discovery of Amer
lea, but he needed capital. He must
cooperate with some one who had
means. He first approached the senate
Of Genoa. His application was referred
10 the committee on Indian affairs. The
paper read as follows:
To the Honorable Senate of Genoa:
GENTLEMEN-It has occurred to me that IL
we are going TO discover America it is high
time we should go about it. If we delay, Eng
land will do it and get her name In the papers
At the present time | am out Of employment,
and could go If | had the means. l have chart
left me by my father-in-law which am sure
will aid me in discovering America and max
ing Of 1t popular resort for sporadic cholera
and any overproduction of leprosy or crime
which may DO seeking an outlet in a new
country.
If you should not see fit to aid me In opening
up a new world, which will hold its exposition
in Chicago, hope, | shall have to apply to
John II, who has already partially promised
TO fit me out and also to keep my family in
groceries during my absence.
Trusting that you will take hold Of this mat
ter, authorizing me not only to discover
America, but anything else | can lay my
hands on, remain, your obedient servant,
CHRIsToPHER COLUMBUS.
Care Lotos club. Genoa.
The senate fooled along from day to
day with this matter, tabling it, refer
ring it, postponing it, reporting adj
versely and recommitting it to other
committees till Columbus got weary and
went to John III, who treated him the
same way, only worse, inviting friends
in on Columbus days to hear this great
original RAINBOW chaser" go on about
what he could do if he could only get
money enough to discover America.
Let us pass over this sad era in the life
of Columbus. 1t is too pathetic to dis
cuss. He was on his oars, as Tascarelli
said at the time, and earning nothing.
He was well fitted for the position to
which he aspired, but there was SO little
demand then for discoveries that he
was we'll nigh discouraged. This should
teach us that we must fit ourselves for
something for which there is a demand.
1t is true that the glory of discovering
a world is something, but it comes too,
late to be used as collateral at the bank.
To have large variety of attention four
hundred years afterward is a good
thing-better than to be forgotten-but
it does not surround the children with
all wool underwear at the time.
Indignant at Portugal, and left wild
over at an early age with one son and
no money whatever, this sorrowful ad-
vance agent of freedom and prosperity
this sad eyed prophet of happy and well
protected industry-dropped down hope.
lessly in the Franciscan Convent of st.
Mary's of Rabida, in Andalusia, worn
and weary, sorrowful and respondent.
The prior, who was leading a very busy
life absolving Ferdinand and Isabella
twice week, took Columbus to these
monarchs and alsoput him up at the club
for two weeks.
Columbus spoke about how well the
queens dress was draped, and admired
it so much that he was asked to come
and drive with them on Friday and
meet well known English author, who
was in town over night with view to
writing book on it,
The great navigator made a good i'm
preston on both sovereigns, and ere long
they had agreed to fit out three catboats
for the work.
Ferdinand had no means at hand, how
ever, except an English breechloading
gun, red setter and pair of high rub
Der boots. Isabella also reported the
treasury to be insolvent, but she was a
woman of great resources at such times,
and although, as matter of fact, the very
throne she sat on was being paid for in
weekly installments, she gave music les
sons, gave readings from her own works
and ran errands till she had the money.
Columbus took it with tears and
went at once to have his picture taken.
When not discovering America this was
his sole recreation. Every time he
shaved or cut his hair he had cabinet
picture taken of himself in new at
titude.
Getting a steamer chair near the place
where his picture was taken, he went
aboard the boat at once, and was soon a
mere speck on the horizon.
On the 10th of October, 1902, after a
long wet tramp over an unknown sea, a
man came down into the steerage, where