The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-23
The Strange Appearance Of
a Strange voyaser.
Story OF Hard Luck Told to a News
News Gatherer.
A Modern Christopher Columbus
Makes His Appearance In the Bay.

bay Side was discovered two weeks ago
last night by veritable Christopher Colum-
bus, who landed under the cover OF darkness.
The presence of the discoverer was not de-
tected until tho following morning. when the
natives in that vicinity was startled. after the
manner of aborigines, by the appearance upon
the shore Of a peculiar craft, half ark and
half sloop, which had been mysteriously
moored there before the rising Of old Sol.
The craft, within and without on which
there seemed TO be no signs of life. was about
20 feet long. six feet beam. and had a depth.
maybe. of four feet. 1t was hat.bottomed
had bowsprit. and rising above the deck for
about three feet was the roof Of the cabin.
The standing room astern was all standing
room," there being no seating accommoda.
tion. The boat was evidently new, and shaw
ings partly filed the bottom of the standing
room. The propulsion Of the craft was by
stern scull There was neither mast nor
rudder, and the only paint discernibie was in
the lettering on tho bows and stern. which
loudly proclaimed the name of the mysteri-
GUS craft 10 be the Santa Maria. and for fear
tho name alone would not sufficiently en-
tighten the intelligence of the "savages," /"
among whom the yoyagers might fall. the
sides and front OF the cabin top were illumin
ated with the bold legend: " Christopher
Columbus, 1902"
Who. or what were the propagators OF this
queer craft? Was il "A clever advertising
dodge on the part of Manager Rice Of "l492. "
that set this mystery ashore on the sands Of
the shore2
The "small boy" who was present among
the curious. half frightened onlookers. with
his usual fearlessness OF God, man, or the Evil
One, was the first 10 investigate. And the in
vestigation assumed tho characteristics of
that notorious Climb" First, one stone went
bangi up against the side then, two. three
and finally IA whole shower of missiles with
unerring aim, found the objective point.
This bringing no response, one, more bold
than the others, clambered over the side Of
the boat and he was quickly followed by the
horde The cabin.door being shut and locked.
arrangements were at once perfected for pry-
ing IL open.
The lock yielded, and success seemed near
at hand, when, loi the door was burst open
from within, and a head and face were thrust
forth. And such head and facet They re-
minded one of the cheap cuts OF Columbus
which portray that honored voyager as a
cheap actor counting the railroad ties on his
return home, after having been stranded in
Kalamazoo in the middle Of an improbable
season of transforming. There were the
cadaverous, lantern jawed features the
sunken eyes, the prominent cheek bones, the
black stubby beard and mustache. all sur
mounted by long focks which might have
once been flowing, but which neglect had
brought into a condition bordering upon a
"tie-up." The flowing locks were evidently
OH "a strike.
After the establishment on both sides had
,1.atI III
answered. The occupant OF the boat learned
he was aground on hitherto undiscovered
shore, and the curiosity seekers were told
strange tale of how Christopher Columbus
2d happened to be there He is said to have
spoken after the manner Of the following:
"one night as lay sleeping, the Spirit of God
came TO me and said Arise. Columbus. and
build thyself an ark, which thou shalt call
the Santa Maria and go forth to discover a
land of savages' The Spirit also commanded |
that should eat but two pieces of bread each |
day. ! am but obeying the commandments Of |
the Master. so now go away, please, and |
leave me alone you untdtored sons of Erin" |
The head disappeared, the door was locked, |
and the people marveled.
No report of this peculiar combination |
reached the authorities ears, so the residents |
of that land enjoyed the daily exhibition of |
the visitors peculiarities unmolested. Some |
times he remained in his cabin all day, only |
going out in tho evening for short walk. |
Again he sculled away in the morning, and |
after probably exploring the valuable flats |
along the river front would return at night.
Whenever he ventured out his costume at.
tiacted as much attention as his head, not be-
cause Of the outlandish cut OF his clothes, but |
on account of thor dilapidation. An old soft |
gray hat brownish cut-away coat, and mixed |
trousers, all fringed and frayed, and a shirt
which may have been white once but had
been n stranger TO the laundry for weeks or
mon tbs.
But there is a serious and very sad side to
all this, as subsequent events showed.
On Monday morning, last the stranger was
found lying unconscious on his back by the
side of his boat Kind hands succored him,
and medical attendance soon brought him 10. |
When sufficiently recovered the stranger gave
a touching account Of his msfortunes and ex-
planned fully his object in embarlxing in such
queer craft ds the "Santa Maria"
To News reporter. he spoke as follows al
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