New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-28
COLUMBUS.
co FISHING WITH HIM.
III.


,un,bus had finished his third cup Of coffee. MS
Fourth helpine Of gr!ddle-cakes. a segment OF
1,rtch cheese and some huckleberry cake ana
had gone ovt 10 chop three bushels OF trash
wood We had given strict commands mat II
should be three bushels and We spelled eac"
other in watching to see that the measure WAS
accurate
Now. as we still fingered at the table. heard
the boys hatchet going in the slowest manner
in which a Ratchet can go. so Kne" ne wac ~
work Then put my question, which was
"Whv do we leep Columbus? Gertrude hesi-
tated before she replied that she didht hho"
perhaps II was because we liked 10 nave ~
thought that we didn't do our own hoeins ana
wedding and horse grooming: and II see"eu
more kind Of proper like to be able, When we
we're asked 'Do you two women live alone
TO reply "Oh, no; have boy with us'
To this feeble and prevarcating explanation
/ made no immediate response. sat thihKins'
Since Columbus has lived here nave done
great amount Of thinking upon biology and
heredity and environment and such SUBJECTS anu
all with reference to our boy. l am possessed
with desire to have him explained. II lie
snrang from some kind of cell want to know
what kind Of cell 1t was, so that measures may
be taken to have that kind destroyed, thus re-
more such beings. When I confded this
proiect about destroying the cells to my friend
she discouraged me greatly She sad she be-
Neved nv theory was excellent. but in practice
she was afraid ] would find some difhcuty
For instance i. was so long since we were
cells that II would be almos: impossible 10
select the right ones TO destroy; and then where
should find any TO begin with?
But Gertrude is never sangune about any
thing. not even about protoplasm and all that.
After she had said what she had to say on
this subject repeated my question as 70 why
we kept Columbus and she confessed that she
didn't know unless 1t for the sake OF the
excitement of wondering what he would do
next.
'You mean what he won't do" said.
Since Columbus went to kill Indians. now ten
DAYS ago. he has had attacks Ct the most ex-
emplary conduct. These attacks have some
times lasted as long three-quarters OF an
hour before any symptom Of abatement could
be perceived During these moments he has
worked like well-mearing. industrious boy
At such times I would begin to suffer from
the pangs Of remorse. How l had ms1udged
him
There are SO many things to tell about our
boy that II were TO attempt to write fuli
biography should be embarrassed by the rich-
ness and profusiop Of my material Perhaps
ought to say negative material. ! might be
obliged 70 tell what Columbus is not-think Of
II! That would be fine kind Of Biographical
writing, and would give good an idea Of its
subject as we otter obtain from such liter
azure.
am sitting in my room upstairs; this WINDOW
commands view of Columbus at the pile OF
IJe inst those
attacks Of industry which apparently resulted
from his gorg to Kill Indians. The attack
Is now subsidlng.
see a youth in checked blue and white
shirt and brown overalls: these overas are
not supported by suspenders. but are girded
around the waist with what appears painful
tightness Bare legs and feet very much bitten
and bIotched and scratched. Columbus has
on straw hat with the brim turned up be-
hind with abruptness and permanence. The
face under that hat is so freckled that II Is
absolutely confusing to look at. And 1t some
how has the effect of being wrinkled until you
examine II closely His mouth is wide and has
no lips to speak Of; when he smiles this mouth
grows wider and that is all the difference
smile makes In his countenance. At first when
] used to see this widening begin / was az
fected very unplcasantly. but II is wise pro-
vision of our nature that we get used TO many
strange things. So have become used to Co.
lumbus's mouth. Gertrude. however, says she
still dreams Of 1t.
A little turned-up nose. little eyes, little
forehead little chin. and hay-colored hair cut
close Columbus whistles a great deal. but he
cannot whistle any tune whatever, so that we
sometimes wish he would stop trying.
His hands are covered with warts, and he
att
cles as cures Sometimes 1t is mlkweed: some
times we have standing on our sink shelf a
small. dish containing old nails and vinegar.
This combination makes very black-looking
mess. but Columbus had great faith in its
curative powers and for three days he was
continually coming in and daubing this liquid
on his warts. After that he had scraps OF horses
hoofs which he procured at the blacksmith's;
these scraps he rubbed on his warts. Twice
we have found the premises small bag
filed with bits of stones and carefully tied.
We have been so rash to take these bags
and examine them. Gertrude asked Column
bus about these receptaces
For the first time something like animation
came to his face
He laughed out.
by gollyr' he exclaimed. and then chuckled.
What are you laughing at?" sternly from
Gertrude.
"'Cause you'll have all my warts now"
What do you mean?
why you've found the bag. amt you? Well.
youth have em now"
Gertrude threw the bag from her
You don't think we can both have them.
do you?" she asked.
Nope: don't. But mine II go off,"
Here another laugh.
"Ee-us." he added; 'n nine days. II was
you I'd stick pin In um n then hold the head
er the pin n flame. 1t hurts some. but they
swell up n turn black m drop outfit you hold
the head the pin In long enough. seen one
Teller do 1t TIL he bout tainted way"
Thank you." said Gertrude.