St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-11-08

tain he left that the world was
round and not fiat as the people then
believed.
AS Constantinople had at that
time been captured by the Turks the
people were in need of a new route
to India and Columbus felt sure that
he couldn't reach India by sailing
directly west.
AS he was poor man he must
have help so he first went to King
John II of Portugal. The king would
not help him and he stole Column
bus maps and charts and sent out
ship secretly, but the new route
was not discovered and the ship soon
returned to Spain.
This made Columbus angry and
he left and went to the south of
Spain, and tried to interest some
dukes with his plans, but they would
not help him and they told Queen
Isabella of his plans. She requested
Columbus to be sent to her, but she
could not help him.
He soon received letters from King
James II and King Henry VII. On
his way to their kingdoms he stop
ped at monastery to ask food for
his child. One of the priests was SO
| impressed byColumbus' noble counte-
nance that he entered into a con-
versation, and after he had heard his
plans he said that he would go and
beg the queen to hear him as he had
once been her confessor, he knew
that he would have more influence
than a stranger. So he Saddled his
mule and rode at midnight to Santa
Fe, where the king and queen were
camping. They gave him friendly
hearing and the queen said that she
would pledge her jewels if need be
to help him. Columbus son was
made page of the prince and then
+ Columbus secured his sailors and
ships. His ships were the Santa
Maria; Pinta, Nina. After other OBJ
stacles were overcome he embarked
at Palos, Bird of August, 1892.
The voyage was long and stormy
and many times clouds were mistak-
en- for land At last real land was
sighted the 18th of October. They
dropped anchor and the next morn
ing found themselves near a beauti-
full island. They landed with the
Standard of CASTLE, planted the
cross and took possession for Spain.
After cruising about for short time
Columbus returned to Spain, where
he was received with the greatest of
honors. 1t was afterwards found
that he had discovered the Waiting
Islands instead of the new route to
India. He made four other voyages.
Soon the queen died, and Columbus
knew that with her he had lost his
best friend. He died at Valladalid,
Spain, 1906, surrounded by poverty
and still believing that he had dis
covered the new route to India.
Marjorie Cramton.
On far off Italy's sunny shore,
Was born four hundred years and
A person whose fame we we'll, might
know,
AS it was the best the world can
show.
Christopher Columbus was his name,
To discover America was his fame.
A wool-comber his father was in
trade,
But into a sailor Columbus was
made.
But good Columbus had the idea
That the world was round just like
sphere,
The people thought him a crazyman,
But Columbus said, FI'll do what 1
can
He looked for help both here and
there,
But none could find he anywhere.
At last, after seven years of wait,
He was seen before ISabePs state.
In August third, fourteen hundred
ninety-two
Columbus set sail on the ocean blue,
From Palos to the Canary Isles,
He journeyed forth in the grandest
of styles.
He sailed right west across the sea,
For there he thought the isles would
be.
When they had sailed thirty days or
more
The. sailors wanted to throw him
DER.
But he ordered them sternly to their
work
For he said, mo sailor ON my ship
may shirk,
If the end of three days does not
bring us there
| will go back home for all you
care"
But soon he spied the sight Of land,
AS there were landlords on every
hand,
And he landed on this new found
shore,
And named this land San Salvador.
He made other voyages three,
But he was not happy as this man
should be.
A man about him had lied
He was put in prison, and shortly
after let out, he died
Let all the world his praises sing, |
Let every nation some tribute bring, |
For to us continent he gave,
Therefore Tor him our flag may |
wave