The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-10-12
Phantom of
Columbus in
the Harbor
He's Taken TO Smoking;
Says. Gosh, I Wish I
Had a Steamship"
BY S. B. Croft

TN THE carly dawn today n
L small gray sloop OF ancient
design drifted slowly thru the
fog OF Elliott bay With a creak
OF watersoaked cables and "a
hoarse rumble of the hawsc
pipes, the anchor was dropped
overheard. 20 disappear IN the
black waters beneath her bow.
Few there were who noticed
the craft No crowds collected
along the piers 20 welcome her.
Four hundred yards Off shore
the sloop lay. misty shadow on
the dark waters. while dozen
seaguiis brushed her sides.
Christopher Columbus had re.
turned TO visit the country he
discovered s2s years agol
A Star reporter showed off In a
dingy 90 interview the shade Of
the great navigator. lie found
Columbus taking breakfast In
his tiny cabin under the high
poop deck. Columbus looked up
as tho reporter entered and OF.
fered a chair.
Il return every year To visit
the United States" Columbus
explained. with bright smile.
'and almost invariably l find
Puget sound hlanketcd in fog
The great man finished his
poached egg and lighted a cigar.
''oh. yes. he said. In fcpiy 10 n
question. Il have acquired the
smoking habit. I find IL great
relief to my nerves when talk
ing TO congressman. | tried TO
quit smoking once. but can't
stand TO see others do IL when
I'm not. What America needs
more than anything else Is n
good nickel cigar.
when first hit this country
we used 10 swipc stogies from
the Indians. but even nj that.
they were better than this weed
I've got now.
Funny. isn't IT," unused Co
lurnbus. leaning back In his chair
and putting out great clouds Of
smoke. This year | find Amer
lea dry. Tho prohibition law is
in effect. and person can't
even get q shot Of wine
Il remember" said Coirmbu,
the first day VIC landed In thi
We were expecting 20 fin
India. We were all thirsty. an
when we sighted land. rushed 20 IN
boats and made for shore. Tn
beach was deserted except for
lozen or more natives We nske
The way 30 the nearest bar TO get
lrink. The Indians didn't seem /
and when I mo,ionc
II my throat. TO show l wanted
rink. they brought us n goat an
MIXED IL.
America was sure dry then. bu
IN spite Of that. there was great r,
IoIclng In Europe. And now h
ruefuliy. Il find the sam
condition existing"
Asked what he thought OF IN
Columbus replied. Il thin
he nation IL going along fairly wei
~ things considered There ism
much difference between now an
my day. When we were In contrs
here. historians say We treated tn
indians pretty roughly. but look a
the why you folks treat the Eli
pinos.
Seattle is a wonderful port.
like Il. But I think perhaps yo
should pun together more. hav
noticed several petty sauabbics
recent months that have hurt IN
city in many ways. There's noti
Ing like cooperation 10 get results
When Seattle business men q,
together with the labor element. n
this hard talk will be In the dlscar,
and real prosperity will have com
to stay.
'WeIl." said Columbus I've
got 10 get busy now. Tomorrow
we sail for Australia, and be-
Iisve me. It's some Job In this
antiquated old hooker. I'm go
ing ashore now and get my
clearance papers. Gosh. but
wish I had . steamship"