WHO DISCOVERED AMERICA?

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XX, Issue XXIII, 4 June 1898, Page 719

WHO DISCOVERED AMERICA?

I), Elsie, do you know Mr Marshall doesn’t know anything hardly? He’s just as ignorant!’ said Paul to his cousin. ’Why, Paul Durant! and he’s a minister!’ said Elsie, with a shocked face. ’Papa says he writes fine sermons.’ ’Yes, but maybe he reads them out of a book,’ said Paul. Anyway. I think he never went to school, for just now when I came out he was lying in the. hammock, and he asked me. “Who discovered America?' and I said. “Christopher Columbus did.of course.” and he said, “Did he.” ’ ‘O my!’ said Elsie. ’The Stone Church people wouldn’t have him if they knew it. Do you think we ought to tell Dean Baxter?’ ‘Perhaps we’d better wait, a while,' said Paul, “'cause he's only just got his things moved, and mamma says he’s the nicest man to board she ever knew. Let’s go and sit down near him, and maylie he’ll ask us something about it and we'll tell him all we know, ’cause I feel so sorry for him.’ The cousins seated themselves near the minister, with the kindest intentions. and he greeted them with a pleasant smile. ‘Do you believe Columbus discovered America. Elsie?’ he asked. ‘Paul says he did.’ ‘Why, yes, sir. I s’posed everybody knew that.’ said Elsie. ‘Queen Isabella sold all her jewels to build him three ships, and when he got here he was so happy he kissed the ground.’ ‘Did he find any one here before him?’ asked the minister. ‘Oh. yes.’ said Paul. ‘lndians—lots of ’em.’ ‘Well, then, it looks as if America was discovered before Columbus arrived,’ said the minister. ‘Then there were those other strange people who lived, perhaps, hundreds of years before and left hijrh mounds and fortifications, beautiful vases, ornaments, and weapons. Thev died and left no history. I have thought sometimes that they may have discovered America. I’ve puzzled over it a good deal, so I’m glad to know. The minister, with a merry twinkle in his eves, took up his book, while Paul and Elsie went, silently away. When they were out of hearing. Paul said: ‘I think we won’t have to tell Deacon Baxter about it. He knows enough.’ ‘lt’s we that don’t know everything.’ said Elsie.