15

GEORGE ROGERS CLARK 20

ANDREW JACKSON 21

JOHN C. FREMONT 24

WEBSTER, CLAY and CALHOUN 27

THE STORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN 33

GRANT AND LEE 35

ROBERT E. LEE 36

SOME WOMEN OF HISTORY 38

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS

INTRODUCTION:

Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy, more than four hundred
and fifty years ago. Genoa was a rich town on the Mediterranean Sea.
She had trading routes to India, China and Japan.

Columbus was fond of stories of the sea and liked the study of
geography. He was anxious to go to sea and while a boy made his first
voyage. When he grew up to be a man, he went to Lisbon the capital
of Portugal. The bold deeds of Henry of Portugal drew many seamen to
this city.

Lisbon was full of learned men and sailors longing to go on long
voyages. These sailors had tried to find a shorter way to India but
without success.

Columbus thought this could be done by going directly west. He thought
the world round although most people at that time thought it flat.
After many trails he laid his plans before the Court of the King of
Spain.

The first act will be Columbus at the Court of Spain.

ACT I.

King and Queen on throne--courtiers around.

Columbus enters and bows before king and queen.

Q. ISABELLA: You have come to us to talk about a shorter way to India?

COLUMBUS: Yes, your Majesty. According to this map and the proof I
have gathered, I believe India to be directly west. I have gone on
long voyages and have talked to many seamen about the signs of land
to the westward. I believe the world to be round and if your Majesty
could aid me I know I could find this shorter route.

QUEEN: We would be glad indeed to aid you, but at the present time
Spain has little money. The war has taken so much.

WISE MAN OF SPAIN: Your Majesty, this man thinks the world round. That
is foolish. If you use your eyes you can see it is flat. To sail
westward in the hope of getting to India is impossible and ridiculous.

WISE MAN: Your Majesty, I think this man right. He says the world is
round and I think if we study carefully, we will find it is so. If it
is possible we should give him a chance.

_End of Act I._

ACT II.

INTRODUCTION:

Columbus receivi