Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-02
Pays a Pleasant Little Visit
to Holy Cross Academy.
is GREETED WITH AN ODE
Girl Pupils Sing Patriotic Songs in
His Honor.
GIVES THEM KINDLY ADVICE
Recognizes Little Friends in the
Handshaking Line Formed by
Sisters and Students.

President Roosevelt was the guest at an
informal reception held yesterday after
noon at Holy Cross Academy, in Massa-
chusetts avenue. His visit was made as
the result Of promise he gave the Sis
tiers nearly a year ago, when they asked
him to attend their commencement exer-
cises. He was compelled to decline the
invitation, but. in doing so, said he would
certainly come out to see the sisters and
pupils this winter before he left the
White House for good. He was reminded
of his promise short while ago and set
yesterday as the day.
Four o'clock was the hour appointed for
his appearance and some time before that
the 1872 pupils of the school began to
fiutter about and prepare for him. They
continued in state of suppressed excite
;; ment until ten minutes past s. when the
President arrived. He had been delayed
at the dentists. When he appeared the
sisters were drawn up in a double line on
either side of the hallway, where they
were introduced one by one to the Presi-
dent by Sister Angelica. the superior, who
received the distinguished visitor.
AT the conclusion Of the introductions
the President was taken to the back room
on the east side Of the school building,
where he was received bx Father j. A.
zahm and Father William H. Ketcham
ana given seat on a raised platform.
Greeting in Verse.
The whole school then burst forth with
Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean,"
which was sung exceptionally well. After
this Miss Lillian Hill extended to the
President the greeting Of Holy Cross
Academy in verse. The last stanza of
the ode. which was prepared at the
school by the Sisters and older pupils.
reads:
On this glorious day Of days
Holy Cross her tribute pays
In thousand welcomes sweet,
That her children repeat.
Cheering to hearts content
Our flag. our land, our President,
The Presidents pleasure was plain from
the expression on his face and his smile
grew when Miss Suzanne Yerby sat
down at her harp and played a solo. She
was followed by Miss Imogen Harms
with violin solo. Then the whole school
united in singing Holy God, We Praise
Thy Name
Then came the Presidents turn He
told his hostesses that he had not expect
ed anything in the way of a real reception
He thought he was just going to drop
around and chat with the Sisters and
pupils. Holy Cross Academy always had
interest for him, he said. because he had
many friends among the graduates Of
the school and among those connected
with 1t. The Egan girls, he added-the
daughters of Maurice Francis Egan-were
particular friends Of his.
Just a Word Of Advice.
80" the President continued, 81
thought 1 would like to drop around here
before I left Washington and say good
bye and wish all of you God speed.
have enjoyed your singing and 1 am par
ticularly fond of the harp and the vio-
lin.
1.-THE most important work being done
today is that done by the trainers of the
boys and girls who will be the men and
women Of tomorrow. I like your singing
Of patriotic songs. 1 like to see the love
Of Our country instilled in your young
hearts, the respect for the flag which Is
the symbol of our national life But, after
all, the nation is only our homes in the
aggregate. You must all realize that,
and remember that the boys and girls
who grow up good and true in their
home life are the ones who will make the
nation great.
Now, l ought to know something
about boys and girls" the President SAID,
with a broad smile, which was so infec
tious that the whole school broke loose in
ripping. twittering giggle of apprecia-
ton, for 1 have two girls and four boys
myself
II must say he added. that I can
handle the boys better than the girls, be-
cause / know more about them. But l
rather think l love the girls better after
all. And now, if l may. / should like to
shake hands with all of you
Sister Angelica told the President that
il he would stand at the end of the room
she would have the girls pass by him In
line. This they did, while Sister Angelica
introduced them to the President He
shook hands with every one and greeted
each of them with a pleasant word He
recognized an intimate friend in little
Evelyn Stone, daughter of the chief usher
at the White House.