Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-18
TEARS MoIsrnN son FRoM ERIN

TEARS MOIsTEN SOD FROM ERIN
Reverence shown Imported Turf aud
shamrOcks ne ChicngO.
Some nifty squares Of Irish sod. sprinkied
with growing shamrock. brought 20 Chi
oago for the festivities OF ST. Patrlck's
day became an Irish shrine for two days
before President TAN stood upon II while
addressing the Irish Fellowship club. The
sod was placed on rough table and cx-
hibited in an aIcovo OF the La Sale hotel.
Young and old, rich end poor. last years
immigrant, and the young American re-
moved by generations from ireland went
by the hundred to pay their tribute, relates
the Tribune. Some laughed some
were merely curious, some went at the
orders OF those dear to them, but many
went as devotees go to the shrine of n
saint as man goes to his loved ones
grave.
Men removed their hats as they an
preached and more than one woman kissed
the green grass and wept. regardless of
the staring crowd. A detective was placed
on guard for a time, but II was found that
he was not needed. The sod had voluntary
guardians, and It would have been brave
man who would dare to touch IT,
Every one was curious about the sham
rocks, and took great delight In discovering
them. The turf was in fine condition. and
the shamrocks green and numerous In
spite OF the fact that It was cut in mid
winter subjected to a jolting voyage OF
LOCO miles by land and 5000 miles by water
in rough crates, confined for some days in
pent house on the roof OF Chicago sky
scraper, and again removed and stood on
end In the electric lighted rotunda.
For a time one dear old lady constituted
herself an apologist and custodian for the
sod telling strangers how the president sof
the United States was to have the privilege
Of standing on IT, and explaining how a
little care, and water, and sunshine would
bring It to its natural green luxurlanoe,
and she told them OF the beauties of ire
land.
How long is this going to be here?"
asked man, who evidently had run sew
eral blocks to get there When told It
would be open to public inspection for two
more days he was much relieved. IT Just
heard about it," he explained "and II this
was the only day 1 was going right out to
get my mother and bring her down. She's
been talking Of nothing else for weeks, and
feeling bad because only the few who
could go to the banquet could see It, Gee!
one IL De glad tonight
A man. evidently a wealthy traveller,
watched the crowd for time and then
walked over and asked what was the at |
traction. When he was told It was the |
Irish sod from which President Taft is to |
speak he took off his hat and stepped for |
ward, remarking:
MY mother came from Galway"
A big young man who looked like a col |
lege student escorted his mother into the |
room. AS she pointed ou the shamrock
She said to another woman:
ITS many, many a year since / came |
downtown, and never expected 10 again. |
but when / read OF this knew 1 had to |
come down once more; 50 sent for Jack |
and he brought me. Isn't It wonderful?"
A short time afterward q venerable
woman wrapped in costly flirs, a woman
with a stern face and proud walk" en-
tered She looked at it with her glasses
and without them, wiped them and wiped
her eyes, caressed 1t and slipped pinch Of
grass and shamrock into her purse. She
left and came back again. Then the tears
came and she knelt and kissed the sod and
hurried away.
A stout, poorly dressed woman with big
rough red hands stood and watched the
sod for a long time, glaring iealously at
spoke: u" "'"-4 st...s e. u =.
What are they goin' to do with it after
the night7r = m 1S01sYG, tntt-q tsJ} II
Put It In some park was the answer
But they must put II in consecrated
ground" she said ut wouldn't be fit to
put 1t just anywhere. Sure, If they don't
bless the ground don't believe the sham
rocks would grow there"
Perhaps she thought some one smiled
"ris true!T she declared, defiantly
Every fut Of Irish ground is holy with
he footsteps, sure an the blood, too, of
laints and heroes" ..... 1
The man, whose mothey was from Gal
way had been standing by.
This has been worth the trip from New
York" he said. my mother will be glad
10 hear 1 have seen and touched the ould
sod."
While the devout Irishwoman at the hotel
vas demanding that the sod be kept holy, ]
Leo ]. Doyle, chairman OF the general re-
,eption committee Of the Irish Fellowship