davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-13

a~ry. From ocean to ocean for nearly
. year the sons and daughters of St
Patrick have been reused by the battle
cry of Back to old Erinr' Wherever an
Irish heart could be found that beat a
bit faster at the sight of a shamrock or
the strains of The Wearin' of the
Green, there the association has sent ito
clarion call Of welcome back to the ou,d
country" And. its officers say. an arnv
of lads and colleens, some $4,000 strong
has responded.
That Ireland will be invaded by such
patriotic array is due chiefly to the
efforts of Washington man, Francis +
Kilkenny. secretary to the controller of
the currency in the Treasury Depart i.
ment.
he Is the broth of boy who will
lead the way-and he has well earned
ms place In the van of this great caval-
cade. Almost single handed he has suc
ceeded In arousing a nationwide interes,
in his Back to Ireland protect-with-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-13

piicant after applicant listened to the
outline of the enthusiasts work but
on learning that about rs per cent OF
the school day must be spent in the
open they decided not to take the
job"
Those who have taken hold of the
work. however are just as satisfied that
1t Is vast improvement over the old
method as Is the inventor of the system.
and enter upon their duties with enjoy
ment. 1t is doubtful which are more ex-
uberant advocates Of outdoor education
the hearty. happy children or their in
terested teachers.
The pupils at Miss Mills school are
as different from the students at IN.
door schools as can well be imagined.
Basking in the winter sunshine, breath
ing and playing in the exhilarating win
ter atmosphere under proper supervision,
has in this case been followed with I'M
alleged success
Miss Mills is bound to create attention.
Visitors, who find their way to Mount
Airy from all points, declare after their
tour OF inspection that she has hit the
right track" She has solved a tough
problem in giving children an education
and at the same time preserving and bet
tering their health.
The progress of the little ones is far
more rapid than that Of children in our
indoor schools. The youngsters like the
system so well that their quickened
minds greedily absorb all that is taught
them.
1t is a boast of the founder OF the
school that her children are at least a
year In advance OF pupils of the same
age In other educational institutions
The superintendent of various school
systems are investigating the new idea.
and. while the innovation is too radical
to become general, II is believed that
the educators who have seen the cold
air children work will adopt modified
plan CT Miss Mills idea
II good results follow the modification
1t Is probable that in the near future
many of our public school children will
have experiences similar to the Mills
students.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-13

were but a few feet away from heated
stove.
lar garments while instructing and the
class goes through it's lessons in
geography. spelling, etc. with a vigor
never seen in ordinary schools.
Here is an example of the routine
work of a pupil In the Fresh Air School,
S:45-Report at teachers desk. Take of
wraps. Devotional exercises.
to 9:30-Devoted to dressing the
children in the cold weather gar
ments. Each childs accoutrement is
carefully inspected by Miss Mills or
one of her assistants. Little hands
pushed into the warm fieece-lined
mittens, the canvas bag adjusted and
each youngster helped to his place at
the bench In the schoolyard.
9:30 to 9:.o-Reading and spelling
and blackboard instruction in the
schoolroom. with every window flung
wide open.
$50 to 1o:o5-Recess Off with the
warmer and a romp in the open
bungalow in the rear Of the yard
1905 to IL and IL to 11:3O-More
study periods and then home for dinner.
The afternoon session is similarly di-
vided.
If rosy checked, spirited children be
regarded as proof that Miss Mills
new thought school is beneficial then
the idea is great success. The young
sters are all remarkable examples of
energy. quick witted and bright eyed
To punish them rods are needed
The teacher has but to hint that "all
lessons will be taught indoors today
and there Is howl of remonstrance
and instant order" To withhold from
the pupils the romp in the cold bunga-
low is regarded the. severest of disci-
pline.
Experiments of this sort have been
tried frequently Tor the sick and ailing.
but never before for the strong and
healthy, and If any SkepticiSm as to
the wisdom of Miss Mills plan exists
in the minds Of the parents of the
children who attend. a visit to the
school soon dissipates it
Miss Mills for a long time found it
hard work to secure assistants. APP
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-13

i FOR boys and girls now being
conducted successfully in Mount
Airy, Pa, by an enthusiastic fresh-ajr
advocate of that locality
DO not be mistaken. The school is
not anything like fresh-air schools that
have been started before 1t is not a
hospital tent, place for sick children,
not a new tangled method of treating
incipient tuberculosis or a fad, born In
q fanciful womans brain that is apt to
die out at any moment, but an up-to-date
well appointed place of instruction where
live, able-bodied boys and girls are taught
the traditional three RS and the rest of a
primary schools curriculum
Catch cold? Not a bit OF it. Every
youngster Is stuck feet first in WOODEN
lined canvas bag fitted with a strong
drawing string that fastens tight at the
waist and keeps old winters frozen
breath from nipping the tender legs. Ear
tabs. stout jackets. warm muftiers and
soft mittens further protect the full
blooded little bodies and thoroughly dis
courage any premeditated attacks of la
grippe and his active brother. pneumonia.
When Miss Ellen Stanney Mills first
started the outdoor school, she was met
with a storm of opposition. Parents In
the neighporhood said she was crazy and
would not permit their little ones to at
tend.
But Miss Mills felt reasonably sure Of
herself and went right ahead.
She figured that II Gods fresh air and
sunshine We're good for poor anenic con-
sumptives and had the power to snatch
almost from the graves brink so many OF
the unfortunate victims Of the dread
white plague, an extra draught or so
drawn into the lungs Of healthy, growing
boys should be of inestimable value as
well. why wait for the tuberculosis
germ to enter the lungs and start work
before becoming disciple Of the fresh
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-13
THE DARING SCHEME OF PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL TEACHER

air theory" she reasoned. IF oxygen
is good after the disease has taken hold
it's better before. No one ever con
tracted consumption outdoors
With arguments like these the woman
pounded at the doubling ears Of the few
who would listen to her and finally a
year or two ago started her first class.
That class has grown so remarkably
that five assistants are now needed 10
help her instruct the big gathering OF
Riddles she has in charge. Miss
Mills school is the only one in the en-
tire world that has on its roll none but
absolutely healthy perfectly normal chill
dren.
At first the sight Of fourscore or more
youngsters calmly seated. ensconsed In
their clumsy Eskina-Iike garments on
benches before the little school house
on Boyer street, created lots of excite
ment in the quiet neighborhood, particu-
larly when the mercury in the ther-
mometer took rapid downward course
and registered somewhere near the zero
mari.
Several times passersby with oversus
ceptibe nerves muttered threats to in
form the Society to Prevent Children
from Cruelty and force that misguided
teacher to bring those little dears In by
the fire." but nothing ever came of them
Miss Mills went right ahead, turned up
her collar when "A furry of snow fell
and stuck TO her theory.
Once a physician. moved by profess
sional curiosity. looked in on the rosy
checked class az they pored over their
books on the snow-covered lawn.
Great" was his verdict after look
at the bright-eyed throng: ought to be
more such schools We would have
fewer bad colds to contend with
And SO the school has grown in popu-
larity. Mothers who send their children
10 Miss Mills tell their neighbors that
IInb hos bod nnl a a
or Ruth doesn't konw what sore
throat is this year and more converts
are made to the fresh air theory on the
spot.
Take a peep into the school yard any
morning. You wiz find q most aston
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-13

r OVAL Irish Americans
l. Will Make Pilgrimage
to the "Ould Sod" This Year
Any Time Between May and
October A Shamrock Or
ganization That Has Grown
Into a Nationwide Move
ment Solely From Patriotic
Motives-Francis ]. Kilken-
ny. Who Conceived the Idea
a Year Ago, Is a Resident of
Washington = Sixteen Years
Ago He Landed in New
York, an Irish Lad With a
Carpetbag = Today He Is
Secretary to the Controller
of the Currency.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-13

of which duty made a profound impress
sion on the emotional nature Of the young
man that will remain with him always.
Alert to the educational advantages OF
washington he entered the Georgetown
University Law School and successfully
completed the course He has since on
several occasions been given the opportu-
nifty of using the legal knowledge there
gained gained in bel, behaE Of friends across the
always Mr.. Kilkenny has made friends
couple OF years ago when he was in
Jured In an automobile accident he was
almost buried under an avalanche OF
letters. messages and Inquiries from
friends in all parts of the United states.
through all the vicissitudes that be-
set him as a soldier of fortune in the
states Mr. kifkenny's thoughts have ever
reverted to the land OF his birth for no
true Irishman ever forgets the "ould
SOD True American though he Is, he is
sun and always will be a true Irishman.
All the success I have ever had" he
says. Il owe to the fact that l am Irish."
4
In 1901 he made his first visit back to
see the old folks and to renew the ties
OF his youth. Again in 1907 he crossed
the seas and another vacation was spent
IN the familiar haunts Of his childhood.
me years that he had lived away from
Ireland-those years filed with their
great, broadening influence-opened his
eyes to two things-first, to the COM
peliingly attractive features Of Ireland
from the tourists standpoint, to its rare.
natural beauty. to the charm OF its I'M
explored by-paths; secondly, to the fact
that ireland was thirsting for the infu-
sion OF new blood, new interests. new
stimulation; that Ireland was ripe for
the impregnation of the germ of Ameri-
can progress. Then the big idea that has
since been sent throughout the United
States, Canada. Alaska. Australia and
the continent came to him. Make Ire
land realize her own beauties and oppor-
tunlties. Give her the needed impetus
to rise from the mire of her own bogs,
w ny not nave one grand and glorious
homecoming in the year of 1910,
so, In charming little booklet, he
sounded the clarion note that has encir-
cled the globe. He said in part:
What grand spectacle would be
presented If during the summer of 1910
the scattered wanderers from their native
heath should return to the 'ould sod
gather around the hearthstone; smoke
with their kith and kin the pipe of con-
tentment; tell stories OF their happy
childhood and promising manhood. and
repeat again the fairy stories which, in
their younger days, stirred their magma
ton. Who can measure the possible
good resultant from such reunion :?
Ireland. already awakened from her leth-
argy. would be stirred to new endeavor
and inspired by words of encoura cement
The work of achieving and pursuing
would take on a new impetus The
success of the homegoing rests with indi-
viduals What Wanderer in the farthest
corner of the earth Will be unmindful
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-13

out even possibility of pecuniary benefit
to himself
In fact. there will be no remuneration
for a single member Of the association,
treadng the soil OF the Emerald Isle and
arousing it's inmates to a realization OF
the vast Industrial possibilities around
them when properly developed. As an
movement is not personally con-
ducted' tour. nor an excursion with q
headquarters for the purchase of tickets
and the mapping out of the route The
by any route he pleases and any time
between May and October. AS In the
successful home comings" in number
of cities of the United States the past
details for themselves. Once there. how
ever, Ireland will welcome them with
open arms
The inception and development Of this
romantic movement fell into capable
hands when Francis j. Kilkenny, a
Raphael faced young Irishman OF but
thirty summers. took it up. His very
"Of All the Towns In Ireland, It's XII
kenny for Me-" And is he Irish? Faith,
and he is ''All the success i have ever
had he says. says he, II owe to the
TACT IQdt 1 ain 1TlSIl.
Born on the ould Sod" he spent the
first fifteen or sixteen years of his life
in the county of Leitrim, fully expect
ing to continue in the peaceful paths Of
his ancestors marketing turf and pursu
ing the even, uneventful life of an Irish
farmer. Fate. however. put in her little
car and ruled otherwise. AS Mr. Kill
kenny himself rather cleverly expresses
it: II was brought up to follow the
pillow. Instead l followed the American
flag"
And all this came about through the i'll
ness of his eldest brother. for whom a
trip to the states had been planned by
some relatives In Chicago, who were en-
thusiastic over the wonders and oppor-
tunities of this country. Francis. though
named for his father, was the second son
of the House of Kilkenny. Accordingly
he was to remain at home and shoulder
the responsibilities that would naturally
fall on him in his brothers absence.
But when the passage money arrived
the eldest brothers health prevented his
using it. So. as in the case of Jacob of
old Francis, the second son, received mis-
brothers birthright, for he was strong
and hardy, and filled with the spirit of
adventure.
Therefore, on the morning Of the 4th of
July, about sixteen years ago. in Mr..
kilkenny's own words: AN Irish lad
with a carpetbag in his hand and as
green as the shamrock of his own dear
land arrived in New York city Now
New York, be 1t known. was ting
approved, hilarious. noisy New York fash
ion, and the young Irish lad" with but
little knowledge of the significance of the
day in the annals Of our history, looked
upon the demonstration as having been
particularly planned for his benefit, and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-13
HE TWNR Kn1zENNY
LOOKING. FRQM CASTLE

Charles G. Dawes, then chairman of the
republican headquarters located in Chi
cage, knocked at his door. For some time
previous Mr.. Dawes had been fire.
quenter Of the Union League Club and
had taken a noticeable interest in the
boy. who by little courtesies had shown
Mr.. Dawes that he thoroughly appreciated
his friendliness.
on young Kilkenny went with Mr..
Dawes as confidential clerk. Unschooled
and inexperienced though he was, he
made an enviable record for himself.
His wit, his courtesy, his honesty and
his ability to guard well the affairs OF
his employer stood him in good stead.
Naturally, in his position. doors
through which he might never have
entered were opened to him. When the
decisive question OF the presidency had
of the guests at the large dinner given
by Mr.. Dawes in honor OF President
elect William Mckinley. And later. In
a private car, surrounded by every luz
guests Of Mr.. Dawes, he made that
er-to-be-forgotten trip to WASH
ington to see with his own eyes the
great inaugural ceremony.
There, at the side of his friend and
patron, the man who had been his
fairy godfather. he spent wonderful
week, the biggest feature of which was
his presence at the inaugural ball. And
surely it was big step In such short
time-that from q lad in Ireland, lead
ing his donkey with it's load of turf
to market, to young man in approved
evening dress, standing in what SEEM
ed to be an enchanted fairy palace.
laughing and shaking hands with gov
ernors statesmen and diplomats.
4
In 1898 he again came to Washington
as secretary to Mr.. Dawes, who was
then the newly appointed controller o;
the currency In the Treasury Depart
ment. But the Spanish war was in
progress. and the call to arms thrilled
the blood OF this youth of the Shamrock
Isle. America had treated him royalty.
She was now his adopted mother. IN
some way he wanted to reciprocatei So.
as clerical assistant to a captain Of mill
tia. he went to Jacksonville Fla, where
But his career with the army was des
tined to be short. The intense summer
heat brought on a fever and he was
obliged to return to Chicago to regain
his health.
In 1900 he was again reinstated in the
Treasury Department, where he Is at the
present time, having served under three
different controlers-Messrs. Dawes.
Ridgley and Murray. Former Secretary
Shaw before leaving the Treasury. pre-
scented Mr.. Kilkenny with his photograph
on which he had written: 1.-The only
thoroughbred Irishman in the Treasury
Department"
In 1900 he was among those chosen to
accompany the remains of the martyred
William Mckinley on their sad journey
back to Canton, Ohio, the performance
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-13

competent auditing committee. composed
of Francis and his aunt. AT first 1t was
found that the boys ignorance Of Amer
lean currency had been imposed upon. as
Canadian money and three-cent pieces
were frequently discovered In his little
bag. After a few such experiences. how
ever. people so inclined learned to their
modification that 1t was dffcult to hood
wink the shrewd young Irishman. Grass
cutting soon proved healthful and llicra-
tive pursuit. for some days as much as S
was cleared. Besides, when Chicago lived
up to its reputation. the high wind re-
leved the lad OF the task OF raking OF
the cut grass.
That September young Kilkenny entered
the preparatory school at Notre Dame.
Indiana, where he remained for two
years. This, with previous two-year
study in Ireland and a later three-year
law course at Georgetown University, is
practically all the schooling, strictly
speaking. he ever received. In the spring
and summer, during his years at Notre
Dame. he again succumbed to the lure of
cutting grass. Yet, at its best, the grass
cutting season was short, so, after leav-
ing school. 1t behooved him to find per-
manent employment. Though he did not
discount the advantages of Immediately
rising to the top. he found it necessary
minor position was offered him In the
Union League Club of Chicago-where he
was to work from $50 in the morning
until midnight, with but occasional shifts,
and for which he was to receive the mlI-
nif1cent sum of s. a week and board, aug
mented by certain ttps-he accepted it
with alacrity.
For two years he remained there, first
in the capacity of a bellboy and then as
cloakroom boy, making it point to live
up to the text laid down for him by one
of the first friends he had made in Amer
lea. Francis his old friend had said
to him, remember that honesty and
civility cost little, but they buy much"
And honest and civil he was Besides
with his Irish blue eyes, his heavy, wavy
blue-black hair, his rosy cheeks and rug
ged frame-not forgetting a decidedly
pleasing brOgue-he possessed an indi-
viduality entirely distinct from that of
the other bellboys. And as the service
he gave did not depend upon the size of
the tip received, he soon outclassed the
manager, but with the guests as well.
At the Union League Club, the social
rendezvous Of many of Chicago's most
prominent men, he made friends whose
influence and friendship have since meant
everything to him. Many offers to leave
the club for better employment In other
establishments came to him, but, with
considerable foresight. he stayed on until
the time seemed ripe for a change
Finally In 1896, when the country was
astir over the memorable McKinley-Bryan
campaign, opportunity in the guise of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-13

IFTY THOUSAND
Irishmen from all
over the world are
going back to the
ould sod" this year,
some time between
May and October,
unless the plans Of
the Irish Home-go-
Ing Association and
its patriotic presi-
dent. Francis ].
Kilkenny. go sadly
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-13
A DONEGAL WCrNN AT. fERsME.EL

vaguely wondered if such royal well
come was accorded all emigrants
X
That night. much elated over the new
lands hospitality. he proceeded to the
home of his friends in Chicago. There,
for few days, he was content to visit
and spend his time in sightseeing and
becoming familiar with the streets around
his aunt's house. But soon the spirit OF
independence that he had imbued on
reaching America began to fill his veins
with a restless fever, and he longed for
something to do to while away the days
before school began.
One morning his uncle provided MN
with bright new sickle and lawnmower
and suggested that he cut the grass IN
the yard He did this SO well that his
uncle was most lavish in his praise
Shortly afterward he saw man push
ing lawnmower down the street. A
great idea came to him-evidently grass
Cutting was one OF the professions Of the
Windy City. His uncle had testified to
his ability-he had the necessary tools
why not adopt it? He did!
The next day he started out with plans
carefully laid for successful grass
cutting campaign. With a small notebook
in hand, and leaving his bulky equipment
at the gate he would walk up to the
front door OF even the most imposing
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
pealing to him-and put his question to
the one answering his ring: Mr.. Cor
Madam. as the case might be-. do you
want your grass cut. please? Ii the
reply were in the affirmative. he would
glance over the grass. and give an esti-
mate of the cost based on the scale OF
10 cents for a small plot. Then, me-
thodically writing down the name, address
and price to be paid. and with a promise
to return in the afternoon and complete
the contract he would go on to the next
house Thus, the mornings were spe9t in
getting orders. the afternoons in filling
them.
On one occasion a prospective customer
instead OF giving affirmative or neg
ative answer to the usual question. said:
60 round the back way" But it proved
easier said than done. For Francis, on
going through the alley could see no
means of entrance, as the yard was sur
rounded by a high fence and the gate
locked on the inside. Finally, undaunted,
he started to scale the. fence and was
half way over when the man. who had
gone through the house to the yard, called
to him: How long have you been over?
Young Kilkenny, whose eyes tWlnkled,
answered the inquiry literally, in blissful
ignorance of the mans reference to the
length of time he had been In America.
"Begorra." he said. I'm not over YETI
later. when the grass had been satisfac-
torily cut, paid him So more as com.
pensation for the unintentiOnal wit rather
than for the work done.
At night the accounts of the profess
sional grass cutter were gone over by
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-13

ofHING more thoroughly back
TO nature" can be imagined
than Is the new outdoor school
Tor boys and girls now being
cOnNnnfed S1rcnocrfn1I.. L. A..
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-13

vaguely wondered if such royal We
come was accorded all emigrants