Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-15

in Washington" said the editor, ''and
don't let's have any funny business about
it,
So the Observer went
Now you may think it is an easy thing
to learn why st. Patrick drove the
snakes out Of ireland. You doubtless
have a picture of n sort of sublimated
Ulster condition In the island. You
imagine st. Patrick as tall, bewhis-
kered gentleman with magnificent posi-
blities as militant suffragette. stalk
ing through the emerald country and
walloping snakes across the ears
wherever he met them.
!.
You are wrong. Dead wrong.
The first person to whom the Observer
talked was a Catholic lay priest; man
who knows politics and history and
about everything worth knowing.
What about these snake stories?
asked the Observer.
The priest glanced up and sighed.
That question, he said. has been
answered since the time when st. Pat
rick walked on earth. 1t was mytho-
logical story-one intended to teach les
son. People have come to realize that
in recent years. but it has taken them
What do you mean by mythological?
asked the Observer.
Let us consider" said the priest. The
snakes were sins. Greed ayarice, lynn,
represented by snakes. They had over
ridden Ireland The people of the coun-
try fought against each other They were
constantly at odds among themselves
Then came the influence Tor good st
Patrick. This influence. by love and
kindness. gradually wiped out the long
list of sins that had occurred. Where
the Irish We're fighting. terrorizing
race. they were taught the virtues of
kindness and love. were taught that
there are better things than the maltreat-
ment of ones feilow-m man. They learned
the value of industry. And through years
of oppression they lived up TO the stand
ards of st. Patrick in the face of odds
that would have discouraged all the peo-
pie of any country.
And Furthermore. they have been true
to their traditions. They have killed
snakes where they found them
The Observer asked a question.
DO you think he remarked, that all
the snakes are dead in ireland today
Not ALL replied the priest sadly.
But believe they are scarcer than they
were. And l am convinced that the
Irish today are doing more toward the
killing Of the snakes of evil-both in
thought and deed-that any other people
on this earth.
The Observer went away leaving the
good priest in meditation.
And walking down the street he came
upon one of the most successful Irish
men in Washington. This man is an
editor. He is also trained lawyer and
his name is mentioned with reverence
except at German sangerbunds, where
he isn't especially popular.
What about St Patrick and the
snakes asked the Observer. 1t was
crude way of putting the question. but
the politician never winked an eye.
Come to my office. said he. and
will tell you all about the snakes"
When the office was reached the Irish
man produced cigars, waved his hand to-
ward chair that looked as if it had
been manufactured by the grand in
quisitor himself, and began to talk
II believe the story of St Patrick and
the snakes" said he, .'as it was told to
me. / believe it, and l think other peo-
pie ought to believe 1t. 1t is lesson in
faith.
ST. Patrick came into Ireland when
the island was snake plagued. He
destroyed the snakes. Why theorize
further.
Now l come TO what l wanted to say
to you. 1t is the habit of men in these
sEeptical days to establish a sort of
profess. onal heresy. They want to kill
Santa Claus They want TO revise st.
Patrick It's all wrong, | tell You, all
wrong. Illusions and dreams are as
much test of our faith as good works. .
Then the Observer went into a place
that is sometimes known as a barroom
This is a low name for the place and
the place itself recognizes the fact by
advertising cafe. But that hasni
anything to do with the story
The man who manages the glasses is
something of an observer himself Wei
call him Bill Flanagan. although tina
isn't his name. He is ostentatiousl,
the charge, and so the Observer decided
that Celtic truth and temper might ado
something to the question Of snakes.
What about II, Bill?" said he
Bill Flanagan refiectively tipped tn,
foam off glass of beer. You should Sc,
MIN do this. There is an artistry abou
Bills dexterous turn of the glass tina
defies comparison
What snakes" he asked, absent
nindedly.
Why, St Patrick's snakes, reptile,
the Observer.
Never knew he had en-" said Bill
coldly.
He didn't" retorted the Observer. in
lie was man VINO ClaSei
them out of Ireland. He was the guy
as Shakespeare says, who put the ac-e
IN snakes. Surely you've heard of him?
Bunk. said Bill.
II IS nothing OF the kind retorted tn,
observer. 1T is an established fact-St
Patrick
Don't You try TO kid me-" urged Bill
lnopping AT the counter with a biliou
looking towel. Il know all about this 81
Patrick stuff 1t wasn't real snakes. A
a matter of fact. St Patrick was the frs
real prohibitionist
Al the time when ne was travelin
around in ireland hard drinking was
common thing. Lots of people dranl
And they used To go 10 the good st. Pat
rick and ask him what they could do
We've shot at EN-, they'd say an
we've tried to beat EN- to death wit
clubs. but it doesn't do any good The
Just keep coming back
- Il should worry. says st. Patrick
You've got to help US out saws tn
people.
Like thunder, l have says st. Pa,
rick. ri help you out when YOU 20
ready to help yourselves out Fiftv-fiy
or nothing says ST. Patrick.
Well says the people. what do 70
want US to do?
Burst them bottles you've got re
piled the good saint.
We'll, sir. you may not believe it, bu