The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1916-11-11

lieutenant, was one of the most dar-
ing. In history he will rank as "Ire-
lands Martyred Boy Scout" His
death, instead of quenching the pa
triotism of the youth Of Ireland has
only added to the fame.
Instructed by the Irish Press and
News Service-a service which has
managed successfully up to the pres
ent to elude the English censor-I Wis
tied the mother and young sister of
the dead boy scout, John j. Houston
l found them in their home, 20 Fon-
tenoy street, Dublin. Mrs. Hueston
is strong woman-strong mentally
and physically. She is tall and broad
shouldered with calm eyes, jet black
hair and a fresh color. A woman,
would say, who would take no impor.
tant step without mature considera.
ton. Her young daughter Teresa is
a sufferer from spinal complaint,
though able to go about. She is white
faced and delicate looking. Mrs.
Houston has two other children-one
boy, studying for the ministry, and
daughter a Dominican nun.
When Mrs. Houston learned that
came from New York, her fine eyes
lighted up with interest. The Irish
people have reason to love America"
she said. Americans are so big
hearted, but l don't know how they
hold out to all the calls on their SYM
pathy and charity. My dearest friends
and relatives live in Cantan, Massa-
chusetts."
reminded her that we were one
hundred millions strong and that
there were almost twenty millions of
the Drawn and sinew Of her kindred
settled in our great republic.
THAT is true" she said thought
fully, land the Irish fought in the
American Revolution and helped to
win your battles. The Irish in Ameri-
ca are a big unit now. They would
all fight for your flag to the finish,"
she added.
When Mrs. Houston spoke of the
rebels, her whole personality seemed
to change. Her calm eyes glowed
and her bearing became animated.
Il am glad lived to see the re-birth
of lreland's nationality. We baked
this time-but we shall win out in the
end-I feel that the end is not far
off. This government will never I'M
derstand the Irish people-will never
voluntarily give them even a status
of Home Rule-though let me add
WE DON'T WANT HOME RULE. We
shall never rest until this island is
formally recognized as republic. Our
men died fighting or who were shot
by the government have done more to
further freedom for Ireland than all
the parliamentary work of nearly half
a century"
"You believe then that only physical
force will free 1reland,"I asked
Nothing else will accomplish any
thing" she said with emphasis. when
my boy left me az Easter Monday
morning at ~ O'Clock he had my bless
ing, and yet both Tessie and realized
poignantly that We might never see
him again in life. He was our bread
winner, too" she added. But all con-
siderations were forgotten when Ire
land called him"
That is the wonderful and inspiring
thing about this Irish revolution-the
attitude of the wOmen-the composure
and pride they display when speaking
OF their dead. glanced from mother
to daughter-the same indomitable
spirit shOne in the eyes of both No
government could break that spirit.
1t might kill them physically, but that
flame, call it patriotism or soul, it
cannot kill
when the news came that the Re-
publican army held the city, said
Mrs. Houston, "it was the proudest
moment of my lfe-the tears came to
80! SySo nuI lACS "Clc LcdiS I'll Joy.
Tessie sat down and played on the
piano and sang A Nation Once Again
We were simply delirious with JOY.
Then we knelt down and prayed that
our boy might be spared. We knew
the danger he was in-Tessie wanted
to go to the Post Office and help the
girls there"
Our joy was short-lived," continued
Mrs. Houston, though nothing could
take from the glory of it. Ireland had
been proclaimed a republic Later,
when the news came that the Repub-
lican army had surrendered and that
my son had been taken prisoner-it
seemed as if a dark pail hung over
the city of Dublin and enveloped us
all. For days the machine guns
roared and the light from the burning
buildings lighted the sky. When the
military motor drove up to take me
to my boy, to see him for the last
time. | couldn't believe it. He was
prisoner, but they would never shoot
him, was my thought? He was only
lad-we would not lose him."
Then you knew that he was to die"
| said