The Washington times., 1922-08-26
BY HAYDEN TALBOT.
CHAPTER 2.

copyright. 1912. by New York Americana J.
The first of the written ques-
tions l submitted to Collins dealt
with his family and himself. They
were last to be answered. But
inasmuch as there are more
legends about this young man
in and out of Ireland-than are
told even of their mythical figures
of ancient times it is as well per-
h1ps, to begin this story with the
biographical data, he finally re-
luctantly, vouchsafed.
First, however, as explanation
of the conditions existing at the
time he told me this part of the
tale.
Seldom at Meetings.
It was a rainy night, early in
August, 1922. Collins. as com
mander-in-chief of the national
troops, had been devoting almost
all of his time to conducting mill
tary operations against the rebels
At the provisional government head
quarters he had been scarcely seen.
During the first week Of the fight.
ing in Dublin he had appointed Liam
ministers, to act as temporary chair.
man. He had attended none of the
cabinet meetings. To all intents
and purposes, so far as his asso-
ciates in the government were con-
cerned he was once again "on the
run" every night found him in
different bed.
Man Hard to Find.
10,
Portobello Barracks, but almost daily
there were reports of his having
appeared-always uneXpectedly-Tln
towns in every part of southern
Ireland.
Wherefore, It was without toe
much hope Of even seeing him that
! made the journey from London IL
Dublin TO try to obtain the intor-
nation from him that | still lacked.
His secretary increased my gloom
when l called and asked If he Coull
arrange an appointment for me.
Then, the morning of the fourth
day, came a message that Collins
would see me at 1870 that evening.
/ was to learn the meeting place
later by telephone. 1t was evident
that Collins was taking no unnects'
sary chances.
At the appointed place l found
I had to wait an hour before Col.
lins could see me. He was on
hand, right enough. / had guessed
that much when had seen at
the curb outside the building
a sporty, low-hung racing car with
a chauffeur and recognized two OF
Collins best gunmen on the back
scat. But Collins was Closeted with
Cosgrave, arranging the last de-
trils of Cosgrove's running the
60 overnment for a period of at least
two months.
This. then. was Collins own esti.
mate of the time II would take him
to establish law and order in every
square mile of the twenty.six Soun.
ties" To do II he was planning
to quit Dublin and spend all Of his
time in the fighting zones.
Starts Life Story.
At length he came striding in,
fine figure of soldier in his gen
erals uniform of green, over his arm
a great coat, beneath the folds of
which I caught a glimpse Of huge
service revolver protruding from his
leg holster.
He wasted no time in preliminaries,
hut seated himself opposite me at
the long table and ordered me to
"fire away"
II only took a minute to persuade
him to do what Ne had previously
refused to do, and this is the tale he
told me:
az was born in 1890 on farm
In Woodflcld, Clonaklty, County
Cork. The Irish name of the place
ard the name 1t is still known by
IA pronounced Paul Veug. I was
the youngest of eight children.
with two brothers and five sisters
in.the home. , o-v
farmer. He was born in 1873
and lived a bachelor until in his
eixty-third year. Then he married
INV mother, who was forty years
Younger than he. When I was born
INV father was seventy.five years
~ age. NV mother outlived my
father by ten years. He died In
Tracing His Ancestors.
"All my life I lived in childish
wonder of my father. Although I
was a lad Of seven when he died,
~ had already inspired me with
,r.r,,cit faith in his goodness. his
strength, his infallibllity.
con my fathers side there are
reoords OF ancestors back $50 years,
when they were Chieftains OF the
tribes OF Munster. Part Of their
slogan runs like this:
UMultitudinous in their gather
tnr. a great host with whom II Is
not fortunate to contend-the lat,
lie trooped host of the O'Collealn.
"T was a reverential kid. Rev.
erence was not only instilled into
me by my father, it seemed a
natural trait. Great age held
something for me that was awe
some. I was much fonder of the
old people in the darkness than I
WAS of young people. It's Al night
you're able to get the value of cid
people. And II was listening 10
ihet old people that ! got my ideas
ms Irish nationality.
"In he matter of schooling
had the education OF the ordinary
| farmers son in lreland-a kind