Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 January 1918 — “Patsy” O’Brien Thrilled Lowell Audience Last Night [ARTICLE]

“Patsy” O’Brien Thrilled Lowell Audience Last Night

As modest “Patsy” O’Brien stepped from the wings of the Grand threatre at Lowell Friday evening he was greeted with absolute silence on the part of the audience —then there was a roar from the spectators and a clapping of hands that did not die down for several minutes. Pat weathered the storm of applause gracefully, choked down a lump that persisted in coming up in his throat and adjusted himself to tell his audience of his' seventy-two days’ experiences in dodging the Huns in their own country. And Pat told his story well—told it in a simple, impressive way which served to intensify the interest of the audience more than a like amount of oratory would have done. Up in the front row of the balcony sat “Pa” and “Ma” O’Brien and all the rest of the O’Briens. Not a word uttered by famous member of their household escaped them, as they sat there and admired the clean-cht, graceful youth. x Mr. O’Brien (he wants you to call him Pat) in a cleat, concise and well modulated voice told of his trials and tribulations from the time that he battled the German planes high above the earth until he climbed over the electrically charged fence into Holland and to freedom. Pat told how he swam rivers, dodged German guards, pillaged for food and how he spent the day time. He told of his many narow escapes from being recaptured and of the many disappointments with which he met while making his escape. Not a word of his narrative escaped his audience, and when he finally concluded his lecture the audience asked for more. We are unable to give the aviator’s story word for,word today, but will do so in the Monday issue and feel sure that our subscribers will find it an interesting tale. The opera house was crowded and there was not one of the eight-hun-dred seats vacant. Many were unable to get into the building, and had to be content to wait outside to get a glimpse of the famous youth. It.is not certain as yet as to just when Mr. O’Brien will appear in this city, but it will be in the very near future.