Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-06-22

the old family team 26 years old, which do
considerable service yet. Eight men are EN-
ployed on the farm during most OF the sea-
son. There is one meadow bordering on the
river that presents an unbroken level OF
green, of lS0 acres extent. The main part of
the farm adjoins the home premises.
While Vermont does not claim President
Hayes, Vice President Wheeler, and Secre-
tary of State Eyarts, as strictly vermont
eIs, yet il is rather singular coincidence
that the fathers of all three were natives OF
the Green Mountain State, and that the two
latter taught school, i'll their younger dnys,
within her borders.
Some fifteen or eight en years ago, when
Mr. Evarts' three Oldest daughters were less
than ten wears old, they had, as one source
of recreation and pleasure, pony, donkey,
and asmall two wheeled cart, in which they
drove through the streets of Windsor, much
to the envy of their playmates who had TO 60
afoot. Now this donkey was strictly or'ho-
dox in his pretentions, and as his stable was
in close proximity to the Baptist meeting
house, he would invariably show his ''inlth
by his braying" during divine service. MIR.
Evarts kept this donl much longer than
the good Baptist deaccn thought he ought to;
but as the Secretary Was devout Episcopa-
lian, and the ediiice standing in another part
heard, perhaps they lay up nothing against
the donkey for his praise of nature. How
ever. on your reporters return TO Windsor
both donkey and meeting house were miss
ing The little yellow cart is still retained by
the family. As for the meeting house,
which was Il large square built one OF brick,
with high-back box pews of puritanic stiff
ness, it was built and presented to the So
ciety more than fifty years ago. by General
Abner Forbes, but being somewhat dilapida-
ted, the society accepted liberal offer from
Mr. Evarts, some three years since, for the
land, and have built them n neat edihce on
Main street. As for tne donkey he has. like
the ..bummers" of the Republican Party,
''cone to the rear" Another "reminiscences
of the Evarts family, was called up, on our
being shown beautiful silk flag which stood
in one corner of the parlor in the mansion
where the Misses Evarts are keeping house.
1t is the flag that was presented by Miss Hat
tie Evarts, Just previous to the outbreak OF
the Rebellion, to the "N Nindsor Home
Guards" of which Wm. II. Forbes was their
Captain. Never was there prouder compa-
ny, as they marched with this fine American
banner, than the Guards. On the companys
dishanding, the flag was returned to the gen
erous donor.
Mrs. Secretary Evarts impresses one as the
type oi a nODie ana mat1oHly Noilihhoou.
Something over 80 years of age, she resem-
bles in her quiet dignity, in her unassuming
and social nature, the Presidents wife, al
though somewhat above the size of Mrs.
Hayes. In order to complete the picture OF
the lady that now stands second IN Washing
ton society, and in the hearts of the Ameri-
can people, it is necessary to say that her
silvercd haIr finely becomes n face to which
nature has given glow of health. and
complexion bordering on the brunette, and
which the care of dozen children-one
twin brother of Maxwell, having died young
has not made the less attractive.
The Secretary's New York City residence
is at the corner OF nth street and ID avenue.
1t is an old-fashioned double house, and is
furnished very handsomely. With wealth
refinement and national honor and distinc-
ton the Evarts' family have the true knick-
erbocker love of substantial comfort, and the
spirit Of real atistocracy of Olden time, rath
er than the ostentatious luxury aud "gilded
customs" OF many of the present day.
Secretary Evarts is now in his Goth year,
and time does not seem to have changed his
appearance to any appreciable degree in the
Ii years that have passed since first recol-
lertseeingh him. c.s.r.