Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-10-25

lDtlrOll fresS
Few pc ems have been more generally admired
Or parap hlaSed in the various tongues OF earth
than that commencing with the lines:
Mary had little lamb.
It's fleece was white as snow
Ard every where that Mary went
This lamb was sure to co.
Well the story Is now current, at the national
capital, that the distinguished Secretary OF State
when recently In a Jocular crowd OF his friends,
was desire 10 condenSe into prose these immortal
verses. Urgently solicited, Mr.. Evarts yielded,
and wrote as follows:
Mary, q female judged to be OF the race of man
whose family name Is unknown, whether OF
native or foreign birth, OF lofty or lowly lineage,
and Who appearance. manners and mental cult
Walton are involved in the most profound myS-
teIy, which probably Will never be fully aScer-
tSined unless through the most profound re-
searches OF historian admirably trained in his
profession, who shall devote the ableSt efforts OF
his LIE TO the investigation OF the subject unin-
i1uenced by either passion or prejudice, and hav-
Ing only i'll view the sacred truth, at the same
time being utterly regardless " the plaudits or
cenSureS or the world, We are informed by one
who, II has been stated at one time while living
In that part OF the United States OF America
known as Massachusetts,, whose fishermen have
frequently been involved In difficulties with the
authorities OF her Majesty Queen Victoria Queen
OF Great Britain and Empress or the Indies whose
domains extend over a large share of the habit
able globe thereby endangering the peace which
should so happily exist between nations OF the
same blood and language, had an infant sheep
OF which there are many millions, of various
stocks and qualities, now in our country. con-
Stdfltly audllS wealth. ana prosperity 10 our re-
public and enabling us TO be entirely indepen-
dent OF all other nations for our supply or wool
now ample for the use OF factories already bust
ly employed, and for those which ere long will
be constructed in all parts OF our land working
both by water and steam power and in what
ever direction the said Mary Travelled, this ami
NAL, whose fleece was snow white, even as the
LOFTY mountain regions in the silent solitudes of
eternal winter, as the ethereal vapOrS which oft
noat over an autumnal sky, ''darkly, deeply,
Deauuiully blue or as the tactical fufd covered
win masses OF delicate froth, found in the buck
ets OF the rosy dairymaid whether meandering
ChOugh The meadows In midsummer, gathering
ihe luscious strawberry, strolling in the wood
laIu paths In search OF wild flowers, visiting the
chufcn with her uncles, cousins and auntS to
listen 10 Int inspired words which came from the
ups OF the II mister OF the sanctuary or when re-
tlring to her bssful couch To seek rest and enjoy
sweet repose after the cares and labOrs of The
day; in fact, everywhere that Mary VENT this
youthful sheep, influenced, doubtless by that
affection which is oft so conSpicuouSly mani
tested by the lower animals In their association
with human beings, was ever observed to accom-
pany her.
II is stated that when the pause in the SEN
fence came, the Secretary, who had read 1t with
out inspiration, resumed his stOlid diplomatic
countenance, all mirthfulneSS had departed
from the faces OF that once happy company.