The Portland daily press., 1885-02-14
1--WE THE DoUGHNUT A CHANCE
philadelphia Prese.)
When Evarts Unbends.

(New York Tribune,

(New York Tribune)
The election of William N. Eyarts TO the
U. S. Senate has been followed by many
tributes to him based upon different phases
of his long and distinguished career His
leadership of the American bar has been
dwelt upon. The number of celebrated
cases in which he has figured has been re-
counted. Attention has been called to his
services to the country as Attorney General
and Secretary of State. The full measure of
his devotion to the Republican party has
been portrayed. But there remains another
and most agreeable point of view from which
to observe the new Senator. The biogra-
pher of Thaddeus Stevens tells us that his
hero possessed in remarkable degree that
gdilldrd-that basis Of gaety-Ehich Car
lyle attributed to Mrabeau. The remark is
singulary applicable to Mr.. Eyarts. The
cleaning thread of gayety runs through the
warp and woof Of his life. No one enjoys
good stoIy more than he, even as no one
tells better one.
One of his professional brothers of the
metropolis who thoroughly appreciates Mr..
Evarts's gifts of wit and humor, saws: 81
am not sure but his choicest mot was uttered
at dinner which was given several years
ago in this city to Thomas Bayley Potter, a
member of the English House of Commons,
The Rev. Henry Potter was the host, while
among the guests we're number of other
well known members of the Potter family.
When it came Mr.. Evarts's turn to speak
he began about in this way: "When I re-
member that We are being entertained by
the Rev. Henry-Potter; that we were in
vited to meet Sir Thomas Bayley-Petter;
when observe at my right Clarkson N
Potter, and at By left the Rev. Eliphalet
Nott-Potter, am reminded of the young
country clergyman who was unexpectedly
summoned to supply city pulpit. The
church was so imposing and the congrega-
tion SO fashionable that when he arose to
make the opening inv cation he found him
self good deal Illustrated. The result was
that to the CONSERVATION of his hearers he
led off with the petetion: o Lord, help us
never to forget that Thou art the clay and
that we are the potters.o
One morning the elevator which carried
him up to his Office in the State Department.
contained an unusual number of strangers,
presumably applicants for ministerships or
consulships. Turning TO friend who ac-
companied him Mr.. Evarts whispered sThis
is the largest collection for foreign missions
| that Pve seen taken up for some time.''
A gentleman who listened to Mr.. Evarts
argue case before the Court of Appeals
few years ago, in recalling the circumstance,
observed: sit takes good deal to make
| that dignified court of last resort indulge in
a smile, but Mr.. Eyarts did it. He was
| pitted against some great corporation, and
in order to illustrate the quality of its mag
nanimity he said: why, If the Court
please, when think of the attitude taken
| by this road am reminded of the anecdote
| Of the Irish bailiff who wrote to the proprie-
tor of the estate who was travelling on the
Continent, "The tenantry are behaving very
badly, and have gone SO far as to threaten to
shoot me in case the rents are not reduced"
| And in answer to the bailiff the landlord
| promptly wrote: "Tell the tenants that the
| rents will not be reduced and impress it
| upon shem that no threats which they make
to shoot you will have the slightest influence
upon me-" I" believe the story is an old
one, but 1t became new in Mr.. Evarts's
hands. He told it with irresistible effect"
Another story illustrating the great law
| yer's quickness is a favorite in circles of
"applied finance" Not long since he stood
! with party of friends on the soil of Vir-
ginIa near the famous National Bridge.
| There was legend that once Oh a time
| George Washington threw silver dollar
| AAOAiA tn~ spAO-suA W TIC suEldCt VI lie BfkuR6
1t is big throw, 80 big in fact that some of
the tourists were inclined 10 disbelieve the
legend. Mr.. Evarts being appealed to for
his opinion instantly replied as he measured
the distance with a twinkling eye. swell,
we must not forget that dollar went good
deal further in Washington's day than it
does now"
In 1882 Mr. BEvaris was aguest of Brooklyn's
sons of New England at their annual dinner
| and made brilliant speech. In the course
of bis remarks he syly complimented the
Mayor of that city by commencing the
| Mayors fellow citizens for their obedience
| to Milton's admenition:
| What is Eoso raise and support.
| At another New England dinner, referring
| to the assertion that in the cabin of tie Nav
flower was composed the first written Con-
stitution of political State Mr.. Evarts set
| the table in roar by this comment "Now
| it is my duty to say in the truth of history
that that first meeting had something at
least of the notion of packed convention,
for nobody was allowed to go ashore until he
had signed the Constitution"
Edmond About left wife, eight children
and only a small fortune, although he was
supposed to be very rich. He often used to
| say that he was prouder of his well trained
| children than of anything else he would
! leave behind him.