Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-28
WHERE Is STAR MARY?
HAS NOT BEEN SEEN FOR SEW
7 ERAL WEEKS M II.
Born in Ireland, She Has Become Quite
a Figure in the National
Capital.

Where Is Star Mary?" This has been
the question on many lips in recent weeks.
She is an object of interest, and, to some
degree, would be an enigma, if it were pos
sible, by any stretch of Imagination, to con-
rect her with youth moderately joyous
and somewhat sheltered from the storms
of life, but 1t Is difficult for either the citi-
zen of Washington or the stranger within
its gates to believe that this aged, weather
beaten woman ever was girl. In this
respect she resembles her faded print gown
and rusty straw hat, which, while they look
as if they had never been new, are, to all
appearances, the identical garments that
she wore twenty years ago. Besides. those
who could describe her as she was half
century ago, II visible. are on the other side
of the Atlantic, and IL no longer visible 1t Is
the Gould sod" that hides them from view.
To those who from childhood to middle age
have resided in Washington she Is simply
Star Mary''-a landmark as well defined
as the White House, anu, n the ability to
''go on forever" as stable as the Capitol.
"Star Mary was born in Ireland. Her
childhood was surrounded with religious
Influences, and to this day, in spite of count
less lapses, such as fits of temper and the
use of language often more than moderately
picturesque, she clings to the faith of her
fathers, and is by no means ignorant of
their ancient tongue. The late Henry l..
many years translator for the State De-
partment, once addressed Mary in Gaelic
and was agreeable surprised at her quick
reply in the same language. To his inquiry
as to where she had learned it, she answer
ed: "At Sunday school in the ould coun-
thry.''
Mary has been. both wife and mother, but
at one time had domestic difficulties so
great that she determined. in spite of the
opposition to divorce, maintained by her
faith, to invoke the aid of the law in order
to regain her freedom. She sought to retain
as her attorney grandson of one of the
founders of WashingtcN-a well-knOwn So
ciety bachelor. whose Income from his
practice and his inherited wealth were such
that he could and always did decline divorce
cases. He persuaded Mary. for the sake
of the children to, abandon her intention
for little while longer Within that little
while Marys husband died. and the genial
lawyer himself was laid,fo5r rest In his fam
lily tomb at Oak HillausBot Mary lives on,
and for many years her heart has been cru
ely wrung and her finances heavily drawn
upon by further family osOsrows. The last
time she purchased Der afternoon supply
of papers she looked very feeble. and for
several weeks has beend believed to be i'll,
but it is understood that. by reason of her
lifelong frugality, she is sx " no danger OF
want.
ouaintances two young newspaper men, on
whom she bestowed the 5psppellations of
"Mr. john and Mr.. Frank. probably be-
cause those were not hhsir names ,s, During
men contemplated raising company, and
Mary begged to be p2rrnitted to go with
them to the 'front.' promising that she
would carry carry wat, Watheg foE the nnyes as
said one. this company YIN be organised
to fight" 'Sure. an, Its nesilf that can
foight better than aither. of yees," was
Marys reply and those who have seen her
smaller newsvenders have never needed the