Need Help Identifying

Message transcribed:

To Mary Roark
The world is brighter for women fair,
For the tender eyes and the flowing hair,
With it's glory vane;
For the ripe-red lips that can smile and sing;
For the touch of grace on each lowliest thing,
Like the breath of spring.

Lafayette Christmas 1878 E. C. A.

I would like to know who Mary Roark and E. C. A. were and what their relationship was. The first person to provide me with enough data (that will be posted with this little card) to me to satisfy my curiosity will receive the picture/card.

The card measures 31/2 X 2 and is basically a generic card marketed for that time period. There are no other markings and the image is quite faded but the writing on the back is in good condition. It came into my possession when my mother purchased a box of quart canning jars at a yard sale, this picture was hidden beneath the flaps in the bottom of the box. I think she said the yard sale was of a person who bought what was left over at auctions and sold them in yard sales.

Hurry, the first person who satisfies the curiosity gets the prize.

e-mail your story to me at sheltashrum@netscape.net Subject: Roark Card.