River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-09-29

two her general health has been re-
markably good. Monday evening the
only dispatch reached the Salon Office
at $50 O'Clock, and was Immediately
delivered. 1t was;
ELBERoS, Sept. 49,
hrs. Elisa Garfield.
After the no ii bulletin, of the presi-
dents condition, there has been no ag-
gravation of symptoms. Since the noon
bulletin he slept most of the time,
coughing but little, with more ease.
The sputa continues unchanged. A
sufficient amount of nourishment has
been taken and retained. Temperature
9s.4, pulse 102, respiration Is.
tSigned1 Bliss,
HAMILTON,
AGNEw.
During all these days since July I'd
the mother of the president remained
hopeful. She had faith her noble son
would be spared to serve his country
and comfort her declining years. Mrs.
Larabee, who is sister, on the con-
trary has had feelings of discourage
ment and fear from the first. Even ON
| the day when he left Mentor she says
| her mind was filled with vague fore
boding she could not drive away. As
| Garfield went about his farm giving
| things farewell look she felt a pre-
sentiment that it was long goodbye.
The fact of this telegram was reassur-
ing however, and Mrs. Garfield with
a feeling of quite eheerfulness during
the day had been constantly busying
herself about the house. Mrs. Larabee
besought her not to go about the
days work. Mother" she said,
"you will only worry YOURSELF
/ ooh, no." replied the old lady, ''if
am actually tired / shall be able to
| sleep better" Her exhaustion oecas-
Toned by lack of rest for two nights pre-
vious induced sleep which members
of the family say exceeded in lenght
any previous sleep of the old lady. AT
five o'clock Tuesday morning the vii
lage bells tolled At six O'Clock the
following telegram came:
ELBERoN, N. J. Sept. 10.
To Mrs. Eliza Garfield:
James died this evening. At 1886
he calmly breathed his life away.
| (Signed.) d. G. SWAIN.
Mrs. Larabee's first thought was Of
her mother. The latter was sleeping
calmly and they did not awake her
Not until o'clock did the old lady
awake, having slept since II p. m. Al
that hour she passed her door with
heavy heart found her up and dress
ed, reading the bible. 1t was thought
best not to break the news until Mrs
Garfield had taken breakfast. Odly
enough the old lady did not insist or
hearing news until she had finished
eating. Then taking the fatal tele
gram from the shelf, she was about tC
read, but Mrs. Ellen took it from hei
trembling hands. Grandma" she
said, "would you be surprised to get
bad news this morning| "Why,
don't know" said Mrs. Garfield
"Well | shouldn't" said Mrs. Larabee
II have been fearing and expecting it al
morning" Grandma" said Ellen
"there is bad news!' '1s
he dead ?" asked the old lady
"He IS" The quick tears started in the
sensitive eyes; there was a violent par
oxysm of grief No expression of fren.
~ told of the anguish within. us i
true? 2" she asked, with quivering lips
''Then the Lord help me; for if he il
dead what shall do" She was rem
dered weak and little nervous by the
announcement, and was obliged once
or twice to repair to her room, where
in solicitude she might begin to com
prehend the awful truth, but she wa'
not contented to remain there anC
soon returned to the sitting room. A.
about $50 o'clock Mrs. Garfield was
found sitting in the rocking chair
waiting for news. The morning
paper she read with eagerness. II
cannot be that James is dead" sht
murmured, 81 cannot understand it;
have no further wish to live, and | can
not live lift is" Although her genera
health is good at present, many fea
her words are prophetic. Mrs. Lara
bee dares not hope otherwise herself
but feeling keenly as she does her grea
affiiction, never once has she limited a
lack of faith in the Supreme One
that all is not intended for the best
ssIt 10 prov idontial, f,-r,aly bolio~'
that God knows best, and | must no
mu1mur."