The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-07-20
In the Sick Chamber.
MRS. GARFIELD PROVES HERSELF 4 RE
MARKAHLE WOMAN.

The New York Commercial .adpa-
tiser's " ishington special of ycstcr-
day says "Up to this time no yisi-
tors to the sick chamber have been
allowed outside the doctors and
nurses, wi; 1 the exception of Mrs.
Garfield. She, poor lady, would
never leave the bedside Of her dear
husband ii she had her own way.
but her own health needs careful
watching, and her visits are arbitra-
rily restricted by the doctors. When
she appears by the Presidents couch
he at once lights up as if by in
stinct, and then the desire to talk is
strong upon him, but it is speedily
checked by the doctor, who finds in
Mrs. Garfield a most trustworthy
and constant assistant IN the disci-
pline of the sick chamber. | had
an opportunity to speak a few words
with one of the doctors yesterday.
and asked him if the visits Of Mrs.
Garfield did not tend to.excite and
agitate the President.
"By no means was the reply.
"They seem to have the most sooth
ing influence on him. He always
wants to talk, but she chides him
gently by one sweet look ard slight
pressure Of the hand, aud then he
smiles, Just mods his head, and is
apparently contented. But he keeps
his eyes fixed upon her with loving
tenderness, and. scarcely removes
them while she is with him. inev-
er witnessed more noble conduct
than | have seen in Mrs. Garfield
during this sore trial. There seems
to me to be u singular subtle
bond of sympathetic union between
this husband and wife. 1t is life
bound up in life. The one rallies
and improves apparently for the
sake and under the magnetic inilu-
ence of the other. If Mrs. Garfield
was absent | think there would be
far less chance than there is of the
Presidents recovery. Should the
fatal result ensue after all, which |
believe now will rot be the case, |
should tremble for Mrs. Garfeld's
life, yet she has such remarkable
qualaties that l have no doubt that
under the heaviest aflliction that
could befall her her brave heart
would enable her to bear up if she
thought it her duty to others to sub
due her grief and live. She is IN
deed model woman"
Secretary Blaine is kept busy, but
does not finch from the post of du-
ty for an instant. He has won many
friends by his manly and patriotic
course in rebuking the spirit of fac
ton and Indignantly denying sensa-
tional rumors. He is a daily visitor
at the ce-President's rooms. and
speaks in the highest terms of Gen.
Arthur's excellent qualities. The
close and friendly communication
between these two high officials can
not fail to be productive Of good.
Jimmie Garfield was present in
the Secretary's room last night, and
seemed more cheerful than ever.
81 peeped into the sick room to-
day," he said, ''where they were
dressing fathers wound, but could
not stand it and went out. None Of
us see papa to talk to him now ex-
cept mamma. 1t is getting awful
hot in Washington now" he contin-
ued, ''and we are all going away just
as soon as papa gets well. We have
had nothing but sickness since we
came"
Speaking of the different reports
ahoat Senator Jones said "The
members of the Cabinet visited Gen.
Arthur at his home every day, and
their intercourse with him was OF
the most cordial nature" He does
not believe that even If President
Garfield dies that Conkling would
accept the Premiership under his
successor. He says :"His forum is
the Senate. If he does not return
to the Senate he will not, in my
opinion, accept office at all. Be
sides, life is too short for revenges,
especially political"