Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1881-07-14
THE MEETING OF HUSBAND AND
WIFE.
"Ah, the Dear Little Woman, i Had
Rather Die Than This Should
CaHse q Relapse to Her."

From the time Of the shooting in the
Baltimore Il Potomac depot yesterday
morning until very nearly midnight, but
little, II any, hopes of saving the Presi-
dents life were entertained by the ply
sicians who attended him. 1t is safe to
say that but for the remarkably abste-
mious course of life which he had pur-
sued from boyhood up, he never would
have rallied from the shock. His one
thought, when it became possible for
him to think calmly at all after being
removed to his chamber in the Execu-
tive Mansion, was for his wife, and chill
dren. He feared the effect of the terri
BILE news upon Mrs. Gar&eld, and he was
anxious to have her and their daughter
Mollie with him, that he might reassure
them, If possible, and look upon them
for the last time if it was deereed that
he should die. He was very weak at
this time, and TO all appearances sinking
fast. He was told by Mrs. James, wife
OF the Postmaster General, and Mrs.
Hunt, who were doing all that sympa-
thetic women could do to make him
comfortable, that Mrs. Garfield would
be with him by o'clock. Every moment
seemed an age to tie fast sinking father
and husband. He turned restlessly in
his bed, and asked the time of day con-
tinually. 1t was evident that his anx-
iety to meet Mrs, Garfield was aggravat-
ing the effect of the wounds which be
had received, but nothing could be done.
Six o'clock came, and with it, instead of
Mrs. Garfield, the news that the engine
of her train had broken down seventeen
miles ostsidecf Washington. This news
was carefully kept from the suffering
President, and fresh engine started OF
to take the place of the disabled one. 1t
brought Mrs. Garfield, Mo,lie Garfield,
Gen. Swain, and Mrs. Rock well to the
city, at the rate of sixty miles an hour,
and at $50 the party drove up to the
priyate entrance in the rear of the
White House,. 49,. 80 I'll
Here the almost heart-brokei wife
was met by her son, James A. Garfield,
jr, Mrs. James and attorney General
MacVeagh. She placed her hands in
those OF Mrs. James, and directing a
piercing inquiry into her eyes, exclaim-
ed interrogstively: "Well?" "Oh, every
thing is going on beautifully" said Mrs.
james in reply, @only he must not be ex-
cited. You must be very calm when
you meet him." Mrs. Garfield had nery-
ed herself for the ordeal, and she an
swered simply, but with great firmness /:
II can do it" The party then went sad
ly up the stairs, young James A. Gar
held with his arm about his mothers
waist. Arrived in the library, every
body but Mrs. Garfield paused, and the
doctors withdrew with bowed heads
from the Presidents chamber. Mrs.
GARFIELD passed quickly in, and the door
was closed. OF that solemn meeting
between husband and wife no record
will ever be given. The two were alone
together, without witnesses. At the end
of about iifteen minutes the door OPEN
ed, and Mrs. Garfield came slowly out.
There were no tears in her eyes, and she
walked With q, firm step and took her
seat In the library. She was very brave
and bore up I0biy under the great blow
which had fallen upon her. As she left
the room Mrs. James tassed in. The
President was smiling, and he beckoDed
with his finger 10 the lady to approach
She leaned over the President and he
said: Have yOn met Crete?" Mrs. Gar
fields Christian name Is Lueretia. and
Crete is tire pet name by which the Pres
ldcnt always speaks of her. "Yes:
have met her" said Mrs. James. "And
how does she act; how does she bear
II Z was the next eager question. "She
bore 1t like the true wife of true SOL
dier." answered Mrs. James. "Ah. the
dear little womanw exclaimed the Pres
1dent, Il would rather die than that tbi.
should cause relapse to her."
= Soon after Miss Mollie entered the
room. She, too, was very brave, and
forced herself to assume q calmne,.
which-she could not feel. Advancing
steadily toward her father as he Law OF,
what was supposed to be his deatibsd.
she said: @Oh, papa, I'm 80 glad to get
back to youe but I'm 80 sorry to see ycu
In this way Then she kissed him, and
the President putting his arm around
her neck, exclaimed: aMollie, you're a
brave, good little girl" well, I'm not
going to talk with you now" said the
stout hearted little girl, as she tenderly
removed his arm from her neck: Hwait
till you get well" And with these mart
ing words she kissed him again, and
g.. n