The Portland daily press., 1881-09-21

any previous sleep of the old lady. At Eve
Tuesday morning the village bell tolled At
six came the private telegram
ELBERoN N. j., Sept. 10.
To Mrs. Eliza Garfield.
james died this evening at 1880. lie Calm
ly breathed his life away. SWAIN.
Mrs. Larrabee's first thought was as TO her
mother. The latter was sleeping calmly and
they did not awake her. Not until o'clock
did the old lady awaken, having slept con-
stantly since IL D. m. AT that hour Mr.. LARA
bee passed her door with heavy heart aud
found her up and dressed and engaged IN read
ing the Bible. Ii was thought best not to
break the news until Mrs Garfield had eaten
her breakfast. Oddly enough the old lady did
not insist upon hearing the news until she had
finished her meal. Then taking the fatal tele-
gram from the shelf she was about to read 1t,
but Miss Ellen took it from her trembling
hands.
"Grandma," she said, "would you be sur
prised to get bad news this me rning?"
"Why don't know" said the old lady.
"Well, I shouldn't" said Mrs. Larrabee, 81
have been fearing and expecting it all the
morning,
"Grandma," said Ellen, "there is bad
news"
"Is he dead?" asked the old lady tremulous-
ly''
"He is" replied Mrs. Larrabee.
The quick tears started into the sensitive
eyes. there was no violent paroxysm of grief
no expression OF frenzy told OF the anguish
within.
SIS it true," she asked with quivering ips)
then Lord help me, for II he is dead what sha
do"
She was rendered weak and little nervous
by the announcement and was obliged once or
twice to repair to her room where in solitude
she might begin to comprehend the awful
truth. But she was not content to remain
there and soon returned to the sitting room
About 8 80 O'Clock Mrs. Garfield was found
sitting in the rocking chair waiting for news
The morning papers she read with eagerness.
ut can't be that James is dead,' she MUIR
INJURED. II can't understand il. / have no
further wish to live, and | cannot live if it is
so.'
Although her general health is good at pres
emit, many fear her words are prophetic and
Mrs. Larrabee dares not hope otherwise her.
SELF But feeling keenly as she does her great
affection never once 5has she limited at lack
of faith in the Supreme One that all is not in
tended for the best
at is providential,' she said, ri can firmly
believe that God knows best and l must not
murmur."
Mrs. Mehitable Trowbridge, the remaining
sister of Gen Garfield, was also notified of his
death this morning. Having been sick for
several weeks it was feared this blow might
PROSTATE her, but she bears up better than
might be expected. Both of the sisters appear
more unnerved than the aged mother. The
fortitude of the latter can be better appreciated
when it is remembered that Wednesday OF
this week is her 80th birthday. For about
month she has been in Hiram. About week
ago she returned to Scion where she expects to
remain with Mr.. aud Mrs. Larrabee until she
is notified to make some change. IL will he
remembered that the only brother of the Presi-
dent is living near Grand Rap ds Michigan.
Since the 14Lh of November last there have
occurred five deaths ~ the family as follows:
Mrs Hattie L. Palmer, November 14th her
1alH Eth h. hos ritz on
June 18th: and Miss Cordelia Arnold on June
24th. just ten months ago Monday Thomas
Garfield and the late President celebrated
their birthdays at JOINT festivity in Randall.
Their birthdays came on the same day, the
General being 40 years old and Thomas Gar
field 70.