Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-09-30

NoUNCEMENT OF THE PREsIDENT's DEATH
HAPPY FAMILY SCENE IN THE WHITE
HoUsE-DR. BoYNToN--oLosED THEATRES
THE QUEENS MESSAGE.
BosToN Sept. oath.
From one end to another of Boston, the
public buildings business houses and private
residences are swathed in mourning draperies
Looking down any Of the principal Streets
you see the wind huttering the "mural signs
of woe," as the Transcript aptly puts it. The
city must have been ransacked for mourning
emblems and IL is a wonder they are not ex-
hausted. Jordan & Marsh alone used over
twenty thousand yards of material in their
drapings, which are by far the most elaborate
and general. Everywhere, from facade and
window the face Of the dead ruler looks out
with calm eyes upon the crowds that throng
the streets. Eyes mosten and lips quiver, as
on every side are seen the tributes Of love and
respect which are paid to the memory of the
man who has been in the hearts Of the whole
nation for so many weary weeks. Irrespec-
tive Of party, the demonstration is general.
mot Republican or Democrat but President"
were the words Of one memorial. In spite of
the discouraging reports that had been receiv-
cd from Long Branch there was a latent hope
in many hearts that he might, after all, re-
cover, and the news of his death came at last
as a sudden shock. Who that heard them
can ever forget the awful tone of the bells, as
they bore the mournful midnight message to
the dwellers in the city. Through the cold
air they pierced with terrible soemnity, tell
ing the story of death and desolation. 1t was
a haunting sound, and has knelled in the lis
teners' ears ever since. l don't think shall
ever hear the alarm bells again without think
ing of it, They had just such dismal sound
as they had that November night, now almost
ten years ago. when Boston received her bap-
tism of FIRE. Many persons could not realize
at first what it was the last bulletins having
promised quiet night, and confidence, which
had been so shaken during the day, was some
what restored. "What fearful fire it must
be - said one frightened young girl as she
crept closer to an elder sisters side. Men
wakened from their Sleep hurried on their
clothes, and crowded the down cars. Chill
dren felt the influence, and scared faces look
ed up from many a crib and childish pillow.
The morning newspaper offices were besieged
by greedy multitude, hungry for the least
crumb of information. One characteristic
feature of this crowd was its quiet Every
body talked in low tones under breath not
laugh broke the stiffness, only the sound
of feet and the solemn tolling of the bells
All through the next day the same hush was
observable men and women went about with
a look of sorrow on their faces and a solemni-
| ty of manner that was not assumed; there
was but one topic, one thought. II was i'm
possible to settle down to any routine of work
or duty. God reigns and the government
at Washington still lives" were words that
faced you at every turn. How little did he
who uttered them, as with calm presence he
stood facing an angry New York mob after
Lincolns assassination, dream that the next
time they should be used would be when he
himself lay dead, the next President to be the
victim Of the murderer's hand, and that they
would be used as words of comfort from the
dead to his stricken people During all this
cruel time there has been one man who must
have suffered almost as much as have the rel
atives of President Garfield. What must all
this have been to Secretary Lincoln how 1t
must have brought back the great sorrow
remained a terrible memory through all his
life. The White House must seem to him, as
it does to Mrs. Garfield, house of doom.
1t seems ages ago, and yet it is but few
days over six months since the Inauguration
the grandest that ever any President has
witnessed. The scene at the cApitol-the
words of the inaugural, which should remain
a national classic, and will-the grand process
sion-all the series of ovations given him /;
these have been written about, and the world
knows of them. But remember so distinct
ly the first Sunday evening passed at the new
home, when the President was for a little
while the dearly loved friend and not the rul-
er. 1t was the first time he had laid aside
state and political cares for months The ex-
citement and tumult of the election was over,
he was installed in his place, he had chosen
his cabinet, and he paused on the threshold
of his new career for a little breathing space
A happy group was assembled in the red
room" Happy Grandma sat on a sofa, a
smile of content on her features as she gazed
across the room to where her son sat chatting
gaily with ex-Gov. Jewell and two or three
Western friends. He had thrown all restraint
aside, and was as merry as boy. He made
jokes, and his laugh, mellow and sweet, was
positive contagion. Mollie Garfield stood be-
hind her grandma, and Mrs Garfield lowered
around the guests, making everyone feel vel
come and at home. On the table stood a
huge basket of flowers sent her by the Vice
President, to which she called the attention OF
each guest, speaking such delicate words OF
Mr. Arthur and showing keen appreciation
of his thoughtfulness for her. She took her
guests, most of whom we're family friends, on
tour of inspection of her new home and
Grandma insisted on accompanying the party.
She talked much about her son, and expressed
her firm belief that the country would be
glad it's people had made him President.
"James is a good man, she said more than
once and, looking in his face, all believed
her Among the friends present that evening
was Dr. Boynton, who has since made him
self famous as the faithful watcher by the
bedside of his friend and cousin. He i'm
pressed every one who saw him for the first
time as a strong, wise man, and he has i'm
pressed the whole country 80 in the months
D since. His opinions have been quoted, and
people have had faith in what he has said 81
, read Secretary Blaine's despatch to Mr.. Low.
ell first, then DIR. Boynton's report to the
press and know, better than the bulletins
can tell me, the true state of the case" is 4
remark have heard more than one person
make during the long Illness and it is true o
myself as well. What the bulletins didn't tel
has been much more important and signiA
cant than what they did. I'm sure everybody
will agree with me.
think the theatres deserve a great deal o.
credit for their action at the present time. Al
soon as the news came, all the managers an
nouneed that their houses would close; Rn(