The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1881-07-16
PRESIDENT GARFIELD.
His Courtship Twenty. Five Years Ago
His Calmness in Trial.

The postmaster at Washington, d. C.. has re.
eeived the following letter from Hon. A. NJ. Pratt.
ore of the leading citizens Of Northwestern Ohio.
~hich contains interesting rrmini,cenccs 81 the
early life oi the Pfc,ient aud hi. e,imahl. wife:
EHiAN. o.. July 9Th.
Ny Ds"r ST - Accept my thanks for Tenem-
bering me in thi. hour 81 deepest sorrow. I no.
ticed the remark you made regarding the pIcsi-
dent when shOt, an 10 add To the weight of eVi.
dence that brushes out hope. Would TO tod that
noble life could be spared yet awhile 90 b.... our
dear land. How strange Is the life Of those souls.
who for the last few months have shell their rali.
anee around the White House Twenty three
year, ago Mrs. Garfield sought asd taught schol-
aTs in painting and drawing IN thi, then very in.
significant village. aud not getting very large
classes, living meantime in my house. the guest
and friend Of my then wife. The future President
was frequently enterty<hed ut my table he
young, strong, green. great hearted. large hearted
YOUTH but two years from college. hopeful full of
life aud push she graceful. sweet. amiablc.
firing with disposition n lovely star lit Ky
both poor. Their fortune was their youth.
health. hearts, intellccts, hopes, and. glad To
say, lore. Right royal has been the road they
have trodden since. Gu, 81 the portals of every
seat Of power In ohristcnlom come dying on the
wings Of lightning messages Of tender regard aud
coincidence 10 the woman whose life not all
roses in those not very long ago days. The
Representatives Of the oldest dynastcs an xiously
mingle their tears with those Of the whiiom modest
Ohio country maiden, and the tears 81 the world
shed at the bedside of the foremost man 81 the
human race. Deep respect for ten. Garfield /. an
old sentiment with tue. but dill not know he hal
such n wonderful hold on the hearts of all mcn.-
With great regard for youIsof aud wishe. for your
personal welfare. AN truly yours, A. " PRNu.
United states Marshal knoN tell touching in.
stance Of President Garfeli's well poi,ei nature.
Mr.. Knox while n visit 10 the White House dur.
ing Mrs. Gariicld's illness aseeTtaincd that her
critical situation had been concealed from him,
with the best motives, not understanding the PTssi
dents real nature. After consulting with the
hysicians Mr.. Knox broke the sad news to him.
lie listened quietly, leaned back In his chair, and
with the ealmness Of Christian faith, but with
pathetic sadness. said: why. Knox. is il possible
that people have so poor an opinion of the. l
love my wife and my children. but if God takes
them from me. I can bear IL. ! hope ! attn not
too small to bear the worst = msn can endure
Ansr that he took his place by his wifes bedside.
and spent all the time there he could spare from
his official duties. Oniy once did he chow any
sign Of weakened hope. That was when Mrs.
Garfeld's life was almost given up, and his own
condition was causing apprehension. We sat to-
gether ON the back piazIa. when he remarked.
wearily al feel to- night that all the honors Of
this world which have had or have hoped to
eeive rs nothing. I would give them all up IL
my wife could be spared"