The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-04
A Visit to His Bedside.

at st. Martins, and his surroundings are the
most pleasant imaginable. His room is a
corner one on the ground floor, and its win
dows, except when it is necessary to shut off
the sun, are continually left open. Through
them the sick man can see the well-kept lawn,
rolling away to mimic lake, while beyond a
wheat field, with its golden waves, is waiting
for the harvest, and still farther stretches
rolling VISTA dotted here and there with farm
houses and dark patches of forest Looking
upward, the glittering cross on the dome of
the chapel greets the eye, and as the sun
sinks in the west its last beams lipger about
the uplifted emblem of the Christian faith,
bathing it in glory while the frightening
shadows are blotting ont everything else on
earth. Through the windows there comes
the fresh country breeze wholesome with
the odor of new-mown clover The hum of
the bees, the singing of the birds, the soft
murmur of the flowers and growing things,
the rustic of the leaves all come to the bed
side of the sick man. There are no rude and
harsh sounds The busy whirl of humdrum
life is left far behind. Never has the shrek
of the locomotive or rattling whirr of the
cars disturbed the sylvan quiet of the place,
the nearest railroad being ten miles distant,
1t is the spot above all Others where the
peaceful closing scenes of an active, busy
life should take place, and where one would
choose to die. Ones spirit might leave the
body borne on the wings of the mild winds
of ] uly and death would be as calm as is the
kiss ray of sunshine gives the earth.
Such are the sights and sounds lying out
side of the Archbishop's room. 1t is plain
apartment, and not larger than an ordinary
| chamber. The bed is rich piece of furni-
ture, being square and made OF heavy carved
black wood 1t has top and curtains like
the beds of former generation. Around
the rooms are several com Portable easy chairs,
a writing table and wardrobe. All is quiet
and elegant, but nothing extraordinary. On
the walls are pictures of the four evangelists,
a copy of Murillo's Madonna of Seville"
and a handsome photograph of the prelate's
beloved brother, Father Edward Purcell. On
the mantelpiece yesterday was a vase filled
with fresh, bright flowers and tall wax ta-
per whose feeble flame was in singular con-
trast with the exuberant light around. There
are two doors to the chambe one opening
into a hall, and the other into the Archbish-
ops private chapel. This latter is a small
room fitted up with an altar and tiny read
ing-desk. When the doors are opened be-
tween the apartments the sick man faces the
altar and can take part in the services.
Mass is said several times a day in the little
chapel. ass41. T..
A Commercial Gazette reporter spent yes
terday at the convent, and sitting on the
pOTCll Vi One CIdDlaln 5 HOUSE Ill the after
noon, Father Callaghan told the story of the
| Archbishop's recent illness.
Last Thursday evening" said the rever-
end Father, "the Archbishop was taken with
| a stroke of paralysis that affected his right
side and tongue. At that time we thought
he was dying, but he has since rallied and
on Sunday he was again taken worse. On
that day his temperature rose from 800 to
1919, but to-day it has fallen to $50; that may
be favorable symptom, and l hope it is,
yet none of US think for moment that he is
long for this world. This is the fourth at
tack of the kind he has had, and it would be
almost a miracle if he survived.
The weather, too, Is very much against
him. This damp, sultry heat, which is al
most uncomfortable to the we'll and strong,
cannot fail to affect the weak. Yet he sleeps
well. At o'clock this morning he
fell asleep and slept to 8. Then he
has had several maps during the
day. DIR. Dunnison, of Westboro, is his ply
stefan, and while he hopes for the best, he
shares in our anticipations He makes daily
two visits of an hour EACH once in the morn
ing and then in the evening"
what did he say this morning. asked
the reporter.
THE Doctor was of the opinion that our
patient was slightly better. The Archbishop
is a man of wonderful vitality and endurance,
but his strength is now exhausted, and
another stroke of paralysis would inevitably
prove fatal DIR. Dunnison, however, would
not commit himself to an opinion and every
thing is still shrouded in doubt. He may 60
to sleep and die at any moment"
Has his sickness changed his appearance?
Is he emaciated and worm
why, answered the Father warmly, she
is not particle changed; not a particle.
There is not the slightest alteration in his
face or appearance except that he has grown
older When this last attack came on he
ooh cd a apflV ht1f NOV u hoc TO
gained his natural appearance. and he is not
in the least emaeiated. This morning the
paralysis of the tongue passed away allow
ing him to swallow, and the weary, painful
look ON his face that had been there since
last Thursday is gone"
You say he is able to swallow Is he
strong enough to take any food?'
mo solid food. Every hour or two few
spoonfuls of some kind of gentle stimuIant
is given him. You must remember that he
is now an old man, and it is only stimulants
that can keep him up. There is no dis
guisiRg the fact that he is near unto deaths
door"
81 suppose that several times you have
thought he was stepping across the threshold
of the beyond" ventured the reporter
Yes" was the reply, ION both Friday
and Saturday nights the prayers for the dying
were said and on Friday we thought he was
so far gone that the last rites were admins
tered. The sisters are continually praying.
1t was only last Wednesday that he was out
in the open air, and well as he had been
for year On that day 1 took him in the
carriage to Fayetteville, six-miIes drive,
and when we returned he was to all appear
ances as fresh as ever. He often takes a
drive of two or three hours. A week ago
Sunday he was able to attend high mass at
the convent chapel, and he even stayed and
listened to the sermon, two hours in all. l
remember that as we came out / said to him:
" Archbishop you'll pay for staying and
listening to that sermon
He laughed and answered: oh, 1 guess
not
Has the Archbishop lost anything of his
mental faculties, Father Callaghan?"
"Not bit of it. His hearing and juds-
menr are as sound as ever. An impediment
in his speech has proven ted him from saving