New-York tribune., 1885-07-23

walking in the valley of the shadow of death where
all is darkness, misery and despair. Their feelings
are further depressed BY the fact that the General
himself has lost his courage and given up tho
battle. His struggle to live has been terrible
one. and none the less unbearable because every
prick of the thorn that pierced his flesh only
aroused smile on the face of the gallant old hero
but now even his strong constitution has sue
cumbed and his powerful will futters like feather
in the breeze and is carried hther and thitber by
the force of every circumstance. General Grant
has lost his desire to live. His intense discomiort
has brought about this condition. AS tne
air that he takes with every breath passes through
the infamed growths in the throat it 10 almost as
il dull saw were hacking away at his nesn, anu
most intense pain follows. There is no reei rom
it. The process of liberation has extended so Iar
down INTO the throat that it is beyond the influence
of cocaine or any of the soothing applications that
are used and the General must bear his pain and
know that nothing can be done for him.
So strong and powerful do the paroxysms in his
throat become at times that he almost begs that an
opiate be given to him. He knows the reief that IL
has brought heretofore and feels that some benefit
might result from its use. Dr. Douglas despite the
Generals pleading refuses to administer any form
of narcotic being fearful of the consequences that
might epsue Sleep undoubtedly would follow the
administration of the ordinary dose which has
been gy TO the General heretofore but the doctor
fears that the patient would not in his present de-
bilitated state from the effect OF the NOR
phia and that the unnatural sleep would II enforced
end in death The course of treatment is now en-
trely in the direction of giving the benerai
strength and stimulating the depressed condition Oh
the vital organs the object being to keep alivo the
vital spark that glows family in the ola
warriors breast.
Last night was one of great anxiety in the Gen.
erals cottage. The faint attacks that he had had
early in the evening were ominous. and. coupied
with the breaking down of his strong spirit, gave
rise to the opinion that there was great danger
that the patient would never see the sunbeams
dance through the fragrant pine trees again Food
was administered shortly before midnight 1t was
given hy Dr. Douglas with some trepidation, as the
food which had been given previously had induced
soasmodic conditions in the Generals throat that
| were followed by q sense of great suiocatIon anu
| an inability to breathe. 1t was hoped however.
| that if even a small amount of food could be re-
tanned upon the Generals stomach. it would relieve
| the tendency of an increased flow OF blood to tue
throat and head and give the patient some natural
sleep. The food did produce disagreeabie synp-
toms. and did induce the choking sensation. but IT
was retained upon the stomach and had quelihs
effect upon the Generals nerves.
Whether the General slept at all last neht IL not
known He appeared at times to be IN sound
sumber. but the slightest noise would arouse him,
and he would open his eyes and look languidly
around He sat in the parlor in the cottage propped
up in his easy chair in the same position that
he has been accustomed to for the last five msnths
His feet were extended upon another chair and
pillows gave an easy support to his back HIS head
was bent slightly forward. his hands were folded
upon his breast ust beneath his chin. and his BODY
was bent slightly backward So still and silent
would he sit in this position at times fhat " re-
auired more than passing glance in the dim light
that shone through the window from the electric
lamp in front of the house to detect the act oil rcsp
ration The members of the Generals family were
up and dressed in the room With him. or IN the
room adjoining waiting 10 be summoned at any
moment to his side to hear the sad news that he
had ceased to breathe. The air in the Generals
room was comfortable the thermometer indicating
72o but the patient sufferer seemed to be under the
influence of great heat, and Mrs Grant sat upon
one side and the nurse, Henry. sat upon the other
and kept up a constant but quiet motion win
fans The guests at the hotel near the GeneraPs
cottage had all gone to bed. having waited up until
long afte. midnight to see whether the expected
change would occur and about 3 o'clock this morn
ing Mrs. Grant left the side OF the General ana
walked unattended out upon the porch. Her face,
as the bright light fell upon It, was inexpressibly
sad and it's paeness In striking contrast to the
dark shadows in the pine groves rs she slowly
walked up and down the porch. A quick. half
smothered cough fell upon her ear from the SICK
ROOM and she bastened there. Colonel Grant. who
was IN an adjoining room, was awakened by the
cough and he sprang from his couch and buried 10
his fathers side The coughing attack speedily sub
sided but was followed by a condition OF SINKING
and great physical depression.
Dr. Douglas, who was asleep at the time. was
called and made an examination OF the Generafs
throat He found that there was considerable ac-
emulation of mucus in the parts that conld be
seen, and he removed them and cleaned the throat
with soothing LIQUID Some milk was brought IN
cup and the General was able to take several
swallows without any great discomfort The food
seemcd TO serve him and he made motion indicat-
ing that he wanted something His wish not being
interpreted by signs, he exclaimed, In tone that
showed the destructive progress OF the disease In its
thin and no irse character: Bring me lamp"
The muse Henry. who was standing close by struck
match and lit n candle which he picked up
from the mantlepiece. The light brought
close to the General. and he said: "Now
7 want 70 writey His pad and pencil
were brought and laid upon his lap. The scene in
the room in the dim candle-light was spectral As
the beams fell upon the Generals face it seemed to
paint in an unearthly white and to bring out every
| line of pain and misery that had been stamped
noon his face more perfectly than ever before lie
wore upon his head the familiar dark skulcap and
his body was covered by dark red dressing gown
His hand, as it moved slo Wy while he traced the
letters upon the pad, seemed almost transparent
and the surprised startled faces of Mrs Grant who
was dressed IN white. Dr. Douglas and the nurse.
who we're completely taken aback by the sudden
exhibition of strength the part OF the General.
was in keeping with the supernatural appearance
Of the picture. The writing being finished the Gen.
,oon h;e niIloy eyhaueted DR.