The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-20

to compose with the creditors, and he, uncon-
sciously to himself, was in the hands of death.
Any other misfortune than the last could have
borne.
ssHis appetite was good. He was able to
swallow beef tea soft boiled eggs and raw oys
tiers, able to take enough food to keep him
nourished. He was not emaclated, his strength
was not weakened. ] kept the accounts of
his illness out of the papers, so that he, him
self, might not read how hopeless his case was"
At last, however, it seemed necessary that he
should know. In the unsettled state of his af-
fairs there were a hundred things that he might
wish to do, directions he would want to leave be-
hind him. arrangements for the future, and so
on. He must be informed.
DAY and night said Mrs. Leslie, 'this
thought was with me- how can tell that great,
strong man he must die?"
Mr.. Leslie had habit of pacing the floor, as
General Grant does. He walked up and down
in his apartment by the hour, saying sometimes
that he had done so many miles and SO many
laps on that day.
Finally. while thus walking the floor once, he
said to his wife:
This doctor is doing me no good with his
elixir of life. My throat is slowly but surely
closing up. What shall we dol"
Il don't know that we do anything" she
said. Then she knelt down on the floor beside
him, and told him the worst.
There is one thing they say may prolong
your life few days." she added. THAT is to
make an incision in the windpipe and insert a
know that you may die under the operation. If
successful. at most it will only lengthen the
time little and you will never speak again
after it."
''Then we will not have it." replied Mr. Leslie,
He took the blow as strong man should do.
He talked over their tangled affairs with his
wife, and then uttered the words which the
world knows:
Little girl, if there is any power by which,
after death, can come back to your SIDE will
d. Rrx% Iyvar to- 6fvy fn mn nffl
take charge of 1T, and sit in my place until my
debts are paid"
After that there was nothing for it but to be
as comfortable as possible and wait for the end.
Like General Grant, Mr.. Leslie refused to take
his bed. He was up and dressed every day. His
voice became thickened and husky AS Grants is.
The reader will remember that about two weeks
ago Grant had very worrsome dream about
being obliged to go on long journey, and hav-
ing no money to go WITH and being only partly
clothed. Mr.. Leslie was sound sleeper never
had any Slumher visions in his life that he could
remember but it is a curious coincidence that
shortly before his death he had much the same
sort of dream that General Grant had. He
thought there was treasure deep in the
ocean, and that he aud his wife were trying in
vain to dive for it. He fancied that she was try
ing to go, and that he kept pushing her back,
and insisting that he must dive for the treasure
himself
The dav he died he arose early in the morning
and dressed himself, to the last minutia care
fully, as was his wont. He had had six good
hours sleep, the attendant said.
But don't feel refreshed after it, somehow, J"
he told his wife, land haven't any appetite
think took SO much food last night that am
not hungry this morning"
Mrs. Leslie was obliged to 60 out on business.
She went to the publishing house, and was busy
all the morning. At 2 o'clock she received a
telegram to come homo at once.
Il knew what it meant" she said. She hast
ened home with all speed. Mr.. Leslie appeared
to be sleeping quietly with nothing alarming in
his appear ance. She turned to the nurse:
why did you send for me like thatg" she
asked. You drove me almost mad"
himself with his own hands and gone to bed. 1t
down he said to the nurse;
'Its come
Mrs Leslie went to bed, with her bonnet on
still Her face was flushed from the rapid walk
ing She reused her husband.
What is the matterl" she asked him. "Do
you feel worse" He raised his eyes to her
flushed face and smiled 'How pretty you look"
he said
Those were his last words. He sank into un-
consciousness, and breathed more and more
softly till about o'clock, when he was no more.
The pressure of the swelling upon his windpipe
caused a gradual and progressive imperfect aera
ton of the blood, and the effect produced was if
he had taken q narcotic. He became slowly
Supplied. In that way he passed away, without
a struggle or pang
And only hone General Grants death NAV
be as painless and peaceful as his was" said
Mrs. Leslie.
And all the people say amen.