The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-23
FROM MORN TILL NIGHT.
The Early Hours of Tuesday-The Sick-Roo:n
During the Day.

During the Day.
MOUNT MCGREGoR, N. Y, July 22-The early
morning hours at the Grant cottage were cool
and refreshing the veranda, while the incan
descent electric lamps burning all the night.
The thermometer marked at o'clock this morn
ng 72o. This was the equable temperature
maintained in the sick-room while General
Grant remained in New York, and to it was this
morning added the sweet smell from pine trees
that bend over the cottage-roof. gentle
breeze, sweet and delicious, swept miles and
miles down the valley, and from the mountains.
1t stirred the curtains at the window, near which
sat the sick man, and it famed his face more
gratefully than could the careful hands that were
waiting near
Between and A. NJ. the gray tint of another
day crept up the horizon, beyond the green
mountains, perhaps the last earthly day of the
sick man sitting within the cottage parlor.
About and around the cottage all was still and
quiet except for tie occasional twitter of some
belated bird in the birches or pines Occasion
ally Henry, the nurse walked out upon the
piazza for fresh air and glimpse of the night
Once at nearly o'clock, Mrs. Grant, attired in
loose gown of white, came out upon the
veranda and seated herself upon one of the
many deserted willow chairs that were scattered
in groups about the piazza For ten minutes
she sat motlonless. gazing away to the east,
where the gray tint of another day had grown
to full promise Her face rested against one
hand, and she WAS evidently wrapped
in thought. Suddenly there came the sound
of q rattlng laboring cough from within.
1t was the General clearing the affected parts of
his throat of mucus. Mrs. Grant left the piazza
quickly and seated herself by the Generals side,
slowly tanning the sick mans face. The cough
ing was not severe but only incidental COL
Fred Grant entered the room while the nurse
was aiding the General, and took place at the
side and behind his father.
The morning had passed o'clock. and the
time had come to administer food The nurse
touched the shoulder Of DIR. Douglas, as he lay
asleep on a couch in the same room. He arose
and administered food, and afterward cleansed
the Generals throat AS the physician laid
aside his appliances General Grant leaned for.
ward i'll his chair, and signifed desire
that lamp should be brought
The nurse fetched lamp ard held it at the
sick mans shoulder, and at the moment the Gen
eral turned his face toward the light and up
ward to bid the nurse bring his pad and pencil.
His wish was not at the instant understood and
turning a triie further the General repeated his
wish. The scene at the moment was one of
picture in shadows. AS the flickering candle
rays fell the face of the General it became
a grim Rembrandt, with strong, rugged lines,
broken down by suffering and pain On his
head was the skull cap that at all times lends a
startling effect to the sick mans ap-
pearance, and from beneath it struggled
the hair that clung in sweat moistened
locks about the emacated neck. A crimson
scarf had been thrown over the back of the
Generals chair, and as he leaned forward it
drew across his shoulders, one end being gath