Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1886-12-09

| could do to be both useful and ornamental to
the country, Arthur did, to the best OF his
| ability. There is no doubt of that And
whatever he did was done in good taste. He
entertained so generously and handsomely
that he spent nearly all his presidential sal
al.v as he went. 1t is told that be had eighty
pairs of trousers at once.
The good will of the larger portion of the
Republican party slowly returned to him.
Even active hostility sank at least into in
difference.
So the boys dream of being a political
leader was fulfilled. He had got his wish
and more than he expected. But it crushed
him at last. The cloud of powder smoke
which settled down over him when the fatal
shot was fired at Garfield that July morning
never lifted, Great shocks and great worries
kin. \ thrilling scene was that in which, at
his home in New York, 1913 Lexington ave-
nue., he took oath of office as president of the
United States Garfield died between 10 and
II o'clocl, p. m.. Monday, Sept. 49, 1881. A
few hours later, in the dead of night,
the presidential oath was administered to
Arthur by Judge John r. Brady of the
supreme court of New York, that the coun-
try might not be without president. A
affection that existed between Arthur and
his children. Judge Brady has recalled it
since the death Of the ex-presdent. He says:
''The scene which occurred after | had
finished my solemn duty was one of affection
which l will remember as long as live as it
is seldom that such marked devotion is seen
between father and child
District Attorney Rollins stepped forward
L., t.,a
ident, but before Gen. Arthur could raise his
hand his son Allan, who was as tall as his
father, srrang between them, saying, "Me
first, papa" and throwing his arms around
his father. kissed him. The president folded
both arms around his son and fondly en-
braced him before he received the congratu-
lations Of the rest of US 1t was touching
scene, and one which left an impression on all
who were present"
He took his seat, and as time went on his
term became tranquil. He lived down the
bitterness of those who had been his enemies
Then it was that the enemy whom no man
can stave off appeared. President Arthur
began to fail slightly at first, then more and
more. Liver and kidney arrangement, the
result of worry and intense suppressed feel
ing, appeared His heart became seriously
enlarged. UeIc Was d susceptibility 10 cOlQS
which was troublesome, even dangerous
Then his stomach began to fail. This man
of superb physique could no longer
digest his food. 1t could not be dis
guised; Brights disease-that grim fol-
lower of intense and long continued men-
tai worry-had appeared. Then Arthur
and Arthur's physicians alike knew that it
was all up with him, though he was only Sc
when he died. All the world began to speak
Of him kindly and to recall his past good
deeds. So it is always with dying men. The
newspapers recalled among other things how
he alone had fought for and secured the right
Of the colored race to ride in public convey
ances in New York city, the same as white
people.
For two years he had been an invalid,
knowing what the inevitable end would be.
Only week before he died be said: After
all. life is not worth living"
And yet lie had had his wish.