The morning call., 1892-12-19

lined with people tonight Some pass by
and gaze intently at the windows OF Blaine's
room; others stand in front OF the house
waiting for news OF the sick mans condi-
tion.
James G. Blaine Jr. appeared at the front
door OF the Blaine residence tonight and
warmly denounced the publication of an
Interview in the Evening Star, cred.ing
him with some very alarming statements
concerning his fathers condition.
a squad of policemen were stationed on
the opposite side Of the street, for what
reason Is not apparent to observers since
they make no effort TO disperse the people
In front OF the residence. The newsboys'
shrlil cry OF Extra Star" is heard ell over
the city. Their cry must have penetrated
10 the rooms Of Blaine, for ii could be dis
tinctly heard in an upper story of the Al
Dany apartment house, where Senator Eel
ton and Mr.. Loud have their quarters.
The policemen finally forbade the news
boys entrance into that street. This was
done after one of the servants from
the Blaine mansion had eonversed with
policeman. 1t was surmised that
Blaine had heard the newsboys' shriIl cry
of Extra Star, all about Mr.. Blaine" and
that members of the household had them
stopped from selling papers in that street
II is believed that Blaine understands his
condition thoroughly. He has always been
very spprehensive concerning his health,
even when there was no ground for alarm.
HIS morbid anxiety about his health was SO
marked as to excite the comment of friends.
who called him hypochondriac.
For the last two or three years he has IN
sisted that he was very sick man, but his
family persuaded his doctor to encourage
the belief that it was nothing serious. Mr..
Blalne's observations, however, were too
keen for any deception. Friends say that
he would closely watch the faces OF the
doctor and members of the family when the
former came on his professional calls, and
would frequently say: "Now, isn't il true
/ am very siek?" When told not to worry
over his condition, which was not OF a
serious nature. he would usually say
nothing. but after the physicians depart
ure be would sometimes say be believed his
case was not understood by the doctors.
Mr.. Blaine, q year or so ago, became
strongly impressed with the value of ex-
ereise and especially Of gymnastics, and it
is now believed that a course of the latter
would have greatly benefited him, but he
was already too weak 10 take much exer-
else. He could not walk much and certainly
would not have been able TO take anv gym
nastic exercises. 1t is said that in his bed
chamber he would practice calisthenics, but
even this mild sort of exercise Of brief
duration soon exhausted him.
AS long ago as June Mr.. Blalne's walk
was so unsteady that he could scarcely get
along without assistance, although he evil
IDENTIFY tried TO do so in order 10 appear
well man. 1t was with difficulty that he
could mount the granite steps OF the State,
Navy and War buildings. Upon one occa-
sion last summer, being in company with
some young ladies. be essayed an act OF
gallantry by fastening a boutonIerre on the
coat OF young miss. but losing his balance,
fell PROSTATE upon the ground and had to be
assisted to his feet. From this time forth
his condition has been known TO be critical.
In fact, he has simply been dying by inches.
The newspaper reports Of this character
were so strenuOusly denied. however. that a
great many people were led to believe that
Mr.. Blaine had no organic disease, but was
merely suffering from nervous prostratIon,
as a result Of overworks His appearance
though, whenever he has appeared in pub
lie, has been that Of a corpse His face as
x.
lapk and his whole form attenuated
He appeared at Senator Plumb's funeral
last summer and looked like ghost He
saE in the fro Mt row. next to President Har-
rison, with bowed head and folded arms.
Now and then he glanced furtively toward
the casket in which Senator Plumb lay.
Secretary sBlaiDe will soon follow him.
and he seems to realize it." was the COM
ment heard from the spectators of this
gloomy scene. That this prediction will be
fulfilled, and very soon at that, is believed
by everybody in Washington tonight.
The doctors called at the Blaine mansion
at II 80 o'clock and found the patient doing
so we'll that they told the family they bad
no apprehension of dissolution during the
next twenty-.our hours.
At midnight the Blaine mansion was
closed, the lights were turned low and the
family had retired.