The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-26
BLAINE OF GOOD CHEER.
CHRISTMAS IN HIS HOUSEHOLD A
HAPPY ONE.

The Patient Reported Doing Nicely
and His Family Correspondingly
Cheerful-The ex x-Secretary's Family
Life Always Pleasant-He is Greatly
Touched by the Public's Manifesta-
tions of Good Win.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 25.-Christmas day
at the red house was quiet but happy, MIR.
Blaine being declared by the physicians to
be holding his own and on the whole better
Somehow the family had dreaded the return
OF Sunday because Mr.. Blaine had been so
very Ill last Sunday and there were OUT
siders who, remembering that Gen. Logan
passed away on just such bleak snowy
day as this. had a superstitious feeling that
the head of the republican presidential
ticket Of 1884 might die to-day. The
reaction from these feelings added
to the satisfaction with which
the news from the sick chamber was re-
oeived. The family Of Mr.. Blaine were dis
turbed, however, by the renewal Of the
newspaper rrmors about Mr.. Blaine taking
up the Roman Catholic faith, especially
those intimstng that there was division In
his family over the matter. A member of
she family characterized these reports in
severe terms, and added that the family
had enough sorrow in Mr.. Blaine's illness
without being afflicted by the newspapers.
THE STORY BY PRESS.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 25.-Inquiry at the
residence Of Mr.. Blaine this evening
brought forth the welcome answer that he
was doing very nicely,n and that he had
knhr mil IL af A 1tnI -
6 o'clock p. m. Mr.. Blaine's nurse said that
this had been Mr.. Blaine's best day since
the relapse of one week ago. Dr. Johnston,
Mr.. Blaine's physician, call. d at 80 o'clock
.. m. and found him very comfortable.
As evidence that Mr.. Blaine is much i'm
proved, 1t is said that this morning when
he awoke he gave the usual Christmas
greetings in CHEEKY tones and received
those of his family In much the same
spirit he exhibited In the old
days He took lively interest in the pres
ents that we're Interchanged in the family,
and made particular inquiry about the gifts
made to his grandchildren, in whom he has
lost none of the interest," that has always
characterized him.
HIS HOME LIFE.
While the outer world has been permitted
TO know but little of the domestic life of
Mr.. Blaine, the few who have been admit
ted TO the inner domestic circle say that his
lovable characteristics are never more
strikingly manifested than when in the
bosom of his family. When in health
at the threshold of his home
he was won't to leaV behind him the cares
andsdistractioas Of busy life and devote
much OF his leisure hours in pleasant aud
tpfarorffnn and ipcf
with those around him. In fact, it has
been said that 20 see Mr.. Blaine at his best
one must see him in his home surrounded
by his family and congenial friends.
FRIENDLINEss OF HIS OPPONENTS.
Mr.. Blaine was made cogpizant during
the day of the friendly interest manifested
in him in all portions of the country and by
the rank and file of all political parties. He
was deeply affected aud expressed his
gratitude frequently. 1t is said that in his
great Affliction, domestic and physical, that
which has moved him most profoundly are
the kindly expressions which have reached
him from time to time from his political
opponents. He has been heard to remark
that one of the griefs of an active public
career are the animosities engen6sred but
that these griefs were as gentle as descending
snow flakes as compared with the wounds
created by the ingratitude Of men who
were che benefo aries Of ones bounty.
The public men were few who did not
carry their scars to their graves
The day that means 50 much to millions
throughout the Christian world was passed
by the family of Mr. Blaine, now gathered
under his roof, In a manner beftting a
Christmas Sabbath and the condition of its
revered head. 1t was happy Christmas
In that the beloved husband and father was
still spared to them. Pathetcally sig
nificant, indeed, were the vacant chairs,
but no part Of the depression felt at the
absence of those won't to occupy them was
permitted TO enter the sick room.
At 10 o'clock the Blaine mansion was
closed for the night and all Of the lights In
the main structure we're extinguished with
the exception of single gas jet in the sick
room, which was burning dimly. AT the
same hour Mr.. Blaine's physician had also
retired for the night. Everything at this
hour indicates that every one connected
with the household anticipate restful
night for Mr.. Blaine.
ALL QUIET AT 2 O'CLOCK.
WASHINGTON, Dec &C. 3 A. M.-At this
hour all the lights in Mr.. Blaine's house are
extingushed and everything is apparently
quiet within.