St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-22
M2. BLAINE IS BETTER
lie Is Holding His Own in the
Struggle With the Grim
Reaper,
But It Is Understood That All
Are Prepared for the
Worst.
DR.. Johnston Said He Was
Much Better Last Even
ing.
His Physicians Manner Of
Expression Indicates His
Case Is Hopeless.

been no appreciable change in the con-
dition of Mr.. Blame since yesterday.
After his serious relapse and attack OF
heart failure on Sunday the eX-secretary
has rallied somewhat, and he seems to
remain at the same point. He has bad
a respite. That is about all that
can be made of the reports Of
the physicians and family today.
Mr.. Blaine passed another fairly COM
Portable night and as a result OF the
rest he seemed to be at least no worse
this morning than he was yesterday.
This is all that the doctor would ven
ture. 1t is the same story as had to be
told yesterday. Should the sick man
have another setback similar to the
one he had OH Sunday it is hardly to be
hoped that his enfeebled constitution
will be able to withstand 1t.
All the members of the family, except
Mr.. Blaine'5 son-in-law, Col. Coppinger,
are at the house now, and while they at
times leave for short StrollS about the
neighborhood, none of them dare ven
ture far away from the house Oh Lafay-
cite square for fear that the case may
take a sudden turn for the worse.
There is the constant dread that the
end when it comes may come suddenly,
and it is understood that all are
Prepared for the worst
at any time. Two of the earliest callers
today were Senator Hale and Repre-
sentative Boutelle. who have been such
intimate friends of the eX-secretary to1
so long a time. They were both ad-
mitied to the house, but even they were
not allowed to enter the sick room. 10
the newspaper men waiting outside
Mr.. Boutele said that from what they
had been able to learn Mr.. Blaine'S con-
diuon was very much the same as 1t
was Yesterday. at least il was no worse
than it had been at any time since the
rally from the severe setback he had
suffered Sunday, "but," said he, in
significant tone, "Mr. Blaine is very
sick man.
When the doctors left after their first
visit this morning the curtains in the
south windows OF the sick room we're
raised to catch the first rays Of the sun.
MIR. Blaine is pitifully weak and can
move but little without assistance.
Trained nurses are constantly on hand,
and Mrs. Blaine is by the bedside almost
all the time. Everything is done
that can be done to allevl-
ate his condition, but this is
very little after all, and II
is probable that even the physicians
feel now that there is not much that
lies within their power TO aid hlm.
Time alone will tell the story. Ibat his
present illness may have favorable
ending is the hope of every one, and
the people of all political creedS are as
one in their expressions of sympathy at
this sad time.
Much Better.
"Mr. Blaine is much better this even
Ing" said Dr. Johnston in reply to the
usual inquiry. II called to see him be,
tween ) and Z O'Clock tonight and found
him exceedingly cheerful for one IN his
condition. His voice was much frmer
in tone and his eyes brighter. In fact
he is so much improved that | shall not
repeat my visit of this evening unless
summoned by the family, and that do
not expect"
'Does Mr.. Blaine sit up during any
portion of the day."
"Oh. yes; Mr.. Blaine is much stronger
than the outside world has been led Il
believe. In fact, the condition at NJ
time has been as serious as has beer
painted IN the newspapers. it was true
that Mr.. Blaine was for few minutes
very sick man at one time Sunday
last, but he was not as near to death a:
believed by some. Mr.. Blaine is still
very ill. but he is in no immediate dan
ger of death"
''Do you think that Mr.. Blaine's pres
ent show Of improvement will warran
his removal to more cOngenial climate
Fr,4,
After meditating few seconds, the
doctor said: IL cannot say as to that
1t is useless TO look that far in the flu
ture."
While Mr.. Blaine's physicians are a:
discreet in their utterances as men vel
can be, their manner of expression i'm
presses those who converse with then
daily that Mr.. BIaine's case is hopeless
that, while he is in no immediate dan
ger, his malady must prove fatal, ant
Ehat his span of life is measured by tht
progress of the disease with which he i:
afflicted.
WASHINGTON, Dec. %. 1:3O a. M
The light in Mr.. Blaine's room is burn
ing dimly, and everything seems to b'
quiet within the house.