Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-10-19
LIES LIGHT FADING
While President Harrison Watches
1t as 1t Weakly Flickers.
A TOUCHING CASE OF DEVOTION
Equaled Only by Thomas yeffsrson's Care
of His Dying Wife.
HOW MRS. HARRISON is NOW ATTENDED

rsrFcIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPArcH.l
WASHINGTON, Oct. 18-Mrs. Harrison
has passed q comparatively restful day, and
DR. Gardner says she is no W orse than sht
was yesterday. The President received
early calls from the Secretary of State and
Attorney General Miller, prior to their de-
parture for Chicago to attend the cere-
monies in connection with the World's
Fair Other members of the Cabinet sent
messages of inquiry before starting for the
train, and they were relieved when in
formed that no change for the worse could
be detected in Mrs. Harrison's condition.
The President must naturally feel some
regret at not being able to participate in
the festivities at Chicago, and Mrs. Harri-
son, who is in full possession of her mental
faculties, probably reproaches herself for
being unw;ilingly the cause of her hus-
bands detention in Washington when his
public interests might be enhanced by his
presence elsewhere.
Political ambition, physical endurance
ard other considerations seem to have no
effect upon the President now. His devo-
tion 10 his beloved wife overshadows every
thing else.
The Presidents Devotion to His Wife.
With sucn fierce political fight on hand
the President might be pardoned for giving
little more of his time and attention to
public affairs. but his devotion to his wife
in this instance finds but one parallel in
national history, and that was when Thomas
Jefferson watched at the bedside of his
dying wife at Monticello Va, in the fall
OF 1882. Mrs. Jefferson was stricken down
with consumption and she was expected to
pass away at any moment at that time. Mr..
Jefferson was an aspirant for public honors
with the White House in view, but wher
informed that his wife was suffering
his place by her bedside and did
everything that love and devotion could
suggest to make her comfortable. 1t is
said that "while he sat, q silent watcher"
by her side, momentary hope for her
would sometimes filter in the bosom of
her lonely husband, but it was in reality
hope against hope, and he knew it would
be So That association had been the
first joy of his life, which blent itself with
all his future visions of happiness and which
was to be the crowning glory of his career.
She, faithful daughter of the church, had
no dread of the hereafter, but she yearned
to remain with her husband with that
yearning which seems to have power to re-
tard even the approach of death. Her
eyes ever rested upon him. even following
him when he spoke. No other sound could
reach her ear or attract her attention.
Mr.. Jefferson's Touching Devotion.
When she awakened from restless and ex-
haustive slumber she looked momentarilv
alarmed and distressed if the familiar fig
ure was not bending over her. For weeks
Mr.. Jefferson sat at the bedside, only catch
ing brief intervals of rest
Mrs. Randolph, her eldest daughter (who
afterward became mistress of the White
House when her father too was President),
In describing the sad scene, said: Gle
nursed nv poor mother in turn with Aunt
Carr and her own sister, sitting up with her
and administering her medicine and drink |
to the last. For the four months that she |
fingered be was never out of calling. When |
not at her bedside he was writing in a small |
room which opened Immediately at the |
head of the bed
The wife of the Attorney General did |
not go to Chicago as she desires to have |
Mrs Newcomber stay with her as much of |
her time as she can be spared from the |
White House. The ladies are intimate |
friends and equally devoted to Mrs Har- |
rison. The presence of Mrs. Newcomber |
had a beneficial effect on the invalid /
last evening and to-day, and is source of |
much pleasure to the President, who in
vited her and the rest of the family. Mrs |
and Miss Parker and Mrs. Breckenridge |
were among the callers this morning who
spent some time above stairs.
Mr.. Russell Harrison is confined to the |
house to-day by sprained foot, the result
Of an accident yesterday