The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-01-09

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information was given other close friends
by members of the family, and the doc
tors, though the latter usually qualified
any expression of opinion by saying if no
unusual OF unlocked for change occurs
the patient is in no immediate danger.
AS the shades of night fell upon the
mansion, a dim light appeared IN the
sick room On the third floor south, the
visitors became fewer, people on the
street hurried by the house in the cold,
only stopping a moment to ask of Mr.
Blaine's condition from newspaper men
about the house.
Since Mr.. Blaine's relapse three weeks
ago, the press wires leading from Wash
ington to the great news centres of the
country have not for moment remained
unnamed.
A warm personal friend of Mr.. Blaine,
one who knows what transpires in the
sick room, said today, ''Mr. Blaine has
not had connected thought for 30 days
past. The heart, while nourish-
ing the other organs, has
not been strong enough to furnish neces-
Blaine has been slowly perishing at the
top. Mr.. Blaine dies like philosopher
at last. Distasteful as the subject of
ath has been to him in other and
stronger days, few weeks since he
called his family about him and calmly
told them he did not expect to recover.
He was in full possession of his mental
faculties and went over his affairs in de-
TAIL He said to each of his children all
he had to say. In the intervening period
the members Of the family gradually be-
came reconciled to the end impending.
When the history is written of Mr..
Blaine's illness, the touching devotion
of the wife and mother will
be one of its interesting
chapters. No one, except intimates of
the family, is able to appreciate her tidel-
ity, watchfulness and courage. Mrs:
Blaine remains at the bedside of her
husband almost unintermittingly, watch
ing every indication of a change, and
aiding promptly in every case of emer-
gency. Through all the stages of de-
spondency and grief which AIr. Blaine
has passed of late, she has u at his
side to cheer, soothe an then
him"
Shortly before 10 ocloe Presi-
dent sent a member OF ils oasehold
over from the White House to inquire as
to Mr.. Blaine's condition, and he was in
formed that the patient was resting
comfortably and it was hoped and ex-
pected that he would live through the
night.
At six this morning, when it was
feared Mr. Blaine was dying, messen-
ger was sent for Rev. DR.. /. S. Hamlin,
pastor of the Presbyterian Church of the
Covenant. DR.. Hamlin arrived at the
house at seven. He entered the sick
room and prayed by Mr.. Blaine's bed
side. Mr.. Blaine rented pew at the
Church of the Covenant, and it was the
only church he attended since his return
to Washington in the autumn. He Wis
tied it on one occasion only. DR.. Ham
lin visited the house later in the day.
At Midnight
Mr.. Blaine's physicians issued this bulle-
TIM 'sMr. Blaine's condition is more
favorable this afternoon. He is now
sleeping quietly and shows fair degree
of strength. The probabilities are that
no change for the worse will take place
tonight, although no positive assurance
can be given on this point AS compared
with last night and this morning he is
better"
Both physicians will remain through
the night. The family " II probably re-
new the vigil of last night or at least re-
main accessible at moments call. The
only near relatives not now present are
Prof. Damrosch and Mrs. Emmons
Blaine, both of who2 are understood to
be on the way here. Miss Gail Hamil-
ton is believed to be on the way from
Boston. Gel. Coppinger, who married
Mr.. Blaine's eldest daughter, is expected
Immediately.
From the time of issuance of the mid
night bulletin to a. M, no one entered
the house. Every Indication pointed to
some hours of tranquility. The blinds
were drawn down closer, he lights turn
ed lower and all had settled into quiet
ude.