DEATH APPARENTLY NEAR. ALARM AND DISCOURAGEMENT FOR GENERAL GRANT'S FRIENDS.

The day has been one full of alarm and discouragement for the members of the household here, and of suffering for General Grant. The worst fears of the wearying ride of yesterday have been realized. Twice the General seemed to be dying and he himself appeared to give up the long contest against death.

It was thought this morning that the General was on the way toward a rally from the fatigue of the rough ride of yesterday. At daylight he said he felt refreshed, but was still weak and indifferent to all around him. At 8 o'clock the General wanted to be dressed. It had been unusual for him to care to have his clothing changed before noon, and of late whole days had passed when he preferred to remain in the easy chair, with gown and slippers on, even when he thought of venturing on the porch. The morning passed quietly. Mrs. Grant took her chair within the sick room and sat by the General, content simply to be with him, as was her habit. Dr. Douglas congratulated the family for not having summoned their son Ulysses, as they had thought of doing last night.

All went smoothly until noon. It was noticed that the General did not want to be moved. He rather resented attempts to cool his resting place with a change of pillows. Somewhat more alarming was his disinclination to take food. He lay back languidly in his chair and Dr. Douglas poured some brandy in water. The General sipped it, swallowing half a mouthful, but rejecting the rest. "Stimulants only heat me up," he wrote. "They do not give me strength. I cannot take them." Then the General rose to nearly as erect position in the chair. He wrote again that he felt that he was sinking, that the limit of his strength had been reached. It was time for him to go, and there was no use battling any longer with everything against him.

The doctor tried to cheer him and he ordered food brought. General Grant shook his head sadly when the food came. He tried to drink it but it was at once rejected, not getting further than the throat. Weakness had advanced so far that the throat would not perform the action of swallowing. Food was repulsive to him under the circumstances. His strong will had utterly gone. The weakness became oppressive, almost painful. As the doctor talked, Mrs. Grant fanned the General. The cottage room was almost stifling to the weary sufferer. After a little while he opened his eyes and reaching for his pad, begged the doctor to give him morphine. Dr. Douglas feared to do it, fearing it would stupefy him. But it was no time to cross the wishes of a man who supposed he was asking only that his dying hours be eased. So the doctor made a very light injection and it had an almost instant effect.

The General sank back among his pillows like a child in slumber. Food was again offered. He tried to take it, but could swallow only a small part of it, the rest of it flowing back with a choking sound. His mind up to that time had been clear. It was not believed that it had begun to wander, but he seemed a little dazed. He forgot about his attempt to take food, and on rousing would ask for it. The muscles of the throat still refused to act. Along toward evening, Mrs. Grant went up to the General with food. He looked at her helplessly, but her face was so full of concern that he reached out for the glass. She thought he swallowed more than all the rest of the day put together. She took courage. The family alternated between hope and dread.

As day faded the General became restless. It was his time of special weakness. He wanted to try the cot, but he could not rise unaided, though could make it with supporting arms around him. The cot rested him for a few minutes only. He wanted the chair again. Then was the time for alarm. Mrs. Grant, Harrison and the white nurse Henry stood beside the General, following him as he moved about the room and fanning him. The others of the family all watched him from the parlor, dreading the worst. Colonel Grant asked Dr. Douglas if a message ought not to be sent to Ulysses to summon him. The doctor said it ought by all means. A change to the parlor was then suggested; the General heard it and nodded approval. He settled down amid his pillows and was wheeled into the big room, where all the family gathered around him. It was then nearly eight o'clock.

Suddenly all rushed to the General's chair, which had been stopped in the middle of the room. There was a paid waving of fans, and a hush of voices. All eyes were intent on the sufferer, his face growing leaden, his strength failing before them, he could do nothing but catch his breath in feeble gasps. All thought that he was sinking; that any moment might bring the end. He looked about him with a quiet, conscious gaze, and then his eyes closed in peaceful sleep. A crisis had been passed in safety. The ladies withdrew to the porch so that the General might not be disturbed. He was quiet until nearly 10 o'clock, then there was another sinking spell. The family again gathered at his side. He was restored as before and then fell asleep. At 1 a.m. the General was still resting quietly.