in the evening--it was
Thursday--walked from the Arlington to the White House, and sent my
card to the President, who was out. Then I strolled, passing through
Lafayette Square and sitting awhile there, thoughtful over the
President's troubles, and recalling the long letters I had written to
him at Mentor, urging that Levi P. Morton should be Secretary of the
Treasury, wondering whether things would have been better if that had
been done; for a good deal of the tempest that broke over Garfield was
because he sustained Thomas L. James in postal reforms. The testimony
taken during the trial of Guiteau shows that he was that night in that
square; and, knowing the President had left the White House, was on
the look-out, with intent to murder him. The incarnate sneak was lying
in wait, a horrible burlesque, to take his revenge because he thought
he had been slighted, and was so malignant a fool he believed public
opinion might applaud the deed. One of the dusky figures on the
benches was probably his.

At the Arlington, a few minutes after ten o'clock, I met
Postmaster-General James; and when told that I was going to New York
in the morning, he asked: "Have you seen the President?"

I had not, and General James said quite earnestly: "Go over and see
him now;" and he added: "The President, you know, is going to Williams
College the day after to-morrow, and I know he is not going to bed
early, and is not very busy, and will be glad to see you. He and I
have been out dining with Secretary Hunt; and the President left me
here a few minutes ago. Go over and see him. He has had a good deal of
disagreeable business this afternoon relating to my department, and
I am sure he would be glad to talk with you, and have something very
interesting to say."

LAST INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT GARFIELD.

Returning to the White House, arriving there about a quarter before
eleven, after I had waited a few minutes in one of the small parlors,
the President came down the stairs rapidly, and I took note that his
movements were very alert. I had not seen him since the night when
Mrs. Garfield had notice of the illness that had become alarming, and
from which she was now convalescent, and said first: "Mrs. Garfield is
much better?"

"Yes, much better," said the President, "and getting health out of the
sea air. She has enjoyed it intensely, and will be able to join me day
after to-morrow at Jersey City, on the way to Williams College--the
swee