A SUDDEN MORNING ALARM. DR. SHRADY AND DR. DOUGLAS SUMMONED TO GENERAL GRANT'S. A SUDDEN CHANGE FOR THE WORSE

General Grant's household were aroused and alarmed shortly after 3:30 o'clock this morning, the patient having been seized with a violent and dangerous fit of coughing. Grave apprehensions were felt throughout the house. At 11 o'clock last evening, quiet sleep fell over the household and to those who watched the house there was no indication of life within until 3:30 a.m. At at that hour a messenger was suddenly dispatched in haste for Dr. Shrady and Dr. Sands.

There was uninterrupted cheerfulness at General Grant's house yesterday. From early morning the light shone into the front rooms, except when the General chose to try and sleep; the shades were then lowered in his bedroom. The General lay quiet for 20 minutes until his attendants discovered he was awake. His throat was sore, but no more than usual after a prolonged sleep. After the dressing, he seemed easy and chatted with some animation. His breakfast further warmed his loquacity, and after family greetings began at 7 o'clock he was quite bright. Mrs. Sartoris remained in the room with him for an hour, entertaining him with the morning news. After breakfast she joined she again. Mrs. Grant also sat with him. Her chair was at the library window. She laughed often over her daughter's merriment. The General also enjoyed it in his quiet way. Others of the family dropped in the room occasionally, but care was taken not to distract the patient's by general conversation. The hour or so was very pleasant for everyone in the house, as it was purely a home gathering.

When he was rested alone for awhile, General Badeau and Senator Chaffee sat with him. Badeau told reporters: "We all believe he is artificially sustained. When that prop falls out, the end must surely come." When the General was alone, he seemed so easy that the family, excepting Mrs. Grant, prepared to enjoy and outing. They left the house within a few minutes of each other. They were absent two or three hours. Dr. Newman called while they were away and sat with the General. "He was quite cheerful," Dr. Newman said. "I told him the press was quite pleased with his Easter greetings he had sent them. He smiled, but said nothing. He was evidently well pleased. I was impressed without he quiet and cheerful manner with which the General bears his suffering. He inspires the whole household."

The General then sat dozing behind the curtains, but most of the time was wide awake. The afternoon consultation with Dr.Shrady found the General amiable. The General wheeled around so that the doctors could look into his throat by reflected sunlight. The throat looked better than on Sunday. Then the General said this to Dr. Shrady:I have been wondering today if there might be a possible chance for me to get better again. I suppose the chances are a hundred to one against me, but sometimes I feel that I shall get better. I think that I have another choking spell that will end me very quickly. If you doctors can tell me how long a man can live in water when he is drowning, you can judge how long it will take me to choke when a fit comes on. If another choking fit comes I think now that the chances favor my lingering for sometime, I have got along so well the past two days."

The doctors expressed full agreement with the General's views. The General left his chair and tramped about the room as though he felt himself squarely faced toward recovery. "I don't know what to make of it," Senator Chaffee said. "It is certainly a singular case of ups and downs." When General Badeau was mailing letters he was asked about a report in the paper that a letter ha come from Jefferson Davis, expressing sympathy for the sufferer. "It is not true,"General Badeau said. "No letter has been received from Mr. Davis." A veteran soldier, who had fought with Grant through Virginia, rang the General's bell and tearfully inquired about the patient's condition and was assured that he might be thankful and take courage for another day at least.

The evening was passed in the sick room pleasantry for the patient and the family. There were household gatherings there after dinner lasting for an hour. The General was still inclined to silence though, but not manifestly despondent. He did not retain the cheerfulness of the afternoon. however, and the family left him early. He was reclining before the fire with his eyes closed. General Badeau left the house and said, "It is useless to hope for improvement. The Grant and Ward disaster has not been out of his mind for a single hour, and he cannot think of it without serious depression."

A little later Dr. Newman left the house. "The truth is," he said, "that the General is growing weaker. That expresses it. he is slowly and constantly sinking. He sits quietly in his chair with eyes closed most of the time. He doesn't talk as much as formerly. In regard to the future he is perfectly confident. The other day when he said he was going away, I asked him if the future was bright. "Oh yes," he said. Although naturally taciturn he shows his interest in the subject of religion by frequently asking for family prayers, which I have led. Soon after Dr. Newman went, the General had his throat dressed and prepared for bed, with his usual accompaniment of morphine. The hall lights were turned out and the outer doors were closed at 11 o'clock. The only bulletin between dusk and midnight was as follows: "11 p.m. - General Grant continues in a comfortable condition during the evening. He is now sleeping quietly and promises to have a good night."