A MEMOIR. 43 



administered. Next morning he expressed himself as 

 feeling all right again. About this time, however, both 

 Dr. Bidwell and the family thought it advisable to bring 

 another physician in, and his old and life-long friend. 

 Dr. A. A. Lutkins, was called. He was carefully exam- 

 ined by both physicians from time to time, for symptoms 

 of pneumonia, but until Monday evening the 13th, no 

 symptoms appeared. 



About this time he received a letter from the editor 

 of the Florida Dispatch, enclosing a clipping that had 

 been going the rounds of the press, stating that the 

 famous rose " American Beauty " was of American origin, 

 and asking Mr. Henderson if this were true. He pen- 

 cilled a reply, stating the circumstances under which it 

 was found, and that the variety was really an old French 

 rose, " Madame Ferdinand Jamain." This was the last 

 article he wrote, and it was written on what literally 

 proved to be his death-bed. With characteristic thorough- 

 ness, in that article, he also mentioned the leading roses 

 that were of American origin. 



All through his illness he was bright and cheerful. 

 Monday morning, January 13, when his son Charles 

 called, he was in excellent spirits. In reply to what kind 

 of a night he had passed, he said, " rather a bad one, but 

 I feel a great deal better this morning," adding with a 

 smile, " do you know, Charlie, that at one time I thought 

 it was " Good-night to Marmion." That same morning 

 a characteristic incident occured. Among a few letters 

 that he had intended to answer personally, was one from 

 a gardener, asking if he could give him employment in 

 his greenhouses. This letter he handed to his son, say- 

 ing, "tell him we cannot take him on, Charlie, but be sure 

 you do it kindly." That same Monday night, pneu- 

 monia set in. There is every reason to believe that he 

 had a conviction, that this attack would prove fatal ; 

 for, a few days before he died, in converse tion with his 

 daughter, Mrs. Floyd, he said " do you know, " (calling 

 her by a pet name he had given her in childhood) 

 "that I have an idea that I won't get over this attack, 



