xxxvi BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 



speak at any instant. The scene was very affecting. The coun- 

 try people, who knew and loved Hiram well, had come from their 

 farms and villages. When these stout yeoman looked upon his 

 calm, quiet face, with its sweet smile, they broke down at once ; 

 and " eyes albeit unused to the melting mood " swam over with 

 tears. Some few, including Dan Pfifer, could not trust themselves 

 to meet him face to face. All the trainers and drivers were there, 

 with most of the eminent owners of fast horses. The ladies were 

 there in great numbers ; and this was truly fitting, for Hiram was 

 always distinguished for his ceremonious politeness to them. He 

 was, in fact, when seen at his best, in person, in dress, in manners, 

 and in mind, a thorough gentleman. The service was performed 

 by the Rev. Mr. Munn, of East New York, in an impressive man- 

 ner. And then the procession, with its mourners, and Oliver 

 Marshall, Simeon D. Hoagland, William Whelan, Joseph Croch- 

 eron, John Crooks, John I. Snedeker, and Wellington Simonson 

 as pall-bearers, streamed along through the snow, to the cemetery- 

 gate, and wound its way up the hillside, and past the lofty monu- 

 ment, to the grave. It was a long tune ere the most had reached 

 the place ; and many, indeed, never got there at all until after the 

 clods from the spade fell on the coffin, and smote upon our ears 

 all mortal fate. Hiram Woodruff lies near the summit of a lofty 

 hill, which overlooks the south side of the Island and the great 

 waters upon which he loved to sail. The beauties and the 

 grandeur of nature are all about his last resting-place. When 

 it is bleak and stormy, as it was that day, the sough of the wind 

 seems to bear with it the deep roar of the majestic ocean. When 

 it is fine, there is no lovelier spot on all the Island ; and, standing 

 near his place of rest, one can look out far and away over a world 

 of life and fertile land and busy waters. Peace to him who sleeps 

 on that hallowed summit 1 



