XXX BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 



the others by his sallies of dry, quaint wit. His death was uot 

 long after that of Mr. Shaw ; and it was a heavy blow to Ili- 

 ram, Collins had been such a loving, laithful friend and compan- 

 ion. It is, indeed, to be especially remarked, that Hiram Wood- 

 ruff had, above most men, the gift of inspiring true affection. It 

 was the pure sincerity and simplicity of his nature which effecteJ 

 this. He was as open and frank as a child : he could not even 

 think a rascality ; and rascals as well as honest men knew it. Then 

 his kindliness of disposition, and generosity, won the heart at once. 

 If a neighbor wanted any thing, — if the poor, the sick, the aged, 

 or the feeble wanted aid, — he gave it ; not patronizingly or pomp- 

 ously, but just as though he was paying them something that 

 he owed. Alas ! we have looked our last upon this great, loving, 

 charitable, child-like man. 



He was not of a demonstrative nature, except among his cher- 

 ished and trusted friends ; but the least sign of suffering, or need 

 of sympathy, in any one, opened the flood-gates of his heart. Hif» 

 face was square, with immense firmness about the jaw. His fore- 

 head was broad and lofty ; his eye, a deep, dark gray. It was 

 eminently a thoughtful face; and there was a sweetness in his 

 smile which will not be forgotten. Of late years the writer of 

 this has been closely intimate with Hiram, and has often pondered 

 over his virtues and great parts. His scrupulous regard for the 

 feelings of others was always shown when he mentioned other 

 trainers and drivers. In the composition of his book he carefully 

 avoided any thing that could by possibility wound or injure any of 

 them. It was, too, his pleasure to mention them individually, so 

 that he might leave a testimony to their capacity and worth. I'hia 

 was so like the man 1 He would do good by stealth. He began 

 his work on the American Trotter at the earnest solicitation of 

 Mr. Wilkes and other friends, who felt convinced, and at last con- 

 vinced him, that, out of his vast store of wisdom and experience in 

 relation to trotting-horses, he might set down umch that would be 

 of value to the world. It was highly appreciated. The people 

 hailed it all over the country. English papers copied chapter ailer 

 chapter at length ; and his old horsemen friends harangued each 

 other about it, declaring, " It's capital, I tell you ; and every 

 word jest like Hiram ! I didn't know that he could write any 

 thing moro than a letter ; but, in writing about horses, he can b«'>ai 

 'em all I " Hiram himself took pride and interest in it ; an .1 herw- 



