The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1899-12-23
THE OLD TOWN ON THE RIVER
FLORA BULLOCK.

and the wheel Of business is stopped for
a time. There are kind messages and
resolutions sent to the relatives Of one
who was called another way just as he
was about to take his place among the
nations rulers. And in the old town on
the river there is mourning every where.
The world outside will be led to ask now
what manner OF man he was who came
80 near the goal and many tributes Of
honest praise will be given wherever
Mr.. Hayward WAS known. But nowhere,
l think, will be heard a more fitting and
impressive encomiun than that given by
a pupil in q schoolroom a day or 90 after
! Mr.. Hayward's death. The teacher
y asked the meaning Of the word "benevo.
lent" With that blessed instinct 80
common to children they began to think
Of some one who represented what the
word meant. One boy who lie ordinarily
silent and can hardly be coaxed to an
swer questions, said, II think MIR. Hay
ward was a benevolent man." The
teacher did not need to ask his reason,
for he eagerly told Of the many poor
families who received so much from Mr..
Hayward, Of his readiness always TO
help those who were unfortunate. A
poor man who died was given a decent
burial-."in q &C fin, instead OF just q
box"-and his destitute family was
clothed and fed. Another man was
given q house and u chance to work to
keep it. Other pupils joined in to tell
something of the good deeds which are
not to be forgotten, and the silent boy
spoke more than at any time during tho
term. The spelling lesson was forgotten,
and il their way the small group Of rest
less children in the dingy school room
<did as much to honor q man Of good
deeds as those who sit in dignilsd state
in the halls OF congress.
An old friend Of Mr.. Hayward told
me another story to show the character
which friends knew 80 we'll. A farmer
once came to Mr.. Hayward's Office and
complained that the hail had destroyed
all his wheat and corn. "Oh, I guess
you're mistaken; it's just cut up Q little
Bit" Mr.. Hayward said grufly. But
the man insisted, and the judge called
for bis buggy and went out to see for
himself. When he came back he told
the friend that the crop was utterly
ruined. Then the next move he made
Was to shuttle out from among his papers
a note for four hundred d dollars which he
held against the farmer. II can't pay
it, the man said. well, you know
what to do with it," the Judge replied.
He destroyed the note and then supplied
the man with funds-and what was
Such men az this farmer will never forget
Judge Hayward; contrary to that oft
denied statement Of the poet, the good
H.hat this man did shall live after him.
~ Az an old inhabitant Of Nebraska
City, Judge Hayward was one OF a group
OF men who, with their families, have
formed a select and happy circle. When
one Of these has gone on before, the cir
Gle is not enlarged to fill the vacant
place, but those who are left remember.
and the widowed and fatherless are 80
~atfectionately cared for that the grief lie
not unbearable. Judge Hayward has
been a strong support, a true father to
others in their need, and the vacant
place will be felt. l imagine. almost as
keenly through all this circle as in his
own home. The highest praise of Judge
Hayward that l have ever beard was
something told me several yeare AGO by