Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-30
PALACES FOR HORSES.
The Elegant Homes of Highly Aristo-
cratic Thoroughbreds.
BONNER'S MAGNIFICENT STABLES,
Where World Famous Trotters Lead Lives
of Luxurious Ease.
THE EQUINE FAvoRITEs OF RICH MEN
rxnrrrrx roR THE prsrArcH.,


pic circles of New York are beyond all odds
the most fortunate class of the population.
They are so beautiful in body that they can
afford to dispense with the souls that some
churlish people would deny them. They
are so superbly lodged and carefully at
tended here below that they might well be
content with the present They are the
friends and companions of gentlemen, and
show the results of association. They have
a staff of servants for their use alone. Their
only work is that which they most delight
in doing, and no delicate carefully cher
ished woman is so watched lest she over
exert herself The only creatures that ap-
proach their state of luxurious content are
the dogs, but unlike these they are not the
subjects of individual caprice. There are
but two flies in their honey pots. They
cannot talk and are not allowed to eat all
they want.
To speak of the stables in which these
horses live seems Inappropriate. The word
is inadequate and misleading. Here it
must be understood to mean city mansions
fitted up in hard woods, containing suites of
rooms furnished as the needs of q high-bred
aristocratic horse require, the appointments
having the last touch of elegance and
with every consideration for light, heat,
ventilation and drainage carefully regarded.
The stables of Mr.. Frank Work have
already the reputation for being the most
perfect OF their kind, as has Mr.. Work for
being one of the oldest and most accom-
plished drivers con the road" Without
the building is imposing in its size, and
from its round arched rock-faced entrance.
Conceive within a large inclosure, oak
lined and brass bound. with a richly mod
eled frieze and lanterns of beveled glass
and o1ydized silver swinging from glittering
chains.
HOMES OF FAMOUS TRoTTERs.
A heavy hemp carpet gives no echo of a
foot fall. Within handsomely mounted
glass cases and curiously shaped brass
frames hang the silver mounted and pol
ished harness. In velvet-lined Enclosures
screened by glass are the glittering bits. All
the appointments are brass mounted, even
the brooms and hay forks that make an
ornamental yet useful panel all to them
selves.
This is the home of Edward and Dick
Swiveller, one of the four great trotting
teams that the world has seen. It is proper
to approach with respect the first horses
set up for themselves, 2:16Z. Edward and
Swiveller occupy rooms in line and beneath
a pillared corridor surmounted by dome of
glass. Their rooms are paneled in quar-
tered oak, above which is an iron balustrade
with acanthuJ wreathed columns. The
brass-lined feed trough, if so vulgar term
NAV be pardoned, the brass hinges, bolts
and chains are polished to the last degree
of brilliancy. Mr.. Harding, who is the
architect of these stables, attracts attention
from tn ese aesthetic surroundings to the fact
that an engine stationed under the sidewalk
draws down the foul air and supplies fresh
air into these chambers in the winter, and
in summer does contrarywise, so that the
stables, as we read Of them in English nov
els, are not in evidence at all.
As Mr. Work is there making ready for
his afternoon drive, he acts the host, and we
are taken up the oak-lined stairway to his
suite of apartments on the next floor. It
consists of three rooms-sitting room, dining
room and bed room.
A HAPPY FAMILY.
Connecting at one side is the marble-lined
bathroom; on the other is a buffers pantry
equipped with an air of promptness In sill
yer and china and little dumb waiter in
Communication with the kitchen under the
roof. The wainscotting of dark rich wood,
and the subdued light through the hangings
add to the luxurious impression made by
the furniture and carpets. Truly one MAJ.
be very comfortable here. At the sound OF
q silver Whistles beautiful cocker spaniel
bounds in, followed by demure white cat
with the marks of tortoise shell ancestry
staining her sides. These are the other oc-
cupants of the apartment, and of this happy
family more at another time.
Nothing is more beautiful about Mr..
Works stable than the friendship between
the master and his creatures on whom he
has lavished so much luxury. The groom
has taken off Edwards bride and blanket,
and before his master approaches he comes
confdingly forward to be caressed. It is
impossible to resist such friendly advances
Swiveller is more Indifferent and submits
as one of those who turn the cheek. Evil
IDENTIFY Edward is Mr.. Works favorite. In
answer to demand for kiss he lifts up
his velvety nose and the two rub noses to-
gether, while Mr. Work calls attention to
the soft beauty of his eyes.
This team cost SCI ,000 and are priceless,
since money could not buy them. Should
their master drive them no more they will
never be driven again, but spend their days
in luxurious ease on the Long Island farm.
THE STABLE OF ROBERT BONNER
is temple-lIke, vine-wreathed structure of
brick, Immediately behind DR.. Halls
church, of which Mr.. Bonner is SO promi-
nent member. This home of the three
most celebrated American trotters, Dexter,
Rarus and Maud s, is half screened by a
high board fence, for around the house is
the track on which the horses are exercised,
otherwise a crowd as faithful as that which
waits on Mrs. Langtry's carriage would at
tend the appearance of Maud S and Rarus
taking their exercise. Mr.. Bonner's stable
was built 16 years ago, and while it has ev-
erything for comfort, has none OF the ele- |
gance that belongs to later stables. That |
makes no matter, for here is Maud s. She |
stands in the farther end. She wears |
blanket on which one reads, "Maud S,
Queen of the Turf" She wears a muzzle, |
else she would eat up her bed and carpet. |
The groom removes both, and she comes |
promptly forward.
Here is little lady who has done some
thing that none Of her kind have ever done |
before. She is the one horse out of all the |
world, and she is unspoiled and friendly as |
a kitten.
''She loves the ladies, " the groom says, as
she rubs her nose against my shoulder and |
endeavors to find II parasol knob is succu- |
lent. She loves Mr.. Bonner, too, but of all |
she loves Murphy. Murphy may not get |
down but twice a year, but when he comes |
in the far door and calls she knows his |
voice and shows how glad she is in every
way. 1t is Murphy also who is associated |
only one except Mr.. Bonner who ever drives
her.
MAUD AND RARUs.
Maud S comes from Ohio. Mr.. Wander
bilt became her owner and Mr.. Bonner