The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-02-13

THE TARAx RESIDENCE.
Fred's father, who was a sturdy. we'll
to-do country farmer and merchant In
Illinois, vigorously opposed his becom-
ing jockey at first, but subsequently
relented. There was no prouder or
happier man in Illinois when Fred won
his first Brooklyn handicap on old
Diablo year ago.
Fred. Taral, although but twenty
eight years of age, is the richest Of
American jockeys. Yet there is not .
mean hair il his head. He IS almost
prodigal in his expenditures, and treats
his friends with princely hospitality.
The few hours he has on week days to
himself-from the time he returns
from the races to ten o'clock at night
are devoted to his wife and baby.
On Sunday, however. he is generally at
leisure, and friends call on him by the
score Here he is seen at his best. At
the table, wit, jokes and repartee arc
cracked as well as bottles, and good
Fellowship is the order of the day.
There is an ample sideboard in Teral's
diuing-room, and his guests partake
generously of its contents as well as
substantial viands. But Taral never
Joins them in bibulations. He dare not
do it for fear of making weight"-that
bette noir of all successful Jockeys. In
fact, he scarcely ever touches liquor.
1t is only when q bit weakened from
reduction" at the bath or elsewhere
that he ever does.
Many rich trackmen, racehorse own
ers and merchants call on Taral at his
house and partake of his hospitality,
and are always heartily welcomed. It
Is only, however, when seated at the
table with q few intimate friends
that he enjoys dinner the most. Some
of these are Johnnie Eckardt, the IA
nous referee OF fstic events, Ed. Stone,
Tarslis lifelong friend and adviser,
with whom ne ran eway from home,
Teddy Foley, Of .Gravesend, and
Johnnie Campbell and Johnnie Nee
han, the horsemen. With these he can
sit down by the hour and "swap
stories"
When not at his own home on Sum
days, TarA repairs to the big road
house he recently purchased on the
Harlem River road, the 'iSwsn's Nest.
There he meets sportsmen and gentle
men Of sporting proclivities, and makes
free and easy with them ell. The air Of
reserve which he usually maintains at
the race track disappears There are
no ''touts" there to badger him for
''tips," and the feeling of restraint II
gone. He is as jolly as the joIliest, and
win give and take a joke with anyone.
The tastes of the ''little fellow" as
he is popularity called, are eminently
athletic. Next to a horse race he de-
lights in fistic combat. He will jour-
ley from Canada 70 Florida to witness
, great boxing match, and few there
bre that have taken place within the
past few years that he has not seen.
He is a staunch friend of John L. Sui
Ivan, James J. Oorbett, Jack DenpI
ssv and Jack McAuliffe. He is also on
terms of intimacy with almost all the
celebrities Of the squared circle. Foot-
ball, baseball. field sports, billiards and
aqustics also command his interest and
support. When not engaged at the
track he never fails to witness a great
athletic event Of any kind. For music
and drama he does not care jot, and
were it not for his pretty little wife,
who dotes on both, would never visit
the theater. He does not think they
partake Of the realities of life, and
consequently are not productive of en-
during good. A really strong, in
structive play, however, is sure to at
tract him.
The secret of Fred. Tarars financial
success and popularity is an open one.
He is wealthy because he never
CANDLES, and further because he has
no vices. Unlike other great jockeys.
he is adamant. Beauty no more than
liquor has any power over him. He Is
loyal 20 house and home. He is popu-
lar because he Is the very incarnation
Of honesty, and sportsmen the world
over know it. He would not pull" a
horse or throw" q race if given tho
national treasury. He has been
tempted, but had the courage to with
stand it. Besides these sterling quail
tiles, he has never, despite his pro-
bounced successes upon the turf, ever
become afflicted with that disagreeable
and offensive disease known as the
"swelled head" He is the same honest,
manly, good-natured, good-hearted lit
tie chap that he was before he ever
won suburban or handicap. Bet
ter than all. he Is a dutiful son. faith.
tul husband, loving father and loyal
friend WILLIAM STANpIsH HAYEA