The sun., 1903-11-17
REIGN OF The HORSE BEGINS.
ANNUAL SHOW OPENS IN MADl-
son SQUARE GARDEN.
Society, Radiantiy Attired, Fills the pri'
yate Boxes--william II. Moore bis
Winncr-ReEinald vanderbilt Gets
BIue-SIiccesses for Mrs. Gerkeh'

The Horse She W opened in the Madisoh
So,are Garden Yesterday under the most
unfavorable weather conditions, ana "heh
the lights in the big arena were turned on
in blaze last night, preparatory TO tne
arrival Of New York society and wealth.
there were many regrets expressed oy 'he
management that the outdoor drizzle ana
fog had not been dispelled by wintry blasls'
Nine O'Clock has always been the hour ior
the appearance Of the smart set, ana "heh
that time rolled around last night the Gar
den was not half filled. Thirty minutes
later there were numerous empty seats
but enough people had assembled to form
an assemblage worthy Of inspection.
The private boxes, in which fair women,
eorgeously dressed, were attended by wei
Rroomed escorts in immaculate evening
olot hes, we're the objects OF curiosity Tor
those who made up the never ceaslng walk
around on the floor OF the Garden. 1t was
here that families famous for their Social
standing and great riches were grouped,
and it was here, too, that New York's most
beautiful debutantes were having gay
time exchanging greetings with their men
friends. White was the prevailing color
everywhere with now and then symphony
bright ened the picture TO marked degree.
BSociety has often been accused OF lndi1-
ference to the horse. 1t is true that there
Is manifest satisfaction among the blue
bloods to be seen and to look over neighbor-
ing box parties. But last night there was
an apparent enthusiasm over the incidents
OF the oval tanbark ring on the part OF
society that augurs well for reform on
this line. This unusual state OF afalrs
may be attributed to the general public
interest in the thoroughbred Of to-day,
which has gradually spread throughout
America until it is of national flavor. 1t Is
quite the thing just now to he "horsy'
to be able to discuss racing and to speak
without error upon the fine points of hunt
ers, four-in- hands, tandens and high
school performers.
So it may be expected that as the Show
grows older society, and consequently the
public, will take to the popular exhibition
In Madison Square, with the inevitable re-
suit that the Garden will see some great
crowds before the end Of the week.
The Horse Show is managed by men
who are identified with the racing Of thor
oughbreds, and for that reason the Garden
savors of the race track. In the first place
Ian Ter Is there with his band which is
PLAYING the same old tunes that have been
handed out at the met ropolitan race courses
for the past decade
Then there is Happy Harry Wilcox, the
bugler, who has been sounding the signal
for the horses to leave the paddock for
years The programme boys are the
same who sold the official race cards all
the year. while boys dressed as jockeys
are fitting about doing odd stunts. 1t
was not at all strange, therefore, that an
unsophisticated person who had been to
the track and knew all these familiar feat
ures turned to a policeman near the main
eetfance, shortly before 10 O'Clock last
night, and said:
SAY, iriend Where is the betting ring?
l lust heard the bugle and want to get a
couple Of dollars down."
"This amt no race track !" growled the
bluecoat. 1This is the Horse Show, and
only swell people come here. The Wander
bits, Astors, Whitneys, Belmonts and
othersl You better wake up!"
So the unsophisticated man, feeling
very small and insignificant, wandered of
in the moving throng. The procession
around the ring, as usual, was made up
OF a motley crowd. Professional dress
were on hand early. They thought nothing
Of standing stock still in front Of box and
staring boldly at some beautifully dressed
sNow, that is simply charming said the
sharp-nosed dressInaker to companion,
as she eyed critically white gown with
crimson and gold trimmings. THAT v a
GEM
conscious OF the attention she was attract
ing for few moments, but when she saw w
what was going on she raised pair of
glasses to her eyes and simply withered the
dressmaker with hook that spoke volumes.
where are you goinpf' asked an usher
OF man In evening dress who was escorting
two richly dressed women into box pur-
chased at the sale by well known million
aire.
Mr.. So-and SO, the we'll known haberdasher,
and have a right. here. These boxes are
for the elite. ! understood!'
"You1l have to show checks for the box
or get OUT" the usher insisted firmly, but
the we'll known haberdasher would not
bulge until the usher called to policeman.
Then he walked about the promenade with
a diseiainful air.
@My, what handsome mani exclaimed
a woman in purple velvet with a green hat.
addressing her husband. "Who is he,
Georgef"
fashionable tailoring establishments IN the
city," was the husbands reply, made with
an expression Of extreme contempt. 1One
would think he was millionaire"
Il wonder IL there are any dukes or lords
or counts in the throng to-night?" asked
a little woman as she looked at the men
In white shirt fronts and black swallow tails
walking with military tread. raising their
hats with an ease and grace that possibly
denoted long practice.
III there are any such person shere, was
the response OF another little woman, @they
are incog. But there's a man with black
pointed beard who looks like French
Count"
And 80 the comments ran all the evening
while society applauded with white gloves
and chatted incessantlyabout leading topics
OF the day, the Princeton-Yale ootball
game coming in for large share OF attention.
Behind the private boxes there was just
scattering OF those who, while not actually
in the social swim always make strenuous
efforts to get into it, Then "a an outside
fringe In the rear seats, there we're the
ordinary persons who take in all sorts of
public functions, even though they must
20 to the top balcony to see Henry Irving,
Mansfield or other theatrical stars.
1t was In the latter stratum that the most
critical persons We're to be found nnd also
the most enthusiastic over the exhibitions
Of horsef'esh and skilled driving and riding
In the ring. From them arose cheers of
- l. r Il. l.