The San Francisco call., 1910-11-13
By Catherine Robertson HanIin

DIV NduiSflUC ENODCflSOU i 1dIullH
~ r. SEWARD WEBB has offered
Eleanor Den Of Santa Barbara,
J Cal. the position of superinten-
dent Of horses at Shellburne
farms. at a salary that would tempt
the ordinary man Of affairs. While her
chief duties would be the breaking Of
spirited thoroughbreds to saddle or
harness, the entire supervision of the
stud would be in the hands Of this
slender slip Of girl who has never
set foot outside of California, but who
was at home on a horses back long
before she could speak plainly; and
who won cups ere more timid children
were deemed safe away from the re-
straining hands of mother or nurse.
Unhesitatingly the tempting and
lucrative offer has been declined. Not
because the girl is not eager to train
those wonderful horses and to catch
g glimpse OF the wide world that lies
beyond the rim Of her mountain girdled
state, but because there IS a gentle,
delicate little mother AT home who
could not stand the changes Of an cast
ern climate and who would droop and
die away from the only corner of the
out this mother would, in the simple
standard laid down by Miss Den for her
own rule Of conduct. he a monstrous
thing. It Is because of her that the
girl has taken up a line OF work that
has practically made her famous. lead
ing to such offers as that she has just
declined at Shellburne farm
Miss Den is familiar among those
who make their winter homes in.Santa
Barbara, 1Iontecito or Miramar, and
they are many and from all parts Of the
world Among her powerful patrons
are J. Hobart Moore, president of the.
Rock Island; z. p. Ripley president Of
the Santa Fe: the late f. H. Hartman:
the late Rear Admiral Bowman II. Nc
Gala Stewart Edward White, Samuel
Hopkins Adams, William TeVlS, SIR
Robert Hadfeld and DR.. Seward Webb.
Miss Mary Hartman was pupil OF
Miss Den and. during her stay in Mon
tecito part OF two winters, the two,
pupil and teacher, rode every day, some
times taking the trail across the Santa
Ynez mountains. not drawing rein TN
I'll they reached the old Santa Ynez
mission. now falling to ruins. Again,
winding about Eucalyptus. hill they
would skirt Montecitot and make
straight for the top Of the ridge, where
they could gaze over two counties. scan
the line OF Islands of San Clemente, San
Miguel Anacsp3, Santa Barbara, p
miles across the Santa Barbara channel.
or they would gallop like mad along
the beach, their horses small feet
throwing a shower Of drops as they
brushed the surf. But whether they
climbed mountains, rode through for
ests Of giant fredWooGs or by the
sounding sea-" the two were together
day after day. and when she was ready
to take her departure. Miss Hartman
was so delighted with her Instructor
that she offered to carry her off to New
York. or to one OF the exclusive country
resorts in that vicinity, and make her
the fashion. This, like the offer from
Doctor Webb was gratefully but firmly
declined.
Unlike the UP to date young woman,
Miss Den rides sidesa ddle fashion. sit
ting as erect and easily in the saddle
as though in q rocking chair. She
never sits cross saddle unless on a
mountain trail. where limb might
knock her from the horse But she can
change from one position 10 another
as quickly as the wind can veer and
she does It with as little apparent ef-
fort While she chooses this manner of
riding for herself. Miss Den permits her
pupils to ride as they prefer. often ad-
vising the newer mode. as Ii is growing
TO be almost universal, and she admits
that il takes an expert to ride both
ways with equal facility.
Miss Den is the daughter of Emanuel
Den. head Of one of the most illus
trIous Of the old Castiifan fami-
BAs who ruled California before the
Frmgo came. When fe lost the ranches
that numbered thousands Of acres each
and saw the last means of support slip
from his fingers he accepted the un-
Kindness of fate with no comment be-
yond shrug and lifted eyebrows. But
upon Pansy. then a child of y years.
delicate and small for her age, the blow
fell harder; it left her the sole pro-
wider for a feeble mother. nave
done my best" said the father, lament
ing the frowardness of racers and cards.
HDo not worry, madre mia; will do
my best to take care of you"