New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-11-24
TALE OF TWO TROUSERS.
J. r. Townsend Sets a Fashion at
the Horse Show.
BUT IT'S A STRANGE ONE
So Peculiar, in Fact, That E. Van
der Horst Koch Yields With
out a Struggle.

Long the unfaiing barometer OF the
most exclusive fashions and the harbinger
of coming styles, the horse show broke
all records yesterday afternoon. when John
r. Townsend and +. Won der Horst Koch
entered the judges stand arrayed not as
the lilies OF the field, but rather in two
of the most startling pairs Of trousers that
mortal eyes ever gazed upon of the vaude-
Vile stage Each wore one pair.
Their effect must be seen and heard 10
he fully appreciated. They dazzled the eye
and spoke for themselves. Words fell when
Townsend, who is well known as a horse
man and a business partner Of Robert
Goelet. did not wear them because he lost
a bet but in order to win one. The wager
was made with Mr.. Koch, who drove one
Of Alfred G.. Nanderbilt's coaches in Eng
land. Both OF the men are judges Of har-
ness horses. and they entered into a httle
contest between themselves to see who
would wear tho loudest pair OF trousers in
the ring. The size OF the bet was not an
nounced. but II is known that it was not
Tor n toothpick Mr.. Townsend made
runaway race Of IL.
The material out OF which the winning
trousers were made was something in the
nature of a horse blanket, and yet differ
ent. The color scheme consisted OF black
and white stripes. fully an inch wide, form
ing a neat little check for everyday wear.
In order 20 relieve the monotony OF the
deadly black and white. the weavers of the
cloth with rare taste injected vivid
orange stripe OF pronounced width every
six inches. thus making a fetching"
plaid
II was this orange stripe which won for
Mr. Townsend His opponent gave one
look AT the trousers. and after he had re-
covered his vision said: "You win. Jack"
and handed him blue ribbon Mr. Koch's
apparel by itself would have caused a
panic almost anywhere. considered per Sc,
but at the side Of Mr. Townsend II seemed
ut for Quaker meeting. The same black
and white check was observed therein. but
hardly so pronounced. while an almost in
visible red stripe was used to set off the
plaid. 1t was a Strauss overture in itself
The orchestration was well nigh perfect,
but the brass biare emanating from his
opponents equipment drowned all the
hidden beauties Of Mr.. Koch's ralment.
In order to insure getting into the Gar
den at ALL Mr.. Townsend had the fore
thought to come with Alfred g. Wander
bilt. and naturally he was admitted at
once He wore a long black overcoat I'm
the street. which left only about six inches
Of his trousers visible. He did this. he eX-
planned 10 prevent being arrested and
being subjected TO cross-eXamnation by
Bellevue alienists. As soon, however as
he had the protection Of the Garden s
pinkertons. he removed his overcoat and
stood forth in all the glory of his attire.
When asked where he obtained the trous-
ers. he said:
This material was son ething my talors
had in stock for fourteen years and were
unable to sell. 1t was originally intended
for the lining of liveries, but the design
was so noisy that no one would think OF
buving it, After the tailor had made up
the trousers, he was daring enough to sur
mise that 1 would never wear them. / told
him | wanted them for the horse show,
and he added $40 to Mr.. Koch's bet that
I would never appear with them on. But
here am. How do you like them?'
The question which is now bothering the
tailors and milliners who make practice
of watching the patrons of the show 10 ge
the latest fashions is whether Mr.. Town
send has not unwittinely set new style.
/ Time alone will tell.