Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-30
Here Is a Different Sort Of a Race
Track Story-Bm in Its Difference Lies
Its Particular Charm-IHe Great Run
ofAIcanfara Cannot Fail to Thrill the
Reader-Another Complete Story, a Prise
Story, WiU Appear in The Stars
Magazine Next Sunday.

A tiny scrap of man, he might have been 80,
he might have been so. 1 never could decide.
AS listened enthralled to the recitals of his
experiences leaned toward the higher figure,
for no man of less than 60 could have had
time to have all the things happen to him that
had happened to Tobias. Yet as I grew to
know him and witnessed repeated feats OF
strength and agility, / knew he must still be
young His face gave no hint of his age.
Sallow, almost colorless, 1t still had the fresh
contours of youth, An utterly mirthless mouth,
a head almost entirely bereft Of hair, contrasted
strangely with a mouthful of perfect teeth of
unimpeachabe genuineness. He was always
clad In riding toys Of a strange and tndiscrtmi-
nate nature, and yet he had that gift, so In
frequently seen in men, of so wearing clothes,
no matter what they were, that he looked wen
groomed and well set up.
For some time relations were not init
mate nor were our contacts frequent Tobias
seemed to have no place OF permanent resi-
dence. If wished to find him had to make
circuit of the sales rooms and stables, and
sooner or later I would find him, dapper,
Shaven, clean, but as usual In the depths of
uncomfortable melancholy
THEN a never-to -be-forgotten day dawned.
At an early hour was interrupted at break
fast by the announcement that Tobias was
without. / had not seen him for months. He
had habit of disappearing for long periods
and these absences were never explained. His
intimates could not enhghten me, because he
had intmates Before greeting him tele-
phoned my business associates that matters Of
the utmost importance might keep me busy all
day. felt that the day upon which Tobias
sought me out was sure to be pregnant with
possibilities
Tobias greeted me in sadness, and the talk
flowed along the easy channels Of mutual horse
interest. I waited for him to arrive at the
matter in hand by his usual circuitous methods.
At length was rewarded. wish could re-
produce with any justice the melancholy sweet
of his recital. In substance, I was told
that a series of most unfortunate events had
reduced Tobias to financial extremities
known before. He blamed no one, least Of all
himself. They were due to the uncertainties
inherent in his calling, and when disaster came
it must be patiently borne.
Financial extremity was no new experience
for Tobias knew that-but on this occasion
difficulties had arisen at a most unfortunate
moment. just when fortune was about to smile.
The circumstances appeared to be these: There
was horse we both knew. His reputation was
bad: it could not be worse. Tobias felt sure,
however that his shortcomings were due to his
environment and to lack Of proper care and
training. His career on the turf had been
series Of miSfortunes accidents and tragedies.
He was now for sale, having nearly killed
stable boy and having lost two important
steeplechaSeS from a Sullen refusal to leave the
post. The price was low, but an immediate sale
desired. Tobias saw a chance to retrieve all
past losses He wished to purchase the horse,
spend as many months as necessary on his edu-
cation and the correction Of his faults, and then
race him another season. But, most unfortu-
nately, at just this moment his finances were
at the lowest possible ebb.
At this point, it seems, he had thought Of
me- Not at all a possible source of money,
but rather as the person to whom he could offer
a priceless privilege. had long enjoyed, he
knew, the pleasures of the hunting field and
show ring, and now he felt was the time for
me to enter into a larger field of equine activ-
ity. It was high time tasted the joys of the
turf and felt the thrill of winning race with
horse of my own To buy an outlaw, educate
him and win with him! That was something
to do.
Tobias came as near showing enthusiasm as
I ever saw him. He unfolded the plan. For
the moment it would be necessary for me to
furnish the money for the price of the horse.
Tobias did not enlarge on this; it was matter
me note for half the price and we could be
joint owners and partners He would conduct
the education of our stable and ride our horse
in the races In which he entered him.
AS Tobias led through all the stages
of our progress and showed me how inevitably
we should reach that browning hour when we
should flash under the wire winner amid the
frenzied acclaim of mighty throng, my blood
began to tingle did not confess to him that
in my widest hours had already dreamed this
dream and longed for its realization.
True to my horseman instincts, demurred.
pointed out all the difficulties and enlarged
upon the almost certain failure Of our hopes.