Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-30

He was the handSomeSt thing that ever stood
on shoes. Tobias pointed out to me certain
physical indications of stamina and speed and
assured me that from my own experience
should see that he was one horse in 10000. He
certainly looked to be. gazed long and ear
neStly at his eyes. They attracted my atten-
ton, for had never seen such human eyes IN
a horses head before with all their beauty,
there was look of baf1ed cynicism in them.
They fascinated me. They seemed to look out
OH a world made for disappointment; they told
q story Of unrewarded effort Of uncrowned
strife, and seemed to say that, after all, the
worlds rewards are but sounding brass and
tinkling cymbal.
THE horse was purchased in what struck me
as a very short time. There seemed to be
no doubt that the owner wished to part with
him. He gave us minute directions as to his
care and management and seemed deeply con-
cerned lest we both come to an untimely end.
Tobias seemed to have provided for most Of the
details in advance. He had secured quarters
for the horse, and all had to do was to hand
the owner check and receive note for half
the amount, duly signed by Tobias.
After careful consideration we selected a
name. Tobias was Indifferent as to what it
should be, provided it began with A. This
seemed important to him for some occult rea-
son, and could raise no valid objection be-
yond the fact that it restricted our choice.
Finally decided upon Alcantara. The name
met Tobias requirement in regard to the A,
and it had for me certain romantic literary
associations.
The weeks that followed our purchase of AL
cantara were uneventful except that soon dis
covered which half of Alcantara I owned. I
was in firm possession of the forward end, the
end that was fed. Each month received
mounting bills for grain, as well as for strange
accounterments, with which was not familiar.
Each month Tobias calculated to a penny and
sent me a note for an exact half of the expenses.
did not see much of Alcantara, but Tobias
reported progress, and he seemed satisfied with
his pupil. For some reason he did not care to
appear before the world as even half owner,
and he allowed it to think that owned the
horse and that he was in my employ as trainer
I attributed this at first to Tobias natural
modesty, but soon learned that there were the
best Of reasons why Tobias did not wish to have
any possessions of any character. So assumed
the entire responsibility of ownership with all
its attendant glortes and Inconvenience.
One morning was told that Alcantara was
right. He had been moved to a large training
stable and Tobias had been working him over
the jumps for some time. The expense of keep
ing him here was considerably greater, but, as
Tobias pointed out this was unavoidable if
meant to do the right thing by the horse. He
never said "we"; he always spoke as if had
sole authority.
Upon being asked to visit the horse I brushed
aside all business matters and went to the scene
of action. 1t was an extensive and beautiful
estate used entirely for the care and schooling
of horses BY some means unknown to me, To-
bias had secured admission and was using the
schooling fields. There was SteeplechaSe
course laid out for school, and 1t was over this
that Tobias intended to give Alcantara his first
serious work, and he wished me to witness it.
Tobias greeted me and led me to the stable.
If Alcantara had been a thing Of beauty when
I first beheld him, he was thousand times
more so after weeks of care and attention. He
was led out for his owners inspection. could
not conceal my admiration, bad form as knew
it to be to express it. Tobias pronounced him
to be fair, but added that further improvement
was possible. Tobias mounted and assumed
that curious crouching position affected by