Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-02-27
Daily Short Story
'HeedIess Horsemen'
Nv CHARLES McGUIRK


AVA Lone Tree stables. was un-
loading his hunters al Madison
Square Garden on the first pos
sible day that IL could he done
because he believed IN getting his
show stock quartered AS soon as
possible.
He said that horses had 10 be
used Ia their surroundings 10 show
10 full advantage and he was after
five ribbons in this mans horse
show.
The Lone Tree vans rolled up
70 the curb IN solemn procession.
They were black and they had
LONE TREE cmblazoned on
their sides in giant golden letters.
Two grooms swung down from
their seats beside each driver
They hurried 10 the back Of the
vans. They opened the doors.
McGillicuddy came hurrHtng
back from his car which had led
the procession. He leaned for
ward and peered into the first
van. He saw three compartments.
each padded and each containing
a blooded horse. He mouoned 10
the grooms.
Bring 'em out" he ordered.
Carefully now. Watch that run
way. It's n little steep. Take II
easy. The light Is going TO blind
them"
The croomS said nothing. They
walked up the runway and led the
horses down. slowly and carefully
while McGillicuddy watched
The first two vans were unloaded
under the eyes Of a crowd that had
started as little knot OF curious
people and had now grown TO pro-
portions which soon would draw
the attention Of the traffic cop.
McGillicuddy- came 10 the third
van-and trouble
The grooms walked up the run
way and came back leading two
horses. Another groom moved into
the gloom of the van and pulled
the single knot on a head-stall
W0l(Il iiiO llOl st ilNolNoN w
the drivers seat
He was a big bay stallion with a
wise but rolling eye. He rolled the
eye on the groom. laid back his
ears and tentatively sent his two
back feet flying at him.
The groom slid aside and Rugged
the side of the van McGillicuddy,
watching from the tail board, said:
"All right. Wait minute.
Let him calm down." They
waited while the curious crowd
pressed in toward the back of
the van. McGillicuddy looked
behind him and frightened his
lips.
This crowd would be no help
10 a fractions. nervous boss. "All
right" he decided, bring him out
now
The groom gave gentle pull or
the lead-rope. The stallion went
I'D on his hind legs and squealed
The groom Rugged the van side
again and a little man with plenty
OF gray in his black hair stepped
out of the crowd and touched Nc
Cillicuddy's arm.
That's The Templar, isn't
it?' he said.
EYES," McGillicuddy answered
shortly and stared down at him.
T can bring him out" the
little man said rapidly II can
handle him. guess I'm the only
one who can. He has," he
Rrinned, "his peculiarities. I'D
Hike to groom him for you for
the show. No pay, you under
stand. All i want IL TO sleep In
his stall"
Turner" McGillicuddy pro-
nounced the name with no in
hection in his voice. II was a
fiat recognition with no enthu-
siasm. I'D pay you" He added,
"A groom's wages"
BIGGEST IN 5 YEARS
"And let me sleep In the stall,
teo," Turner insisted.
"AII right McGilhcuddy de-
cided.
Thanks" Turner said. It vii
be the biggest money I've made
In five years"
He walked up the runway under
the wise. rolling eye of Templar
The horse laid back his ears anC
let his head fall a little, gettinI
ready 10 kick. Turner pursed hi
lips and made kissing sound.
The Templar's head came W
and he looked around at the LITTLE
man who walked in unconcernedly
took the rope from the groom ant
said, Come on, boy" The big stall
lion turned with no more fuss ant
followed him down the runway.
They walked, man and horse
down the vamp into the vast base
ment of the Garden a Lone Ire
groom pointed out the Templar
stall and the man and hors'
walked into IL.
Turner tied him up and thcl
rubbed the stations nose. Th
Ternplar put his head down ant
thrust his nose into the mans arm
pit and snorted.
"You old faker YOU" the man
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