SB TALES OF PINK AND SILK. 



hair and side whiskers to match the honest eyes, and mounted 

 on an iron grey cob to harmonise with both hair and eyes 

 and even the suit of clothes that he is wearing, is Mr. 

 John Fielding, one of the most successful trainers of 

 the day. " Natty " Fielding, as he is generally called on 

 account of his extreme neatness in dress, and indeed in 

 every detail of life, began his career in a training stable, 

 developing eventually into a jockey, and riding with no little 

 success till the offer of the post of private trainer to a noble- 

 man induced him in middle life to send in his cap and jacket 

 for good. On the death of his patron. Fielding launched out 

 on his own account. The best type of racing men sent their 

 horses to him, feeling sure that the utmost would be made of 

 them ; and now behold him in the flood tide of his success, 

 eagerly watching a rough-and-tumble gallop between two 

 youngsters, with a couple of old hands thrown in " pour 

 encourage les autres." 



"Here they come," he says as he makes out with his 

 glasses the four horses sweeping round a clump of trees, and 

 up go the glasses of his two companions. The one nearest to 

 the trainer, and mounted on the thoroughbred mare, is Mr. 

 James Dalton, who has been introduced before. Mr. Dalton 

 was about forty years of age ; he had been bred and brought 

 up in the country, and but a few years before had relinquished 

 his stool in a Government office on inheriting a deceased 

 uncle's wealth. Passionately fond of racing and the breeding 

 of throughbreds, he was at last able to indulge his taste to the 

 full ; in his paddocks were some of the best matrons and most 

 promising youngsters of the day, while Fielding had in his 

 care a few horses belonging to James Dalton that were a bit 

 more than useful. 'Twas a great blow to young Dalton 

 when on leaving Harrow he found that instead of spending 

 his life at home with his father as " the young squire," 

 he must turn out and earn his own living. The estate 



