"THAT ALTERS THE CASE."

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3096, 31 May 1881, Page 4

"THAT ALTERS THE CASE."

■ in my hearing, at a the post-prandial intellectual, though 1. It was told of a ir, named Benslev, j upon tho dramatic r in the army, dug on the strand ie numberless craft acs, Bensley felt his turning he beheld a i, who bad belonged with himself, and

with whom, while in the service, he had been on terms of strongest friendship. The meeting was of cordial, and as it was near dinner-time, Bensley invited the ofheer to bear him company to a good coffee-house, where they could renew their friendly intercourse over a smoking chop am a bottle of wine. The Scotchman gave assent, but not frankly. There was reservation in Jus manner ; and at length it came out. ' Let us keep i' the shade, Bensley. 0.. hoo could ye disgrace the uniform of the regiment by turning play-actor ?' The actor, taking his friend by the arm, led him on, at the same time giving his idea of the life upon which he had entered. * I have made it,' said he, ' the rule of my professional career that I will not enact a part, or represent a character, which can, in any possible manner, plant in the human bosom a single impure thought, or excite an evil passion. I have certainly made many of my fellows happier than I found them ; and I hope I have instructed a few, at least, in better lessons of life than they knew before.' . By this time they had arrived „t ™eir destination; and when Sandy saw the rare dishes brought on his eyes beamed. ' Tell me, man,' he said to his entertainer, ' how much money can you make by this busines o' yours ?' •Well,' said Bensley, sipping his wine, ' I now get about a thousand a year— perhaps a little more.' i 'Hech! That alters the case, man! Have ye ony vacancies where I could make a beginnin' wi' ye ?'