Bar Sinister

New Zealand Listener, Volume 5, Issue 121, 17 October 1941, Unnumbered Page

Bar Sinister

A: A man with so many natural gifts runs a risk of becoming too popular don’t you think? How did Sam Bennett fare in this respect? B: I'm glad you asked me that question, because it gives me an opportunity to testify to Sam’s strength of character. During Sartm’s early dave in

‘the village, partly perhaps to help overcome his misfortune, but more particularly because of his love of music and company, he went to the "Red Lion" in the long winter evenings, where he was the centre of jollification as they enjoyed the half pint mugs of beer. But he was never a lover of the bar; so he left its associations and became a

strong opponent of its bad habits and found other avenues for his talents. He had no. sympathy with those who spent too much of their 10/- weekly wage there. One incident will suffice to show this. After a few years, when he could

acquire @ little farm and have his own horses, the animals he so much loved, he became the village carrier. He was obliged to get a hired man to make @ few journeys, and on resuming his usual run himself to and from Shakespeare’s birthplace, he found that, as he was returning, his horse pulled up at a wayside pub. "Oh, ah," he said, "I know what’s happened!" ‘The dumb animal had told Sam a story. He didn’t blame the horse. He said "That woman has got my man to stop here for another drink, She'll never ride in my cart again to teach my animal bad habits." Sam kept his word.-("Sam Bennett," J. Purser, 1YA, October 14.)