The Bar Sinister

by Richard Harding Davis

In his preface, Davis sheds light on the origins of The Bar Sinister. In the dog world, the original of the bull-terrier in the story is known as Edgewood Cold Steel and to his intimates as 'Kid'. His father was Lord Minto, a thoroughbred bull-terrier, well known in Canada, but the story of Kid's life is that his mother was a black-and-tan named Vic. She was a lady of doubtful pedigree. Among her offspring by Lord Minto, so I have been often informed by many Canadian dog-fanciers, breeders, and exhibitors, was the only white puppy, Kid, in a litter of black-and-tans.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1903

About the author

Richard Harding Davis (1864–1916) was a journalist and writer of fiction and drama, known foremost as the first American war correspondent to cover the Spanish-American War, the Second Boer War, and the First World War. His writing greatly assisted the political career of Theodore Roosevelt and he also played a major role in the evolution of the American magazine. His influence extended to the world of fashion and he is credited with making the clean-shaven look popular among men at the turn of the 20th century.

Reviews

[Mark Stephenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horatio Alger-style rags-to-riches story of a dog, told from the dog's point of view. Sentimental but demonstrating a lively imagination and well done. A great success in its day and no doubt an influence toward better treatment of animals.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! Absolutely Loved It!!!

[Paige Simms · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but heartfelt story written from a dogs perspective. Excellent 20th century commentary on class, race, and privilege. Wholesome ending.

[Eugenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice turn of the previous century dog story. I like a good animal story. Great for reading to kids etc. This particular book was amongst some of my great-great-grandfather's books and while moving it, I got to reading it. On par with Lad a Dog and numerous others. Nice lesson in it too.

[Jaydub · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about a street dog named "Kid". It is a simple but powerful story and beautifully told from the dog's point of view. I loved this.

[Peyton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book more than 100 years old

My grandmother's father gave her a first edition copy of this book, which she then passed to me. The book includes a lovely story and beautiful illustrations.

[William McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Story,

This is one of the best and inspiring reads that a younger or older reader can find. Told in the dogs prospective it is such a great story for all dog lovers.

[J. Rubino · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short tale is narrated by "Kid", the bull terrier who is the offspring of a mongrel mother and champion purebreed father. Foraging in the streets with his mother, he becomes custody of "The Master", a brute who forces Kid into the fighting pit. Kid is rescued and his fortunes take a turn for the better.
The opening of this delightful fable will be a little hard for dog lovers to read, since it involves dog fighting rings. It's not terribly graphic, however, and the further adventures of Kid are very engaging and come to a very sweet and satisfying conclusion.
I was a fan of Davis' "In the Fog" and "The Princess Aline" - he's a wonderful prose stylist with a good sense of pace, and often provides a nice surprise or twist at the end of his tale.

[A B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not aware this was a dog story when I started it, and given that it's not published in modern times, I was very worried about cruelty (I doubt I will ever recover from reading Black Beauty as a child).

But it's ok! There are some sad incidents, but the story has a happy ending.

It's about a bull terrier puppy who was the product of an accidental litter between a champion male and a sad little stray female. It's narrated from the perspective of this puppy, just called the Kid. He winds up separate from his mother and gets taken in by an evil man who uses him for dog fighting. He's rescued by a kindhearted man and has a series of adventures, all within a 25 page story.

[Karen Koppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was a happy ending short story about a dog that starts out as a fighting dog owned by a drunk guy who beats him and treats him poorly. He ends up winning prizes and being owned by people that love him. It's written by the dog. Really a sweet story.

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tiny little book about a poor dog whose fortunes are turned around written from the dog's point of view. My neighbour who is 92 and not much of a reader leant it to me. Her Aunt gave it to her. The book was printed in Australia in 1939. Glad it is still being read.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was the first story in a book with a dozen others by this author. this and every other story along with it , I rate 5 stars. I do not read or enjoy reading short stories but these were very good, very up lifting, of course you forget all about them 5 minutes after reading.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good dog yarn

Homey, sentimental and an easy read for adults or to grandchildren. A great ending to make all right with the world.

[Deb O rah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't care for the dog perspective.

[Jenifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect dog story. Told from the dogs POV and with a happy ending!

included in "The Golden Argosy" edited by Cartmell and Grayson

[Kevin Stanhope · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Kid's story (pun intended) but deep in meaning

[GERALD GENTRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

BAR SINISTER by Richard Harding Davis, published in 1903, is hailed to be the greatest dog story ever written. I have no doubt it is. BAR SINISTER is a short story about a White Bull Terrier and his mother: he went from being a street dog to the fighting pits to a champion show dog. Well worth the read. I read it at least once a year.