11 Apr Sometimes kindness just sneaks up on you

When he rushed to Halifax last Thursday to reveal a blackmail threat against him, Richmond County Councilor Steve Sampson was using a loaner cell phone. His own phone was in for repairs.

On Friday, he drove to Antigonish to retrieve it. The bill came to $99. As Sampson reached for his wallet, the clerk held up his hand.

“Your bill has been paid.”

“What do you mean?” asked Sampson.

The clerk came around the counter and stuck out his hand.

“Mr. Sampson, I don’t know you, but I feel I know quite a lot about you. On behalf of the Antigonish Telus Store, your bill has been paid.”

There may be a few rotten people in Nova Scotia, but there are also some good ones.

[Disclosure: Sampson and I are friends, and I helped him organize the Halifax news conference at which he disclosed the blackmail attempt.]