# Reuben Smith — Black Beauty character guide

> Reuben Smith in Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Reuben, Smith

**First appearance:** 0024-part-ii-xxv-reuben-smith

## Snapshot

A gifted coachman whose skill with horses and easy manners hide a drinking problem that has already cost him his place once.

## Who they are

Reuben Smith can drive four-in-hand, doctor a lame horse, and charm everyone in the stable yard — but he cannot reliably stay sober. York has twice hushed up his 'bouts,' and the earl has taken him back on a solemn promise. Trusted to drive Colonel Blantyre to town and ride Black Auster home, Smith's judgment falters when a loose nail in the horse's shoe goes unrepaired, and his old habits return at the worst possible moment.

## In the story

### [My Breaking In](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-iii-my-breaking-in)

Not directly present in this chapter.

### [XXV: Reuben Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-ii-xxv-reuben-smith)

Drunk and reckless driver; falls from Beauty and lies groaning, possibly seriously injured.

### [XXVI: How It Ended](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-ii-xxvi-how-it-ended)

Found dead on the road after a drunken ride; his body is taken home in the dogcart.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters/reuben_smith
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters