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- Cyrano de Bergerac is a joyous and witty poet filled with plenty of charisma and bravado in 17th-century France. He has only one flaw: an unusually long nose which makes him unattractive to any woman.
- Short
- Nora Harrigan is the idol of Parisian opera lovers, much to the envy of her rival Flora Desimone. Edward Courtlandt finds himself attracted to Nora, but she rejects him in favor of Herr Rosen. When Nora is mysteriously abducted, she denounces Courtlandt as her abductor, although he is never charged with the crime. To recover from her ordeal, Nora sojourns to the south of France with her parents where, at Colonel Wester's, she again meets Courtlandt. Her father becomes great friends with him, but Nora remains obdurate, although she has lost interest in Herr Rosen. Subsequently, Courtlandt discovers that Rosen was responsible for Nora's abduction and orders him out of the country. Just as romance is about to spring up between Nora and Courtlandt, Nora's father discovers that Flora and Courtlandt were married at one time and then separated. However, Flora's husband intervenes, forcing his wife to explain the misunderstanding and thus clearing all obstacles from love's path.
- Judith was the usual, the everyday type, that has always predominated, the trembling, cringing, pleading woman who humbly submitted herself in all things to her lord and master. Her husband, big, brutal and selfish, made her life one of abject misery and torment. He evinced a particular hatred of his mother-in-law and took every occasion to wound his wife's feelings in respect to her. Judith worked hard all day tidying up the house, thinking to please John when he returned home in the evening. Once, strange to say, he entered the door with a smile, the first she had seen in weeks, but only for an instant. His glance rested on a picture of Judith's mother which she had unconsciously placed on an easel in a conspicuous place. Stamping like an enraged bull he emitted a torrent of abuse, and tearing the picture from the easel demanded to know why he must everlastingly be confronted with that hated face. "Man must rule and not woman" he exclaimed, and suiting the action to the word he produced from the mantel a picture of his father and placed it on the easel instead. Judith accidentally reads Ella Willow Wheelcock's "Advice to Abused Women" and decides to follow it at the first opportunity. About this time, mother-in-law arrives for a long visit. She is met at the door by John and promptly kicked down the steps and warned to stay away. Judith seizes the opportunity she has been waiting for, and wades into her brute hubby with such fire and zeal as to literally take him off his feet with wonder and amazement. She teaches him a lesson he will not forget and he finally agrees "The new woman" in his household had come to slay.
- New York hotels are not noted for their modest rates and the action of the guests of the one our snorer selected for his abode, in bodily ejecting him for disturbing their slumber, was surely excusable mid warranted in view of the facts. A Turkish bath was his next place for attack; he got his bath, and to use a popular expression of the day, he got the goat of his fellow bathers. But how is a stranger to know that the public parks are used as a resting place for our guardians of the peace and that their meditations must not be disturbed under penalty of the law. Lawbreakers must suffer the consequences of their misdeeds and Snorer was promptly arrested for disturbing the peace. But innocence is mighty and right will prevail and after a short incarceration Snorer was promptly discharged; the entire reserves in the station house participating, assisted by the captain and lieutenant. If any one of them missed getting a good punch or kick in on our Snorer, it was purely an oversight. Some kindly and well-meaning citizen not knowing the enormity of Snorer's past offenses, assisted him to the hospital. There his cuts and bruises were ably dressed and treated and as rest is an important factor in the recovery of one's health, the Snorer was introduced to the comforts of a nice sleep-compelling bed, much to his gratification. Mistakes will happen and the doctor had diagnosed his case incorrectly. His trouble lay in his respiratory organs and this was not that kind of a hospital, therefore Mr. Snorer was firmly if not gently forced to seek proper treatment. So interested were the inmates in his case that each and every one of them assisted in his departure. In fact, several were so thoughtful they volunteered the use of their crutches, which they were obliged to throw after the late patient, Snorer's haste being great. We are told there is no rest on this earth for the weary. Snorer after his many recent experiences quite agreed with the statement. However, every cloud has a silver lining and A. Snorer bethought himself of that ancient and comforting motto, "Requiestant in peace," and a happy thought occurred to him. Where do we all at last find rest? Why in the cemetery of course, and thereto our exhausted hero hied himself, but the departed ones arose in their wrath and drove the interloper from their rightful domain.
- Stories of men who devote their lives to inventing means of making others happy are always welcomed by the reading public on account of their rarity. The forthcoming Atlas release pictures the success of a philanthropic chemist who discovers a wonderful powder which when sprinkled upon the person of anyone produced a delightful feeling of exhilaration and animation. The antics of a large number of people under the influence of the professor's magic powder in the hands of a mischievous youth are laughable in the extreme. All classes, ages and conditions are treated alike, the results being similar. The subsequent capture of the youth after his pranks have almost demoralized the entire village and the punishment meted out to him by his victims adds to the humor of the film.
- Our friend woke up with a grouch, carried his grouch around all day and took his grouch to bed with him. But it's like any other disease; we know when we have it and we want to be cured. Our grouch thought he was incurable; had tried every known remedy; he sure was the champion sour-face until he heard of Old Doctor M.A.K. Ulaf. The doctor's treatment was all he claimed for it; one dose of his famous Risibility Elixir made Groucho a changed man. He laughed at the troubles of others; he ha-ha'd when people slipped or fell, and guffawed at the argument between the police and the suffragettes, and was even filled with boisterous mirth when arrested and jailed for his hilarious demonstrations. But "it's an ill wind that blows nobody good." Our old friend Groucho is now known by his family, neighbors and business associates as "General Geniality."
- A marvelous picture, showing over five thousand uniformed New York policemen in a perfect drill, before City officials and the heads of the Police Department. How well trained a body of men these guardians of the peace really are, can only be appreciated when seen in the action depicted in this film. This is not a chance picture, taken while on parade, but especially posed for the purpose of demonstrating a detail of the training of this wonderful organization, not generally realized by the public.
- John Steven Clifford, known to his friends as Jack, and to the criminals who fear him as "Secret Service Steve," while visiting his college chum Edward Kerrigan, a Lieutenant in the 16th U.S. Cavalry stationed at Fort Erie on the Canadian Border, falls in love with Kerrigan's sister Nance, who returns his affection, but is continually annoyed by Franklyn Fitzhugh. While canoeing with Fitzhugh one day, Nance is thrown into the water by the upsetting of the canoe, and narrowly escapes drowning, being left to her fate by the cowardice of Fitzhugh who deserts her and saves himself by clinging to the upturned canoe. Jack, being in the neighborhood and hearing her screams, rescues her and is rewarded by her promise to become his wife. Upon his return to the army post he is handed a letter from his superior in Washington stating that "recent disclosures lead to the belief that much of the smuggling of opium and diamonds over the Canadian frontier is carried on in the vicinity where he is spending his vacation." A series of incidents leads him to become suspicious of Fitzhugh, and he decides to follow him to his Canadian home. There while in hiding he learns all that he has suspicioned is true. While hidden near their meeting place he learns to his horror that members of the band, acting under direction of Fitzhugh, their leader, have kidnapped his sweetheart Nance, and have carried her to one of their secret hiding places. In an ingenious manner he manufactures a disguise and manages to have himself engaged as a cook for the very camp where his sweetheart is held a captive. He contrives to affect their escape, but unfortunately is overtaken and made a captive, and condemned to be bound and thrown into the waters of the river. In the meantime Edward has become uneasy at the unaccounted absence of Nance and Jack and asks permission to take a small escort and search for the missing ones. Permission being granted, he searches the neighborhood, and while scanning the surrounding country with his field glasses, he witnesses the attempt of the smugglers to do away with their enemy and abduct Nance in a fast motorboat. The small detachment succeed in rescuing Jack and from him learn that Nance is a captive in Fitzhugh's hands. Riding very quickly along the riverside they try to overtake the motorboat, but their horses prove unequal to the task and they are about to give up in despair when they see a locomotive on a side track near the river. Paying no attention to the protests of the engineer they board the locomotive and start upon a chase after the motorboat. As the engine rapidly overtakes the boat, and as the soldiers are preparing to fire upon the smugglers, Fitzhugh holds the inert body of Nance, between his pursuers and the boat and has the engineer run the boat to the opposite shore. Jack and his party bring the engine to a stop and hasten to the riverside where they find a leaky old skiff with which they manage to reach the other side and continue to chase the fugitives. Fitzhugh leaves the main party and with Nance in his arms starts for the hills unseen by any but Jack who follows. On the edge of a great cliff they engage in a combat, but, unfortunately Jack is overcome and Fitzhugh is about to brain him with a huge boulder when one of the pursuing soldiers who is standing at the bottom of the cliff and has witnessed the fight, fires and kills Fitzhugh who topples over the cliff to the waters below. Jack is complimented and congratulated for his daring and success, and though rewarded by promotion in the government service found his greatest reward when shortly after he led his sweetheart Nance to the altar.
- After a sojourn in Europe, Pa and Ma Belmont, with their pretty daughter Hazel, return to New York. Among the passengers who disembarked at the dock there appeared a strange-looking East Indian who carried a mysterious bundle. He approached the Belmonts and explained that he was anxious to show his collection of Oriental jewels and novelties to possible American buyers. Pa Belmont extended his card and suggested that the Yogi call at the family residence at an early date. A few days later, mother and daughter were eagerly inspecting a rare and odd collection of Oriental curiosities which the Yogi brought. Among the lot they came upon a pearl-studded casket in which reposed a beautiful necklace having a peculiarly shaped locket attached. This, the Yogi explained, was a lucky charm and would bring good fortune to the wearer. Ma Belmont being slightly superstitious, was ready to purchase the trinket, but Pa objected, first, because the price asked was exorbitant, and again, because he did not believe in hoodooisms. Naturally Ma and daughter were disappointed and angry, and the Yogi likewise evinced his wrath by vowing vengeance as he left the room. After completely wearing herself out by sobs and tears, Ma fell asleep and dreamed the Yogi appeared in a cloud of vapor and produced the wanted necklace, which he mysteriously transferred to her neck, locking it on with a small padlock. Then he disappeared as suddenly as he had come. Smilingly she seated herself in a comfortable chair, when lo! the chair vanished and precipitated her on the floor. Other articles of furniture also disappeared as she touched them. Screaming with fright, she alarms the household, and one by one they rush in, only to vanish mysteriously as Ma touches them. Frantically she dashes from the house and down the street. Everywhere she goes there follows the elimination of people and objects. A streetcar, a train of cars and even a huge sight-seeing auto on Riverside Drive vanish at her touch, leaving astonished passengers in a tumbled heap on the pavement. At intervals, the Yogi appears in a cloud of smoke and beckons her on. At last they reach the same ship on which she arrived home, and just as she is about to follow her spirit-guide into the sea, she awakes in her own room.
- The struggles of a pure girl, the daughter of a French-Canadian trapper, against the wiles of a city libertine who would ruin her. A story of the deer hunting season in that famous hunting ground, in which the actual stalking of the deer and other wild game is shown with vivid realism. As the sturdy guides and huntsmen glide over the snow-capped mountains and into camp you see them skinning the slain deer and preparing an appetizing meal. Local color is added to the narrative by the introduction of many characters familiar to those who have visited the "Big Moose" region, such as Tom Baxter, who runs the "Baxter House," and is noted for his generosity and big heart; "Jean," the rough guide with a smooth and untroubled conscience, and many others who might be found among the simple, rugged mountain folk.
- A son, once manly, honest and hard-working, whose one thought was centered on the loving mother at home, but who, like thousands before his time, yielded to the voice of the tempter and was gradually weaned away from her influence until he became an outcast. But the mother never lost hope. She clung to the thought that to-morrow her boy would see the error of his way and be the man he once was. Even when they brought the news that a fight was in progress in Riley's saloon she did not hesitate for a moment, but ran as fast as her feeble limbs would carry her, to help her boy and bring him home. When she reached the low dive, her boy was in the center of a mob. Unmindful of the danger, she rushes in their midst, screaming. At the sound of her voice the crowd separates and she reaches her son. Rum-crazed, he throws the old woman from him, and she falls to the floor in a pitiful heap. When they picked her up everyone thought she was dead. The light of reason came to the boy's eyes when he realized what he had done; then, fearing the law, he made his escape. Weeks later we find him, wild-eyed, haggard and pale. By day and night he can see the sad face of his mother always before him. Finally in his wanderings through the tenderloin he stopped to listen to the sound of an organ as it pealed out "Where Is My Wandering Boy To-night?" Something drew him on to the open door. Then the music changed and "Rock of Ages," his mother's favorite hymn, was borne to his ears. Sobbing like a child, he never stopped until he reached the altar where the kindly-faced "Father of the Slums" stood. There he told his story to that motley, ragged and hungry congregation. Then someone began singing "Throw Out the Life Line." This was followed by a prayer for the erring one. Every eye was wet with tears as that motley throng filed out into the street, leaving the boy and the mission worker alone. "Now, my boy, brace up; forget your troubles and start out all over again." Etc., etc., said the missionary as he handed a dollar bill to the astonished sinner. "Get something to eat and a place to sleep and I'll look you up tomorrow." Well, he did look him up the next day and the boy went to work as a result. He kept on working, too, and finally, on the advice of his good friend and savior, returned home to find his old mother was not dead as he had thought, but was still alive and awaiting for her boy's return.
- Now, Kelly was a soldier boy in the army of Uncle Sam. He thought he's like the life until they gave him a tub and a washboard and made him official cleanser of the soiled linen. Then his feeling for Uncle Sam diminished and he silently stole away, only to be chased by bloodhounds and finally captured as he clung to the limb of a friendly tree. If Widow Morgan had only left her money in the bank, the hungry tramp would have failed to find her hiding place and the theft would never be committed; but she didn't and the tramp bought all the booze he could carry and went to sleep. Kelly made another get-away and this time eluded his followers. Then he grew hungry and while in search for food, stumbled upon the sleeper-thief. Kelly was shrewd enough to know his uniform must be discarded. He changed clothing with the tramp and went away. The sheriff had a good reputation of the thief and his deputies owned good horses. They caught Kelly and found some of the widow Morgan's money in his clothes. Kelly cried and confessed to being a deserter rather than go to jail as a common thief, so they rounded up the real culprit and Kelly returned to the fort in time to hear the sunset gun. He likes to be a soldier now.
- James Ravencroft was a well-to-do broker whose name in financial circles was one to conjure with during the palmy days of his career; he becomes gradually reduced to poverty, but manages to keep his financial condition a secret to his family. He conceives the idea of forming a "Beggar Trust" as a means of revenue. From this time on Ravencroft leads a dual life. At home he is the same lovable husband and kind father. In the underground rendezvous of the beggars he is the scheming, crafty king of petty sharpers and fakirs. His kindness towards a homeless waif, one of the beggars, wins for him her friendship and his life is saved when the band becomes mutinous and decides to elect another king. Ravencroft amasses a fortune through his system of employing beggars and escaping secretly when the police raid the beggars' haunt, he returns to his room with the girl, through a secret panel, secures his hidden hoard from a cleverly concealed safe in the fireplace and hurries home to his family, the beggar crew being hustled oft to police headquarters meanwhile. At the Ravencroft home the girl is adopted and everyone seems happy, except the master of the house, who, in his escapades with the beggars, contracts a severe cold which develops into consumption. Day by day his ailment grows worse. Two of the beggar crew escape from the police and discover a connection between their former king and the broker, Ravencroft. They call at his home and demand money. Ravencroft orders them from the house, whereupon they notify the police that the King of Beggars is none other than the broker. Ravencroft's weakened condition is no match for the shock of arrest, and he drops dead when a detective arrives at his home.
- As you sit beside your "best gal" in the old bob-sled, filled with straw, your thoughts are not with the troubles of yesterday but centered on the joys of to-night. Then yon reach the big, red barn and the fun begins. Neighbors for miles around are there to greet you; the spirit of the occasion takes possession of you and you shout for joy. The "fiddler" begins to tune up and before you know it you are whirling around with Mandy, then with some other girl and finally you kiss your "pardner." Of course, some critter in the party spoils the fun by getting jealous. Your best girl has found favor in his eyes and he shows it by a measly, downright dirty trick. You get mixed up in a complication of circumstances and before you know it you're disabled by a bullet wound and the critter escapes. To carry you along with the rest of the story would only be telling what you already know, so get the film, and you will know it all.
- Nell Pierce the girl detective once again solves a case of a missing jeweled bracelet, by saving a cat tossed in a bag in a pond by a tramp, and the cat had the bracelet around it's neck. Nell was a sharp shrewd and well read young miss and had a literary acquaintance with every detective from Nick Carter to Sherlock Holmes.
- The last wish of a dying mother to her fatherless boys, both of tender years, was that they always treasure her memory and try to live as she had taught them, to be honest, truthful and manly. She bade them take a photo of herself, the only one she had ever owned, and cut it in two, each of the boys to retain one half. Then she passed away and the boys began their struggle with the world, friendless and alone. Years come and go until we take up the thread of the story again. Here we have a picture of plenty and prosperity on one side, enjoyed by the younger brother who forged ahead and made for himself a fortune and fame and the dregs of degradation, the depths of sin on the other, in which the elder brother played a prominent part. In a low gambling den, reeking with vice and filth, a game was in progress. In stalked a roughly-dressed, drink besoddened wreck of humanity and staked his last dollar on a card, and lost. Then, from an inner pocket he drew a gold watch and chain and presented it for a loan. Through the door at his back stepped a policeman accompanied by a man who identified the man at the table as the one who stole his watch. Well, he was caught with the goods, and sent up for a year, which was reduced three months by good behavior, and he was released to again prey on society. And this was the elder brother. The younger brother had just closed a successful business deal, netting him many thousands and he was returning from the office in a happy mood. Passing a beggar on the corner he stopped long enough to take a ten-dollar note from a well-filled wallet and dropped it in the outstretched hand and then hurried home to a warm fire and the loving wife and child who awaited him. The beggar looked in amazement at the crisp, new greenback in his hand. Surely, a man who carelessly gives away large sums to beggars on the street must be very wealthy, he thought. Why should he have plenty and another suffer poverty, was the trend of his thoughts. So the beggar followed the other man and learned where he lived. That night, the younger brother's butler came into the library where he sat, after the family retired, and excitedly told him there was a burglar in the house. Cautioning him to remain silent, the man of the house secured his revolver and secreted himself behind a screen to await developments. Soon the folding, glass doors were pried open from without and a man stepped in, to fare a drawn revolver and hear the command, "Hands up!" While they were waiting for the police to come, the burglar sat by a center table cursing his fate. Suddenly his eves rested on a half-picture, leaning against the reading lamp. Reaching in his pocket he brought to light a piece of dirty newspaper wrapped around some object within. Unwrapping it carefully he produced something which he held beside the half-picture on the table and then burst into tears. Two brothers had met again. Outside the police were coming. It was but the work of a moment to send the butler for a lounging robe and to place the burglar in a comfortable chair with a lighted cigar in his mouth. When the police came they were told the burglar had escaped. Anyway, the bad brother changed his ways and the good brother placed him on his feet. On the first anniversary of his marriage the bad brother, now good, held a little reception but he refused to join in the toast drank to his health.
- Entering one of his favorite haunts, one night, he directed his attentions to one of the girls whose companion resented the intrusion and a terrific battle followed, He was carried home on a stretcher and nursed by Grace until he was able to leave the house. Not satisfied with the lesson received, he thirsted for revenge and began a search for the man who had caused his injuries. A chance meeting in the same café, an instant of deliberation and the deed was done. When the bartender came in from the street, where the wounded man had staggered, and cried that he was dead, horror was depicted on every face. Then the police came and led their man away. Grace heard the news and fainted. She lay between life and death for weeks, cared for by the kindly doctor-friend of her girlhood days. The man went to prison for the balance of his natural life, so the judge decided. But the masons who built the walls of Sing Sing failed to build them strong enough to withstand the cunning of the crook and criminal. Some of the men escaped, among them Grace's husband. He eludes his pursuers by changing clothes with a man who was killed by a stray bullet and goes into hiding. The guards carry off the supposed convict's dead body and the newspapers apprise Grace of the story. Meanwhile the doctor has been caring for her with the devotion born of long friendship and a love which has always been silent. Grace consents to marry him when she realizes she is free. They live happily and a child comes to bless their union. A thief steals into their home in the quiet of the night and is caught by the doctor. Recognition follows. Two men fight at the door of death. The child hears their struggle and stops a passing policeman in time to prevent a crime. The thief escapes followed by a shower of bullets as the officer shoots through the doorway. Grace, rushing into the room hears from her husband that a burglar has been shot but she never knows his real identity.
- There was joy in the Leighton household for a message had just been received that John was coming home. John had said in his message that something great had happened, that he was bringing a grand surprise for her and little Ethel. When Captain Leighton's ship, Marie, came into port many old friends wore there to greet him. Before going home the boys insisted on drinking so they all repaired to a nearby saloon. Every man demanded his privilege of buying and soon tongues began to wag as the liquor flowed. Then the captain told the boys the story of the sudden death of an old pirate whom he had once befriended and how he could reach the place where he had buried a fortune. To prove the assertion, the captain produced a leather bag from an inner pocket and opening it spread a handful of pearls and rubies, unmindful of the three men who sat at a table nearby. Bill Sykes had a record. He had spent the greater part of his life in prison. He would follow the old captain and await his chance. Of course, Bill's pals were declared in on the prize. He started home but never reached there until they carried his body to the grief-stricken wife and daughter, dead. Then the police started on a still hunt for the man who committed the murder. Dan Denton, detective, was assigned to the case and he was not long in finding evidence against Bill Sykes and his pals. A newsboy had seen the crime committed and had given him descriptions of the perpetrators. Sykes drank harder than ever. He could see Captain Leighton everywhere he looked. He needed courage to get away without creating suspicion and he figured rum would supply the courage. After one of his debauches in his own room, he sank into a troubled sleep. When he heard a voice, Captain Leighton's voice, commanding him to rise, he opened his eyes and there before him stood the old sea captain with that awful wound on his forehead, his face white as death. Somehow, he managed to escape from the room, and ran to a saloon. There he met his pals and told them of his vision. Dan, who had impersonated the old captain, quietly followed and placed the suspects under arrest. Then they were given a taste of the dread "Third Degree." Sykes' pals weakened first and laid the crime to him. Then the detectives worked on him. When they heard his full confession Sykes went to pieces. Weakened by liquor and the dread of capture his system could not withstand the grueling of the headquarters torture and the added thought of his penalty. When they tried to lead him to his cell he collapsed. Bill Sykes had cheated the gallows.
- Peace-loving John Quiet had lived long and satisfactorily to himself. Instigated by a doctor's prescription, an indulgent sister's solicitude and a brother-in-law's desire for companionship, he is induced to rusticate in the mountains in the belief that he needs must take the rest cure. To a jovial, fun-loving nature as typified by his brother-in-law, unusual inconveniences are trivial items, but to old John they mean discomfort. Riding seven miles over rough country roads in a nearly springless wagon, and perched among movable trunks and sundry baggage, might be passed over as an incident; but to be deposited without ceremony or the knowledge of the other occupants of the vehicle in the middle of the road and act as a buffer for the contents of the wagon would prejudice almost anyone against the simple life. How one can rest amidst a horde of mischievous youngsters who consider that your sole reason for being in the vicinity is to act as a subject for their pranks, John does not appreciate. To have an afternoon nap disturbed by suddenly being drenched by a pail of ice-cold spring water and then buried beneath tons of hay, to have an interesting day's fishing spoiled by an involuntary bath, might afford occasion for anger for almost anyone. But the worm will turn, and so did John when this old bachelor and woman hater was pestered by an old female, who will not give up hopes of capturing a man till Gabriel toots his horn, and so, when his one enjoyment, a bath in the old swimming hole, was interfered with by this female, his clothes removed and the entire population aroused and brought upon the scene to recover his drowned body, John then and there rebelled and vowed that the rest cure would entice him never again.
- The hero of the story, a slip of a boy, looks with longing eyes at the richly gowned woman as she selects a fat turkey at the butcher's and orders it sent to her home for a Thanksgiving feast, the following day. He realizes how poverty has descended on his widowed mother's home and how different will be their dinner. Surely there would be no harm in his following the butcher's boy and borrowing that turkey, especially as the Irish lady could easily afford to buy another. But Frank only reached a block away, after he had stolen the basket, which the cook had momentarily left on the step while she chatted with the ice man inside, when he ran into the arms of a policeman and was hustled off to appear before the juvenile court with the cook and the ice man as witnesses. Here, Frank broke down and told his story. Kind-hearted Margaret, the cook, was touched by his pitiful tale and she begged the judge to release Frank. Then she and the ice man drew upon their savings sufficiently to purchase a great lot of provisions, including a fat turkey, and they escorted the abashed Frank home to his mother. Later, the ice man called at Frank's home and took him on his wagon for a ride. Arriving at the office of the ice company it was found a boy was needed to run errands and Frank was given the place. By perseverance he worked up to a point where he was taken in as a member of the firm. Now mother and little sister are well provided for and live in a cozy little home of their own. Meanwhile the ice man married the cook and a child came, a boy, to bless their union. A year of illness reduced the little family to a state of poverty, the ice man being unable to work anymore and too proud to ask for aid from friends who would gladly lend a helping hand if they but knew it was needed. Frank, one day, bethought himself of his old friend and called at their home, only to find a "to let" sign in the window. It was the day before Thanksgiving and Frank had promised his mother to do the marketing on his way home. Stopping at the butcher's he made several purchases and stood talking to a passing friend while the butcher's clerk placed a basket, containing his turkey in Frank's auto. The ice man's boy happened to pass at this moment and thinking of the empty larder at home, noiselessly slipped to the rear of the car and made way with Frank's basket. After a lively chase, Frank captured the culprit and demanded to know why he had stolen his basket. The boy tearfully told his story while Frank's thoughts drifted back to a similar occurrence when he was on a similar mission. Leading the boy in his auto he speeded away to the market again where everything good to eat and look upon were purchased in plenty. Then, guided by the boy to the hovel of the ice man, and the gladness that he brought to that little family proved the happiest moment of his life. No longer do Margaret and the ice man suffer, for Frank has found them.
- Mr. Schmidt and several cronies are wont to meet in the back room of a neighboring saloon on Sunday evenings, at which time various brass instruments are produced and sounds unknown to musical ears drift out on the still night air. It's a good thing to have confidence in your own efforts, even if nobody else has. Imbued with the desire to cultivate the musical taste of the public and incidentally earn a livelihood in the pleasing, easy life of the strolling player, the Little German Band invest their savings in startling uniforms and sally forth on their glorious mission. But things unforeseen are always happening; their first adventure taking place in the backyard of a tenement. Almost anybody can appreciate music, perhaps none better than the Irish, but one Casey, sleeping off the remnants of a last night's "jag" has no soul for music early in the morning, throws his mattress on them. Their discomfiture is but temporary and they start with renewed vigor a couple of blocks away, where a "lady of color" showers them with ashes; another neighbor throws the contents of a tub on the Germans; a gouty individual "peppers" them with a shotgun; a bartender has the street cleaner drench them with water: an ever increasing crowd frightens them so much they take to their heels and never stop until they reach the dock; missiles of every description follow them as they jump into the river, where they seek refuge from further persecution.
- We see two little children playing near a cliff when suddenly one of them falls over the precipice to the deep chasm below; the other child frightened, runs off for help, and naturally asks the aid of the first man she meets. This happens to be the outlaw. Well may he suspect it is a trap to capture him but so strong is the little one's appeal that he goes to the aid of the child. He carries the injured little one all the way back to the house and, notwithstanding his good motive, it leads to his capture; but the parents of the child, realizing what a sacrifice he made for their little girl, lose no time in making a strong effort for his release. The case is too strong for the humane jury of westerners and he is acquitted. This action touches him deeply and after a series of incidents we at last see him with not only a new leaf turned over, but an entirely new book; married and a well-respected citizen in the community.
- Bidding good-bye to his parents a young minister leaves his eastern home to spread the glad tidings of religion to the people removed from its influence on the western prairies. Arriving at his destination he is treated to a warm reception by some cowboys lounging about the station; asking how many miles to go he is directed and hires an old rig which, however, succeeds in getting stuck in the mud and he is obliged to tramp off fifteen miles across the burning alkali. Faint from hunger, thirst and fatigue, he at last sights an old shack. A girl comes out; she is naturally suspicious of strangers, but seeing his plight, helps him to food and drink. He tells the poor child the simple story of the Savior's love for his children. She seems mystified and enthralled, and out of the shadow of her ignorance a light of hope breaks. They are surprised by the entrance of a man who proves to be a horse thief; he proceeds to tie the stolen property. The minister is quite a joke to him. He tries to get fresh with the girl; the minister has a hard struggle to keep his mother's good advice in preserving his temper but at length human nature can endure no longer. He knock the rascal down. Fortunately, the girl's father enters at this moment or the minister's life would have paid the penalty of his rashness. A large reward has been offered for the capture of the horse thief and the people are naturally not slow in trying to get it. Taking advantage of their preoccupation he quickly mounts his horse and dashes off, leaving the stolen animals tied to the shack. The posse arrives shortly after, seeing the brands of the horses they immediately come to the conclusion that the father of the girl is guilty of the theft. In desperation the daughter and the minister try to explain, but the evidence is too convincing. He is led off to a tree, the noose is about his neck and he is about to be strung up, when the minister and the girl dash in and make a desperate plea for his release. This serves but as an aggravation to the angry men, and but for the opportune arrival of the sheriff, who has caught the horse thief, they would have made short work of him. Explanations follow, the sheriff is an old friend of the father and orders his release. The minister and the girl are congratulated for having been able to stay the execution.
- Willie Love, although repeatedly warned not to trespass on the farm, persists in making love to the farmer's daughter. The loving pair are again caught by the farmer, who warns Willie for the last time to keep off the farm. Willie presumable leaves and Mary is sent to the house, but watching her chance she again meets Willie in the corn field where the farmer has been building a scarecrow, which is unfinished. The lovers think themselves secure from observation until Mary sees her father returning; the only hiding place is the unfinished scarecrow. With Mary's help Willie secretes himself in the straw suit, making a very presentable figure. All would have been well and the deceit would have been successful but for a country yokel who witnessed the substitution and informs the farmer of Willie's presence in the figure. The farmer tests the truth of the information by prodding Willie with a hay fork. Willie, who can no longer stand the agony, flees, pursued by the farmer. In the chase which follows, in hiding behind a bush, he is mistaken by a hunter for an animal of some sort and is shot. This, of course, sets him scurrying along and in climbing a fence falls upon several tramps who are enjoying a chicken dinner, and from there rolls into the fire which ignites the straw. Willie, burning like a human torch, in his flight breaks up a colored camp meeting, knocks down a ladder which leaves a farmer dangling in a tree, wrecks the tent of some girl campers and, still pursued by the angry mob, finally jumps into the river. This, of course, extinguishes the flames, but the poor boy is at last cornered and we see him being led away by a country constable.
- Tom Stuart left wife and daughter to join the Nome gold rush. In his absence the daughter eloped with a rich broker's son and they also started for Nome. Meantime, Tom Stuart was faring badly. He was being quietly robbed by a Mexican roustabout. The two elopers arriving, sheltered themselves in the same cave the Mexican hid the gold in, and they took the gold. Stuart had already accused the Mexican and they were about to lynch him when the appearance of the young couple put a stop to it. Father and daughter met for the first time in three long years and Tom accepted his new son-in-law in good faith, in spite of his innocent escapade which almost caused a tragedy. Some time later a happy and prosperous couple returned to the east just in time to save a ruined broker from suicide. A father's forgiveness followed, of course.
- Willie is sent to the butcher to buy some dog meat for his father's pet mastiff. Two blocks away he came upon a crowd of excited urchins and stopped to whet his curiosity. It developed that a crap game was in progress, the youngsters eagerly trying to win marbles, and other trinkets from each other. Remembering his father's admonition to "hurry back" Willie bravely marched on to the butcher shop and made his purchase, the butcher reminding him that the meat was not intended for human consumption, but dogs only. Returning by the same street, Willie forgets his good intentions for a few moments before and stops to watch the game which is still in progress. His interest waxes stronger and stronger until her finally takes a hand himself, depositing his package of meat on a nearby hydrant. A hungry tramp, attracted by the confusion happens by and scents the meat. Cautiously he steals away with the package and uses a tramp's ingenuity to prepare a hasty meal. Our knight of the road soon begins to cut capers under the influence of his canine diet. Through the streets he ran on all fours, whining and yelping like a dog. Pandemonium breaks loose and the town turns out en masse to capture this strange freak of humanity. Luckily, the dog catcher hoves in sight and is immediately pressed into service. With the aid of his net a capture is effected and our dog-man is hustled off in the dog catcher's wagon.
- Tony the barber, with aspirations above his calling, has had ample opportunity, during the periods between customers, to acquaint himself with the fact that the over-production of American heiresses and shortage of titled noblemen, is commented upon in daily papers. Reading of Lawncrest, a mountain resort, being unusually well supplied in this respect. Tony conceives the foolish idea of masquerading as an Italian Count in the hope of capturing an heiress for a wife. He purchases an impressive outfit at a second-hand clothing parlor, sends a telegram to the leading hotel, reserving a suite of rooms, and sallies forth in his quest for wealth. At Lawncrest, preparations for a hay ride were in progress when the bogus Count's telegram arrived. The landlord, proud of the distinction of entertaining the nobility, announces the fact to his guests. The hay ride is immediately postponed by the girls, much to the chagrin of the boys, who do not hesitate to show their displeasure. The girls proceed to array themselves in their best in anticipation of the Count's arrival, and indeed make a decided impression when he appears upon the scene, as the events following bear out. A woman's privilege is to change her mind, and when, after being formally introduced by the landlord to the assembled guests, the Count states that a hay ride would be a new experience to him, the girls immediately insist upon the original program being carried out, but now without any enthusiasm on the part of the boys. During the ride the Count is the center of attraction, the girls showering him with their attentions. Arriving at the picnic grounds, the girls treat the Count with the utmost consideration, while the boys are kept busy with the chores. Believing in the old adage, "Make hay while the sun shines," the bogus Count, taking advantage of the opportunities offered him, proposes to each of the girls in turn. But it's a long lane that has no turn, and the boys are soon to come into their own again, and in a manner both satisfactory to them and embarrassing to the girls. Bob, a brother of one of the girls, decides to spend a few days with his sister. Arriving at the hotel and learning of her absence, he decides to join the party. He is enthusiastically welcomed by the boys, and the girls, proud in their possession of a real live Count, all wish to be the first to present him to Bob. The introduction fills Bob with mirth and the Count with consternation, and Bob loses no time in divulging the fact that the Count is none other than Bob's barber, Tony. Imagine the mortification of the girls and picture the exultation of the boys, who in retaliation drive off and leave the girls alone with their Count. There is no anger like that of a woman scorned, or fooled, either, and what those girls did to Tony would require pages to relate. Really, Tony did deserve a coat of tar and feathers; well, he received a substitute for it. A cushion furnished the feathers, and, in the absence of tar, the girls employed the jam forming a part of the interrupted luncheon, and treated the Count of Noaccount to a coat of jelly and feathers.
- Mr. Jenks is going away on a business trip. Mrs. Jenks bids him good-bye with a parting admonition, "Beware of the fair sex and their wiles." The truth is Jenks is a bit of a Lothario and Mrs. Jenks has "caught him with the goods" on several occasions. Rushing to a railroad station on a hot day, the attendant noise and confusion would rattle the most stolid, so Jenks loses his bag and picks up a woman's by mistake. Meeting a friend and desiring to show him something he opens the bag. It contains some articles seldom seen outside "my lady's" boudoir. The friend gives a coarse chortle and lets his chum in on the joke. Jenks departs wrathfully. To be innocent and suspected is trying in the extreme. The lady owner of the bag discovers the mistake about the same time and starts in search of Jenks. A policeman has seen a man acting suspiciously and takes her along to identify the "suspect." A chapter of accidents and obstacles seem to have been made to order for poor Jenks in the next couple of hours and he determined to abandon the trip. He returns home in a pitiable condition. The woman arrives with a crowd accusing him of stealing the bag, and holds up the contents to confirm her statement. Mrs. Jenks "wags with the bush," first she sides with the woman, then defends "hubby," then becomes hysterical, then engages in a hair=pulling match. The tangle is unraveled to her satisfaction at last, likewise to the other interested ones. Jensk is received once more into the arms of his family.
- A young couple who have been in love since childhood attend the same college, becomes engaged and return home finding their families in a turmoil over the boundary line dividing the two farms. This ill feeling has smoldered in the hearts of the two men for years, but when Mr. Jones finds men at work on his property, removing the boundary line, he has tried to preserve, he immediately starts out with "blood in his eye" to hunt up Smith. He finds him and each tries to talk louder than the other, resulting in a complete disruption. At the railroad station the two old fossils waiting for their children glare at each other and when the train pulls in the lovers are dragged away from each other by the irate parents. All thoughts of horrible things are promised them if they are ever caught together again, but you may as well bid the main flood to change its course as to try and separate two panting, heart-hungry lovers. In their dilemma the brain works quickly, they hit upon a plan to sway the old fellows from their purpose; Mary holds up her own father, having assumed the character of a highwayman, and Jack dashes in heroically to the rescue, puts the robber to flight and wins the old man by his fictitious heroism. In turn, Jack as a tramp, holds up his own father and Mary comes to the rescue; the result exceeds their most sanguine hopes, coming to the scene of the contention the young folks work the parents into a good humor. They agree to bury the hatchet and allow the youngsters a free foot to get married whenever they care to.
- The little God of Love plays many pranks during the course of his arduous duties, He mates the old with the young, the ugly with the handsome, the grave with the gay. By common consent it is the universal impression that Cupid's only duty is to pierce the human heart with his arrow of love. This is only the beginning of his labors and the easiest of them all, for we humans are more susceptible to the feelings of affection than to any other emotion mortals are heir to. Cupid's domain covers the universe and it requires tireless effort and a sleepless vigil to keep his followers in subjection. It is when Cupid sleeps that "the broth is spilled" and his real troubles begin, for when Cupid is off duty his subjects become mutinous and he must necessarily assert his authority and demonstrate who is master. Caught napping one day, his slaves rebelled and it was only after the most strenuous efforts that Cupid suppressed this uprising. The incidents of this rebellion are numerous and would require too much space to relate in detail; suffice it to state that each and every mutineer was promptly captured and sentenced to spend the remainder of their days in Prison of Mutual Admiration and were securely linked together with Chains of Affection. This punishment was meted out to the youngest calf lovers as well as to the oldest habitual offenders.
- A demonstration of modern surgery forms one of the strongest situations in this novel picture story. The story deals with a young girl who possessed a wonderful voice and rose to fame almost overnight. She was one of those who lost her head when success came and forgot her dearest friend, listening to flattery of an admiring throng. But after the explosion in her dressing room and the doctors had declared she was horribly disfigured for life, she found her admirers dropping off until she was left to suffer alone. The loyal one, however, who had given her a musical education and watched her rise with pride and joy, was still the same true and devoted slave. Even when a great surgeon told him she could only be restored to her former beauty by skin grafting, he proved his great love by offering himself to the operating knife. The big scene of the operation was replete with real surgical equipment, trained nurses and a well-known hospital surgeon. Details were handled accurately and true to life.
- As little Hazel Wilson watches her broken-hearted mother kneeling by an empty crib, she realizes how badly she feels over the loss of her baby as the tears fall and hears her fond parent's sigh of anguish. Then she looks through her picture book and sees the stork bearing its precious bundle of babyhood and, after reading the story, decides to write to Mr. Stork and ask him to send another baby to Mamma who feels so bad. After the plaintive note is written, where to find the stork is the next problem. Suddenly she thinks of Jimmie Flanagan, her little playmate and straightway searches for him until she finds the lad and gives him the letter. Jimmie, in his own peculiar way, begins the search and he finds it no easy task as everybody on New York's East Side gives him the laugh when he approaches them, so he finally gives up the quest in disgust and joins his playmates at the dock, however he does ask the dock policeman where the stork lives and again gets the laugh for his pains. Footsore and weary, the boy slips the letter, as he thought, in the pocket of his ragged jacket, nor does he notice that the missive dropped through the lining to the sidewalk as he trudged off home and was later picked up by a starving woman who, with babe in arms, had decided in her desperation to end her troubles in the murky waters of the river. Her face lighted up with hope as she read Hazel's letter to the stork and she hurried away to the address it contained. With a mother's last kiss and a prayer for her future, she place the infant on the doorstep of Hazel's home, rang the bell and hurried away, happy in the thought that at least one life might be spared. When Hazel discovered the baby she was certain her letter to the stork had been answered. Quietly she slipped in the house and deposited her precious bundle in the empty crib surrounded by all her toys. Then she went to the kitchen to get some milk for the new arrival. Mrs. Wilson sadly enters to find the cradle no longer empty. Her husband arrives at this juncture and asks in astonishment where the baby came from. Just then Hazel trips in with a bottle of milk and enlightens them both and the parents happily accept the explanation and proceed to make the baby at home. We might carry you through the story to the ultimate fate of the baby's starving mother, who, fortunately, did not take her own life, and then tell you just how she later became a nurse for her own, without revealing her identity, but that would leave nothing for your imagination. The film will tell the last and most interesting portions of the story and you really ought to see it.
- Nellie, the sweatshop beauty, was of a romantic turn of mind. She had read of daring knights of old who rescued fair maidens from castles and prisons; of poor girls who won the hearts of millionaires and lived thereafter in luxury, but in Levinsky's cloak shop, where she toiled for a paltry wage, there was no romance in her life, nothing but nerve-racking noise and ceaseless work. Then she met a man who impressed her as being the ideal of her dreams. He was a buyer who visited the firm and was attracted by her beauty. When he called at her humble home, Nellie's mother wisely gave him to understand he was not welcome. She wanted Nellie to marry Albert, a young student who loved her devotedly. Angered at her mother's interference. Nellie retired to her room and sobbed herself to sleep. In her dreams she married the man of wealth and became the mistress of a beautiful home, but happiness for her was short lived. She found her husband's social set a maze of sin and corruption, an atmosphere far different from that her fancy had pictured. She realized, too late, that her husband was tiring of her charms. Then he deserted her and she began to sink down to the depths. In a low dive she sat brooding, her glass of rum untouched. There was a noise of shuffling feet and moving chairs nearby and she turned to find the man who had ruined her life chatting gaily with a sweet-faced girl just a few feet away. Then she went man. Little red spots danced before her eyes and a voice whispered in her ear, "Kill! Kill!" The man turned as her fingers tightened on his throat and reading determination in her eyes, tore himself from her grasp and rushed to the door. Screaming wildly, she grasped a bottle and threw it with all her might, but the missile went wide of its mark and through a window. Then the crowd closed in on her and the police came. Fighting like a tigress she strove to escape, but the odds were against her and she fainted. When consciousness returned, she found herself in her own room. Several days later, when Albert and her wealthy suitor both came, Nellie found the task of choosing between them an easy one. Now she knows what happiness means and Levinsky has lost his sweatshop beauty. She's too busy caring for an eight-pound baby boy.
- Once in a while we hear of men who make sacrifices for their friends or family, but rarely do they cast aside the love of a beautiful woman for the sake of another's happiness. Cameron was of a different type, however. In business he was liberal, considerate of his employees and honest in his dealings with the public with whom he dealt. His love for Agnes was of the highest and most enduring type, the best that man could give her, and she seemed to be satisfied until the day Cameron's brother came home, wan and pale, his health wrecked by fever, caring very little whether he lived or died. Then, at the request of Cameron, she began to nurse the brother back to health and strength. She soon found her interest in this weakling to be more than charitable. Gradually her affection grew until she realized a union with her betrothed could never be. The brother grew strong and rugged and with his change of health came a desire to claim this girl for his own, yet he dared not speak the words which he knew must break a brother's heart. He finally decided to go away and let time bring about a change of feeling which perhaps she entertained for him, only out of pity. When he tried to tell her he was going, they were seated in the parlor and she was reading to him. Suddenly she laid aside her book and looked into his eyes. The magic of that glance forever killed his good intentions and before be realized the possible consequences she was in his arms, kissing him passionately. Cameron came in at this moment and took in the scene at a glance. Crushing back his emotion, he smilingly congratulated the pair and went to his room. There he gave way to his feelings and cried like a child. The more he debated with himself the more he realized the necessity of leaving the scene of his troubles, so he packed a grip and slipped out of the house after leaving a note for his mother and brother. We find Cameron, years after, sitting in his bachelor apartment looking at a photograph, the light from his reading lamp shining down on his face as he calmly smoked his pipe and dreamed of the past.
- An eccentric old millionaire has hid himself in humble apartments with no attendants except a valet. One of his peculiarities is a desire to use his large fortune in helping his fellow man, though continually possessed with the delusion that everyone is after his money. He is finally coerced by two deacons of the church to will his great fortune to the establishment of an institute to perpetuate his name, and themselves to be appointed executors and trustees and have the handling of this vast sum of money. After signing the will as drawn by his attorney, he has a fainting attack, to which he is a victim, due to a weak heart, and his valet revives him as has been customary, by pouring spirits of camphor on a towel and holding before his nostrils. These attacks bring on a terrible headache which an application of chloroform relieves. One day, while being wheeled around the avenue by his valet he has a very narrow escape from an automobile, being saved from injury by the quickness of mind of a plodding young lawyer, whom he afterward invites to his apartment. The lawyer being unsuccessful and nearly impoverished accepts the invitation and later rues the fact. The persistent importunities of the two deacons that he put aside a small sum for them to use while working on the plans for the institute so angers him that he tears up the will and orders them from his sight, and when the young lawyer calls later he executes a new will making the lawyer the executor of his wishes and cutting down the institute's share to a small sum, naming others as trustees. He also gives the young lawyer a check for a large sum of money with instructions to bring the money to the house the following evening when he will instruct him how to dispose of it. During the absence of the valet on a few hours visit to an ailing relative the old millionaire is taken with one of his fainting fits and in trying to get the spirits of camphor to stave off the attack he accidentally gets the chloroform and kills himself. The valet is arrested and worn to a nervous wreck by the third degree. When offered his liberty and a large sum of money confesses that he murdered his master at the instigation of the young lawyer, who is arrested at the bank while attempting to cash the check given him the night before. The lawyer is tried and found guilty while the valet is turned adrift on the world with his ill-gotten money, though the stress of it all has turned his mind and he is almost an imbecile shunned and shunning mankind. A reporter on one of the large dailies interests himself in the case and finds undoubted testimony that the lawyer is innocent, but while on his way to present his evidence is run into by an automobile and rendered insane from the shock. Some time after the reporter is restored to his senses by an operation and presenting his evidence to the Governor succeeds in securing a pardon for the young lawyer.