- A young author is so overjoyed at selling her first book that she unknowingly signs over all her rights to the greedy publisher. Later, after the book becomes a best-seller, the publisher's nephew (who has fallen in love with her) tries to help her get her rights back.—Anonymous
- Alice Gordon, a rising young authoress, has sold to the firm of Meeson & Co. the rights to her works. The contract is made before one of her books has reached such great popularity that her reputation is made and her fortune assured. Alice has an invalid sister dependent upon her for support and when a sudden change comes in the sick girl's condition, it is necessary for Alice to raise money immediately. Going to John Meeson, she is gruffly told by the old miser that her contract clearly stipulates under what terms she could get money and how much she could get. Meeson has a nephew, his only heir. The young man enters the office while Alice is discussing money matters with the miserly old publisher. When Alice has departed, the nephew engages his uncle in an exciting argument, and finally the boy tears up the contract which Alice has made with Meeson & Co., because it was so unjust to the girl. This incident so embitters the miserly old Meeson that he draws a new will, leaving his entire fortune to his partners in business. Meeson's nephew has been rather smitten with Alice and spends his time trying to find the girl at her home address. When he finally manages to see her and explains what he has done, she expresses her sincere gratitude. Alice tells him that she will go to Australia, where a rival publishing concern has made her a tempting offer for her future literary efforts. Meanwhile the invalid sister has died and Alice sails for Australia. Meeson learns of the offer and sails on the same ship with the intention of buying out the Australian publishing house. The ship bearing Alice and old Meeson, is wrecked. Old Meeson, in an attempt to save his skin, when he is not allowed to take his place in the first boats among the women and children, jumps overboard. Alice prevails upon the sailors who man the boat she is in to haul the old miser aboard. The party is finally cast away on a desert island. Old age and the severity of his experience brings Meeson close to death, and his conscience smites him. He would now gladly change his will, but there is no parchment or writing materials with which he may record his last testament. One of the sailors is an experienced tattoo artist and a plan is finally devised that the will of Meeson shall be tattooed with a sharp fish bone upon the back of a little boy who is among the castaways. The black fluid contained in the sack of a cuttlefish is to supply the ink. When it comes to the actual performance of tattooing, the girl objects to the little boy being made the victim and renders her own back as the parchment upon which the will shall be written. Eventually the castaways are rescued. Alice and the little boy are safely returned to London, where they arrive at about the time Meeson's will is being probated in favor of his business partners. Alice enters court at a critical moment and offers Meeson's last will in evidence. The dignified judges examine the document and pass the will around the court room for scrutiny. They finally admit that the strange documents is the last valid and legal will of the late John Meeson. The happy ending is inevitable, Meeson's nephew marrying both the will and the girl, thus keeping them in the family.—Moving Picture World synopsis
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