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- "As seen in the Decoration Day Parade passing the reviewing stand in Madison Square, New York City."
- Reproduction from the well-known scene of "The Two Orphans."
- Here we present a faithful illustration of the beautiful sacred song by Clarence Hunt, "Ora Pro Nobis." The entrance of a beautiful church forms the background of the picture. The scene opens with the congregation passing into the church, and a very heavy snow storm prevails. It is night and the lights of the church stream out over the snow clad yard. Against a snow covered gravestone a young girl dressed in rags is resting, her face depicting want, care and weariness. A beautifully costumed lady, passing into the church, pauses long enough to speak a comforting word to the waif and passes her a coin. The child, however, is evidently past the point where she is interested in money and drags herself to the church door and listens to the music, her face beaming with evident delight. Weakened by cold and exposure, she totters toward a cross on one of the graves, at which she prays, and falls exhausted in the snow. The sexton and some of the congregation discover the body of the dead girl. Here a most beautiful and appealing effect is introduced. The angel of death hovers near and is seen to take the girl's departing spirit, which assumes the thin outline of her body and slowly ascends to the sky.
- Taken at St. John's Home, Coney Island. A large number of boys are bathing in the surf. At a signal the boys leave the water and walk toward the camera. A very unique subject.
- A series of pictures showing the care taken of the little tots in one of the largest orphan asylums in New York City. A number of tables are spread in the gardens around the building and the children march to their places for their noon-day meal, The nurses place them in their chairs and distribute the food, which the children proceed to eat. After dinner is over and the children are removed from the tables, the gardens are cleared and the little ones who are not old enough to walk are given an outing in baby carriages. Each carriage contains two babies, and it is amusing to see the little smiling faces as they pass the camera, After the children have had their outing, they are taken indoors, and those who were allowed to play in the dirt are given a bath. Here is where trouble begins. As the children are dipped in the water they raise a cry and hastily endeavor to rub the water from their eyes. Next is shown one of the children getting its hair cut. An elderly nurse acts as barber, and after numerous twistings of the child's head she, with the aid of a large pair of clippers, removes all traces of hair. One of the important tasks of the nurses is the fire drill. Each nurse has a number of children assigned to her care. These she must teach what to do when the fire alarm is sounded. This scene represents the children marching out of the building when an alarm of fire is sounded after bed time. In very orderly file each group of youngsters hastens out of the building and down the stone steps to the ground clad in their night clothes and carrying their shoes and stockings.
- A girl poses as a boy to get work but is too late to save her dying brother.
- Act I opens with a beautiful view of the River Seine in the background and shows the arrival of the blind girl and her sister. They encounter an old hag who makes her living by begging and worse practices, and who has two sons, one a cripple, who makes a poor living as a scissors grinder, the other a vagabond who lives on what he can steal. The girl who has her sight attracts the attention of a libertine nobleman who causes her abduction leaving the unfortunate bind girl at the mercy of the hag, who persuades her to accompany her to her lodging with a view of compelling her to sing and beg on the streets. Act II introduces a gay scene. Nobles and ladies of the French Court are enjoying themselves when one of the men boasts of his capture of the girl who has been abducted. She is brought in and appears greatly frightened by her surroundings. One of the noblemen objects to the manner in which the girl has been treated, and high words ensue which lead to a duel, resulting in the death of her abductor. Act III, a street in Paris during a severe snow storm. The hag is seen compelling the girl to beg from passersby. Whatever money is obtained in this way is at once appropriated by her taskmistress, who departs with her youngest son, leaving the cripple and the blind girl together, between whom an affecting scene takes place, each offering words of comfort for the other's affliction. Act IV, the girl who had been abducted and rescued is seen at work in her humble lodging. She is visited by her deliverer and one of the elder court ladies, but while conversing with them she fancies she hears in the street her sister's voice and sees her pass through the snowy street before her mental vision, accompanied by the hag and her two sons. She attempts to rush out to join her sister, but is stopped at the door by the gendarmes, and being arrested for a supposed crime is conveyed to the prison of St. Sulpice. Act V. a most realistic presentation of the interior of the female prison in which the girl just arrested appears with others in the garb of the inmates of St. Sulpice. Through the generosity of one of the other inmates and the kindness of the Lady Superior in charge, she obtains her pardon and at once leaves to renew her search for her sister. Act VI, the interior of a garret, where are lodged the hag, her victim and her two sons. The hag abuses the unfortunate blind girl and drives her from the room before the entrance of her sister, who has been traced to the place. The sister sinks onto a rude bed and, overcome by weariness and grief, falls into an uneasy sleep. The hag and her son leave and the blind girl re-enters the room. By some mysterious attraction she recognizes her sleeping sister and the two are joyfully reunited. The woman and her son again enter and try to separate the girls. A fight ensues between the cripple and his brother, the former trying to champion the cause of the girl, in the midst of which the gendarmes arrive on the scene, accompanying the nobleman who rescued the elder girl, and the court lady. The hag and her villainous son are place under arrest and the other characters are made happy as is their due.
- A boy steals, is jailed, freed and refused work. He robs a house where his sister has been adopted.
- A little orphan leaving her former home, bidding farewell to a kind neighbor lady. Tired and footsore the weeping girl takes a seat on a pile of dirt alongside the street. The lady occupant of a turn-out coming down the street observes the weeping girl and stops to interview her. She compassionately invites the girl to her home. Arriving at the home, the furnishing and decoration of which bespeak wealth and comfort, she is assigned to a room, and the elderly housekeeper invites the girl to a luncheon in the kitchen. Offered wine, she refuses to drink and thus incurs the animosity of the woman. Scene: drawing-room. The mistress removes her jewelry and places it in a receptacle on the table. Leaves the room. Enter, by another door, the housekeeper. Sights the jewelry and takes it all, leaving by the same door. Going to the room of the girl she places one of the articles under the pillow and then goes to her own room, where she places the balance in a drawer of her dresser. The girl goes to her room to retire. Mistress, returning to the drawing-room, misses her jewelry. Calls the housekeeper, who feigns innocence. Master appears and summons the girl, who professes her innocence. Police inspector summoned, girl questioned, room searched, article there secreted by housekeeper discovered, girl is confronted with evidence against her and officers carry the struggling girl away to the jail. Kitchen scene: housekeeper partaking of luncheon, indulges in too much wine, goes to her room with burning lamp, staggers to dresser, from which the drawer with the jewelry is yanked onto the floor, falling to the floor the lamp explodes and sets the place in flames, shrieking, the woman runs from the room and falls to the floor in a faint, master and page extinguish the flames and woman is taken to hospital. The master makes inspection of housekeeper's room and comes upon his wife's jewelry. Reports matter to police inspector. At the hospital the guilty woman confesses her crime. Girl is summoned from jail and is affectionately received by her former mistress and master, shrinks from woman on bed, heeds the pleading voice of the dying woman and grants her pardon. Great rejoicing of the innocent girl as she is restored to the confidence of her benefactors and her character vindicated.
- A story of sweet pathos dating back to the troublesome days of the sixties, with the refreshing vigor of the mountains in the rapidly changing scenes. The story opens at a little mountain school house. The teacher comes out with books and papers under his arm, sits on the bench reading, when a poorly-dressed child comes up and nervously and excitedly imparts some news. The master, a young man of reserved manner, listens, puts his books and papers aside and is led away by the girl. Down the mountain side the strange couple wend their way until they reach a cabin, her home. A grizzled old man of unkempt and dissolute appearance, half-crazed from liquor, reels in and falls upon the floor. The child assists him to his feet. He staggers and falls again, this time in the throes of death. The school master bends over him. The dying man points to his child and bids the teacher care for her. The daughter clings to the inanimate figure, refusing to be consoled. The master finally leads her away, and they start in the direction of the village. To a pleasant cottage the master takes his new charge. She has been reared in the mountains, is wild and ungovernable, and rebels against her protector. A knock at the door is answered by a good-natured mother, followed by her family, two small boys and two girls. The master explains his mission and the child is welcomed by all except one girl, who looks at the newcomer with disdain. The next scene takes us to the grave of the mountain girl's father, a plain pine board headstone. The orphan brings a wreath of wild flowers, places it on the lone grave and kneels beside it alone with her grief. The school master comes upon her thus, and sits beside her. From one topic to another they pass until finally this wild flower confesses her love for the school master, fondly embracing him. He gently disengages the girl and they proceed homeward. Another scene at the school house with children of all types romping about, the orphan and her girl enemy among them. The last names is evidently the village belle, and by flirting with the school teacher she incurs the everlasting enmity of the orphan. She sees her protector and rival walk away together evidently on very friendly terms, and at the sight she determines to run away. Leaving a note to her benefactor telling of her intentions of joining a theatrical show, the petulant girl makes her way to the opera house, where she asks for an appointment. The manager, a rough, uncouth man of the world, is attracted by her childish simplicity and she is immediately engaged. Meanwhile the master returns, finds the note, resolves to rescue the girl form her foolish determination and makes for the theater. Members of the company and idlers stand around as the teacher appears on the scene. Angry words lead to a fight. The manager pulls a gun, which the school master wrenches from his grasp and beats him down. He takes his charge and goes his way. At the school again a mob from the village appears and threatens the master. The orphan steals up to his side, falls at his feet and bows her head. He takes her up in his arms. They bid farewell to the old schoolhouse forever and go away.
- ALONE IN THE WORLD. -In a plain little room lies an old Grand Army man upon his deathbed. Beside him kneels a little girl. Two friends enter. He begs them to take care of the little girl, they promise to do this, and relieved of a great burden, he dies. The two Grand Army men take the little girl by the hand and lead her away. AT THE FUNERAL. -With military rites the old soldier is carried to his grave. An impressive scene. THE ORPHAN'S HOME. -The Grand Army men bring the little girl to the Soldiers' Orphans' Home, where she is received by the matron and presented to her future companions. At the same time, a boy is brought to the institution. He, too, is introduced to the boys of the institution and received with open arms. LITTLE FRIENDS. -The little boy and the girl who have been brought to the institution almost at the same time become great friends. It is now six years since they came. We see them going through their daily exercises at the institution, a most interesting picture of out-door life. LOVERS. -While growing up, their friendship has ripened into love. THE CALL TO WAR. -The country calls its sons to war; our hero, without hesitation, offers his services. A last farewell, a last kiss, and he has gone. WAR. -An interesting picture, showing infantry and artillery in action. RETURNING FROM THE WAR. -The war is over, the battle has been won. Our hero returns and is received with open arms by his sweetheart. WEDDING BELLS. -The two orphans join their fate. The parson ties the knot and two happy beings are made one.
- Arthur Ware, a young artist, has just lost his wife and baby and is sunk in the deepest grief over his affliction. George Perkins, a middle-aged man, marries and brings home his new wife. Lucy, a pretty but hard, unloving woman. At Perkins' house lives his little orphan niece Olive, who looks forward with pleasure to see her new aunt, but Mrs. Perkins slights the child, and beats and scolds her for the slightest fault. One day Olive sees in her uncle's library some pictures of the beautiful buildings in Rome and reads in a book the sentence, "All roads lead to Rome." Taking this literally, her life made wretched by her aunt's treatment, she sets out to find the beautiful city. She meets with the young artist, Ware, on a sketching tour, when she is worn out and half starved. Ware's heart warms to the poor orphan. He listens to her story, takes her home with him and resolves to adopt her to take the place of the child he lost. He writers to Perkins, who has become anxious over the loss of Olive, and Perkins consents to let him adopt her. The final scene closes on Olive's happiness, as she does at last get to Rome with her protector and with him visits the beautiful places she has read about.
- A woman adopts a dead man's children and they reunite her with her drunken husband.
- Widow Mrs. Johnson and widower Mr. Brown, both childless and alone, are very unhappy and long for the companionship of home and family. By a strange coincidence, both hit upon adopting an orphan to bring up as their own. Mrs. Johnson visits the Hilldale Orphan Asylum, and after inspecting the many little inmates, she selects pretty 10-year-old Helen. Shortly after she has left, Mr. Brown comes to the asylum and makes the same choice. They ask each other to withdraw. The head nurse suggests that Mrs. John and Mr. Brown marry each other, then both can have Helen for their own. They therefore go to a minister, get married, and return to the orphanage for Helen, whom they take to their hears, and smilingly accept one another with that happiness and contentment of mind which makes the two one, and the three a complete, happy family.
- REEL ONE: Diane Eleanor De Vaudrey secretly marries a man beneath her. A child is born, Louise, the blind girl. Diane's father kills her husband and forces her to marry the Count de Linieres, who remains ignorant of Louise's existence. Louise is placed in the keeping of a peasant woman who has a child of her own, Henriette. Eighteen years later, the peasant woman dies and the two orphans start for Paris. The day they arrive in Paris, the Marquis de Preales notices Henriette and decides to kidnap her. Henriette rescues Marianne, an outcast, from suicide. Henriette is abducted by the Marquis. Marianne, in order to escape from Jacques Frochard, surrenders to the Gendarmes. Louise, left alone, starts toward the river and is saved from falling into the water by Pierre Frochard. a brother of Jacques. La Frochard, an old woman beggar, lives with her two sons. Louise now falls into their hands. The Marquis has brought Henriette to a garden fete, given in honor of the Chevalier. Henriette appeals to the Chevalier's honor to save her. In an ensuing fight De Preales is killed. They start out to search for Louise. REEL TWO: The Count De Linieres, now Minister of Police, discovers that there is in existence secret archives containing the histories of noble families. The Countess tells the Chevalier of her early marriage and baby Louise. The Count overhears enough to make him suspicious. The Chevalier tears out the incriminating page and burns it. The Chevalier, deeply in love with Henriette, arouses the King's displeasure by proposing to the girl. She refuses him and he renews his search for Louise. Meantime, poor Louise, clad only in rags, is forced to sing on the snow-covered streets, by Frochard. Pierre attempts to aid Louise, but is rebuffed by Jacques. The Countess pleads with Henriette not to marry the Chevalier. Henriette hears the voice of her blind sister in the street below, and attempts to rush to her, but is arrested. Louise is dragged away by Frochard. REEL THREE: Henriette is exiled, but Marianne, the outcast, changes places with her. Chevalier's valet, Picard, has located Louise in the old tumbled down boathouse of the Frochards. Picard carries the tidings to Henriette while the chevalier goes to enlist the aid of the Count and soldiers. Henriette arrives at the Frochards, and finally finds her sister, but when they attempt to leave, Jacques bars the way. Pierre has previously determined to free Louise, and now he engages Jacques in a knife fight. Jacques is beginning to best his weaker brother when the soldiers arrive and batter down the doors and the girls and Pierre are saved. Frochard and Jacques are arrested. Pierre is rewarded and Louise is restored to her mother, the Countess. Henriette places her hands in those of Faithful Chevalier, and once more life takes on a golden hue.
- Little Jack's mother has just died, and confided her son to the care of his grandfather, from whom she has been estranged for many years. The grandfather regards this adoption in the light of an unpleasant duty, and the little boy is left much alone. One day he makes friends with a stray dog, and, braving his grandfather's wrath, leads the animal indoors, only to be scolded, while his friend is shut out. During the night Jack hears the dog bark, and dressing himself steps out of the house. Accompanied by the animal, Jack sets out to find his mother, but has not gone far, when, tired and weary, he falls asleep on the grass. The dog cannot make out this strange behavior on the part of his new master, and promptly trots back to the house. Meantime the boy's absence has been discovered, and aroused by the dog's bark the grandfather, accompanied by the nurse, with the dog leading them, is brought to where the boy is. The sight of the poor little lad, sleeping peacefully, touches the grandfather's heart, and he himself tenderly brings his small charge back. The next day the dog is finally adopted as a member of the family, and surreptitiously the old nurse brings him some food, to be followed by the grandfather. The little boy has been watching and springing out of his hiding place is soon clasped in the old man's arms, while the "Orphan's friend" looks on, immensely proud and pleased with himself.
- Eva Lester, a little girl of nine years, finds more pleasure in boyish sports and pastimes than with playing with dolls and similar girlish toys, and causes not a little distress to her mother, as invalid, and to her father, Herbert Lester, a gentleman of moderate wealth. Eva's mother falls seriously ill and upon her death her father proposes to the nurse who had attended her during her illness and a few months after the death of his first wife the two are married. The step-mother to Eva is true to the tradition of step-mothers in general and the manifestations of hatred for the little girl results in the little one's threatening to leave the house. This bitter scene is followed by the explosion of a lamp to the drawing room of the Herbert's, resulting in the death of Eva's father, a moment or two after he has written to the life insurance company changing the beneficiary from his dead wife to the second Mrs. Herbert. The explosion sets fire to the house and Eva is rescued by a boy friend and a fireman. Some time elapses and Eva's cruel step-mother decides to have revenge upon the innocent girl in sending her to the house of an impoverished and drink-sodden man and woman. Here they make life so miserable for the little girl that one night, when locked in her room, she slips out of the window on a rope and runs away. Later she is found by a kindly minister who takes her home and when the brutal foster-father of the little girl attempts to claim her, he is given a sound thrashing by the minister. The minister adopts Eva and the photoplay closes on a scene of rare contentment.
- This film shows the entry into the Grouch family of a sweet girl let an orphan. The snarling, fighting Grouch children are shamed by her gentleness as she returns insults and even blows with gentle words and kisses. The minister helps her in her work, and the reformation of the family is effected.
- Lilly and Ned Thomas are orphans and live in a garret. They are very poor. Ned is lit and Lilly, to get food for him, takes the last thing of value they possess, a locket with their mother's picture in it to pawn. Lilly enters the pawnshop, but the clerk refuses to take the locket. Lilly on her way home finds a white bull terrier, which she brings to Ned. She tells him that she was unable to pawn the locket, but brought the dog she found, so that he may amuse himself with it. While she is preparing milk and bread for the three, Mrs. Murphy, a neighbor, looks in. She sees their poverty and brings them some fruit and a newspaper. In looking over the paper, Ned sees the advertisement for the best dog Lilly taken it to the address, but the owner refuses to give her the reward offered. When Lilly arrives home, Mrs. Murphy tells her that a lady by the name of Mrs. Van Dyk has been inquiring for her and Ned, and that she will return in a short while. In due time, Mrs. Van Dyk appears. She shows the advertisement to the young people and says that she has come to give them the reward offered for the return of the dog. Seeing that Ned is ill, she sends Mrs. Murphy for food and medicine. Mrs. Van Dyk notices Lilly's locket on the table and, looking inside of it, sees a portrait of a lady. Upon asking Lilly the name she learns that it is the young people's mother. Mrs. Van Dyk shows great delight at hearing this and tells Ned and Lilly that she is their aunt. They are taken away in Mrs. Van Dyk's automobile, leaving Mrs. Murphy on the doorstep waving a fond adieu.
- The overland mail coach is attacked by Indians. Little Emily, a four year old girl, escapes unnoticed. Finally she meets a little Indian boy who takes her to the lone tepee of Moose Head and his squaw. Here the youngster is taken care of. In the meantime a wounded survivor of the Indians' attack on the stagecoach crawls away and notifies the cowboys of the fight, and a great battle takes place between the Indians and the cow-punchers. Later, the latter come across Moose Head and his squaw and kill them both. The little Indian lad's Indian blood permits him to kill little Emily under the Indian code of "a life for a life," but realizing that he is alone in the world he spares her life that she may be his playmate.
- A bully adopts an orphan who falls in love with an artist who paints her portrait.
- When Albert, an artist, and Ellen, farmer Jones' daughter, are married and comfortably settled, they wish very much to adopt Mary, a little orphan girl who really was the cause of bringing them together. They prevail upon Mary's guardians to part with the child and soon all three are living happily together. Albert immediately sets out to complete his masterpiece, which he hopes will bring him fame and fortune. Ellen, however, soon becomes piqued at her husband's devotion of his entire time to his work, and even becomes jealous of his pretty model. Watching them together, she misconstrues their actions, and finally accuses Albert of being unfaithful. A violent scene ends in an agreement to part, but a difficulty arises in who shall take little Mary. The child settles that matter herself; she will not leave either of them, and her innocent love and trust finally triumphs. They decide to bury their differences, and begin over again.
- When Mary's mother died, she believed that her last friend had gone, for the stepfather who was under obligation to care for her was a cruel country man who treated her like a slave. Then hope came in the shape of a letter from her aunt, a wealthy society lady who lived just outside of New York. She offered to care for the orphan, and Mary gladly left her country life behind. In her new environment, she attracted the attention of a young millionaire, who fell deeply in love with her. It happened that her cousin loved the same man and was wild with rage at being cut out. The millionaire was called away to Europe by business, and after his departure Mary's aunt and cousin convinced her that the millionaire was engaged to the cousin. Not suspecting that she had been tricked, she secretly left her relatives and secured a position in a New York City hospital, intending to become a trained nurse. When the young man returned from abroad, he was unable to find any trace of her, but contrary to what the other women had hoped, his love did not turn to the cousin, instead he devoted all of his time to the apparently vain object of finding the girl he loved. While crossing a New York City street one day, the young man was knocked down and seriously injured by an automobile. He was taken to the nearest hospital, and as it happened, this was the institution where the orphan was a nurse, and at the time the young man was brought there, Mary was in charge of the accident ward to which he was assigned. She recognized the millionaire and sent for her cousin, believing she was entitled to nurse and care for him. The cousin was not entirely bad, and shocked and saddened by the accident, she freely confessed her fault, cleared away the misunderstandings that had existed and gave the orphan's romance a happy ending after all.
- John, the black-faced sheep of the Ballet family, is ill in a Western mining town, and finding that he is about to die writes to his younger brother, Will asking him to take care of his little motherless girl. Before he can finish and mail the letter the cold hand of death stills his heart and be is found dead in his cabin by a miner friend. The miner reads the letter and takes it, with the child, back East to Will Hallett, who is a young bachelor and society man, engaged to a wealthy and beautiful girl, Betty O'Moore. Will's first impulse is to refuse the bequest but the winsome little three-year-old tot, with her golden curls, worms herself into his affections at first sight, and he decides to keep her. An incident in the park the next day shows him that Betty, his fiancée, does not care for children and he puts off telling her of his little charge. The baby proves a trial as well as a delight to Will, as she is the cause of his breaking an engagement with Betty for the opera, then another for a luncheon, which so angers Betty that she gathers his numerous presents together to return to him. The little Rose is suddenly taken ill and Will telephones an employment agency for a nurse, who, when she finds the patient is a child, refuses to stay. Will, in desperation, leaves the house to find a nurse, and during his absence Betty, who has decided to return his presents in person, arrives at his rooms, and finding the sick baby, realizes that here is the innocent cause of her lover's apparent remissness as to his engagements. The real woman heart of her is awakened by the sweet helplessness of the little one, and she gathers her into her arms and comforts her in the way that only a woman can do and thus Will finds them upon his return. He sees the presents on the table and Betty's engagement ring at the top of the heap, but as she takes this from him and coyly replaces it on her finger, he realizes that his little orphan ward has now found a mother as well as a father.
- Mr. Beaumont, widower, is much in love with Mrs. Lovejoy, widow. Both are very anxious to appear young in the other's eyes, but are burdened with full-grown children, Mr. Beaumont, a son, Mrs. Lovejoy a daughter. So they dress them like small children, much to the disgust of the boy and girl. Mrs. Lovejoy gives a dinner to announce her engagement to Mr. Beaumont. The children wish to attend but are told they are too little. Indignant, they plan to get even. Taking the butler into their confidence, they go to the dinner as colored waiters. When the announcement is made, they exclaim, "Bless you, my children." The boy slaps his father on the back and the girl kisses her mother. Confusion follows in which they make their escape. The next morning, when the widower calls on the widow, the children enter, the girl dressed in her mother's clothes, and the boy in his father's. They hand a bundle to the widow and another to the widower, which contain the waiter's clothes, acknowledging they played the prank. Then they issue their intimation that they are grown up and going to stay grown up or they will elope.
- John Waldron, a giant mountaineer in West Virginia, is a Northern sympathizer at the outbreak of the Civil War and is hated by his neighbors. His son, Tom, a bright little lad, has been brought up by his father to have a deep regard for righteousness and to always perform the duty his conscience tells him is right. One day Waldron is attacked by his neighbors and a fierce struggle ensues, in which Waldron's great strength is taxed to the utmost, but he finally escapes, covering the mob with his rifle. The Southern army reaches the locality and a captain is informed of the actions of the fighting Northerner, and a squad is sent to arrest Waldron, who puts up a desperate defense before he is overpowered by force of numbers. The prisoner is about to be strung up when little Tom, who has been hiding in the cellar where his father sent him, follows the soldiers with his rifle and as the rope is being adjusted about his father's neck he opens fire and kills a couple of soldiers. The captain, mortally wounded, sees Waldron escaping and staggering to his feet shoots and kills him. Tom is chased by the soldiers, and escapes by donning the clothes of a scarecrow and standing still. After the soldiers are gone he hides in the thicket for a few days, and finally emerges, ravenously hungry. He meets Betty, the little daughter of Col. Johnstone, a Southern officer, and the child gives him her sandwiches. The two quickly become fast friends, but Betty is taken away by her colored nurse, who had taken Betty out for an outing in the woods. Betty loses her locket, with the picture of her father in it, which Tom picks up and keeps. General Fremont, hemmed in by Stonewall Jackson, tries to get a message to General McClellan. The messenger is pursued by Confederate soldiers and is badly wounded. Realizing that he is dying, he secretes the message under a stone, and when his dead body is searched by the soldiers they find nothing. Tom, hiding in the thicket, has seen the packet hidden, and discovers the nature of the message. He manages to deliver the note, after many hardships, and McClellan attacks Jackson. During the battle which follows, Tom, who is an expert shot, climbs in a tree and picks off officers, burning with hate for the Southern soldiers who have caused the death of his father. During a charge by the Union soldiers he shoots Colonel Johnstone. Climbing down, he goes to taunt the wounded man and is amazed to find the original of the picture in the locket, and remembering the kindly little girl he goes for aid in the Confederate camp, Johnstone's life is saved, but he is compelled to go home on sick leave, and he takes Tom, who has been held as an honored prisoner, with him. Tom and Betty renew their acquaintance, and it is plain to be seen that the little orphan of war has at last found a real home.
- Little Anita comes to live with her uncle, a well-to-do villager, who is very fond of her and treats her very kindly, much to the disgust of his son and the latter's wife, who, suspecting their father's intention of adopting her, become madly jealous. But their unfriendly attitude does not disturb Anita, who is always cheerful, and whose presence is like a ray of sunshine in the home. Her cousins, however, cannot tolerate her, and after vainly begging their father to send Anita away, form a desperate plan to get rid of her. One day, they entice the unsuspecting girl to the edge of a steep cliff, and when she is not looking, push her over to fall, as they think, to certain death. The guilty pair then hurry away, and pretend not to have been near the place. Anita, however, is fortunately rescued by the villagers, and the next day when she appears on the hillside, her cousins believe it is her ghost returning to avenge their crime. They fall on their knees before her in terror, but she calmly approaches and proves to their unbelieving eyes that she is still alive. After forgiving them, she brings about a reconciliation with their father.
- Minna Mark is a pupil at a girl's seminary and her best chum is Ann, who is an orphan. Just before the holidays, Mr. and Mrs. Mark pay their daughter a visit and impart the Joyous information that she is to return home for a short vacation. Minna insists that her friend must be of the holiday party and accordingly she is invited. As the days pass, it is evident that the two young women are enjoying their holiday to the fullest extent and then arrives a note from a friend of the family announcing that his son John Gerald is about to pay them a long promised visit. Mr. Mark and his wife are overjoyed, because they had long wished that John and Minna might be drawn to each other and the families be united. In order to take no chances on the future happiness of their daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Mark decide that during the stay of John Gerald, Ann, the orphan chum of their daughter should assume the role of a serving maid. Mr. Gerald arrives and notwithstanding the elaborate precautions taken he falls a victim to the charms of the pseudo servant. Seeing the trend of affairs, the parents of Minna come to the conclusion that unusual efforts must be resorted to if they are to bring about an alliance between their daughter and John. The old gentleman engages the services of a private detective and arranges that the sleuth shall abduct Ann during the festivities in connection with a fancy dress ball which they are about to give. The plan agreed upon is that the detective is to appear as a policeman and arrest Ann on a charge of theft. On the night of the ball John and Ann saunter through the grounds and the former takes occasion to declare his love for her. He is overheard by Minna, who interrupts their tete-a-tete with the announcement that Ann is wanted on another part of the grounds. She complies with her girlfriend's request and is promptly placed under arrest. Fortunately, however, John has overheard the plot and he appears on the scene just as the detective is about to lead Ann to jail. John enters unexpectedly and pulls the police disguise from the detective and announces that the orphan, Ann, is his affianced wife. The Mark family stands aghast and the detective retires in confusion, explains that he has come to apologize, he is admitted, and as he walks across the floor, the daughter catches a glimpse of something sparkling in his heel. The diamond stud is found embedded in the rubber heel of Henderson's shoe, and Henderson thereupon presents it to Rose.
- Grace Calvin prospected alone, independent of "man's help" and quite derisive of its efficacy. Ed Corbin, prospecting close by had repeatedly offered himself as her protector for life, but she scorned that sort of help. A day came when Grace hit gold, and that in the presence of Blake Williams, noted bad man. He hurried to a nearby saloon, and, from behind a partition, Ed Corbin overheard the plan. He went himself to Grace's claim, and with a rifle held off the thieves. Later, after the would-be bandits returned to town, stopping for a consoling drink, Ed, entering with the sheriff, saw them. With guns drawn, the bandit backed out of the saloon and scurried out of the country as fast as their horses would carry them. And then, Ed, feeling that his suit had been greatly promoted, hastened to the claim where he found Grace willing to listen to proposals.
- An immigrant wagon train is attacked by the Sioux Indians and after a hot fight all the adult white persons are killed. As the Indians sack the wagons they find a little boy and girl lying hidden in the bottom of a chest where they have been placed by their parents. According to their custom the Indians take the boy to their village to be brought up as a warrior. They tie the girl with ropes and throw her down a steep bank. She is not injured and manages to free her legs from the bonds and wander back to the burning wagons. Dick, the pet horse of the camp, has been carried away by the savages and hobbled. The wise animal unties the hobble with his teeth, returns to the scene of the massacre, sees Hattie there, and unties the ropes on her wrists. She then mounts him, rides to the nearest settlement, and is adopted by the sheriff. After 12 years with the Indians, Fred meets by chance some trappers and by them is conducted to the settlement. On telling his story it is found that he is Hattie's long-lost brother and they are again united. An exciting fight between the settlers and the Indians closes a very interesting drama.
- A rich woman finds three orphans are her dead sister's children.
- In Paris, the beautiful orphan Henriette is kidnapped by the Marquis de Presles, a libertine, leaving her blind and defenseless friend Louise wandering the streets alone. While Mother Frochard, a beggar and thief, forces Louise to beg for her food, Henriette is rescued by the Chevalier de Vaudrey, who loves her. The chevalier's mother, the Countess De Liniere, discovers that Louise is her long-lost daughter and resolves to find her. In the meantime, Mother Frochard's son, a hunchback named Pierre, falls in love with Louise, and when his brother Jacques cruelly beats the girl, Pierre kills him. Just then, the countess locates Louise, and after the girl regains her sight, she is joined with Pierre. The countess then gives her consent to the marriage of her son and Henriette.
- When their mother dies, Donald and Doris fall into the hands of pawnbroker Levy, who is "fence" for a gang of crooks. Levy forces Donald to sell papers for a living and makes Doris his servant. The gang wants a small boy in a jewel robbery; the pawnbroker rents Donald to them. He is compelled to enter the home of Renwick Morris to open the door. Morris discovers the intruder, recognizes his newsboy, and wins from him his story. Morris phones police headquarters, and the waiting thieves are captured. Meanwhile, Doris has gone to the police, desperately determined to win help against Levy. Donald and Doris meet at the station. Levy has been arrested. Renwick Morris and his wife adopt the homeless brother and sister.
- Jack Bennett has been leading a gay life; his father has just received a bill from one of the café proprietors for damage committed by his son and others of a party the night before. He summons the young man and proceeds to lecture him soundly, stating that in the college career upon which he is about to start, his allowance is to be $20 per week. Jack's fiancée is Irma Brentwood, the daughter of his father's partner in business. She, however, prefers Bruce Howard, an upperclassman in the college. It is the plan of the fathers that their children shall marry when Jack finishes college. At school Jack and Bruce are bitter rivals and belong to opposing Greek letter fraternities. Jack is stopping at Mrs. Blanding's boarding house. In Mrs. Blanding's employ is little orphan girl Daisy Woods, who conceives a violent admiration and semi-love for Jack. He scarcely notices her, although he is friendly when by chance he meets her. Jack and his frat brothers plan to attend the theater, but find that the opposing fraternity, including Bruce Howard, have taken possession of the theater and that there is nothing left for them. Howard's crowd starts a rough-house, which ends in their being driven from the theater with a fire hose. Jack and his boys, entering by the stage entrance, arrange with the girls to visit the frat house for a little evening, no evil intended. Disgruntled, Howard's crowd learns of what has happened and of how the other fellows have put it over on them, and they plan to inform the dean of the college. Jack's friends learn of this bit of treachery and smuggle the girls out of the house, while, to cast off suspicion, half of the fellows masquerade as girls. Howard, however, is determined to have revenge, so he arranges with one of the girls a scheme to humiliate his rival. He bribes the girl and smuggles her into Jack Bennett's room at the boarding house, being observed, however, by little Daisy Woods. Jack returns and finds the woman in his room. Jack is expelled and his father disinherits him. Jack is brokenhearted, but acting on the advice of little Daisy Woods, resolves to be a man and make good. Jack, with an eye to the welfare of his little friend, writes a note to his father, explaining that Daisy knows the truth and can explain all. Daisy arrives at the home of Jack's father and tells her story to both his father and his fiancée. His fiancée is apparently unaffected, but the father is repentant and offers forgiveness to his son through Daisy. Jack rejects the offer, stating that he has decided to make good unaided. Mr. Bennett, Jack's father, and Mr. Brentwood, Irma's father, are figuring on a large government contract bid. One evening when calling upon Irma, Bruce Howard sees papers upon which the two fathers have been working lying upon the table, and he at once realizes their value. He slips them inside his pocket, being observed by Daisy, who is acting as Irma's maid. She succeeds in securing the papers without his knowledge and, knowing of their great value, plans to give them to Jack. Jack realizes the value of the papers, and securing an advance from his mother, who has always been his friend, he succeeds in underbidding Howard, as well as his father and partner. He is re-established in the eyes of the fathers, by thus saving the contract. The true story of Howard's duplicity comes out. Irma's father again offers her to Jack, who coldly turns his back upon her and places his arm about the little orphan, Daisy.
- The loss of their little girl has saddened Mr. and Mrs. Mason. The day after the funeral, Mrs. Mason unexpectedly meets Joyce, whose only home is the nearby orphanage, and is struck by Joyce's resemblance to her lost daughter. She appeals to her husband and they decide to adopt Joyce. She is delighted with her new home, and the couple are delighted with her. However, Joyce resents the selection of a new butler and exhibits a distrust of Jenks. She is right: Jenks is the tool of Jim Vaughn, the notorious leader of a daring band of burglars. At the close of business one day Mason finds that he must produce $5,000 by morning or be declared insolvent. That evening he goes out to his office and Jim Vaughn, for whom large rewards are offered because of the numerous robberies attributed to his gang, breaks into the house. Joyce, awakened, hears him removing valuables, aided by Jenks. Desperate, she grasps her foster father's revolver and covers the two men. While holding them at bay she phones Mason and shouts a few words which explain her predicament. He comes with the police and Vaughn is captured. The $5,000 reward is given Joyce and she immediately turns it over to Mason to save him from bankruptcy.
- When bachelor friends David Clark, Dick Porter and Jerry Mathers agree to adopt Belgian war orphans, David unexpectedly finds himself the guardian of a little girl, Rene Lescere. After David is pursued by Mrs. Hardwick, a divorcee, Rene is determined to find him a more suitable wife and introduces him to Emmeline Warren. David and Emmeline are engaged, but the engagement is broken after Emmeline meets Jerry, her old beau, and their romance is rekindled. David, sad but resigned, sends Rene to boarding school and retires to his hunting lodge with Dick Porter. Later, Emmeline and Jerry, now married, visit the lodge and suggest that Rene accompany them on a trip abroad. At the moment of parting between Rene and her guardian, both realize that they love each other and Rene becomes David's wife.
- The wealthy Schuyler family hires a strict governess, Quincy, to watch over their daughter Marcia. When the parents leave on a trip to Japan they tell Quincy to send Marcia to a boarding school while they're gone, but Marcia--wanting nothing to do with a boarding school--switches places with Quincy's niece, who is being sent to an orphanage. She is "adopted" by the Benton family, who own a farm. Soon the carefree Marcia begins to have an effect on the dour Benton household--but complications ensue.