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- Blanche Belmont is deeply in love with Herbert Lord and has every reason to believe that her affection is reciprocated. Blanche is a woman with a past and when Herbert decides to give up his old life and marry a girl of his own set, he sends Blanche a note in which he tells her that all is off between them. As a balm to the poor woman's injured feelings he agrees to settle a certain sum on her and commissions his lawyer to see her. Blanche refuses to be discarded in this fashion and orders the lawyer from her house. Baron Henri Strang, an adventurer, is a friend of Herbert's, and through his unsuspicious manner, succeeds in getting himself into Lord's good graces. Lord introduces him to his fiancée, Eleanor, and the pseudo baron makes love to her. Eleanor is fascinated by the baron, who eventually wins her away from Herbert. For a last farewell, Herbert visits Blanche and asks her to accept a bouquet of violets which he has been in the habit of sending to her every day. On the night of the betrothal party, Blanche returns the flowers with the request that Eleanor wear them, and Herbert complies. While the guests are gathered Eleanor becomes ill. The baron asks if he can be of any service and Herbert tells him to look after her while he goes for a physician. The pair are left alone and taking advantage of his friend's absence, the baron forthwith embraces Eleanor. While locked in each other's arms, Herbert enters. Eleanor pleads for forgiveness, but Herbert casts her aside. As further proof of her guilt, he snatches the violets from her and points to a stain on the baron's shirt front, made by the flowers. Then he strikes the baron violently in the face with the bouquet and Strang challenges him to a duel. The duel is held and the baron is stabbed to death. Next we see Blanche in her apartments, crying. Suddenly she takes from her breast a small phial containing morphine and is about to drink the contents when Herbert, holding the withered and tell-tale violets in his hand, enters the room. Then he unfolds all that has happened. Without further ado, Blanche permits him to take her to his heart again.
- A gang of scheming burglars connive and scheme. One of the thieves comes across an announcement in one of the dailies to the effect that Mr. and Mrs. Starbuck have temporarily closed their home to spend a fortnight at Atlantic City. The burglars decide to rob the place. Three of the thieves go to the office of the chief of police. One is equipped with a moving picture camera and another with a tripod. They represent themselves as moving picture men, produce fake credentials and bluff the chief into giving them a license to operate and take all the pictures they desire. They select the Starbuck home. One burglar places the camera in front of the house, another climbs to the porch and then opens the window with the aid of a Jimmy. The place from top to bottom is ransacked and with their booty safely piled up the robbers depart in their automobiles under police escort. Of course, the police soon ascertain how they have been tricked. The burglars are soon caught and dealt with according to law.
- The hero of this story is Jim Mason, who is an express messenger. Jim is enamored of Rosa Mitchell, and his devotion to her causes him to neglect his duty. He is reprimanded by an official of the express company for failing to properly care for a box containing valuables left in his charge. Jim is eventually discharged. He vows to get even for what he regards as unjust treatment, so he elects to turn thief and rob the stage-coach on the next trip. His plans are well laid and single-handed, with a gun, he holds up the stage, secures the coveted box and decamps with it to the woods. Rose, who has not seen Jim for several days, is worried over his absence. She goes in search of him, and from a point in the mountains, beholds the robbery and the escape of the daring bandit in the canyon below. Ignorant as to the identity of the robber she fires and wounds Jim in the leg. He returns the fire and the bullet penetrates the rim of her hat. She falls to the ground and manages to crawl to a thick underbrush without being recognized by Jim. Rose arises and discovers that the bandit is Jim. She watches him and sees where he has hidden his loot. Then she returns to him and helps him to an old hut. On the pretense of securing him some food and medicine, she goes to the place where Jim has buried the loot, takes it and is about to enter the hut when the sheriff and big posse arrive. She then hands over the box to the authorities and when the posse departs, rejoins Jim. Several weeks pass and as a reward, she receives a check for $500 from the express company. When Jim is able to get about, she tells him of the check, explanations then ensue, and when Rose reveals her part in the affair they decide to tear up the check, begin life anew, and forget Jim's deflection from the path that leads to the other way.
- The Vans belong to New York's wealthy set. They insert an advertisement in one of the dailies for a governess, and Kate Starr, a poor young girl, answers it. She is engaged for the position and entrenches herself into the heart of the Van's little daughter. Kate is loved by Tim Hogan, an honest inspector employed in the street cleaning department. Tim one day comes to the rescue of a detective, who is set upon by three crooks he tries to arrest while in the act of robbing a drunken man. Tim and the detective become firm friends and when Tim finds the diamond locket in the street he promptly shows it to his pal, who suggests in lieu of an owner, to present it to his sweetheart, which Tim does. Kate wears the gift proudly around her neck. It appears that the locket was lost by Mrs. Van on her way home from a reception. When Mrs. Van discovers the locket in Kate's possession, she promptly accuses the governess of having stolen it, and despite Kate's tears and protestations of innocence, the young girl is arrested and thrown into prison. Of course, Tim comes to his sweetheart's aid. He brings his friend, the detective, to court, who corroborates Tim's version of how the locket was found and how Kate came to have it. The Vans are humbled, the judge adding to their humiliation by scoring them for their hasty action, and winding up by telling them to be more careful when accusing innocent persons in the future.
- In the beginning of his historic career, Hughy Ford imagined himself a tragedian, and affected the deepest and most sonorous tones of voice, the most dignified and all-important strut, and the extreme of gesture. He hailed from Kansas, where his youthful days were passed midst rural surroundings. Farm life not being to his liking, he left his home at an early age, and sought the city, where, after a varied and uncertain existence, he drifted into the theater. Being of a resourceful disposition, he was not long in establishing himself. His first efforts were confined in the smaller towns in the far west, but hearing of the success attained by others of his ilk, in that great theatric mart, Broadway, he assembled his meager belongings, and with his wife, sought the great "White Way." Being a type, he found no difficulty in securing an engagement. Returning from the agent to his sparsely furnished room, he is anxiously greeted by his patient little wife, who inquires of his success. He shows the part and a contract for the season at a liberal salary. As he is called for rehearsal on the following morning, he concludes to "run over" the lines, and familiarize himself with the various situations, so he asks Mrs. Ford to hold the part, and prompt him when necessary. As the plot develops, Hughy becomes greatly interested and, in his abstraction, loses himself completely. Seizing his wife by the throat in one of the most tense and trying situations, he drags her about the room, giving vehement expression to his lines, while she shrieks with terror. The neighbors are alarmed, believing murder is being committed, so the police are summoned. Just prior to their arrival, Hughy has reached a particularly strenuous situation, and hurling his wife from him with great force, she staggers back, and overturns an oil stove with which she came in contact. The curtains ignite, and an alarm is sent in, which results in the arrival of several fire engines upon the scene. An enormous crowd assembles, and great excitement and confusion ensues, when the police and fire department enter the room, which is now a scene of great disorder. Explanations are made, the crowd dispersed, and poor Hughy and his faithful and loving wife, are left alone to brave the wrath of an unsympathetic landlady.
- Miss Starr, an actress, at the advice of her physician, goes to the country, her only companion being a pet canary. The place selected by her is very rural. On her arrival all the characters of the town make fun of her. After a few days the canary dies. She finds a taxidermist who is quite glad to make her pet appeal as life-like as possible. His simple nature makes an impression on one whose life on the stage is anything but simple. For no other reason than love he becomes as deeply impressed and soon we find them taking love strolls in the shady lanes. The village scandal takes fire. The school board meets and most of the wise heads insist on Miss Starr making an instantaneous departure for the Great White Way. They are about to present their paper to her at the hotel, when the village parson appears, and on reading the scandalous document, he sends them all home very much ashamed of themselves, and the next day he calls a special meeting in his church to reproach them for their conduct and want of justice. He teaches them a lesson in love for all sorts and conditions of men and women. The actress and the taxidermist become engaged, and while they sit in love's silence, the clergyman stands on the threshold of the humble cottage and is invited in to seal the tie.
- Mr. and Mrs. Early are preparing for a week-end stay in the country. Mr. Early is ready, but Mrs. Early, womanlike, takes her time. They finally depart, but arrive at the station too late to catch the train. The ensuing day is Mrs. Early's birthday. Mr. E. gives her a number of presents, among them a watch. He is at breakfast on time, but Mrs. Early gets there late. Then he gives her the watch, more as a gentle reminder that he desires her to be more punctual in the future. That evening the couple plan to go to dinner and then to a theater. Mrs. Early is again late and in sheer disgust Mr. Early tears up the tickets and goes to the club without her. Upon her arrival at the theater, she discovers the torn tickets on the floor in the lobby, and resolves to get even and teach him to wait. She sends a note to a friend, Mr. John Smith, asking him to call and take her out. When Smith gets the note he meets her. In the meantime, Mr. Early receives this note: "Dear Cousin Joe: Just arrived from Naples. Hear you are married. If not, I expect you to dine me out just as you used to in the dear old Boston. Violet." Early keeps his appointment and the two couples meet at the same restaurant. Complications set in, ending with Mrs. Early fainting. A reconciliation follows and the upshot is that Mrs. Early resolves to mend her late ways and become Mrs. Early in fact as well as in name.
- The hand and heart Mrs. Hasthecoin, a rich widow with two children, is sought by Col. Pepper and Col. Carson, Kentuckians. The pair are chums and inseparable. One afternoon Pepper calls on his lady love and is received rather coldly, due to the fact that he has been gently imbibing. The widow's daughter asks him to leave, which he does. The following day Mrs. Hasthecoin writes him a curt note. She reproaches him for his conduct and adds that the first of the two colonels to quit drinking will win her. Pepper at once shows the note to Carson, who reads it in a perfunctory manner. Pepper at once takes the pledge and visits the widow again. He succeeds in impressing her with his air of reform and temperance and waits for his answer. Then she tells him that she has doted on his friend all the time. Pepper confides this to Carson. The latter tries to abandon the bottle but finds the task a futile one. Not wishing to stand in the way of his chum's happiness Pepper hits upon a scheme. He decides to pretend suicide and carries out his plan by leaving behind his coat and hat at the river front and also writes a letter of his intention to destroy himself. To make it appear that he has really killed himself Pepper leaves town and no more is heard of him. Of course, the widow upbraids herself for what she has done, but all wounds heal in time and she consoles herself with Carson. The latter weds again and without the proviso of becoming a teetotaler, wins the widow.
- Mr. Whoops is a milliner detective, and for a long time has little to do in the sleuth line. He is a personal friend of the great Sherlock Holmes and invariably follows his methods in unraveling crime. Mr. Holmes receives a case. It is to run to earth a band of kidnappers which has stolen "the darling" of a Duke and Duchess who visit a fashionable summer resort. The little one has been placed in the care of a negligent maid and the disappearance of the little one raises a cry all over the place. Mr. Holmes tries his utmost to find the missing one, but is unsuccessful; so he suggests to the Duke and Duchess to employ Mr. Whoops, which they readily do. Whoops has his own idea of how the kidnappers should be captured. It is needless to say that they are most absurd and rather impossible. He undergoes a lot of deductions entailing humorous adventures and mishaps. But in the end he reaches a club and eventually restores the "darling" to the distracted Duke and Duchess. The "darling" turns out to be a plain, but educated monkey.
- Billy Graham decides to marry and takes May Tenner for his wife. The nuptials are secret and the first one to learn of it is Gaby de Rose, an old sweetheart. She sends a note of congratulations, in which she also requests the return of her letters. She says that if Billy will do this she will send back the ones he wrote. She winds up by informing him she is engaged to wed Count de Gassac. Of course, when Billy gets the note he tears it up, but wifie finds the pieces, and putting them together, learns what is what. She searches through the house for the missives, but naturally falls to find them, for by this time they are on their way to Gaby, who is a vaudeville performer, and who is appearing at one of the local theaters. Mrs. Graham learns her whereabouts, sees her and demands an explanation. She finds the letters in Gaby's room and a stormy scene ensues. Gaby gets into trouble with the count, who has heard of Gaby's letters to Billy, and promptly calls off the engagement. His decision, however, is only temporary, for on the next day he comes back to Gaby, who is ready to receive him. Billy, during the entire storm, is at the club. When he comes home there is a cold reception for him. Mrs. Graham locks herself in her room. In order to win his wife's sympathy, Billy starts a phonograph going in another room. The instrument plays "All Alone," and hearing the song, and appreciating its sentiment, Mrs. Graham relents, takes hubby to her heart and forgives him.
- Jimmy McElhern had just finished dressing for his wedding, and a final survey of himself in the mirror convinced him that, so far as appearance goes, the expectant bride would have no cause for complaint. But vexatious mishaps, while arranging his attire, caused him to be somewhat late, and in his mad rush to make up time lost, he accidentally collides with a nurse girl who is taking a baby to the park for an airing. The impact is so forceful that she falls and sprains her ankle. In his desire to assist her, he relieves her of the infant, but as she attempts to rise, she is seized with a fainting spell, and all efforts to revive her prove futile. An ambulance is summoned, and the girl is carried to a hospital for treatment. Jimmy is left with the infant on his hands. He offers it to a number of by-standers, attracted through curiosity by the ambulance, who laughingly refuse to relieve him of it, and in despair he rushes madly from the scene. He meets a policeman in his flight, and tries to force the infant upon him, but being unfamiliar with the facts, the guardian of the peace is unresponsive, so Jimmy promptly knocks him down. This only complicates affairs further, for the officer rises and pursues Jimmy, who succeeds in eluding him, and takes refuge in his own room. Throwing the baby on the bed, he drops in a chair and endeavors to gather his scattered senses. The hour appointed for his wedding has long since passed. Meanwhile the expectant bride has grown anxious, and comes in search of the delinquent. He noting her approach from the window, in an agony of fright, seizes the baby, throws it into a closet and closes the door. She enters the room in a towering rage, and demands an explanation. Jimmy tries to pacify her, but all in vain. Hearing the baby's yells, she opens the door of the closet and discovers it. Bursting into a torrent of tears, she roundly denounces him, and rushes from the room. He grabs the baby from its place of concealment and follows, calling to her in agonized tones, but she heeds him not. The policeman now enters and catches Jimmy just as he emerges from the door. The mother, of the baby, almost distraught at its long absence, has telephoned police headquarters, fearing the infant has fallen into the hands of kidnappers, so when Jimmy is dragged before the desk sergeant, the child is recognized, and he is held on the charge, and the distracted parents sent for. They arrive at the station, Jimmy is brought from his cell to answer, when the nurse, whose injuries were slight, has meanwhile recovered, enters the scene. Mutual explanations and apologies follow, and Jimmy is released, and is hurriedly driven to the home of his bride to be. The unfortunate occurrences of the day are reviewed, the bride forgives him, takes him to her heart, and the wedding proceeds midst great rejoicing.
- Priscilla Prude, an old maid, decides that it is time for her to seek a better half; so she hies herself to an employment agency and engages a chaperone. The first person selected is Pansy Blossom, a pretty and winsome young girl. Hullie Baxter calls on Priscilla and when he sees Pansy his heart goes out to her immediately. Their feelings are mutual with the result that they elope. Nothing daunted, Priscilla hires Miss Bookstorm. Unlike Pansy, Miss Bookstorm is just the opposite in looks. Professor Hudley comes to see Miss Prude, but is attracted to Miss Bookstorm. It seems that they are fitted to each other. She is a very learned woman and a lover of books. Miss Prude is bored by their conversation and falls asleep. While in this condition the professor and the new chaperone make love and when discovered by the old maid are forthwith dismissed. Mrs. McInscare is the last chaperone to be engaged. She is anything but attractive. In fact, her features are repulsive and when Mr. Popaway, one of Miss Prude's many beaus visits her, the sight of Mrs. McInscare disturbs his peace of mind and he flees. Left alone to her own thoughts, and without any chaperone, Priscilla concludes to try her hand at the camera herself. Maybe she might get a husband that way. She goes to the same employment agency where she has been so unsuccessful and gets a position as companion to May Jones. Johnny Wilson calls on May. He greets her by kissing her hand. Miss Prude regards this as a breach of the rules of propriety and May is immediately sent to her room. Then Priscilla elects to entrench herself in the affections of Johnny. She warns him that all young men should beware of young girls. If he wants a wife, why not take her. Johnny is caught in the net, proposes to Priscilla and the latter winds up by getting Johnny for her husband.
- Aside from the attendant excitement of the several races, to which the best specimens of brawn and sinew, selected from the following colleges: Cornell, Syracuse, Leland Stanford, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia, University of Wisconsin, lent their efforts, the Comet's cameramen added further interest to the film by securing reproductions of the crews in action, attended by their coaches, Courtney of Cornell, Rice of Columbia, Murphy of Leland Stanford. Ward of University of Pennsylvania, Vail of University of Wisconsin, and Ten Eyck of Syracuse. A reproduction of the start and finish of the Freshmen four and Freshmen eight, and the Varsity four and Varsity eight, are also vividly shown. Views of the beautifully situated City of Poughkeepsie, resplendent in flags and bunting, and the most wonderfully constructed grandstand ever erected. This stand in itself is a marvel, being built on forty specially constructed flat cars, with seats pitched to a height of twelve feet; its seating capacity is twelve thousand; the structure is four thousand feet long, and is moved a distance of four miles from the starting point, to a location two miles below the Poughkeepsie bridge. A mass of gaily decorated craft adorns both sides of the course, over which the race is rowed, in view of more than half a million spectators. Every conceivable sort of craft is pressed into service for this occasion, even many that are borrowed from Long Island Sound, and its tributaries.
- Jim is under the impression that Frank has alienated the affection of his wife, while Jim is harboring the same opinion as regards Jones' feelings for Mrs. Wilson. All through life the families have been on the best of terms. The disruption occurs when Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Wilson believe that they have been neglected, decided to get even, and agree to make love to each other's husband. The joke is apparently carried to a too realistic conclusion to suit the rival parties and the upshot is that there is a rush for freedom, divorce and Reno. In order to establish a legal residence the quartet secure positions, and in this manner they are thrown together again. After the usual explanations, a reconciliation ensues and over a wholesome meal served in the dining-room of the limited express, the true state of conditions are revealed and the warring families make up and agree never to disagree again in the future.
- One night Richard Vandergrift elects to go to his club, where he meets his friends and has his usual good time. This "good time" consists of eating and drinking and gambling. Richard leaves the club unsteadily. He stumbles over something. It is a basket. Upon investigation, he finds that it contains a live baby with a note from the distracted mother, Marjorie, who writes that the finder should take good care of the child and bring it up. Richard soon learns to love it as his own. Six years elapse and in all that time Richard has eschewed the club and its environments. He is now a thorough home man with his little maid as his best and dearest pal. It is the anniversary of her birth and a party has been arranged by the bachelor in her honor. While the festivities are in progress. Richard receives a message announcing the arrival in town from abroad of his aunt. Mrs. Wayne Vandergrift, and her companion, who proves to be Marjorie. It appears that after abandoning Elsie, Marjorie tried to commit suicide, but was frustrated in her attempt by the police. Instead she was taken to the hospital, where her pitiful case was called to the attention of Mrs. Vandergrift, who gave Marjorie a position, and helped her in many ways. Through the medium of a small medal which the child wears around her neck. Marjorie is able to recognize her daughter and there is a happy reconciliation. Richard's heart goes out to the young mother and the pair are married.
- Martin Stafford, a Wall Street broker, has a daughter, Majorie. She has many admirers, including Dr. Gas, a typical New York dentist of the quack stamp, and Jack Phillips, a young broker's clerk. The doctor, it appears, is very much in the good graces of Mr. Stafford, who favors him as his future son-in-law. The girl, however, has given her heart to Jack and shows her displeasure for the doctor in many ways. When Jack is seized with a violent toothache he at once hies himself to the office of the quack. After making a hasty examination of the young man's teeth he tells him that he will have to use gas to extract the bad molar. Phillips is then placed in the chair while the doctor summons his assistants, whom he instructs to adjust the gas administering apparatus. While the assistant is doing this the dentist is called out of the room to attend to another patient. Stafford comes to the office. He, too, is in great pain from a bad tooth. Seeing Jack in the chair he begs Phillips to allow the dentist to attend to him first. Phillips vacates the chair, which Stafford immediately occupies, and placing the gas cap over the broker's face, retires. Believing that his patient is Jack, he realizes that by extracting six of his front teeth he will ruin Phillips' chances with the girl. Gas proceeds with the operation. As the last tooth is released the doctor holds it aloft in triumph. Stafford then awakes, and when he discovers what the doctor has done he is naturally beside himself with rage. He rushes out of the room with the doctor after him. Of course, the doctor tries to explain, but to no avail. Stafford has no further use for the dentist, and immediately insists that Jack marry his daughter, a mandate which the young man is only too willing to obey.
- Tom and Joe are boon companions and spend most of their time at the club wooing the wine while it is red. Tom is reading a newspaper and in it he sees mention of the escape of a ferocious lion. He is seized with fright and although his wife tries to assure him that there is no danger he refuses to be pacified. Joe then leaves the house and although Tom tries to do the same thing, his wife succeeds in keeping him at home. She then leaves and goes to a store to purchase a rug for Tom's den. There she sees a magnificent ape of a lion's skin with a cured head and has it sent home. She drapes the skin and makes it appear as if it were alive. When Tom espies the skin he runs from the house and tells a policeman that the escaped lion is in his home and demands protection. Joe, who is also in a state of terror, appears on the scene and the trio go to the house. The policeman has his revolver cocked ready to shoot the animal, when to his surprise he finds that it is only a rug. Thinking that the men have played him a practical joke he is about to arrest them. Mrs. Lane comes in opportunely and explains the situation to the satisfaction of the policeman.
- This film begins with a beautiful picture of historical old Morro Castle, which majestically towers above us as we enter port from the sea. It also visualizes a magnificent panoramic view of Havana Harbor, showing Cabanas Fortress, and other points of interest. There is a close-up view of the Havana Cathedral, where the remains of Christopher Columbus were interred for many years. There are scenes from the Columbus and Central Parks, two of the most interesting and beautiful spots to be found among the scenic exceptions of the world; there is the Nine Students Monument, showing inscriptions which every Cuban loves and reveres. This picture also reproduces a carnival on the Prado, where one hundred thousand persons, fantastically garbed, celebrate the independence of Cuba once each year. The picture also takes us to a more remote part of the island, and shows the arrest, imprisonment and trial of insurrectos. There is a most complete and instructive reproduction of the largest sugar plantation in the world, in full operation. From the cane fields to the hemp sacks, this wonderful industry is minutely pictured. There are trainloads of sugar cane being emptied into the troughs which lead to the crusher; the crusher in full operation, separating the sugar from the cane; the evaporator through which a million gallons of water pass every hour; the government expert testing the syrup, and a score of other interesting and instructive views which are part of the daily routine of this beautiful land of unlimited opportunities.
- When war calls John Bartlett to duty, he does not forget to attend to the most important thing of his career, the payment of the mortgage due on Christmas Day. After taking leave of his family and his old father and mother, he visits the office of Ephraim Fox, the village lawyer. "The mortgage on the farm has to be paid and I have come to you for that purpose," the young soldier said. "Here is the money, and the only demands I make is that you give me a receipt and keep the fact of what I have done from the old folks until Christmas morning. I want it to be a sort of surprise." Fox agrees to do all this and John, very grateful, departs. Soon word reaches the Bartletts that John has been killed in battle. The news immediately fires Fox with dishonorable motives. Dead men tell no tales, he realizes, and nobody but himself knows of the payment of the mortgage. Why not take advantage of this fact? He visits the home of the Bartletts and reminds them that the mortgage, which falls on the morrow, Christmas Day, must be paid. The unfortunate people have no money, and plead with Fox for an extension of time. The lawyer is obdurate, but says that he will compromise. If Mary, the wife of John, will marry him. Mary is undecided. She wants to save the old folks from eviction, and begs the unscrupulous lawyer for time to consider. She bids him call the next day, which Fox does. Mary, however, rejects him and the family are about to be cast into the street when John, who is still alive, arrives on the scene. When he learns what Fox has done he is furious. He orders him from the house on threat of immediate arrest. Joy has now taken the place of gloom and all hands sit down to their Christmas dinner with hearts filled with bliss and thanksgiving.
- Abner Jenks, who has just purchased a motor boat, has his wife and sons, one seventeen and the other eight years of age, hasten to the wharf, where the graceful little craft is moored, and board her for a sail. When the family is seated Jenks goes forward with all the assurance of a trained "skipper," turns on the power, but the motor fails to respond. He then summons the young salesman, from whom he purchased the boat, and, after instructing Jenks, the salesman disembarks, and the Jenks family glide merrily over the surface of the water. Even though everything is working nicely, Mrs. Jenks is worried, and has grave doubts, as to the efficiency of her spouse as a sailorman, and demands that he take her ashore. In making the turn, Jenks exhibits great nervousness, and nearly swamps the boat. This increases her terror, and in spite of Jenks' assurance that there is no danger, she refuses to be pacified. Jenks finally succeeds in making a landing, where Mrs. Jenks and the boys leave the boat, as she insists that a trip with Jenks at the helm would be anything but safe. Angered at her doubts as to his ability to run the boat, Jenks starts off alone; only a few hundred yards are traversed, and he scarcely out of sight of the landing, when the motor again "goes dead." Jenks labors diligently to start it, but in vain, so the trim little craft drifts gracefully away. He goes forward, and makes an examination of the spark plug and igniter. Finding them all right, he next turns his attention to the gasoline tank. He removes the cap, and makes an effort to peer in, but cannot see whether there is sufficient gasoline, so he lights a match and holds it over the opening to illuminate the inside. The lighted end of the match drops into the tank and a terrific explosion follows. The boat is blown to atoms, and Jenks mounts heavenward. He is seen coming down head first. By a miracle he is only slightly injured and succeeds in swimming to the hull of the boat, from which he is rescued by a passing yacht. Broken in spirits, drenched to the skin and shivering with cold, he is landed at a neighboring boathouse, where a sign painter is employed painting a sign, which reads: "Motor Boat For Sale." Jenks goes to him silently, takes the brush from the startled painter's hands, paints the figure "2" before the word "Motor," adds an apostrophe and the letter "s," returns the brush, points in the direction of the river, and goes from the scene with a woebegone expression.
- A family of homeseekers are set upon by Indians and massacred with the exception of one little girl, five years of age. The Chief of the tribe takes the little one under his care. Eleven years have elapsed and the girl has developed into a pretty young miss. Her life has been apparently a happy one until Jack Irving meets her. Irving is attracted to the beauty of Starlight, as the young girl is called. Starlight becomes very much interested in photography, through watching the various tourists take pictures. She obtains the friendship of the owner of a camera and, while explaining how the machine works, he is called away. Starlight then decides to take a picture of herself and, taking the release bulb in her hand seats herself on a log before the camera. Irving, who has been watching the proceeding, steals behind the unsuspecting girl and lays her low with a blow upon the head. As Starlight falls to the ground she clutches the bulb and snaps a picture of Irving in the act of striking her and stealing the diamond which hung around her neck. When a positive print has been made the Chief vows to capture Irving and avenge his ward who, although severely hurt, eventually recovers. Irving and the Chief soon meet. The redskin's massive strength wins the day.
- Gratz Brown, a broker of wealth and position, renounces the follies of life, and marries a beautiful girl, some years his junior. Business cares absorbing much of his time, his young wife was frequently left alone. One evening, with a burst of enthusiasm, she exclaimed, "If I only had a dog, it would at least be something to talk to." The remark at the time was not particularly appealing, but Mr. Brown remembered it. In due course, Mrs. Brown's birthday arrived, and extraordinary efforts and plans were made for its celebration. Gifts innumerable from a multitude of admiring friends were sent with cards of congratulations. Her husband's gift, a magnificent diamond necklace, was received by her with expressions of great joy. Recalling her wish for a dog, Mr. Brown visits a kennel, and selects one of "bull" species. In the midst of the attendant excitement occasioned by the many beautiful gifts, the dog is delivered at the Brown mansion. All else is immediately forgotten. Falling upon her knees, Mrs. Brown literally smothers the animal with caresses. Mr. Brown stands near regarding the demonstration with a dubious thoughtful expression. Subsequent transpirings convince him of his folly, for from the time of the dog's advent into the household, Mr. Brown was entirely forgotten. "Buster" (for that is the name by which the dog was christened) was everywhere in evidence. When at meals, Mrs. Brown fed him from her own fork the choicest morsels of tenderloin, etc. Mr. Brown's "Good morning, dearie," was met with aggravating abstraction on the part of his wife, until at last, driven to despair by her indifference, he resolves to disenchant her with dogs. He visits the fancier and purchases a number of dogs, which he has delivered to his home. Their arrival only seems to widen the breach between him and his wife, for her time is now wholly occupied with her pets, and poor Brown is entirely forgotten. Struck with a brilliant idea, he visits a foundling asylum and adopts an infant. He arranges for its delivery, and in due course the child is taken to the Brown home. The young wife is busily occupied feeding and caring for the dogs, when the nurse, carrying the child, is ushered in. Seeing the infant, she at once makes an effort to take possession of it, but is restrained by the resourceful Mr. Brown, who offers her the alternate of "dogs" or "baby." With a woman's intuitive feeling, she exclaims, "Give me the baby." And the dogs are returned to the original owner.
- Grandma visits the Howes and is forthwith invited to dinner. The Howes have a daughter, Edith, a little girl, who loves grandma dearly. Mr. Howe is a dentist, and when grandma complains of having a toothache, the doctor turns to his wife and suggests the idea of extracting the painful molar. Edith runs for a bottle of paregoric, but when she sees the forceps in the hands of her father, she hustles grandma to the garret, where the pair secrete themselves. There is no one in the house and two tramps enter. Seeing the untouched dinner, they sit down and dine. After the meal they repair to the garret, and Edith and grandma, believing them to be the dentist and his assistant, cover themselves with sheets from the bed. The tramps mistaking the child and grandma for ghosts, scamper away for dear life. Mr. and Mrs. Howe by this time are much worried over the absence of their darling and grandma. They go to the garret where Edith and grandma pose as daredevil bandits, and are scared out of their wits. They are so frightened that the police are appealed to. When the authorities arrive, all hands ascend the stairs and on entering the garret, find Edith and grandma fast asleep.
- Hans Mahler, a musician of great talent, comes into the life of Mrs. Hahn, a rich widow. She learns to love him through his wonderful playing on the violin. Hans lives next door and the widow spends most of her time listening to the strains of his wonderful melodies. Mrs. Hahn has a daughter, Gretchen. Gretchen is blind, but just the same her soul longs for music and she also finds infinite pleasure in listening to Hans. Unconscious of each other both fall in love with Hans and both elect to win him. But Gretchen cannot see, so she asks her mother what he is like. The widow naturally tells her that he is very ugly and Gretchen is inclined to believe her. Despite this she keeps on loving him. The girl is having her eyes treated and her sight is eventually restored. Then for the first time she catches a glimpse of the world and Hans. What a transformation? What a disillusionment? Hans is not ugly. On the other hand he is handsome, and so manly. When she realizes that her mother has lied to her she reproaches her for her perfidy and there is a good-sized row in the family. The pair meet Hans and there is a struggle between the two women to win him. He repudiates them both and leaves the house. Hans has found his ideal and she is little Martha, the maid, who is employed in his humble abode. She, too, has been enraptured by his playing and when he confesses his affection Martha is only too glad to accept him. To add insult to injury Hans then sends a curt note to Mrs. Hahn and her daughter, apprising them of the fact and when they learn that their hero is to be married to the maid their feelings are better imagined than described.
- To all appearances the Griggs are an ideal and happy couple. They are a middle aged pair, with a family. Their domestic felicity gets a bump, though, when Mr. Griggs sees in the newspaper an advertisement to the effect that a retired farmer about to take a trip around the world wants to either rent or dispose of a farm containing hundreds of acres. Mrs. Griggs does not like the idea of leaving the city, and in her stand she is ably seconded by her daughter Majorie. On the other hand, Jimmie Griggs, their son, sides with the father and urges him to buy the property, which the old man does. Of course, this causes a division in the household, and we soon see mother and daughter pulling against father and son. Jimmie and his dad go to the farm and investigate the place. They seem to be delighted with it. There is a proviso in the deed that when $10,000 in profits accruing from the farm have been paid to the owner Griggs is to come in full possession of the land. Mrs. Griggs despairs of her husband ever accumulating this amount, and the friction increases between man and wife. The upshot is that Mrs. Griggs decides to separate from her husband and elects to live in seclusion in the city with her daughter. The two have a hard time of it and are on the verge of being dispossessed when Mrs. Griggs concludes to notify Josiah. Josiah and Jimmie in the meantime are prospering. When old Griggs receives his wife's letter he answers that she can share his home and money on the farm, but that he will not give her a cent if she remains in the city. As a last resort she goes to the farm with Majorie. She is immediately taken up with the place, and both are so pleased that they decide to spend their remaining days in the country.
- Walker Tracks was a particularly lucky and fortunate man. In the first place his digestion was good. In the next instance, a cheerful, happy-go-lucky disposition made him equally at home in poverty, or the midst of plenty. Therefore, Walker never allowed anything to ruffle or disturb his equilibrium. Still, Walker had one great fault; he was lazy. Laziness is most reprehensible, and is likely to result in one's undoing, but with Walker it seemed only a stimulus, for being too lazy to work, Walker must needs seek sustenance through other channels. He, therefore, elected to walk, and trust to the Creator of all things to feed him. So Walker straightway became a tramp. Like the migratory denizens of the air, the north was his habitat in summer, and the balmy breezes of the south found him basking under the magnolia, lulled to sleep by the call of the mockingbird and the hiss of the alligator. It was during a temporary sojourn in the southern environment that Walker experienced his first big stroke of good fortune. It so happened that a simple and inoffensive elderly land owner, who had married in his later years, a shrewish woman, with a grown up lout of a son, was prevailed upon by them to sell a valuable orange grove, hoping to get possession of the money. The property was duly advertised, and a purchaser quickly found. The money was paid in due course, and in an effort to conceal it, until an opportunity offered to deposit it in a bank, he placed it in the toe of an old rubber boot, for safety and temporary concealment. Walker Tracks, by chance, happened into the vicinity during his peregrinations and, stopping at the pump, is in the act of helping himself to a drink of water, in lieu of something more potent. The shrewish wife spies him, drives him away with a broom, but the kind-hearted husband intervenes, stops the onslaught, and taking Walker to the house, he gives him food, drink and a little change, bids him God speed. During the latter scene, the wife in her anger, has gone into the house. She discovers the old boots, where they had been carelessly thrown by the simple old man, and in disgust, carries them to the barn, and throws them in. Now Walker Tracks had sought temporary shelter in that same barn, and the brutal stepson of the old farmer finds him there, and throws him out, hurling various articles after him as he takes flight. As a final salute, the boots are thrown after the retreating form of Walker. Seeing they are an improvement on his well-worn shoes, he concludes to make an exchange. While drawing them on, he discovers the money. Not knowing to whom it belongs, he appropriates it, and one long and glorious time follows amid the white lights of the Metropolis. During one of his expeditions in search of pleasure and entertainment, he falls in with an adventuress and her confederate, who shortly relieve him of the remains of his ill-gotten gains, and he once more takes to the road. The lesson has been a salutary one, for he reforms, becomes a useful citizen, acquires a fortune, and becomes the proprietor of an extensive turpentine industry. While visiting one of his groves, chance brings the simple old orange grower Into contact with Walker, who recognizes him as the man who befriended him, and seeing his forlorn condition, inquires the reason. He is told how he was driven from his home by the brutal stepson after the loss of the money, and has been a wanderer ever since. Walker at once restores him the full amount of the money lost with interest, and assures him of his lasting friendship.
- No storm seems to mar the domestic life of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wallace and they are looked upon by neighbors, friends, relatives and acquaintances as an ideal couple. The head of the house, though, soon finds fault with his food. Other quarrels follow and their marital differences become so pronounced that they seemingly are unable to agree on anything. They have a little son and the day of the christening arrives. They discuss a proper name for the child, but the views of the wife and husband do not seem to jibe. Another tilt ensues and the husband leaves home. Two years have elapsed. We find the husband in his own apartment lonesome and dejected. He is thinking of his wife and child and wonders how they are faring. There is another side to the portrait. The scene is in a nursery. Baby is playing on the floor and with the fondness of a mother, Mrs. Wallace looks on. Around her neck she wears a picture. It is that of her husband. Baby soon falls asleep. The wife then removes the locket and places it around the neck of her slumbering darling. Carrying her little one, she gently tucks it into a small wicker basket and upon it attaches the appended note: "Open immediately and feed." Wife then takes the basket containing her baby to the apartments of hubby while Mrs. Wallace hides behind the portieres and awaits developments. When the husband finds the basket he naturally opens it and investigates. When he sees the locket he knows that it is his own child, and then and there the estranged pair are brought together.
- John Jackson returns to his house one night to find his wife Sarah ill. Just as he is about to send for a physician she expires in his hands. John is inconsolable, and after the funeral, wanders about the city trying to forget his great grief. He strays into a public park. He is almost staggered, for lo and behold, he sees a woman who is the very image of his poor Sarah. He follows the woman, who proves to be an actress. He learns where she is playing and watches her perform. Her very gestures suggest Sarah. He seeks an interview and is ushered into the presence of the actress. John falls in love with her desperately, but does not reveal that her striking resemblance to his wife is the real cause of his infatuation. He writes her to dine at his home and she accepts. In a jewel casket there is a braid of golden hair which John clipped from Sarah's head while she was in her coffin. Jokingly John asks the actress to put on one of Sarah's gowns, and as John endeavors to kiss her the actress playfully eludes him, and taking the braid, pins it to her own hair. The procedure maddens John, and he tries to choke the woman. Just as he is about to kill the actress, he fancies he can see the dead wife slip from out of her portrait and hear her voice calling. He immediately releases his hold and the actress, believing him to be insane, quickly flees from the house, apparently glad that she escaped with her life. Then John bends before the portrait and on his knees, begs forgiveness. Sarah, or the vision, beckons him that he need not fear, and with a smile on her face, disappears.
- Reduced to comparative poverty through unfortunate speculations, Fred Williams, accompanied by his wife and daughter, Doris, gather the remains of his meager belongings, and starts overland by wagon for the far west. Blessed with favorable weather conditions and excellent roads, the little party reach a wild and remote section in western Arizona, where, finding a suitable spot for a resting-place, they pitch their camp for the night. It being near the hour for the evening meal, Doris goes in search of water, while her mother prepares the cooking utensils. The wildness of the surroundings makes her father somewhat solicitous, and he bids her be cautious, but she being a plucky western girl, points significantly to the "forty-four" suspended in its holster from her girdle, smiles at his fears and disappears in a grove of firs. Unknown to the little party, there was an Indian reservation not far distant and a number of redmen had surreptitiously smuggled in a generous supply of whiskey. All have been indulging freely, and in consequence are in a dangerous condition. One of their number, a chief of some importance, wanders away in his drunken stupor, and his steps are by chance led to where Doris is seen in the act of filling a vessel with water from a neighboring spring. Attracted by her beauty, and noting the solitude of the surroundings, he approaches her in a familiar manner, and endeavors to embrace her. She releases herself from his grasp, and with a well-directed blow knocks him down. Driven to frenzy he rises quickly, draws his knife and rushes toward her. She fires at him and he falls. Doris does not wait to learn how badly he is injured, but hastens to inform her parents of the circumstance. Fearful of the result, they immediately strike camp, and continue their journey. In the course of their travels they shortly meet a ranch owner, who offers Williams favorable inducements to settle on part of his land. He gladly accepts. Some time has passed since the shooting of the Indian by Doris, and the occurrence is almost forgotten by them, and the family has settled down to a peaceful and quiet existence. Doris has won the affection of the ranch boss, and they are shortly to be married. The renegade Indian has meanwhile recovered, and learning her whereabouts, in a spirit of revenge he gathers some of his followers about him and plans an attack on the Williams' house. The cowboys are quartered at some distance away, so that when the Indians surround the house, things look very dark for the family, but Doris's resourcefulness and pluck saves them. Under cover of the night she eludes the marauders, reaches the corral, mounts her pony, and after a thrilling ride through a shower of bullets, she returns with the cowboys, who ride with a wild dash to the rescue and after a blood-curdling battle, the Indians are annihilated.