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- An early version of the classic, based more on the 1902 stage musical than on the original novel.
- An astronomer falls asleep and has a strange dream involving a fairy queen and the Moon.
- Much to our amazement, an elegant and masterful illusionist detaches his own head effortlessly from his shoulders for a once-in-a-lifetime performance.
- A complete performance of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO filmed as a stage play with curtains between the five acts: Act I. "The Sailor's Return," Act II. "Twenty Years Later," Act III. "Dantes Starts on His Mission of Vengeance," Act IV. "Dantes as the Count of Monte Cristo," Act V. "Dantes Accuses His Enemies," and "finis" at the end. This is the oldest known film of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO. Also, it depicts the oldest known film of the San Diego coast.
- Two staid judges, Hay and Holt, are close friends. They have but one child each, an attractive daughter. These old fellows are very dignified and old-fashioned in their ideas, and they guard their girls with jealous care. Two young men of the town are enamored of those pretty girls and pay court to them. They are both surprised in their love-making, by the judges, who angrily order them from their houses, thereby humiliating the young men in the eyes of their sweethearts. The boys swear to get even. They determine to humiliate the judges. So they enlist the services of two gentlemen of shady reputation. The old codgers are enticed from their houses, carried off to a lonely shack in the woods, their beards are shaven off and they are dressed in the garb of children. Frightened half to death by their experience, the old fellows are turned loose to make their way back home as best they can. Their experiences are most amusing. The matter gets into the papers next day, but the names are withheld pending further investigation. Now the boys have them on their hips and threaten to reveal their names unless they give their consent to their daughters' marriage. Of course, the boys win, much to the gratification of the girls and the chagrin of the two crusty old jurists.
- "Company F, 1st Ohio Volunteers, initiating a new man. Nineteen times he bounces in the blanket, and each toss is funnier than the last one."
- Stephen Brice, a young lawyer in Civil War-era St. Louis, falls in love with Virginia Carvel, the daughter of his benefactor. But she is loyal to the South and Brice is committed to Lincoln's cause. In the course of the war, their convictions separate them, and Virginia becomes engaged to her cousin Clarence Colfax, a Confederate officer. Brice becomes an officer under General Sherman, and eventually finds himself faced with the captured Colfax, facing execution for spying. Brice must decide whether or not to intercede in his rival's behalf.
- Satan appears in a convent and takes the guise of a priest. Before long he is causing all manner of perturbation and despair.
- The common, but perplexing problem is, what should be the plan for a woman, who, marrying a widower, finds that her husband's love for his first wife is eclipsing his love for her? This is the uncomfortable situation in which Betty finds herself a short time after her marriage to Tom, a jeweler, whose particular jewel is his daughter, Gladys. The young wife grows very fond of the child, and yet, at first, she meets antagonism in this direction, and this begins the primary trial with the husband, who sides with his little daughter. It was this incident that revealed to her that Tom idolized the memory of his first wife still as a living power. Fate seemed to be piling up humiliations for Betty, yet she turned the tide by winning the love of the child and through this means the greater love of her husband. A valuable package has been entrusted to Betty by her husband, but in the absorbing preparations for Gladys' appearance in a masquerade as a fairy, this package becomes mixed with discarded finery. When its loss is discovered, Tom bitterly reproaches Betty for her carelessness, but Gladys, arriving from the party and finding Betty in tears, rallies instantly to her support. Through Gladys, however, the chain of events that carry the package to the furnace room to be burned, is traced, and Betty, at the cost of severe burns to herself, rescues the packet. When Tom learns the true circumstances, he is deeply repentant, and at the end finds that Betty is truly worthy of all of his love and respect.
- The first of many filmed adaptations of Rex Beach's adventure novel of the Alaskan gold-rush.
- A magician presents a wreath which in turn transforms into other things.
- Princess Elyata of Tirzah (Juanita Hansen) comes to the rescue of Stanley Morton (George Chesebro) and his sidekick Mike Donovan (Frank Clark), a couple of Americans who foolishly wander into a village ruled by slave trader Gagga (Hector Dion).
- A magician has a picture frame set up. He then proceeds to make a second version of himself appear inside it.
- The opening shows a colored nursemaid in the park with baby carriage, and seated on a bench receives the attention of several smart colored men who admire her greatly and endeavor to make her acquaintance. But the dusky belle is coy and declines to make the acquaintance of any of them, until one more fortunate than the rest is invited to a seat on the bench with her, and a most pronounced flirtation takes place between the lady and her beau. The course of true love seems to run smoothly, and we are next introduced to the lady's home, where the young man is paying a visit and is introduced by the girl to her, father and mother, typical old darkies of before the war time, and several funny scenes follow in which the kid hint her plays a prominent part. The coon favors his girl with many presents and lavishes attentions upon her, although it cannot he said that the courtship proceeds altogether without incident. A rival appears on the scene, razors are drawn and finally a duel is arranged, at which both suitors, accompanied by their seconds, appear on the field of honor and exchange shots at thirty paces; one of the combatants is carried off the field, while our original hero remains the master of the situation, and the girl, arriving at the moment, is so pleased with his valor that arrangements for the wedding are made at once. The happy climax is reached at last and the marriage ceremony makes the two coons one and ends the "wooing" in a wedding. Next is seen the home of the young couple, but quite a change has taken place. No longer does the colored gallant overwhelm his lady with presents and similar attentions. Put the familiar sign of "Washing Done Here" is apparent, and while the woman toils at the wash tub the married coon smokes, drinks and enjoys himself at his leisure until he decides to go out and enjoy the sights and pleasures of the town. In turn he visits a trap game and several other gambling scenes, not forgetting various saloons, at which he accumulates a very perceptible package. His gambling experience has been unsuccessful and he loses not only his money but his clothes as well, and finally is compelled to rob a scarecrow in order to get clothes enough to get home again at all, which he finally gains in a very disheveled and ragged condition. The unfortunate coon has not been home long before he is attacked by imaginary foes as the result of his drinking bout; seizing a broom he gives battle wildly but is surprised by his wife, who, disgusted with the condition in which her husband has returned, attacks him viciously and gives him the beating he so richly deserves and ends by throwing a tub of suds and dirty water all over him.
- Lost film that adapted L. Frank Baum's books "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz", "The Marvelous Land of Oz", "Ozma of Oz" and "John Dough and the Cherub". Only the narration script, read by L. Frank Baum himself, and production stills survive.
- Vicky Hoskins, an eastern girl with story writing ambitions, goes west to get local color for a story. Tom, foreman of John Hicks' ranch, plans to joke the eastern girl. With cowboys, Tom rigs up a dummy, proceeds to hang it to a tree and tells Vicky that they were merely hanging a story writer who happened to come to the ranch, and Vicky nearly collapses with fright. Vicky decides to make love to Tom just to see how he acts, and so that she can tell what to do with her hero in her western story. John Hicks, the ranch owner, discovers Vicky's plot and tells Tom. Then Hicks and the boys accuse Vicky of trifling with Tom's affections. A stranger, who looks exceedingly seedy, approaches and he is asked to perform a supposed marriage ceremony between Tom and Vicky. Too late the boys discover that the stranger is a real clergyman, and that the matrimonial ties are binding. Later, however, Tom finds a means to cause Vicky to become content with her lot.
- The opening scene of the picture shows a pioneer family at work on the finishing touches of their new log house, built upon a section of land upon which they have staked their claim. Jim, the eldest son of the Waymans, has been paying attention to pretty Betty Price, the only daughter of old Tom Price, a trapper and scout, whose comfortable home is situated within a short distance of the Waymans. Betty, who had had some of the advantages of Eastern schools, but who had foresworn all the pleasures of a social life to be with her father on the frontier, was rather impressed with the handsome young suitor, and at the beginning of our story had made Jim supremely happy by giving him her promise to become his wife just as soon as he was able to clear his own land and provide her with a home. Bright were the prospects of these two young lovers until a shadow crept into their lives in the shape of Bill Horn, a half-breed Indian scout. Through dealings Bill had with Tom Price, he encountered and fell in love with the old scout's beautiful daughter. Confiding his love to her father, he was met with such a stern rebuff that he was careful for some time not to mention the subject, and his visits became less frequent until reports brought him news of Betty's engagement to Jim Wayman. Then all the hatred and jealous rage of his Indian nature came to the surface and he determined to have the girl by fair means or foul. Allying himself with a certain Sioux chief not far from the settlement of the whites, he succeeds by misrepresentation in arousing "Old Whirlwind" and his band of braves to go upon the warpath and destroy the whites, who he claimed were encroaching upon their hunting grounds. His plan was to murder all but Betty, who would thus be in his power to do with as he willed. Before carrying out his plans, however, the half-breed determined to again visit the girl and give her the chance to save her father and her friends by becoming his wife. Watching his opportunity when Betty was at home alone with her Indian maid companion, he unceremoniously entered the house and presented his conditions to the frightened girl. With her dark eyes flashing fire. Betty ordered him out of the house, telling him that her father would kill him on sight when he learned of his vile threats. Seizing the helpless girl in his arms, he attempts to drag her out the door and bear her away, but the Indian girl, hearing the screams of her beloved mistress, rushes into the room and seizing a heavy stool brings it down with all her force upon the unprotected head of the ruffian. Holding him long enough for her and Betty to get away, our heroine springs to her pony and rides at top speed to the home of the Waymans and acquaints them with the threats of the half-breed. Seizing their rifles, the men strike out for the girl's home, determined to defend it against any attacks that might be made upon it by the hostile savages. A friendly Indian, who follows Bill to the Sioux's village, learns of the plan to murder his white benefactors, and hastening to the home of the old scout he informs them of the danger they are in. "Its the girl they are after," the Indian tells them, and advises them to abandon Price's house and retire to the home of the Waymans, where a better defense might be made. Following his advice, they repair to the more secure stronghold find there await the threatened attack. It is not long in coming. In the Indian village the war dance is on and preparations are under way for the contemplated massacre. We next see them on their ponies riding stealthily around the rocks and cliffs, guided over the narrow trail by the treacherous half-breed. Arriving at the cabin of the Prices the bloodthirsty Redskins are not long in finding it empty. Again they take up the trail and are soon in the vicinity of the Waymans' home. Dismounting, they creep quietly over the rooks until they have surrounded the house. In order to expose the inmates of the little cabin to the aim of the murderous band, the half-breed steals to the door and knocks for admittance. The ruse works and old man Wayman opens the door to investigate the noise. A shot rings and he staggers back with a bullet through his wrist. The fight is now on. We are given a view of the interior of the cabin, showing the entire family loading their rifles and firing from the small loopholes that have been provided for such an emergency. Keeping closely under cover, but little damage is done to the attacking party, who keep up a steady fire in order to hide the efforts of the half-breed's purpose to set fire to the cabin. Failing to evade the sharp eyes of the defenders, the Indians abandon the plan for a while and pretend to withdraw from the scene of action. Knowing that their ammunition cannot hold out much longer, young Jim determines upon a desperate mission to obtain help. Bidding all good-bye, he and the friendly Indian, Chico, make a flash for the outside. Evading the shots of the watchful savages, they succeed in getting out of range of their rifles. Hastening with the speed of desperation, the two struggle on over the snow and through the rugged passes of the foothills towards the nearest settlement. Arriving there more dead than alive, they learn of the temporary presence of a troop of cavalry who are on their way to quell any threatening demonstrations of the Sioux, who for some time have been uneasy and restless. Finding them encamped for the night in an old barn, Jim gasps out the story of his family's peril, entreating them to lose no time in going to the rescue. Only a few minutes were spent in getting away, and Uncle Sam's Indian fighters are riding rapidly towards the scene of trouble. Leaving their horses in a gorge near the fight the cavalrymen make their way on foot towards the besieged cabin. Quickly surrounding the unsuspecting Indians, the signal of attack is given, and with a cheer that thrills the blood of the despairing little band, who have been stubbornly fighting for their lives, the boys in blue pounce upon their savage foe, and with a perfect whirlwind of fire pouring from their carbines, completely annihilate the murderous band of bloodthirsty savages. Their arrival was well timed, as the little cabin was in flames and nothing else could have saved the almost helpless victims of the half-breed's treachery. - The Moving Picture World, February 20, 1909
- A burlesque on the John Rice/May Irwin kiss in "The Kiss" (1896).
- A story laid in the Great Yosemite Valley during the eighties. Col. Westley has an only daughter who is the one softening influence in his rugged nature. She is fond of taking morning rides over the trails, and is usually accompanied by Robt. Adams, a sergeant at the post, and who is detailed by the father to look after her safety. The companionship of these young people soon ripens into love, and despite the disparity of the rank of Adams and his sweetheart's father, they plight their troth. At the opening of the story we see them riding away from the post. Upon arriving at Nevada Falls, a favorite spot, they leave their horses and proceed on foot in order that they may ascend to a more advantageous height from which to view the gorgeous scenery that surrounds the grand historical Yosemite Valley. While engaged in this pastime, an Indian renegade steals their horses, leaving them afoot many miles from the post. The evening is stealing upon them when they discover their loss and in their effort to follow the footprints of their horses they lose their way and are compelled to spend the night in the wilderness. The Colonel becoming alarmed, sends out a searching party that finally succeeds in finding the missing couple. Upon returning to the post the sergeant is placed under arrest, despite the pleading of his unhappy sweetheart. Now a lapse of n month occurs and we see a thrilling battle with the Indians, in which the Colonel, accompanied by his daughter, is cut off from the men and about to be taken by the redskins. It is at this time that Adams, only a private, shows his heroism by making a desperate dash through the lines of the enemy, rescuing the Colonel and his daughter from the murderous savages, though wounded almost to death. His recovery and promotion to 1st Lieutenant soon follow, and with the consent of the Colonel to his marriage with the lady of his choice, ends a pretty story of love, heroism and devotion to duty.
- The characters in this comedy introduce themselves in the home of "Ma" Katzenjammer. She is expecting company for the weekend and is making preparations accordingly. She starts her baking and has a goodly supply of dough on hand when she is called to the front part of the house. Uncle Heinie, in his favorite chair by the kitchen stove, tires of the dullness attendant upon the occasion and falls asleep. The kids meantime have been wandering around in search of amusement and not finding any they repair to the kitchen to see what "Ma" is baking. They find the bread dough and start right in to stimulate some excitement. Poor Heinie is made the target for a veritable shower of bread dough. Consternation follows and the kids make a successful getaway taking refuge in the captain's room. They find a pair of scissors and proceed to cut up everything in sight. The kids are caught and kicked out. They buy all the toy balloons in town and send them in a box to the captain. When he opens the box he is dumbfounded by the action of the contents. The captain decides upon a course of physical culture and goes to the gymnasium to dress for the ordeal. The kids beat him to it, however, and his stay at the gymnasium results in physical torture, instead of physical culture.
- When her mother elopes with a lover and her father dies cursing the name of God, Domini Enfilden attempts to forget her pain in Beni Mora, an oasis in the Sahara. At the desert hotel, she meets and falls in love with Boris Androvsky, a tormented man of mystery. Abruptly announcing his departure one day, Boris bids farewell to Domini in the Garden of Allah, but passion overwhelms them, and after making love, they are married by Father Roubier. The two are happy until Capt. De Trevignac, a dinner guest, recognizes Boris as the former Father Antoine, a priest whose irrepressible lust forced him to leave the monastery. De Trevignac says nothing, but after his departure, Boris confesses to Domini, who urges him to return to the monastery. The years pass, and Domini rears her son Boris in the Garden of Allah.
- The daughter of an adventurer in India is kidnapped by a native king, whom she is forced to marry. She has several adventures battling natives and wild animals.
- Part One. The first reel opens with the departure of the ship Pharaon from Marseilles, with Dantes and Danglars, the man who later incomes his deadly rival, as supercargo. During the voyage the captain dies. At the moment of his death he gives the charge of the ship to Dantes, and also entrusts to him the secret message to Napoleon, with the imperial ring which will admit him to private audience with the illustrious exile. Dantes succeeds in his mission to Napoleon, and sails back to France with a communication from Napoleon to Noirtier, who dispatched the original missive. On arrival at Marseilles, Danglars tries to get the command of the Pharaon away from Dantes, but Morrel, the ship owner, is well satisfied with Dantes, and gives him his captain's papers. Dantes, after an affectionate reunion with his old father, visits his sweetheart, Mercedes. Fernand, a fiery young fisherman, who has been trying to win her for himself, is much incensed at Dantes' return. He discovers Danglars' enmity for Dantes, and conspires with him and several habitues of the Reserve Inn to bring trumped up charges against Dantes. Their nefarious scheme succeeds so well that Dantes is torn from a jolly prenuptial feast by the magistrate's guards and hustled from the distracted Mercedes' side to a dungeon in the Chateau D'If, in Marseilles harbor. Part Two. The second reel depicts the awful years spent in the dungeon by Dantes. He grows grizzled, ragged and unkempt in the solitude. He manages finally to get into communication, through a secret passage, with a fellow prisoner, an old Abbe, who is being persecuted by political and religious enemies. The Abbe is an eccentric person, whose one thought in life is the recovery of immense buried riches, the key to the finding of which he holds in the form of an old chart. Finally the Abbe comes to die, and entrusts the chart to Dantes. After the discovery of the Abbe's corpse by the guards, and while the latter have gone out to fetch shots with which to weight the sack in which they have wrapped the Abbe preparatory to casting him into the sea, Dantes manages to drag the corpse into his own cell and substitute himself for the remains. He is cast from the parapet of the castle in the sack which is supposed to contain the dead body. He has supplied himself with a knife beforehand, and as the sack sinks Dantes rips it open and swims to an isolated rock, from the top of which he shouts, in his exultation over the escape: "The World is Mine!" Part Three. The third reel opens with the rescue of Dantes from the rock by a smuggler's schooner. During the cruise of the schooner, Dantes induces the captain to put him ashore on the isle of Monte Cristo, the spot named in the Abbe's chart as the depository of the hidden treasure. He discovers the exact cave and unearths the treasure. He makes his way to the mainland and lives in luxury among the Arabs, falling in love with the beautiful slave girl, Haidee. Captain Albert, of the French army, gets into difficulties during an attack upon his troops by the Arabs and Dantes, by his daring, saves his life. Albert, on taking his departure from Dantes' tent, thanks him profusely and invites him in Paris. Dantes, who has seen something familiar in the captain's face, starts when he reads his card, but promises, without comment, to attend the reception at Albert's. Dantes, in disguise, and known as the Count of Monte Cristo, visits Paris with Haidee. There he comes face to face with his old sweetheart, Mercedes, who has married his enemy, Fernand. Mercedes informs him that the young captain, Albert, is his own son. The final scene is a desperate duel between Dantes and Fernand, in which Fernand is killed.
- The order of disarmament, issued in the Winter of 1S74, and the arrest of "Rain in the Face" by young Tom Custer, is shown in our first three scenes. Then, "two years later," we witness the arrival of General Custer at Post Fort Lincoln. An order superseding him in command of the expedition is received. Then follows a scene where the officers beg him not to trust "Reno" with an important command, as it was known in the army that bad blood existed between these two officers. A bit of unwritten history is here introduced. The Commander of the Post, Col. Godfrey, had a pretty daughter, Dollie, who was in love with Lieut. Glenn, one of Custer's subalterns, and she, not relishing being separated from her sweetheart, inadvertently learned that there was to be an officer sent back to bring forward a supply train as soon as the General located the Indians. She makes a written request asking the General to send back Lieut. Glenn. The love interest bearing upon the lives of these two young people is, we hope, not intrusively blended into and made a part of the, present historical subject. We then see General Custer and his officers watching the hostiles through their field glasses. Custer decides to attack. Reno is given command of the supporting column, in spite of the protests of the assembled officers. The General thinks of little Dollie Godfrey's letter, reads it, grants the request it contains by ordering young Lieut. Glenn back to the fort. Next we see the wily "Rain in the Face" and his band of naked, painted devils leading Custer's cavalry into a trap; riding up just out of gunshot, they tantalize Custer into making a charge. The "Gallant Command" answer the order with a yell and are off after the fleeing band of savages. A sudden dip in the prairie and the Indians disappear, then up a rise of ground perhaps thirty feet in height; then come the soldiers, every man urging his horse to his utmost in order to gain on the yelling red fiends in front. Over the bluff they go, and the sight that meets their gaze freezes the blood, for stretched away as far as the eye can reach, upright and naked on their ponies they sit, three thousand Sioux warriors, waiting for the handful of white soldiers to be brought to the slaughter. Too late, Custer sees his error; nothing daunted, he gives the order, column half left, about face, retreat, steady, men, ride for your lives to higher ground; then two miles away Reno's officers hear the volley that greets Custer from that bronze line, and beg him, Reno, to go to Custer's assistance. Then we see "The Last Stand"; horses sent to the rear to be later stampeded, thus leaving no escape for the brave little band, now reduced to forty-one men; the red circle of death closes in about them and "Rain in the Face" is avenged. Two days later the news reaches Fort Lincoln. On the same day a young officer, dust covered, his uniform in shreds, rides into the Fort and delivers Custer's last message, sent a few hours before the massacre. Glenn had fallen into the hands of a roving band of Sioux, but makes his escape and reaches the Fort, to learn for the first time the fate of his comrades on the Little Big Horn.
- A tramp steals a housewife's pie, and is pursued by her bulldog, which latches onto his rear as he scrambles over a fence.
- Bud Noble, a handsome specimen of manhood, is foreman on the Circle "D" ranch outside of Circle City, Idaho, and our opening scene pictures Bud as the cowboy roping and tying a steer. With its bucking bronchos, pitching mustangs, bucking steers, and the biggest novelty ever, the acme of all thrillers, "see Bud bulldog a steer." Only three men have successfully accomplished this feat and lived to tell about it. Then Bud receives a shock. The local operator appears with a telegram. "Your Uncle John dead. You are sole heir to his estate valued at several millions. Come to Chicago at once." The astounded cowboys tumble over with sheer amazement. Bud buys and the scene closes with a characteristic rush for the bar. "One year later" Bud tires of society. We see Bud and his new wife entertaining and our cowboy shows plainly that he is desperately weary of the effete East, then Bud goes to the club and the men he meets there and their conversation is getting on his nerves. "After the theater" a return home and Bud longs for the fresh air of the vast West. As he sinks wearily into a chair a Remington painting catches his eye. It is one he had recently purchased, a broncho buster and his locoed horse. The artist had caught the wild spirit of his subject, and as Bud's mind returns to scenes of a similar nature, a happy inspiration comes. "By Jove, I'll do it." He seizes a telegraph blank, rings for his butler, and sends the following message: "Col. Dalton, Foreman Circle 'D' Ranch, "This high-brow life is killing me. Am sending you special train. Bring the whole outfit, band, horses and all. This town needs excitement. Come and help wake it up. BUD." A few days later we see the boys at a swell suburban depot: Bud and his wife in their auto, and the punchers in chaps and sombreros soon create a world of excitement on the city streets. Then Bud takes the boys yachting; next to see a melodrama, where the Colonel takes exceptions to the villain's heartless treatment of "Bertha, the Sewing Machine Girl." "Bud, either send those horrid creatures back where they came from or I get a divorce," declares Mrs. Bud. So the boys are next seen in a palatial café car homeward bound. The Colonel gets into an argument with the colored cook and that worthy dives through an open car window to escape the cowboy's wrath. Our closing scene is in the cozy home of the millionaire. He and his wife are enjoying a quiet tete-a-tete when the butler bands in a telegram. It reads; "On root. Everybody enjoyin' theirselves. The Colonel sure some happy, he just shot a coon. Will send the bill to you. THE BOYS." Bud laughs heartily. The wife joins and as she nestles up to her big manly husband, says: "You won't ever want to be a cowboy again, will you, Bud?" Bud turns slowly; looks at the Remington painting which has been the innocent cause of their recent quarrel, and walking over, he turns the picture to the wall, holds out his arms to his wife, and as her head nestles against his shoulder, we plainly catch his words, "Never Again."
- I.M. Mann, millionaire president of a large corporation, is known as "the man with the iron heart." James Boyd, cashier for Mann's corporation, is delayed one morning because of a dying mother, and is discharged. Then Boyd goes to Union headquarters with his story. The thousands of workmen employed by Mann finally reach the limit of endurance, and at a union meeting, resolve to demand increased wages, a cessation of child labor and other benefits, or strike. He refuses to hear a committee of workmen and says, "I'll close up the factories and let you starve." Boyd resolves to plead with Mrs. Mann for the workmen. He tells the wife, "Your husband holds the destiny of 50,000 people in his hands." Mann arrives at his palatial home at this moment. He is infuriated at the sight of Boyd. He strikes him and orders him thrown from the house. And then it is that Conscience appears to "the man with the iron heart." "Out of my heart forever, Conscience," exclaims Mann, but he is unable to stifle Conscience. Mrs. Mann leaves her stone-hearted husband, telling him that she will return when he resolves to grant the favors asked for by his workmen. Mann orders a strike breaker to fill his factories with non-union men by noon of tomorrow. At noon the following day, the union men march from the factories. They encounter the mob of strike breakers and a terrible conflict ensues in which the police are summoned, who with difficulty quell the rioters. Mann returns to his home and as he enters the threshold, he is shot by one of the rioters. Placed in his bed, Conscience appears before him in his delirium and also Death. He overcomes Death, but is unable to repulse Conscience. Conscience shows "the man with the iron heart" the scenes of suffering which he has caused, of his discharged cashier caring for the dying mother, the death of a little child, and of his wife pleading for leniency to the workmen. Overcome by Conscience, Mann is no longer known as "the man with the iron heart." He summons his wife to his bedside. He grants the request of his workmen and his reformation is complete.
- Mazeppa, the infant son of a Tartar chief, was captured by the Poles and grew into manhood in the Polish land, never knowing his true parentage. Through his bravery and gallantry, he became the favorite page of Olinska, daughter of Castellan, a Polish noble. Mazeppa was the favorite of all women and the envy of all men. He loved Olinska and his love was returned, but this was against the plan of Castellan, who had made preparations to marry her to Count Prenislas. Mazeppa forced a duel with his rival, in which the latter was seriously wounded and the enraged Castellan, as a punishment to Mazeppa, had him tied to the back of a wild and desperate horse, in spite of the pitiful entreaties of Olinska. The helpless Mazeppa was driven through forests and rivers, attacked by wolves, drenched by the rain, then scorched by the sun, with the ropes that bound him buried deep into his flesh, longing for death. He reached the Tartar camp, where the exhausted horse at last dropped. Mazeppa was discovered and relieved from his tortures by kind hands, and by means of a mark on his breast was recognized by the Tartar chief as his son. Mazeppa was proclaimed the successor to his father, as chief of the Tartars. However, his greatest hope, that of making Olinska his wife, was worth more to him than all else. Disguised as peasants, he, with several of his followers, entered the house of Castellan, where they were engaged to dance at the festivities of Olinska's marriage which was about to take place at her father's command. At the opportune moment the Tartars overpowered the house of Castellan and released Olinska, once more reunited, now for all time, with her Tartar lover, Mazeppa.
- Each month upon receipt of his remittance from England George Wade plunges into reckless dissipation in a mining camp. Gordon Lennox, another Englishman, leaves his wife in England while he seeks his fortune in the gold fields of Nevada. Lennox saves Wade from violence in a saloon brawl, and partly through the ties of English blood and sympathy for the man, he takes Wade to his cabin, and together they work Lennox's claim. Lennox hears from his wife, Edith, who writes him that she is about to leave England and join him. Wade strikes a rich vein of ore; the news spreads, and word comes from several eastern capitalists that they will arrive to investigate the new discovery. Lennox gives Wade full power of attorney to deal with the capitalists, who would buy the mine, and then leaves to meet his wife. Wade endeavors to embezzle $200,000, the amount he received for the mine, and his crookedness is discovered by his partner, who returns unannounced. After a violent quarrel, Wade kills Lennox, and leaves for the east. He meets Lennox's wife and tells her her husband was killed in an accident. They embark for England. Wade becomes conscience-stricken. He fears that circumstances will make known the fact that be is a murderer. He cannot forget the brand of Cain, and a swift and unusual punishment comes to him.
- Surrounded by a group of children, poet James Whitcomb Riley narrates the story of Little Orphant Annie, who loses her mother at an early age and is sent to an orphanage. Annie charms the other children with her stories of goblins and elves until her uncle comes to claim her. He and her aunt force Annie into a life of drudgery, treating her so cruelly that Big Dave, a neighboring farmer, takes her from them and places her in the charge of the kindly Squire Goode and his wife. Big Dave, who intends to marry Annie, is called away to fight in World War I. When Annie hears the news that he has been killed, she pretends to be gravely ill but wakes up to learn that it has all been a dream.
- Tom Melford, foreman of the Double O Ranch, has one weakness, that of strong drink. John Gatlin and his daughter, Vi, arrive at the Redwood Hotel, where it is a case of love at first sight between Tom and Gatlin's daughter. Gatlin purchases the Double O Ranch, and Tom continues as his ranch foreman. He also discovers Tom's secret fondness for whiskey. Tom and Vi marry and announce the news to Vi's father, who, infuriated, denounces Tom as a drunkard and drives them both away from the ranch. The home of Tom and Vi is blessed with a little daughter. Tom, one day, is summoned to Sonora to break wild horses, just as Loraine, the little one becomes ill. After his work, Tom is tempted to drink, visits the Golden Nugget saloon and indulges in a spree. Vi sends word to Tom that their little daughter is dying. The baby dies and Vi leaves her home. She returns to her father, but again he refuses her a home. Vi, now homeless, accepts the position of cook at the Golden Nugget saloon. There, the photograph of her dead child is taken from her and made sport of by the habitues of the place. Tom sobers up, returns home and finds a note from Vi telling him of the death of their child. He then and there vows never again to touch strong drink and goes forth in search of gold and becomes a better man. A renegade discovers Tom's gold mine, ties Tom to a tree, and flees to the claim agent's office. Tom shoots the rope tying him to the tree into two parts, makes his escape, overtakes the renegade and after a sensational battle, overpowers the man and registers his claim. In the meantime, Vi makes her escape from the place and is pursued by two ruffians. Tom sees the picture of his dead baby behind the bar, recovers it, mounts a horse and goes in search of his wife. He rescues her just in time.
- A sturdy old farmer is grieved over the fact that his son, Absolom, has forsaken him. Mercy, the hired girl, brings him a newspaper in which they read about the celebration of "Father's Day," and pray that the hard heart of the boy may be softened. In dissolves, is shown why Absolom left the farm, because of his violent temper and his cruelty of the dumb animals about the place. Then is shown the young man himself, a chauffeur in the city, to the daughter of a wealthy broker. She is shopping in the street, which commemorates "Father's Day," buys flowers and pennants for her own father, and then begs Absolom to send something to his father. He is obdurate, and she determines to redeem him from his selfishness. She makes him drive to the farm, gets the old farmer, and throwing aside class distinction, takes him to see vaudeville, to wrestle with Chop Suey, and raises his hair shooting the Chutes. Absolom is "cut out" of all these entertainments in order to humiliate him, and eventually he is shown in her home in the servants' hall, while the father he has derided fares on champagne and oysters in the grand dining-room. When all get back to the farm by way of the car, the father tries to induce Absolom to give up his job and come back home. The beauteous Hilda then takes a hand, advises him it is his duty to return home and discharges him on the spot. This brings him to a realizing sense of duty and he accepts the situation in justice to himself and all concerned, settles down happily, joyous in the smiles of Mercy, the country lass, to milk the cows and follow the plow.
- (First Reel) Cinderella's mother dies and her father marries a cruel widow with two ugly daughters of her own disposition. The father leaves on a long journey and poor Cinderella is soon forced to act as "slavey" to the tyrannical stepmother and her daughters. They abuse and mistreat her and finally turn her out of the house. The girl, footsore and weary, takes refuge in a deserted garden. Prince Charming refuses to marry the girl the king chooses for him and is thrust into prison. He makes his escape and by a strange coincidence attempts to hide in the same deserted garden that Cinderella has chosen. The prince has changed his garb for that of a milk vendor and in this apparel he meets Cinderella, who is also in rags. With each it is a case of love at first sight. He gives her a ring and she allows him to cut and keep a lock of her hair. The girl, now refreshed and happy, returns to her home, while the prince dreams of his girl in tatters. (Second Reel) The king issues a proclamation announcing that if the prince will return he may marry whomsoever he will. The prince, overjoyed, returns. Cinderella, now happy and carefree, pays little heed to her daily abuse and ill-treatment. She finds great comfort and solace in the ring, and memories, until one day the Prince is pointed out to her, and in him she recognizes her milk vendor. And so again her childish dreams are shattered. The king gives a grand ball in honor of his son. The stepmother and sisters go, leaving Cinderella behind, brokenhearted. Her fairy godmother then comes to her assistance, however, making it possible for Cinderella to attend the ball, the only requirement being that Cinderella leave the palace before midnight. Cinderella agrees and departs for the ball in state. (Third Reel) At the ball. Cinderella captivates the prince and his guests with her beauty and mischievousness. To him she looks familiar, but she steadfastly refuses to divulge her identity. Cinderella so thoroughly enjoys her evening with the prince that she forgets the approaching midnight hour until it arrives. Then suddenly remembering her godmother's admonition, she rushes from the palace, but in doing so she loses one of her silver slippers. Later the prince finds the slipper, and sends his couriers throughout the land, announcing that the owner of the foot that fits the slipper shall become his wife. Cinderella by chance is granted permission to try on the slipper and lo, she becomes a princess.
- Colonel William Ryan, a ranch owner, in the Lone Star State, has named his only daughter Texas. Jack Parker, a devil-may-care cowpuncher, loves only two things, one is his horse and the other a photograph of Texas Ryan, whom he has never seen. He has named his horse "Dream Girl" after the girl of the photograph. After several years in an eastern college, Texas return home. Her father is happy and she is idolized by the cowboys of the ranch. Antonio Moreno is the head of a band of cattle rustlers. His lieutenant, "Dice" McAllister, a former road agent, uses his office as marshal as a cloak for unlawful deeds. Moreno and McAllister have long plotted to secure Ryan's wealth, and Moreno resolves to pay court to the girl. In the "Last Chance" saloon and dance hall a shooting scrape occurs. Jack Parker, enemy of McAllister, is charged as being an accessory. Harsh words are exchanged and Parker overcomes McAllister in a desperate conflict, and then crosses the border until the disturbance blows over. He returns on the Fourth of July and proceeds to celebrate. Colonel Ryan and Texas meet him and Parker learns she is the girl of the photograph. Moreno and his gang, under pretense of friendship, visit the Ryan ranch during the round-up, and when Texas spurns the Mexican's offer of marriage, he threatens her, and is driven from the ranch. When Texas and her girlfriend, Marion Smith, are riding in the hills, they are seen by Moreno's men. Texas is pursued and made prisoner. Marion brings the news to Colonel Ryan. Jack Parker resolves to free the girl. By an offer of money, he persuades the bandits to free her. Moreno and McAllister rustle the Ryan cattle and are discovered by Parker. During a night of rain and wind he slips into the camp of the outlaws, takes Moreno a prisoner, and leaves a note telling McAllister of what he has done. When McAllister finds the note in the morning, he decides to leave the country. Moreno later makes his escape. Parker decides to go on the trail. He bids Texas farewell, telling her he is not worthy of her. As time passes Texas comes to understand that she loves the cowpuncher. Moreno continues his lawlessness. After a desperate conflict Parker is taken prisoner. Word is brought to Texas Ryan that he is to be shot that evening. The girl tells her father she believes the cattle thieves will spare Jack's life for money and starts in an automobile on her race with death. Moreno gloats over the revenge. The executioner awaits the order to fire. Just as Moreno is about to give the order, Texas arrives. The cupidity of the Mexican bandits is aroused by the gold, and the cowpuncher is freed and takes Texas into his arms.
- Dr. Henry Jekyll experiments with scientific means of revealing the hidden, dark side of man and releases a murderer from within himself.
- 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.
- When Ruth returns to the Bar "G" ranch after acquiring eastern polish, she chides the boys for chewing tobacco, cussing and smoking cigarettes. When Tom, the foreman, orders the boys out on the range to round up cattle they are pleased, for they are anxious to be away from Ruth's constant admonitions. Out on the range the cook becomes warmed with wine, is discharged, and in revenge puts his pipe and tobacco in the coffee pot. Tom sends a cowboy to the ranch and asks Ruth to find another cook for them. Ruth resolves to impersonate a French cook. She calls on Tom at the ranch in male attire. Starting in on her new duties, she makes a pan of fudge instead of cooking dinner. The boys are infuriated and are about to drive the French cook from the camp when she makes her identity known to Tom. Ruth is so attractive that Tom proposes on the spot and is accepted.
- Tom Manton, a cowboy on the ranch of William Saunders, is in love with Flo, Saunders' daughter. The ranchman is not in favor of the match. Henry Weir, a crook, tries to sell Saunders an automobile, and Weir takes Flo out for a ride. Tom learns that Weir is wanted by the authorities. Meantime, Weir endeavors to make love to Flo, who escapes, meets Tom and tells him of Weir's actions. Tom chases Weir in his auto, rides alongside, and jumps to the top of the automobile, where he is taken into town by Weir. When at the railroad station Weir jumps from the car and tries to escape, he is confronted by the cowboy. Saunders has so much admiration for Tom that he gives his consent to the marriage of Tom and Flo.
- Urged on by his wife and daughter and against his better judgment, Texas cattle-baron Maverick Brander, finds himself in Washington D. C. as an elected congressman. However, when the Brander family arrives in Washington, they are met at every junction by snobbery and ridicule. Then an investigative committee arrives from Texas to check up on how Maverick is representing their interests.
- Buck Minor was the most detested man in Wolf Hollow, partly because he was quarrelsome and treacherous, partly because he abused and neglected his little wife, Molly, whom all the camp adored, and for whose sake it tolerated Buck. A bright baby girl was Molly's only comfort and gave her courage to endure the hardships which otherwise must have crushed her. The opening scene of the story shows a street in Wolf Hollow. Buck is on one of his usual rampages, and running into an athletic cowpuncher who is in town to spend his money, he makes an insulting remark and is soundly drubbed by the younger Hercules of the plains. Buck is proud of his fistic ability, and his defeat by a stranger before the denizens of the camp is more than he can stand, so he determines to pull up stakes and migrate to other parts. Stumbling along home to his cabin, he bursts into the one little room where his patient wife is rocking the little child to sleep, and with an angry growl informs her that he is going to "pull his freight" out of Wolf Hollow forever, and that she must accompany him, but leave the baby behind. Molly clasps the child wildly to her breast and begs piteously to be allowed to take her little one, but Buck is obdurate and gains his point by threatening to kill the infant unless she consents to leave it. Scrawling a note which he intends to leave, offering the child to anyone who may find it, he makes preparations for his immediate departure. Clinging wildly to her little one, the distracted mother is soon dragged from the house and told to mount one of the horses waiting without. Thus we see them riding away toward the setting sun, an inhuman father rejoicing in the prospects of shaking the dust of the hater camp from off his boots, a broken-hearted mother choking with sobs, thinking only of the helpless baby alone and deserted in the little cabin on the hill. Slippery Ann, a half-witted girl of the camp, meets Buck and his wife while on her return from a journey into the foothills, and is entrusted with the note Buck has written regarding the child. Hurrying on to Wolf Hollow. Ann turns the note over to Judge Honk, the father of the camp and dispenser of law and justice. The Judge is greatly exercised over the heartlessness of Buck, and calling the inhabitants of the camp about him, soon organizes a rescue party to repair to the deserted cabin of the Minors' and ascertains what truth there was in the strange letter. No time is lost in reaching the shack on the hill, and there, sure enough, lying on the bed is the infant. Taking it up rather gingerly in his arms, as though he were afraid of breaking it. Judge Honk heads the procession out the door and down the hill to the camp where a mass meeting is at once held to discuss ways and means of taking care of the kid. Cherokee Jim, the bartender of the "thirst emporium," suggests that they raffle off the youngster and whoever draws the winning card shall be the kid's adopted daddy. The raffle is quickly pulled off, and Ben Brooks, a good-natured, big-hearted cowpuncher, draws the lucky number. Ben almost reneges when he realizes what he has on his hands, but the cheers of good wishes of the rest of the bunch brace him up and they all retire to the "thirst parlor" to have one on the new daddy. After that "Ben's Kid" (as the baby is christened) becomes the one absorbing topic of conversation. Around the camp that night in the bunk house, a half-dozen sleepy punchers are trying to get some rest, while Ben in his bare feet is prancing around the room, jolting the baby up and down, while the youngster, terrified at its new surroundings, is making the welkin ring with its screams. "Fatty Carter," the heaviest weight on the range, does an Indian war dance, but to no avail. At last they all agree that the kid is sick, and a puncher is at once dispatched on the fastest bronco on the ranch to bring Judge Honk to the scene of battle at once (every one, of course, having absolute faith in the ability and knowledge of the Judge in all matters) to bring them out of the difficulty. The Judge soon arrives loaded down with mustard, and old-fashioned remedies of all kinds, and at once starts in to bring order out of chaos. Now, to return to Buck and his heartbroken wife. All afternoon they have traveled until near nightfall. The horses are unsaddled, the pack removed from the lead animal, and preparations are made to camp till morning. Now Molly has been turning over in her mind a plan, although a desperate one, it seems, the only loophole out of her present misery. Waiting until Buck has fallen into a sound slumber, she cautiously steals away from the camp fire and makes for a clump of trees in which are fettered the horses. Releasing her pony, she springs on his back and dashes away in the black night over the homeward trail. Aroused by the sound of her horses' hoofs. Buck awakes, and with a terrible oath upon realizing that Molly has outwitted him, goes crashing through the brush to his horse, and quickly saddling him, gallops away in pursuit of the fleeing woman, determined to overtake and kill her rather than let her escape from him for good. But he does not reckon on the swiftness of Molly's mount, and though he plies both whip and spur, his jaded horse is unable to gain a foot on the game little sorrel. On over rocks, through the stream, now down the slope of the mountain and across the gulch speeds the desperate woman, every nerve pounding on her brain, and every muscle strained to its utmost tension, her lips moving in silent prayer that she might outstrip the dread pursuer and regain the child fur whom her mother's heart cries out in bitter anguish. At last, brave girl, the goal is reached. Her way leads past the ranch on which Ben Brooks and the U.X. outfit are quartered, and seeing a light in the bunk house, the terrified woman heads her horse toward the beacon ray of hope. She barely reaches the door when the infuriated husband dashes up, bursting into the room. Molly startles the boys and the Judge into action. Buck, losing his head beyond control, follows her. "Save me," shrieks the terrified Molly. In an instant Buck finds himself in the grasp of a dozen willing hands. With a strength born of frenzy, he dashes them aside and draws his gun to shoot the cowering girl, when his aim is spoiled by quick action on Ben's part, and the Judge gets the bullet in his arm. Howling with pain, he yells to the punchers to hang the "varmint." But Buck is too quick for them, and knocking down a couple of the buys, he rushes his way out the door, and throwing himself into the saddle, plunges away into the night. No time is lost in going after him. Twenty swift riders are in the saddle before ten minutes have elapsed and they are off after the hated Buck, whose horse, already worn out from the other chase, is soon overtaken. A lariat hurls through the air and settles down about his neck, thus ending all hopes of escape for the fugitive. A letter written a year later to the Judge tells us what they did to Buck, while Molly, the pretty widow, is persuaded to let Ben retain his title to the kid by allowing Judge Honk to tie the knot, and Mr. and Mrs. Brooks start out on life's journey together, taking with them the good will and well wishes of the entire camp. -- The Moving Picture World, June 26, 1909
- Each year the unique surroundings and novel characters of this great and typical American custom is becoming more and more obsolete and in a few short years entirely extinct. Can you imagine a more exciting or sensational picture than a great cattle stampede, curbed by fearless cowboys and dauntless riders of the western range horse? The roping and throwing of the longhorns, the invasion of the camp by the notable redskins, an ensemble picture of unusual merit, carrying with it a theme of love, hatred and revenge, making a picture so true to nature, simple in plot and construction that its advent will be a feature on any program. Two sisters own a large western ranch. Mary, the elder, is in love with Tom Mix, the County Sheriff, and the foreman of the ranch is displeased with her attentions to him and his actions make it necessary to discharge him; he then becomes a cattle rustler and arch enemy of the Sheriff. A raid is made on the ranch one night and a number are wounded. The Sheriff swears vengeance and organizes a posse to rid the country of the outlaw element.
- Frank Gotch defends the World's Heavyweight Wrestling Championship against Stanislaus Zbyszko.
- As two couples enjoy their evening promenade in a nice but rickety open motor car, without notice, an explosion blows the vehicle to smithereens.
- To the town of Tombstone, in which Goodrich Mudd is known as the "Blacksheep," comes a burlesque company headed by Lida, a captivating woman. Mudd, the sheriff and Underdog, who works a mining claim in Tombstone and who is the boon companion of Mudd, compete to win the charmer, and in order to raise money with which to entertain Lida, Mudd, whose daily occupation is that of lolling in a hammock, plays a game of cards with the sheriff. During the game the manager of the theatrical company also takes a hand, but loses considerably. The money the manager takes from the company's cash box which is fastened to the treasurer of the company, who is handcuffed to the bedstead. Mudd takes Lida to dinner, and when he is far under the influence of wine, the burlesque queen hoists the $19 worth of fried chicken and other delicacies in a basket to the girls in the room above who have not eaten a thing for several days. But Tombstone's omnipresent bad man is always on the job, and when he sees the basket full of eats going up, he empties the contents into the cash box, which he had previously discovered and from which he had abstracted the balance of the company's receipts, lowers the box into its original place and "beats it." The theatrical manager cannot pay the hotel bill, so the proprietor attaches the wardrobe of the players, leaving them nothing but their stage costumes. Subsequently a lawyer arrives from Chicago, who tells Mudd that he has been left $2,000,000 by his aunt who recently died, and that he may obtain the fortune if he complies with the provisions in the will which are: (1) he must live in the Mudd mansion in Chicago; (2) must acquire culture; (3) must place a wreath on his grandfather's grave; (4) must get married to his cousin, Ada Steele, within 99 days; (5) if Ada refuses to marry him, he must marry someone else in 99 days; (6) to decline the terms the money will revert to his other cousin, Percy Vere. Great is the consternation of all present at the reading of the will when Mudd refuses to abide by the terms, and it is only when the crowd threatens to kill him that he finally agrees. He goes to the Mudd mansion in Chicago and takes all his friends with him. The lawyer informs Percy and Ada of the terms of the will, and as these two young people are engaged to be married, Ada contrives to get the fortune by "stringing" Mudd along until the last day when she will flatly refuse to marry him. It will then be too late for Mudd to get a wife, and the millions will go to Percy. Then he and Ada will get married. Percy and Ada go to the Mudd mansion, and Mudd tries to make love to Ada. She blows a whistle, which is the cue for Percy to come to her assistance, but he does not appear, for he has been captured by two female burglars who find upon him an incriminating letter from Ada Steele. The burglars offer to return the letter for $100,000. Some time later Ada and Percy are walking in Lincoln Park when they observe Mudd trying to put a wreath upon the spot in the lake where his grandfather met death by rocking a boat. He also recognizes the female burglars nearby, and tells them to kidnap Mudd until a certain time has passed when he (Percy) agrees to reward the burglars. They comply and Mudd mysteriously disappears. The time for Mudd's marriage is near at hand. Fearing that Percy may not live up to his word, the female burglars decide to watch him, and their suspicions are confirmed when they hear him say to Ada that the millions will soon be his and "The Spiders," whom the female burglars are called, can go hang. In revenge "The Spiders" give orders to release Mudd, who arrives at his mansion at 11:53. "The Spiders" are there, too, and they flaunt the letter found in Percy's pocket, revealing its import, and adding that Ada's absence proves that she has turned Mudd down. Mudd doesn't become alarmed, for he, at the last minute, marries Lida, who has always loved him.
- Irene Norris returns to the ranch from boarding school. She sees Dick Taylor, ranch foreman, win over Poncho, and half-breed, in a bucking broncho contest. She admires Dick's ability as a rider, and a friendship springs up between them much to the rage of Poncho, who loves the girl. Robertson, a cattle buyer, visits the ranch with a large sum of money. Poncho resolves to get this money, and with confederates, captures Robertson, but not before Irene, who is with him, makes a sensational escape. Dick and the cowboys seeing Poncho in pursuit of Vicky, capture him. They then go in pursuit of the other outlaws, surround them and after a battle in which Dick is wounded, the desperadoes are overcome.
- Tom Gilmore, a wealthy young easterner, loves Vicky, but she refuses to marry him because of her thoughts of the great free west. Vicky visits her uncle a western ranch owner. Tom decides to follow Vicky westward, and try the life of a cowboy. However, he reaches before Vicky, and soon learns the ways of the cowpunchers. Vicky is soon to arrive, but in the meantime, three outlaws plan to hold up the stage. The bandits kill the driver and the stage team runs off with Vicky inside. Tom sees the driverless stage going at break-neck speed. He overtake it in a desperate ride, rescues Vicky, who finds that the easterner has become a westerner.
- The professor shows his power to Mephisto by mysteriously placing a young lady in a swing. Mephisto then shows his power by making the young lady disappear from the swing, to the surprise of the professor. The professor makes another mystic pass and produces a second young lady then in the swing, and also a skeleton.
- Tom Meyers and his partner have a little claim near a little western town. When Tom goes to town for supplies, he falls in with Slim Padgett, a bad man, who wagers that he can outride Tom. Tom races Slim and the contest is viewed by Betty Thompson, a ranch girl. Slim angered at being defeated, follows Tom to his mine, and discovers that Tom has found pay dirt. With another desperado, Slim overcomes Tom, gets the mine papers and starts for town. Betty Thompson sees the theft and starts to head Slim off. Betty beats Slim to the office and registers the mining claim, and as Slim approaches, he is arrested by the sheriff. When Tom finds what Betty has done for him, he asks her if she won't be his life partner, and she consents.
- Dad, a likable old pioneer character, lived among the foot hills of the western mining region, on a ranch with his two daughters, Rose and Madge. As sort of a side issue he had been doing a little prospecting, and about the time the story starts, we see him carrying some of his quartz to Andy Thomas, a young assayer located in a nearby village. Andy is a good-hearted chap, who has fallen into the clutches of a local card sharp, who holds his I.O.U. for a large gambling debt. The gambler has offered to cancel this debt if the assayer will put him next to some good nearby claim and report unfavorably on its value to the real owner. Andy's opportunity comes when Dad brings in a quantity of this new-found quartz for an assay. Andy tells Dad that his claim is not worth anything, and then goes in search of Jim, the gambler, to give him the tip. Jim goes to Dad and tries to buy the property, but in the meantime, Dad has done a little assaying on his own account, and refuses to part with his claim. Rose and Madge have gone to town to purchase supplies, and while there they meet Sam Gleason, the young cowboy sheriff, who is in love with Rose. Jim attempts to make love to Rose, hoping thereby to get in on a portion of the mine. He is rebuffed by the sheriff, but follows the girls on their return to the claim. While racing homeward. Rose drops one of her bundles and dismounts to recover same, while Madge rides on slowly. Jim comes upon the scene and attempts to force his affections on the defenseless girl. Madge sees what transfers from a distance, and rapidly riding to the scene, she lassos the gambler and drags him unmercifully over rocks, through the river and up the steep embankment of the opposite shore. Here he is released and told to get out of sight in a hurry. The humiliated Jim decides to kidnap the girls, with the aid of a nearby band of renegade Indians, and does so. The girls, however, effect a thrilling escape, and in the get-a-way, Rose is slightly wounded. In the meantime, the sheriff has been notified of the girls' non-return, by the anxious Dad. Gathering a posse, the sheriff goes in search of the girls and rescues them after a thrilling combat with the Indians. The crowd are for lynching the card sharp, and his accomplice, Andy, but the girls intercede, and the pair are given an hour to get across the country line on a balky burrow. The doctor attends to Rose's Injury, and once more peace and quiet reign on the little ranch of Dad and his girls.