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- Batty Bill unwittingly joined a suicide club. He soon had the misfortune to offend a fellow clubman and he was ordered by the president to commit suicide. Poor Batty tried his hardest to obey the president's order, but without success. Finally he decided to marry and live under another name. Several years passed and Batty was living contentedly with his wife when one day she received a note from her uncle saying he would visit her that day. He proved to be the clubman Batty had offended and recognizing the latter he angrily demanded to know why he was not dead. In the end, however, he said he would say no more about it, provided they would give him an heir soon. Since Batty promised, the uncle went away contented. When he came in a year's time Batty determined to be quite safe and so hired all the babies in the neighborhood.
- About 1722, Spain, in her command of Texas (named from a confederation of Indians, who called themselves Tejas), established the Franciscan mission of San Antonio de Valero (The Alamo). Around this mission was built the pueblo (village) and presidio (barracks), which formed the nucleus of the present city of San Antonio. In 1824 Texas withdrew from Mexico and formed a separate republic, and the Mexican general Santa Anna, the self-styled Napoleon of the West, was sent to force her back into allegiance. At San Antonio in 1836 Col William B. Travis was in command of the fort. With him was Col. William Bowie, David Crockett, Lieut. Dickenson and a small force. He received word that Santa Anna, at the head of a Mexican army of several thousand, was advancing to take the city. Travis dispatched a message to Gen. Sam Houston for aid, sending Lieut. Dickenson and taking his force of 140 men and women of the city, among whom was Dickenson's wife, Lucy; he retired to the Alamo. On February 23, Santa Anna sent a message to surrender, and upon the brave refusal of Travis, he attacked the place. Travis held the Alamo until March 6, 1836, his little force constantly diminishing. On that day, when all seemed lost, Travis drew a line with his sword down the center of the room and asked all who would die with him to cross to his side. All crossed save one, Rose, who announced his determination to try to escape. He succeeded in leaving the building but was never heard from again. A breach was made in the wall by the cannon of Santa Anna, and the Mexicans entered to find all the men dead except Travis and four companions. These were immediately slaughtered on the spot, and Lucy Dickenson, with two other women and three children, were all to leave the Alamo alive.
- In the mountain wilds of Tennessee there is no end to the manufacture of moonshine whiskey. Whole families live on this nefarious trade and many of them die by it. The men who work at this business are constantly hunted by United States revenue officers as violators of the law for manufacturing of liquor without a special license. The "Mountain wife" loves her husband and stands by and shields him from his enemies, the officers; when they are on his track she hides him, then throws them off his trail, giving him time to escape in the mountain fastnesses, as we are shown in this interesting and thrilling picture. The revenue men are hunting their man and meet an adventurous artist who joins them in the search. They come onto their quarry while he is busy at his still. He is seized and held at bay by the artist. A boy who is a friend of the moonshiner happens along and distracts the attention of the artist from the distiller who, taking advantage of his chance, snatches the gun from the would-be hero, turns it on him and escapes to his home. The detectives make a direct line to the moonshiner's home; his wife hears them and hides him in the cellar, hiding herself in the garret. The officers come, and no trace of their man and leave, all but the artist, who says he will stay and watch for the reappearance of the fugitive. He hides behind a barrel. The husband and wife come from their hiding places; the courageous artist confronts the husband with a pistol. "Hands up!" he says, but does not count on the wife who "swats" him in the face with a pillow; and again the hunted one gets possession of the pistol, gives it to his wife, and she holds the amateur detective in durance vile while her husband escapes to the mountain fastnesses. Now she does something that requires pluck and determination: she makes the daring chap mount a horse and, straddling another, she compels him at the pistol's point to ride to the railroad station, embark and decamp for foreign parts a defeated and wiser man. She returns to her home, sends word to her husband that the coast is clear and tells him to come back to the cabin to help pack up their belongings that they will depart from the country and begin life anew. The picture closes with an indescribable tableau of natural splendor, the escape of the man and his mountain wife to a place where they can work at an honest trade and live a good life free from offense to God and man.
- Little Tommy, idol of the X-T outfit, was left in charge of the boys while papa and mama took a holiday. Cook-house Charlie, leader of the cowboys, took it upon himself to see that the child had a rollicking good time. He played the bucking broncho and Tommy the rider. There was plenty of candy and other good things to eat. But the day proved too strenuous for the little fellow. The hot sun gave him a sudden stroke, and he fainted. Great excitement prevailed at the outfit. The doctor was called from ten miles distant and pronounced the case extremely serious. He endeavored to give the child medicine, but Tommy absolutely refused to take it. He groped for something other than medicine, and still groping, fell off into unconsciousness. Dejection was written upon the faces of all the boys. They were at the end of their resources. It took little sister Nell to fathom the child's mind, to understand what it groped for, because Nell alone knew Tommy's favorite plaything. The girl mounted a horse and galloped fifteen miles to the nearest store, to purchase Tommy's rocking horse. It was an exciting ride, during which there were many narrow escapes from fatality, but it proved most fruitful for Tommy, for when all medicine had failed, the rocking horse brought the little favorite back to consciousness and through the crisis.
- A staged Wild West kidnapping goes awry when the cowboys accidentally capture an actress who uses her acting skills to turn the tables on them.
- In a western town, Smiling Bob, a miner, is in love with Molly, the pretty daughter of another miner. Soon an easterner arrives, whom Bob defends against the attacks of the rough miners, and among other witnesses, introduces him to Molly at a dance. Molly falls in love with Jim. At the mine where Jim secures employment a workman named Pete. Jim has a quarrel with Pete and threatens to take it up later. An accident occurs, in which Pete is seriously hurt, and the miners, having heard the threat, accuse Jim. He is tried and condemned, and locked in a room preparatory to being lynched. All this time Bob has seen the girl of his love won from him, gradually, degree by degree, for indeed she let him down easily. But he took it with a smile and good nature, such as had characterized his every dealing in life, and his true love for her remained steadfast. At this crisis in Jim's life, Molly turns to Smiling Bob for help, and for the love he bears the girl and to make her life happy, though to virtually wreck his own, he accomplishes Jim's release and escape. And until the paper upon which these were written disintegrated, he carried these words near his heart, "Jim and I were married today. We will never forget what you did for us. I am so happy. Molly."
- From force of habit, some might call him a "Greaser," true, he is a Mexicano; he is no more, a man of noble instinct and chivalrous nature. He falls in love with the American ranchman's daughter, and while she appreciates his sincerity, she does not return his affection for her. Tony not only loves, he respects her, and will not inflict his attentions upon her, and will not inflict his attentions upon her, neither seeking recognition nor reward. He overhears a conspiracy among a gang of dissolute Mexicans to attack the American ranch, and when they insult the stars and stripes he defends the flag, makes away with it, and a bold dash for the ranch to warn Helen of the approaching danger. She jumps upon his horse and makes a daring ride at break-neck speed to reach her father and his cowboys, who hasten to defend the home. Tony, who has made a brave fight against the black-hearted devils, is captured and shot as he presses to his lips a handkerchief that once belonged to the idol of his undying love. The ranchman, his daughter and his men arrive in time to save the home and rout the desperadoes. Helen finds the lifeless form of poor Tony, clasping the evidence that shows his last thought was of her.
- Lola refused to marry Jean, son of the Gypsy king, and sought consolation in the woods each day. On one of these occasions, her tears were interrupted by the sudden moans of Frank Hathaway, a young American, who had fallen from his horse. Lola assisted him to the Gypsy camp, where his wounds were dressed and his horse's faulty shoes mended. It was love at first sight for Lola and Frank and they made a habit of meeting in their sylvan retreat every day. Jean once more pressed his suit, and, upon being refused, cowardly attacked Lola. Frank heard the screams and rushed to the Gypsy girl's assistance. After thrashing Jean, he declared his love for the girl and suggested that they marry in order that she might leave the camp where she was so persecuted. Frank took the girl home to his father, but that proud, haughty gentleman was sadly disappointed in his son's choice and vowed he would disown the boy if he married Lola. Frank let love take its course and soon gained employment on a ranch. Not long after becoming the happy father of a bouncing baby, Frank is taken ill and his father is sent for. The old gentleman, not yet having forgiven his son, still refuses to come. When, however, he hears of the stork's arrival, things take on a new aspect. The express is not fast enough to carry him to his grandson, and the child, all unwittingly, brings reconciliation and happiness once more to the estranged father and son, with the final recognition of '"the Gypsy bride."
- Fair Anne, from the east, is accompanied by her eccentric and old maid aunt, Miss Simpkins, arriving at the Bar X Junction where the stagecoach suffers a breakdown. To employ the several hours necessary to make repairs the younger maid takes a horseback ride, when lo! Maid and horse are suddenly and unexpectedly divorced, the latter escaping. "Big Bill," a chance witness to the maid's discomfiture, whirls his lasso with determination and brings rebellious beast to time, whereupon there follows a romance in which "Auntie" is given the slip and the lasso ties a knot that no man is supposed to put asunder.
- The only way Onésime could think of to get his inheritance quicker was to set the clocks forward. Surprise: the whole world starts speeding up wildly.
- Molly, curious to know where her father and his men got so many fine horses, acts as her own sleuth. A noise in the bushes arouses the gang, one of whom goes to investigate only to find that it was the girl he loved. Thus to her astonishment she learns that her father is a horse thief. The sheriff, being notified by the governor that horse thieves are busy in his vicinity, disguises himself as an easterner in order not to draw suspicion. Molly, homeward bound, watches the stranger on horseback, and seeing him fall over the cliff, owing to the saddle girth breaking, rushes to his aid. She brings him home and, while taking off his coat, spies his badge. Her father returns with the men, and an argument in the next room in which her father is shot, tells the whole story to the sheriff who has been in hiding. He telephones to his deputies that he has discovered the thieves. On their arrival they arrest the gang. Molly, grieved over the death of her father, begs to be arrested also, but the sheriff, remembering how she saved his life, refuses to do so and begs her forgiveness in playing the part of a spy.
- A moneylender kidnaps the young son of an rich widow as part of a plot to cheat her of her fortune. The boy is sent away on a fishing boat with the intention of drowning him, but a kindly old fisherman intervenes.
- Dick, an easterner, comes west to try his luck at mining. No sooner does he arrive than Hartley, the local gambler and all-around villain, commences to make sport at his expense. Dick endeavors to bear it patiently, but a clash is inevitable, until the arrival at the village store of Mary Brown, one whom all held in respect, excepting Hartley. The latter grabs the girl and endeavors to steal a kiss, which she struggles to resent, aided by Dick. In the fight Dick is knocked unconscious. The men become frightened and slink off. Mary is favorably impressed with the stranger and aids him back to consciousness. Dick is also impressed and accompanies her home. Mr. Brown, hearing of Dick's bravery, is only too pleased to give him pointers on mining, and every day they start out together to prospect for the precious metal. A month passes with no results, and Dick is downhearted. Were it not for the encouragement of Mary he would quit. On one of these days he strikes the vein, discovers a great mine, but when he has the dust in his hand, Hartley and his men appear, overpower and bind him and hasten to register the claim for themselves. Meanwhile, Mary at home has discovered a photo in Dick's coat of a woman and two children, with an inscription on the back that leads her to believe Dick is married. With a broken heart she seeks him at his work, only to discover Hartley's dastardly trick. For the love she bore Dick, she herself mounted a horse and rode like mad for the claim office, just in time to foil Hartley. Dick, of course, is pleased, and with the prospect of wealth, expresses his love. Mary produces the picture, which, however, he is able to show is that of his sister, after which all Mary's objections are for naught.
- Falling in love with a young fishing captain, Grace Sherwood disappointed the expectations of her father, who had introduced her to a young nobleman, Robert Hardwicke, desirous of winning her hand. Pursued by the unwelcome persistence of Robert, she escapes to sea in a rowing boat, but is overtaken by his yacht and obliged to be his unwilling guest. Donning a life belt, whilst Robert is in the engine room, slip throws herself overboard in the hope of escape, willing to take her chance in the shark-infested sea, rather than stay longer on board. Captain Heral, out with a clergyman and his wife, on a fishing excursion, is attracted by the splash and, using his spyglasses, he recognizes Grace. Cutting the fishing lines he goes full speed to her rescue. The presence of the clergyman suggests a great opportunity to the quick-witted captain, and he loses no time in winning Grace's consent. Arriving at the pier they announce their marriage to her now furious father, but as he thinks it over he comes to the conclusion that it is a good thing to have as a son-in-law a young fellow who was sharp enough to outwit both his rival and himself, and who later on could shoulder some of the cares of his vast undertakings.
- A daring highway robber is terrorizing a western settlement by his depredations. A new minister and his daughter have come to the settlement and the attendance at the little church is augmented by the admiring cowboys. The new minister's daughter, Molly, goes for a walk one day and "Handsome" Jack, the bandit, caught at last, is about to receive his just deserts at the hands of the indignant cowboys, when sentiment causes them to lose their heads. The minister's daughter comes upon the scene at the psychological moment. She is asked to give "the pore feller a good-bye kiss, seein' as he has no one else," and the bandit makes a daring escape by snatching her gun. The cowboys pursue, but are not successful. "Handsome" Jack, after riding hard, finds himself free and at last dismounts. He thinks long of the sweet girl whose kiss had set him free and decides to live straight for her sake. He writes a letter to the sheriff and sends back the spoils of the hold-up, then obtains employment at a far-away ranch. He makes good and studies hard in his spare moments, applying to his new pursuit the same energy and acumen which had made him a successful bandit. He is admitted to the bar and sets up his small establishment with great pride. His first few cases bring him money, and, having always thought of Molly, he sets out to find her. Late in the afternoon Molly unconsciously wanders to the scene of her romance and absently pulls daisies and winds them into a chain. A light step behind her, and Jack holds her up with her own gun. He returns the gun, then tells her of his love and how the memory of her kiss had made a man of him. She listens, blushing, with downcast eyes. Her shyness bids him hope and he begs her for a kiss. Smiling she turns from him, refusal on her lips, temptation in her eyes. He takes the chain from her fingers, twists it about his neck, noose-like, and makes a mock gesture of hanging. "Now will yon kiss me?" he asks. Her eyes, then her lips meet his and she goes to his arms.
- John Miller is cashier of a bank and his son Ray a trusted employee and in love with the bank president's daughter Edith. Miller loses heavily on the horse races; not wishing to mortgage his home, he fails to enter a deposit in the bank records, using the money for a final plunge on the races, hoping to recuperate all his former losses--but he loses again. Ray discovers the shortage and to spare his parents humiliation, leaves a note at the bank saying that he took the money, and goes West. All believe Ray took the money except Edith, whose faith in him proves stronger than expected. Knowing Miller to be a gambler, she suspects him, accuses him, and finally wrings from him a confession of the truth. Miller gives a mortgage on his home to cover the loss, and Edith starts west in search of her noble lover. In the West Ray has turned cowboy. A handsome reward is offered for the capture of a dangerous bandit. Ray gets on his trail and "covers" him, just as the bandit is holding up the stagecoach. On that coach is Edith. Ray gets his reward, then the happy lovers return, pay off the mortgage, and receive the blessings of all.
- Cecil Rand has been allowed a monthly remittance by his brother, the Earl of Essex, and sent to Western America to make something of himself. He registers at a rough Western hotel, where he soon has a fight with Buck, a gambler and inebriate, who made sport of his English clothes, and after "licking" Buck, leaves the hotel. Helen Evans, the pretty daughter of a miner, has witnessed the encounter, and rather falls in love with the Englishman. She hurries home and places a card reading "Room to let," on her house. Sure enough, Rand applies for it and is taken in. Helen determines to make a westerner of him, and making him change his English riding costume for a real western outfit, secured for him a position in her father's mine. But Buck has never forgotten his beating, and revenge is his creed. He steals unobserved to the mine, and as miner Evans is being lowered in the shaft, cuts the rope. Great confusion follows, and Helen, in her excitement, promises to marry the man who saves her father. Buck rescues him and in a few days claims his bride, and when she says she loves Rand, he accuses Rand of having cut the rope. When things look worst for Rand and Helen, Ah Ling, the local launder, brings a satisfactory solution of the mystery by identifying the knife found near the rope as that of Buck's, which had maliciously cut off his own queue. Buck is put under arrest, and to complete Rand's happiness, news is received that the Earl's death has made him heir of the title and estate. And he invites Helen to share it with him.
- Philip Armstrong, a young clergyman, was advised to go west for his health. Upon arriving at the Bar X ranch he found a lot of rough-looking fellows seated at cards. One of the players, Daley, the leader of the gang, rose and began to put the young easterner through an invitation. But he went too far when he wrenched a Bible from the young man's hands, and striking the attitude of a preacher, began to read in a sacrilegious manner. Armstrong fought with all his might to recover the Bible, but was overpowered by the bully and fell exhausted to the floor. He was saved from further indignities by the sudden entrance of Doris, the young lady in the town, who commanded everyone's respect. Soon after, Armstrong secured a position as cook. While at the kitchen door, and old Indian stopped and begged a bite to eat. Armstrong gave him plenty, but the poor old redskin did not have a chance to finish, for Daley chanced by and started to beat him up. Now Armstrong by this time had gained strength and when he saw what was taking place, he soon gave Daley his just deserts. From that time on Daley swore vengeance. In gratitude the Indian gave Armstrong a great secret, the location of a hill rich in gold. The minister went at once with the good news to Doris, from whom he received a promise of marriage. As he left for the promising spot with the Indian, Doris noticed Daley slip by her house. He had heard their conversation as to the location of the mine. Armstrong found the rich spot and left the Indian on guard while he hurried to file a claim. Daley came and there ensued a fierce conflict between him and the Indian. The latter was nearly overpowered when Doris came to his aid. The two held the brutal man at bay until Armstrong returned. Then followed another struggle between the men, in which Armstrong nearly fell over the cliff. An idea seized the Indian. He grappled with Daley and pushed him over the cliff, but in the struggle went with him. Armstrong and Doris were horror-stricken, for at the foot of the cliff lay both men, dead. The minister raised both hands to heaven over the dead Indian's body, repeating reverently the words "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend."
- Dick Cartwright, a man of wealth, goes west after being rejected by his fiancée. Upon his arrival he is approached by a stranger, who begs him to go to her house, as a band of horse thieves have invaded her home. Dick being a man of nerve, jumps on a horse, rides to the scene and rescues the mother from the thieves. He falls in love at first sight, and learning that the stranger is the country school ma'am, seeks admission to the night school in order that he may win her affections. Dick pretends to be a stupid country boy; the teacher, being a woman of patience, tries hard to have him learn, but his object was love, not study. One day while riding, the teacher stopped at his residence for a rest, where, much to her surprise, she learns that he is a Harvard graduate, and a man of wealth. She asks for an explanation of his actions. Dick begs forgiveness, explaining that all is fair in love, and finally wins her hand.
- Manuel, the sly miner, has seven bars of gold tied to the backs of his donkeys for delivery to the railroad agent. The problem in his mind is how to steal a part of the gold without any likelihood of arrest. At the town drinking place be meets Nell and her mother and confides to the latter his scheme, which is to use Nell. Nell, much against her will, is forced by her mother to become a party to the infamous plot against Joe, the station agent, whom she really loves. Manuel delivers the gold to Joe, carefully counts seven bars and gets Joe's receipt for that number. A scream is heard, Nell's, planned to come at that time to divert Joe's attention. Joe recognizes her voice and rushes out to save her from the faked-up attack. Manuel hastily seizes a bar of gold and shoves it through a little hole in the roof where he can get it later. Joe returns and discovers the loss. Manuel rides for the sheriff. Joe telegraphs the next station for help and the division inspector and his squad hasten on a hand-car. Sheriff and inspector arrive at the same time and an impromptu court is held. The receipt is shown and things look bad for Joe, when a noise is heard on the roof. Nell, repenting of her deed, has located the bar and means to save Joe. She accuses Manuel of the theft and his actions are sufficient proof that he is the real culprit. The sheriff takes Manuel and bids all the others depart, winking significantly at Joe and Nell.
- All during the night a storm raged furiously, but day dawned beautifully. Tom, a young fisherman, discovers on the beach of the little island evidences of a wreck, and then the limp, unconscious form of a sweet young woman, bound to a piece of the wreckage. Tom lifts her gently and takes her to the humble cottage where he and his mother live alone. With their care Ruth soon again regains health, but the terrible ordeal through which she has gone results in the complete loss of memory of the past. However, Tom loves her, and she, too, has the same passion for him. They marry, and the little household becomes a haven of happiness, until a launch party of sight-seekers stops at the little fishing island for luncheon. One of the strangers approaches Ruth and is promptly knocked down by Tom for it, but not until Ruth has recognized and remembered, and in her horror she staggers into the shack. The sight of the strange face was a shock sufficient to give back her memory of the past, memory of her marriage to a man who was not Tom, a marriage she had no memory of, and of a husband living whom she had forgotten. While she struggles with her secret, her misery and her memory, he comes, her husband, the stranger, declaring his identity and demanding her, his wife. Ruth comes from her room and reveals to him the too unhappy truth of the stranger's claims. The launch is waiting. Ruth is forced to go away from a happiness she had never before known, he gives Tom back the wedding ring, which he kisses and places on his own finger. Then he watches the fast-disappearing motorboat which takes away from him all that he held dear in life.
- Jack and Helen were engaged, much against their will, for it was mighty disagreeable to them both. In fact, Jack's displeasure was so ill-concealed that his father decided to send him across the border into Old Mexico to learn common sense. Nothing could suit him better, although, of course, he did not let his happiness be known. At a humble home in Mexico lived Juanita, a pretty guitar player and singer, who was forced by her parents to sing and beg on the streets for their support. Their treatment of her was cruel, and, adding insult to injury, they were using every means to get her to marry Don Jose, a wealthy Mexican, who loved her in his fierce fashion, but whom she thoroughly detested. On this occasion Don came to the house and pleaded for Juanita's hand, but she, defying them all, ran from the house. Don Jose followed her until she came to a lonely spot, when he grasped her tightly and endeavored to force his love upon her. Juanita fought desperately, but her strength soon failed so that she must needs be his unwilling victim, but for the timely arrival of Jack, now a cowboy, who was quick to grasp the situation and free Juanita. Don Jose departed swearing everlasting vengeance on the stranger, while Juanita remained to thank her champion. It was love at first sight for Jack and Juanita, but their course, as usual, did not run smooth. Don Jose was not so easily outdone, and soon plotted against Jack. In a saloon he planned with his underlings, to unload Jack's gun and then waylay him on the road. Juanita, coming into the saloon to play, overheard the plot, and when they had gone, took a loaded gun from the bar and followed them. When the party set upon Jack, Don Jose raised his arm to strike with a knife, when a shot rang from the bushes and struck his wrist. The ruffians fled and Don Jose followed. Juanita's shot had saved her lover. There followed a pretty love scene. When his happiness seemed to have reached its zenith, Jack received word from his father to return and prepare for his marriage with Helen. He returned, and Juanita, heartbroken, wandered across the border into San Antonio, determined never to return home. On the eve of Jack's wedding, word was received that Helen had eloped with the man she really loved. He was glad, yet sad, for he had left Juanita without explaining, lacking courage to tell her that he was at that time engaged. As he sat thinking, dejected, there came the strains from a guitar below. Could it be possible? He rushed to the front of the house, and there stood Juanita. She sang, and he responded to her "Spanish Love Song."
- Many times had the sheriff's son Jim been warned against gambling, but when in spite of these advices, he continues, and when he is discovered teaching the game to his little sister, Leone, he is disowned by a sad but stern parent. Twelve years later finds Jim in the association of men and women of the lower class, a gambler by profession. He is enamored of and more or less under the influence of a Mexican coquette. As he sits with her, Leone, now grown to womanhood and beauty, rides up to the tavern and inquires the whereabouts of a doctor, her father having suffered an injury. Jim, not recognizing his sister, determines to possess this new beauty at any price. He outrides her to the doctor's, who is also the deputy sheriff, and assaulting him, dons his clothes, and when Leone arrives, poses as the doctor. He accompanies her en route for the sick man's home, but does not go far before making his advances. Dismounting and forcing her into his arms, he imprints a kiss on her powerless lips, but is soon repelled by Leone's eyes. It is the first time the gambler has seen the eyes of a good woman since youth. His conscience is awakened. Meanwhile the deputy sheriff and real doctor has regained his senses and with a posse gives chase and captures Jim. They take him to the sheriff's house, where at first the old man is inclined to take the law into his own hands. But when the gambler makes himself known as his own son and begs his sister's forgiveness, the sheriff leads him into the house and explains to the boys that he will decide on proper punishment later. Having gained his father's forgiveness, the wayward son cares not what punishment the boys might exact.
- Dick Dresler is one of the most faithful guardsmen of the Union line; one who hates a Confederate soldier like sin, and who swears to show no mercy on any rebel who crosses the line. Tom Newhouse, a Confederate, gets news of his mother's approaching death and hastens to her side, having to steal his way through the Union line, Dick is on guard and discovers the footsteps, which he trails to Tom's home. He rushes into the house with raised gun and orders everyone to surrender, but is taken suddenly aback at the scene before him, a son's sorrowful farewell to his dying mother. He slowly lowers his gun, realizing the meaning and the sacredness of Tom's visit. Dick himself has a mother, and in a moment of fond memory, disregards the rules of war and allows Tom's freedom. For many a day his conscience asked him the question that he concluded only the Great Judge could answer: did he do Right, or Wrong?
- The proposal is made, not by the intended bridegroom, but by his best friend, who visits the intended bride and her mother, lays the proposition before them and exchanges gifts. No priest is present at the ceremony, it being performed by the bridegroom's best man and the bride's attendant. The ceremonious sipping of tea constitutes the principal part of the function. The bride, in herself serving the bridegroom's parents with tea, indicates her everlasting submission to their wishes. Such are the Japanese.
- Joel Sheldon, an old moonshiner, and his daughter Rachel, live in a secluded shack among the mountains, where, in spite of sheriff's searches and raids, he continues to make and dispose of his moonshine whiskey. Finding all attempts of affection wasted upon Rachel, Tracy, a nondescript young mountaineer, threatens to betray her father for the reward which is offered for information leading to his capture, and with this threat on his tongue, he leaves the shack, Fearing for her father, Rachel tells Sheldon the truth and the old moonshiner lies in ambush awaiting the arrival of the sheriff and the man who betrayed him. Meanwhile, Tracy, still revengeful and remembering the reward offered by the sheriff for any information leading to the capture of Sheldon, betrays the old moonshiner to the sheriff, who, on account of a wounded arm, is unable to act, but persuades and details his deputy, Forbes, to serve as Sheriff pro-tem. Guided by Tracy, Forbes makes his way into the mountains, and upon approaching the shack, is tired upon by Sheldon and left for dead. Rachel hearing the report of her father's rifle, and fearing for him, rushes out down the trail and stumbles over the senseless body of Forbes. She supports him back to the hut, where she bandages his wounds and then discovers the warrant for the arrest of her father in Forbes's pocket. In an instant all her attention turns to anger and taking her father's old loaded rifle, she sits down before him, and with the rifle across her lap guards her guest while she waits the arrival of "Dad." Meanwhile, Tracy reaches the shack, and, looking in through the window, sees the situation. He enters and Rachel, forgetting Forbes, arises and angrily accuses him of his treachery, and, driven to desperation by her taunts, he seizes the rifle and in the struggle for possession there is a report and a scream from Rachel as she staggers and sinks to the floor. Frightened, Tracy turns to the open door about to flee, when he is shot down by Sheldon from the outside as he rushes up, thinking as he saw the struggle through the open door, that Tracy had shot Rachel. Forbes now regaining consciousness, kneels beside the dying girl. Sheldon rushes into the shack, and, thrusting him aside, kneels beside the body. Realizing that his only child is dead, the old man's spirits are suddenly broken and he surrenders peacefully to Forbes. The old moonshiner is marched off to the sheriff's shack, where Forbes delivers up his man and in disgust with his duty done, he surrenders his shield and refuses to serve either the sheriff or the state longer.
- It all happens because Winky has a good appetite. He is simply ordinary, everyday hungry, and the fisherman when approached refuses to hand out. So Winky, in his own original little way, takes matters in his own hands, out-maneuvers a watchdog, and in the end gets a square meal, even if the fisherman does have to go hungry.
- The head of a gang of thieves and criminals is posing as a count and becomes engaged to the daughter of the banker, his engagement being the means whereby he can work himself into the good graces of the banker's prominent friends. It is owing to a shortness of money and the possibility of the banker discovering his identity, that he decides to murder the banker, take his keys, rob the safe and leave a fingerprint behind that shall throw anybody off the scent of the real murderer. Whilst the murder is taking place, the criminal accidentally scrapes a piece of glace kid off his boot. This is discovered by the detective who has been called in upon the case. The criminal is well protected, inasmuch as the secretary of the banker is one of his own paid gang, and hearing of the discovery of the defective boot, to further throw the responsibility off the count, another pair of boots is obtained and identically torn. These boots are sold to a cobbler, who exposes them out for sale, where they are recognized by one of the detective's understudies. A search is made of the count's house and his boots examined, but they do not correspond in size with those that they bought at the cobbler. Still, the detective feels that the count is in some way responsible; yet, he is unable to fasten any evidence whatever upon him. In a sort of challenge, the count calls upon the detective and offers to put among his collections the true copy of his own fingerprint. This is immediately compared with the one the detective discovered on the day of the crime. It further baffles the detective, inasmuch as there is no similarity. Nevertheless, he decides to find out all he can of the count, and sends to Italy for description and particulars of his past life. He is fortunate enough to find that the real count deserted his wife some time back, since which time he had not been heard of. Incidentally, the wife also sees the announcement of the engagement of the supposed count to the banker's daughter and decides to look up her husband before he commits bigamy. On arrival, she finds that the count is not her husband, but an impostor. Before she has time to give the identity of the man she has come to see. She is stabbed, but not killed. While sick in bed, one of the accomplices of the criminal leaves a photo of her child and suggests that if she opens her mouth against the count, the child will be killed. The detective is still balked in his endeavors to get information, so decides to raid the apartments of the count and make comparisons of his boots and sundry other things. While doing this, he is heard and discovered. In his endeavor to run away, without being recognized, he takes the wrong passage and finds himself in a trap. Fortunately, he is strong and is able to escape from the house. His suspicions now are doubled, and he decides to obtain the child himself, with the view to making the mother speak. After this, the story ends pretty quickly, and conclusive proof soon found of the entire guilt of the supposed count and his confederates, all of whom are captured in their secret rendezvous.
- Hinemoa was a Maori maiden of high rank and rare beauty, the daughter of a chief. She dwelt on the borders of Lake Rotorua in all the splendor of her father's camp. On the island of Mokoia, in the center of the lake, dwelt chief Whakaue. his three sons, and Tutanekai, son of the chief's wife by another father. Thus Tutanekai, bearing the ban of illegitimacy, was scorned by his stepbrothers, but treated as a son by the noble old chief. The three brothers sought the hand of Hinemoa in marriage, but she bestowed her love on Tutanekai, much to the brothers' dismay and to that of Hinemoa's parents, who forbade her to marry Tutanekai because of the blight in his birth. She refused to choose another, so a great running match was decided upon to determine who should win her. Tutanekai was the victor. In spite of which, Hinemoa's people still refused to permit them to marry. And to prevent any possibility of the lovers joining, Tutanekai was sent back to the island of Mokoia and all boats were removed from the lake. Every evening at dusk, Tutanekai, from his island three miles distant serenaded Hinemoa with his flute, and she, in her camp, was thrilled and encouraged by his notes of love, until at length she could bear the separation no longer. Shrouded by the night, she plunged into the frigid waters of the lake, and, guided by his flute, swam three miles to the island of Mokoia. Exhausted, she rested and hid in a natural warm bath and resorted to strategy to bring forth her lover, for to be found by any other man and taken into his sleeping hut, would have meant to become his wife, according to Maori law and custom. By a clever scheme she attracts Tutanekai to the bath and together they secretly entered Tutanekai's hut. The three step-brothers were enraged, but the old chief protected and honored Tutanekai.
- Teria the daughter of Hoato-aru, one of the most influential chiefs of Tahiti, falls desperately in love with Jacques, a young midshipman of a French vessel which has dropped anchor off the island. She pleads with her father to secure Jacques as her husband. The French officers laugh in derision at the idea. So far does Teria's love go that the chief orders Jacques taken prisoner. He is brought before Teria, and through force and seduction accepts her proposal. Jacques comes to love Teria, but loyalty to his country demands that he return. At every attempt at escape he is outwitted by Hoato-aru's warriors, until at length the captain of the vessel sends out an expedition for him. At the very height of his love he is torn away from Teria, with only her last gift, a flower, with which to remember the sweetest experience of his existence.
- Grace and her lover, Graham, being caught in the rain while riding, Graham begs her wait beneath a tree while he searches for a place of shelter. When, however, he does not return in due time she becomes alarmed and follows the path he took. Peering in the window of a house she discovers a man dead and her lover embracing a prostrate woman. Her conclusions are that her lover has committed murder, and in a fit of jealousy, she informs the authorities. Graham is captured and about to be lynched when remorse fills the heart of Grace. Perhaps he has some explanation. She pleads with the lynchers and obtains a hearing for her lover. Graham explains that the woman he embraced was his sister; that he had arrived at the hut just after she had been choked to death by her husband, a gambler, who had forced her to marry him to pay a gambling debt of Graham's; that in a conflict that followed between himself and the gambler-husband, the latter was killed. The lynchers are convinced by this story and Grace reconciled.
- This is a sentimental little story of Mr. J. Booth Walker, a stranded thespian of the "legitimate drama." who has been touring the west with a company presenting "Othello." The company has yielded to the stress of bad business and has closed, while Mr. Walker, finding no easier way to return to Chicago, is counting the ties along the railroad. He comes to a small station, where several half intoxicated cowboys are assembled, and the idea comes to one of them that Mr. Walker be made to do a "stunt." They fire at his feet until he dances, but he is so adept at the graceful art of Terpsichore, that they soon watch him in admiration, and reward him with liberal applause. A letter is discovered by one of them, which shows that the actor is trying to return to the bedside of his sick child, and the good-natured cowboys make up a purse for him, fill his pockets with cigars and his heart with cheer, load him upon a passing train and send him rejoicing to Chicago and his little family.
- Young Elk, an educated Indian, is secretly in love with Sallie, daughter of a prosperous ranchman. But his case is hopeless because Sallie's affections are already bestowed on Tom, one of the cowboys. Tom, in turn, is loved by Wana, daughter of an Indian chief, and when he makes it plain to her that he is going to marry Sallie, the Indian girl plots revenge on Sallie. The Indians demand whiskey and tobacco from Sallie's father, and when he refuses, they declare war on the white men. Elk, fearing for the safety of the one he loves, plans to protect Sallie without betraying his tribe. He overpowers her in the woods and with a knife imprints a mysterious sign on her forehead, the Swastika, meaning in Indian language, "Under the protection of The Great Spirit." The cowboys arrest Elk for the seeming outrage and cast him into prison. Later the Indians, led by Wana, take Sallie captive and threaten her life unless whiskey is furnished, when suddenly the Swastika sign is discovered on her forehead. Instantly she is released and given many presents. She meets the posse, out in search of her, and explains the meaning of the sign upon her forehead. They ride at once to the prison and not only free Elk, but bestow their thanks in fitting manner.
- Nora, who is the president of the Bachelor's Club, receives a letter announcing the death of her uncle in the west and that he has made her heir to his immense fortune. Including a ranch at Grey Oaks. Nora decides to go west and take charge of the ranch and run it herself a la suffragette fashion. She invites all the girls to go with her and they start for their new home. Arriving at Grey Oaks they pay no attention to the cowboys who greet them at the station but go at once in the old stage-coach to the ranch. The cowboys follow, approach the ranch, offer their services and are rewarded by being driven from the premises. The boys make up their minds to "get next" to the girls and devise a scheme. Two of the girls on their way to town are attacked by some of the cowboys and two of the bunch rescue the girls from the "desperadoes," the trick works and the two fellows gallantly escort the girls on their way. Two more of the girls no fishing, one of the boys fixes up like a bear, attacks the girls, who are saved from "instant death" by the cowboys. The girls are deeply grateful and reward the boys by allowing them to escort them back to the ranch. Nora is the only one left. She is indignant to think the girls have forgotten all the rules and by-laws of the club by paying attention to men. She starts on a wild ride to town, declaring she will have none of it. We watch her riding a rough and unfrequented road where we see a "Mexican greaser" lurking. He hears Nora approaching, jumps on his horse and rides to meet her. She eludes him but he follows as she urges her horse at a mad pace, he goads his animal in the chase until he comes alongside Nora and snatches her bodily from the sadly. She struggles, they both fall to the ground and she fights with the Mexican for her life. The remaining one of the cowboys coming that way hears her screams and with a lash and a plunge he hurries to Nora's assistance. He flings the ruffian aside, but before he can pull his gun the villain attacks him with a knife which the cowboy succeeds in wrenching from his hand. This places the greaser at his mercy which be shows by allowing him to escape without further ceremony. It is right here where the leader of the bachelor girls denounces her allegiance to the club's principles and falls into the arms and gives her heart into the keeping of the leader of the cowboys who so valiantly saved her life. The hero and Nora go to the ranch where they are met by the rest of the girls and boys with a laugh, a shout and a hurrah.
- Frank Donald, a young Englishman, who spent his summers at his western ranch, was fond of taking long rides through the woods on his favorite mare, a beautiful grey. On one of these occasions, he left the grey by the roadside, whilst he made his way through the thickets to the brook to drink. Pedro, a half-breed, was eagerly waiting this opportunity, and when Frank stooped to drink, make away with the mare. Several months elapsed when Dolan, a respected ranch owner, visited a camp of horse dealers and purchased a beautiful grey mare, with which he surprised his daughter, Doris. She tried out the mare, and upon returning, tied it in the front yard, while she sought her father, to express satisfaction, and thank him for the beautiful present. The ever-alert Pedro, now saw his chance to divert suspicion. Knowing that Donald followed close behind, with some cowboys, he slipped a branding iron on the grey's saddle as it stood in Dolan's, and rode hastily away on his own horse. Dolan noted Pedro's strange actions and gave chase. Meanwhile, Donald and the boys discovered the grey and the tell-tale iron at Dolan's. Doris innocently told them in which direction her father had gone, and they immediately followed. Donald, however, remained to claim the mare, much to Doris's surprise. Upon learning the truth from her, he realized with horror that a horse thief's fate was about to befall an innocent man. Directing her to ride the grey, he mounted his own horse, and together they rode madly to stay a hastily-formed sentence. The rope was already about Dolan's neck when Doris and Frank came into sight. The grey stopped short, Doris took steady aim, the rope cracked, and Dolan fell to safety. Pedro, the real culprit, was then sought, while Frank remained to receive the father's thanks and the daughter's admiration.
- John Henson and his sister Mary are surprised one morning in learning that they have new neighbors in Mr. Gray and his son, Danny. Danny is taught to say the Lord's Prayer every night and to practice its principles in his daily life. In his play one day, Danny is hurt and the father, in distraction, calls upon Mary for aid. She gives the care that only woman can give to a sick person, and the acquaintance commences, so that later, when Mr. Gray is seriously injured at the stone works, she nurses him back to health. It is plain to be seen that Mr. Gray is beginning to evince more than admiration for his pretty neighbor. Mary takes Danny to town on the day that a theatrical troupe arrives and one of the actresses recognizes in the lad her little son. She tells Mary and is taken to Mr. Gray's house, but he will not receive her, because shortly after Danny's birth she left his home and went astray. Danny is soon taught by Mary to love his mother, but the kind neighbor is not equally successful with the father. Finally Danny brings about an unexpected meeting between father and mother, and, on bended knee repeats the prayer his daddy had so often taught him: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive . . ." The father touched by these words from his son, repents his sternness and receives his wife once more unto their home.
- Look before you leap, at hasty conclusions. Nell is a sweet girl and Bob is a good fellow; Nell is a typical Texas girl and Bob is a comparative newcomer to the west. Well, anyway, Bob falls in love with Nell and they are engaged. Bob's sister Helen writes a note to Bob that she is coming to the Tall Grass Country to see him. He gets the letter at the post office, reads it and starts for home. At a corner of the road a woman appears, frightens Bob's horse, and in controlling it, his sister's letter signed, "Yours with love, Helen," drops to the ground. The woman who so suddenly made her appearance in the road is an old fried-egg-faced gossip. She picks up the letter and hustles back to town to put Nell wise to Bob's perfidy. Nell takes the bait and Bob is "in bad." The old mischief-maker tells Nell that Bob is bringing the eastern girl to his shack and she saw them coming down. Sure enough Nell sees Bob caressing the girl as they are driving along together. Helen is delighted with Texas and likes to rove about its fields and prairies. One day she goes out in the tall grass and wanders a long distance away. A careless hunter shooting game sets fire to the grass and Helen is surrounded by prairie fire. Nell sees the fire, gets her spy-glasses to bring the scene closer and recognizes Helen in the midst of the flames. Revenge is now struggling with the more noble inclination to rescue the girl who has stopped between her and Bob. She rushes from the house and across the country until she comes to Helen, half carries and half leads her to safety while she herself falls fainting at the edge of a stream. Bob gets anxious about Helen's absence, sees the smoke and flames of the burning grass, fears the worst and arouses the cowboys who all start out to find the missing girl. They find Helen, take her to her brother's cabin where they revive her. She tells about Nell and again they go back over the trail to rescue Nell. Bob discovers her unconscious at the river's edge, carries her to his home where she recovers. She shrinks from Bob and tells him to declare his love for the girl from the east. Bob begins to see the lay of things and tells Nell that she is slightly mixed in her conclusions: taking Helen by the hand, he relieves Nell's mind by introducing his sister to her. Nell is dazed then looks foolish and saves herself from further embarrassment by throwing her arms about Bob's neck and receiving the comfort of his loving embrace.
- As Smith is walking near a gypsy camp, he sees Lola, a young gypsy woman, having trouble leading her horse across a stream. He helps her, and the two of them soon begin a romance. Despite being warned, Lola leaves the camp and elopes with Smith. But it isn't long before she realizes that she may have made a mistake.
- Pedro takes a fresh shave and Hank shines his boots as they were never polished before, because, as may be supposed, there is a woman in the case. The two old partners are rivals for the affections of Marie, a pretty store keeper, and one is ever trying to steal a march on the other. Pedro steals off to the store and buys a pipe, no less than the fortieth one, some excuse being necessary. Hank enters and buys tobacco, although he has enough to last for years. Each day this continues, and each partner believes he has made wonderful progress toward winning the coveted hand. A chance for one to outdo the other is never let go by, and on one occasion Hank thought he saw the chance of a lifetime. Two "drunks" have passed him, taking the direction of the store, and Hank fears for Marie. He follows their course and when they have entered the store, rushes in. But drunken strength is too much for Hank, and before long they have him powerless on the floor and were it not for the arrival of Pedro, who knows what would have happened? The latter throws them off, and, with Hank's assistance, out of the store. Marie thanks Pedro immensely, and he believes his day has come, but alas! she turns and does the same to Hank. And at that moment, to make the disappointment more complete, a young Easterner arrives, whom Marie receives with open arms; and when he produces the sparkling ring, they know that, as far as they're concerned, love's labor has been lost. So home to the old shanty, where each invites the other to use the shoe leather freely. But anyway, pipes and tobacco offer splendid consolation.
- An eccentric actor is in a peck of trouble over a girl. Falling furniture and a final resting place in the dump heap are features of this, which brings considerable laughter.
- As she sits and plays with "poi" balls, Wena, daughter of Chief Te Rangi-Ka-Haruru of the Nagatairua tribe of Maoris, is approached by a sorceress who predicts that she, Wena, will marry a white man, tall and handsome, with eyes blue as the sky and a fair beard. A little way distant her father is receiving the young chief Te Heuheu of the Kahungunoa, who has come to win her for his wife. The two chiefs greet each other with the "Te Hongi," the rubbing of noses, equivalent to our handshake. Chadwick, an English trapper, tramping the woods in search of game, is chanced upon and taken prisoner by several of the Nagatairuas and brought before their chief, who orders that he be burned at the stake. Great rejoicing takes place in the preparation, for "white man meat" is in sight. But Wena recognizes in Chadwick the man of the sorceress' prediction, and uses her vast influence to save his life. She induces her father to permit him to escape; helps him carry it out, and returns to prevent his being pursued, but not without having sworn eternal love for him and promising to meet him later and elope. That evening, when all her kinsmen sleep, she steals from the village and meets her lover at the appointed trysting place. Chadwick folds Wena to his breast, but to remain so near her village is to invite capture. So, folding his coat over her, he guides the way through the treacherous geyser lands and then takes a boat to his hut up the lake. Once inside his door, Wena is his wife. This is the Maori custom. Chief Te Rangi-Ka-Haruru, learning of Wena's absence, dispatches the young chief Te Heuheu to trace her, and when the latter brings back word that she is with Chadwick, the old chief orders her brought back even though the white man should be killed in the task. When bodily harm is threatened Chadwick, a few days later, she consents to return, provisionally. Facing the old chief, her father, she demands her husband, but he tells her of her disgrace to the tribe and orders her to be housed and guarded. Five days later the chief finds her in a pitiful condition, overcome by the long separation from her husband. He relents and sends for Chadwick. The Englishman is received into the tribe as a chief and great rejoicing takes place in honor of the event. And Wena once more is made happy and well.
- In happy mood, a rollicking, good-natured party of "Jack Tars" on shore leave are out for a good time, and get themselves well under way in song and general good cheer by visiting the only place of merchandise and refreshment which the little seacoast town affords. Under full sail they are steering their way through the streets of the village, running foul of trees and posts, bowing in humble apology for their seeming rudeness and disturbance. They have apparently lost their "sea legs" and are a little bit unsteady in the joints, but merrily they roll along until they come to a swinging bridge crossing the river. Here is where they strike rough weather. The bridge begins to sway and they grasp the guard rails as the "old bark" begins to toss and the seas run high. The jovial crew are convulsed with laughter as the danger of being thrown into the water below increases. She's heaving mountains high now, and threatens to turn turtle, when, "scuttle me timbers," one after the other the whole mess is landed into the gurgling stream, at last they have to take water. This ducking is part of their sport and adds to the fun of it. Our mirth joins with theirs at every surge of the bridge, and does not stop until we find ourselves laughing in chorus with the festive salts as they look smilingly at us from the screen.
- The saying, "If you want to catch a bird put salt on its tail," is a pleasantry of such long standing it is familiar to every man, woman and child in existence. It furnishes a theme for this well-drawn and lively drama of home life, a tramp's gratitude and the cordiality of the little child who loses through an accident the canary bird which was given her by her father. A tramp calls at the child's home for a "hand out." The mother gives him something to eat, the child provides him with a loaf of bread and sends him on his way rejoicing. Shortly after the tramp has taken his departure the little girl tries to hang the cage with the bird in it on a nail on the porch. The cage falls to the ground and the bird escapes. Her mother is provoked and reprimands her for her carelessness. The child, sobbing on the steps of the porch happens to think of putting salt on the bird's tail and immediately sets out with a box of salt and the bird cage in pursuit of her lost pet. Across fields, through woods we follow the child, through flower-decked pastures and stretches of new-mown hay and gorgeous "snaps" of byways and highways, that make the picture a thing of beauty and the story a panorama of interest. The mother misses the child and goes in search of her. The girl, grown tired and footsore, lies down at the foot of a tree and falls asleep. The tramp is making his way leisurely through the brush and sees the escaped canary bird in the grass, cautiously approaches it and captures it with his cap, then resumes his stroll petting the bird as he goes along. He comes to where the little girl is sleeping, guesses the meaning of the salt box and the cage, decides to repay her for her kindness to him when he needed food, places the bird in the cage and hides behind a neighboring tree to watch the denouement. He doesn't have long to wait. The distracted mother coming along espies the child sleeping with her bird returned to its cage; she is astonished. The child awakens and can scarcely believe her senses. The lost are found and the smiling face of the grateful tramp adds to the happy ending.
- Making an exceptionally good haul early in the morning, Jim and John, partners in a fishing smack, declare a holiday. Jim's wife, Annie, prepares luncheon and, leaving the children in care of the obliging John, goes for a long promised row to sea with Jim. Returning that night the boat springs a leak, then sinks, and husband and wife are thrown into the water far from shore. Jim places the oars under his wife's arms for support and swims for help. Ann is washed ashore safe, though exhausted, and is revived by John, who, worried by their long absence, was at the shore searching for them with a sea glass. Jim is picked up by a smuggler's boat, and when well, is forced to become one of them. He attempts to escape when in port by instigating a mutiny, but is overpowered and threatened with death should he try it again. He is put under close surveillance. Five years have passed and Ann is still waiting and watching for Jim. Not once but many times, John, as Jim's best friend asks her hand in marriage, but she refuses. When the smugglers' vessel nears Jim's own port the temptation is too strong for him. He risks his life to jump overboard. On the shore are little Mary and Jim, Jr., his children, but they do not know him. They rescue him as he reaches shore exhausted and then call their mother. Ann recognizes him at once and the happy family are reunited once more after years of love and belief.
- Foezel, a dim-witted police officer, is persuaded to loan his trousers to an actor who is playing a cop in a movie.
- This photoplay was produced in Tahiti, one of the South Sea Islands, and is the reconstruction of an ancient ballad sung by the "Kanakas," natives of the island, since the year 1650. Of all the great chiefs of Tahiti in the year 1650, Tavi was the most generous, and, therefore, the most powerful. Sharing his high position was his consort, the beautiful Taurua, whom Tavi cherished and honored more than was the custom. So that when the neighboring chief Tuiterai dispatches envoys of peace imploring the loan of his wife for seven days, Tavi must needs comply, though it break his heart, for Tavi was generous. The seven days up, Taurua is not returned and Tavi declares war. It is a long, fierce barbaric struggle. Taurua is regained and Tuiterai taken prisoner to the camp of Tavi, for none but a chief can kill a chief. But "Why?" says Tavi, "did you bring him here. My home now makes him a sacred guest." Alas for Tavi. He cannot punish Tuiterai, and to cap the climax, Taurua has fallen in love. But Tavi is generous, and surprising the lovers in tender embrace, he nobly blesses them, and gives Taurua to Tuiterai "for all time."
- After graduating from an Indian school where he has acquired an education and schooling in the ways of the white man. Ta-wa-wa, a young Indian, returns to his native territory and far western home. On the way to the tribe's encampment he stops at Vail's ranch, meets Kawista, his boyhood sweetheart, who greets him cordially and with a frank admiration for his gentlemanly appearance. While they are exchanging greetings the postman enters and hands a letter to Mr. Vail from Col. Leigh, an Englishman, stating that he will visit the ranch with Lord Wyndham, an English lord who expresses a desire to see a real Indian powwow. He hopes Mr. Vail can arrange to have one "pulled off" for his especial benefit. Ta-wa-wa promises to help matters along, and when he reaches the Indian encampment of his tribe he arrays himself in an Indian blanket and returns to the ranch with Kawista to meet Col. Leigh and his English friend, Lord Wyndham. Col. Leigh with his niece. Rose Leigh, and Lord Wyndham arrive. As Kawista passes by Lord Wyndham is very much attracted by her: Ta-wa-wa is attracted to Rose Leigh and she seems to reciprocate his feelings. Kawista notes their glances, is suspicious and keeps her eyes open for developments, which appear when Ta-wa-wa is teaching Rose Leigh to ride and when Rose gives him her photograph which he carries in the bosom of his shirt. Kawista tries to dispel Ta-wa-wa's infatuation for Rose, but her efforts are fruitless. Col. Leigh receives a letter which calls him back to England and Rose goes with him. Ta-wa-wa decides to follow her, and after he has gone Kawista, with the help of Nellie Vail, the ranchman's daughter, follows Ta-wa-wa to England. Ta-wa-wa reaches England to find Rose and Lord Wyndham just leaving the church where they have been married. He is spellbound and his mind gives way under the shock and disappointment. He is seized by an officer, who is about to take him to the police station, when Kawista puts in an appearance and begs his release, promising to look after him. She takes him back to America and to his home, where she restores his reason and wins back the love of their childhood days and the true love that never dies.
- Father Martin had lived carefully all his days in order to save enough money to enable him to fulfill the dream of his life, a visit to his birthplace across the seas. On the eve of his departure, a parishioner came and confessed a theft, exposure of which would spell his ruin. The amount of the theft was the same as Father Martin had accumulated. The clergyman, on hearing of the young man's plight, hesitated only a moment, when, with magnanimous nobility, he gave up that which was his dearest passion, to save a soul from disgrace. More noble charity would be difficult to conceive.