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- Hamlet suspects his uncle has murdered his father to claim the throne of Denmark and the hand of Hamlet's mother, but the prince cannot decide whether or not he should take vengeance.
- The cowboys of Fenton's Quarry quarrel with a party of Mexicans, and during the scrimmage one of their number draws his revolver and shoots at the leader of the Mexican party. He is pursued by the police and finally captured. During his transit from the prison to the train he manages to arrange that his friends shall come to the rescue. This they determine to do, and it results in the express being hold up. The cowboy is rescued, and accompanied by whoops and shots in the air the desperate ranchers ride back to the quarry to celebrate their victory.
- Rico, the jester, is the laughing stock of all. He is seen first amusing the courtiers, by whom he is subjected to some rough horseplay. Throwing down his wand of office he goes off through the grounds, where he finds a handsome young Lady weeping on a seat. He is touched with pity, and inquiring her trouble finds that she is blind. He makes up his mind to become her protector and escorts her to his dwelling. Here pity blossoms into love and both develop an affection for each other. It is indeed a strange attachment between the jester with his ungainly form and visage and the beautiful blind girl. He takes her for daily walks in the gardens, and on one occasion is observed by a party of gay sparks, who determine to get the girl away from him. With this end in view they pounce upon him and seize the girl. But luckily help is at hand, and an unexpected defender comes up in the person of a doctor, who is out walking. He, too, becomes enamored of the blind girl and sets himself to restore her sight, if possible. In this he succeeds, much to the terror of the Jester, who fears that his ugliness will frighten her. In this surmise he proves correct. But love conquers all, and eventually the girl chooses him for her protector for life
- Charles the Fifth of France is soon to be pressed by his chamberlain to secure the throne for himself. Having an interview with the conspirators, they induce him to accept the crown. To secure the silence of the Queen, she is given poison by the chamberlain, which produces madness, but at the same moment, her lady in waiting enters and guesses the crime. Immediately she is overpowered and taken prisoner with the mad Queen. The loyal lady manages to escape by a rope from the window of their prison and rushes to the King, imploring him on behalf of the poor lady. He is about to accede to her wishes when the chamberlain appears and the lady is thrust into prison whilst the King is influenced. But the voice of conscience is too great. We see him tormented by pictures of his prisoner's treatment and, stung with remorse, he rushes to her aid and in spite of all the chamberlain's efforts, craves pardon of the mad Queen.
- Two tramps steal a barrel of beer and are arrested.
- Little Jim is miraculously born, and even in his early days walking is considered out of date, and Jim is provided with a tiny cycle. At school our hero is undoubtedly the worst boy, and his pranks are at once the despair of his teacher and the delight of his schoolmates. When he arrives at man's estate, Jim becomes a soldier, where his hustling propensities are not appreciated. He tries the more prosaic occupation of a house decorator, and in double-quick time the walls of a house were repapered, furniture moved in, and a cozy home provided. Jim at last falls in love, and discarding the old-fashioned, if more romantic methods, proposes by telephone. He is accepted, the happy day arrives, and Jim, with breathless haste, is married. Naturally enough the family are even more precocious than himself, and Jim looks on at their peculiar antics with a benignant smile. Age comes rapidly, and we see Jim developing beard and whiskers at seventy, while at the age of 100 his hirsute appendage becomes quite patriarchal. Finally we see him carried out of the house, and keeping up his reputation as a hustler to the last, Jim departs in an aeroplane.
- Leon Dorbier, a rich widower, brings about the engagement of his daughter, Suzanne, to Jacques Clamor. Miss Eddy, an American girl befriended by Dorbier, becomes the bosom friend of Suzanne and proves a staunch friend during the outrages that are perpetrated against her. Baronne De Warza, an adventuress, who is deeply in love with Leon Dorbier, finds an obstacle in his daughter, Suzanne. From now on a series of outrages against Suzanne occur, the frustrations of which are largely due to Miss Eddy and Jacques Clamor. On the night that the contract is to be signed. Suzanne's absence causes alarm, but a thorough search finds her in her apartments in a dazed state. The "Masked Mystery"' is at work. Dorbier notifies the police, and the detectives are exasperated to find that the "Masked Mystery" had worn gloves so as to hide the fingerprints and render the search more difficult. Several days later Suzanne and her friend take their daily ride, and the horse, which has been tampered with by the "Masked Mystery," becomes unmanageable and runs away. Suzanne and her friend find it necessary to call the services of a motor car in order to reach home. But fortune seems to be against them. While the chauffeur is repairing his machine the "Masked Mystery" appears and succeeds in kidnapping Suzanne, while her friend, Miss Eddy, escapes and carries the news to Leon Dorbier of his daughter's abduction. The "Masked Mystery" carries Suzanne to a lonely mansion, and when she refuses to sign an agreement that if she is set free she will give up all hope of seeing her father and fiancé, they tie her in a bag and throw her into the river. Suzanne, by means of a penknife which she carries in her bosom, succeeds in opening the sack, and, by a desperate struggle, manages to reach a passing boat upon which she takes refuge. In the meantime, Jacques Clamor and Miss Eddy have left no stone unturned in their effort to rescue Suzanne, and while passing over a bridge in a motor car in pursuit of the abductors of Suzanne, they collide with another car, causing a terrific explosion and a heart-rending scene. Suzanne is welcomed home by her father, and when she learns of the terrible accident and possibly the death of her lover, she determines to bring the criminals to task. They set a trap for the "Masked Mystery," and at midnight, as he is entering the library window, he is taken by surprise and captured. When the mask is removed the face of Baronne De Warza is revealed. She breaks down and makes a full confession, stating that she is in love with Leon Dorbier, and, wishing to wed him, found an obstacle in the person of Suzanne. After her confession the adventuress makes a break for liberty, but she is closely pursued by the police. Seeing escape impossible, she takes her own life. Suzanne then searches for Jacques who mysteriously disappeared after the motor car accident, and succeeds in locating him in a private sanitarium in a very precarious condition, but by careful nursing he progresses rapidly, and several months later a double wedding takes place, when Suzanne and Jacques are made man and wife and Miss Eddy becomes the bride of Leon Dorbier.
- According to the most amusing film, our descendants are to have an extremely lively time in the year 2001 A.D. When they awake upon St. Valentine's Day, that is, if it has not gone out of date, they will have simply to press a button and, in the kitchen the bread will walk to the fire, return all nice and crisp to the butter-dish, there to gaily bespread itself and then to escort the tea to the bedside of our beloved descendants. They, after having beguiled themselves with tea and toast, will then bethink them of their letters. By pressing another button, these obedient missives will instantly betake themselves to their readers. Another button will clothe the modern man, who will no doubt sally forth to take the air. He has by this time set aside all such fatiguing methods of motion as walking and will be propelled short distances by motor-feet and, when going for a long outing will simply sit upon a chair and proceed upon his way. One can easily see some justification for the seemingly stupid action of the hero in this film when he casts at last all his electrical appliances to the winds with an air of boredom and disgust.
- Harry Duval is confidential clerk to Robert Moore, the manager of the Dornan Coal Mine, and he is in love with Winnie, the manager's daughter. Winnie reciprocated his affection, but he is hated by two of the miners, named Jennings and Hand, who decide to play him an ill trick at the first opportunity that presents itself. When Mr. Moore is called away on business one day, he leaves the management of the mine in the hands of his confidential clerk, who is told to use his private office. Duval manages the mine very capably, and at the end of the day prepares to take his departure, as he has an appointment with Winnie, It is the first time that he has ever been in the darkness in the manager's office, and he is attracted by a faint light which appears to penetrate a crack in the wall. When Harry examines the crack, he discovers that it is really a joint in a very small door, which is cunningly contrived to hide a small receptacle in the wall. This receptacle contains some radium, and also plans and details which tell of its discovery down in the mine by a man who was manager before Mr. Moore and who mysteriously disappeared in its depths. Realizing that lie has made a discovery which means a fortune to his employers, the owners of the Dornan Coal Pits. Harry goes off to keep his appointment with Winnie. He is not aware that his discovery has been observed by the miners Jennings and Hand, who have taken another miner named Kean Butler, into confidence. Directly when he has left the office, these three villains break into it and take possession of the papers which they have seen discovered. When Harry discovers his loss, he is unable to trace the culprits, as the three miners are wise enough to go to work as usual, and thus avoid suspicion. That day, when the mine is full of workers, an explosion of fire damp takes place, and a section of the mine takes fire. Most of the miners working in this section manage to reach the pithead with the rest of their comrades, but Kean Butler, who is working there, is unable to effect his escape, and is overcome by the deadly fumes. No man will venture into the burning depth to save him, with the exception of the confidential clerk, whom he has plotted to ruin. Harry braves the danger of the burning pit, and succeeds in bringing the unconscious miner to the surface in safety. Later in the day Kean Butler confesses to Harry the part he played in the work of the previous night, and also betrays his comrades, who are fortunate enough to escape in time. Acting upon the information received from the betrayer, Harry hastens to secure the arrest of the two villains, who are at large. He sends Butler to the police but Butler is waylaid by Jennings and Hand, and, to escape their vengeance, the craven-hearted wretch betrays his heroic benefactor. Realizing that time is short, the miners hasten to the mine, thinking to locate the radium before Harry can get upon their track, but, he too is hastening to the mine on horseback. The miners see him urging on his horse in the distance, start in pursuit. After a desperate chase, they catch up with him by the railroad track. A diabolical scheme then enters into their heads by which to dispose of him. By an ingenious device, they hold up a passing freight train, and make the engine driver and stoker dismount. They tie Harry to the front of the engine, and then start the train rushing down the track at a high rate of speed, without driver or any person to control it. The next action is to switch the freight train on to the track of a down-coming express. Fortunately Winnie is scanning the country at that moment with her father's powerful field glasses, and she is horrified as she sees this diabolical action perpetrated right under her eyes. She recognizes her lover in his perilous position, and hastens to the stable, where she saddles her horse, and dashes out, determined to do her best to save the man she loves. Reaching the junction ahead of the freight train, which is now rocking wildly as it dashes along the rails, she dismounts, and placing her whole strength into one leap, manages to reach the cabin of the engine and stops the train before it exactly meets the down-coming express, which is arrested in time. The distance between the two trains only amounts to a few feet, and thus Harry has a most fortunate rescue, thanks to the courage of his sweetheart. The three miners have entered the mine expecting to find the radium. Whilst they are below another explosion of fire damp occurs, but the miners are confident that they can make their escape through an opening which leads to the river. Seeing that the mine is again on fire, Winnie suggests that as the mine is empty, they should flood it, as the damage done by the flood can more easily he repaired than that caused by fire. She and Harry, therefore, open the flood-gates of the lock, and the river pours into the mine through the very opening through which the miners are attempting to escape, and thus they meet an end which they thoroughly deserve.
- Lottie and her father have wandered about for months together, but strength is falling the little girl and in despair her father finds she is unable to go farther without food. Tom Brown comes up at the same moment and the kindhearted fellow takes them off to his home, where he persuades his people to help them. We next see him with n handsome girl of the gypsy type declaring his love, which she spurns as he has no money. Poor Tom goes home in despair, his parents having retired for the night after bidding good-bye to the poor old man and his daughter. Alone, Tom thinks until the temptation to steal comes over him. Unable to resist, he goes to the chest and takes a purse of notes and rushes off to the girl, who readily accepts them with the money. The purse which contained it he casts into the stream, which Lottie, wandering about, pulls out and rushes off to show her father. At the farm the theft has been discovered and the suspected persons are the beggars. Proceeding to their poor home, they find the man and child. He is accused, searched, and the missing purse is found. In vain the child pleads that she herself has given it to her father, but he is taken away. Then the poor Lottie is turned out of the home and. hungry and forlorn, goes again to the once kind people to plead with them for her father, but they will not listen to her until Tom, unable to conceal his guilt longer, reveals the truth, begging forgiveness for his folly and wickedness, which is finally given and in return for their suffering the unhappy Lottie and her father find a happy home.
- A comedy which offers many opportunities for laughter is based on the results of poor Louis' endeavor to peer into the future. Going to a well-known clairvoyant, he is told that he has only a few days to live. Naturally this staggers the poor man, but buckling up, he proceeds to dispose of his worldly goods and then makes all preparations for the funeral; but the dreaded day arrives and Louis Thickhead finds that he is very much in the land of the living minus his money and worldly belongings.
- This is the story of an unlucky gentleman against whom nature seems to have pitted herself in a ruthless manner. At an early hour he sallies forth to the park, where, with his morning paper, he settles down for a quiet read. His first tormentor takes the form of a painter who politely informs him that the seat is to be painted. The gentleman takes a seat elsewhere. His neighbors, who are enjoying a meal, soon make their position known, and the worthy gentleman is forced to flee before the odor of onions. The day's adventures come to a climax when he rests on the basin of an ornamental fountain and falls into the water. At last he finds relief by lying on the floor at home.
- During a conjuring entertainment, the magician borrows a silk hat, and forthwith produces the usual conjurer's stock-in-trade, ducks, pigeons, rabbits, etc. With a bow he hands the hat back to its owner, who shortly afterwards leaves. As he walks away his hat lakes a leap and gently bowls off down the street. It is captured at last, and our friend's troubles begin. He meets various people and on each occasion, as he raises his hat, chickens, rabbits and pigeons, to say nothing of plants, spring out. Unkindly enough the gentleman's friends quickly depart, leaving him bewildered. The climax comes when visiting a lady's house and waiting for its fair occupant. As our friend, hat in hand, looks round, a small statue together with the hat, suddenly disappears, and the gentleman is not long in following its example.
- Willy Fitzgibbons is hanging his hat up at the house of the highly respectable family of the Tomkinses and he is directing all the force of his undying love upon Henrietta, the pretty daughter of Pa Tomkins. Ma Tomkins, upon inquiring into the prospects of Mr. William Fitzgibbons, does not think him capable of supporting a wife and her family, not to mention his own, so does all she can to put a stop to the proceedings. The old lady unfortunately dozes in the afternoon and leaves the way clear to the lovers and for the time being the course of true love acts contrary to its proverbial manner of procedure. But alas and alack, Ma wakes to find the willful maid in the arms of her woeful lover and he is soon the target of unkind remarks upon the part of dear Ma. Consequently he goes marching home minus his sweetheart. Love laughs at locksmiths and soon Willy discovers that Ma wants a bow-wow and he determines to disguise himself as the quadruped in demand. Shortly after a very large and well-groomed poodle puts in appearance at the house of the respectable family before mentioned and is installed In due course. Ma takes a violent fancy to the lovely creature and after her adventure with Fitz she determines that the more she sees of some people the more she likes her dog. This is rather annoying to Fitz, who wants to spend some time alone, or rather nearly so, so he determines to pretend that he is mad. Ma is glad to escape from the violent animal and thus leaves the road clear to the lovers once more. The feelings of Mrs. Tomkins can better be imagined than described when she re-enters the room to find her daughter in the arms of a mad dog. Explanations are soon forthcoming and somehow or other the lovers attain their end when Willy promises to buy a real bow-wow to take the place of the departed poodle.
- From a hut amidst rural surroundings a distracted-looking woman emerges, gazing wildly around her. At the large mansion some distance away the family with the footman and nurse start off with their idolized boy for a picturesque walk. These are the people who catch the gaze of the anxious mother who has left her only boy to search for food. Making her own way down to them, she pleads for her boy, but all in vain, and she has to wend her way back in despair. Arriving at her poor hotel, she finds her boy to all appearance lifeless. A most heartrending scene follows, the poor woman, already overstrung, becomes demented and after trying to bring animation to the child, rushes off in search of the people who refused her aid. At last she espies them and hides herself behind some rocks. They approach, intently gazing on the lovely scenery. John and Mary are having an interesting conversation and the little boy rushes off followed now by the poor, demented woman who, catching on to him, snatches him in her arms and rushes off towards her home. By this time the boy has been missed and after rushing about for some time the party catch sight of the woman and a pursuit ensues over the rugged hills. The woman enters with the frightened boy, but the parents arrive and with joy clasp their child, until their attention is drawn by one of the party to the bed on the floor where the apparently lifeless boy lies. One of the gentlemen kneels down and on examining him finds him not dead. Sending for food and clothing, he commences to render assistance to the child, who gradually begins to move. The poor woman has been gazing vacantly at the scene; she approaches, and on seeing her child move with joy her sense return. After leaving her with money and warm clothing the family depart, leaving the mother and her much loved boy together in their solitary home.
- A young lady, the keeper of the diary, is much in love with a man, who, unknown to her, is already betrothed. She writes in her diary that "he loves me, and I love him. Hoping to marry soon." But this happy dream is not to be realized, for shortly after the girl meets her lover walking arm-in-arm with another lady. The shock is too great for her, and she writes, "I have seen him give his arm to another, and I must go away." Six years elapse, and the girl has become a well-known specialist in children's diseases. One day she is called to the house of Mr. J. Tindall, whose little daughter is seriously ill. The girl recognizes the name as that of her old lover, and after some hesitation decides to go on her errand of mercy. She is recognized by the man, but the thought of what has happened prevents any understanding. Returning to her home, she writes in her diary: "I have saved his child, and the mother has been dead four years. It has brought sad memories to my heart." Later the man and his little girl call, and he pleads for forgiveness. The girl hesitates, and then writes: "He has returned, and I shall be the foster-mother of his child." Placing the book down, it is picked up by the little girl, who shows it to her father. He sees in the brief lines that forgiveness has been granted to him, and takes his true love in his arms.
- Poor little Dot and her old grandfather in spite of their poverty lead a happy life, until one day while out with the organ the poor old man is knocked down by a motor and taken to the hospital. The unfeeling landlord pushes the little girl for the rent and she is forced to go out with the organ. One day a charitable lady catches sight of the little girl and learning the sad story, takes care of the child until the old grandfather is convalescent, she then goes to their room with a nice coat for Dot, a bribe, as she wishes to adopt the little girl, but when Dot hears that she is to leave her grandfather she does not want it and rushes into her grandfather's arms; but the dear old lady is not to be daunted, if she cannot have Dot without her grandfather, well he must come as well, and we see grandpa and little Dot installed in their new home, where she is taught by the old man to be very grateful to her benefactress.
- A number of men are sitting around a table, in the tavern, drinking and talking together, when suddenly a messenger arrives announcing the proclamation of war, and causing great excitement among the guests at the tavern, after which they all run out to enlist in the army at the Town Hall. The various citizens are all sworn in to become protectors of their country. But in all this crowd there is one who does not want to enlist, but his father is very persistent and forces him, much against the son's will. The son finally decides to please the father, and departs from his mother, who does not want him to go, and who feels very badly at his leaving, but the father tries to comfort her by telling her that his country calls her son to duty. The son, however, is a coward, and becoming frightened, deserts the army, during a fierce battle, and returns home. The father becomes angry and demands to know why he returned; hut when the son tries to explain, the father becomes enraged and calls him a coward and tells him to return to his army. The disappearance of the son is soon discovered by the officers of the army, who make inquiry for his whereabouts at his home. This is too much for the father, but in order to protect his son he denies all knowledge of his desertion and decides to take his son's place, which he bravely does. During the night, while he is on watch, he dreams of his son leading the army to victory, which shows his vision of a glorious battle, which was won through his son's braveness.
- Bill and a friend stroll to a café, where they are greeted by other friends. Unfortunately, Bill's nose commences to bleed, and after many ineffectual attempts to stop the copious flow, the old-fashioned remedy of dropping a key down the hack is tried, with the result that Bill is comfortable once more. But things are slow, and the two merry young men follow two equally merry young ladies to a jolly party in the open air. In the small hours of the morning a cab drives up at Bill's flat, and a somewhat battered individual tumbles out. Bill, after ringing the bell some little time, finds that the door is unlocked, and makes his way up to his room. But he cannot find his key and wakes up the porter. The latter is extremely annoyed and kicks Bill downstairs. Our hero, in a more battered state than ever, decides to spend the night at a hotel, but here, through being unable to pay the necessary charges in advance, he is again flung out. Wearily he lies full length on a public seat, but even here he is not allowed to rest, for two gendarmes appear, and after some rough handling. Bill is put into the cold comforts of a prison cell. A moment later, another equally disreputable person makes a forcible entry, who turns out to be none other than Bill's friend. Bill relates his story and his friend is so annoyed that he hits poor Bill on the nose. Sure enough, that organ commences to bleed, and then the friend remembers where the lost key is. Calling the gendarmes. Bill is turned upside down and shaken until the key falls out, when the two are summarily dismissed from the cell by the indignant gendarmes.
- A group of merry girls, carrying bundles of washing, are on their way to the stream, when one of the number, Mary, leaves the rest and meets a young farmer, John. This action is observed by another washer, Kate, who, her jealousy ill-concealed, watches the young couple. Later, as all the washers are busy by the stream, the young squire accompanied by a friend, rides up. Dismounting, he perceives Mary's pretty face and graceful manners, and endeavors to kiss her. As she struggles to free herself, the squire's friend quickly snap-shots the scene. Kate has been a witness of the affair, and, following the squire, she tells him of a way to be revenged. Then hastening to John, she informs him that his sweetheart has been flirting with the young squire. John is furious, and going to the squire pleads with him, but is only mocked and scorned. Meeting Mary, John reproaches her for her faithlessness, and refusing to listen to her explanation, leaves her. A few days later, the young squire, together with his friend, and some ladies attends the village fete. John also attends, and infuriated at the treatment meted out to him by the squire, denounces him in the presence of all the merry-makers. But the friend shows John the snap-shot of Mary struggling to free herself from the squire's embrace, and he quickly realizes how he has misjudged his country lassie. Making his way to Mary's house he asks her forgiveness, which is granted him, and both the lovers grasp the photographer's hand, thanking him for having brought them together again.
- Aunt and her pet monkey, Toto, are rudely awakened from their hitherto peaceful existence by unruly neighbors whose noises are too much for the weak nerves of the monk. Complaints to the housekeeper are without avail and only serve to rouse the ire of the young people who are responsible for the trouble. For a "lark" these mischievous youngsters resolve to dislodge the monkey from his high estate and place one of their number in the room to impersonate the ape. The amusing incidents that follow are irresistibly funny and are well worth seeing.
- An old woman, wheeling a barrow, comes across a vendor of patent medicines, selling "Lux" tonic which is guaranteed according to the "quack" to return strength and energy. The woman listens open-mouthed and quietly taking a bottle, swallows its contents at one gulp. The tonic acts suddenly. Wheeling the barrow round, the woman literally flies off, overturning everybody in her way, policemen, harmless individuals, articles of furniture, all are carried before her until she finishes her wild career by smashing in a wall of a house, and the film closes upon a scene of wild confusion.
- Our little hero has fallen desperately in love with a pretty girl, whom he meets when she is with her aunt. In spite of the latter's rather forcible snubbing, Bill follows the ladies, until they enter a milliner's shop, where a huge hat is purchased by the girl and ordered to be sent home. As the shop Bill watches them, when his attention is distracted by the sight of a girl leaving the shop carrying a huge hat-box. Bill quickly learns the destination of the box and by means of bribes, persuades the girl to allow him to travel in the box. Now his troubles commence. The girl tries to take the box on a car but a sudden lurch sends it spinning. Then in turn it falls off a carriage down a flight of steps into the river, until, wet through and weary, the girl brings the gigantic box to the house. Here Bill's charmer unties the cords, and is greatly astonished to see Bill himself issue from it, wet through, and one or two eels clinging affectionately to him. As he relates his experience the girl relents, and Bill is at length rewarded.
- Tommy had stolen jam and had been spanked by his fond papa and left in the dark nursery to atone for his crime. Nature appears to forget the cause of the trouble and soon sends the little one to sleep. Unfortunately strawberry jam is not conducive to sound sleep and Thomas is soon dreaming that he makes the acquaintance of a gentleman in black who gives him a magic wand with which to force his door and escape into the rest of the house, where he makes the furniture and domestics perform most amusing and peculiar antics. He awakens at last to receive a further installment from the paternal slipper.
- Patrolman Slober is really an ornament to the force. Upon his eat he cuts a most imposing figure when his ample proportions heave of the slavey's horizon. Of course, an officer of the force has many exciting adventures while on duty and our friend Slober is not behind in these little affairs. In fact, from his own version we are led to believe that he is first and foremost in the field. One day Slober takes a day off and gives his attention to the pleasures of the idle. The film proceeds to show the funny things that happened to faithful club. These unusual proceedings perplex and alarm the noble officer and cause his hair to rise most violently. Fortunately for poor Slober he awakes to find that it is the morning after the night before and that this awful occurrence is only a dream. Murmuring "never again," he proceeds with his duties, a wiser, if somewhat sadder man.
- Two cavaliers, tired and hungry, knock at a woodman's hut and ask for shelter. The woodman, a poor man, invites them in and gives them the rough food which he has, after which he provides clean straw for them to sleep on. The following morning the cavaliers make their departure, one giving the woodman, in return for his hospitality, a magic wand with which he can obtain all he desires. When they have gone the woodman tries the efficacy of the wand. He desires first a good meal, and it is provided for him. Then he wishes for wealth, and a fine castle with servants. These are all provided, together with rich clothes for himself. But riches have turned his nature and the erstwhile woodman becomes hard and uncharitable. Finding an old man who has begged for food eating, he tears the dish from him and bids him begone. A poor girl is gathering sticks, when the man comes up and, snatching the wood from her, orders her away. Shortly after the same cavalier who gave away the wand comes along, and touched by the girl's weeping, inquires the reason. Brokenly the girl explains, and giving her money, the cavalier, realizing what has happened, enters the castle. As the other comes up he assumes a cringeing air, and pleads for alms. The woodman raises his whip and prepares to strike him, when the cavalier, standing erect, discloses his features. The man drops on his knees and pleads for mercy, but the other reminds him of his hardness, and taking him to a wood, transforms him back again to a woodman. The wretched man drops on his knees, and then, seeing how justly he has been punished, seizes an ax lying against a tree and commences his old laborious task again.
- Professor Tweedle has been successful. Starting out with his discovery, a wonderful powder, he sits on s bench deep in thought, laying the precious box of powder by his side. Mischievous Tommy comes along before the Professor is aware of his presence. Tommy has opened the box, upsetting some of the powder which places the Professor himself under its spell. With delight the boy rushes off on mischief bent. Seeing a dining-room window open he climbs in, and sprinkling the powder, he awaits events. Plates and dishes collect themselves, serviettes and cloths all slip back into their places, and when Jane returns to finish her duties, she finds the table, which she had left nicely laid, has all vanished, furniture included. This is fine fun for the boy, who rushes off playing pranks everywhere. An old lady who has taken a seat in the open is one of the victims. Not content with pulling the wing off her bonnet, Tommy applies a little powder to the bonnet, the old lady is dismayed to see the bird from her bonnet take flight. But Tommy tires of all this, and throwing the whole of the contents over himself, it causes him to rush backward and forwards, cutting all sorts of capers, until he finally sinks into oblivion.
- How Thomas Arnold was cured of his great selfishness by a dream is dramatically told in this film. After refusing aid to his nephew, who is in distress, the latter's wife and child needing food and clothing, he enjoys a sumptuous dinner and falls asleep to dream that he himself is in poverty and realizes the pangs of hunger, etc. Awakening to find that it is only a dream, he determines to make amends and goes to offer hospitality to those who are in distress.
- Ma-in-law again, she comes to disturb peace in the Bennett family, until her son-in-law feels inclined to apply his hypnotic powers. John also tries to imitate the master by trying to hypnotize Mary, his sweetheart. By accident John breaks the statue in the garden. Ma arrives on the scene, storms and chases him into the kitchen. Now for the hypnotic powers. John turns round on her and the spell is cast, but she will not recover and he rushes off to Mr. Bennett. The two arriving together on the scene, they suggest putting Ma in the place of the broken statue. No sooner said than done. She is rigged up, placed on the pedestal, and Mrs. Bennett and her friends are invited to see the new statue. But the daughter recognizes her mother and faints. John picks up the watering can and douches poor ma, who jumps down, fighting right and left. After some time she is calmed and eventually goes off, arm in arm, with her daughter and husband.
- A cycle race is in progress, and we are shown the start and a smash-up on the way. Jones, a long, lanky individual, has wandered down to the river, and, being tempted by the cool, placid surface, and clad in a neat striped bathing suit, he plunges in. Meanwhile, one of the cyclists, tired of the race, rides up, and seeing Jones splashing about, slips off his number, and leaving his cycle, makes off. Soon a party of men arrive, and mistaking Jones for one of the starters, haul him out, put his number on, place him on the cycle, and start him off. Now the fun commences. Once started, there is no stopping Jones, who rides over everything indiscriminately. He turns a somersault over a table outside a café, leaving everything in wild confusion. Down a flight of steps he goes, smack into the river. Off again, he rides into a house, and the annoyed occupants vent their wrath upon him in a violent fashion. In riding over a bridge he comes into collision with two men, who promptly fling him over into the river and follow it up with the cycle. But at length Jones rides in, and being first home, is unanimously proclaimed the winner and thus becomes champion by mistake.
- What naughty children! Mrs. Brown will have no more of them, so she gave her lodgers notice to quit. With their worldly goods piled on a barrow, the Taylor family start off in search of rooms, but they are met everywhere by the forbidding sign, "Must Be Without Encumbrance." Arrived at the end of their tether, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor resolve to try a little strategy and, concealing the three kiddies in boxes, they at last succeed in getting rooms. Much laughter is caused by the antics of the children when at intervals they are released from their prison. But the truth will come out. After an afternoon spent in the part, the tired parents are struggling back with their offsprings deposited in their boxes, when, on the very doorstep, Mrs. Taylor slips and a general confusion ensues. The kiddies scramble upstairs, followed by the indignant landlord and his wife, who order them from their house, and poor Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have to start again in search of a home.
- The partners in a firm are somewhat at loggerheads, and the younger one takes advantage of his corpulent partner's attention to his business to slip out and visit some friends. But his absence is quickly discovered, and to prevent the possibility of his again disappearing, the two partners' coat sleeves are sewn together. Soon the fun commences. A pretty client is shown in, and soon discovers that both men are practically inseparable; what one does so the other is also bound to do. As she leaves them the younger one slips through his coat and dashes after her. Determined not to be outdone, the other forces an operation upon his most unwilling partner, and now firmly joined the two wander off. At that moment the pretty client appears, and as she gets into a carriage she is quickly followed by the young man, and the carriage starting, the corpulent partner is forced to most unwillingly run by the side. After falling into a river and being rescued they are at length released by a collision, and the young man at once dashes off, leaving his partner disconsolate.
- Mr. Johnson starts for the office leaving his better half in anything but a pleasant mood, and is refreshed to have a pleasant work with his typist, who certainly appears to be more amiable than Mrs. Jonson just now. That lady has made up her mind to pay Bobbie a visit, "on mischief bent." She is announced. Poor Mr. Johnson has never dared to mention the need of a typist and to avoid "a scene," she is sent to a different room, but a pair of lady's gloves catches Mrs. Johnson's gaze and an altercation commences. Clarks and typist set to work to play a joke on the lady. Disguising himself as the girl, one of the clerks takes the place of the girl at the typewriter. In rushes Mrs. Johnson to find that there is no cause of jealousy with such a countenance as that typist possesses.
- The leading actor is a gay dog, and spends a great deal of his time getting in other people's way and generally making himself a nuisance. But he sighs for more daring deeds, and seeing a chariot standing by, gets in and drives off. Meantime the unfortunate manager of the theater, at the hour for the curtain to rise, has to explain that the leading actor has disappeared, and consequently there will be no performance. A small riot takes place in the theater, and the manager's exit is hurried by a rain of articles from the exasperated audience. The company set forth to find the culprit, and an exciting chase ensues. They follow up the Champs Elysees, where the leading actor has upset a hansom. Past the Trocadero they follow, and then around the Eiffel Tower. The actor in his chariot passes a level crossing just in time to miss an express coming along. His merry course continues, during which he upsets a barrow of fruit and many people. Ultimately, tired out, he drives up a passage, and there is captured by the company, to be fined £20 for his little escapade.
- This is a beautiful portrayal of the honor of a fisherman. The scene opens up showing the fisherman kissing his wife good-bye, while he starts out for the day's work. Next we find the fisherman and son at work down by the water when suddenly a number of fugitives who are trying to escape from the Royalists come along and ask the fisherman if he could tell them of a good hiding place where the enemy would not be able to find them. The fisherman being sympathetic and kind leads them to a place in the woods. After the fisherman returns home the Royalists, who are looking for the fugitives, come to the house of the fisherman and claim that he knows something of the whereabouts of the fugitives whom they are looking for. The fisherman declines the betrayal of his secret and commands his son to keep silent when the soldiers question him. We then see the son fishing alone when a number of Royalists approach him and ask him about the whereabouts of the fugitives. He refuses to tell them anything at first, but they try to bribe him by offering him gold. The sight of the money so captivates the boy that he accepts same and shows them the hiding place of the fugitives. The Royalists surround the place and force the fugitives to either surrender or take a chance in making their escape. Next we see the boy returning home acting rather queer. His father noticing his strange actions, questions him, but doesn't get any satisfaction. Just at this moment we see one of the fugitives run by the house and is shot right in front of the door. The father seeing this immediately realizes that they had been found at their hiding place and suspects his son. He enters the house to find his son counting the gold which was given him for the betrayal of the secret. The fisherman feels his honor compels him to take the life of his son, and so informs the boy that he must die. The boy kneels down and pleads with the father, but all in vain. He takes the boy to a lonely spot and there, after commanding his son to pray to his God, is on the verge of shooting him when his mother appeals. She steps between the father and son, telling the father that if he takes her son's life he must take hers also. This softens the fisherman's heart and he forgives his son.
- Boots feels tired; he wants to go to bed. Bother the work! He must do it, yet at the same time it is becoming almost imperative that he go to sleep. His brains, therefore, are soon at work, and shortly after, he adjourns to the hall, where he proceeds to enjoy forty winks on the settee. Very soon some visitors arrive and Boots' services are in demand. In order to awake him, they proceed to dig him in the ribs, punch him, and to generally badger him, but without effect. Then a German band is called into try their hand, but in spite of the exquisite misrendering of the "Merry Widow" waltz, Boots is still unaffected. The doctor then is summoned and he prescribes electric treatment; this does have some physical effect, but it quite fails to awake him. At last a gentleman who knows something about Boots in general brings out a coin and drops it upon the ground. Boots awakes, grabs the coin, then takes the full measure of sadness and bitter pain from the hands of those whose displeasure he has incurred.
- Auntie, a stout, elderly person, receives a visit from a young lady friend, who is dressed in the latest fashion. Auntie is much impressed with the skirt, and when her visitor leaves she informs Uncle that she must have a skirt like that. In spite of Uncle's protestations, Auntie sails off to the dressmaker's, where, with some difficulty, she is fitted with an exceedingly tight skirt, which can best be described as the "last word" in "hobbles." She experiences some difficulty in walking, but all goes well until her troubles commence in the knocking of a cyclist off his machine. Then the fun starts, for Auntie "bashes" into everybody, with disastrous consequences to herself. Finally, in crossing a bridge, she falls into the water, and it is a very battered Auntie who arrives home to greet her husband.
- A rich man offers to buy a little boy, but the offer is refused. The offer is too good to refuse, however, and the boy is eventually sold to the rich man. Twelve years elapse and the boy has grown to a handsome young man. He is well treated by his master, and this arouses the jealousy of the slave driver, who brutally ill-treats him. The master departs on a journey, and during his absence the slave-driver opens a desk and commences to rob his master. He is observed by the young slave, who has concealed himself behind a curtain, and, unwilling to see his master robbed, he springs out and accuses the driver of robbery. The latter slashes at him with his whip, but the other closes with him and a fierce struggle ensues. The slave-driver calls for help, and the slaves rushing in, the young man is secured, taken to the whipping post and flogged. But the master returns unexpectedly, and interrupting the flogging, asks for an explanation. Freed from his bonds, the slave, dashing at his tormentor, takes from his tunic the proofs of the latter's villainy, and tells his master all. The latter orders the slave-driver away, and as a reward makes the young slave a free man. The latter is now a favored servant, and in passing through the slave market with his master, is confronted with a slave whom he recognizes as his father. Quickly the master is informed, and he completes his good actions by purchasing the man, who is led off by his son.
- The scenes are laid around the beautiful mansion of Horace Douglas, a headstrong but affectionate husband and father, who has just found that he is financially overwhelmed. In vain he pleads with the old money lender, and in despair takes his life, leaving his wife and only daughter to bear the brunt of it all. The heartless old man turns them by force from their old home and without shelter. The young girl leads her mother to a secluded part and among some old ruins makes her as comfortable as possible. Setting off to gather some sticks to make a fire, she comes across a young man who lies injured. This young man, although unknown to her, is the son of the old money lender, who has been attacked by highwaymen. Calling the aid of her mother, the two women struggle with their unconscious burden to the shelter, where they attend to his injuries. He becomes enraptured with his young rescuer and confesses his love for her, and leaves them to fetch his father. The old man receives his son with joy and listens attentively to the narrative of his adventures, until he arrives to his love confession. The old man is prevailed upon to visit them, but judge the surprise of all when his identity is disclosed. The unhappy lady draws the young girl away, and, in spite of the young man's pleadings, he has to depart. Making another attempt to gain his lady love, he visits the two women. The mother's love for her daughter wipes all enmity aside, and she forgives the old man, who begs pardon at her feet.
- A discontented little girl scolds her dolly and goes to bed sulkily. During the night we see her dolly walk calmly into her bedroom, and taking the scissors out of a workbasket, stabs her little owner to death. When next we see poor dolly she is before the judge and sentenced to death. The little girl awakes to find that, to her great joy, her dolly is quite well and does not appear to be suffering from any consciousness of such unladylike schemes.