| Plot Summary |
Captain Porter, a veteran of the G.A.R., is gathering flowers for Decoration Day. He is accompanied by his daughter, Bessie, and her fiancé, Tom, a custom that has been hallowed by tender memories ever since her babyhood. The scene shifts to the next recurrence of the anniversary. Bessie, in the interim, has eloped, while under the malign influence of a quick infatuation. She is too ashamed and too proud to write a word of explanation to the captain and Tom, in their grief and loneliness. The poor, lonely old soldier tries hard to forget, but his grief is too poignant. Ho cannot even gather flowers again. His sole comfort is considerate Tom, who continues as his faithful friend. Five years passed. Life has been growing harder for Bessie, although she has been deserted by her worthless husband. One day she happens to see a motion picture called "Memorial Day In a Country Town." On the screen before her, she sees again her old home, the town poet, her brave, faithful, first sweetheart Tom, and then her dear old father, too feeble to keep step with the other soldiers, staggering in his weakness and falling from the ranks. This wordless message from the past, breaks her selfish pride and sends her back to the old home in meekness and happiness. There, in the old garden, she finds once more love and happiness, after the flight of years.
Written by Moving Picture World synopsis
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