Selig Polyscope Company

An early version of the classic, based more on the 1902 stage musical than on the original novel.

A silent American short drama

Jan, the hunter, is in love with Marie, a French-Canadian girl. The same charmer has captivated Otto, the driver of the Wilderness Mail, a vengeful and selfish individual. Mane has a half-sister, Joan, a decided contrast to her, a sweet lovable girl not ordinarily bold or aggressive, but when aroused firm to a finish.

The poetic and sentimental theme of the old Southland song is the moving crux investing an interesting story of love and comedy daring the reconstruction period, south of Mason and Dixon's Line.

Jan Kruga and his daughter Meta live on a farm in the Transvaal. The nearest neighbor, Sir John Morgan, lives 20 miles away, and it is only on rare intervals that she ever goes even that far away from her isolated home. Toddles, a work elephant on her father's farm, is her only pet and in the first part of our story we see her befriend him from a cruel keeper. Hans, a neighboring Boer farmer calls and asks for Meta's hand in marriage. The girl is ordered by her father to accept Hans' attentions. She has been taught to obey and when Hans gives her a love offering, a huge necklace of beads, she meekly offers her cheek for the betrothal kiss. Sir John's nephew, Hirshal, comes for a visit from England and Sir John brings him for a friendly call on the Krugas. Meta's heart awakens at the sight of the handsome, young Englishman, and she returns Hans's necklace. The father, however, orders her to marry Hans, or never darken his door again.

Pa is becoming increasingly crotchety, and has been crabby with Tom and with everyone else on the ranch. Then he gets a letter telling him that a young woman artist is coming to the ranch to sketch some of the scenery. The ranch hands are surprised and amused by the way that Pa's disposition improves as a result. But soon Pa and Tom are involved in a rivalry for the young woman's attention.

Mildred Manning is the spoiled daughter of wealthy parents. She has a host of admirers, but does not permit them to become serious. Jimmie Blake, who frequents the household more than anybody else, is a rattle-brained young chap who fancies that he is in love with Mildred and insists that he wants her to marry him. Mildred jokes him and refuses to take him seriously.

Earliest known example of African American intimacy on screen.

Jim Allen accidentally finds a valise full of burglars' tools. At the same time he discovers that he has fallen heir to a $10,000 legacy. In order to secure the legacy he must be in a distant city on the following day. Being hard up, he decides to borrow the necessary carfare from his double, an unscrupulous broker named Harrington.

Willie Clever, city born and bred, having been spoiled with plenty of money, thinks he knows it all, or nearly all. His father buys a ranch in Arizona and sends Willie out to run the business. He comes with "all the fixin's," and has not been on the place an hour before he tries to run, or reform the outfit. The cowboys decide he needs some experience.

A pair of precious loafers in a mining town learn from one of their "kidney" that Dick Mackey's partner, Bill Bryson, has died and that his gold dust is cached in Dick's cabin. They get sober and conclude to rob Mackey, but find that he is too quick on "the draw," and give it up.

After Kathlyn's seemingly marvelous escape from the Temple of the Lion, where she almost became a victim of fanatical men, not to remark the hungry and marauding lion, she is still followed by the wild beasts that rove in that vicinity in search of prey.

John Grant, capitalist, is devoted to his wife, but is obliged to curtail her weekly allowance because of her fondness for cards. Robert Baker, a wealthy bachelor, is a great admirer of Mrs. Grant and calls frequently. Finding that her allowance is not enough for her losses at cards, Mrs. Grant, incited by society friends, deceives her husband in the hope of gaining more pocket money. Mrs. Grant loses a hundred dollars at cards, and she gives her I.O.U. to Mrs. Condon, the hostess.

Nadia, a stenographer, must give her meager earnings to her drunken father. When he shoots his wife's lover, Nadia decides to move in with her flashy girl friend Mabel, who soon introduces her to the fast life.

Professor Duane, an ethnologist, and his assistant, Roscoe Harding, plan a journey into the wilds of Hindustan. Harding is in love with Lydia, the daughter of Professor Duane, and they are engaged to be married. Lieutenant Tavish, a British army officer, is attracted to Lydia and plans to take her away from Harding by fair means or foul.

Paro, a half-breed Indian, overcome with liquor, encounters Grace, the pretty daughter of James Lathrop, a mine owner. She is sorry for his condition and gives him a cross of black jet. Dick Graham is a ne'er-do-well, who has been sheep raising in the low lands and lost his fortune.

A sorrowing mother, bereft of her infant, visits a foundling asylum and adopts a baby girl. The young window lavishes her love and care on the adopted infant and her environment is the finest. Father Time present the baby with an hour glass containing "The Sands of Time" which are all in the upper part of the glass.

Blasé Jim Alridge, weary of city life, coming to his apartment, finds an invitation from an old chum, Dick Freeman, to come and visit him at his lodge in the wilds. A week later the two are reviewing the days of long ago before the fire log. While hunting a short time after, Jim meets Marion, a girl of the forest, and is fascinated by her strange type of femininity. He teaches her to read and write, and without considering the difference in their tastes and social standing asks her to marry him.

Jack Sterling from up York State marries the daughter of old Squire Merton, takes her back to the big city and later becomes affluent in business, but is not as attentive to his wife as he should be. Easily won wealth seems to lead him from home rather than attach him to it.

Aged Jonathan Wise is head curator of the Department of Anthropology in the great museum at X. - He has a considerable fortune saved in the bank, and when Director Henshaw, head of the institution, jokingly shows him an advertisement of a brokerage firm which claims to make investors wealthy, the aged Curator shakes his head and replies, that if he were young again he would venture his savings in such an enterprise.