The Loan Shark (1912)

Richard Montague and his pretty wife are very happy in their little home. Montague is a collector for a business concern and, one day, accidentally loses $150 of the firm's money. Realizing he must replace the money at once or probably lose his position, Montague reads a "loan shark" ad in the paper, goes to the "shark's" office and secures the necessary money by signing a promissory note and agreeing to pay the exorbitant rate of 20 per cent interest on the principal. Months go by and Montague has already paid the principal back in interest, but still is compelled to go on paying interest because of the note he has signed. His wife, however, finally questions him and he confesses to her his trouble. Realizing the clutches of the "loan shark" must be thrown off or their home wrecked, the wife goes to the "shark's" office and, through a clever trick, obtains a large package of notes from the desk, springs to the fire and threatens to burn them all unless the "shark" cancels her husband's note and mails it before her eyes. Seeing he is trapped, and realizing he must give up one victim in order to keep the other notes, the "shark" obeys her command, then rages as she smiles sweetly on him and leaves. That evening Montague learns what his brave little wife has done, takes her in his arms joyfully and happiness once more reigns in the home.

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Summary Details
GenresDrama Short