The Heart of a Waif (1915)
Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Jenkins are a childless country couple who are fond of children and do not hesitate to evidence their fondness. Mrs. Jenkins is keen for adopting a child, but lack of confidence in his ability to rear the child properly and affect a paternal nature makes her husband a bit reluctant. Finally he acquiesces, and a child of nine years, Jane, is legally adopted. Hardly has Jane become a member of the family when she is put to work and soon her frail little body begins to cry out in protest. She attends the country church with her foster parents and hears the minister preach a sermon around the text, "Bless them that persecute you." Some days later, Mr. Jenkins has occasion to drive a couple of tramps off the place, and it is evident that the vagrants intend to seek revenge. Jane is sent to the store with some eggs while her foster-father goes to the bank to draw some money. Some boys collide with Jane as she is carefully carrying the eggs, and immediately they are scrambled eggs all over the walk. As Mr. Jenkins leaves the bank he is seen by the tramps, who apparently have a scheme for revenge. Jane is not contented in her new home, because she has to work so hard and all the sympathy she gets is from Tramps, her little kitten, who is her constant companion. When she is punished by her foster-father for breaking the eggs, Jane leaves home and wanders into the country, intending to return to the orphan asylum, where the work is not quite so hard. She is fatigued and lies down by the roadside to rest. As she sits down, she hears the two tramps on the other side of the fence planning to rob the Jenkins' home. At first she is glad, but the words of the minister flash across her mind. She hurries to the minister's home, arouses him and tells him of the scheme. He hurries tor help, and when the tramps enter the Jenkins' home, they are overpowered. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins then realize that their little charge has been overworked and decide to lessen the burden in the future. Jane is happy once more and holds on to her kitten with new strength. The next morning Jane is made ready for school, and work, so far as she is concerned, is forgotten.
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| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Charles M. Seay | Director |
| Richard Neill | Writer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Edith Peters | |
| John Sturgeon | |
| Mrs. William Bechtel | |
| William Chalfin |
