One Flag at Last (1911)

Judge Stark is a most thorough representative of the straight-backed, straight-laced, strongly prejudiced Southern gentleman. The scene opens when he and his daughter, Bettie, are bidding the judge's son, Capt. Stark, good-bye as he starts for the front; all are evidently animated by but one thought, that of the certain defeat of their opponents. It is a sad blow to the Judge when he receives a newspaper relating the capture and imprisonment of his son; his Southern temper is displayed with marvelous vigor; his pride has received a serious setback, and although he would fain annihilate everyone himself, so great is his blending of pride, anger and defiance, circumstances compel him to accept the humiliation and bow to the inevitable. Soon after this, Bettie is walking through a neighboring glen when she finds a Union soldier lying wounded upon the rocks. As he appeals to her for help she is glad to have an opportunity to show her Southern antipathy and scorn him. Human impulses, however, are stronger than strivings, and she decides to help him. By her aid he is able to crawl into a nearby cave where he will be safe from capture and where Bettie has now determined to nourish him. Taking old "Mose," the colored man, into her confidence, she sends him with bedding while she procures food, and together they make Capt. Meyers comfortable. It being announced in the papers that General Sherman is to pass that way with troops, Meyers writes a note to the general telling of his whereabouts. This note old "Mose" is afraid to deliver. On his knees he begs Bettie to relieve him of what to him is such a hard and dangerous task. Indignant at his weakness, Bettie delivers the note herself and is given a company of soldiers, whom she leads to the cave, from where Capt. Meyers is safely carried away. In saying good-bye to Bettie, he promises to see what he can do for her brother, and she gives him her locket as a token. Arriving at headquarters, Capt. Meyers interviews President Lincoln in behalf of Capt. Stark. Succeeding in obtaining the pardon, which he takes to Capt. Stark in his cell, who is naturally surprised. Capt. Meyers having related his experiences to Capt. Stark and shown him his sister's locket, a warm friendship springs up between them, resulting in Stark inviting Meyers to his Southern home. Judge Stark's old prejudice causes him to offer but a cool reception. The pleadings of his son and daughter, however, prevail and in addition to relenting he accepts Meyers as a son-in-law, whole old "Mose" holds aloft the Flag of the Union; thus are they united under one flag. It is a well told story, perfectly enacted and creditable to all.

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Summary Details
GenresDrama Short
CastRole
Earle Williams
Rose Tapley
Charles Herman
Hal Wilson