The Rancher's Failing (1913)
George Graham, a well-to-do ranchman, has many good qualities, but one weakness, drunkenness. Jonas Meade, his foreman, a thrifty, stalwart man, is in love with his daughter Holly, but he learns, to his chagrin, that she is engaged to a city man, one Victor Wylie. It is gleaned, however, that Wylie is simply after her money, and prefers to get it without marrying her, if possible. This scheming individual visits the ranch and connives with a pair of desperadoes to get Graham drunk, and then make a will signing away all his money to him. Considering Graham's weakness, this is not a great feat of strength, and afterwards the conspirators carry him out into the desert and leave him to perish. They then realize that he must be dead, and proved dead, before the will they have so boldly secured, will be of any value. In the interim, the sharp-eared Jonas learns of the conspiracy, and with the assistance of an Indian, trails Graham out into the desert, and then to the home of a sheep-herder, who found him and saved him from death. They find an Indian skeleton recently unearthed by spring rains, which they place in the desert, where the conspirators are likely to hunt for it, together with portions of Graham's clothing. They then scatter fresh meat about, to attract the wolves. After this scheme is in train, they conduct Graham back to town and sequester him in his lawyer's office. The conspirators are anxious to put their claim in proof, and they go out into the desert and secure what they consider absolute evidence, but when they come to town with their little old bogus will, and what they believe are the remains of Graham, they are confronted by that worthy himself. Thereupon he swears to forego drink forever, and Holly happily realizes that Jonas is a real man, and that Wylie was only a commonplace villain.
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| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Fred Huntley | Director |
| William Nicholas Selig | Producer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Hobart Bosworth | |
| Al W. Filson | |
| Camille Astor | |
| Herbert Rawlinson |
