The Prize Essay (1912)
Bright country girl Margaret Blake desires an education. Her parents are unable to provide for any higher training than that afforded by the schools in their town, but a rich aunt offers to send her to a fashionable boarding-school. Her countrified dress and appearance place her at a disadvantage in the seminary. The leader of the girls is handsome brunette Henrietta Worthington. Margaret, by her sweet disposition, soon becomes her rival. Henrietta is almost forsaken by her former followers. She becomes jealous, and seeks in every way to show her resentment. About the middle of the year a prize of fifty dollars is offered for the best essay. Henrietta sees a chance to regain her former prestige. That day Margaret receives a letter from home speaking of urgent need of money. She feels that she must win this prize in order to help her family. A sudden inspiration comes to her. She does not rest until, late at night, she has completed a rough draft of the essay. She falls asleep in her chair. A group of girls, among them Henrietta, come in to ask her to join them in a merry-making. They withdraw softly without disturbing her, but Henrietta has noticed the essay. A few moments later she returns, and stealthily removes the pages, carrying them to her room. She is delighted with the originality of the idea, and decides to use it as her own essay. As she nears the end, Margaret's letter drops from between the pages. She reads it and is touched with remorse. She hurries back to Margaret's room, hoping to replace the papers without being discovered. This she accomplishes, but as she is closing the door, she hears Margaret stir; she has time to make her escape, but her better nature prevails and she returns. She confesses, and a reconciliation takes place. Margaret's essay wins the prize, and she receives it among the congratulations of her school-mates. Henrietta, her former rival, is now her sincere friend and well-wisher. She takes the lead in showing attentions to Margaret's parents, who have come to witness their daughter's triumph.
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GenresDrama
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Siegmund Lubin | Producer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Ormi Hawley | |
| Nancy Gale | |
| Mary Smith |
