Getting By (1916)

Father Ray becomes disgusted with his son, Jack, who makes love to the stenographer, Mabel, instead of working. He sends Jack to a farm in Oklahoma, to be a "do'er"' instead of a "wo'er." Finding the farm an arid piece of land, Jack grows resentful, sends for Mabel, and they are married. Short of funds, he writes home for more, and fleeces Dad for a deep well drill outfit to save his crops. To obtain more money he ships home several jars of fruit from his supposed orchard. Partaking of some, Dad contracts ptomaine poisoning, and visits Jack's farm to recuperate. Stalling with Dad around the farm, Jack unknowingly points out a hickory tree for a peach producer. Having never heard of such a tree, Dad grows suspicious, but Jack assures him it is being done by grafting. Dad investigates and learns that Mabel is Jack's wife and that the fresh fruit is canned fruit. Wrathful, he denounces and disowns them, cutting Jack off with nothing but his arid farm. The drill man arrives and tells Jack that they have found no trace of water but that the place is flooded with oil. Realizing Jack's sudden wealth and independence, Dad forgives.

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Summary Details
GenresComedy Short