An Innocent Grafter (1912)

Jack Burton, whose father is dead, is the sole support of his mother. One day he meets a young man, who speaks to him of an abandoned oil well. They agree to sell stock in order to raise enough money to drill it. When sufficient capital has been raised, Burton's partner refuses to appropriate it to its intended purpose, but suggests that they keep the money for larger investments. Jack's mother and his sweetheart's father have been induced by his partner to invest all their money in the fraudulent well. The partner receives a letter from a friend, telling that he better skip as the Federal authorities are going to investigate the well. Hastily gathering up all the money, deeds, etc., he hurries to the depot, where he is caught by Jack who, after having visited the office, found his partner's note. There he surrenders the property of the concern to Jack, who later hangs out a sign to the effect that the stock will be redeemed. This quiets the enraged stockholders. In the meantime the government officials upon examining the well find it to be a veritable geyser. Jack has vindicated himself and is happy in the thought of being wealthy and of having a sweetheart of a good mother while his ex-partner is dodging the operatives of the law.

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Summary Details
GenresDrama Short