At His Expense (1914)
Joe Thorne is what is known to the world as a worthless, dissolute husband, but with all of his idleness and shiftlessness he has a kindly and liberal disposition. At the opening of the story we find him hopelessly broke, his home belongings nearly all sold, and his family of a wife and five children suffering from an almost utter lack of food. When he appears one day, a little the worse for liquor, her patience now taxed to the utmost limit, his wife declares that she will have nothing further to do with him, orders him from the house, and he wanders forth. But this time fortune turns, for he meets an old acquaintance named Goodfriend, who, true to his name, offers him a position in his office, to replace a clerk who has proved himself unworthy. Goodfriend tells him that his attire is not in condition to make himself presentable to the clients of the office, and consequently furnishes him with an order on a large department store, to "furnish Mr. Thorne with whatever he needs." Joe's needs being many, and his sense of humor keen, he orders from the store the many things needed, not only by himself, but his family, the total amounting to an almost even $500. So now we see the Thorne family in a house fully furnished and each member properly dressed. When Goodfriend receives his account from the department store, his anger is boundless, and, of course, poor Joe is fired. Afraid to go home and report his last misadventure, he wanders the streets, and finally decides to return to the office for a final effort at moving his friend to pity. But Goodfriend has gone to his club, and he finds the office in charge of the discharged clerk, who has a letter, apparently from Goodfriend, restoring him to his former position. Knowing the clerk's career in the office, he telephones for Goodfriend at his club, finds that the letter is a forgery, and while Goodfriend is on his way back to the city, sets himself to watch the office. Thinking himself alone, the clerk proceeds to rifle the desk, and enters the safe for the purpose of robbing that, when Joe appears from his place of hiding and shuts the safe door. On his return, Goodfriend, finding the culprit gone, says that he would give $500 in cash to get hold of him. Joe immediately produces the offender, is given the $500 in cash, repays Goodfriend for the bill at the department store, and is, of course, restored to his position.
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Domestic
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Worldwide
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GenresComedy
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Lloyd B. Carleton | Director |
| Siegmund Lubin | Producer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Edward Peil Sr. | |
| Arthur Matthews |
