The Mining Expert's Ordeal (1913)
Mr. Cary, the owner of a once-rich mine, is worried for the mine is running down. Gary loves his family, but has been an improvident man, having spent all he made, confident that the mine would never fail him. His son, Dick, divines the truth. Indeed, he and the assayer have been aware of the conditions for some time. Seeing his father despairing, he begs him to send for an old time friend of Dick's, an expert engineer. Mr. Gary agrees and John arrives to take charge of a very thorough examination. He is welcomed by the father and son and by Mrs. Gary and her daughter, Ellen. The serious young man soon falls in love with her. After two weeks of labor, John regretfully tells Mr. Gary that the ore is too low and that the expenses are far too high. He hates the job, for Cary is crushed at the news. John feels for the whole family and especially for Ellen. A telegram arrives telling Cary that his broker is bringing two capitalists from Boston to view the mine. They are buyers and price is no object. Gary puts the wire before John, who sympathizes with him. Gary loses his self-possession and begs John to make a good report. The young man refuses sadly, but he promises to keep silent, if possible, although he would rather go and be out of it. Dick overhears the conversation and his great love for his father and the others makes him reckless. He hurries to the Assay Office and alters the figures on the assay sheets. The capitalists arrive and view the mine and see the reports. They are well pleased and when night arrives they are ready to buy. The men are gathered around the table, being well entertained and the broker sums up the facts. When the assay figures are mentioned, John pricks up his ears. He quietly gets the sheets and goes out with them. He encounters Dick on the porch with his mother and Ellen. John accuses Dick, who breaks down. He says he did it for his family's sake. John is distressed, but looks at Ellen and she understands. He goes to the room and announces that a clerk has altered the figures and that the mine is not paying its way. The men are astonished and depart awkwardly, not understanding matters. The day before all this occurs, John has set two miners to work out his theory of the presence of the better values. The following morning he goes in to take a last view of the workings as Cary and Dick are paying off the men for the last time. The last shots have uncovered the values and John and the miners hurry out in time to recall the men and the assays prove the new life for the mine. As John departs the next morning, he makes a promise to return for Ellen.
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GenresShort
Western
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| David Horsley | Producer |
