Jim's Vindication (1914)

When Jim Black was "sent up" for two years, he left his wife and mother in destitute circumstances. To support them both, Mary, his wife, was obliged to find employment. She at length obtained a position as nursery governess in the home of Frederick Van Alten. Van Alten was a widower with one little girl. He admired Mary from the moment he first saw her. Mary did not tell him she was married, and as a consequence Van Alten began to consider the possibility of changing his lonely condition. Then Jim was released, and came home. His greeting was no more cordial than he had feared, for Mary had suffered keenly, and the kindly attention of Van Alten had opened an entirely new vista on her prematurely saddened life. So poor Jim broken-hearted at the change, went out and sadly walked the streets. While he was walking, a man suddenly ran around the corner, thrust a wallet into Jim's hand's and disappeared down an alley. Jim, realizing the hopelessness of his situation if the wallet were found in his possession, hastily concealed it and fled. As soon as he dared, he looked in the wallet, and discovered that it belonged to Mr. Van Alten. Jim, fired with the purpose of leading an honest life, instantly took the wallet to Mr. Van Alten. Van Alten looked through it and discovered that everything was intact with the exception of a valuable diamond he had intended to have made into a ring for Mary. Detaining Jim, he telephoned for detectives and then demanded the return of the diamond under penalty of instant arrest. Just at that moment, Jim discovered the picture of his wife on the millionaire's desk. His protestations of innocence were changed into angry denunciation and Van Alten ordered the detectives to arrest him. A little later, Van Alten discovered his small daughter playing with the missing diamond. Mary confessed that Jim was her husband, and Van Alten, after a momentary struggle with himself, determined on the steps which were finally to bring happiness and prosperity to Mary and Jim.

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Summary Details
GenresDrama Short