The Renunciation (1913)
Jack Bums, who has left city life to establish a position and home in Slate Bock, Cal., a mining town, where he can eventually bring Clara as his bride, is elected sheriff of the town. He receives a letter from her telling him that, because of his fondness for gambling and drinking, her father has cast off her brother, Fred, and that she is sending Fred out to Slate Rock. She asks Jack to make a man of Fred, for her sake, and to keep him from gambling. Fred is not pleased with his poor surroundings, and finds time banging heavy on his hands, as he has no inclination to work. While Jack is attending to his duties, Fred goes to the saloon and makes the acquaintance of its frequenters. There he imbibes freely and joins in a game, losing heavily. Jack, returning to the cabin after his day's work, becomes worried at Fred's continued absence, and starts out in search of him. He finds him in the saloon. Jack reprimands him and takes Fred back to the cabin. The next morning, while at breakfast, Jack is called away to quell a fight among some prospectors. Left alone Fred becomes restless and seeks diversion in a ride. He rides along the riverbed where some of the prospectors are panning for gold. One of them has succeeded in obtaining a sack full of fine specimens, which Fred comes upon while the man has gone to the next claim to borrow some tobacco. Temptation proves too strong for Fred, and he takes the sack of nuggets. The prospectors see him in the act, and fire after him, but Fred manages to make his escape. Jack comes upon the scene and the prospectors tell him of the theft, not knowing the identity of the man. Jack gives chase and sees the culprit running into a tunnel to hide. Jack follows, and in the struggle which ensues, the timbers in the tunnel give way. Fred is knocked unconscious, but Jack, groping around by the light of matches, manages to dig a hole large enough to crawl through. He drags the culprit with him through the opening, and upon reaching daylight, is horrified to recognize Fred as the guilty man. When Fred regains consciousness, he protests his innocence, but a search of his person reveals the stolen nuggets. Jack recognizes his duty and performs it, knowing it means the renunciation of his love. He puts Fred in jail, and then going to his cabin, with his heart full of grief, he takes the photographs of Clara and burns them, together with all his hopes of happiness.
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Domestic
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Worldwide
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GenresDrama
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| David Horsley | Producer |
