The Pay Car (1909)
The opening scene gives us a view of the main yards of a large trans-continental railroad system located on the outskirts of one of our largest cities, the outlines of whose towering skyscrapers can be soon dimly silhouetted against the horizon. Up and down the labyrinth of tracks, trains are constantly passing. Here comes the Overland Flyer, the fastest train on the entire system. Engineer Byrnes, one of the characters of our picture, starts to cross the tracks on his way to report for his run. He sees the approaching flyer and stops to wait for it. As it passes he waves his hand to his fellow engineer in the cab. Passing on through the yard, with its hundreds of waiting engines, some standing idle, others apparently moving up and down in aimless fashion, but all intricate parts of that complex system of runs that makes a railroad time-table almost as reliable as a watch, Engineer Byrnes arrives at the timekeeper's little shanty. He signs the hook and now he is ready for the return trip that will carry him back to his waiting family at the other end of his run. At the roundhouse, Byrnes' engine stands ready for him. He has finished a thorough examination and knows that everything is fit for the run. He looks at his watch. Time to start for the train-shed. But where can his fireman be? Ah! Here he is at last, but in no condition to make the run. Byrnes remonstrates with him for coming so late, and the drunken fireman aims a blow at him, but Byrnes knocks him down. The fireman seizes a club and is about to strike Byrnes when the superintendent, who has heard the noise, comes running up. He demands the cause of the trouble. The fireman tells the superintendent that Byrnes attacked him and knocked him down. The superintendent notices his condition and accuses him of being drunk. This the fireman denies, but the superintendent draws the bottle of liquor from the fireman's pocket and orders him from the yards. The fireman goes, vowing vengeance against Byrnes. But who is to fire the engine for the run? The superintendent calls an ambitious young engine wiper from the shop and asks Byrnes if he will be satisfied with him for a fireman. Byrnes assents and the boy is ordered to the cab. Now Byrnes mounts to his place and the engine moves slowly out of the yards. It is now a week later. The discharged fireman, by the aid of friendly trainmen, has traveled back along the railroad until he is approaching the other end of his former run. Across the track comes a railroad call-boy on his way to summon some railroad man to work. The half-drunken fireman greets him roughly. The boy is reluctant to stop, for he knows his call is special and urgent. The fireman, catching sight of the order sheet protruding from the boy's pocket, seizes it, and, holding off the protesting boy, reads it. As he does so, a cunning light comes into his eyes. He returns it to the boy and tells him to hurry on. So Byrnes, the man that caused his discharge, is going to take out the pay car. Here is a chance for both revenge and much-needed money. Back along the tracks, towards a small branch line that the pay car will visit, he hurries. Byrnes' Home. Sickness has laid a heavy hand upon the little family; the only child, a beautiful little boy of two years, is dangerously ill with fever. Worn out with a night of watching, the tired mother has brought the baby out into the yard in the hope that the fresh morning air may help allay the fever which is burning up its precious life. Here comes the doctor. He feels the little one's pulse, then shakes his head. Perhaps a change of medicine may help. He draws out his pad and writes the prescription. Calling Byrnes to one side, he tells him the crisis of the fever is coming and cautions him to in some way induce the wife to take a rest or she will find herself broken down at the very time the child will need her the most. The doctor leaves, and Byrnes, going back to his wife, kneels beside her to comfort her. The call-boy arrives with the order for Byrnes to take out the pay car special. Byrnes reads it and drops his head in sorrow, for duty calls him at the time when his wife and child's need for him is greatest. Out from the doctor's office, where she has been to secure medicine for her sick baby, comes the engineer's wife. She is hurrying home when she sees the gang just as they finish the cutting of the wires and dash off. Fearful lest some new danger threatens her husband, she starts bravely to follow them. Now we see the pay car train rushing along, carrying the welcome monthly wages to the employees along the line. Up on the engineer's seat sits Byrnes, faithful to his duty, but with his sad thoughts back at the home where his baby lies ill. At a small station near the end of the branch the station men are awaiting the arrival of the pay ear. Ah, here she is. She stops and the pay clerk hurries out and calls to the men to come and, take their envelopes. Up the rear steps they go into the car. Soon out they file, each busy counting his wages. Now the last one has passed down. The conductor waves his hand to Engineer Byrnes and the pay train pulls slowly out and away to the unsuspected danger that awaits it in the lonely cut near the main line. Down the steep side of the lonely cut where he has planned the wrecking, comes the fireman, followed by the yeggmen. Quickly he tells them of his plan. Three of the wooden ties lying near are carried on the track, and under the skillful direction of the fireman are being placed in such a position as to lock securely into a firm pile. Back at the top of the bank appears the brave wife. Stealthily she creeps up on the gang, busy with the ties, and secures the revolver of one of the yeggmen. The gang turn only to find themselves gazing into the muzzle of the revolver. Holding them at bay, she waves her red shawl in warning to the fast approaching pay train. But only for a second. A quick exclamation by the leader draws her attention to the rear, and before she can turn they are upon her. She is quickly overpowered and carried away by the gang. Back on the approaching train the engineer and the fireman have seen the warning and the attack upon their brave savior. Up comes the train almost on top of the pile of ties that was to have wrecked it. Engineer Byrnes and the trainmen rush forward. Picking up the shawl, Byrnes realizes it was his own brave wife that saved them from destruction. Almost crazed at the thought of her being in the hands of that gang, he seizes the gun of one of the guards and starts in pursuit, followed by the trainmen. Now the pursuers are gaining. The gang realize they will not be able to reach the swamp and have decided to take shelter in an old pump station near the railroad. Up they rush. Quickly the door is opened and the senseless woman carried in. One of the gang is hit and falls. Now the remainder have reached the shelter. Up come the pursuers. A fierce battle is raging. One of the train guards falls. Engineer Byrnes, determined to rescue his wife at any cost, forces open the door of the pump station and starts in. Out staggers the fireman, mortally wounded, and falls lifeless. Byrnes carries out his wife. The remainder of the gang, knowing their leader dead, throw up their hands and surrender. Engineer Byrnes, seeing his wife is reviving, takes her in his arms and tells her the danger is over, and as a result of her bravery the pay car is safe and now they can return to the little one waiting for them at home.
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GenresDrama
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Sidney Olcott | Director |
