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Builders of Castles Synopsis

Morton, a respected businessman, is induced by Gittens to join him in a scheme to rob the poor by means of a fake building association, advertising that "a small investment will start a beautiful home. The poor may enjoy all the luxuries of the rich." Gittens manages so that when the crash comes Morton is held responsible for the investors' losses, while he himself reaps all the profits. Among the victims are Marie, engaged to marry a minister, and "The Servant of the Poor." Gittens covets Marie, and for a time, by falsely making it appear that her fiancé has married another, succeeds in his designs. Finally, however, the truth comes to light. Through the activities of Marie, now fully aware of his perfidy, Gittens is brought to justice. Morton, regenerated by his bitter experiences finds a way to make good the losses of the poor investors, and after Marie has been forgiven by the minister and installed as mistress of the little parsonage, "The Servant" once more sets out on the broad highway, to bring comfort to the weak and lowly.

The Courage of the Common Place Synopsis

John McLean fails to obtain the coveted honor of selection to the Senior Society at Yale, but is cheered by a letter from his father who reminds him that the courage of the commonplace is the greatest of all. Nevertheless, the girl he loves leaves without bidding him goodbye and John, not knowing that her grief over his failure was the cause, assumes that she has lost faith in him. Three years later, John graduates from Boston Tech and is appointed superintendent of the Big Oriel Mine. Conditions are deplorable at his post and John sets out to win the confidence of the men, which he succeeds in doing, winning all but a few miners led by the foreman O'Hara. When a fire breaks out in the mine, the two adversaries are trapped in a shaft. O'Hara loses his mind and attacks his comrades but is knocked senseless by John. Relief arrives just in time and John finds himself a hero, not only to O'Hara and his former foes, but to the world outside. At the Yale commencement, he is praised in a speech by the president, feted by his classmates, and his happiness is made complete when the girl confesses her love for him.