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Mother Love and the Law Synopsis
Desiring the best for his little daughter Marion, impoverished farmer George Leyden agrees to allow her to become the ward of Mrs. John Marshall, a wealthy woman who has taken an interest in the child. Exposed to all the privileges in life, Marion grows into a well educated, beautiful woman and a loyal companion to Mrs. Marshall, who is now an invalid. Marion falls in love with Jimmy Harwood, a wealthy young man, but when Mrs. Marshall's death leaves her husband bereft of companionship, Marion agrees to marry her benefactor. Heartbroken, Jimmy goes abroad where, joined by the formerly brilliant criminal lawyer George Straight, he enters a life of dissipation. Meanwhile, Marshall dies suddenly and his scheming relatives accuse Marion of murder. Pregnant, she goes away to another city where her baby is born. At the time of its birth, another baby is born in an adjoining hospital room, only to die of suffocation. Fearing that the birth of the child may rob them of Marshall's fortune, the relatives maintain that it was Marion's boy who died and that she had gained possession of the other child to assure her fortune. Learning of the situation, Jimmy returns, accompanied by Straight, and after many tribulations, Marion's integrity is established and she is granted her baby and her fortune.
The Little Yank Synopsis
Sallie is a beautiful Kentucky girl who belongs to a family of Union sympathizers. Her brother is a lieutenant in the Union army, and on a visit home brings Major Rushton, his superior officer, who falls in love with Sallie, "the little Yank." Lieutenant James Castleton encourages his sister to make hospital supplies for the wounded soldiers. While the two Union officers are at the Castleton home, the house is surrounded by Confederates, but Sallie utilizes a clover ruse in helping her brother and the Major to escape. She herself starts through the Confederate lines to carry her supplies to the wounded Unionists. She is assisted by Captain Johnny, a handsome young Confederate. Lieutenant Castleton is captured by the Confederates after a battle in which he has been injured, and Sallie goes to the enemy's camp to nurse him. While there she falls in love with Captain Johnny. Meanwhile Major Rushton has become a spy, following the Confederates as a sutler. He learns of the attraction between Sallie and Captain Johnny, and decides to break it up. He returns to the Union lines and sends Captain Johnny a note, presumably from Sallie, asking him to meet her at a trysting place. Johnny is captured, evidence is "planted" on him, and he is condemned to death. Sallie learns of the perilous situation, and. going to Rushton's headquarters, flirts with him, so that attention is diverted from her Confederate lover, and he is enabled to escape. Shortly after hostilities cease and a long lifetime of happiness dawns for Sallie and Captain Johnny.
"Mother Love and the Law" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Little Yank" offers its own unique cult appeal.
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Mother Love and the Law