Tess of the Storm Country (1914 film)
FPF
Daniel Frohman
Presents
America's Foremost Film Actress
Mary Pickford
in the famous tale of a woman's heroism,
"Tess of the Storm Country"
by Grace Miller White.
PRODUCED
BY THE
FAMOUS PLAYERS
FILM CO.
ADOLPH ZUKOR
PRES.
Under the Personal Direction
of
Edwin S. Porter.
Miss Mary Pickford
as
Tessibel Skinner.
Deacon Graves' seashore home.
The squatter village as seen from Deacon Graves' home.
Graves instructs his attorney to dispossess the squatters.
"I know we aint married, Ben, but yer aint never kissed our baby since he cum."
The Squatter Lawyer informs them that according to the squatter law they cannot be evicted.
Frederick, the Deacon's son, a Theological student, home for his vacation.
DEFORREST YOUNG
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW
ITHACA N. Y.
Silas Jones Esq.
Counsellor at Law,
Ithaca, N. Y.
Dear Sir:-
I find that under the local law, the squatters cannot be evicted from their dwellings.
You will kindly acquaint your clients with the fact that personal animosity toward the squatters does not constitute legal authority for their eviction, and I shall work to every lawful measure to present this unjust act.
Yours very truly,
[...]
Failing in his attempt to evict the squatters, the Deacon succeeds in having a law passed prohibiting net fishing.
The gamekeepers put the new law into effect.
Deprived of their means of livelihood, Tess advises the squatters to poach.
Going poaching.
"Tess, do ye know ye'd be a dum pretty gal if ye'd keep clean!"
"Ye dirty brat!"
Care for the Dyin"--
This is all Tess knew of the hymn.
"If ye lives in the sky, Jesus, that cares for the dyin', take Daddy Skinner and Tessibel---- and Frederick!"
and God heard---
and cleanliness is next to Godliness!"
DEFORREST YOUNG
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW
ITHACA N. Y.
Will not return
for six weeks—
"Air the Bible sayin' anything about Daddy Skinner comin' home to his Tess?"
Dan Jordan, Frederick's classmate, arrives for a visit.
Confident of her father's acquittal, Tess cleans up the shanty.
The Court adjourns until the following day.
The Judge charges the jury.
"You are to hang by the neck until you are--dead!"
Sweet as a spring bird carrolling its love song, rose Tessibel's beautiful voice:-
Care for the Dyin'."
"The Jedge didn't know that Goddy promised that ye was to come home with Tessibel."
"I air Daddy's brat. He air to go with me, aint he, kind, good man?"
"I cribbed it from the mission."
"He wasn't worth a-hurtin' any more."
A few days later.
Fred and Dan's vacation at an end.
Teola loses the last opportunity to tell Dan of her terrible secret.
A few months have passed.
Dear Dan:
I have a wonderful, but terrible secret to tell you. I am so unhappy, Dan, so different from what I need to be. -When life was sweet, and I was glad to live - If I had only been a good girl-- I am so afraid.
Dead Sister-
I have sad news for you. There was a terrible fire at our fraternity house last night, and Dan Jordan died a hero, nobly sacrificing his life for one of our chums. Although father and mother are in Europe, I cannot return home until I have dimmed the memory of Dan's tragic death. I leave on a hunting trip today, and will write you soon.
Dear Rebecca:
I have sprained my ankle and cannot walk at present. Will remain in Tess Skinner's hut for a few days. Don't worry-
The next morning.
A few days later--Tess assures Teola she will care for the baby.
Tess takes an oath she will not divulge Teola's secret.
Tess has a close call.
Tess has two unwelcome visitors.
Returning from the hunt, Frederick cannot resist calling on Tess.
"Frederick, don't blame her too much. She's only a girl."
"Air it any of yer business if I wants to have a brat?"
Then the winter came and Tess made a gallant fight to keep the baby from starving.
"I has been beaten--now air I to have the milk?"
Ezra tells the lawyer who killed the gamekeeper.
"The brat air dyin' and the Bible says as how it has to be sprinkled before he can go to Heaven."
"I has brought ye a dyin' brat. Dominie, what has got to be sprinkled."
"Be ye agoin' to let him go to a place where God can't find him?"
"He is my baby!"
Dear Child:-
My daughter is dead—Frederick will tell you all. Will you come here and forgive all I have done against you and your father?
Frederick has told one of his love for you and your sacrifice for Teola. I can only say at present that we thank you.
"I air Daddy's brat------"
"But I air yer squatter."
THE END.
Passed by
the
National Board
of
Censorship.
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published in 1914, before the cutoff of January 1, 1929.
The longest-living author of this work died in 1941, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 82 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.
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