Dissatisfied with conditions at Bradford Mills, the workers protest in vain against the long hours and starvation wages. James Bradford, the autocratic owner, repeatedly refuses to meet their demands, and the natural consequences is a ...See moreDissatisfied with conditions at Bradford Mills, the workers protest in vain against the long hours and starvation wages. James Bradford, the autocratic owner, repeatedly refuses to meet their demands, and the natural consequences is a threatened strike. Bradford's son, Jack, finding home associations disagreeable since his father's second marriage, goes to the city, and the gay life of the cafés and restaurants finds in him, wealthy and alone, a constant and somewhat reckless supporter. The father of Madge Dale, his fiancée, threatens to break off their engagement, and this, coupled with his father's illness and Madge's attitude, moves Jack to return home. The strike is called. This, together with a bad heart attack, brought on by the accidental shooting of Jameson, one of the most violent workers, causes Mr. Bradford's death. This state of affairs greets Jack on his return; and now by his father's will, being the owner of the mills and the bulk of his father's money, he straightway opens the mills and endeavors to relieve the dire poverty caused by the strike. Jack's step-mother, who is practically ignored by the will, plans with her brother to ruin Jack and dominate the mills. Jack makes frequent rounds of the poverty-stricken section in his endeavor to better the workers' conditions, the sickness of Mrs. Jameson's little child calling him frequently to her house. In this, the step-mother sees an opportunity to strike at Jack through Jameson, counting on his jealousy, and she causes a false rumor concerning these visits to reach Jameson. She also shows an innocent letter from Mrs. Jameson to Jack so torn by her as to read like a love note. Jameson is fooled, and seeing Jack again with his wife, loses his head and attacks Jack. Fearing a fatal result from this act, Jameson forces his way into the step-mother's house, seeking aid and protection from her, but she, frightened at his wild appearance and in the endeavor to evade him, falls down the stairs. Jameson, half dazed with this latest catastrophe, and Jack's unexpected appearance, is apprehended. Jack thereupon learns of Jameson's motive for the attack and the stepmother, frightened and injured, admits the plot. Jameson returns to work at Jack's request, a stauncher and wiser worker. Jack receives full credit from Madge for keeping his promise to be a worker. Written by
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