The Baby's Shoes
Frank Fenton and wife are mourning the death of their first born. It preys so on the mind of the young father that he drinks to drown his sorrow, neglecting wife and home until she can endure it no longer and seeks relief in the divorce courts. A few years later she becomes the wife of William Brown. In the meantime, Frank Fenton goes from bad to worse and becomes a burglar. One night he enters Brown's house. In a little cabinet box he finds a tiny pair of baby's shoes with a card attached, and in his own handwriting, the name of his own infant, date of birth, and death. Braving all dangers of being arrested he writes to the lady of the house which he bad robbed, stating that if not molested he will return certain articles he bad stolen from the house. In due time comes a reply stating that the lady of the house will be pleased to receive him. In the meantime, she has sent to headquarters for a detective. The thief is ushered in. He recognizes the woman, but she does not recognize her former husband. He takes from under his coat the small cabinet and hands it to her. She opens it and takes out the tiny baby's shoes. Frank wipes his eyes with his coat sleeves, and turns as if to go. She talks to him, and asks him why he took these above all things. He replies, "only to bring back the saddest memory of my miserable life." She then recognizes her former husband. Frank looks at her, "Am I now free to go?" She nods yes. He holds out his hand and says, "Won't you take it for old-time's sake." She slowly looks up and extends her hand. He takes it and kisses it, holds it for moment, shows deep emotion, and lets it drop, and slowly starts for the door. She looks up, calls softly to him; he turns and she takes the pair of shoes, breaks the ribbon that holds them together, and extends one of the shoes to him.
- Released
- 1912
Details
Release year: 1912
Storyline
Frank Fenton and wife are mourning the death of their first born. It preys so on the mind of the young father that he drinks to drown his sorrow, neglecting wife and home until she can endure it no longer and seeks relief in the divorce courts. A few years later she becomes the wife of William Brown. In the meantime, Frank Fenton goes from bad to worse and becomes a burglar. One night he enters Brown's house. In a little cabinet box he finds a tiny pair of baby's shoes with a card attached, and in his own handwriting, the name of his own infant, date of birth, and death. Braving all dangers of being arrested he writes to the lady of the house which he bad robbed, stating that if not molested he will return certain articles he bad stolen from the house. In due time comes a reply stating that the lady of the house will be pleased to receive him. In the meantime, she has sent to headquarters for a detective. The thief is ushered in. He recognizes the woman, but she does not recognize her former husband. He takes from under his coat the small cabinet and hands it to her. She opens it and takes out the tiny baby's shoes. Frank wipes his eyes with his coat sleeves, and turns as if to go. She talks to him, and asks him why he took these above all things. He replies, "only to bring back the saddest memory of my miserable life." She then recognizes her former husband. Frank looks at her, "Am I now free to go?" She nods yes. He holds out his hand and says, "Won't you take it for old-time's sake." She slowly looks up and extends her hand. He takes it and kisses it, holds it for moment, shows deep emotion, and lets it drop, and slowly starts for the door. She looks up, calls softly to him; he turns and she takes the pair of shoes, breaks the ribbon that holds them together, and extends one of the shoes to him.