Master and Pupil

The favorite pupil of an artist becomes incensed at his master's criticism of his work, and breaking away from him and from his daughter, to whom he is engaged, starts out to make a living for himself by means of his art. The little girl grieves for him, his work is refused by publishers and eventually an attic room and a crust of bread are all that keep him alive. Then an opportunity comes to make original drawings for a fine edition of Dickens' works, but his inexperience and illness overcome him and when his master, who cannot bear to see the little daughter grieve, climbs the garret stairs he finds the young man in a stupor upon the bed from exhaustion and the crude sketches upon the table. Out of the goodness of his heart the master toils through the long night, completes the work and leaves upon the table a set of original drawings which are perfect. And when in the morning the publisher's clerk comes, though he finds the young artist ill in bed, he finds the sketches done and takes them with him to the publisher. The young man not understanding why his work has been accepted, manages to crawl to the table and there finds a telltale cigar which his master had left by accident. In spite of his weakness, he stumbles down the stairs and to the publisher's office. There all his suspicions are verified; he sees his master's work. He runs to the studio of the old man, throws himself upon his knees before him, asking forgiveness. Of course forgiveness is forthcoming and of course the little daughter is glad to have him again. Beside the story and the splendid acting the film gives an opportunity for Mr. Furniss to do some of his remarkable drawings before the eyes of the spectator and a number of his splendid pen pictures of Dickens' famous characters are shown in this way.