The Heart of John Grimm

A settlement worker visits a tenement home and discovers a motherless child of six. The case is reported to the Tribune Fresh Air Fund and the little girl, with a number of others, is taken into the country. It happens that the party passes the home of Anna Grimm, a farmer's wife, who is attracted by the child. As the little one places its arms about Anna's neck, the good woman who has recently lost her only child, longs to keep the girl but knows that her stern husband will not approve. Through some misunderstanding no home is provided for the child and it is brought back to Grimm's house, where a plea is made to adopt the homeless one. The farmer is out in the fields and Anna agrees to take the child. Anna, fearing John Grimm's temper, hides the little girl in the attic and keeps her presence in the house a secret. Several times Grimm suspects that something unusual is taking place, but each time his suspicions are disarmed. One day Grimm is sunstruck as he works in the field. The little orphan who has been sent by Anna to gather berries, discovers Grimm's plight. She bathes his head with water until he regains consciousness. As they walk home together, Anna sees them approaching and awaits with fear and trembling her husband's instructions to send the child away. Grimm tells of the timely assistance of the little waif but declares, nevertheless, that they have no room for a child. At this point the orphan kneels down and prays that she may find a home where she may be welcome. The heart of Grimm is touched and he takes the little one to his arms.