The Silent Plea

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Immediately after his admittance to the bar, John Aldrich tells Marie Carson the good news and confesses his love. She is obliged to tell her good friend that she does not love him and announces her engagement to Phil Carson. John, concealing his sorrow, goes abroad on business. Shortly after her marriage to Phil, the latter is killed by an automobile and Marie moves to the city to seek work. At first unsuccessful, she finally gets piece work to be taken home. The boss tries to make advances to her and when she repulses him, is discharged. Her long hours of work leave little time to look after her children, with the result that Audrey and Tom are gradually transformed into tough, incorrigible types of the street. Meanwhile, John Aldrich has returned, but learns that Marie has left no address. Things go from bad to worse with the little widow. Tom is caught playing craps and arrested. Unable to properly care for her children, they are taken away from her and placed in an orphanage. There they grow away from their mother's good influence, still more, and on their return, she is powerless to stem the tide which is sweeping them down the path of their weaknesses. The boy absconds with some money and is sent to prison. Rendered desperate, Marie determines to appeal to her old friend, John Aldrich. whom she has learned is now a State Senator. He is overjoyed to see her and her story serves as a great enlightenment to him, as he was preparing a speech in opposition to the Widowed Mother's Pension Bill. An audience with the Governor is secured which results in a pardon for the boy. Her sweet gratitude awakens John's love and taking Marie in his arms, he receives her consent to become his wife. The following day John makes an impassioned speech in the Senate in favor of the Widowed Mother's Pension Bill, representing the little ones as the wealth of the Nation, and his eloquence is largely responsible for the bill's successful passage.