Mario’s Swan Song (1910)

• 75%
• 1910
• Drama

Little Mario, the child musician, lives with his old father in impoverished circumstances. The father is very feeble and able to do but little work. Mario is obliged to play his violin on the streets to earn what money he can. One day his father is confined to the home by sickness, and while he is sleeping Mario goes out to play his instrument to secure money for his needs. Going through a park, he sees a gentleman with his little daughter sitting on a bench. Mario approaches them and plays his violin, while a great crowd gathers. Their attention is attracted to him and his playing. She induces her father to give the boy a little appreciation. With grateful courtesy he hastens away to secure a supply of eatables to carry home to his daddy. A crowd of urchins follows him and robs him of his purchases, and one of them runs off with Mario's violin. The poor boy pursues the violin thief and falls in front of an automobile which runs over him. The gentleman with the little girl sees the accident, and he and his little girl go to Mario's assistance. Placing the child in the automobile he is taken to the hospital, then the gentleman finds the little fellow's father and escorts the old gentleman to his boy. Arriving at the hospital they do not know that the little fellow has been fatally hurt. He is playing "The Swan Song" on his violin as the father enters, kneels before the boy, and bows his head in grief. The boy strokes the old gray head and smilingly passes to the land of sweeter harmony and eternal peace.