The Freshet (1911)

• 83%
• 1911
• Drama
• William Humphrey
• Ralph Ince
• Helen Gardner
• Matty Roubert

Tom Ennis, a stalwart, sturdy fellow, is apprenticed to John Matthews, the village blacksmith, whose daughter is a likable girl. Tom falls in love with her, but her father opposes him and Meg marries one who is her father's choice. Five years later, Meg, who is now a widow, brings her little son to see the forge, where his grandfather, now dead, worked. Tom, who purchased the blacksmith shop, is still a bachelor, slightly embittered. The presence of the young widow and her child act as a reminder of his life's disappointment. The part of the village in which this life portrayal takes place, is situated on the banks of a swift running stream. It is springtime and the freshet overflows the river and sweeps everything before it. The house in which Meg and her child live, is carried away. The child, clinging to a part of the building, is seen in the midst of the torrent. Tom rushes to the scene of the disaster and seeing the child imperiled, plunges into the waters and rescues it. He carries the little one to his shop, wraps it in his coat and holds it tenderly near the blazing forge. Meg, who escapes the flood, finds the child safe in the arms of the noble blacksmith. Meg is now homeless. Tom offers her the shelter of his home. This unselfishness on the part of Tom is too much for Meg. She acknowledges that she is unworthy of his kindness, but he assures her that it is all his pleasure. Both are drawn towards each other by expressions of love and the realization of their fondest dreams is consummated in marriage.