His Mother's Hymn (1911)

• 79%
• 1911
• Alice Guy-Blaché

Paul Wellard is leaving home for the city. He goes to say good-bye to his mother and finds her at the organ singing her favorite hymn. For a while he prospers very well in the city, but finally gets in bad company, gambles, steals and loses his position. Unable to secure another position he becomes desperate and seeing the opportunity, he enters a house and is filling his pockets with valuable jewelry when he hears someone coming. He hides behind some drapery and sees a sweet-faced old lady seat herself at the organ and play his mother's favorite hymn, "Lead Kindly Light." His heart is touched, and he gives up the stolen articles, and tells the old lady of his downfall and of his mother. She forgives him, tells him to start new again, and shows him a photo of her own wandering boy. The old lady gives Paul money and helps him secure a position. A year later a burglar enters Paul's home. Paul hearing the noise, gets his revolver and catches the burglar in the act of taking money from his desk. The burglar attempts to knock the revolver from Paul's hand and a struggle takes place, during which a much-worn photo falls from the burglar's pocket. Paul's wife, hearing the noise, rushes into the room, gets the revolver and points it at the thief, while Paul picks up the photo and at once recognizes the face of his friend and benefactress. He tells the thief to take a chair and sits down by his side while he tells him of his dear old mother and how she is waiting for his return. The thief breaks down and promises to give up his wickedness. The next day there is a happy reunion of mother and son.