The Other Half (1912)

• 80%
• 1912
• Drama

A laborer, who lived with his family in a New York tenement, was in better financial condition than most of his associates. Misfortune came upon the man, however, and as the result of an accident, his arm was amputated. When he recovered and applied for his old position, he was turned down because he was physically unable to perform the work. Desperate and hopeless, he soon degenerated into a common drunken tramp, while his family were on the verge of actual starvation and his wife was very ill. Indiscriminate charity aided this man, but the coins were tossed to him went for drink, and his family did not benefit. Then he came under the attention of organized charity and matters soon assumed a better aspect. Investigations were made, which developed that he was weak, rather than worthless, and with proper encouragement might he expected to really reform. His sick wife and several of the children were taken to a country home, run by organized charity, where they speedily regained their health and strength. The man secured work he could perform, the wife and eldest daughter taught how to keep their home in order and in a short time the family was again on its feet.