A Tale of the Backwoods's primary photo
  • A Tale of the Backwoods (1910)
  • Short | Short, Western
Primary photo for A Tale of the Backwoods
A Tale of the Backwoods (1910)
Short | Short, Western
Living near one of the numerous lumber mills, operated in the dense forests of the south, were two families, the Bergers and Chaneys. Old man Chaney, whose reputation for thrift was not of the best, had a wife whose slovenly habits and ...See moreLiving near one of the numerous lumber mills, operated in the dense forests of the south, were two families, the Bergers and Chaneys. Old man Chaney, whose reputation for thrift was not of the best, had a wife whose slovenly habits and unkempt appearance made her a fit companion for the indolent old backwoodsman. The Bergers were not as uncouth as their strange neighbors, consequently were held in higher esteem by the few acquaintances they had. They also had a daughter, whose name was Molly, a rather gentle and lovable little creature, who won the hearts of all who knew her, except the quarrelsome and revengeful Meg Chaney, who hated her because she had won the love of honest Pete Horner, a sturdy and thrifty young lumberman, who made a good living hauling logs and lumber for the mill company. Another character of special importance in our story is one "Humpy" Duncan, a half-wit. The story opens with the meeting of the Bergers and the Chaneys, while in the village to do some trading. Pete is there at the time and is talking to Meg when Molly comes on the scene and Meg is at once fired to bitter hatred for the rival, when she sees Peter's marked preference for the winsome little maiden. Meeting Peter later, on his way to the river (driving his ten head of oxen), she tries to regain the ground she has lost by her actions at their former meeting. Rushing away into the deep woods she throws herself sobbing on the ground, where for hours she gives way to grief and rage. Humpy hurries after Meg and finally overtakes her. Here he learns the cause of her attempt at murder, and in his poor crazed way begs to be allowed to do something for his beloved Meg. A wicked thought enters Meg's mind. Why not get this poor fool to make away with Molly. If found out the blame could be easily shifted on Humpy. Peter could finally be won over to care for her. Deceiving the demented wretch with the promise of bestowing her love on him should he succeed in carrying out her plans, she unfolds to him a plot by which Molly could be dragged away to an old deserted building in the forest, locked in and the shack fired. Then all traces of the crime could be obliterated. "I'll do it," cries the half-wit. "For a smile from your lips, I would kill all mankind." Then rushing away he waits until Molly has returned home, and falling her out and away from the house by a whistle which she thinks is a signal from her lover, he soon has her in his power and bears her away to the old shack which Meg intends shall be her funeral pyre. Now it happens that a negro, fishing on the bank of the river, catches sight of the struggling girl, and realizing her danger, hastens to Pete's home and apprises him of Molly's peril. In the meantime Humpy has brought Meg to the old shack and at her command sets fire to it. Then seeing that her victim is apparently beyond all earthly hope, she chuckles with fiendish glee and hastens away. The half-wit seizes Meg in his arms, and with the strength of a maniac, drags her back to the burning shack. "You lied to me; we will die together." He bursts open the door and throws the frantic, struggling Meg inside, then seizing the unconscious form of Molly he bears her through the stifling smoke into the pure air without. Then rushing back, he bars the door, and inside that burning cauldron, calmly awaits death to come to him and his partner in crime. Racing through the dense growth of the forest Pete hears the crackle of flames. Staggering up almost exhausted, he utters a cry of joy to see his little Molly safe and just recovering from the swoon she was in. Clasping her in his arms he is about to bear her away when he hears the screams of a woman coming from the burning building. Through the flames he dashes and bursting open the door is just in time to drag the half-dead Meg and the hunchback out of the jaws of death. Thus the fate so richly deserved by Molly's cruel rival is averted, and after a month of reflection and repentance she is forgiven by the kind-hearted Pete and his little sweetheart. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
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Producer
William Nicholas Selig
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Jan 10, 1910
Release date
Jan 10, 1910 (United States)

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