The Peasant Prince - Production & Contact Info

The Peasant Prince (1909)
Short | Short, Drama

The Peasant Prince (1909)

Short | Short, Drama

Years ago, in Southern France, when knighthood was yet in flower, back in those days when men settled their differences with their swords, there lived a poor peasant family, Deuval by name. Like many of the poorer peasants of the day, the ...See moreYears ago, in Southern France, when knighthood was yet in flower, back in those days when men settled their differences with their swords, there lived a poor peasant family, Deuval by name. Like many of the poorer peasants of the day, the father was employed by a wealthy land owner as gardener, or caretaker of these vast estates. Not only was M. Deupont blessed with wealth and title, but he was the father of two beautiful daughters. Pauline and Beatrice. Pauline was a sweet girl of eighteen, whose nature was like the flowers among which she was raised. With golden hair and dark eyes, her lips were as though molded after Cupid's bow, and as red as a cherry. Many were the young men who sought to win her hand, but to no avail. Pauline was yet to find the one she loved and in whose keeping she must place her future life. She was indeed nature's child, and possessed of that magnetism none could resist. Beatrice, her sister, was just the reverse. She had dark hair and eyes and was fair of face, but failed to possess the charm which would make her attractive to those with whom she came in contact. One could easily see she was jealous of her sister. On adjoining estates to that of M. Deupont lived two young knights, who each in turn had tried hard to win the hand of Pauline, but each, as his turn came, had failed. Glaris, the less conceited of the two, had at last turned his attention toward Beatrice, while Beausant was as persistent as ever, and flattered himself that he would yet claim the heart of the beautiful Pauline. In one corner of M. Deupont's estate stood a vine-clad little cottage overlooking a wooded ravine where flowers of many species grew in abundance. Here lived the gardener, Deuval, and his family, father, mother and two children. Claude, a young man nearing his twenty-first birthday, and his sister, Eileen, a young girl of sixteen. Claude, a nice looking chap, with blue eyes and long curly hair, had from boyhood spent his time with brush and easel until he was a master hand. Although an unknown artist, many were his paintings that found their way into the salons of the wealthy. Claude meets Pauline and falls in love with her. Beausant, having again been rejected by Pauline, swears revenge, and having heard of Claude's love for Pauline is not long in arranging his plans. He and Glaris arrange a meeting at the latter's home, and there Beausant writes a note requesting Claude to call immediately, as he, Beausant, has very important news for him. A messenger is at once dispatched to Claude's home with the message. Arriving at Glaris' home he is told of their plans. Claude is to disguise himself as a prince, and as such Beausant and Glaris will introduce him into the home of Pauline's father. Claude at first refuses, but when he is reminded that he will be near the woman he loves he eagerly agrees. Beausant selects a beautiful costume, and Claude is soon transformed from a poor peasant into a handsome prince. They now proceed arm in arm to the home of M. Deupont, where Claude is to be introduced as Prince Rudolph, son of a royal family. When M. Deupont receives the card announcing the arrival of the prince he is overjoyed at the honor thus bestowed upon his family, and at once extends invitations to his friends. They have all assembled when the prince arrives. After acknowledging the introduction Claude offers Pauline his arm and they lead the way to the banquet hall. Beausant is so far delighted with the success of his plan, but he never ceases to watch Claude and Pauline. At the first opportunity Claude tells Pauline that he loves her. She listens until he has finished, and then with blushing cheeks she tells him that his love is returned. Beausant, who has been an unobserved witness, is almost crazed with jealousy and swears to get even with Claude. After Claude has heard Pauline repeat that she loves him, he at once seeks Beausant and asks him to release him from his promise. But Beausant sneeringly refuses, and laughs when Claude pleads with him. Claude, realizing that it is useless to plead longer, walks up to Beausant, and with ungloved hand slaps him in the face. Both men draw swords, and a duel is immediately in progress. Claude, though only a poor peasant, is the master swordsman of the two, and soon disarms Beausant. Picking up the latter's sword he hands it back to him, and is about to depart when he is stayed by a light touch on his arm. Turning, he beholds Pauline at his side. She has been a witness to the duel and his splendid swordsmanship. With trembling lips she asks Claude the cause of the duel, and as he gently leads her away he tells her it was a misunderstanding and tries to reassure her the best he can. Beausant, burning with jealousy and hatred for Claude, seeks Claude's father and tells him that Claude is on the grounds and wishes to see him at once. Fearing that some harm has befallen his only boy, the old man follows Beausant to where the prince and Pauline are strolling, and there Beausant points to Claude, saying, "There is your son, an impostor." The old man does not recognize Claude at first, but when they are face to face the gardener sees it is his boy. Pauline tries to convince them that there is a mistake, but Claude, who can bear it no longer, tells Pauline that it is true. That he is not Prince Rudolph, but Deuval, the gardener's sun. During the excitement M. Deupont and the ladies have come upon the scene and have witnessed it all. Pleading with Pauline for forgiveness Claude is led away by his father. When he arrives home he is almost frantic with grief, and tells his mother how, in his eagerness to be near Pauline, he has lost his only chance of gaining her love. Unable to see him suffer, his mother, unknown to Claude, goes to Pauline and tells her all. Pauline, who is true blue, says she will go to Claude at once, which she does. She finds him at his easel, and there on the canvas is a likeness of herself. Claude studies the face on the canvas, and is about to proceed with his work when he hears a slight noise behind him. Turning, he beholds Pauline, the girl he loves. It is not long until they are in each other's arms. Beatrice, suspecting her sister's visit to the peasant cottage, tells her father and mother, who follow Pauline, and arrive just in time to see her in the arms of Claude. In anger M. Deupont disinherits Pauline and tells her that he never wishes to see her again. At first she pleads with her father, but finding it is of no use she returns to the arms of the man she loves. After having won Pauline as his wife, Claude is not long in ascending the ladder of fame, and now as he sits at his easel there is a loving voice ever near to cheer him in his work. It is Pauline talking to her "Peasant Prince." Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less

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