Elsa's Brother - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

After his daughter's death, Andre Hoffer, an old Swiss watchmaker, cares for his grandchildren, John and Elsa Smardon. The girl is sweet and lovable, but John is wild, dissipated and selfish. Tom Hickey, his chum, writes John from the west...See moreAfter his daughter's death, Andre Hoffer, an old Swiss watchmaker, cares for his grandchildren, John and Elsa Smardon. The girl is sweet and lovable, but John is wild, dissipated and selfish. Tom Hickey, his chum, writes John from the west that there is an opportunity to come out there and learn the mining business. After a sad farewell (largely indifferent on his part), he goes west, where he falls in with a wild crew of miners and hangers-on. He and Phil Lessing, a clean-living young engineer at Hammonds' mine, become bitter enemies. In a quarrel, John is shot and Phil's employer advises him to skip, which he does. John partially recovers and is sent to an old miner's hut in the mountains to regain his health. John sends word to Elsa that the doctor has told him that his death is only a matter of weeks. John, however, does not die and in his loneliness, forms a resolve to make a man of himself. He leaves the hut suddenly without telling anyone his destination, and in another country, regains perfect health and, keeping his good resolutions, prospers. Elsa mourns him as dead, and devotes herself to deeds of charity and kindness. By chance, Phil, one day, meets Elsa in her grandfather's shop. The two are attracted, fall in love and become engaged. Later he learns, to his horror, that he has killed, as he thinks, the brother of the girl he is to marry. He confesses and Elsa shrinks from him, saying that marriage is impossible. She quickly changes her mind, however, when John writes them saying that he is alive and coming home. On John's return Phil is welcomed as a member of the family, and John is the most eager to receive him. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less