Una's Useful Uncle - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

The young married couple were struggling to earn a living from their little farm and to save enough to pay off the mortgage which encumbered it. But relatives descended upon them and devoured their food. The worst of them all was the ...See moreThe young married couple were struggling to earn a living from their little farm and to save enough to pay off the mortgage which encumbered it. But relatives descended upon them and devoured their food. The worst of them all was the wife's mother, and when she departed after a long stay, the young couple heaved a sigh of relief. Then they were again plunged into despair by the arrival of Uncle Dan, another relative of the wife. Uncle Dan was a shabby old fellow, who was continually drinking out of a flask which he carried in his pocket. He announced his intention to pay his niece an indefinite visit. Several weeks later the farmer called upon the money-lender to pay the interest on the mortgage, and while on his way home he lost the receipt for the money he had just paid. The voucher was found by the old miser, who, realizing that the farmer had no proof that he had paid the money, denied that he had ever received it and demanded payment again. The farmer and his wife were very gloomy and believed that it would be necessary for them to pay the interest again, although they knew that they were being cheated, but Uncle Dan, who had made an accidental discovery of great value, intervened. A dance was to be held at the town hall that night. Uncle Dan appeared before the committee of arrangements with a number of apples, which he explained were samples of the celebrated "Usquebaugh Apple," of which only he possessed the formula. The members of the committee tasted the apples, and agreed that they were delightful, for the fruit made them feel very happy. A large order was given to Uncle Dan, and the miser watched the rapid sale of the apples with envy, and finally made the farmer an offer for his farm and the wonderful formula of how to produce them, but not until he had agreed to pay many times the market value did he secure the coveted property and he had to pay for it in cash. Uncle Dan gave him a sealed envelope which he told him contained the formula for the "Usquebaugh Apple." Sometime later the miser tore open the envelope. The note read: "For definition of Usquebaugh, look in the dictionary." He did, and learned that the definition is "whiskey." The money-lender never saw Uncle Dan or the young couple again, for they left that night for New York, where the young man prospered in business. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less