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  • The Legacy (1910)
  • Short | Short, Comedy, Drama
Primary photo for The Legacy
The Legacy (1910)
Short | Short, Comedy, Drama
It came as a genuine surprise when old Mr. and Mrs. Jones inherited a large fortune with the distinct proviso that they occupy the swell town house of the deceased to properly sustain the social distinction and dignity of their acquired ...See moreIt came as a genuine surprise when old Mr. and Mrs. Jones inherited a large fortune with the distinct proviso that they occupy the swell town house of the deceased to properly sustain the social distinction and dignity of their acquired wealth. With many misgivings and regrets they close the old farm house in which they have lived for over fifty years and start for the city. On the train they are very much "upsot" by the novelty of things. Crossing the river on the ferryboat, they are astonished at the skyscrapers which loom up before them and which they have a sneaking feeling will fall over on top of them. A gentlemanly stranger on the boat who volunteers some information is looked upon with suspicion by the unsophisticated couple, who take an extra grip on their goods and chattels. In the great city at last, they try to find their way unaided to upper Fifth Avenue, where the inherited mansion is located. Unaccustomed to trolleys and elevated roads, they decide to take "shank's mare" and so plodding on, followed by a constantly increasing crowd of "ragtag and bobtail" as they are passing through the thickly populated tenement districts of the west side, when they are greeted as "Rubes." Reaching one of the city parks, they seat themselves on a bench, heated and exhausted; in the cool of the evening they become drowsy and the old gentleman takes off his boots and hat, while the old lady removes her bonnet, and thus making themselves comfortable, they fall into a restful doze. Their slumbers are disturbed by a policeman, who awakens them, and, after questioning them, learns where they want to go, calls a taxicab, sends them on their way, and they are taken speedily and safely to their place among the upper ten. They press the button and a stiff uniformed lackey appears at the front door and bids them enter, which they do with much fear and trembling lest they offend the gents in brass buttons, whom Mr. Jones wants to shake hands with and make friends, which friendliness is received with coldness and contempt. The old folks are disturbed and wish themselves back on the farm, where every neighbor around the place is nearer "'an a relation." In the quiet of the elegant boudoirs they feel like cats in a strange garret, and don't know how to make use of the elaborate furnishings; everything looks so grand "they don't jest look like they was meant to be used, only admired, museum-like." The maid and valet appear upon the scene and insist upon dressing Mr. and Mrs. Jones for dinner. Mrs. Jones is too frightened to resist, but Jones says, "By heck! I ain't no infant, and nobody has put on my clothes but my mother, and I can't so far forgit myself as to allow any other fellow to deprive me of my manful right as a natural and free-born independent citizen, and what's more I ain't going to rob another feller of his manhood by allowing him to do it." The valet insists, and Jones submits with the remark, "I don't mind a little help, but it ain't my style." At dinner the butler and servants await their coming. Mr. Jones offers to shake hands with the help, who stand as rigid and cold as icicles. When the old couple are seated at the table they are waited upon like infants until the old countryman tells his wife, "They was bein' treated as if they'd reached their second childhood and couldn't feed their own faces." The last straw comes when they are escorted to separate bedrooms. Mrs. Jones is snugly tucked in bed, and Mr. Jones is provided by the valet with a suit of pajamas, which he indignantly slams on the floor and exclaims, "Goshamighty! This is beyond all tolerance. I ain't never wore my clothes to bed yit, and I'm dang sure I ain't going to begin now. The old fashioned nightgown is good enough for me and anybody else that's got common sense enough to be sensible." During the night the old couple manage to have a little private conversation, arrange an escape from all this "pesky" style and nonsense, get their things together, stealthily leave the mansion and all its "vanity and vexation" behind them and return to the old home, where we leave them located and thoroughly satisfied to be content in the peaceful enjoyment of all its blessings, quietly musing, "What's the use of all this grand life and high situation, with nary a pink or hollyhock a-blooming 'round the door? Let's be content in our own life and station, just where we've always been so happy and so poor." Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Oct 15, 1910
Release date
Oct 15, 1910 (United States)

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2 cast members
Name Known for
Charles Eldridge's primary photo
Charles Eldridge
The Old Farmer The Old Farmer   See fewer
As You Like It (1912)
Mary Maurice's primary photo
Mary Maurice
The Old Farmer's Wife The Old Farmer's Wife   See fewer
Les miserables (Part II) (1909)
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