The Old Homestead (1915)

While sitting on the porch of his old farmhouse in West Swanzey, kind old Josh Whitcomb befriends hungry tramp Happy Jack Hazzard and persuades him to reform. Josh's only son Reuben is arrested on circumstantial evidence when his bank is robbed of $10,000. After the boy has been jailed, Rickety Ann discovers the real thief after Happy Jack refuses to "pal" with him. The thief is arrested and brought to the jail where Reuben is confined. But the sensitive boy, threatened with a long imprisonment by the president of the bank, loses his head and flees from the jail when he discovers a loose bar in his cell window. He makes his way into New York, where he is impelled by loneliness to join in with a number of undesirable young folks who soon teach him to drink heavily. While badly intoxicated one evening he comes upon Jack Hazzard, now a prosperous chap who recognizes him and takes him to a lodging-house with the promise of returning for him in the morning. Unaware that his name was cleared at home, Reuben runs away from Hazzard, fearing that he will betray him; meanwhile, Hazzard has telegraphed Josh that he found Reuben. The old man hastens to New York, where he puts up at the home of old friend Henry Hopkins, an extremely wealthy man, but his lack of sophistication gets him into some embarrassing situations. Unable to find Reuben or Hazzard, Josh takes a walk; passing Grace Church, he bumps into Hazzard, whom he doesn't recognize. While they are talking, Reuben, intoxicated again, passes under police escort. Josh rushes over to his son, who is released on Hazzard's request. All three return to the Whitcomb farm, where they are met by a joyous gathering--among them Ruth, who has remained steadfast in her love for Reuben despite his disappearance.