Ten Nights in a Bar Room

Dr. Romaine arrives in Cedarville in 1910 and checks into the Sickle and Sheaf Hotel, which is owned by Simon Slade, who is aided in running the hotel and its bar by his daughter Ann and his son Frank. Mill owner Joe Morgan is very happy to hear of the new doctor's arrival, for his young daughter Mary is ill and slowly wasting away. Joe tells his wife Sara and his mother about Dr. Romaine, then goes to the hotel to find him. At the hotel, Ann reminds Slade of his promise to her late mother that Frank would never work in the bar. Slade takes Romaine into the bar to get acquainted with the townspeople, and it is there that Joe meets the doctor, after much persuading on Slade's part, as Joe does not like bars. Inside, Joe punches a man who insults him for not drinking, and the crowd cheers Joe on until finally he takes a drink. One drink leads to another, and soon Joe is getting drunk while Ann takes Romaine to see Mary. The doctor instructs Sara to keep Mary quietly in bed, and later that night, Joe stumbles home. His mother berates him for neglecting Mary and reminds him of how his drunken father forced the family into poverty. Joe angrily replies that he can stop drinking at any time, but unfortunately his assertion proves false as he gradually spends more time at Slade's bar, where he also begins losing heavily at poker to Slade's resident cardsharp, Harvey Green. Joe is still devoted to Mary, and six months later, although Joe's drinking ruins his business and his relationship with Sara, he has enough strength to respond when Mary leaves her sick bed to bring him home from the bar. His resolve does not last long, however, and as he slips deeper into alcoholism, Sara is forced to accept handouts from Ann. Eventually, Joe signs his mill over to Slade in return for money for drink and poker. Joe quickly loses all his money. A year later, Joe has become a despised barfly and is seriously ill. Romaine examines Joe, who is cursed by Slade for trying to cadge drinks, and takes him home, where he cares for him for several weeks. Joe's health returns, but one night his craving returns and he goes to the bar, where Slade abuses him. As Joe is accusing Slade of ruining him and stealing his mill, Mary enters the bar. Slade, disgusted with Joe and sick of Mary, throws a heavy beer mug at Joe, but Joe ducks and it hits Mary, knocking her unconscious. Joe carries Mary home and Frank sends the doctor after them. Romaine orders Joe to leave the room, and Joe goes to the living room, where he sees himself, covered with Mary's blood, in the mirror. Shocked and repelled, Joe goes to the bar, where he begins fighting Slade. As the men struggle, Slade knocks the stove over, and the open flames are fueled by spilled alcohol. Joe knocks Slade out, but when he sees the fire growing, he reenters the bar and carries Slade to the street. As the hotel burns to the ground, Joe returns home, where Mary is sleeping peacefully. Joe sits by her bed, and after her little hand covers his, resolves to become worthy of her love once again.