Raffles, the Dog

Edison summary: The opening picture shows the interior of a scantily furnished room. A man and woman are engaged in teaching a dog to become an expert thief, and the dog goes through his part most cleverly. At a sign from his master "Raffles" steals a package from the table, and while his mistress is seated upon a chair he steals a pocket book from her pocket and a suit case beside her. The slightest sign from his master is all that is necessary for "Raffles" to go through his part, and he promptly carries all the plunder to his master. The next scene shows "Raffles" with his master and mistress taking a stroll through a park. An old gentleman is asleep on a bench. The three thieves now approach. "Raffles'" master points to the old gentleman's watch and chain, and the three pass on. "Raffles" soon returns, jumps upon the bench and deftly steals the old gentleman's watch and chain without disturbing him. When he wakes up he discovers his loss, but the thieves are now out of sight. The three now make a tour of the city. The next scene shows an express wagon driving up to the sidewalk, and the driver getting out to deliver a package. "Raffles," with his master and mistress, are seen coming down the street. They pass the express wagon, but "Raffles" soon returns alone, jumps into the wagon, and steals a package. The next scene shows a butcher's boy and two companions "shooting craps." Soon "Raffles" and his two companions appear and "Raffles" steals a string of sausage from the butcher boy's basket. The boy discovers his loss, and gives chase. The next scene shows a fashionable turnout coming down the street. It stops in front of a handsome residence and two ladies alight. "Raffles" and his two companions are seen coming round the corner and presently disappear down the street. "Raffles" now returns, jumps into the carriage and steals a package which is lying on the seat. The next scene shows some ladies standing on a corner waiting for a car. One is carrying a dress suit case, which she places on the crossing. "Raffles" appears and makes off with the suit case. The lady discovers her loss and "Raffles" running up the street. A lively chase now follows after "Raffles" and his pals. They are first seen running down a long flight of stone steps followed by a crowd in which some of "Raffles" victims are readily recognized. A policeman and numerous bystanders join in the chase, which soon becomes very exciting. Up and down the several streets, down a steep bluff and over a wire fence the crowd follows the three thieves. The crowd running down the flight of stone steps is very laughable, and the efforts of the pursuers to make haste and overtake "Raffles" and his companions are most amusing. Several hesitate when they reach the steep bluff, but they all finally take a chance and jump. Finally "Raffles'" master is caught by a policeman, while another policeman coming round the corner in the opposite direction secures his mistress. "Raffles'" victims now crowds around the captives, and all the stolen articles are found upon his mistress, hidden in her skirt, and are returned to the rightful owners. In the meantime "Raffles'" master is endeavoring to explain matters to the policeman. This picture is strictly up-to-date, and has already received the most flattering notices from numerous vaudeville theatres and exhibitors throughout the country. Fully described and illustrated in Circular No. 260.