STORY

Following the death of her mother, Helen Marsh, a girl in her early teens, is placed in a select boarding school in New York City. Her father, Philip Marsh, has been disowned by his father, a Southern planter, because of his marriage years before. On the outbreak of the Civil War, Phillip returns South to enlist in the Confederate Army. He pays his father a visit and again pleads with him for the privilege of bringing his daughter to his old home, but his father refuses his request. He joins his regiment and old “Uncle” Caesar, a family slave, goes with him. Mrs. Galloway, principal of the school, not having heard from Helen’s father, writes him demanding payment for her tuition and in the meantime makes Helen do housework.

Phillips is killed and when Mrs. Galloway receives this news through one of his brother officers, Helen is immediately made a “slave” and is given a room in the attic of the boarding school. She suffers many hardships and privations and is the fag of every school girl.

Uncle Caesar, fearful of returning to the plantation because of the anger of his old master at his leaving with Phillip, makes his way North and secures employment as janitor of an office building in New York, which adjoins Mrs. Galloway’s school. From his window he looks into Helen’s attic and frequently sees the unhappy child. During her absence he brings delicacies to her and one night they meet. He learns who she is.

The grandfather, remorseful, finally decides to go North and look for his granddaughter. He meets old Caesar on the sidewalk in front of the two buildings. The negro tells him of finding Helen and brings the old man up to the attic. On this particular evening a birthday party is being given one of the scholars, but Helen has not been allowed to attend it. Thus “Uncle” Caesar and her grandfather find her on a little cot weeping in grief. The old Southerner takes her downstairs and they burst in upon the party, the old negro following.

Mrs. Galloway is severely censured and endeavors at the last moment to make reparation. The story ends by Helen being taken home to the old plantation, where she lives happily with her grandfather. (Imdb)