Minta, an orphan, has long been an abused slavey in the junk store of the Millers. She is fond of reading and her favorite book is that of Cinderella. Miller objects to her reading. When he catches her disobeying his order he beats her. ...See moreMinta, an orphan, has long been an abused slavey in the junk store of the Millers. She is fond of reading and her favorite book is that of Cinderella. Miller objects to her reading. When he catches her disobeying his order he beats her. Minta's cries are heard by Frank Towne. He forces Miller to desist. Miller continues his abuse of Minta and she resolves to run away. In carrying out her resolve she takes with her an old accordion. She spends the night in an old dry goods box when she is pursued by a policeman. In the morning she finds a cat and several newly-born kittens in the box. She steals milk for them. Minta manages to earn a livelihood with the accordion. She becomes known as "The Little Troubadour." Joshua Quimble, president of the bank where Frank is employed, is a millionaire. He has one curse and one passion, namely, gout and fishing. He has a standing offer of $1,000 to the person who will make him forget his gout. Frank Towne is studious and ambitious. His roommate, Tom, also employed in the bank, cares more for cards than for study. She plays before Quimble's home, and he is so delighted that he orders his housekeeper to take care of her in his own home. He learns that she is of good parentage. Summertime comes. Frank and Tom are spending their vacation near Quimble's home. She recognizes Frank as the same young man who stayed Miller's hand when he was beating her. Frank buys a lottery ticket. When he learns from Quimble that gambling in any form is against the rules of the bank he crumples up the lottery ticket and throws it toward the wastepaper basket in his room. Both Frank and Tom fall in love with Minta. She likes Frank. Frank receives a letter from his sister, Julia, that her husband has embezzled $500. His only hope to avoid disgrace is to obtain the money from Frank. Frank has not that much money, and he tries unsuccessfully to borrow from Tom. While walking with Frank and Tom, Minta wrenches the stone in a diamond ring and hands the ring to Frank and asks him to have it fixed. Frank learns that he has won $400 on his lottery ticket. Combining that with money he had, he telegraphs $500 to his sister. Frank and Tom quarrel over Minta. They permit Quimble to decide by asking him whose prospects are the best. Unfortunately they are the cause of Quimble losing the biggest trout he ever hooked. He angrily declares that neither can court Minta until he has landed the trout they made him lose. Tom, by mistake, receives a telegram addressed to Frank. In it Frank is thanked for the money. The message is signed, "Julia." He scents a love affair. Frank, on the way to deliver Minta's ring, drops it in a creek on Quimble's estate. He tells Minta. She believes him until Tom appears, produces the telegram and accuses Frank of selling the ring to send money to the mysterious Julia. Minta demands an explanation. Honor forces Frank to remain silent. Minta accepts this as a confession. She is just sending him away when Quimble bursts into the group with the big trout the boys made him lose. Not only this, but he has the diamond ring which Frank lost. The trout, attracted by the bright object, has swallowed it when Frank dropped the bauble in the creek. Minta now recognizes the treachery of Tom and sends him away and shows by her actions that she loves Frank. Written by
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