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  • A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year (1909)
  • Short | Short, Drama
Primary photo for A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year (1909)
Short | Short, Drama

Tom Constant, a hard-working and underpaid bookkeeper in the employ of O.U. Mehan, a crusty and close-fisted old broker, is surprised to find on his desk the day before Christmas the following letter: "Departing from my usual custom I ...See moreTom Constant, a hard-working and underpaid bookkeeper in the employ of O.U. Mehan, a crusty and close-fisted old broker, is surprised to find on his desk the day before Christmas the following letter: "Departing from my usual custom I present you with this Christmas token of my appreciation for your twenty-five years of faithful services. O.U. Mehan." With this was an oblong package. With surprise and expectation on their faces, the bookkeeper and the stenographer and the office boy hastened to undo the mysterious package, which consisted of a shoebox in which was a small chicken that had all the appearance of having died of starvation. However, Tom brings home the chicken and his wife and large family welcome it as an addition to their Christmas board. On Christmas morning, as Tom and his family are getting ready for dinner, they are thrown into a state of consternation by a letter from his brother. "Dear Tom, It has been fifteen years since I have heard from yon. Found your address in directory. Am bringing my wife and daughter to take Christmas dinner with you. "Your brother, Bill." While they are discussing how they will manage to make the small chicken go around, brother Bill and family enter, followed by a chef from the neighboring hotel bearing a huge tray laden with turkey and side dishes. Bill is a prosperous miner and, quick to see the signs of poverty, he presses upon his brother as a gift a generous roll of bills. He engages Tom at a handsome salary to go West with him and take up an important position at the mines, and next morning Tom fails for the first time in twenty-five years to be found at his desk by Mr. Mehan. Ten o'clock comes and passes, and as Mr. Mehan rages, Tom saunters in, taking great satisfaction in discharging his employer. Brother Bill, in the background, enjoys the scene, and, making handsome presents to the surprised stenographer and office boy, they leave the greedy Mehan speechless with anger. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
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Edit Released
Updated Dec 14, 1909

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Dec 14, 1909 (United States)

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