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A wealthy uncle tests his two nephews' affection through a deceitful scenario, revealing true character in a dramatic confrontation.
We see a young sport call on his rich uncle, who is delighted to see him, but the frigid youth receives the old man's embraces with utter indifference, which naturally infuriates the uncle. While they are conversing, another young man arrives and returns the uncle's affectionate embraces, and it is easily seen that he stands higher in the old man's good graces than the first comer. The uncle shows both young men his will and then places it in his safe in the study. He bequeaths to each of them a very comfortable fortune, but is curious to know if they have any real affection for him and how his death would affect them now that they are his heirs, so decides upon a plan to find this out. After they leave, he and the maid go up into the garret and procure a dummy and dress it up in his clothes and hang it by the neck to a chandelier in the library. This done he sends the maid to inform the nephews of the terrible state of affairs, and awaits developments to learn for himself their true love. When the first fellow hears the news he is so delighted that he is overcome with glee, and after jumping around like a maniac he hastens to the home of his benefactor and makes a bee-line for the safe, hardly noticing the supposed suicide in the center of the room. As he is helping himself to the gold the uncle walks in and confronts him, and he is nearly overcome with surprise and disappointment, and can hardly believe his eyes. The second nephew comes in broken hearted at the sad news, and when the old man sees his grief he speaks to him, and the young man is immediately changed into a happy being on seeing that his benefactor is really living. The uncle orders the mercenary fellow out of the house and gives everything to the one who has shown himself worthy of the old man's generosity.
