Our People

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Ed Bryce is editor of the Ninevah Free Press. Ninevah is of such size that Ed can be a regular Horace Greeley. He believes the citizens of the little town to be his people and labors to establish his ideals. "My people" becomes "our people" with the acquisition of Ellen Calhoun, daughter of John Calhoun, the town banker and leading citizen, as his chief assistant and only reporter. The banker is incensed at the selection of occupation by his daughter, but she likes to meet people and ask them questions so she wins his consent to continue. But when she and Ed fall in love with each other the old man objects strenuously. He forces Ellen to leave her work. Ed, barred from the Calhoun home, takes up cards and there is constantly a midnight session in his office. The constable arrests the party finally. When the case comes up next morning Aunt Hattie, sinfully rich and from the city, goes to see the young man who is in love with her niece, Ellen. The resourceful aunt finds ways for the two to meet and the courtship progresses. A time of panic comes on, the village feeling its effect. Hank Goliday, the town miser, puts $70,000 in the bank. He is alarmed when the unusual deposit is announced in Ed's paper. He hurries back to the bank next day and demands his cash. It is more than the bank can produce and Hank's crazed talk creates a run. The bank is in danger of collapse and John Calhoun is stricken by the shock. Aunt Hattie comes to the rescue, however, on condition that he give his consent to the marriage. The only way to announce that the rich woman will pay the frightened depositors is through Ed's paper. He rushes out Ninevah's only extra in record time. But his word, it seems, is sufficient with the people of Ninevah. The run is frustrated and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Bryce continue to edit the Free Press for "our people."