The Old Longshoreman

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On the bustling quay a number of dock men are waiting to be taken on for the unloading of some cargo. Amongst them is an old longshoreman, who is told that he is too old for the work on hand. He wanders along, and at last is successful in persuading one of the foremen to give him a job. His strength, however, is not equal to the task, and he falls beneath his burden. Hopeless and desperately hungry, he proceeds to a soup kitchen, but arrives too late for the free distribution, and wearily turns again in quest of work. Presently he comes on a bright little girl eating end dancing on her way. In an instant he has snatched from her the roll she is eating, and makes his way to the quay. After him runs the crying child. She reaches the quay side close upon his heels, but a false step suddenly precipitates her into the water. She struggles desperately, and hearing her cry, the brave old stevedore plunges into the water to rescue her. He drags her back to safety, but alas the effort has exhausted all his remaining strength, and with one last vain attempt to stand upright, he falls dead upon the quay.