The story
“Once upon a time there was a boy who had two elder brothers who were very cruel to him. They made little Paul do all the work. When they went fishing it was Paul who dug all the worms and baited the hooks and carried the tackle to and from the house. One day a letter came addressed to the brothers. It notified them that their wealthy old uncle was dead and had left his money to the brother ‘who, during the month of August, should work most steadily.’ Neither of them gave one thought to poor little Paul. So the cruel brothers went out to look for work. Paul’s only friend was Sport Costigan, a ward heeler, and to him he took his troubles. The cruel brothers, unused to work, had difficulty in finding a job. And all through the month of August little Paul could be seen daily, from nine to five, in front of the City Hall, seated on a camp chair. The month of probation ended. Paul and the ward heeler entered. The ward heeler introduced Paul, who presented a letter to the executor. This message was from the office of the City Board of Improvements. ‘This is to certify that from August 1st to August 31st Paul Jasper has been employed by this department, assigned to keep the snow off the sidewalk in front of the City Hall.’ The executor gave the estate to Paul.”
Summary from Reel Life · 25 March 1916
