The Money God (1914)

This story grips interest from the start by presenting a problem that has never, been satisfactorily solved, namely: "Would the sudden acquisition of great wealth make or unmake a man of average intelligence, unaccustomed to handling capital?" The question comes up for discussion at a millionaire's club and two members of the multi-millionaire class undertake to decide it by experiment, in spite of enormous difficulties in the way, not the least of which is uncertainty about the man to be selected for the trial. The one finally chosen is a sea captain unknown to any of the contending parties, who is out of work and has advertised for a position. Captain Palmer is lured into relations with a drunken sailor, none other than one of the parties to the wager in disguise, and is given honest labor before he is tempted by the drunken sailor's story of secreted gold. Palmer's cupidity is roused and he steals the gold planted where it was intended he should find it. The story breaks rather abruptly into a changed condition, showing Palmer as a man of wealth already self-opinioned and somewhat demoralized by his sudden accession to a higher position in life. He is not, however, inclined to spend money in riotous living. His cupidity grows in very natural fashion. He becomes a usurer, lends money to fishermen in dull season, and enters upon a line of business well suited to his past experience, that of ship owner. Minor issue is the love of an honest workman for Palmer's daughter, brought in to emphasize that change of character and point of view which almost invariably results from a sudden rise in fortune. Palmer attempts to wed his daughter to a title and loses her. She runs away with the man she loves and this wedding of hearts is secretly supported by Palmer's wife. When the captain finds that his plans have been thwarted and that the love match is being encouraged by his wife, he turns her from his door and is alone in the world. He is unaffected, not in the least disconcerted, when a captain of one of his steamers reports that she, "The Victoria," is not in fit condition for an ocean voyage. Palmer goes aboard, so, also, does one of the parties to the wager, discharges the captain and takes command in person. The steamer sets out on her voyage and we are given a remarkable view of men coaling her fires in the boiler room, a realistic picture, the more remarkable that it is a studio setting. There a terrible accident occurs, resulting in a leak that cannot be stopped, and a condition of suspense is created when stokers, stripped to the waist, attempt to draw the fires before they and the inrushing flood of water meet in disastrous explosion. This suspense is quickened by the sudden bravery of Captain Palmer. A gradual and consistent conversion occurs, a change of attitude toward his fellow creatures, when he joins his stokers in the desperate fight they are making. The man is manly, true to his calling, when face to face with peril. The Victoria's passengers have now become panic-stricken, and their rushing about is rather meaningless, until they are quieted by a wireless from a steamer coming to their rescue. Captain Palmer fights manfully to save his ship until he is exhausted and meets with serious injury. He is carried to his own cabin and becomes delirious. In his delirium, while he is being held by his men, the events of his past are swiftly reviewed, and he dies in an agony of remorse. The ship's passengers and crew are taken off. The party who wagered on the side of wealth's demoralizing influence returns to his club, and he, too, has learned a terrible lesson, has caught a glimpse of what a power for evil is vast wealth in bad hands.