Tony, the Fiddler (1913)

"Big Bill" has for some time, by bank robberies and holdups, been terrorizing all the towns along the border, and every sheriff and deputy in the country has been making strenuous efforts to capture him. No one seems to know the man by sight, who in reality is Bill Carson, one of the Valleyfield's well known citizens. He is in daily intercourse with Mercer, the unsuspecting sheriff, and one day is shown a letter by that official stating that a large shipment of silver is coming, by stage from Silver City Mining Company to Valleyfield, and asking for the sheriff's protection against "Big Bill." Carson, on seeing the note, immediately makes his preparations. He holds up the coach and gets possession of the shipment of silver. Among the passengers on the stage is a young Italian musician, who, when the bandit sees him with a violin, is ordered to remain behind and entertain him. After playing at the point of a gun for some time, he is allowed to go on his way, and finally arrives at Valleyfield, footsore and hungry, where he is befriended by Sue, the daughter of the sheriff. In the meantime, when the sheriff hears of the outrageous holdup, he sends his deputies out after the bandit and when they come back dispirited after a fruitless search, he offers a thousand dollars reward for the capture. Carson is already on hand when the deputies return, but in a moment of recklessness gives himself away. The sheriff has his man at last, but not for long, as, in spite of the four or five men surrounding him, Bill cleverly manages to get away. Tony has fallen in love with Sue, and in order to be near her applies to the sheriff for a job as deputy. Sue, however, does not return his affection, but the optimistic young musician attributes her failure to respond to his attentions to the fact that he is poor, and remembering "Big Bill's" fondness for music, he conceives an idea for capturing the bandit, thereby winning the thousand dollars, and incidentally, Sue. He finds his way to the cave, where "Big Bill" is known to be in hiding, and with his enchanting music, lulls his victim to sleep. After getting possession of his revolver he awakens the man, ties his arms and brings him back to town. He receives the reward, which along with his heart he proudly offers to Sue, and keen is his disappointment when he learns the girl is already engaged. Taking his beloved violin Tony wanders off by himself and the soul of the musician soon finds relief and solace in his music.