Hopelessly, Stanton works with compositions, returned manuscripts—together with his sweetheart’s ring, which Ruth’s aristocratic mother forced her to surrender, crushes out his ambitions. An aged neighbor enters, seared with evidences of life’s struggle and speaks: “Tell me not in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream – . . .” The old man’s tale of being saved by Stanton’s music awakens Stanton to hope and courage and saves his life. Alone, Stanton gazes at the silent features in the bust of Mozart and revails the tragedy of his world’s master of 624 operas, masses, etc. Mozart, in dying hours, writes the “Requiem” by special order, praying that it bring fame and money. Mozart sings this “Requiem” with his dying breath and passes away and is buried in an unknown grave in the Potter’s Field. “Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime.” Stanton sees Mozart’s feeble wife lying a tiny wreath at the foot of the cross and believes that heaven’s choir is singing the “Gloria” chorus, recalls the choir which sang it as all choirs have done, takes courage, and with heart, opens his window as of old and plays his violin with all his soul. Outside the aged neighbor is waiting for these tones: “A stranger, passing, stops, is charmed: finds the originator of the marvelous music; discovers in the discarded mss. that for which he seeks, and through him fortune smiles and Stanton looks up: ‘With a heart for any fate.’” Ruth turns from her mother, declares she shall starve with Stanton rather than turn from him. She goes to him, declares her purpose. Stanton puts the half-eaten loaf of bread aside, shows Ruth money and his turning tide. Stanton clasps the girl to his breast. The old man looks in, smiles his blessing as he sees Ruth take the tiny dried wreath of leaves from Mozart’s picture and lay it on the brow of her lover. - Moving Picture World
"While the American is not using many death scenes, it will be necessary to show one that is of historic importance in the two part to be produced by Tom Ricketts, 'In the Footprints of Mozart.' Students of music know that death overtook Mozart while he was composing his last Requiem, but he called in friends who played portions of it for him. While they were playing he passed away. Such a death scene can be shown without being harrowing, only leaving a strong impression of a wonderful man. Mr. Ricketts and company are studying the life of Mozart and all available prints relating to the period so as to give the story correct interpretation." - Santa Barbara Morning Press, March 25, 1914 Excerpt from a letter received by Mr. Field from 'Mozart' author Rev. Clarence Harris: "No one ever felt prouder than I did when I witnessed your work in the role of 'Footprints of Mozart,' I naturally felt very anxious over my story, but nothing better could have been desired from you. I am glad to have seen you in such a role. Your work is of truest merit and of the highest order," etc. - Santa Barbara Morning Press, June 4, 1914