Kindly old Josh Whitcomb. while sitting on the porch of his old farmhouse in West Swanzey, befriends Happy Jack Hazzard, a hungry tramp, and persuades him to reform. Reuben, Josh's only son, is arrested on circumstantial evidence when his bank is robbed of ten thousand dollars. After the boy has been lodged in jail. Rickety Ann discovers the real thief after Happy Jack has refused to "pal" with him. The thief is arrested and brought to the jail, where Reuben is confined. But the sensitive boy, threatened with a long imprisonment by the president of the bank, loses his head and flees from the jail when he discovers a loose bar in his cell window. He makes his way into New York, where he is impelled by loneliness to join in with a number of undesirable young folks, who soon teach him to drink heavily. While badly intoxicated one evening he comes upon Jack Hazzard, now a very prosperous chap, who. recognizing him, takes him to a lodging house with the promise of returning for him in the morning. Reuben, knowing nothing of the clearing of his name at home, runs away from Hazzard who he fears will betray him. Hazzard meanwhile has telegraphed to Josh of the finding of Reuben. The old man hastens to New York, where he puts up at the home of his old friend, Henry Hopkins, an extremely wealthy man. There Josh's unsophistication gets him into a number of embarrassing situations. Being unable to find Reuben or Hazzard, Josh takes a walk, and when passing Grace Church bumps into Hazzard, whom he does not recognize. While they are talking, Reuben, once more intoxicated, passes under escort of a policeman. Josh rushes over to the boy, who is released on the request of Hazzard. Then all three return to the Whitcomb farm, where they are met by a joyous gathering, among them Ruth, who has remained steadfast in her love for Reuben despite his disappearance.