Lem Ransom, the village drunkard, steals the Widow Huggins' bonds while under the influence of liquor, at the instigation of Hannibal Chapman, an unscrupulous lawyer. After taking the stolen bonds from his catspaw, Chapman treacherously arranges to have suspicion fall upon Lem. The theft is discovered. Darius Startle, the constable, traces the robbery to Lem and arrests him. Chapman secures the man's silence by promising to look after Lem's wife and his daughter Nance, while he is in prison. The drunkard is sentenced to three years at hard labor. Laater. Lem learns that Chapman has broken his promise when Nance writes him her mother is dying and that they are in want. Frazier, his cell-mate, comes to his assistance and gives him money to send to Nance. Thaddeus Strong, the new minister, arrives at Hardscrabble. Strong's doctrines are disapproved of by the narrow-minded deacons of the church, A day or two later, these deacons, of whom Chapman is one, learn that Lem has been released because of good behavior and is coming home. They decide to force him out of the village. Lem finds a champion in Strong. Chapman fosters the ill feeling entertained by the deacons against the new minister, by declaring that he should be ordered to cease his friendship for the ex-convict. The church officials hold a meeting. They decide to visit Strong and make known their objections to the doctrine he is preaching and to his friendship for Lem. Lem is in an adjoining room when the deacons call upon the minister. Lem hears Chapman demand that Strong cease his friendship for him. Upon the minister's refusal. Chapman declares that a meeting will be held by the church officials and that Strong's dismissal will result. Lem bursts into the room and announces his intention of being present at the meeting. Chapman is terrified. Frazier breaks jail and comes to Hardscrabble. He appeals to Lem for aid. Ransom hides the man in his cellar for the time being. Darius comes to Lem's house in search of the escaped convict. He enters the cellar and is made a prisoner by Frazier, who forces the constable to change clothes with him. Chapman calls to see Lem, The convict escapes in the lawyer's buggy. Several villagers seeing the man dressed in Darius' clothes and riding in Chapman's buggy, fear something has occurred. They hasten to Lem's house, knowing the lawyer has called upon him. Darius, in the cellar, hears the conversation between Chapman and Lem. He learns of the former's guilt. Emerging from his hiding-place, the constable places the man under arrest. The villagers enter and Chapman's rascality is made known.