On a hot summer day when Eleanor is toiling over a steaming washtub her mother, Mrs. McGrady, a good-natured old washerwoman, is lugging a heavy basket of clothes toward her shanty home and is accosted by "Flash" Dacy, a dandy of the tenement district, who volunteers to relieve the old woman of her burden. "Flash" is in a happy state of intoxication, and arriving at Mrs. McGrady's home, is soon helping with the day's washing. An organ grinder is called in and a private impromptu dance is arranged among the tubs and clothes lines. "Spike" McGuire, a hard-working plumber and Eleanor's "steady," happens into the back yard while the dance is in progress. "Spike" becomes jealous of the dandy and demands that Eleanor choose between them. Eleanor, attracted by "Flash's" large roll of money, his tailor-made clothes and his affable and liberal manner, turns her back upon "Spike." She permits "Flash" to provide a home for her mother and herself, and for awhile lives in ease and comfort, ignorant of the fact that "Flash" is a pickpocket and confidence worker, and that his real intentions are to make her his accomplice. "Spike," in the meantime, has continued to labor hard and earnestly as a plumber and as a student at a night school. His efforts are rewarded. Returning home one night he meets Eleanor's lost sister and induces the wayward girl to return to her mother's home with him, where he finds Eleanor getting the worst of a rough-and-tumble fight with "Flash." Upon rescuing her he learns that "Flash" has brought a wealthy farmer to Eleanor's home and demanded that she help fleece him. The ends of justice have been met. Eleanor's sister is restored to her loved ones, and "Spike," improved by his hard work, his books and the night school, is able to provide a comfortable home for Eleanor and her family.