At the close of an industrious life, Abel Hale, an old Quaker farmer, and his good wife, Phoebe, find themselves under obligation to a crafty lawyer, who holds a matured note against them. He threatens to drive them from their home if they do not give him their daughter, Charity, in marriage. Kirke Dundee, a hard-working farmer boy, who is in love with Charity, is considered an obstacle to Salmon's desire for Charity. The lawyer is the executor of the estate which belongs to Kirke's uncle, and when the uncle dies, he wills the property to Kirke. Salmon duplicated the will, making Toby, a simpleminded plow boy, the heir. Toby's mother is an irresponsible and cunning old hag, who enters into the scheme with the lawyer to rob Kirke of his inheritance. In an interview with her, Salmon takes the original will from his pocket, explains it to her and thoughtlessly leaves it on the table, at which the simple-minded Toby is apparently sleeping. He is not as foolish as he looks. He stealthily takes the will while the lawyer is talking to his mother and puts it inside his shirt and leaves the house. Salmon secures judgment against the old Quaker and his wife, and again tells them if they do not give their daughter to him he will drive them from their home. They refuse and are dispossessed. Toby, who has an extreme hatred for Salmon, carries the news to Kirke and Charity. They jump into the farm wagon and Kirke driving hastily for the Hale home, meets the old people plodding towards the almshouse. Kirke takes them back to their home, where he meets Salmon, shows him the original will, throws the lawyer out of the house and tells the old people that they can stay in the home as long as they live. He will be a son to them. Toby's hatred of Salmon knows no bounds, and he follows him. In the center of the bridge crossing the stream, he catches up with Salmon and throws him bodily into the water. Not content, he jumps in after him, and together they disappear from sight.