Tom Norton is a lovable young fellow, but has a weakness for drink that eventually leads to his ruin. He is in love with Eunice Baily, who cares for him and does her best to break the fetters of a habit that becomes a vice. He has a friend, Wallace Elder, who secretly loves Eunice, but who lacks the personality of the dashing drinker, Tom. When they are passing down the street, Tom staggering along with his assistance, he tries to conceal the plight of the former when they meet Eunice. The sharp-eyed young woman sees the pair and has a better chance than ever to compare them. Wallace has an opportunity to recommend Tom for a position as night watchman in his uncle's factory. Tom accepts the situation, but burglars, hearing of his weakness, manage to get him drunk and then rob the office. The fruit of his folly manifolds itself to his befuddled senses, when he finds the safe blown open and the office littered with wreckage. Eunice sends his ring back and advises him to try life in a new city. He goes west and is implicated in a robbery, for which he serves time. His poor old mother lives to welcome him back home after five years. He finds things changed, as he determines to face about in life. He looks through the window of Wallace Elder's home, and the scene that reveals itself indicates what might have been for him, so he looks longingly into happiness through another man's eyes.