Becoming imbued with a lawless spirit, Tom, a street waif of twelve, holds up an old woman with a toy pistol, robs her of a dollar and gets away. Exhibiting the money to some of his companions, the boy proceeds to give them all an ice cream treat. The feast is interrupted by the police, who nab Tom. He is taken to court charged with highway robbery, and the judge places him on probation. The probation officer sees Tom has the making of a good man in him, should he be placed in the proper environment, and when Mr. Barnes, a wealthy philanthropist, with Helen, as only daughter, expresses a wish to adopt a boy, the officer suggests he interview Tom. The lad makes a very favorable impression on Mr. Barnes, and the latter adopts him. Amidst the surroundings of refinement and wealth, the boy grows up to be a fine young man with an inspiration to become a lawyer. Ten years later, he becomes a very prominent and successful one. He falls in love with Helen, and she with him, but realizing his humble origin, Tom keeps silent. At a Christmas gathering, the girl is wooed by Bonner, a man of wealth and social position but she refuses his proposals of marriage. Tom determines to leave that night, sacrificing himself to gain, as he thinks, Helen's happiness. Just as he is leaving, he discovers that the house has caught fire from a carelessly thrown cigarette, and starting in the Christmas tree, is spreading rapidly. In the ensuing excitement and danger, Bonner proves himself a coward, while Tom. although badly burned, bravely rescues both father and daughter from the burning building, and receives his reward in the complete understanding and love of Helen and her father.