A shoemaker and his wife, a most thrifty couple, have one aim in life, and that is to give their two children, Helen, a very pretty girl, is much loves and admired by a young fellow, Howard, who keeps a small grocery store next door, but his love is not returned. Gus has lately developed into a rather careless fellow, and is always found in bad company and spending his money extravagantly. He has run into debt, and is in such straits that he is tempted to steal a bicycle left standing in the street. This he pawns, but is found out and is arrested in his father's house. His son's plight is such a blow to the father that he dies broken hearted. Howard is at this time a great relief to the old mother and her daughter, and after some time. The daughter accepts him as her husband. The three live happily together until one day Gus, released from prison, returns home. Instead of commencing a new life, he continues to be reckless. One night he plans with two accomplices to break into the grocery store, not knowing that it belongs to his brother-in-law. While in the house, the light from his lantern falls on the furniture, which all seems familiar to him. He sees a photo on the table which he recognizes as that of his mother. This so surprises him that he drops his lantern and attempts to run out of the house, but is confronted by his sister, who recognizes her brother in the burglar. She calls her husband who generously offers to let Gus go, but it is too late as the police have already appeared. The old mother has to see the prisoners for the purpose of identification, and the meeting with her son under these circumstances leaves a deep impression on Gus. He is convicted, but after again serving some time in prison, he is entirely changed. He appeals to the society for the support of released convicts, and they assist him with money to pay his way to a foreign country, accompanied with good wishes for the new life he is going to begin.

Source: Moving Picture World