Josiah Manning, a sturdy, well-preserved man of 60, returns to the States after years of wandering in Alaska. A son, Paul Manning, 40 years old, his wife, a younger son, Fred, and an adopted daughter, Flora, live on a small farm in the middle west. Paul and his wife are discontented. They shamefully abuse their adopted daughter, Flora. The girl and Chester Reed, one of Paul’s brow-beaten farm-hands, are sweethearts. Josiah Manning writes Paul that he is returning home, expecting to be provided for in his old age. In order to test Paul, the old man gives the impression that he is a pauper. Paul ruthlessly turns the old man away, telling him to go to the poor farm. Flora, sympathetic, runs after Josiah Manning and gives him something to eat from the kitchen. Touched and gladdened by the deed of kindness, the old man buys a farm nearby and gives it to Chester and Flora, provided they allow him to live with them. The old man, instead of being a pauper, has brought back a large sum from Alaska. He deposits the remainder of his money in the bank at the country town, and settles down with Flora and Chester, who have married. Paul and his family learn of the old man’s wealth and try to make up with him. Josiah turns them from the house, declaring that they will never have a cent. Paul and Fred try to railroad the old man to the insane asylum in a desperate attempt to get his money. Josiah escapes, however, and draws all his money in bank notes from the bank with the intention of giving it to Flora. The old man is cornered by the pursuing Paul and Fred, Rather than let his ungrateful son seize the money, Josiah Manning burns the pile of bank notes.