Patches, a kindhearted orphan of the slums, finds life unbearable under the cruel abuse of his stepfather, Old Whiskers, for whose support he is forced to steal. Stowing away in a freight car with his dog, he escapes to a neighboring town where he is given a home by Mrs. Lane, sister of the town judge. The stepfather, having turned hobo, kidnaps the boy and holds captive Sally, the judge's daughter, when she finds him. But Patches escapes and returns with a posse to the rescue.—AFI