Larry Hart criticizes his father, a newspaper publisher, for exploiting the plight of the poor to sensationalize the news, and to prove his point, Larry decides to reform an unfortunate slum dweller. While in the slums, Larry meets Jenny Carson, a waif dressed in boys' clothing, and finds her a job as a waitress. Larry falls in love with Jenny, but when his father meets her, he recognizes the waif as the daughter of his crooked ex-partner, Joe Farley, and forbids their marriage. Joe then appears and confronts his former partner with the proof that Hart and not Joe was the real swindler. After a series of misadventures, Hart admits his guilt, Larry and Jenny are married and Larry is able to implement his ideals when he takes control of his father's paper.—AFI