Joe, the dissolute son, is disowned by his father. He returns to his home one night and is about to rob his father's safe when he is interrupted by his brother Arthur. As they argue the father returns. Joe escapes unseen. Observing the safe open the father accuses Arthur, who to save his brother does not deny the insinuation. Arthur too is disowned and ordered from his father's house. The elapse of several years finds Joe a moderately successful rancher in the west. He meets Arthur, who is in rags. From him he learns that he himself in to blame for his brother's misfortune. He writes to his father, taking all the blame. As for his brother, he gives him half interest in the ranch. With Dolly, who was Arthur's fiancée, and her mother. Willis, the father, comes west. Finding the black sheep, Joe, married, and a hard-working ranchman, the father is only too glad to give his forgiveness.
—Moving Picture World synopsis