Silent comedy starring Buster Keaton in his first feature-length film. Bertie Van Alstyne (Keaton) is the spoiled son of wealthy silver mine owner Nicholas Van Alstyne (William H. Crane). His plan to marry Agnes (Beulah Booker), the woman he loves, is ruined when his sister's husband Mark (Irving Cummings) forces Bertie to pretend he is the father of Mark's illegitimate daughter. Mark then comes close to destroying the family business by selling all of their stock. It is up to Bertie to put things right and save the business before it's too late.