Henry Seymour, something of a genius, but thoroughly irresponsible, shamelessly subsists upon the earnings of his hard-working wife, who conducts a railway boarding-house. They have two children, who are inclined to be rather unruly. One day the husband and wife have a misunderstanding, and acting upon her acidly expressed wish (prompted by the passion of the moment), he departs, declaring he will never return. Mrs. Seymour is thoroughly conscious of the fact that she will be able to take care of the children and have one less to care for in her shiftless husband. Twelve years elapse. Without the restraining hand of a father, and the mother engrossed in business cares, the children become unmanageable and cause the mother many heartaches. In the interim, Seymour now repentant and reformed, has, through hard work and cleverness, become a wealthy miner in Alaska. By corresponding with friends, he learns of the deplorable affairs at home, and returns incognito to see if he can bring about adjustment and make reparation. He finds the character of the son and daughter discouraging, but ascertains his wife's attitude and is most favorably impressed. He obtains room and board, and pays a month in advance at the boarding house. That same evening the son loses everything at a gambling den. and at the suggestion of a pal secures possession of his mother's money for further wastage. She discovers him in the act and pleads, but he refuses to listen and leaves, and Seymour happens to be an unseen witness to this incident. The daughter goes for a walk with the unscrupulous friend of the son, against the mother's wishes. Seymour follows his son to the gambling room and wins the money from him. The son accuses him of cheating and draws a revolver, not knowing who he is. The father easily disarms him, returns the money and orders him home, on the way they hear screams and find that the daughter is repulsing the advances of her vicious companion. Thereupon the father compels the somewhat athletic son to give his pal a thrashing, which he does. He then locks arms with his son and daughter and brings them back to the house. The son, now overwhelmed with resentment, orders his father to leave the house, then the latter reveals his identity. All are dumbfounded; the wife joyfully embraces her husband, while the wayward son and impertinent daughter break down and beg forgiveness, which is granted.