Dennis O'Hara is a poverty-stricken Irishman who believes that if he comes to America he will immediately land a job as a policeman. So he manages to scrape together the funds to get him to Manhattan, and leaves his sweetheart Katie O'Grady behind while he makes his fortune. Naturally he discovers that joining the force isn't as easy as he expected, and when he does finally get in, he winds up in trouble because of the graft collections of his boss.

Severely injured after saving the son of Judge Jonathan Le Roy from a team of runaway horses circus clown, Piffle is taken to recover at the Le Roy home where he falls in love with the judge’s daughter, Millicent. She however loves another, Dick Ordway and is secretly carrying his child. When he is reported to have perished in the desert Piffle steps forward to save Millicent’s reputation by being husband and father. Millicent agrees but the judge insists Piffle leave the circus and become a banker. Piffle acquiesces but when Dick reappears many complications ensue.