Hosiah Howe struggles to earn his living on a farm that lies in the shadow of a wealthy summer resort. Visiting the resort are Dr. Rand, his daughter Virginia, and a scoundrel named Ward Andrews. One day Andrews stops at the Howe farm and discovers that the land contains water with a highly-exploitable medicinal value. Smelling money, Andrews convinces Dr. Rand to buy an option on the farm, then runs away to the city with Hosiah's innocent sister Martha. Hosiah, who has fallen in love with Virginia, pursues his sister to the city but fails to locate her. Time passes, and Martha returns, having run away from Andrews. Attempting suicide to atone for her disgrace, Martha is saved by Hosiah in the nick of time. Andrews also reappears and attempts to claim the Howes' land, but Hosiah soundly thrashes him to win back both his land and Virginia's love.