To pursue his ambitions, country boy John Logan Jr. (Robert Harron) moves from Kentucky to New York City. But Logan has to leave a lot behind in his search for wealth and fame -- namely, his girlfriend, Jennie Timberlake (Lillian Gish). Once ensconced in the metropolis, Logan works hard to become a rich man. But it takes far longer than the single year he promised his loved ones -- so long, in fact, that when Logan finally does return home, his own father (George Fawcett) doesn't recognize him.