Young Henry Clay Madison, a clerk, falls in love with Flossy Wilson, a prostitute from New Yorks East Side. Although she reforms under his influence, Flossy believes that she is unworthy of Madison and rejects his marriage proposal. Seventeen years later, Madisons nephew Bert, a social worker, falls in love with wanton Fifty-Fifty Mamie, reforms her and elicits her help in his work. Bert falls ill, and when Mamie tries to visit him, Madison, who now is concerned only with money, convinces her to give up the idea of marrying Bert. Mamie goes to work in Madisons canning factory to investigate conditions. In addition to employing children, Madisons factory has no fire escape and only one staircase, which catches fire, many children die and Mamie is seriously injured. Madison visits Mamie, who cries Berts name in delirium. When Madison brings Bert, now recovered, Madison notices a photograph of Flossy, Mamies mother and realizes that Mamie is his daughter. She dies in Berts arms, and Madison resolves to toil for the welfare of workers and the end of child slavery.