George Hopkins, the vagabond, strolls over to the veranda of Editor Lee's home, where the editor and Mrs. Lee and their daughter are having their tea. He glances at the repast with such longing eyes that the editor bids him come nearer. He tells the editor he is hungry, and they offer him a seat and some refreshments. He gets a position as typesetter in Editor Lee's newspaper office, but the foreman continually finds fault with him. Once, after rather a serious mistake has occurred through the inaptitude of the vagabond, the foreman discharges him. The editor's daughter happens to be in the office at the time and she tries to clear the vagabond, and she bids him good-bye and good cheer, and while her hand is extended the vagabond takes her handkerchief and puts in into his bosom pocket for a keepsake. He walks down to the general store, where he finds an excited group discussing a notice in the paper against the night riders, who are infesting the district. He asks the store keeper for work, but is refused. One of the group of night riders walks over to him and asks that he join their band. He is told he can avenge himself upon both the editor and the store keeper. The vagabond, with good intentions, decides to join the riders and discover their secrets and hiding places. He is taken to the riders' camp and sworn in as one of them. He is given a horse and that night, with the rest of the band, he rides up to attack the general store keeper. In the confusion, the vagabond finds it possible to slip away and runs off undetected and informs the editor of the coming attack upon his home. He begs Editor Lee to flee, and taking his cap and coat, sits in the editor's chair to await the coming of the desperadoes. They circle the house and through the windows fire at him. Thinking they have shot the editor, they disperse, but the next morning, the household find the body of the faithful vagabond riddled with bullets, and holding in his hand the handkerchief of Miss Lee and the list of names of the night riders.