[5] A contemporary synopsis of the novel's plot describes it as follows: This is the story of a young Irish boy named Sandy Kilday, who at the age of sixteen, being without home or relatives, decides to try his luck in the new country across the ocean.

On the voyage Sandy has made friends with a lad in steerage named Ricks Wilson, who earns his living by peddling, and he decides to join him in this career.

Sandy has also been deeply impressed by the face of a lovely young girl who is one of the cabin passengers and when he discovers that she is Miss Ruth Nelson of Kentucky he decides to make that state his destination.

Sandy finally becomes disgusted with this life and after catching a glimpse of Ruth at a circus, where he is dispensing his wares in a humorous manner, he decides to abandon it altogether.

[6] A silent film adaptation was released in 1918, directed by George Melford, and starring Jack Pickford as Sandy Kilday, Louise Huff as Ruth Nelson, and James Neill as Judge Hollis.