The film begin with two unemployed parents obtaining employment in an upcoming theater production . Shortly after returning home , the landlady show up and demand the rent , but can not collect . She give them one week , but the theater production do not manifest and the parents again search for work . While they are out , the landlady find a tenant and put the children out on the street . They end up dancing for an organ grinder and are saved by a theater manager who put them on his vaudeville bill . The parents come into a fortune and are reunited by their children at the theater . The film was met with positive reviews and some criticism for its acting and scenario , but the industry had reasons to encourage the success of Edwin Thanhouser 's company . A print of the film exist , but it was the subject of nitrate deterioration .