In rural Great Ayton, William Bradley is sent to live with his ageing grandparents, away from his burdened mother, who has too many mouths to feed and a drunken husband to support. Adjusting to a new life, William aspires to follow in his grandfather's footsteps in the mining business. He also falls for a beautiful girl, Susan, but heartbreak is in store when Susan reveals her own ambitions for advancement in life. William makes his mark...