Very much the favourite nephew of retired merchant Mark Stornway, young Ralph Stornway he has been declared the heir to his uncle's fortune and is about to marry Mark's adopted daughter, Madeline. Meanwhile Ralph's cousin, Tobias Truckle, contrives to destroy his reputation in the hope of inheriting the money and marrying Madeline When the plan succeeds, Ralph is left homeless and penniless. Dick Nuggetts, who inadvertently helped bring about Ralph's downfall feels guilty about his part in the plot and offers him a partnership in a goldmining venture and they set of for the diggings. Mark eventually realises he has been deceived and sets out with Madeline and his pious nephew to find Ralph and reinstate him as heir. On the way they are caught in a flood. Ralph and Nuggets come to their rescure but Mark is swept away, presumed drowned. Because he has not changed his will, Tobias is left as heir and orders Ralph to leave and never return. Before he can go, however, Mark re-appears thus ending Tobias's brief rule over the estate. Ralph and Madeline marry at the play's end.
1870: Royal Victoria Theatre, Sydney; 5 March - 2 April.
1870: Theatre Royal, Melbourne; 1-15 October.
1871: Prince of Wales Opera House (Syd); 10, 11-14 June
