Franklin Evans or The Inebriate: A Tale of the Times, is the rag-to-riches story of Franklin Evans. Franklin starts as an innocent young man, leaving Long Island to come to New York City for the opportunity to better himself. Being young and naïve, he is easily influenced by a man he befriended and eventually becomes a drunkard. He tries many times to abstain from alcohol but does not succeed until a major tragedy struck him. Franklin Evans scuttles through a journey of a young man living and learning through his mistakes, picking up life lessons along the way.