A number of ranchmen and cowboys are gathered around the post office of a western village, expecting their mail. A letter is received by John Baxter, ranchman, from his niece, who is also his ward. The cowboys have been expecting that someday she would visit the ranch and are curious to know what the letter says. Baxter satisfies them by reading them the letter, which states that the young lady will soon arrive. He also shows them a photograph of her and the men agree that she is a “Jim-dandy.” Ethelbert, the dude cowboy, is there, and is so enraptured with her beauty that he kisses the picture repeatedly. The cowboys give him the laugh, take the photo away from him and “rough-house” him considerably. Baxter suddenly becomes an important personage in the village. The cowboys visit him at his cabin and treat him with great consideration. They bring him presents; whiskey, tobacco, rope, saddles, etc., hoping thereby to get on the good side of him. All except Ethelbert. He stays at home and has lovely dreams of the beautiful lady. Baxter makes a promise to each cowboy that he will have the preference over the others when the girl arrives. Finally the great day dawns and the men are all at the depot, dressed in the height of cowboy fashion. Baxter’s ward steps from the train while the men look at her in speechless awe. With rare presence of mind Ethelbert steps forward and offers to carry her valise. Instantly there is a rush by the men to carry the bag, but she hands it to Ethelbert, because he spoke first. The girl and Ethelbert start for the ranch house, leaving the cowboys dumbfounded. On the way Baxter’s ward and “Bertie” become quite chummy. The cowboys by this time, are framing up a warm reception for Ethelbert. They find him later, and duck him up the river, which is easily done, because there isn’t much fight in him. Thinking it a good joke, the men find the girl and tell her of it, but she doesn’t see the point. Instead, she hunts up Ethelbert, and finds him a very wet person. She sympathizes with him and he proposes. The girl accepts and they disappear. There is much excitement in the village over this. Next morning Baxter receives a letter saying that the pair have eloped and are on their way to find a minister. Baxter reads it to the cowboys and laughs. They become angry at this and demand their presents back. Baxter refuses, and walks away laughing, leaving the cowboys quarreling among themselves.