Jim West, a young lawyer, tired of city life and his gay companions, decides to visit his uncle in the west. While he is on the train speeding to visit his Uncle John Reed, the sheriff calls at Reed’s ranch and tells him that a noted outlaw, Slim Jim Ward, is at large and that there is a reward of $500 offered for his capture. On West’s arrival at Burbank, California, he decides to change his suit of clothes for a cowboy outfit. After the change of clothing, he starts out for his uncle’s ranch. As he approaches the house, he sees a pretty girl drawing water at the well. Gallantly he offers to help in the operation. Betty, the aforesaid pretty girl, immediately sizes up Jim West as the desperate outlaw, Slim Jim. After the water is drawn, West insists on carrying it to the house. Reaching the sitting-room, he makes himself at home, much to Betty’s annoyance, but she determines to take advantage of his apparent freshness and resolves to capture the desperate outlaw. As the supposed desperate outlaw seems so anxious to make himself useful, Betty sends him to the cellar for potatoes. As he starts down the ladder, Betty quickly drops the cover over the cellar entrance, and jumping on it, piles the furniture about her, and sends her little brother Billy off to get the sheriff. Betty’s attempt to hold West a prisoner and his efforts to escape are laughable in the extreme. On the arrival of Betty’s father and mother, who come up at the same time with the sheriff and his posse, the cover of the cellar hole is lifted and they all stand ready to capture, dead or alive, the supposed outlaw, Slim Jim. On the sheriff’s command for West to come out, John Reed is surprised to recognize his city nephew. The sheriff in disgust, says, “This is not Slim Jim.” Turning to Betty, West asks her if this is not a pretty way to treat her cousin.