A mother's heart always goes out to her wayward son. Jim Barton caused his mother constant worry, and one night his father caught him in the act of tampering with the family strong box. Jim is severely admonished and that night runs away, leaving a note to his mother to the effect that he will never return. The parents are broken-hearted, but are consoled by their other son, who is a good, honest lad.
A knight of the grip has many inconveniences to contend with, and not only that, but often his very life is in danger. Such is the case with John Duncan, a traveling man, who was obliged to remain overnight at a small inn located in the far west. The hotel-keeper, an unscrupulous Italian, with the help of two ruffians, schemes to steal Duncan's money and do away with him.
Raymond Beahan, a young chap from the city, pays a visit to his uncle, John Purcell, the sheriff. The day after he arrives, he dresses up in his uncle's hat, cartridge belt, chaps, etc., and is about to take an old gun from the wall to put in his belt when his uncle asks him not to take the gun, as he prizes it very highly. He then tells the boy the story of how the gun came into his possession. The story is so vivid to the boy, that when his uncle leaves him to round up some bandits, and he is left alone in the cabin, he falls asleep and dreams the same story his uncle has just related to him, only HE is the hero.
Being in ill health, Fred Church goes west. Arriving there, he goes into partnership with Carl Stockdale. A few days after they strike pay dirt, Fred is taken with a paroxysm of coughing and Stockdale sends him back to the cabin to rest up. Realizing that the end is near, he writes a letter to his mother and sister, telling them he is going into the valley and not to worry if they do not hear from him, that his partner will send them his share every week.
While on the way to visit her mother, Mrs. Bailey stops to feed the horses. She discovers that the oats had leaked out of the bag and she is compelled to ask assistance of a party camping nearby. During her absence from the buggy, her young daughter strays off into the woods and falls over a high cliff.
Jeremiah Green receives a letter from his niece, stating that she is coming west, and is in the market for a husband. The news scatters fast throughout the western town, and when the fair Sophie arrives, her callers are numerous. One look at the three-hundred-pound debutante is enough to convince the men that they are not eligible for the marriage certificate, especially if Sophie is to be the bride.
Shakespeare the Second and Dan Rice the Third, would-be ham actors, blow into the town of Barnstorm. That afternoon they give a "free" performance, which is indeed terrible. Dan Rice passes the hat, only to receive cat-calls for his trouble. The hotel proprietor orders them to pay their bill and leave town.
"Chuck" Peters, a gambler, is in love with Nell Braley, the daughter of the town saloon keeper. Nell, however, loves Bob Coleman, a cattleman. The express messenger is held up in the woods and the bandit escapes, leaving a snake hatband as a clue. Coleman inherits money, and as he is riding to the next town, finds the hatband and buckles it around his sombrero.
Wanah-to-mah, a son of the forest, is in love with Mah-to-mee. George Bradford, a stranger and prospector, sets camp in the forest and, by his carelessness, sets the forest afire. Mah-to-mee makes a great impression on the stranger and he tries to work his eastern tactics on her. He is rebuked.
Caleb Breen and Lucy Oliver are sweethearts and intend to marry just as soon as Breen strikes gold. Will Drummond arrives at Hillsdale, where he visits Henry McLean, a wealthy ranchman. Ruth, the ranchman's daughter, is engaged to Drummond. The stranger from the east meets Lucy one fine October morning, and the two become quite chummy.
Prospectors discover gold on the outskirts of Rawhide, a small town in the far west. Reuben Glen, a prospector, living in the next county, becomes discouraged and determines to try his luck elsewhere. When he arrives at Rawhide he is gently but firmly requested to remove himself immediately from the vicinity.
John Landers is sent to the drug store by his bedridden wife for some medicine. The druggist refuses him credit. Returning home his wife presents him with a letter from her brother in which he enclosed a check for fifty dollars. Landers is induced by Whiskey Bill Tate to gamble his money, which he does and loses.
The sheriff of Mendocino County receives a letter from Bill Kato, proprietor of a ranch, stating that he is tired of losing his cattle and that if he can't find time to do something in the matter, he will have to see the higher authorities. The sheriff at once starts out on the trail of the rustlers.
In these days of women's equal rights, it is not strange to find the fair sex taking the places of men in every occupation. Women physicians are not unusual, but a really beautiful one is, and would have her hands full taking care of every lovesick swain, who would develop every known disease to have the pleasure of letting her feel his pulse or hold his head.
Herbert Corrington, a would-be gambler and agent for an express company, not satisfied with the necessities of life, tries his luck at roulette, appropriating the express company's money. Robert, the son, is fast traveling in the footsteps of his father. The Sheriff in the next county is sent for a large package of money in Corrington's possession to be delivered to the Blue Ledge Mine for the payroll. Corrington gambles a thousand dollars of this money and loses. Broncho Billy, a professional gambler, loans Corrington the money necessary to replace the funds he had maliciously taken. Corrington gives the gambler a note payable in thirty days or his home as collateral in case of default.
Harry Keenan is in love with the pretty young school teacher of Green River, but his attentions disturb her. One day when the man is annoying her beyond all endurance, Fred Church comes to the rescue and sends Keenan about his business. The school teacher and Church immediately fall in love with each other. Some time later Keenan shoots and robs Church. The girl has arranged to meet her sweetheart at a turn of the Green River road and when he does not appear she goes in search of him. When she comes upon him lying injured in the road, he is just barely able to tell her what has happened.