- While Bill Burnham is jailed for drunkenly shooting up the town, he receives a letter saying that his father has died, his sister Janet is about to marry a worthless count, and the family fortune is in danger. Unable to leave, he convinces his friend, Johnny Wiggins, a motion picture cowboy, to go to his home in Palm Beach, which Bill left as a boy, and impersonate him. Although Johnny's Western manner irritates Janet and her aunt, they put up with him because Bill's sanction for Janet's marriage is needed for her to receive her inheritance. When the count discovers that Johnny is not Bill, he tries to elope with Janet, but is prevented when Johnny lassoes him from his moving automobile. After Johnny forces crooked broker Milton C. Milton, at gunpoint, to make restitution for the losses Janet suffered through Milton's bad stock investments, Johnny marries Ruth, the maid, and leaves, promising that when Bill returns, things will get livelier.—AFI
- Johnny Wiggins is a "western" film actor, as is his friend Bill Burnham. Bill's father has died in Florida, and has left a large fortune. Bert Whitney, who loves Bill's sister Janet, comes west to tell Bill that Janet has become engaged to a fortune-seeking Count. The Count is being encouraged by Bill's Aunt Agatha. Bill wants to go east and stop the wedding, but he has just been arrested for a fight, and must serve some jail time. Bill suggests Johnny take his place, posing as Bill, to stop the marriage. Since Bill hasn't seen his relatives in a long time, no one would suspect that Johnny is not Bill. Johnny agrees to the plan and heads east with Whitney. Johnny arrives at the Florida home, wearing a cowboy outfit, much to the consternation of everyone. Aunt Agatha is mortified, and fears that the Count will call off the wedding, not wanting to marry into such a family. Johnny falls for Ruth, a maid in the house. Aunt Agatha pretends to be nice to Johnny because he needs to sign a marriage settlement for Janet and the Count.
Bill and Janet's inheritance has been invested by Milton C. Milton. But Milton is a crook, getting people to invest in his railroad, while planning to wreck it. When the Burnham's family lawyer tells Johnny about the scam, the actor devises a plan to make Milton buy back his worthless stock. Johnny tells the Count that he has permission to marry Janet, but refuses to sign the marriage settlement which would give Janet her money. However, Pollitt, who is the Count's valet, once spent some time out west and recognizes Johnny Wiggins. Pollitt informs the Count, who, with Aunt Agatha's help, arranges to elope with Janet. Ruth overhears the plans and informs Johnny that the pair plan to run off during a dance at the Burnham home. That night, Johnny puts on a western performance to amuse his guests. The Count and Janet sneak out towards a car. As they are starting to drive off, Johnny jumps into a balcony, seizes a rope, and lassoes the count, yanking him out of the car. He then administers a "real cowboy punishment." Next, Johnny visits Milton and gains entry into the crook's house through a series of hair-raising stunts. He kidnaps Milton and forces him at gunpoint to buy back all the worthless stock. By this time, Janet has become disgusted with the Count and turns her affections to Bert Whitney. Johnny proposes to Ruth, who accepts, and he explains who he really is.
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