The Widow Spriggs and her only daughter are well-known in the village. The widow is noted for her culinary ability and has several suitors. Chief among the suitors are Hogan the iceman and Harry the butcher. Jimmie, Hogan's partner on the ice wagon, is very much attached to the widow's daughter Billie, and while Hogan is courting in the house, Jimmie and Billie use the time to good advantage. Harry and Hogan, meeting at the house several times, become jealous of each other. Hogan, thinking to have a better chance, arranges to leave earlier in the morning, and when Harry learns of this, he also makes his visit earlier. Hogan determines to put his rival out of the running by "hook or crook." One day the widow orders a select roast for the next day, as she is having company. Harry delivers the package of meat to the delivery boy, who starts off for the widow's home. Hogan has learned of the order being in, and, stopping at a butcher shop, buys a bunch of old scrap meat, which he tells the butcher is intended for a dog. As he and Jimmie go down the street on the ice wagon, they see the butcher's delivery wagon, and Hogan manages to substitute the package of old meat for the one sent to the widow. He and Jimmie get away without the deception being found out, and when the widow opens her "select roast," she almost faints. She angrily takes the meat to Harry and bawls him out. Harry denies sending her such a package, and in his argument appeals to the delivery boy and the clerk. The widow leaves the shop vowing she will never patronize his store again. The next morning, Hogan is received royally by the widow, and finds he has things his own way. The widow agrees to accept his proposal and Hogan places the engagement ring on her finger. As he and the widow come out of the house, they discover Jimmie and Billie lovemaking in the wagon. Hogan bawls Jimmie out and the widow sends Billie into the house. Jimmie becomes angry and threatens to tell on Hogan. Trying to stop him, they chase him over the greater part of the city and finally catch him. Harry joins the crowd and the news of the deception is told. The next day Hogan loses out, the butcher is taken into the widow's good graces, and poor Hogan's ring is left in the icebox for him to find at his next call.