Having decided that his son must '"settle down," John Burns sent George to the home of Jim Perkins, his friend, to meet and marry Mr. Perkins' daughter Nellie. As George alighted from the train he met Lucy, who is also on her way to the Perkins home to visit Nellie. In a short time George has fallen in love and has married Lucy, while Nellie becomes the wife of Jack Sutton. George telegraphs the news of the wedding but fails to mention his bride's name. His father, of course, assumes that daughter-in-law is no other than Nellie. George is in a quandary when he receives a note from his father saying that he has decided to call on the newlyweds. He fears the parental wrath that is sure to come down upon him for marrying another than his father's choice. To help him out of his dilemma he consults Jack, who suggests that they exchange wives until Lucy can win over George's father. Acting upon the suggestion George has Nellie by his side when his father arrives. But the two grooms cannot bear to be separated from their wives and whenever Mr. Burns steps out of sight only to return a moment later he finds his son embracing Lucy, and Nellie entwined in the arms of Jack. Realizing that George's father suspects something unusual in this situation, Lucy tries to win over Mr. Burns before their secret is out. She succeeds so well that Mr. Burns forgets himself so far as to put his arms around her just as Jack, her supposed husband, enters upon the scene. This leads to a perplexing situation, finally culminating in a fistic argument in which every member of the party participates. When the argument seems to have become too merry George steps in, explains everything to his father, who forgives the newlyweds.