Widower Jonathan and Hannah Tubbs have been engaged for the past 20 years and are no closer to the altar. Freddy is deeply in love with Jonathan's daughter Sallie, but Jonathan does not favor Freddy's suit. Learning that Jonathan is wealthy, the Widow Smiles determines to win him by fair means or foul. She decides to try foul means first, and Jonathan immediately "falls" for her and forgets Hannah, who threatens to sue him for breach of promise. Jonathan, frightened, decides to leave town, but before he goes, Freddy exacts a promise from him that if he should fix things up, he shall have Sallie for his reward. He allows the rumor to circulate that Hannah has inherited a fortune, and every eligible bachelor in town calls on Hannah and proposes marriage. Hannah, amazed at her sudden popularity, decides to choose while the choosin's good, and settles on Ebenezer. They decide to have a hasty wedding, but while they are on the way to the parson, Jonathan, who has heard of the inheritance, rushes up to renew his suit. Although at first he is scorned, Hannah finally weakens and marries him. Freddy comes just in time to see Jonathan fall into his own trap. Seeing the lay of the land, he exits hastily for parts unknown.