William Hammond, a wealthy city merchant, receives a letter from his brother in the rural districts, introducing his son "Willie," Mr. Hammond's namesake, and requesting him to make a man of him, as he is very young and unsophisticated and has no chance to improve in the country. The servant who brings in the letter, informing Mr. Hammond that "Willie" is waiting in the reception room, is ordered to show him in at once and the Hammond family, not having kept in close touch with their relatives and believing Willie to be a gawky little boy in knee trousers laughingly prepare to receive him. Then "Willie" is ushered in and gazes smilingly about him at his astounded relations, for "Willie" is over six feet in height and although wearing "store clothes: is not one bit bashful. In shaking hands with his cousin, Jack, he give his hand a squeeze that remains with him for some time and in conversation with his cousin Ethel, he gives her "a severe slap on the wrist." Mr. Hammond soon supplies "Willie" with suitable garments and he an Jack start right in to give him a course of instructions in various manly accomplishments. They teach him to play poker and he cleans them out; Jack gives him a boxing lesson and is taught several points in the game himself, and taking "Willie" out for an evening with Bacchus, is led home in a highly inebriated condition by his country cousin, who is none the worse for his sundry libations. To cap the climax, this innocent country youth makes violent love to Jack's sweetheart, Clara, a young heiress, and when Jack "butts in" in defense of his rights, "Willie" rushes him out of the room and returns to his love making. The young couple finally elope and return to announce their marriage, "handling" the family the surprise of their lives and filling Jack's manly bosom with the most poignant, but vain regrets.