The Tenderfoot - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

Everyone on the ranch was in a flutter of expectation, even Long Bill grew excited as the hour for the arrival of Jack Bigelow, the new ranch owner, grew near. Ann Weston, the foreman's daughter, had been unanimously selected to meet the ...See moreEveryone on the ranch was in a flutter of expectation, even Long Bill grew excited as the hour for the arrival of Jack Bigelow, the new ranch owner, grew near. Ann Weston, the foreman's daughter, had been unanimously selected to meet the tenderfoot; his first impression of them must be favorable. By some miscalculation Jack arrived earlier than expected, but remembering his old comrade, Sheriff Warner, stopped in to renew their friendship. The delighted Sheriff would have been glad to accompany Jack to his ranch had duty not called him in the opposite direction, to search for "Gentleman Jim," the outlaw, so lending Jack a horse, he carefully pointed out the way. To better observe his surroundings. Jack had been allowing his horse to walk, when suddenly the bridle was gripped by an iron hand and the tenderfoot looked into the muzzle of "Gentleman Jim's" gun. The outlaw found very little money on his victim, but discovered the deeds to the ranch and a receipt for the money just sent by Weston, and if it was still in Weston's safe he might easily obtain it by impersonating the tenderfoot for a few hours and robbing the safe. So by exchanging clothes with the unwilling tenderfoot and mounted on the Sheriff's horse the outlaw had no difficulty in obtaining recognition at the ranch as the new owner. Bigelow was a sorry looking figure in the outlaw's rough clothes and was about to return to the home of his friend, the Sheriff, when he was overtaken by Ann Weston, who was driving to the depot to meet the new owner. She kindly offered to give him a lift, and her frank, impersonal manner led him to relate his experience and reveal his identity. Outwardly sympathizing with him, but secretly amused, she drove him back home, to have her amusement turned to indignation when she found that her father and the cowboys disbelieved Jack's story, and when he was unable to produce the deeds declared him to be an impostor; but flocked around the outlaw upon his arrival and gave him a hearty welcome, and locked up the "dangerous impostor." Being thoroughly convinced of the truth of Jack's statements Ann steals out in the darkness and gets Long Bill to go for the Sheriff. In coming back into the house, her suspicions are confirmed as she finds the new "owner" in the act of opening the safe. Fortunately his back was turned, and slipping up the stairs she returned as though coming from her room, after making a noise to apprise him of her approach. If she could only keep him until Long Bill returned with aid, a task she found easier than she anticipated, for he was not averse to being entertained by a pretty girl; so the time passed without arousing his suspicions until he started for the door to ascertain the cause of approaching horsemen, to find himself confronted by his own guns, which Ann had contrived to steal from him. The Sheriff's arrival put an end to the masquerade, and with shamed and foolish faces the boys released the new ranch owner. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less