Urged on by his wife and daughter and against his better judgment, Texas cattle-baron Maverick Brander, finds himself in Washington D. C. as an elected congressman. However, when the Brander family arrives in Washington, they are met at every junction by snobbery and ridicule. Then an investigative committee arrives from Texas to check up on how Maverick is representing their interests.—Les Adams <[email protected]>

Bossy Brander, the only child of Maverick Brander, the Texas Cattle King, is sad, for Captain Fairleigh Bright, to whom she is engaged, has received an official order transferring him to Washington, D.C. Major Yell is the political Boss of the Texas county, and he tells his henchmen, Bragg and Blow, "We've got to find somebody to run for Congress." Captain Bright overhears the conversation and believes he sees an opportunity to induce" the Branders to reside in Washington. Bright suggests to Yell that Maverick Brander is the man for Congressional honors. Yell, Bragg and Blow visit the Branders' ranch house and inform Maverick Brander "that the voice of the people is calling him to Washington." The proposition is ridiculed by Brander, who says that he will go to his mines in Mexico until after the election. Bossy, who wants to go to Washington, tells Major Yell: "We'll elect him while he's away. I've the right to sign checks for him, and I'll give you thirty thousand dollars for campaign expenses. That's $5 apiece for six thousand votes in this district." Yell takes the money and. encountering Mr. Fish, a gentleman of color, tells him that if he will cast the colored vote for Brander he'll be appointed Minister to Dahomey. On the evening of election day, Maverick Brander arrives home and is congratulated by the assembled multitude. Brander is furious, but after an affray with Yell, agrees to serve. Captain Bright leaves the next day for Washington after taking tender farewell of Bossy, who tells Bright that she fears when he meets all the Washington society girls, he will forget all about her. Captain Bright disdains even the thought of such a possibility. The next few weeks are busy ones for the lady members of Maverick Brander's family, for they plan all sorts of gowns with which to overcome the social elite of Washington. Finally they leave for Washington. When Washington is reached, troubles multiply for the Branders. At home amidst herds of grazing cattle, but decisively not at home in the artificial life of a large city, Maverick Brander is victimized right and left. In the meantime, Mrs. Brander and Bossy somehow realize that the gowns they had prepared in Texas with so much care are somewhat different in appearance and texture to those gowns worn by Washington ladies. Captain Bright calls and escorts Mrs. Brander and Bossy to dinner. He sees their wonderful dresses and stammering out a hasty excuse, he beats a retreat. Bossy refuses to recognize Captain Bright thereafter, much to his disconsolation. Mr. Fish, now that Maverick Brander has been elected Congressman, walks the railroad ties to Washington and calls upon Congressman Brander, asking for his appointment, but Brander tells him he does not know anything about it, so Mr. Fish leaves. Mrs. Brander and Bossy read up on etiquette, and an immediate alteration in gowns is noticed. Maverick Brander also falls under the influence of the new environment, and discards his cowhide boots and his huge revolver and appears resplendent in fashionable garments. Another election draws near down in Texas. Maverick Brander's constituents are told that he has been favoring several "graft" bills, and they appoint Major Yell, Colonel Bragg and Colonel Blow as an investigating committee to go to Washington. Bossy Brander has blossomed into a leader in Washington society, and Count Frechette is a suitor for her hand, having visions of Maverick Brander's wealth. The Count is greatly admired by Mrs. Brander, but is greatly disliked by Maverick Brander. Mr. Fish, losing all hope of becoming Minister to Dahomey, again applies to Maverick Brander for sustenance. Brander gives Fish some money for clothing and promises to find him a job. Mrs. Campbell, Bossy's friend from the Texas fort, arrives for a visit. At an official reception that night. Bossy is escorted by Count Frechette. Bright enlists the aid of Mrs. Campbell, and just when a reconciliation seems imminent, the Count appears and carries off Bossy. And finally Mr. Fish is happy. Attired in a battered plug hat and a gaudily decorated waistcoat, he calls upon Maverick Brander. "Thanks to you sah," he says, "I have received mah appointment. I have the general supervision of the jumping of the waste basket, sah." The Branders are giving a reception when the "investigating committee" arrives from Texas. Asked for their cards by the hotel clerk, they send up a deck of playing cards, much to the consternation of the hotel attaches. They are received by Maverick Brander, much to the consternation of Mrs. Brander and "the delight of Bossy, who is pleased to see again old acquaintances from Texas. Major Yell, as the spokesman, tells Brander they have come to investigate his official doings, "And while investigating me consider yourselves my guests," replies their old neighbor. Mrs. Brander orders her husband's secretary to "take those horrid men out and get them so intoxicated that they will be unable to appear at dinner." The secretary does his best, but the Texans appear carrying the secretary, whose valor proves better than his discretion. Warmed with wine the "investigating committee" proceed to fire several joyous shots into the air. Bullets penetrate into the room above where Colonel Pepper, a hotel guest, has a narrow escape. Bossy writes Captain Bright a letter apologizing for her treatment. Captain Bright, delighted and happy, reports at the Branders' apartments. He overhears Colonel Pepper order out a platoon of police. Together with Brander, he aids the "investigating committee" to escape the hotel by means of the fire escape and with the police hot upon their track, the Texans catch a train for home.—Moving Picture World synopsis