When Gilhooly Was in Flower

Jigsaw Gilhooly has been moping around and trying to decide what to do to gain the attention of Mary Ann, whom he wants to make his wife. The problem is that despite being a good catch, his actions are driving her out of his life. Although she clearly has feelings for him, she has come to the conclusion that he is a dumb, unromantic bore. Out of desperation, she gives him a copy of the classic novel Ivanhoe and tells him not to come back until he has read it — which he does.

Coincidentally, there are two desperadoes trying to buy his ranch so that they can control the water rights and thereby force other ranchers to sell dirt cheap. When Gilhooly refuses to sell, they decide to kidnap Mary Ann in order to force his hand, which turns out to be a big mistake on their part, as they are no match for “Ivanhoe”!