Joe Simmons, the town loafer, is warned by the ranch boys that he had better get to work and provide for his family on the penalty of a severe horse whipping if he does not do so. After repeated warnings the boys fake action and Joe is given the lashing he has been promised. Jim threatens that he will kill the ring leader of the band if he ever finds him out, but the boys scoff at the idea. The next morning Jim Wrayburn, the leader in the horsewhipping incident of the day before, calls on Joe, and presents him with a team of horses and kindly advice to get to work. Years go by. Joe has become a wealthy ranchman when he learns that it was Wrayburn who had horsewhipped him. Joe has never forgotten the whipping he received and plans to carry out the threat. However, finding Jim about to be turned out of his home, Joe pays off the mortgage and presents it to Jim with a note which says, "Given in payment for the good a whipping and two horses did for me."