Thomas lives virtually alone in his house in Pennsylvania with only his cousin to look after him. His legs were damaged in a railway accident and the only way he can get around his house is by crawling, or by means of an awkward chaise lounge and prototype wheelchair that his cousin pushes. He loses his faith and reads only controversial books, and his neighbors begin to despise him. His neighbors threaten to boot him out and he hasn’t been in the company of a lady for a long time. One day, Thomas’ cousin puts an ad in for a mail order bride and to Thomas’ utter surprise, one shows up from California a few weeks later. He is stunned, as is she, when they both learn about the deception. Thomas thinks the woman will despise him because of his crippled legs, while she, on the other hand, believes the same thing about her own physical disability.