"Broncho Billy and the Schoolmistress" (1912, 14 minutes) is a comedy-drama about yet another girl from the East who doesn't need to be protected from the local dangers. Broncho Billy plays a passive role, and even takes a bullet when a jealous villain tries to eliminate him from the new teacher's dance card. Filmed in the wilds of Fairfax, California and at Essanay Studios in San Rafael.

Hickey, a contemptible character, acts as a spy for the police, keeping them posted concerning the doings of the crooks with whom he consorts. In return, the police, although they despise him, pay him small sums of money for expenses.

A girl-shy professor runs into trouble at a ladies’ seminary.

Steve Jameson, a cowboy, is having a lonely meal on the range one day when suddenly he is surprised by a stranger, who rushes covertly out of the bushes and begs him, in an excited manner, for food. The newcomer is a Mexican and his strange demeanor and excited manner suggest to Steve that he is a fugitive.

Dave Trent is employed on the Big C ranch and lives with his sister, Mary, a charming girl. Jim Andrews, foreman of the ranch, loves Mary, and one morning calls to put the engagement ring on her finger.

Ethel Walker and Tom Phelps are engaged to marry, but father objects. Later, when the old gentleman finds his daughter writing a note to Tom, promising him to elope, he calls in blacksmiths and has them put bars on the windows and grating in the door.

Bob Knight, foreman of the Five-Bar Ranch receives a letter one morning from his eastern cousin, Bob Lawlor, saying he will arrive next day for his vacation. Knight loves pretty Sue Jordan, a gay little coquette, and they are engaged. Next morning Lawlor arrives and Knight introduces him to Sue. She immediately is struck with his eastern clothes and manners

Old Seth Stevens and his pretty daughter Vedah, live in their rough hill-shack. Stevens conducts an illicit "still" in an abandoned shanty, and the "moonshine" whiskey is concealed in loads of hay and sold in the nearby town. One of the moonshiners is Tom Jackson, who loves Vedah. Stevens encourages Tom's attentions, but Vedah declares that she does not love the young moonshiner and his heart is broken in consequence.

Herbert Corrington, a would-be gambler and agent for an express company, not satisfied with the necessities of life, tries his luck at roulette, appropriating the express company's money. Robert, the son, is fast traveling in the footsteps of his father. The Sheriff in the next county is sent for a large package of money in Corrington's possession to be delivered to the Blue Ledge Mine for the payroll. Corrington gambles a thousand dollars of this money and loses. Broncho Billy, a professional gambler, loans Corrington the money necessary to replace the funds he had maliciously taken. Corrington gives the gambler a note payable in thirty days or his home as collateral in case of default.