Ruthie Reynolds spends her days working in a small carnival back East, dreaming of finding a husband who shares her passion for the carnival life. She knows such a man is rare and decides her best chance lies out West. Desperate to accomplish her goal, she contacts an experienced marriage broker. After a few weeks, the broker informs Ruthie of a unique opportunity: A man with a past in the carnival world who seeks a wife with similar interests. Thrilled by the prospect, Ruthie begins a correspondence with him and arranges to move out West. With a marriage contract in place, she packs her bags, leaves her Eastern life behind, and boards the train, hopeful and anxious about the future.
