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- The boob is working in a country grocery store. One day, a farmer gets in an argument with him. Words lead to a fight and the farmer chases the boob out and up the street. In his endeavor to escape be jumps into an auto driven by a girl from the city who lives near the store. The girl assists him to escape. In the girl the boob sees the girl of his dreams, but in him the girl sees merely a boob. A traveling show comes to town and advertises for extra people for their show. The boob applies and gets the job. After several blunders he gets his part and comes out on the stage. The girl and her father are in the audience and see the boob make an ass of himself. A fire breaks out in the theater during which there is a stampede for the exits. The girl is left in the burning theater. Her father tries to save her but cannot face the flames. The boob rushes in and saves the girl's life. Shortly afterward, the girl and her father leave for the city and leave a note for the boob. The girl tells him that if he ever comes to the city to be sure and call upon her. Enclosed in the note he finds a check from her father telling him to use his own judgment in disposing of the money, but he would suggest that he use it in getting an education. The girl in the city grows tired of society life and longs for a real man. The shallow life and selfishness of the people she comes in contact with disgusts her. The boob has taken the girls advice and secured a college education. He returns to her rejuvenated and she is very much surprised at the change in him. The boob has indeed become another man. With the development of his mind, his character and even looks have changed. In him the girl sees all that she has been wishing for.
- With the help of futuristic technical inventions, a private detective investigates a bizarre murder case involving mysterious messages delivered in a small black box by the killer.
- Desire, Goody Margin's ward, is a waif from one of the French colonies. She is distrusted by the stern Puritans of old Salem. Goody Martin dies leaving her herb lore secrets to the girl who practices them. The old governor meets her and, being struck by her beauty, tries to kiss her. She slaps him and he never forgets. Later the fear of witchery spreads through the colonies. Desire's hut is burned and she is pursued and stoned until saved by Margaret Maiden, for whom she becomes a maid. Here Margaret's fiancée, John, meets and falls in love with the little maid whom he calls a very witch in all truth. Later he sees her dancing wildly and freely in the wood and his love cannot be repressed. He catches her in his arms and kisses her. She admits her love for him, too, but then remembers Margaret. Fearing to spoil the love of one who has been so good to her, she goes back to the woods. It is forbidden for any woman to practice what is called black magic in Salem. Desire, on a visit to the town, sees a woman burned and is horrified. Margaret falls ill. The doctor cannot help her. Desire comes back to see her. She knows the herb that will make her well, and despite all protest, goes ahead. Margaret recovers, but Desire is arrested as a witch. In her cell she is sentenced to death as a witch. John and Margaret visit her and say good-bye. Later the old governor comes in. He says good-bye and taunts her. Finally he offers her freedom if she will yield to his love. She laughs in his face. Later she is led out to execution. John comforts Margaret, but he thinks of the other girl, who goes to her martyrdom in that hour. And, as the flames creep about her, Desire bows her head in prayer.
- Because of the extravagance of his wife, Jim Mason's home is broken up and he becomes a thief. His first attempt at burglary nets him the famous Allison pearls and a most unexpected acquaintance with Florence Allison, whose home is about to be broken up through the neglect of her husband. Jim recalls his own lost happiness, and prompted by deep sympathy, he suggests a plan to restore her husband's love. In gratitude, Florence insists that Jim shall keep the pearls, which he does, only on condition that he shall return them in six months in case his plan shall have failed. The husband, upon returning after a night out with the boys, finds Florence bound and unconscious, and realizes that his neglect has placed her life in jeopardy. The shock rekindles his dormant love and Florence regains her happiness. The trust makes Jim face life from a new angle. To protect the pearls and make good his word of honor to a trusting woman becomes the ruling passion of his life. He faces and overcomes temptations to dispose of the pearls. Down on his luck, he drifts back to the old rendezvous, where one of the gang who has long suspected Jim has the pearls, determines to have them. In a fight which ensues Jim is injured and drags himself to the Allison home to redeem his pledge, as he believes his plan has failed. He finds Florence happy in the possession of her husband's love and receives from her his just reward.
- A man robs his mill-owning brother-in-law and frames a weaver.
- A framed inventor flees to England and catches a spy at Epsom.
- Billie took out a policy which worked two ways. It was good for a loan of $3.75 or $500 in case of fire. He tried to collect on both clauses but had not counted on rivals and sweethearts. His rival extinguished Billie's insurance blaze and to cop Billie's troubles an ostrich swallowed the bracelet he had bought for his girl. In addition, an unkind note he had written in his rival's name fell into hostile hands and was read by unfriendly eyes. When the fire department and hoses had their turn, Billie found himself completely cured of any inclination to realize on fire insurance policies.
- King Drake has the automobile craze, and announces to his fellow-boarders that he is about to buy a car. He tells his sweetheart Jane Gallup that he will invite her to drive with him down Fifth Avenue and, left alone in the parlor, they take an imaginary joy-ride, King using a stool as a steering wheel. Ned Roarer, the floorwalker, is trying to sleep in his room above the parlor and bangs his shot on the floor. In spite of this protest and a further protest on the part of the landlady, King and Jane kept right on with their noisy "automobiling." After bidding Jane goodnight, King goes to his room and writes a letter to an automobile manufacturer, ordering a new car on time payments and enclosing $1.00. The new auto arrives a few days later. King looks it over, and tries to regulate and start it according to the instructions in the book of rules provided by the manufacturer. The car starts unexpectedly and King and Jane run after it. During the preliminary try-out, the car stops dead and King gets underneath to see what the trouble is. After righting matters, he rides off with Jane to meet with all sorts of trouble before he gets the hang of manipulating the steering apparatus. Getting too confident of his newly acquired skill as a chauffeur, he is warned by Jane that he will be arrested for speeding. But his speeding doesn't last long, as he loses control and the car, owing to his faulty steering, begins to skid backwards. After managing to stop the car, King and Jane consult the book of rules to ascertain the cause of the reverse action. King inspects the feed tank, but something goes wrong in the works, resulting in a terrific explosion. After a while, King picks himself up, looking like a tramp and aching from head to foot. He looks around for Jane and picks her up on the adjacent rocks in a most woebegone condition. Giving Jane a sympathetic kiss, he looks up and spies the remains of the auto smoldering in the branches of a tree.
- An ex-convict sells his soul to the devil for riches and kills his mistress at their engagement party.
- The husband was suspicious when his new wife introduced an attractive-looking stranger as her cousin. He went out to think it over and entered a moving-picture theater. Wife and "cousin" also craved the movies, and entered a theater--the same one where husband was. The drama unfolded on the screen was an exact reproduction of the trio's lives, and troubled the conscience of wife and "cousin" exceedingly. It was also the spark which ignited the suppressed doubt and suspicion in the husband's mind. He started working with his Krupps. "Cousin" started playing hide-and-seek, and wife started bawling. As usual, her tears softened him, and after husband had worked off his ill temper, he forgave her. "Cousin" disappeared, and the only one who was inconvenienced was a nondescript gentleman who was thrown through the screen.
- Nan Brenner is a toiler in one of the large department stores. Her mother, built on a large scale physically, virtually overawes the household. Her husband, failing to make a living in the past, she has taken in washing and forces him to do the labor. As a compensation for his work she gives him ten cents on every dollar that she makes. This sum immediately goes to swell the funds of the liquor trust. Jimmy Ford is a shipping clerk in a large wholesale house. Every evening he catches the car as it comes through the wholesale district and as the crowds usually get on downtown he always has a seat. He has noticed Nan many times and has offered his seat many times. She refuses each time. One rainy day he goes through the same routine and while waiting for Nan to take the seat, a laborer slips into it. Jimmy expostulates and a fight ensues, in which Jimmy throws the laborer out. Nan is weary and thankfully sinks into the disputed seat. When Nan goes to get off, she notices Jimmy has left his umbrella in the seat and takes it to him. He gets off with her and offers to share the umbrella with her. She at first refuses, and then reluctantly agrees. Jimmy gets a promise from Nan that she will go with him for a walk through the park the coming Sunday. At last the long awaited day arrives and the two lighthearted young folks set out. Passing several of her acquaintances. Nan hears them remark that she has a "steady." Near the zoo they see a poor drunken sot who is being baited by a crowd of boys. Nan, with horror, realizes it is her father. Jimmy, not knowing him, takes pity on him and runs the boys off and offers to take him home. Nan tells him it is her father and he tells to go on ahead that he will bring him home. Nan thinks her newly-found romance is over, for when they arrive home, Jimmy will see her home life as it really is. When Jimmy arrives home with the old man, his wife abruptly jerks him out of Jim's hands without even a word of thanks for his kindness. Nan has gone to her room and thrown herself sobbing upon the bed. As Jimmy starts to leave, he hears her and timidly knocks on her door. She bids him enter and he bashfully tells her that they had better go back and finish the rest of the peanuts he purchased. Out in the park later is found a young couple. The girl is shaking with sobs, while her protector has his arms around her vainly trying to soothe her. At last she raises her head and looks searchingly at him. Satisfied with her scrutiny, she surrenders into his eager embarrassed arms and as the story ends Jimmy takes his toll of kisses.
- A squire's son and a miner's son join the Scouts and foil a gypsy spy supplying petrol to U-boats.
- Pedro is a violin maker. One day while his talented ward, Marguerita, is playing on a new violin that Pedro has made, Maurice Puello, director of a theater, comes in with a violin of his own to have repaired. He hears the girl play and is enraptured. He persuades her to come to his theatre and give a rehearsal. She is shy at first, but Pedro, too, urges her to accept, and she agrees. Her first appearance is a great success, and Pedro in the audience, wildly applauds her. Pedro decides to make a special violin for her and lavishes his love and experience in the work of art for his sweetheart. At last the work is completed and he goes to the theater to give it to her. Waiting at the stage door, he sees Marguerita and Maurice come out arm in arm. He is overcome with jealousy and disguises himself as a blind beggar in order to watch the girl. One night as he is playing, Maurice and Marguerita come by and are attracted by the music. The girl immediately falls in love with the violin and they try to buy it, but he tells them he has made it for his sweetheart and refuses to sell. He shows it to them and they see an inscription on the back "to my Marguerita.'' Pedro, in anger, discloses his identity and furiously breaks the violin across his knees, throwing the pieces aside. One night Pedro wanders into a café in the Latin Quarter and while sitting at one of the tables, sees Marguerita come on the performers' stage and give a rehearsal. He calls one of the waiters to him and, giving him a coin, tells him to take it to the girl and request another performance. The girl asks who sent the coin and Pedro is pointed out to her. She is surprised, but consents and renders a very touching melody. She goes to the table where Pedro sits, still playing and asks for forgiveness. He is about to turn her aside when he notices that she has the violin he had made for her and then broken. He is overcome by the evidence of the girl's devotion to him and the two unhappy hearts are once more full of gladness.
- Frank Herrod is a detective with a conscience; Irene Morris, a stenographer for Oliver Morton, an unscrupulous mining promoter. She and her little sister, "Billie," live with Mrs. Benson" a motherly old lady whose only means of support is the board she receives from them. Billie has a puppy she calls "Baby." One day, furious at a proposition made to him by a client, Frank throws himself into a chair by the window. His frown changes to a smile as he looks across a narrow areaway and sees Irene working at her typewriter. She glances up and, seeing him smiling at her, is annoyed and pulls down the shade. Mrs. Benson, with a child-like faith in the advertised richness of Morton's mine, sends him her scanty savings to invest. He chuckles in satisfaction and, handing the latter to Irene, tells her to mail a receipt. Irene knows Mrs. Benson and, for her friend's sake, asks Morton if the mining property is all right. He declares that it is, but his manner increases her suspicions and he sees that she does not believe him. He becomes angry and discharges her. Frank, anxious to make her acquaintance, pretends to be interested in mining stock and goes to the office. She passes him as he enters. He secures some circulars and leaves. Morton learns that Frank is a detective and begins to get nervous. Irene tells Mrs. Benson of her suspicions and sends her to Frank for advice. Morton sees her with Frank, and his fears are increased. Frank sees him watching from behind the curtain, and in order to catch him napping, says to her in a loud voice, "I will investigate the matter tomorrow." He then slips over to Morton's office after calling up the police station and giving them a description of Morton. He catches Morton just as he is about to flee with his ill-gotten gains. Morton tries to bluff but caves in when he is confronted with the receipt. He gladly pays back the money and Frank allows him to go. He hurries away but is unexpectedly nabbed by the cop waiting for him outside. Frank goes to Mrs. Benson's to pay the money over to her and finds Irene there. He is introduced to her and is overjoyed. Billie has gone to the store on an errand and calls up the house. The 'phone bell rings, and Irene answers it. Frank's happiness is changed to consternation and despair as he hears Irene say, "All right, Billie dear, hurry home; baby wants you." He is about to leave, his dream shattered, when the little sister returns and is introduced as "Billie." Hope is born again but he is still mystified. Irene guesses the reason for his actions and in a spirit of mischief says, "Don't go till you have seen 'Baby.'" She goes out and return with a basket and to his astonishment, he gazes upon a cunning little puppy. In great relief and joy he grabs and hugs the puppy and Irene smiles at him as the scene fades.
- Professor Schultz invents a mechanical life-sized doll. By pressing the right button on its back it will dance or sing. Now little Lillian, the spoilt daughter of Heinie Gotrocks, reads a newspaper account of Prof. Schultz's invention. She will not let up on dad until he promises to buy this mechanical doll for her nursery. The family go to inspect the toy, and Gotrocks promises Prof. Schultz $20,000 for his invention, to be paid when delivered. Gotrocks and his family depart. Prof. Schultz and his helper, all flustered at the prospect of securing the $20,000, are carefully packing the big doll when the janitor, cleaning the toy shop, carelessly upsets the doll box and puts the manikin out of business. Schultz and his helper are enraged. Something must be done, or the twenty thousand is lost. They then notice that the offending janitor is exactly the same size as the injured manikin. They force him to imitate the doll and don its costume. He rebels to no purpose. They promise to relieve him as soon as the doll is repaired and carry him in the doll's place to the home of Gotrocks. Little Lillian is more than delighted with her new possession. The janitor's imitations of the actions of the real doll get by. It was all very fine at first, but as time passed, it ceased to be a joke. He was made to perform day and night at little Lillian's parties, and his stomach grew more and more empty. His frantic appeals over the telephone to Prof. Schultz only brought him the advice to stay on just a little longer as repairs were being rushed on the real doll. Now, Gotrock's butler had caught the janitor off his guard several times and had a well-founded suspicion that the supposed manikin was a fake. In fact, later events proved to him he was certainly right. The butler's endeavor to prove to Gotrocks got him "in bad," however, for Prof. Schultz arrived in the nick of time with the real mechanical doll, thereby allowing the mighty thankful janitor not only to escape his dreadful position but to get back on the butler for the indignities suffered at the latter's hands. When Gotrocks and his family are shown the mechanical doll is no fake, they put down the recent escapades of the janitor to the fact that the twenty thousand dollar doll must have slipped a cog.
- A woman is in love with a dashing Army lieutenant, but her father refuses to consent to give him her hand. The daughter appeals to her father's patriotism, but when he fails to relent, declares her own independence.
- The café oven, the proprietor's watch, the cashier, and the chef's irritable temper were among the things that made life unpleasant for the waiter. He and the chef were roommates, but the chef weighed 300 pounds and had a weakness for all the blankets on the bed, so the waiter usually found himself sleeping out where the breeze blew. Both the chef and the waiter loved the cashier. Neither realized his heart affair would interfere with business, but it did to the annoyance of patrons and the displeasure of the proprietor. The climax came when the proprietor's watch wandered into the chef's pocket and the waiter tried to put his mitts into the cash register. On top of this the waiter tried to talk to the cashier when the chef wasn't looking. The latter saw this from among his choppers and saws and started throwing instruments about. He did not realize these things cut until he thought he had killed a man and proceeded to put the body in a barrel. Proprietor, patrons, and waiters all start chasing the chef. All of them fall down cellar except the waiter. He seeks safety in the oven, and is almost incinerated before he is rescued.
- The four young married folks were all cursed with the artistic temperament, but unfortunately, in humoring it, they all got into the same studio unknown to each other. Bill's wife went to look at paintings. Bill went because he saw a swell-looking model going thither, and the latter's husband went because he imagined himself a connoisseur. Bill got confused at so much art and tried to tickle a lady's toes. She turned out to be his own wife and Bill made a quick exit back to the next room where the other model was. Her husband entered at this moment and didn't like to see his wife in draperies and a pleasant smile. He showed his displeasure so strongly that Bill put on a gladiator's suit to avoid the smoke and excitement. This didn't help him as a policeman tried to arrest him for indecency. Bill tried hard to escape. His wife also ran. The other husband and wife also got into the running, followed by two persistent cops who attempted to shield the ladies from the public's gaze with their coats. Everybody fell into a big ditch except Bill, who got out and covered the rest up with wet sand.
- Marion has two suitors, one is a sport and the other a policeman. In the opening scene the policeman meets Marion in the park. They sit down on a bench and he urges her to marry him. After Marion has reached home the sport calls, and realizing that he has a dangerous rival in the policeman, hastens to propose to Marion, telling her that if she will marry him she will be able to lead a life of luxury and ease. The policeman is evidently a favorite with Marion's mother, but the girl now has had her head turned with the prospect of enjoying wealth by marrying the sport, and shows indifference toward the policeman. Her mother tries to smooth things over with the policeman and insists that he sit down and take a meal with her. Marion falls asleep and dreams of her wedding with the sport. The visualization of her dreams is thrown on the screen and we see her being pelted with flowers by a joyous assemblage of wedding guests as the happy couple are leaving the church to start on their honeymoon. Next we see them established in a fully furnished apartment. Marion seems to be provided with everything that her heart could wish for. A change, however, comes over her dream, for after that we see the sport following his real profession at a gambling house, where he is caught cheating at cards and is ignominiously ejected. He goes home and enters in an angry mood. When Marion starts to cry, he brutally throws her aside, takes a key from her and goes to the dresser, where he appropriates her jewelry. Then he lights a cigar and presumably goes back to the gambling house, after having obtained more funds from the sale of the jewels. At all events we next find him down and out, as he and Marion are living in poverty. Soon afterwards the sport knocks a passer-by senseless and robs him. A boy gives the alarm, but the sport eludes the police, who are in close pursuit, and, entering his own house, he tells Marion to conceal the money he has stolen, and then rushes up to the attic to conceal himself. The policeman, Marion's former suitor, enters and recognizes her. At this point the mother awakens Marion, who is greatly relieved that she has merely had a horrible dream, and realizes "what might have been" her fate had she married the sport. The mother, deeming this to be the psychological moment to further the interests of the policeman, brings him into the parlor, and Marion falls into his arms.
- Phillip Randall, a wealthy young southerner in search of health, travels in a coach to a little woodlawn resort, The Ardmore Inn, where he is cared for by old Tom Babcock and his lame wife Rosa. Their daughter Sarah is to be married the next day, in the garden of the nearby convent. Violet, 17, meets the Mother Superior, who reminds her that her 18th birthday is approaching, when she is to take the Holy Veil. On Sarah's wedding day, Violet gathers a large basket of roses for the bride. The village guests have assembled at the inn and Phillip, at Rosa's request, acts as best man. After the ceremony Violet gives the roses to Sarah. She becomes self-conscious under Phillip's admiring gaze. Phillip learns from old Rosa that Violet's mother, after her betrayal by the son of a wealthy man, had died broken-hearted. Before her death she left her infant at the door of the convent, where the child was found by the Mother Superior, who brought her up and called her Violet. The next day Phillip shoots a bird in the convent garden. The bird falls, at Violet's feet. Phillip approaches, and his attitude towards Violet is a mingling of shame, amusement, and awakening love. At the evening vespers she is questioned on her strange mood by the Mother Superior who, after soothing her, sends her to her convent cell to pray for divine guidance. Meanwhile Phillip has a vision of Violet and realizes how completely she has aroused his love for her. Violet has also fallen under the spell of love. She takes a piece of altar cloth she is embroidering, puts it on her head, and leans out of the window to pluck a spray of roses. The candle throws her shadow on the wall of her cell, and a vision fades in of herself arrayed in a white bridal gown and veil with an armful of roses. The vision fades and Violet, terrified by her wicked thoughts, tears the cloth from her hair and flings the roses from the window. Unable to rest, she rushes out of the convent. Phillip, equally restless, leaves the inn and sits down on the steps of the village church. Violet, on approaching the church, starts as she sees Phillip's figure rise up before her. There in the moonlight they meet. Phillip confesses his love. Alarmed at his passionate pleading, she tells him she cannot be false to her vows, and seeks refuge in the convent, where she sobs in despair in her cell. Some days later Phillip is thrown from his horse in a hunting party and is seriously injured. Violet witnesses his fall. For a month he lies ill at the inn, while Violet looks eagerly forward to the day of his recovery. A week before Violet is to take the veil Phillip comes out of his delirium, and longs to see her again. He finds a pencil and pad on the table near his bed, and writes her a note in which he asks her to become his wife if God grants his recovery. On reflection it occurs to him that it would be wrong to make her break her vows, and he is about to destroy the note when he faints from undue exertion in his feeble condition. Old Tom, however, finds the note, and hands it to Violet, who, after reading it, rushes from the convent garden to the consternation of all the nuns. Violet enters the sick-room and kneels at Phillip's bedside. When Phillip opens his eyes and sees Violet, he masters his desire to clasp her in his arms, and asks her forgiveness, telling her he knows that she intends to be true to her vows. Surprised at Phillip's apparent change of attitude, she staggers to the door of the convent, where the Mother Superior catches the fainting girl in her arms. Phillip, on discovering that the note he wrote to Violet has disappeared, learns from Tom that it had been delivered to her. Presently he finds the crumpled note at the foot of his bed, and realizes that Violet had come to consent to give herself to him instead of the Church. The shock causes him to have a relapse, and after his recovery he goes to the convent. Looking over the hedge he sees Violet draped in black. With a little cry of grief, Violet lowers her head in prayer and passes on without a word.
- Helen Wright receives a note from her editor, saying he would like her to write a story, telling how two young people, thrown together, can fall in love within a month. Knowing nothing of love, Helen decides to make it a real story, so inserts an ad in the paper: Wanted, a nice young man as secretary to young brunette, first month as a trial. Helen Wright, 25 Fallon Street. Harry Smith, while passing Helen's house, becomes very much infatuated. The next day his valet desires to quit in order to apply for the other position. He gives the newspaper to his master, who decides, as a lark, to answer it himself. He does and is accepted. As the month goes along, very little work is being done, for they are both much in love. One morning Helen's maid complains of her jaw hurting. A doctor is called, who informs them that she has the mumps and the house must be quarantined for at least a month. Two policemen are stationed at the house. No one can enter or leave. The last day is up, the manuscript finished, but they cannot leave the house. The same day, a burglar enters the house. The maid pleads with him, in fact even goes so far as to kiss him, if he will leave. He insists that she hand over the jewels; she leads him to Helen, who is much more frightened of the mumps than the burglar. Harry enters, struggling with the burglar, sends the maid upstairs, tells Helen to call the policemen, gives her the revolver, takes the manuscript, and as the policemen enter, Harry dashes past them out of the house to the editor's office. The policemen take charge of the burglar, and leave. Harry finds it impossible to enter the house, but he does the same thing the burglar does, enters the window at the side of the house. Helen now has quite a sore throat. Harry enthusiastically enters and kisses her. She implores him not to, telling him that she has the mumps. That night, Harry hits upon a plan to elope with Helen. He goes to her room, throws a blanket over her head, leads her to his house, where he 'phones the minster. After the ceremony is performed, the minister insists, upon kissing the bride. She objects, but he insists. He does. Next day finds the minister with the mumps, the burglar in jail, suffering. The officer watching the house, also has a swollen jaw, and Helen and Harry cannot find room to even kiss, their faces are so swollen.
- Father was a born flirt but so was a husky individual he met in the park and they both picked out the same girl. Father came out of the excitement with an aching jaw and wounded feelings. Soon after daughter brought her beau home to meet father, but sweetheart turned out to be the park flirt. He left in a hurry but Henry whom father disliked even more, took his place soon afterwards. Henry wanted to marry daughter but father couldn't see him and rudely told him so. Henry was a slapper, however, and gave father a couple of slaps in the face. This caused father to change his opinion and he went into the next room and told daughter she must marry Henry. Daughter had other ideas and told father it couldn't be done. Father said, "all right," but Henry repeated on the slapping and father again told Henry he should have the hussy. Father reluctantly agreed that Henry should kidnap daughter but neither realized they had hired the rival to do the job. This tough guy refuses to give her up and Henry is forced to confess to father that he can't get his child back. Father is peeved but Henry gets the girl.
- Mr. Rawsberry imagined he was getting away with a little flirtation when another park pest appeared and attempted to horn in on the affair. The lady was not paying any attention to either of them and she walked off quickly. They also walked off quickly after her. but Mr. Rawsberry made a mistake and walked into the police station where a hard-looking judge was sitting. He managed to walk out again but met another lady and followed her home. She lived in an apartment house and her husband had an ill temper. A sharpshooter lived next door and a lady was taking a bath across the hall. Mr. Rawsberry would have liked to walk out of this, but this was impossible and instead he walked into the sharpshooter's room. The sharpshooter didn't like company and Mr. Rawsberry was forced to walk out again and into the bath room where the lady was. More unpleasantness arose when the park pest got into the same house and antagonized the sharpshooter. Everybody walked out again but back into the police station, where the hard-looking judge got good and sore at so many interruptions. A cop went through the wall. Mr. Rawsberry hit the judge on the stomach with a mallet, and the sharpshooter outstripped all his previous records as a marksman. Mr. Rawsberry was cured of flirtation.
- A little boy and his beloved puppy find themselves in and out of mischief.
- A cowboy will inherit a fortune if he weds a girl named Mary Brown.
- A factory girl makes use of the National Baby Week Council while a slut's baby dies.
- Billie was playing a cornet and thought he was the only fellow making a noise. Oscar, his rival, however, was blowing a trombone in the near vicinity and the girl evidently preferred sonorous notes to light airy ones, as she picked Oscar and left Billie blowing flat notes. This made him sore and he attempted to throw Oscar into the creek. They both fell into a sand pile. Her ill feeling was not helped when Oscar got a job playing solos in the village meeting house which Billie had been trying to land for a month. Billie took a lemon to the concert, however, and when Oscar commenced his solo, Billie sat in the front row and squeezed the sour fruit. This so puckered Oscar's tonsils that he couldn't blow a note. The concert was upset and Oscar chased Billie onto the roof. Billie thought he was going to escape in the bell, but he didn't know Oscar was going to ring it from below. Neither did Oscar realize the roof was going to collapse when he chased Billie out on it. Also the girl did not realize the roof was going to fall on her, nor did the congregation want to get hit with plaster. But they all did.
- Before Madge married, Dr. Carr had been her family's physician for years. To Madge, a sensitive, high-strung girl, he was more than a physician; he was much the same as a father. Jim Rothwell, Madge's husband, is a rising young attorney, a fighter, who has been nominated by the reform party for Court Attorney. The political machine fears his election and its results. They search his private life for campaign material. There is nothing. In desperation they determine to compromise him, and to create a scandal that will attract the ill-favor of the public. Mrs. Wiley is brought from another city for the purpose. According to the plan, she visits Jim at his office, to consult him relative to purchasing some real estate. In preparation for the denouement of their scheme, a confederate has established himself in a neighboring office as a broker. Mrs. Wiley lays down a liberal fee and Jim, unsuspecting, gladly accepts it. As the woman leaves the office, Jim bids her a temporary adieu with marked politeness. Madge, who has been out on a shopping tour, approaches in the hall. She is inclined to treat the incident lightly. She secures the necessary shopping money from Jim and departs. Jim leaves a bit late that evening; the janitor has entered to start work. As Jim throws on his coat, the janitor calls his attention to a lady's handbag on the chair. Examination shows that it contains money. Jim decides to take it home and call Mrs. Wiley on the phone to inform her of her loss. That evening a member of Jim's party, who in reality has been secretly bought over by the crooked politicians, finds an excuse to visit him. He is there when Jim calls Mrs. Wiley over the phone about the pocket-book. Madge has stepped into the room adjoining. As the phone message is about finished the friend knocks a vase to the floor to attract Madge's attention. Madge enters in time to hear her husband's closing sentence, which, in itself, sounds compromising. At sight of the pocket-book her first suspicions are aroused. After the friend's departure, Jim turns her inquiries aside with the characteristic remark of a busy man. Several days later, Jim complies with Mrs. Wiley's request to accompany her to the real estate in question to appraise it. On the way to the place in a taxi, the pair are observed by Madge coming from a matinee. She hurries to her old doctor, Carr, and confesses her fears to him He is inclined to laugh them aside, but lightly tells her that if she is suspicious she should watch her husband. Madge leaves, taking the advice to heart. While Jim is looking over the vacant house he first becomes suspicious that some sort of trap is being laid for him. He catches a glimpse of a man lurking near the house and observes Mrs. Wiley in a suspicious attempt to signal him. Once back at his office Jim gets in touch with the campaign chairman. Two detectives are sent to consult with Jim. He explains his suspicions and it is decided that the detectives shall keep a close watch to forestall any attempt to compromise him. Returning home, Jim is about to tell his wife of the affair, but he decides not to cause her any unnecessary worry. It may all be a mistake. Next morning Jim leaves the house to be followed shortly by his wife. At the office Jim receives Mrs. Wiley. Madge has observed her enter the building and has followed, pausing in the hall. Mrs. Wiley, her back to the door, has quietly slipped the lock. She approaches Jim. Madge tries the door, and finds it closed against her. Mrs. Wiley plays her card on the instant; she rushes to Jim's arms and embraces him. Madge looking through the keyhole, sees enough to convince her of her husband's perfidy. She staggers from the building and rushes home. Jim, meanwhile, has tried to fight off the woman. Mostly as the result of her own efforts, her hair is torn down, and her dress badly disarranged. The confederate from the adjoining office, breaks in the door and throttles him. And then Jim's detectives, waiting nearby, rush in. Mrs. Wiley and her companion are arrested. Jim leaves for home to tell his wife of the whole affair, as a huge joke to be laughed over now at the politicians' expense. Meanwhile, Madge has called up Doctor Carr. Over the phone she says, "I took your advice; good-bye." She writes a hurried note: "Jim, how could you do it? I saw it all, the other woman, the kiss. God be kind, it is the end for me." When Jim reaches home, he finds it empty. Doctor Carr. now fearful his advice has gone amiss, makes for Jim's residence. He arrives as Jim finishes reading the note found on the table. He sees the haunting, fearful, questioning look in Jim's eyes and, his lips trembling, the doctor confesses. The old doctor is heart-broken. Madge, after all, was like an own child to him. Now she may be dead. Jim jumps to action. Hailing an auto, he makes inquiries and learns that his wife went in a certain direction, toward the lake. Jim follows with the doctor, crushed and broken. They race for the country. They arrive in time. Madge, her face turned toward the sunset wades, like one in a dream, out into deeper water. Jim calls her, rushes to her aid, and in the final scene matters are explained with the old doctor sorely repentant.
- Senor La Bullio was a fierce, wild lover and also the village barber. He made the big hit with Senorita Hitchey Koo, until Mr. Perkins, the globe trotter, appeared. The latter made an easy conquest of Senorita, but made the mistake of talking about it when he went in to get a shave. Senor Bullia had him conveniently in the chair with an assortment of razors within reach. Mr. Perkins cursed bis glib tongue and the Senor reached for them. Perkins' regrets didn't appease La Bullio, and he tried to get out. The Senor was a better runner than he, however. Other rivals had this fact impressed on them when they got in the way of the sprinters. The Senorita turned out to be a fickle jade and shook the bunch.
- Father was to be married, but his bride-to-be was not exactly beautiful. Accordingly when his son's sweetheart came to attend the ceremony, Father set eyes on her, and then and there forgot his own waiting bride and his parental duty. Son, however, saw this interest, and told the waiting bride's brother, who was six feet tall and had an ugly disposition. This gentleman saw that father came back to his plain but indignant sister. Father was compelled to order Son's sweetheart out of the house, but he did not neglect to observe where she lived. When his own mistreated fiancée came to plead with the pretty one to leave her man alone, Father was also lurking about the house waiting for an opportunity to carry off the girl who had so infatuated him. Unfortunately his henchmen mistook his own sweetheart for the son's, and carried her off in a sack. Father did not discover his mistake until too late, when a runaway auto, some police, and a cliff made him realize it. Meantime, Son got the pretty one.
- Eddie, tired of club life, decides to bid his friends good-bye and go to the mountains to lead the simple life for a while. Victoria longs to be an authoress and studiously reads her book on "How to Become an Author." From that volume she learns that she should study in real life the types about which she desires to weave her story. Determined to write a story around a mountaineer type, she coaxes her father to take her on a trip to a mountain resort, which he finally is prevailed upon to do. One day while in search of her big idea, Victoria happens upon Eddie as he sits in borrowed rough clothes fishing in a quiet stream. She knows at once that she has found her character. He thinks her crazy, but finally, learning her true object, decides to teach her a lesson. He takes his father's friend into his confidence and they plan a joke. Next Victoria finds her hero waiting for her. In order to learn more of his character, she indulges in a little love-making. Later they are together when the other party comes upon them. He claims to be Eddie's father and accuses the city girl with endeavoring to corrupt his innocent son and says that nothing but a marriage can square matters. Victoria protests in vain and a mock marriage is performed in all seriousness. Victoria makes her escape finally, and rushing back to the resort hotel, tells her father of what has occurred. Her father refuses to believe her at first, but finding that she is serious about it, gets a gun and sets out to get Eddie and his supposed father. Eddie has decided by this time that the joke has gone far enough and, donning his own clothes, repairs to the hotel to call upon Victoria and explain all. On the way he meets her father, but neither knows the other. Eddie meets Victoria and explains his little joke in such a way that their friendship becomes stronger than ever. He then returns to the cabin and explains that the joke has gone far enough and that he has explained all to Victoria. The surprise comes, however, when in the presence of Victoria, the friend of Eddie's father explains that the marriage was really binding, as he was an ex-minister with full authority to perform the marriage. After a few moments of perplexity the young people decide to make the best of it and Victoria finds that her father is not averse to the marriage.
- John Thornton and his supposed nephew Tom live together in the city. They are fond of each other, but the elder man is worried about Tom, for the boy has fallen into the habit of gambling heavily at his club. One night Tom leaves for the club. An old beggar breaks into the house and comes to the library. John captures him. The beggar is too ill to protest. He sees a blue ribbon lying on the floor and picks it up. "My wife always wore a blue ribbon like that," he says. Thornton is startled. He looks closer at the man and recognizes him. Thornton phones Tom. The boy has gambled heavily and lost. Conscience-stricken he goes home and tells his uncle. The older man then tells him the story of a gambler. Twenty years before, John Thornton is a lawyer. Mary, daughter of the storekeeper, is his sweetheart. Hack Martin, a drummer, comes to the store to get an order, meets Mary, and is interested in her. John objects. They quarrel. A month later Martin and the girl are married and move to the city. Martin is a gambler and drinks heavily. He loses his position and decides that they will go back and live with Mary's father at least until after her child is born. Later Mary is ill and the doctor says her husband must be called. John offers to find him. He locates Martin in a saloon gambling. He tells him to come, but Martin will not leave. John plays the man for his wife's happiness. John wins Martin's money. Then John makes the proposition that Mary's freedom and happiness shall be the stake. John wins and drags the drunken man to the house. Mary is dead, the baby born. Martin starts to take it, but John steps in and takes the child as his stake. The picture fades into the library, the white-faced boy and the old man. The latter leads the lad to the bedroom where the butler has put the beggar to bed. "He is your father, Tom," says Thornton. The beggar is dead.
- Ferris Sims, once a notorious crook, but lately leading an apparently honest life, has a daughter, Helen, whom he wishes to keep in ignorance of his past life and also of his erstwhile associates, who frequently visit him. The girl is in love with, and is loved by, a rich young man of the town. "Spider" Dale, Sims' lieutenant and former companion in crime, calls on him for the first time, and gets a good look at the girl. He immediately falls in love with her and tries to meet her, but her father objects. This angers him and he goes back to his den, where Flo Summers, who has previously held his fancy, awaits his coming. Time passes and one day "Spider" sees Flo reading a paper in which the engagement of Helen Vincent is announced. He is mad with rage, and getting the address of her fiancé, goes there to kill him. Flo is angry because "Spider" is in love with Helen, and calling up Sims' house, warns him of what the crook is going to do. Sims, in an effort to save the life of his daughter's lover, hurries to the house where he lives. He arrives at the same time as "Spider" and they confront each other with drawn guns. Vincent has heard the noise of their entrance, and, slipping in, turns on the light and confronts the two with a drawn revolver. Their surprise is mutual, and in the moment of indecision, "Spider" makes a desperate attempt to kill Vincent. Sims is too quick for him, though, and jumping in the way, stops the fatal bullet, but his life pays for the sacrifice. The crook, too, meets his fate at the hands of Vincent, who fires back. As the scene fades, the girl's father makes a last rally and is about to tell of his past, when he sinks and dies without bringing his past from the shadows. The two young people live in ignorance of the double life of the girl's father.
- The little cow-camp of Rawhide is slumbering under the desert stars. Suddenly the doors of one of the saloons bursts open and Fred and Jack back out of the saloon shooting. They leap upon their waiting horses and dash away, a body of citizens in pursuit. Out on the desert's edge stands the lonely little cabin of Pauline, "The Girl of the Desert." On the night in question, she has retired for the night when she becomes aware of a pounding on the door and a man's voice asking her to open it. She takes her revolver from under her pillow and waits. Slowly the door is forced open. Pauline draws herself back into the shadow and when one of the intruders lights a match, he finds himself looking into the muzzle of a revolver. Pauline orders them out. The two men are Fred and Jack, who have sought refuge from the pursuing cowboys. They leave the cabin good naturedly but camp nearby for the night. The pursuers, baffled and thrown off the track, divide into several small bands and start scouring the country for the fugitives. One of these stumbles upon Pauline's cabin and demands entry. Pauline, thinking that they are the two refugees who first broke into her cabin, warns they away and when they persist in trying to force an entry, opens fire and slightly wounds one of them. They return the fire through the door and when one of the bullets from their guns shatters a lamp chimney near Pauline's head, her feminine nature asserts itself and she dives under the covers. Frank and Jack, startled out of a sound sleep by the shots, investigate and find that their would-be captors have broken into the cabin and are subjecting the girl to insult. They immediately champion her cause and succeed in taking their pursuers captives. Out of gratitude, Pauline offers to show the two fugitives the trail across the desert to the border. They set out early next morning, leaving the three members of the posse tied up in the cabin. Owing to a wound which Fred has sustained in the encounter, he becomes delirious and they finally lose the trail. But after many hardships, the border is reached. Pauline says good-bye to the boys, sets out on the back trail across the desert to her little cabin and the incident closes.
- Detective Potts is the star detective on the force and as such is a welcome suitor for the hand of the commissioner's daughter. The young detective joins the force. He is made the butt of all jokes, and the star detective disdains to even look upon him. The daughter falls for the new man. But they have a road hard to travel with the opposition of both the commissioner and the star detective. Both realize that matters cannot go on as they are, so they decide on drastic measures. They arrange to have a fake kidnapping with Eddie to pull the hero stuff. The matter is all arranged. The girl goes to visit her father, after writing him a note telling him that unless he comes across with some money his daughter will be kidnapped. Her father shows her the note and makes it a joke. The girl pretends to be afraid but is reassured by her father, who tells her that such a thing cannot happen with Potts on the job. The girl then goes to her chum's dad on the 'phone and tells him that she has been kidnapped. When dad hears a muffled scream come over the wire, which is caused by the chum holding her hand over Vic's mouth, he is frantic. Potts is put on the job and combs the town but without avail. Eddie pleads to be put on the case, but gets nothing but sneers. He calls the girl up and tells her the plan is working smoothly but he can't seem to get on the case. They plan another coup. The girl writes another note to Potts telling him to go to a deserted house near the railroad and await developments. He has a clue at last and departs stealthily. He finds the house all right and sits down at the door, gun in hand, to await developments. Meanwhile the girl has been taken to the house and put in an inside room, tied to a chair and left. The young detective at last gets on the case and. after making the rounds, comes back and tells the commissioner his daughter has been kidnapped by the star detective. They laugh at him when he tells them he will prove it. He takes the commissioner to the house and tells him to peer in at the window. They see the girl inside tied. At the front, as if on guard, sits Potts, "waiting developments." He is denounced and his star taken off. Meanwhile the young detective has released the girl and they are inwardly shaking with laughter at the success of the plan. As the picture fades, the young detective has risen to be the star and with the old man's backing things look bright for an early marriage.
- An artist is blamed when her drunkard father shoots her brutal husband.
- Widow Craige has twin sons. Bob is self-sacrificing and the main support of his mother. His twin, Harry, is the opposite type, one who frequents the beer halls and public dances. In one of his drunken orgies Harry starts an argument with an associate over a girl. His friend is accidentally shot with his own gun. Harry, believing himself a murderer, flees from the city. The news of this killing causes the death of the mother. Years pass by and Bob, with his savings, leaves for the west to try ranching. His sweetheart and her mother he leaves behind, with the promise that he will send for them shortly. Meantime Harry, having gone from bad to worse, has joined a band of outlaws. Circumstances bring him near his brother's ranch, with the sheriff hot upon his trail. Bob is arrested by mistake and made a prisoner in the county jail. Harry, having seen the arrest, decides to impersonate Bob and take possession of his ranch. This he does and he even goes so far as to receive the sweetheart and her mother, who arrive from the east several days following. But something tells the girl that all is not well, and she seeks the advice of the sheriff. There is an investigation, which results in the confession and death of Harry. Bob comes into his own shortly afterward.
- Henry Desmond is a self-constituted guardian of his younger brother, Alfred. Alfred goes to the city to carry on his legal studies. He is put under the care of a wealthy old bachelor, Spencer. Enid returns from a convent and is surprised to observe the occupation of her father, that of a gambler. Old Spencer, seeing the boy remain out late, follows him and sees he is a gambler. He misses him in the gambling rooms and searches for him. Then he hears his voice, and pulling the curtain of an ante-room aside, he sees Alfred speaking fondly to a young woman. He sees she is Enid, the daughter of the proprietor. Old Spencer thinks Enid is a handsome siren who is bent on leading the boy to his ruin. He tears the curtain aside and denounces her. She indignantly denies his charge. The girl's pride is aroused and she refuses to see Alfred again. He is a great deal shaken by his losses, the girl's announcement that she will never see him again and the cutting off of his money, for old Spencer refuses to give him another penny, and the foolish boy disappears. He is found dead and on him a letter saying he has ended all because the gambler's daughter refused to marry him. This is read in the paper by the elder brother and the bachelor and they go to the gambling house to upbraid the girl. Also the elder brother, Henry, has determined to punish the girl's father. But they fled the city and the house is for sale. She goes to the country and changes her name. She refuses to touch a cent of the gambler's money. She has never loved Alfred and has never encouraged him. Henry, the elder brother, hates this girl with a dumb unreasoning hatred and hires a clever detective to trail her. In the country where he goes for a fishing and hunting trip and to forget the death of the foolish young brother whom he loved he meets her under her assumed name. She does not connect him with the dead youth for the latter also used an assumed name. They love and become engaged. The old bachelor, brimming over with love for Henry and cheerfulness at the thought of his wedding, arrives and is horrified to see that his fiancée is the gambler's daughter. He reproaches her, but is won over by her mental prostration and appeal and finally believes that she was not guilty, but begs her to tell Henry all. She refuses because she fears the consequences. The old man is won by her and keeps the secret. They are married and as soon as the ceremony is over the hired detective appears and tells Henry that his wife is the vampire woman they have been seeking. Enraged at what he considers either the man's lie or stupidity, Henry casts him aside, but soon learns the truth and is about to seek her out and denounce her when she appears and denounces herself. Henry is heart-broken and would drive her from him, but he is won by her emotional appeal and takes her to his heart.
- Obscured by modesty and the ethics of the old school, old Doctor Jones, a master of his profession, pursues his practice in the village of Condon. A shunner of publicity and fame, his wife's work is wrapped up in promoting the welfare of his fellow-beings. Blackie, Jones' old horse, occupies a warm spot in the old man's heart. Richard Carleton, a young doctor, just starting out on a career, arrives in Condon with a view to locating there. He bears a letter to John Emerson, Condon's most influential citizen. Carleton meets Enid, Emerson's daughter, and a mutual affection springs up between them. The advent of a brother doctor is welcome news to Jones, as the increasing practice has become too much for one of his years. Jones pledges his friendship and assistance to the young doctor, a snobbish type, believing himself above all, and curbs his good intentions. In order that the outside world may benefit by his genius, Jones is a contributor to the leading medical journals, but will not permit the use of his name, using the non de plume of "Old School," and Carleton little realizes that the man whom he regards as a "has been" is the author of articles which have startled the medical world, and which the leading specialists have learned to look to for solution of knotty medical problems. Emerson takes a liking to Carleton and establishes him in an elaborate office. Slowly the remunerative patients, impressed by Carleton's fine office and up-to-date methods, go over to him, while to Jones falls the lot of caring for the non-payers, who are not welcome at Carleton's office. Poverty descends upon the old doctor but he is too proud to admit it. By self-denial, Jones manages to keep his wife and Blackie from want, and this is his contentment. The friendship of Carleton and Enid ripens into love and they become engaged. To Emerson, the happiness of his daughter means everything, and as he has always looked to Jones for council on weighty matters, goes to him to ask his opinion as to Carleton's worthiness. Even though he has been ridiculed and insulted by Carleton, Jones, who can think badly of no one, gives him a clean slate. In the midst of a reception attendant upon the announcement of her engagement to Carleton, Enid is suddenly stricken. Carleton's petty skill is inadequate to combat the case, but he is unwilling to admit his incompetence. He scorns Jones' offer of assistance, and as Enid steadily grows worse, and he is forced to admit his helplessness, he sends to Cleveland for two eminent specialists. A consultation discloses that an operation is the only hope, but the case puzzles even the specialists and they hesitate. Happening to rest his eyes on one of the "Old School" articles in the medical journal, Warren, one of the specialists, advises, as a last recourse, that they attempt to secure the aid of the contributor. Emerson places his wealth at their disposal, to take any steps in order to save his daughter. A telegram is sent to the editor of the journal, who, in answer, refers them to Jones. The master hand of the old doctor is successful in staving off death and the incident is the means of joining together the practices of the old and the young doctors.
- Billie was a groom, but he had a secret hankering to be a social lion and when the baron was absent he posed as the latter gentleman. The affair started well, but the maid he had promised to marry recognized him making love to the heiress and told her brother, who had a nasty temper and carried weapons. Billie had to take back the maid, but only temporarily, as he got away and attended a reception in his honor at the heiress's home. The vendetta, however, mistook him for the real baron they wished to assassinate and threw bombs at him. These had a disturbing effect on the dinner party and everybody tries to get away gracefully, but with haste. Billie ran into a shed, but a bomb followed and exploded in his rear. Billie immediately went up. His descent was much more rapid than his rise, and several unpleasant obstacles were met with on the way down. Another man got the maid and the baron got Billie.
- The Pokes and Jabbs families, neighbors, live across the hall from each other in the same apartment house. The fearless Mr. Pokes is very much bossed by his wife, a suffragette, while Mr. Jabbs is the ruler in his own home. Mrs. Jabbs has just been presented with a new coat by her husband, and. meeting Mr. Pokes in the hall, asks his opinion of it. While Pokes is admiring the coat, his wife, hearing his voice in the hall, peers through the keyhole and mistakes his admiration of the coat for affection for Mrs. Jabbs. Jabbs, at the same time, also hearing voices in the hall, looks through the keyhole and decides to punish Pokes for his familiarity with his wife. Jealousy is aroused in both families and Jabbs and his wife quarrel, the result of which is that she leaves to go to her mother. Mrs. Pokes leaves home to attend a suffragette meeting and Jabbs, learning of a mask ball, persuades Pokes to go as his escort. Jabbs dresses as a woman. Arriving at the ball, they learn that the ball has been postponed. Disgustedly, they start toward home. A policeman gives them quite a chase, but they elude him by dodging into a saloon. The kindly bartender gets in wrong by offering his services and when they beat a hasty exit through the side door, they are confronted by another policeman. Pokes gets rid of him in a peculiar fashion. after several mishaps they arrive home. Jabbs has forgotten his keys. Pokes, becoming brave immediately, offers to put him up for the night. They proceed to retire without removing their clothes. The suffragette meeting being over, Mrs. Pokes returns. A horrible discovery meets her gaze upon entering her bedroom. Jabbs, in female attire, occupies her bed. Wild with rage, she rushes to the Jabbs apartment to inform Mr. Jabbs of his wife's actions. Jabbs, hearing the clatter on the door, beats it out the window to the fire escape. About this time. Mrs. Jabbs returns repentant. Entering her own apartment, she sees a woman lying on the couch and fails to recognize it as her husband. With a piercing shriek, she rushes to the hallway and faints. Jabbs again aroused, makes his exit through the window, and for the fire escape to the Pokes' apartment, begging Mr. Pokes to hide and protect him. Mrs. Pokes arrives on the scene and Jabbs makes for the hallway, but in so doing leaves his skirt clutched in the hand of Mrs. Pokes. Explanations follow, and what at first appeared to be a horrible catastrophe, turns out an innocent prank.
- Frank Crane is to be tried on a charge of murder. Among the men summoned for jury duty is Thomas Haig, a family man. Haig and his wife have just received a letter from their daughter, who is an actress and has been away from home for some time, announcing her arrival next day. He rages at the fate that draws him away from home at such a time. Frank has told the facts of his case to his lawyer, which were that while passing through the street he saw two men fighting, one of whom was shot. He tried to aid him and accidentally picked up the gun he had been shot with when a policeman appeared on the scene and arrested him for murder. The trial drags its wearisome way and finally the jury retires for a verdict. There is a difference of opinion among them and as several of them desire to be released from duty to attend their personal affairs, they return to the judge with the statement that they can't agree. The judge angrily orders them to go back to the jury room and stay until they have reached a verdict. They go back and Haig alone holds out. While they are arguing, Haig sees two of the jurymen deciding how they will vote by flipping a coin. He decides to leave his decision to Fate and flips a coin, which falls heads, making his verdict "guilty." The girl has arrived home and springs the surprise that she has promised her parents. It is that she is married. She tells her mother that her husband will call on them soon. The jury have declared the prisoner guilty and all leave tor their homes. Haig comes home, finds his daughter and is told of her husband. The girl shows them a picture of him and it turns out to be Frank Crane who has been convicted on the turn of a coin. Haig is remorseful and next morning confesses all to the judge. The judge issues warrants for the jurymen and is giving them to an officer, when the real crook comes in and confesses. As the picture fades, Frank and his wife are bidding each other a sad farewell, not knowing of the happy events which are transpiring in their favor.
- The boy is engaged to be married to the girl and the date is set for three in the afternoon. He is an automobile salesman and gets a call to take out a prospective customer for a demonstration. He takes the lady customer out and does not notify his girl as he thinks that he will be back in time for the wedding. The lady is delighted with the car and insists on going further and further. The boy gets excited and increases his speed to get back in time. Unfortunately he returns through Weedville, where the cops are laying for speeders, and is caught. The cop tries to halt him but the boy runs him by. But the Weedville cops are up-to-date, and he 'phones to the next station to stretch the rope as a speeder is heading that way. The rope is stretched and when the car comes on, the boy is forced to stop. He is only angry considering he is missing his wedding day and proceeds to "pan" the cops, which makes them the more anxious to lock him up and he is taken to the jail, being refused bail in any amount. The girl, meanwhile, has started all arrangements for the wedding and there only remains the arrival of the groom. They can get no news of him, so the wedding has to be postponed. Next morning the girl reads in the paper where they have arrested the boy in company with a woman for joy riding and that he is being held in jail without bail. The chum, too, gets word from him to come and get him out, he moves everything in his path and sends the girl word that the boy is innocent and that he will have him at the house that day at noon and for her to have everything ready for the ceremony. After numerous legal technicalities, he gets the boy out and brings him to the house. The boy wants to change his clothes and brush up, but the girl says that postponed weddings are "tabooed" and that she will be married at the time or not at all. The chum finally brings the two together and at the close of the ceremony the boy and his bride are on a fair way to their goal of happiness.
- Two fishermen have misadventures punting on the Thames.
- Bill was a bootblack, but that didn't stop him from having social aspirations. He rescued an heiress from a burglar at no particular risk to himself, but it looked big and Bill got away with it nicely, even meeting father and getting himself invited to call. But back at the shinorium, Bill's boss was getting peeved because Bill was so late and when Bill did return, the boss talked harshly to him. Meanwhile, father and the heiress needed a shine. Bill's stand was the one out of a thousand in a great city they shouldn't have picked out. But they did. Bill saw them first, though, and put on whiskers and a plug hat for disguise. This didn't help as the boss knew him and didn't care whether it hurt Bill's feelings to be seen shining shoes or not. He ran into a barber shop next door, but this didn't help him, as there were too many razors lying about and too many ill-tempered parties who didn't like Bill to wield them. Bill is slammed in the stomach and knocked clean through a brick wall. Papa and the heiress got lost in the shuffle. The boss pulls out a big knife but, through unforeseen developments, attacks himself from the rear.
- Detectives try to trail counterfeiters and are arrested by mistake.