Pompous J. Piedmont Mumblethunder greets his nephew from Scotland who arrives in kilts. He is immediately taken to a tailor for a pair of proper pants.

An escaped convict is out to kill the judge who sentenced him. Two inept detectives are hired to guard the judge.

Charlie, a wandering tramp, becomes a circus handyman – soon the star of the show – and falls in love with the circus owner’s stepdaughter.