 |
Earlier, the pickpocket had
slipped a stolen wallet into Charlie's pocket to avoid getting
caught with the evidence. Later, when he returns to retrieve
the wallet, the cop catches the crook with his hand in Charlie's
pocket. Thinking it's Charlie's wallet, the policeman returns
it to the surprised tramp. |
 |
Merna's abusive father, who
is also the circus owner, would not let her eat the previous
evening because she made a mistake on her bareback riding routine.
The next morning, famished, she finds Charlie's piece of bread
and begins devouring it. He jerks it away quickly -- looking
at her suspiciously -- but then decides to share with her. |
 |
The circus owner tries Charlie
out in some tried and true comedy routines, but he fails at each
one. Finally, blinded by shaving cream in his eyes, Charlie accidentally
swipes the owner with a big brush full of cream, which brings
down the owner's wrath and a quick dismissal from employment. |
 |
Charlie is rehired, though,
this time as a worker to help set up props. What he doesn't realize
is that his blunders are drawing laughter from the crowds. The
owner knows this, but keeps it a secret from Charlie, thereby
getting a comedian for the price of a regular worker. |
 |
Charlie overhears a fortune
teller predict that Merna will find love and marriage with someone
close to her. Thinking this means him, he is overcome with giddiness,
jumping and skipping about the tent. |
 |
Merna tells Charlie that
he is the star of the show, so, using that as leverage, he tells
the circus owner to stop mistreating the girl or he'll quit. |
 |
When Rex, the tightrope walker
disappears, Charlie takes his place in the show. However, he
doesn't count on several monkeys getting in on the act! |
 |
Charlie beats up the circus
owner after another episode of abusing Merna, so he is fired.
That night as he prepares something to eat on a campfire in the
woods, Merna arrives at the campsite to tell him she has run
away from the circus and wants to go with him. |
 |
Realizing that it is better
this way, Charlie arranges for Rex and Merna to get together,
and they are married that evening. The next morning, when they
return to the circus, Rex stops the owner as he is about to whip
Merna again informing him she is now his wife. |
 |
Merna and Rex agree to stay
with the circus only if the owner will keep Charlie, as well.
The owner agrees, but, unknown to Merna and Rex, Charlie stays
behind as the wagons pull away. |
