Marty O’Sullivan is a young blacksmith who is illegally forging arms for the rebellion against English rule. He’s caught in the act by a band of redcoats but manages to evade capture thanks to some quick thinking and fortunate wardrobe choices from his best girl, Eileen. She hides Marty in her voluminous cloak and points the soldiers in the opposite direction. Marty next tries to hide in the chimney of the local tavern but is soon smoked out by the English.

Chaplin’s Tramp is a passenger on an immigrant ship making its way to New York. While on board, he falls in love with Edna Purviance who is traveling to America with her sick mother. She falls in love with the Tramp after he recovers her stolen savings. However, the pair are separated by immigration authorities until they reunite in a restaurant. Our hero offers to buy his Edna lunch but quickly realizes that his money has fallen out of a hole in his pocket.

The Boy (Harold Lloyd) lands a job as a clerk at a department store, but lies in his letters home to his beloved–pretending to be the store’s manager. The Boy’s roommate, The Pal makes money as a human fly, performing attention-getting stunts. The store’s real manager promises $1000 if The Boy can devise a publicity gimmick. He offers to split the money with The Pal if he’ll climb the 12-story building.