Lem Ransom, the village drunkard, steals the Widow Huggins' bonds while under the influence of liquor, at the instigation of Hannibal Chapman, an unscrupulous lawyer. After taking the stolen bonds from his catspaw, Chapman treacherously arranges to have suspicion fall upon Lem.

George elopes with Lou Ellen, a judge's daughter, against the wishes of both their families. Simultaneously, George's friend Jim is in love with Jackie, an actress who gets into trouble for punching a bumbling constable at a raided party. George foolishly allows Jackie to hide in his home, leading to a series of comedic complications as he tries to keep her presence a secret from his new wife, her parents (especially her strict judge father), and his Quaker aunt.