Minnie, the homeliest girl in town, is devoted to her father, a discouraged inventor who has been working on a wireless device. Subject to the sneers of her neighbors, Minnie "invents" a lover and sends herself letters and flowers. Her stepsister suspects the truth and threatens to expose her. Desperate, she claims an unidentified body at the morgue and tells a reporter that this is her lover, unaware that the body is that of a Chinese man. The absent-minded reporter sees her heart and forgets about the big story. After further disappointments in the invention, Minnie's stepmother decides to leave her father. Her father then has a success and becomes rich. At a celebration, the stepsister and townspeople are surprised when a new couple appear, which turn out to be the former reporter and his lovely wife Minnie.
Charles, Joseph and Sir Benjamin are in love with Maria and Lady Sneerwell is in love with Charles.
Mrs. Letitia Summers, owner and principal of an exclusive boarding school, decides to give her two nieces an education while deciding which will be her heir unbeknownst to them. She writes each a letter, stating that a lady of means has provided for their education at Mrs. Summers' seminary. Edith and May are both delighted with the news, but while Edith leaves with her modest belongings May immediately demands a lot of new things to satisfy her vanity and desire to make a great impression. May attracts considerable attention upon her arrival but Edith, in her modest wardrobe, is received with disparaging remarks. Both do well in their studies but on graduation day Mrs. Summers calls the two girls into her private office and tells them that she is their aunt, and she has chosen Edith as her heir in recognition of her kindness and thoughtfulness towards others, particularly towards her poor mother.
The story centers on Flapjack Ike (played by John Bunny), a dominant local figure or "autocrat" in the titular town. Ike faces off against Edith, the Widow (played by Flora Finch), who challenges his authority.
Housemaid Belinda finds a pin on the doorstep, taking it as a sign of good luck, just before a young man arrives looking for a room. The landlady, Ophelia, falls for the boarder at first sight. A policeman finds a fortune-teller's card, which Belinda takes to Ophelia. The two women visit Madam Miriam, who tells Ophelia a young blond man will fall in love with her. Both Ophelia and Belinda assume this refers to their new boarder, Sidney. Sidney, short on cash, tries to stay in Ophelia's good graces by taking her out for ice cream. While they are out, Belinda searches his room and finds a photograph of Sidney's wife, who is none other than the fortune-teller, Madam Miriam. Belinda is shocked by the discovery, revealing that the "omens and oracles" that fueled Ophelia's romantic hopes were part of a deception orchestrated by the boarder and his wife.
Abby Hopkins, the eldest of a small-town newspaper-owner's five daughters, is urged by her family to marry the wealthy, twice-widowed J.B. Hanks. Abby leaves Hank on the night of the wedding and goes to New York, where she supports herself as a waitress and shares an apartment with a co-worker. At the restaurant, Abby meets J. Booth Hunter, a heavy-drinking "ham" actor, and tries to convince him to give up liquor. Hanks shows up one day and during a battle with his estranged wife, Hunter comes to Abby's rescue. Abby finally gets a divorce from Hanks, Hunter conquers his drinking habit, and Abby marries him.
Bobby, the doughboy, has left his sweetheart behind in Paris. He returns for her and has the greatest difficulty locating her. In his hunt he runs into the tough White Rat Cafe, where the Darling of Paris becomes enamored of him, thereby arousing the jealousy of her lover, who threatens Bobby with dire consequences. Bobby escapes, runs into his sweetheart, and in the chase, the villain at his heels is captured by the police as a badly wanted criminal.
Bingville is holding a beauty contest and the three finalists are Mary, Dora, and the Village Vamp. Dora's beau Eddie asks Walter, the contest judge, who will win, and is told that Dora will. Walter goes to the barber shop where the Village Vamp is the manicurist and her father is the barber, and advises them she will win. When they all arrive at the contest, Walter announces Mary as the winner. The mêlée that follows destroys the roadster that was the winner's prize.
A man tries to burgle his own safe on the same night that a professional criminal attempts it.
Pan profesor, nepřítel žen
Phil and Pete compete for Mary's love and also in a contest for best song written by a college student.
Stuck in the desert ZaSu pratfalls her way out.
Perscilla (Zasu Pitts) holds the mortgage on Milt's (Milburn Morante) home but says she will cancel it if Milt will make his son, Ebbie (Billy Franey), marry her. Ebbie refuses and is thrown out. He goes to the big city, saves a banker from being robbed by thugs in a park, and is given a many-jobs job in the bank. He meets and falls in love with Lillian (Lillian Peacock), the banker's daughter. In his night-watchman/janitor job he keeps a gang of safe-crackers from cleaning out the bank, is given a big reward and marries Lillian. He then returns home to spurn Perscilla, pays off the mortgage and demands the best room in the house for he and his bride.
A clever, out-of-work man through a series of misunderstandings and bold maneuvers, manages to pass himself off as a wealthy and influential figure. He uses this false persona to navigate high society and outwit various characters he encounters. The comedy centers on his efforts to maintain the facade while dealing with the romantic and financial complications that arise.
The statue of Niobe comes to life through the dream of a hen-pecked old man.
David Holmes, a misogynist and recluse, becomes the guardian of ten-year-old Sylvia after her father's death. He initially sends her to live in the country, but she returns as a young woman, and David is captivated by her beauty. He finds himself falling in love with her as he accompanies her to social events, and they are united by their mutual love.
When Timothy Atkinson arrives in a rough Western town to become the telegraph operator, the locals peg him as a tenderfoot.
After buying a car, Richard Burton finds that his wife and daughter have become unreasonably extravagant, and is surrounded by sponging friends.
Delayed in Transit is a 1917 comedy Western.
Tom Bruce finds a thespian's life is not a happy one, and when the theatrical company goes on the rocks, he lands in a western town where a school master is desired. In order to eat three times a day, Tom teaches school and not the least interesting of his pupils is pretty Vicky Withers. An uncouth rancher known as Bill Stone loves Vicky, and when he sees that Tom Bruce and the girl are mutually attracted, he goes to Vicky's father.