Almost a Gentleman

Charles first appears as a bushelman in a small clothes pressing establishment conducted by Campbell. His attempts to handle a tailor's goose are full of mirth, and will bring joy to the hearts of all who have sworn vehemently at their tailors for not having delivered their clothes at the promised time. Among the customers is Leo White, a fortune hunting count, who leaves an invitation to a reception and dinner at Edna's home in a suit he wants pressed. Campbell finds the invitation and decides to impersonate the count. It develops that Charles's sweetheart is the cook in Edna's house, but he has a rival in the man on that "heat.'' While Charles is making a call his rival enters and he is forced to hide in the dumbwaiter, which carries him to the floor above. As he peers out, he sees his boss present the invitation. He jumps out and is received and introduced as the real count. Charles presents Campbell as his secretary, and while at dinner is lionized by the hostess and her guests. After the dinner all go to the ballroom where Charles outdoes Vernon Castle as an exponent of terpsichore. His antics in the ballroom scene are excruciatingly funny and show him as an eccentric dancer par excellence, while the battle of wits between Campbell and Charles constitutes the best farcical situations found in a motion picture comedy. To further complicate the proceedings, Leo White, the genuine count, derides at the last moment to accept the invitation and turns up at the reception where he is branded as an impostor because it is asserted that the Count is already in the house. White summons the police and the reception is broken up at the intrusion of the officers, who chase Campbell and Charles all over the premises, followed by the frantic guests. Campbell is captured but Charles escapes to enjoy in retrospect his day in high society.