Two hobos, Major Bluffington and Spike Marlin, are fleeing the law and hop on a train car carrying a tiger to the circus. When the tiger arrives, Bluffington claims he was in care of the tiger during transport. Bluffington also claims he was with a circus that went under and was a carny barker running a grind show.
Corky likes the major and likes his tall tales. Big Tim admires Bluffington's patter, but Spike hates being in the circus and just wants to rob the box office. Bluffington gets information out of Corky so he knows a big show is coming up. There is a snag, the mayor and council of Capital City won't give the circus a license to put on a show. But Bluffington has a plan, he and Corky will do a direct pitch to get the mayor to change his mind. If nothing else, Bluffington is a great salesman. Bluffington flatters the mayor and claims Big Tim gives have the proceeds to a local orphanage, plus that he, Bluffington, is a citizen of Capital City. The mayor changes his mind, Tim is happy, the major's deal will make the circus a lot of money even with giving half to the orphans. Bluffington goes over his plan with Spike to steal the box office money. The mayor arrives with a plan of his own to give Bluffington an award after the show.
Bluffington is now having second thoughts, but Spike says he will expose Bluffington as a swindler if he backs out of their plan. Bluffington and Spike get into the money wagon and steal the money. Spike gets an idea to let the tiger loose and cause a distraction. With everyone running around, Spike says it's time to go. Bluffington refuses and tries to save the children; Spike grabs the money bag and is trying to run off, but Rajah the tiger jumps on Spike. When Spike says Bluffington stole the money, the bag is opened to find a doorstop inside, the one two orphans gave to Bluffington. The money, says Bluffington, is in the safe.
Spike is captured but Spike says Bluffington is a crook. No one believes Spike. Bluffington says he is going back to Kansas City to straighten out a little problem and he may be gone a year. Big Tim says no matter how long he is gone, Bluffington will always have a job with the circus.
Corky likes the major and likes his tall tales. Big Tim admires Bluffington's patter, but Spike hates being in the circus and just wants to rob the box office. Bluffington gets information out of Corky so he knows a big show is coming up. There is a snag, the mayor and council of Capital City won't give the circus a license to put on a show. But Bluffington has a plan, he and Corky will do a direct pitch to get the mayor to change his mind. If nothing else, Bluffington is a great salesman. Bluffington flatters the mayor and claims Big Tim gives have the proceeds to a local orphanage, plus that he, Bluffington, is a citizen of Capital City. The mayor changes his mind, Tim is happy, the major's deal will make the circus a lot of money even with giving half to the orphans. Bluffington goes over his plan with Spike to steal the box office money. The mayor arrives with a plan of his own to give Bluffington an award after the show.
Bluffington is now having second thoughts, but Spike says he will expose Bluffington as a swindler if he backs out of their plan. Bluffington and Spike get into the money wagon and steal the money. Spike gets an idea to let the tiger loose and cause a distraction. With everyone running around, Spike says it's time to go. Bluffington refuses and tries to save the children; Spike grabs the money bag and is trying to run off, but Rajah the tiger jumps on Spike. When Spike says Bluffington stole the money, the bag is opened to find a doorstop inside, the one two orphans gave to Bluffington. The money, says Bluffington, is in the safe.
Spike is captured but Spike says Bluffington is a crook. No one believes Spike. Bluffington says he is going back to Kansas City to straighten out a little problem and he may be gone a year. Big Tim says no matter how long he is gone, Bluffington will always have a job with the circus.
