The story
“Pete, the tramp, is almost—but not quite—hungry enough to go to work. He sees an automobile, containing two strong jawed men and a rolled-up rug, drive to the front of a big house. A millionaire examines the priceless carpet, orders it taken inside, and dismisses the car. Peter permits the chauffeur to drive over him, planning to collect damages. The chauffeur, however, fails even to feel the bump. The enraged and disappointed tramp is soothed by the sudden apparition of a beautiful, dark lady in a touring car, who inquires of him whether he knows who is the owner of the millionaire’s mansion. Pete’s reply being quite beside the mark, two ferocious looking Persians with drawn swords rise from the bottom of the tonneau, and it is with difficulty that the Princess (for such she is) persuades the knight of the roads to linger. She confides to him that these are merely her faithful servants who have come to help her regain a sacred rug stolen from her father by the millionaire. Pete offers to get back the family treasure for the Princess. She flings herself into his arms. Instructing the ferocious Persians to attack the gentleman in the tall silk hat within, Pete plots to rescue the millionaire and steal the rug at the same time. A gust of wind, however, lands the hat on Pete’s own head—and the Persians carry out their orders, greatly to the consternation of the tramp. It all ends with the Persian Princess surrendering to the millionaire, while she rewards Pete with the sacred rug for a protection against the wrath of Allah on chilly evenings in over-ventilated backyards.”
Summary from Reel Life · 15 January 1916
