Shakespeare the Second and Dan Rice the Third, would-be ham actors, blow into the town of Barnstorm. That afternoon they give a "free" performance, which is indeed terrible. Dan Rice passes the hat, only to receive cat-calls for his trouble. The hotel proprietor orders them to pay their bill and leave town. Without funds, the two plan a road of escape, but are caught and thrown bodily out of the village. The two return in disguise and neatly swindle a few of the residents out of a good amount of cash. The scheme they worked is very clever, as is the picture from start to finish.