Shorty has been taking a correspondence course in acting from a couple of crooks in Kansas City. They announce that he will shortly be featured in the great Roman spectacle, "The Gladiator's Triumph" and enclose Shorty his part. Shorty ...See moreShorty has been taking a correspondence course in acting from a couple of crooks in Kansas City. They announce that he will shortly be featured in the great Roman spectacle, "The Gladiator's Triumph" and enclose Shorty his part. Shorty retires to the barn and there rehearses his part. He is stabbing wildly at the air and speaking of his hidden crimes when the cook discovers him and brings the cowboys into the scene. They think Shorty is crazy and prepare to secure him. A couple of them lasso him from the roof, but Shorty breaks the lasso and in a terrific struggle escapes. He joins Ketchem and Skinnem, the crooks, and prepares to open the show. While the show is progressing Skinnem and Ketchem sneak out and rob the general store during which Skinnem is shot by the storekeeper. Ketchem escapes with the loot, returns to the theater and places it in Shorty's grip. The sheriff has been notified and hastens to the theater. Meanwhile some cowboys, disgusted at the performance, throw eggs at Shorty who falls back through the scenery knocking down the stage director, also the sheriff who has arrived. The sheriff angrily steps on the stage and shoots up the place but not before he and the stage director and others receive a bunch of eggs between their eyes. Ketchem escapes out the back way but sprains his ankle. He is later arrested while Shorty escapes with the money which Ketchem has placed in his grip. Shorty returns to the town of Eagle Pass, meets his old cronies and flourishing the roll of bills sets all the boys up to a drink and poses as a great actor. The picture ends showing the cowboys bestowing congratulations upon Shorty. Written by
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