Plot

Tony, Pedro and Mlle. Capria, are all animal trainers with a circus belonging to the father of the latter. Both men are suitors for the hand of the young queen of the arena. Pedro is favored by the father, which is contrary to the wishes of Capria. Accordingly Tony is summarily discharged previous to sailing of the show for America. The undaunted lover however takes an opportune passage for the States and finally while witnessing the performance as a spectator, saves Mlle. Capria from being torn to pieces by the infuriated animals. Recognition and reconciliation follows.—Moving Picture World synopsis

In far away sunny Italy, we find ourselves amidst the gay and apparently happy surroundings of an Italian circus, the owner of which is happy in the possession of a beautiful daughter known as Mlle. Capria, the Queen of the Arena. She, Tony and Pedro, train and handle the wild animals in daily exhibit. Much to the displeasure of the father. Mlle. Capria shows a decided preference for Tony, the younger of the two trainers. Pedro having gained the parental influence, places the little gold band upon her finger, that means more than passing interest to the sincere Capria and she shrinks from the jovial reference to same, but her heart is with the more simple but indulgent Tony. The father incensed at her apparent disregard for his wishes and respect for her betrothal, finds an imaginary excuse for discharging Tony, just before the circus is to take passage for America. Heavy-hearted and with only his trained bar as a companion. Tony leaves, much to the regret of Mlle. Capris and pleasure of Pedro and the father. Finding an outgoing fruit vessel just ready to clear he asks to be taken, is accepted, and soon learns the ship is bound for New York. A few weeks after his arrival and during his daily rounds in search of the few pennies that are dropped from the window in appreciation of Tony's work with the big brown bear; he is hailed by some club members, who see an opportunity of some idle sport and invited with his charge to visit their rooms. While this was new to Tony he enjoyed the hospitality and was the blunt of much merriment. A circus is billed for a few days later and much to the happiness of tony he finds it the one in which his sweetheart appears, they having landed in the States. He decides to find them and invites his new formed friends, who have heard with interest his story. A short them and they are all seated in the Big Top. Pedro, now sullen and addicted to drink, is shown rousing the lions to anger and threatens to let them out. The father is called and hastens Pedro from the ring and Mlle. Capria enters the cage. She is attacked and in a desperate moment is saved by Tony, who is recognized by the infuriated animals as their favorite master. A reconciliation follows and the profligate Pedro ushered from the canvas.—The Film Index synopsis