Summary
The narrative unfurls with Robert Carrolton Jinks, a man whose initial foray into political pageantry—leading a boisterous marching club for General Grant—unexpectedly veers into a far more intricate, personal drama. Adorned in flamboyant 'Horse Marines' regalia, Jinks and his compatriots, fueled by a mischievous spirit, embark on a whimsical venture to greet the celebrated opera diva, Madame Trentoni. What begins as a cynical wager—a thousand-dollar boast to conquer the singer's affections—metamorphoses into an authentic, consuming passion for Jinks. His impulsive, if well-intentioned, attempt to extricate Trentoni from customs woes through a hefty bribe, ironically lands him in legal jeopardy, setting a precarious backdrop for their burgeoning romance. As their courtship blossoms, Jinks grapples with the ethical quagmire of his initial bet, striving to annul it, only to be rebuffed by his obstinate friends. These same friends, consumed by envy and a petty desire for retribution after Trentoni spurns their advances, weaponize Jinks' 'I.O.U.' against him, cruelly misrepresenting his intentions to Trentoni's foster father. This betrayal shatters Trentoni's trust, plunging Jinks into a desperate quest for reconciliation. The climax sees Jinks not only mend his fractured relationship with Trentoni, clarifying the nefarious misconstrual, but also narrowly evade immediate arrest for his past bribery charge, thanks to Trentoni's quick wit and a promise to appear in court. The resolution, a triumphant embrace, underscores the triumph of genuine affection over superficial gambits and malicious intrigue.
Synopsis
Robert Carrolton Jinks and his companions form a marching club to boost the presidential campaign for General Grant. They design fantastic costumes and set the club in an uproar when they appear in them. Jinks is made captain of the marching club and dubbed "Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines." While discussing plans for the campaign Jinks sees a bill poster pasting up a great placard announcing the coming of Madame Trentoni, a famous opera singer. Jinks and his two friends decide to go to the boat to meet her dressed in their marching uniforms and accompanied by a band, just for a joke. Jinks bets $1,000 with his friends that he can make love to her. The boat is an hour late in docking and the band leader discovers that he has been playing his music for nothing. He becomes angry and the entire band adjourns to a nearby saloon for drinks. Jinks and his friends go with them. Reporters who have gone to the boat to meet Madame Trentoni fear that if Jinks and his band are present at the arrival of the boat it will interfere with their interview. So they bribe the band master not to play. Jinks and his friends arrive at the boat late, having been delayed by a violent argument with the band master. They finally discover Madame Trentoni, however, and Jinks falls madly in love with her. She has great trouble with the customs inspector and Jinks pulls out a roll of bills and hands it to the official. He is immediately arrested for attempted bribery and taken to jail. He finally is released on bail and goes to call on Madame Trentoni, who is stopping with her foster father. She is as much in love with him as he is with her and the courtship progresses rapidly. Jinks tries to call the bet off with his friends, declaring that it is an insult to Madame Trentoni. They refuse to listen to him, and he finally agrees to pay the bet, giving them a card reading "I.O.U. $1,000 for the bet regarding Madame Trentoni." The two friends are also much taken with Madame Trentoni and attempt at various times to see her. She refuses to have anything to do with them. This makes them angry and they decide to get even with Jinks. They tell her foster father that Jinks intends to marry Madame Trentoni for her money only. He refuses to believe it until shown the "I.O.U." when he flies into a fit of rage. He tells Madame Trentoni and she then refuses to see Jinks. Jinks finally discovers why she is angry and after several unsuccessful attempts to see her gains admittance to her apartment and tells her the facts of the case. She throws her arms about him. As they are in this position a detective enters the room to arrest Jinks. His bribery case had come up in the court the day before and he had forgotten to appear. Trentoni tells the detective that she and her sweetheart have had a tiff and want a chance to make it up. Her pleading, with the promise that Jinks appear in court the next day, wins the detective's assent. The two then embrace and everything ends happily.
