The story begins with Charlie, the Tramp, arriving at a bar, playing on a violin to raise money and exciting rivalry with competing musicians - which results in a bar room brawl and comic mayhem.

Wandering off into the vicinity of a gypsy caravan, in the country, he encounters the beautiful, though bedraggled, Edna and entertains her with his violin. She has been abducted and abused by the gypsies, chief among them Eric Campbell, who whips her mercilessly. Charlie comes to her rescue and knocks her tormentors on the head with a stick, before riding off with her in a commandeered cart. Love develops between them, as Charlie washes her face in a bowl and combs her hair. He makes breakfast while she goes to fetch water, and on the way she meets an artist who lacks inspiration. She is his muse and he paints her, including a birthmark shaped like a shamrock. She falls for him and brings him back to the cart where the two talk, while Charlie is ignored. The artist leaves and she is stuck with Charlie.

The resulting painting is seen by the girl's mother, who rushes with the artist to rescue her daughter. They find her with Charlie, who refuses payment from the mother and says good-bye sadly. She drive off in a limousine with her mother, others, and the artist -- only to realize she loves Charlie. She orders the car to reverse and take him along with her