An adaptation of Machado de Assis' eponymous short story, preceded by a short telling of the author's life and works.
Barber likes to help everybody in town. Now, he's trying to help a young couple in love defeat the girl's tutor, who is against the romance.
Hillbilly avoids a train disaster, becoming a hero. A dishonest politician tries to take advantage of the fact, to promote himself.
