A President and his Minister of War are planning to economize on behalf of their state. In the past, their country was a monarchy, and three hundred years ago the King had prayed to St James and won a battle afterwards. Therefore St James was ranked as colonel with the usual salary which was distributed amongst the poor. It is suggested by the President that this charity be abolished, but the Prime Minister dashes in to announce the return of St James, who shortly appears. He converses with the Ministers, showing them how only a few simple people recognise him. He then departs, and the three perturbed Ministers compromise by elevating St James to the rank of General and pensioning him off.