Professional swindler Major Burdle abandons his old ways and devotes himself to his adopted son Daniel and the (somewhat) more honest work of running a travelling medicine show. But a court order dictates that Daniel must go to school and the Major enrolls him at Plumfield, the school of Professor Bhaer and Jo. While Daniel struggles with the disciplinary structure of the school, the Professor is embroiled in a fight to keep his school. He must come up with $5000 or face eviction. The Professor gives his life savings to Burdle, who has misrepresented himself as an investment broker - a decision that may jeopardise the school and Daniels new life.