During Reconstruction, Southern Major Euclid Cameron writes his memoirs about the Civil War while his grown daughters, Candy, Susie and Rose, plead with him to get a job, as they are in debt. Euclid is proud that no one in his formerly wealthy family has ever worked, and talks himself out of taking a job offered to him by Clarissa Thayer, a spinster bank president who is attracted to him. One day while in town, Candy's suitor, Horace Frazier, reprimands her for flirting with near strangers, but the romantically inclined Candy ignores him and attracts the attention of swindler Richard "Rick" Brannon. That night, Horace brings Rick, who claims to remember Horace from music school, to Rose and Ben Logan's engagement party. The party breaks up after Rick openly flirts with Rose, and while she and Ben fight, Ben's father, Judge Thomas Logan, argues with Euclid about the Civil War. The next day, Rick sends Candy a gift of flowers and sheer silk stockings. Euclid is scandalized by the gift, but instead of reprimanding Rick, he allows Rick to enlist him in getting investors for Rick's Arkansas oil drilling plans. Susie and Candy, meanwhile, attend the nickelodeon with Horace and Ben, but leave after Ben gets in a fight, and return home to entertain their maid Addie, with their rendition of the movie. After Rose and Ben reunite at a town picnic, Judge Logan offers to host another engagement party. Candy, meanwhile, falls in love with Rick, who refrains from proposing marriage. At Rick's urging, Euclid raises $3,500 from his friends and neighbors, but when he learns that Judge Thomas is protecting Clarissa by investigating Rick's scheme, Rick leaves town with the money. That evening, while the rest of the family attends the engagement party, Horace and Ben race to catch up with Rick's train, as they have found a note from Candy saying that she is eloping with Rick. They succeed in stopping the train by lighting a fire on the tracks. After boarding the train, Horace and Ben witness Rick abusing Candy, who has taken back the stolen money. Ben knocks Rick out, and he, Horace and Candy return home in time to prevent the town from learning that Euclid was swindled.