Although Thomas and Ellen Atkins are good and sincere parents, they must tolerate an irascible grandmother, a lazy uncle who feigns sickness, and a brother who believes himself to be a poet. They also tolerate the concern of little Thomas for all the sick animals in the village. When Atkins, Sr., needs money to meet a note, young Thomas, with the aid of his sweetheart, Mildred Hastings, secures money by threatening to expose an older sister's love affair. He buys 250 pigs, works with them overnight, and sells them for $10 a head; after eloping with Mildred, he returns home to his proud and happy family.