The village children are bored; nothing exciting ever happens there. Then a theatrical troupe arrives and announces a play for the children. Among them is a young actress Lissette, and Huck falls in love.

Tom promises to take Huck to the play. To earn the money he works for his aunt, moving furniture to a friends ranch quite a distance away. When a wheel comes off the cart, Tom is almost defeated but manages to run home just in time for the play.

Lizette is treated severely in the tragedy. Huck, unaware that its a drama, jumps onto the stage to save her. Tom stirs up the other children to help Huck and Lizette, and the play becomes a fiasco. Lizette rather likes Huck and promises to visit.

Huck prepares a delicious meal for Lizettes next visit. Suddenly two of the troupers desert, and the group must leave, unable to continue the show. Lizette tells Tom she will be back someday to see Huck.

Tom discovers a dead body up the river, it appears to be Huck's father! After the funeral, Hucks father appears alive and comes to take his son. Huck doesnt want to go and hides.

On the anniversary of Hucks mothers death, he wants to light a candle in her memory. Though he knows Aunt Polly wont allow it, Tom promises to bring Huck her silver candlestick. Then, with the help of Mary and Sid, he tricks his Aunt.

When Tom and Huck find a small gold lump in the river, the news spreads quickly and all the villagers rush to the river to search for gold. Even Aunt Polly tries to join them, but Mary calls a halt.

Morris, Jims friend, runs away from his master. He wants to go north where slaves can be free. Tom makes a raft and helps him leave the village.

Mary begins working for Dr. Mitchell, training to be a nurse. A balloon descends in the village, and the people panic, thinking it is a monster. Tom, who knows what it is, lends a hand to Arthur the pilot.

Arthur meets Mary at Dr. Mitchells office, and she invites him to dinner. Tom is fascinated by his stories of balloon flight and is determined to have a ride.

Arthur and Mary fall in love. He decides to fly the balloon with the childrens help before the army comes to recover it. But the sheriff suspects he is a devil and intervenes. The children are disappointed, but Tom wont give up his dream of flight.

Tom attempts an early morning balloon flight with Huck. Arthur jumps on just as the balloon takes off, and they enjoy the view from the sky. Soon the army arrives and Arthur leaves the village, with a promise to return to Mary.