Inez Clough

Andy Simpson, constable, blacksmith and all-round mechanic of Millbrook, a thrifty little southern town, is looked upon as slow, plodding, and lacking in ambition by all save Margie Watkins, his sweetheart and daughter of the bank president. Margie, however, becomes attracted to J. Overton Tighe (a partner of James Bradford, notorious promoter of "wildcat" investments), who is newly arrived in town in an expensive car. Despite Andy's warnings, the townspeople eagerly buy shares in a phony stock promoted by Tighe.

A recent young widow Anne Morgan is thrust into terrible poverty. Unable to care for both of her children, she persuades a prominent black doctor to adopt one of the boys.