In New York of the 1850s, Shirley lives with her grandfather, Professor Appleby. They survive by having Shirley sing and dance with her friends on the streets or at parties while the Professor lifts valuables from the onlookers. After one such performance at the home of Mrs. Caroline Drew, the young Allen Drew breaks away from his rich mother in order to finance a stage play. He employs Shirley for one of the main parts in his production of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." The Professor manages to wangle a job as the producer's assistant and is given responsibility for many of the production details. When he manages to lose the money he has been entrusted with, the Professor comes up with a solution, but it may mean that Shirley must face being adopted by someone else and her grandfather being sent to jail.