Schoolboy Klaus is convicted of theft and sent to prison. At his release Klaus feels that his life has changed a lot. Despite all his hardship and difficulties he keeps up his studies under the supervision of the grim Master Kahari.
The director of the Vaudeville Theater is looking for new performers after the former star was forced to give up her singing career. Out of numerous auditionees, singer P. Waltteri Vitikka is hired. At the same time, the janitor tries to maintain order in the theater.
Young Vesterinen gets to fulfill his musical dreams with the support of his friend Mirja. His passion for playing the accordion takes Vili from Viipuri to Helsinki, where his friendship with pianist Jaakko helps him advance his career.
The proud widow of Sillankorva falls in love with her young neighbor, Jaakko Hallan, whom she offers to take in as her son. However, much to the bitter disappointment of the mistress of the house, the man falls in love with her daughter Johanna.
In the 1910s, beautiful young Silja loses both parents and ends up working as a maid at wealthier farms around her village. She is courted by a number of bachelors, ranging from simple farmhand Väinö to sophisticated young student Armas whom she meets when working for a charming old professor....
Anna, the mistress of Riihala, runs the farm while her idle husband drinks and their heir, Antti, courts Elma, a maid from the neighboring farm. Anna hopes that her son will marry Elina, a girl from the Kalteva farm, but she is disappointed.
