The time is 1780, and Horatio Prim (Lou Costello) is a master tinker (profession). He travels to the Kings Point, New York estate of Tom Danbury (Jess Barker) with a letter of commendation from Gen. George Washington. He plans to present this letter to Danbury, hoping it will persuade the wealthy man to let Horatio marry Nora O'Leary (Anne Gillis), Danbury's housemaid. Unfortunately, Horatio has a romantic rival in Cuthbert Greenway (Bud Abbott), Danbury's butler, who is very fond of Nora and intends to prevent Horatio from presenting his letter, which Nora has taken for safekeeping.