BlufordH.Smythe,whohasmadeitbiginthebigcity,hasreturnedtohissmallhometownofGlenwoodafterbeingawayfortwentyyears.Accompanyinghimishispersonalsecretary,AmbroseAmes.Despiteitbeingpurelyavacationtogetsomerestandrelaxation,theleadingcitizensofthetownwelcomehimbackwithsomeofficialgatherings.MayorJonasTompkins,whoneverlikedBluford,holdsnogrudgesagainsthimandtoowelcomeshimwithopenarms.AlthoughBlufordhadnointentionofmakingthenewspublic,thetownsfolklearnthathehasindeedcomebacktodobusiness,specificallydevelopasummerresortinGlenwoodtorivalthatofthebestsummerresortsworldwide.Assuch,theleadingtownsfolk,ledbybankerThorndykeBarnsdale,wantachancetoinvest.Theybelievethatthebulkofthemoneycouldcomefromthetown'scoffers,specificallythe$47,000intheschoolfund.