In beautiful Telemark, a young boy grows up on a rich farm. To his fathers dislike, he wants to be a fiddle player, just like the son at the poorer neighboring farm. One day the father is found dead.

The story tells of the many misadventures, some comical, and trials and tribulations that Bør Børson, Jr. has to go through and endure in proving himself a citizen worthy enough to marry the squire's daughter.