Summary
Daniel Webster Opp, a spirit stubbornly impervious to setbacks, initially navigates life's currents with an almost quixotic optimism, finally tasting professional triumph as a traveling shoe salesman. Yet, this nascent prosperity is abruptly curtailed by the news of his stepfather's demise. His return to Cove Junction for the estate's settlement finds him at the mercy of his rapacious brother, Ben, who shrewdly commandeers the family's financial assets, leaving Opp with little more than the ancestral homestead and the profound responsibility of caring for their developmentally challenged half-sister, Kippy. Embracing this unexpected burden with characteristic zeal, Opp forsakes personal ambition, dedicating himself to Kippy's welfare and the revitalization of his stagnant hometown. He births "The Opp Eagle," a local newspaper whose relentlessly cheerful editorials champion Cove Junction's potential. This fervent local boosterism catches the eye of John Mathews, a shrewd, wealthy promoter, who arrives to explore the town's alleged coal deposits. Opp, in his innocent enthusiasm, becomes an unwitting accomplice in Mathews' scheme, rallying the townsfolk to invest their meager savings. The dream, however, proves illusory; the mine yields nothing, and Mathews, a pragmatist without Opp's moral compass, prepares to abandon the venture and sell his interests to a rival, much to Opp's dismay. Further compounding his tribulations, Opp watches his beloved Guinevere Gusty drift into the arms of Mathews' smooth secretary, Willard Hinton. Despite this cascade of personal and public disappointments, Opp's unyielding cheerfulness remains his steadfast companion, a virtue ultimately recognized and rewarded by the very community he tirelessly championed, culminating in his nomination for mayor of Cove Junction.
Synopsis
Optimistic in the face of failure, Daniel Webster Opp finally attains success as a traveling salesman for a shoe firm, but just when his prospects are best, he receives word that his stepfather is dead. He leaves at once to meet his brother Ben at Cove Junction, where they settle the estate according to Ben's demands. Ben takes the money, while Mr. Opp is given the homestead and custody of their feeble-minded half-sister Kippy. Sacrificing all to remain with his sister, Mr. Opp founds a newspaper, "The Opp Eagle," and starts to promote the town. His optimistic editorials are read by John Mathews, a wealthy promoter who comes to investigate the possibility of coal in the area. After convincing the townspeople to invest their money, Mathews discovers the mine to be worthless and decides to sell out to the competition, against Mr. Opp's wishes. Next, Mr. Opp loses his sweetheart Guinevere Gusty to Mathew's secretary, Willard Hinton. Throughout, Mr. Opp remains cheerful and is rewarded for his optimism when the townspeople nominate him to be mayor of Cove Junction.
