Despite their social differences Luise, called Pünktchen, a girl from rich parentage befriends Anton, a boy who has to earn his own money in order to afford life for his sick mother and himself. Together they undergo different adventures, even preventing a theft in Pünktchens home
When two Russian captains of cavalry came to a German post station one of them recalls what happened long time ago. He begins to tell the story: Ten years ago a comrade of them made a resting at the post station and fell in love with the station master's daughter. He promised everything to her and finally convinced her to come with him to St. Petersburg. When both arrived there she had to realize that her captain never had the intention to marry her.
After losing almost all of his money, a young marquis discovers that among his few remaining possessions is a magical piece of leather which is capable of fulfilling any wish. However, every use of it will make it less effective and furthermore will shorten the life of its user. Nevertheless, the marquis uses the magical object ruthlessly in order to regain his wealth and especially to get the love of Feodora, an actress. But all his efforts only seem to lead to doom…