Sod and Stubble

I love competition.

I like nice things.

Do you?

But at what cost?

We have too much, and we are too poor.

We're too anxious to seem than to be.

We strive for baubles and gewgaws, gimcracks,

fancy clothes,

and shiny cars rather than for contentment

and fundamental culture.

Not only are we in economics, politics among

the most unsophisticated yokels in the world,

but we are precluded from solving our problems

by the fact that we are so cocky and conceited because

we have so many things.

Don't forget chapter eight for Thursday.

["Beautiful Dreamer" by Stephen Foster plays]

Do you have a minute? Yes.

Mother?

Mother?

Johnny. Have a seat, son.

Mother, I've been pestering you for years

about the old days.

I was thinking, could you make some notes?

You know I don't write well.

You have an incredible memory, mother.

My mother, now, there was a woman

with a sharp wit and memory.

Maybe you get it from her then, but you have it.

I'll just tell you my stories, John.

When thoughts come to you, simply write them down.

Even a few words.

Then, when I come over, you can tell me more.

It will help me to put things into order.

I'll try.

When was the first time you met father?

Your father was patient, and quiet, and very intelligent.

I was 17.

My brother, Chris, had tried his luck out in the western part

of the state.

And one time, he came back home,

and he brought a friend, Henry Ise.

Oh, those dear little birds.

What would spring be without them?

Do you have any on your claim? Any meadowlarks?

Lots of them. More than here.

And they sing better than the meadowlarks

here in Eastern Kansas.

It's a long song, twice as long,

that winds up with a kind of trill.

I think you're pulling my leg, Henry Ise.

I can't wait to get you out there.

You're gonna love it.

I love you, Henry. You do, do you?

Of course, I do. Well, don't you love me back?

I love you first, I have to.

I'm older.

Hyah.

Remember your family, Rosalina.

Pray for your parents and we will pray for you.

God, give this couple in matrimony, and big prayers

for many blessings, and long lives, many children.

And remember, always keep your eye on God.

Henry, I give you my daughter.

She's a good girl. A hard worker and strong.

Your mother and I have done everything we can.

I want you to have this.

My mother gave that to me in Deutschland, the old country.

Say your prayers.

I am little, but my heart is pure.

Ya, father.

I raised her well, Henry.

I know you did, sir.

Goodbye. Goodbye mother, goodbye father.

Farewell my children, farewell.

Rosa, your brother will take care of you.

I will, father. Write to me if you can.

I'll see you soon, Rosie.

Auf Wiedersehen.

Any trouble, Missus?

Did you see a man up the road?

Or three brindle cows?

Yeah, I seen 'em all.

Man was back about a mile or so, cow's about a mile further.

They'll be along soon, I reckon. They yours?

He's mine.

Yeah, his cows seemed much sprier than mine.

They'll come fast when they come.

Right smart morning, ain't it?

Ma'am, this man you say is yours, is he your husband?

Yes, he's mine.

I don't mean to scare you none.

Name's Schoonover, William Schoonover.

Rosina Ise. What is it that you want?

Well, you see, my wife died

and I ain't got much or much help.

We're on our way to our claim.

Maybe you should go back towards a town.

Where are you headed?

We was headed for our claim in Nebraska.

I went back to get my wife and children,

and she was awful sick, and died.

Now a couple of the little ones, they're ill too.

Maybe you should go back home where you have help.

I ain't going back now. Anyway, home's Kentucky.

There ain't nothing for us there.

Home's out here now.

Well, maybe you need your people.

Ma'am, I ain't hardly got any people.

She was all I had. I'm sorry.

Can I help you?

No, I was just leaving.

We'll keep you in our prayers and thoughts.

Thank you.

Woah. Be right back.

We need coffee and salt. All right.

Why don't you drive them for a bit?

I'll walk with the cows.

Giddy up Frank, Sam! Ten miles to home, Rosie.

I can't wait for you to see it!

Woah, woah.

There it is. That's our cabin.

That's our claim.

It starts right there at the creek cross

and goes half a mile to the south,

half a mile to the west.

Doesn't it look like good land, Rosie, darling?

I pray it's a good home for us.

It surely looks like good land, Henry.

It is good land.

I've plowed and furrowed all around,

and turned up nothing but rich, black soil.

It won't take long with some luck.

Woah. Who was that? Henry!

That's Frank Hagel.

He's been taking care of the cabin since I left.

Well, he didn't even wave.

He just ran inside like something was wrong.

I bet the place is a mess.

Probably hasn't swept it out since I left.

Here Frank, meet my wife, Rosie Ise.

What have you got for dinner? We're hungry as coyotes.

It's better than what my family had in Holton at first.

The Bible your father gave you.

Hm, thank you, Henry.

It's not much. It has possibilities.

Do I? No.

You are hopeless, Henry Ise.

Our home. Yeah.

I'd like to see Chris. Of course.

I want you to meet our neighbors too.

I want see them all.

Chris and Louisa first, please? Yeah.