Sod and Stubble (2025) Movie Script
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.
- Do you have a minute?
- Yes.
Beautiful dreamer
wake unto me
Starlight and dewdrops
are waiting for thee
Sounds of the rude world
heard in the day
Lull'd by the moonlight
have all pass'd away
Beautiful dreamer
queen of my song
List while I woo thee
with soft melody
Gone are the cares
of life's busy throng
Beautiful dreamer
awake unto me
Beautiful dreamer
awake unto me
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.
Marriages: Henry C. Ise
of Osborne County, Kansas
to Rosa Haag of Jackson
County, Kansas on May 16, 1873.
- My word, Henry.
- Old man Vietz.
- What is wrong with him?
- He's just different.
I suppose so.
I told you he was
the best single man
in Osborne County.
Was I right?
He's the best in Jackson County, too.
Only the best for my Rosie.
Definitely the best
in Jackson County,
but I don't know about the
Osborne County men yet.
We did see the strangest
man on the way here.
Who was that, darling?
Old man Vietz.
He was nearly naked,
bathing in public.
I thought it was an
Indian except for his beard.
He's harmless, Rosie.
The man's a preacher.
A preacher?
Who is his congregation?
The birds?
No doubt.
He does talk to himself but
he's an honest Dutchman.
They say he eats skunks.
He says he's a preacher
but I'm not certain.
- Anyone could say that?
- Does he have a family?
He says his family
won't come west.
At least, not unless he
builds them a decent home.
Well, I hope you
don't have many like him.
Hm.
He certainly is one of a kind.
- Can I get you some coffee?
- I'm fine.
Mm, I'll have some.
How was your trip?
Good, good.
Creek sure was up.
So glad to see you, Chris.
It makes missing mother
and father so much easier.
We're happy
for the company and family.
I'm glad to see you too, Lou.
I don't know what I'd do
without female companionship.
It does get pretty lonely out here,
but the church is growing.
You'll love the Bartschs, and others.
You're just feeling
a bit homesick, sis.
It will get better.
And who knows, maybe the whole Haag family
can join us before long.
- Here comes Steve.
- Well, hello there.
Here's the beautiful Mrs. Ise.
I've heard so much about you, ma'am.
I'm not sure why you chose to
help out this old, rough German.
There are plenty of good
German men in the county.
German.
He told me he was a Swede.
Mrs. Ise,
this is my wife, Pheobe.
Pleased to meet you.
Likewise.
Now you can see
what I have to put up with.
Ah, welcome to
Rosenthal, er, Rose Valley.
Oh, I'm Chris Bartsch, and this
is my ehefrau, my wife, Mary.
I'm Henry Ise,
and this is my wife, Rosa.
Nice to meet you.
Are you German?
ROSA My Parents-were born there.
Welcome.
If I can help in any
way, please let me know.
Well, I'll be honest,
it has been an adjustment.
Let me tell you,
when we first came out here,
I told Chris I wouldn't stay
unless he repaired the roof,
and he made the place livable.
Truthfully, it is an adjustment.
I'm trying to look
at the bright side,
but Henry is a dreamer.
I think you have
to be to come out here.
I don't know if I'm
a dreamer, Mary.
You believe in that
man over there, don't you?
- I do.
- See, you are a dreamer.
We just dream differently.
That's not a bad thing, you know.
Sometimes, I think over time,
our dreams, they grow together.
Well, we move on now,
let you get back to work.
Leave her.
And Moses, in Exodus 33,
asked the Lord to show him His glory.
He wanted to see the face
and the glory of the Lord,
but that could not be for
the Lord said in verse 20,
"You cannot see my face.
No man sees my face
and lives."
Amen, pastor.
That's why
the word had to become flesh.
I'll go see what they want.
I'm coming with you.
And I will cover you both.
We were having a prayer service.
My people are starving, hungry.
- We don't have much.
- You have more than we.
What about the bread?
Rosie's bread.
Yeah.
Please ask her.
They just want food.
Don't worry, don't worry.
Now, let's not all be frightened
and concerned here.
Let's remain calm, ladies.
- Is that all they want?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Just food.
Just food.
- Bread is no good.
- The bread is good.
And we have more.
- What is this?
- Butter.
- My wife's butter.
- We need meat.
I have nothing to hunt.
All of the hunt has moved away
since your people came upon us.
Take them.
All of them!
Well, we thank
the Lord for our safe keeping.
Quiet, please.
Very good.
Those chickens
were dying of cholera.
It will make them all sick.
Well, I wouldn't worry
about them anymore.
No.
Come, come.
Shall we continue with
the services, everyone?
In the book of Exodus
Henry!
Henry!
Hi there, Henry.
Mart, King.
We got trouble up at Oak Creek.
What kind of trouble?
It's Nebraska Stevens,
the boy who got bit by the rabid wolf.
He went mad yesterday and drove
his folks out the house.
Some of us will have
to help take care of him.
I hadn't heard about it.
His mother, she...
She's beside herself, Henry.
Damn near lost her mind too.
You know his pa.
He ain't doing much better.
Are they sure it's the rabies?
What else?
It was more than just a scare.
He was working down at the south
ranch when he heard a commotion
in the chicken coop and
went to see what was wrong.
People have been talking about a mad wolf
for a long time.
I believe it now.
Anyway, he took a gun with him
when he went to check out the coop.
But just as he rounded
that door of the chicken coop,
the beast burst out
and tore him up something fierce
before he could even draw the damn gun.
We thought he was alright for a while.
Yesterday, he went down
to the creek with his dad,
when he saw that
water, he had an awful fit.
Dear God.
Have they sought out a doctor?
No, and they won't.
He's too far gone, Henry.
You know doctors won't go
near a boy who's gone mad.
His pa and John Wise are doing their best
to keep him under control,
but they need somebody's help.
They need someone to dispel him.
Let's go.
How can I help?
Take Bill Stevens' place so we can get
his wife out of here.
The boy is beyond mad.
He'll make sense for a
minute and get close to you.
Stay clear and stay safe.
Mother?
Water.
Water!
Please, somebody give me a drink.
Why won't you give me a drink?
I want a drink.
- God, to hear him beg.
- Water!
I can't listen
to him beg anymore.
Please!
I'll give it to him.
No!
Ma'am, we need you to leave.
Mother, do you have to leave?
I won't bite you.
Please, just give me a
kiss before you have to go.
You shouldn't do that.
Please go with your husband now.
We'll watch over your boy.
No mother, I won't hurt you.
Come mother, we must go.
- No!
- Ma'am, I'm begging you.
We'll do all we can.
I'm fine.
- I'm fine.
- We love you, Nebraska.
We'll take care of your boy.
Please go.
Now!
God bless you.
What are you reading, Henry?
A book about the reformation.
Is it interesting?
Yeah.
It helps me understand.
I want a better education for our children.
Well, speaking of...
That's old man Vietz.
Hello Mr. Ise.
My name is Vietz, I run the post office.
Mr. Vietz,
please come in.
Thank you.
I have a piece of mail here for you.
Thank you.
I can no longer
run the post office.
You see, Mr. Bender,
he finds my services
irritating for some reason.
He can't take your job away.
Oh, no, no.
He can't do that.
No, I just need to take a leave of absence,
so he'll quit worrying about me.
You shouldn't' let
him intimidate you.
Oh, my services are
much bigger than this.
You see, the people around
here don't understand me.
You understand,
don't you, Mr. Ise?
I don't know, but I'll listen.
Good.
Good.
You see, I am a traveler.
We're all travelers in this weary world.
Some of us on the road to salvation,
some on the road to ruin.
I have always tried to be a servant to man
and a disciple to God.
- I understand.
- Yes, yes.
So, you can take over
my position as postmaster,
but from here in your own home, of course.
And by and by, I would
come back and relieve you.
I believe I could do that.
Yes.
Good, good.
Well, God bless this house
and all who dwell here.
Goodbye.
Where will you go, Vietz?
Oh, I don't know.
I'm sure I'll find the
proper field for my services.
Ma'am, sir.
Good luck.
You say yes to
everything and everyone
without asking any details, Henry.
I have to help.
You have to take care
of our family, our needs.
- I am with child.
- You're what?
Really?
Are you sure?
- I'm sure.
- I'm gonna be a father.
- We're gonna be parents, Rosie.
- Yes.
I was gonna go get
supplies, but I can't go now.
Please go.
Take care of things.
And leave you alone?
How?
I'm fine.
I worry you're spreading yourself too thin.
I don't need to go.
The baby won't be
here for several months.
Please, go take care of things.
Let me take you
to your brother's.
I don't need to
be babysat, Henry.
I know.
Okay.
I'll be back by tomorrow.
Yes Rosie, it's good.
It is good.
It is good.
All is good.
All is good.
Just one more time, Rosie.
One more time.
Come on.
Come on.
Louisa and I are here for you.
It is good.
It's good.
Come on, Rosie.
Come on.
Come on.
Yes, yes.
- Good.
- Keep going.
Yes Rosie, yes!
- More, more!
- Keep going.
- All is good.
- Keep going.
We have baby!
We have baby!
Woo, baby is here.
Baby is here!
Oh, good.
Rose, your baby is here.
You have baby, Rosie.
Baby.
Baby is here.
- Henry, it's a boy.
- He has blue eyes, Rosie.
We're going to name him Albert.
Son.
Can you stay for a couple of days?
I'm new to this.
Of course.
I was planning on it.
But we are going to need some things.
I'll need you to go into town, Henry.
I'll stay as well,
if you want me to, Rosie.
What is it?
What's wrong?
I don't know.
I don't know.
Could you please go get a doctor?
When's the last time he fed?
I don't know.
Please go get a doctor.
- I don't wanna leave.
- Go!
Please!
Oh, sweet Albert, papa
went to get you a doctor.
It's okay, Albert.
It's okay.
Where is Henry?
No.
No!
No.
Henry!
I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
No.
I love you.
I love you.
I guess it's about time
for dinner.
When I lost sweet Albert,
I couldn't imagine my future without him.
People think when you have other children,
you somehow forget your loss.
You don't.
It's not true, Johnny.
- Loss is loss.
- I know.
So hard not to know what he
would've looked like or become.
As difficult as it was on me,
your father took it even harder.
But he kept it inside.
From John?
- From Kate.
- What does she say?
Things are good in Iowa.
The Brietze's farm's for sale.
I could own that farm if I
hadn't had my $300 stolen.
I've prayed that their
conscience would move
them to return your money.
I guess that only happens in storybooks.
Iowa's good country.
I helped break that farm after the war.
The best around there.
This place
Everything dies here.
My corn, my son, everything.
It will rain one of these days.
I remember what it was
like 14 years ago at Holton.
It was worse than this.
It was our first year in this country.
Mother and father didn't
know what to expect.
It's worthless.
It made it all worthless.
Please listen to me.
When my folks came here, we had
no rain from May to November.
We had no wheat, no corn,
no rye, no money, nothing.
Father was ill, so we had nothing to eat.
And poor mother.
She saw that we weren't
gonna make it to spring,
so she started to Atchison,
and got caught in a blizzard.
How old were you?
I was five.
As the days passed,
father realized that
mother might've lost her life,
but he couldn't help.
He was so sick.
One day, he started to cut our hair,
and he began to cry.
I'd never seen my father cry.
What happened to your mother?
Oh, thank God a wagon passed by
and took her to a
reservation and saved her life.
Henry, you have not failed.
You told me it would
get better, and it will.
I'm good at
floating hope out there, eh?
It's more than hope, it's love.
Love for your fellow man,
for me, for our babies.
We will have more
babies, I feel it in my bones.
It hurts to fail.
It's part of life.
You taught me that.
So, maybe you should listen to yourself.
We have no place to go, and
nowhere else to be but here.
This is our home.
Our home.
I will not let you quit.
Lord, we thank
you for our blessings.
We pray for our families and our friends.
We ask all of this in Jesus' name, amen.
Grateful to have
you here, Reverend.
- Glad to be with you.
- This is my wife, Rosie.
Hi.
And my brother
and sister-in-law,
Chris and Louisa Haag.
Nice to meet you.
- This is my wife, Amanda.
- Hi.
- Hello.
- Hello.
It's wonderful news, Rosie. Are you sure?
I'm sure.
How far along
do you think you are?
Two, maybe three weeks.
Two, maybe three months.
Those early years were challenging,
but we were blessed.
And in 1885, with the
help of our neighbors,
we built a new home.
We were so proud and grateful.
We also were blessed
with the sound of little feet.
What once felt like an impossible dream
was now a reality.
We were home.
What do you think, Rosie?
Do you like our new home?
I do, Henry.
I'm grateful to you and
everyone who's helped us.
- We've worked hard for this.
- We've been blessed.
We've had some lean years.
I'm grateful
we did this together.
I wanna get you a gift.
Henry, this gift is
more than I could dream.
You've been laboring
so hard with the sewing
for the children, I wanna
buy you a machine.
The Bartschs have
a machine I could use
or ask them to do some sewing.
You need your own.
We have many children
now, and maybe more to come.
I'm looking
rather seedy now
While holding down
my claim
And my vittles are not always
served the best
And the mice play shyly round
me as I nestle down to rest
In the little old sod shanty
on my claim
Oh the hinges are of leather
and the windows have no glass
And the board roof lets
the howling blizzard in
And I hear the hungry coyote
as he slinks up thru the grass
Round the little old sod
shanty on my claim
Round the little old
sod shanty on my claim
Something's wrong with Joe.
He's fussing and feverish.
What is it?
I don't know,
but I'll sit up with him.
I will, dear.
- Try to get some rest.
- I can't.
I'm worried sick.
What if it is the paralysis?
That's what Linge's baby had.
Steve said she had a
fever, was fretful for days,
and she just died.
Henry, you must
go get the doctor.
He'll know what to do, go.
Go now!
Go as fast as you can.
Wouldn't it be better
to take him to the doctor?
We could get there faster
than he can get to us.
Laura, Billy, come, come.
We're gonna take Joe to the doctor.
Help your mother, I'm
gonna hitch up the team.
Yes, father.
Come, come.
Is the lad sick?
Bad weather for youngins, I'll tell you.
Cross and feverish
since Thursday.
He hasn't been able to move either foot.
Is it the paralysis?
I'm afraid
if it is the paralysis
there's just
not much I can do.
I'm just a country doctor, and I'm limited.
Henry, Rosie, I wish to God
we could get him in to see somebody else.
I'm afraid it's possible that
this boy will never walk again.
No, no.
You have to do something for him.
Okay, okay.
Let's don't get ahead of ourselves, okay?
He might get over it.
He's young and he seems stout enough,
and yeah, he could pull through it.
And besides, he comes
from good stock, that's right.
So, here's what I want you to do.
I want you to give him
a couple of tablespoons
of this every hour.
I want you to bring him
back tomorrow and every day
of this week, if need be, all right?
And above all else,
we've got to feed him
good, nourishing food,
we've got to keep his
strength up, all right?
Henry, you gotta be strong.
That woman's gonna need you.
I know you want answers,
but answers take time
and you're just gonna have
to take one day at a time.
I understand.
Never walk again?
Never walk again.
That's not what he said.
We'll get help.
From where, Henry?
We don't have any money.
Our baby will never walk again.
What will he be?
He can't go to school,
he can't have a regular job.
- He will be a cripple.
- You're going too far.
- We need to go to God for this.
- And where is God now, huh?
Our child, our son.
Our little boy needs you,
and so do I.
- I know.
- We'll go to God.
We have a sick one, do we?
He hasn't been able
to walk for some time.
He had quite a
fever and the doctor
at Downs said it might be the paralysis.
Did he ever walk properly?
Well, maybe barely.
But he was playful, though, and healthy.
There's just something wrong.
I see.
I believe this will be of help to him.
What is it?
The names aren't important.
But we have seen some pretty fine reactions
with this medicine.
Of course, improvement or responses
will vary from patient to patient.
When might we see improvement?
As I said,
this will vary from patient to patient.
But he's young and
relatively healthy it seems.
How much will this all
cost, doctor?
Well, let's see.
What did we plan on today?
I have just $300.
As a matter of fact,
that is exactly what my bill is.
I'm certainly glad you
have that today, son.
I bet soon, he'll be as good as new.
That rotten doctor.
Not only did he frighten
us, but he took our money.
Oh, mother, it was meant to be.
But John, the man was
a charlatan and a fake.
I know, but my leg was no good.
Who knew that my boy
would grow to be the great
Dr. John Ise?
Well, whatever I've become,
I have you and father to thank for it.
You set the bar high, mother.
I'm grateful.
Your father was
the intelligent one.
He taught y'all so much.
It's nice
to have you here, Pastor,
and Mrs. Kiplinger.
This community has
been a real blessing to us.
- It feels like home.
- It's our pleasure.
- Cookies!
- After dinner.
Henry, I know you
grew up in Germany.
Wrttemberg.
How old were you
when you came over, Henry?
Seventeen.
I came with my sister.
- And you fought in the war?
- 10th Illinois.
I did the same.
48th Indiana.
Henry, I'd like to start a Sabbath school
for the German speaking folks in our flock.
I think that's a good idea.
Everyone says you'd be
a good one to lead that.
Couldn't you lead that, pastor?
Or someone else?
Well, I plan on leading
the English speaking
Sabbath time, but my German
certainly isn't good enough
to lead those that are Germanic.
There are many here
that come from the old country.
Precisely.
And what a wonderful way to minister them.
I just hear from everyone that
Mr. Ise is the exemplary man
and a wonderful Christian gentleman.
No one disagrees with that.
I'm sorry if we intrude, Rosa.
Mother, may we have our cookies?
May you pass around the cookies?
Ma, he's taking two at a whack!
One for you, Billy.
Let's all gather round, please.
Let's all gather around.
The sooner we complete our program,
the sooner we all get to eat.
Now, let's have our children
from the school please come
forth and kindly sing for us.
Oh my darling,
Oh my darling
Oh my darling,
Clementine
You are lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine
Danny Ise,
did you do your homework for today?
Danny, can you hear me?
Once more.
Did you tackle Belle Bowers
this morning during recess?
- Danny Ise!
- Yes, ma'am?
Joe, go get the switch
for me outside please.
And hurry.
Please don't whip me.
You should've thought
of that before you misbehaved.
Let's go.
Go.
Mr. Ise, I suggest you consider
your behavior and your future.
You know I'll have to
report this to your parents.
Ma'am, please don't
tell this to my folks.
If the boy misbehaved,
he'll be disciplined for it.
They say she's
incredibly harsh, Henry.
He must learn.
Not much
trouble when they're little.
Washing a few diapers,
picking up a few messes,
but then they get big,
and they can get into some real trouble.
The kind that keeps me awake at night.
Little children, little troubles,
big children, big troubles.
It's the girls.
They have big mouths.
- Oh, is that right?
- Not you, mother.
- These girls.
- Your sisters?
Our neighbors.
They want attention.
They think it's funny.
- It isn't funny, Henry.
- It's a little funny.
Danny can hardly walk.
And if he's learned anything,
he'll stay away from Slats.
Please don't call her that.
Henry, it's Bartsch.
He's going fast.
Rosie will want to come.
HENRY Bartsch.
My German Friend.
You've been a good Christian.
You have nothing to worry about.
Rosie and I will help Mary.
Was Mary proud.
CHRIS Danka.
You've been a good friend.
Thank you.
HENRY Go in peace, And with our love.
I'll let you be alone.
I'm so sorry, Mary.
We're here.
Whatever you need.
I know.
You always have been.
We could not have asked
for better friends than the both of you.
Beautiful dreamer
wake unto me
Starlight and dewdrops
are waiting for thee
All of the rude sounds
heard in the day
Lull'd by the moonlight
have all pass'd away
Beautiful dreamer
queen of my song
List while I woo thee
with soft melody
Gone are the cares
of life's busy throng
Beautiful dreamer
awake unto me
Beautiful dreamer
awake unto me
Are you okay?
I'm fine.
I'm enjoying watching the children.
They are talented, aren't they?
Yes, they are.
Thanks to their father.
He's very talented, you know.
Don't forget about their mother.
She's the resourceful one.
She made sure they
studied every single say.
Yes, but their father
taught them to read music.
He was generous and he's very intelligent.
- Is it your stomach again?
- Yeah.
Is it the same
feeling as always?
Different.
How so?
Deeper.
The pain, it's deeper.
Why don't you let
the doctor take a look at you?
Henry, for me.
Please.
Let's find out what this is.
All right.
I'll send one of the
boys to get him tomorrow.
Don't we have
corn to husk tomorrow?
Well, he probably won't
be able to be here
until late in the day anyhow.
Wash.
Dinner time.
Not feeling well?
Nein.
Can I get you something?
A little soup?
Tea?
Nothing.
Your stomach?
Does that feel
like a lump to you?
It hurts.
Your medicine.
Doesn't help.
But it has helped.
Maybe.
You cannot work like that.
Not like you did today.
Someone else can husk the corn.
Okay, dear.
Henry, Doc Poole
and Doctor Bailey are here.
Henry, can I have
a look at that side there?
Henry are
you getting enough to drink.
Laura and Rosie
are very good to me.
I know they are, Henry.
I know they are.
And I'm gonna leave
some medicine with Rosie
that'll help with the pain.
If it is cancer
ROSA: No.
And we fear there's
very little doubt that it is,
all you can do is try to make
it as easy on him as possible.
Isn't there anything?
An operation?
No, ma'am.
I could not put him through that.
I wouldn't know where or how to start.
We have hope, dear, and we have prayer too.
- Thank you both very much.
- Yes ma'am.
Good day.
We need to send for Billy,
and to Iowa for Aunt Kate.
I wish I could've
spent more time with father.
I didn't get to work the fields
or help him like the others.
But your father understood.
He knew you would find a
life in education or music.
Oh, Johnny.
He was our rock.
I think father knew how
strong you could be, don't you?
I suppose you're right, son.
Rosie, girl, wanna go
for a ride around the place?
Henry, you're much too weak.
Ask Billy to fix up the surrey.
Remember when we crossed
here for the first time, Rosie?
Only a little while ago,
yet so much has happened.
A lot of good came from
some very hard times.
If we had seen it all before us,
would we have had so much courage?
If we had known all
our work and all our worry
would lead to this.
I'm not quite 60.
Perhaps we could've found more
joy in the years as they passed.
It seems such a short time now.
If we could just start out
with dear old Frank and Sam.
Drive across the prairie
to our new, little cabin.
It was...
So much promise.
It seemed good.
We were hopeful.
We spend most our
lives living in the future,
and now it's all in the past.
It was the third of
June that day, wasn't it?
Third of June.
What a bright, fresh green everything was.
The prairie, little field of wheat.
Frank Hagel isn't here
to welcome us, this time.
Hmm.
Poor Frank.
He's been gone so long.
Okay Billy, we can go.
It is the last
chance you will have,
brother Ise, to do something for the Lord.
The Lord has
blessed you, Mr. Ise.
Mr. Ise, even
renters who don't own farms
are giving more than that.
We can only live
up to the light we have.
I cannot pledge money for
others to pay after I'm gone.
He'll have to rest now.
Good day, gentlemen.
What did they want?
Money for the pastor's home.
- Were they scolding?
- A bit.
I can't pledge money to
be given after I'm gone.
I won't do that to you.
Henry, speak to me once more.
Farewell.
Thank you for everything.
- And love them.
- I will.
You've been the best
woman a man could ever ask for.
Oh no, no.
I spent 30 years sitting
on that porch praying for rain.
And I've been thinking
that y'all would all leave me,
everyone except Will.
I think Will plans to stay.
Mother, if you need to
stay, that would be fine.
But the children are nearly all grown,
and we worry about how
hard you work in the summers.
You all don't
need me any longer.
And there's not much that I can do.
But it isn't a happy thought to know
that you're no longer needed.
Mother.
Joe, sit on the sofa properly.
Yes, mother.
Mother, you are needed.
Don't you know you and
father were so strong?
Yes, you are needed.
As much as ever.
And you could make a home for us
or for yourself in Lawrence
as well as here.
And leave Will?
Will may not stay here
much longer anyhow.
And if he does, he'll wanna
be married someday, likely.
Yes, I suppose he should.
And I would only be in his way.
You could get
a house in Lawrence.
And some of us would
be here for several years.
Dutch and Happy
aren't through high school yet,
and you know more of us are going
to the university next fall.
Joe and Robert wanna go to law school.
You would have a lot to do to help us.
Yeah, I suppose I could.
But those little houses in
Lawrence, the ones with the...
You turn the facet on for the
water and a man brings the ice
to the back porch, another brings milk.
No garden, no flowers, huh?
What would I do?
Cook?
Dust furniture all day long?
We'll get you
a house where there's a garden
and all the flowers you want.
You could have lots of flowers.
I could have lots of flowers.
Yes.
I used to think
it would be so fine
to have lots of flowers.
But when it comes down
to it, flowers just don't seem
that important anymore.
Caring for the children, planting trees,
building up a home, a good home.
That's what mattered to your father and I.
What you and father built
for us was wonderful, mother.
More than you might realize.
You just want me
to walk away from it all
as if it never happened.
As if everything that
your father and I worked
for was for nothing.
No, mother.
That is not what we're saying.
I suppose I could go.
I could be... I could go and
be content somewhere else,
but it will never be my home.
Do you hear me?
It will never be my home.
This, this is my home.
Momma.
This is your father's place.
This was his dream.
He is everywhere here.
He's not here anymore, momma.
He's not here.
We've got a carriage over here,
very comfortable.
I've got a 40, 45, 45, 45?
Sold.
I got this little saddle here,
can I get 5, 10, 10, a 10?
Can I get a 15?
15, 15, 15,15.
Sold to the man in the back
That it would come to this.
Three, three?
Four.
Four going four.
Sold to the lovely lady in the red dress.
Got a nice work horse here that
will complement everybody's
farming practices right there.
Momma?
Momma, he's selling Joe alone.
Twenty, twenty.
One twenty-five.
Twenty-five!
Twenty-five!
What do you want?
- One twenty-five?
- Oh no.
No, don't split them up.
They've never been apart before,
not even in the pasture.
Sold!
Mr. John Kaser, the buyer.
It's time.
Goodbye, Henry.
My poor little Roozer,
I have to leave you, too.
We'll take care of him.
He's always been so faithful.
- Can you stop here for a minute?
- Woah.
Oh, those dear little birds.
Henry always said they
sang their best out here.
It all happened so fast.
I'll make some notes.
I'd appreciate it, mother.
I'll do it for your father.
But it's our story, mother.
And you're the one who can tell it.
Your father
did everything for us.
Our home
Our lives
'Mid pleasures
and palaces
Though we may roam
Be it ever so humble
there's no place like home
No place like home
No place like home
Be it ever so humble
there's no place like home
We had a wonderful life.
John Ise, with Rosie's
help, finished the manuscript,
"Sod and Stubble", that told the story
of the Ise Family pioneering on the plains.
Henry Ise passed away in 1900.
Rosie moved to Lawrence, KS
in 1909, where she lived just blocks away
from the University of Kansas.
She died in 1947.
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.
- Do you have a minute?
- Yes.
Beautiful dreamer
wake unto me
Starlight and dewdrops
are waiting for thee
Sounds of the rude world
heard in the day
Lull'd by the moonlight
have all pass'd away
Beautiful dreamer
queen of my song
List while I woo thee
with soft melody
Gone are the cares
of life's busy throng
Beautiful dreamer
awake unto me
Beautiful dreamer
awake unto me
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.
Marriages: Henry C. Ise
of Osborne County, Kansas
to Rosa Haag of Jackson
County, Kansas on May 16, 1873.
- My word, Henry.
- Old man Vietz.
- What is wrong with him?
- He's just different.
I suppose so.
I told you he was
the best single man
in Osborne County.
Was I right?
He's the best in Jackson County, too.
Only the best for my Rosie.
Definitely the best
in Jackson County,
but I don't know about the
Osborne County men yet.
We did see the strangest
man on the way here.
Who was that, darling?
Old man Vietz.
He was nearly naked,
bathing in public.
I thought it was an
Indian except for his beard.
He's harmless, Rosie.
The man's a preacher.
A preacher?
Who is his congregation?
The birds?
No doubt.
He does talk to himself but
he's an honest Dutchman.
They say he eats skunks.
He says he's a preacher
but I'm not certain.
- Anyone could say that?
- Does he have a family?
He says his family
won't come west.
At least, not unless he
builds them a decent home.
Well, I hope you
don't have many like him.
Hm.
He certainly is one of a kind.
- Can I get you some coffee?
- I'm fine.
Mm, I'll have some.
How was your trip?
Good, good.
Creek sure was up.
So glad to see you, Chris.
It makes missing mother
and father so much easier.
We're happy
for the company and family.
I'm glad to see you too, Lou.
I don't know what I'd do
without female companionship.
It does get pretty lonely out here,
but the church is growing.
You'll love the Bartschs, and others.
You're just feeling
a bit homesick, sis.
It will get better.
And who knows, maybe the whole Haag family
can join us before long.
- Here comes Steve.
- Well, hello there.
Here's the beautiful Mrs. Ise.
I've heard so much about you, ma'am.
I'm not sure why you chose to
help out this old, rough German.
There are plenty of good
German men in the county.
German.
He told me he was a Swede.
Mrs. Ise,
this is my wife, Pheobe.
Pleased to meet you.
Likewise.
Now you can see
what I have to put up with.
Ah, welcome to
Rosenthal, er, Rose Valley.
Oh, I'm Chris Bartsch, and this
is my ehefrau, my wife, Mary.
I'm Henry Ise,
and this is my wife, Rosa.
Nice to meet you.
Are you German?
ROSA My Parents-were born there.
Welcome.
If I can help in any
way, please let me know.
Well, I'll be honest,
it has been an adjustment.
Let me tell you,
when we first came out here,
I told Chris I wouldn't stay
unless he repaired the roof,
and he made the place livable.
Truthfully, it is an adjustment.
I'm trying to look
at the bright side,
but Henry is a dreamer.
I think you have
to be to come out here.
I don't know if I'm
a dreamer, Mary.
You believe in that
man over there, don't you?
- I do.
- See, you are a dreamer.
We just dream differently.
That's not a bad thing, you know.
Sometimes, I think over time,
our dreams, they grow together.
Well, we move on now,
let you get back to work.
Leave her.
And Moses, in Exodus 33,
asked the Lord to show him His glory.
He wanted to see the face
and the glory of the Lord,
but that could not be for
the Lord said in verse 20,
"You cannot see my face.
No man sees my face
and lives."
Amen, pastor.
That's why
the word had to become flesh.
I'll go see what they want.
I'm coming with you.
And I will cover you both.
We were having a prayer service.
My people are starving, hungry.
- We don't have much.
- You have more than we.
What about the bread?
Rosie's bread.
Yeah.
Please ask her.
They just want food.
Don't worry, don't worry.
Now, let's not all be frightened
and concerned here.
Let's remain calm, ladies.
- Is that all they want?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Just food.
Just food.
- Bread is no good.
- The bread is good.
And we have more.
- What is this?
- Butter.
- My wife's butter.
- We need meat.
I have nothing to hunt.
All of the hunt has moved away
since your people came upon us.
Take them.
All of them!
Well, we thank
the Lord for our safe keeping.
Quiet, please.
Very good.
Those chickens
were dying of cholera.
It will make them all sick.
Well, I wouldn't worry
about them anymore.
No.
Come, come.
Shall we continue with
the services, everyone?
In the book of Exodus
Henry!
Henry!
Hi there, Henry.
Mart, King.
We got trouble up at Oak Creek.
What kind of trouble?
It's Nebraska Stevens,
the boy who got bit by the rabid wolf.
He went mad yesterday and drove
his folks out the house.
Some of us will have
to help take care of him.
I hadn't heard about it.
His mother, she...
She's beside herself, Henry.
Damn near lost her mind too.
You know his pa.
He ain't doing much better.
Are they sure it's the rabies?
What else?
It was more than just a scare.
He was working down at the south
ranch when he heard a commotion
in the chicken coop and
went to see what was wrong.
People have been talking about a mad wolf
for a long time.
I believe it now.
Anyway, he took a gun with him
when he went to check out the coop.
But just as he rounded
that door of the chicken coop,
the beast burst out
and tore him up something fierce
before he could even draw the damn gun.
We thought he was alright for a while.
Yesterday, he went down
to the creek with his dad,
when he saw that
water, he had an awful fit.
Dear God.
Have they sought out a doctor?
No, and they won't.
He's too far gone, Henry.
You know doctors won't go
near a boy who's gone mad.
His pa and John Wise are doing their best
to keep him under control,
but they need somebody's help.
They need someone to dispel him.
Let's go.
How can I help?
Take Bill Stevens' place so we can get
his wife out of here.
The boy is beyond mad.
He'll make sense for a
minute and get close to you.
Stay clear and stay safe.
Mother?
Water.
Water!
Please, somebody give me a drink.
Why won't you give me a drink?
I want a drink.
- God, to hear him beg.
- Water!
I can't listen
to him beg anymore.
Please!
I'll give it to him.
No!
Ma'am, we need you to leave.
Mother, do you have to leave?
I won't bite you.
Please, just give me a
kiss before you have to go.
You shouldn't do that.
Please go with your husband now.
We'll watch over your boy.
No mother, I won't hurt you.
Come mother, we must go.
- No!
- Ma'am, I'm begging you.
We'll do all we can.
I'm fine.
- I'm fine.
- We love you, Nebraska.
We'll take care of your boy.
Please go.
Now!
God bless you.
What are you reading, Henry?
A book about the reformation.
Is it interesting?
Yeah.
It helps me understand.
I want a better education for our children.
Well, speaking of...
That's old man Vietz.
Hello Mr. Ise.
My name is Vietz, I run the post office.
Mr. Vietz,
please come in.
Thank you.
I have a piece of mail here for you.
Thank you.
I can no longer
run the post office.
You see, Mr. Bender,
he finds my services
irritating for some reason.
He can't take your job away.
Oh, no, no.
He can't do that.
No, I just need to take a leave of absence,
so he'll quit worrying about me.
You shouldn't' let
him intimidate you.
Oh, my services are
much bigger than this.
You see, the people around
here don't understand me.
You understand,
don't you, Mr. Ise?
I don't know, but I'll listen.
Good.
Good.
You see, I am a traveler.
We're all travelers in this weary world.
Some of us on the road to salvation,
some on the road to ruin.
I have always tried to be a servant to man
and a disciple to God.
- I understand.
- Yes, yes.
So, you can take over
my position as postmaster,
but from here in your own home, of course.
And by and by, I would
come back and relieve you.
I believe I could do that.
Yes.
Good, good.
Well, God bless this house
and all who dwell here.
Goodbye.
Where will you go, Vietz?
Oh, I don't know.
I'm sure I'll find the
proper field for my services.
Ma'am, sir.
Good luck.
You say yes to
everything and everyone
without asking any details, Henry.
I have to help.
You have to take care
of our family, our needs.
- I am with child.
- You're what?
Really?
Are you sure?
- I'm sure.
- I'm gonna be a father.
- We're gonna be parents, Rosie.
- Yes.
I was gonna go get
supplies, but I can't go now.
Please go.
Take care of things.
And leave you alone?
How?
I'm fine.
I worry you're spreading yourself too thin.
I don't need to go.
The baby won't be
here for several months.
Please, go take care of things.
Let me take you
to your brother's.
I don't need to
be babysat, Henry.
I know.
Okay.
I'll be back by tomorrow.
Yes Rosie, it's good.
It is good.
It is good.
All is good.
All is good.
Just one more time, Rosie.
One more time.
Come on.
Come on.
Louisa and I are here for you.
It is good.
It's good.
Come on, Rosie.
Come on.
Come on.
Yes, yes.
- Good.
- Keep going.
Yes Rosie, yes!
- More, more!
- Keep going.
- All is good.
- Keep going.
We have baby!
We have baby!
Woo, baby is here.
Baby is here!
Oh, good.
Rose, your baby is here.
You have baby, Rosie.
Baby.
Baby is here.
- Henry, it's a boy.
- He has blue eyes, Rosie.
We're going to name him Albert.
Son.
Can you stay for a couple of days?
I'm new to this.
Of course.
I was planning on it.
But we are going to need some things.
I'll need you to go into town, Henry.
I'll stay as well,
if you want me to, Rosie.
What is it?
What's wrong?
I don't know.
I don't know.
Could you please go get a doctor?
When's the last time he fed?
I don't know.
Please go get a doctor.
- I don't wanna leave.
- Go!
Please!
Oh, sweet Albert, papa
went to get you a doctor.
It's okay, Albert.
It's okay.
Where is Henry?
No.
No!
No.
Henry!
I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
No.
I love you.
I love you.
I guess it's about time
for dinner.
When I lost sweet Albert,
I couldn't imagine my future without him.
People think when you have other children,
you somehow forget your loss.
You don't.
It's not true, Johnny.
- Loss is loss.
- I know.
So hard not to know what he
would've looked like or become.
As difficult as it was on me,
your father took it even harder.
But he kept it inside.
From John?
- From Kate.
- What does she say?
Things are good in Iowa.
The Brietze's farm's for sale.
I could own that farm if I
hadn't had my $300 stolen.
I've prayed that their
conscience would move
them to return your money.
I guess that only happens in storybooks.
Iowa's good country.
I helped break that farm after the war.
The best around there.
This place
Everything dies here.
My corn, my son, everything.
It will rain one of these days.
I remember what it was
like 14 years ago at Holton.
It was worse than this.
It was our first year in this country.
Mother and father didn't
know what to expect.
It's worthless.
It made it all worthless.
Please listen to me.
When my folks came here, we had
no rain from May to November.
We had no wheat, no corn,
no rye, no money, nothing.
Father was ill, so we had nothing to eat.
And poor mother.
She saw that we weren't
gonna make it to spring,
so she started to Atchison,
and got caught in a blizzard.
How old were you?
I was five.
As the days passed,
father realized that
mother might've lost her life,
but he couldn't help.
He was so sick.
One day, he started to cut our hair,
and he began to cry.
I'd never seen my father cry.
What happened to your mother?
Oh, thank God a wagon passed by
and took her to a
reservation and saved her life.
Henry, you have not failed.
You told me it would
get better, and it will.
I'm good at
floating hope out there, eh?
It's more than hope, it's love.
Love for your fellow man,
for me, for our babies.
We will have more
babies, I feel it in my bones.
It hurts to fail.
It's part of life.
You taught me that.
So, maybe you should listen to yourself.
We have no place to go, and
nowhere else to be but here.
This is our home.
Our home.
I will not let you quit.
Lord, we thank
you for our blessings.
We pray for our families and our friends.
We ask all of this in Jesus' name, amen.
Grateful to have
you here, Reverend.
- Glad to be with you.
- This is my wife, Rosie.
Hi.
And my brother
and sister-in-law,
Chris and Louisa Haag.
Nice to meet you.
- This is my wife, Amanda.
- Hi.
- Hello.
- Hello.
It's wonderful news, Rosie. Are you sure?
I'm sure.
How far along
do you think you are?
Two, maybe three weeks.
Two, maybe three months.
Those early years were challenging,
but we were blessed.
And in 1885, with the
help of our neighbors,
we built a new home.
We were so proud and grateful.
We also were blessed
with the sound of little feet.
What once felt like an impossible dream
was now a reality.
We were home.
What do you think, Rosie?
Do you like our new home?
I do, Henry.
I'm grateful to you and
everyone who's helped us.
- We've worked hard for this.
- We've been blessed.
We've had some lean years.
I'm grateful
we did this together.
I wanna get you a gift.
Henry, this gift is
more than I could dream.
You've been laboring
so hard with the sewing
for the children, I wanna
buy you a machine.
The Bartschs have
a machine I could use
or ask them to do some sewing.
You need your own.
We have many children
now, and maybe more to come.
I'm looking
rather seedy now
While holding down
my claim
And my vittles are not always
served the best
And the mice play shyly round
me as I nestle down to rest
In the little old sod shanty
on my claim
Oh the hinges are of leather
and the windows have no glass
And the board roof lets
the howling blizzard in
And I hear the hungry coyote
as he slinks up thru the grass
Round the little old sod
shanty on my claim
Round the little old
sod shanty on my claim
Something's wrong with Joe.
He's fussing and feverish.
What is it?
I don't know,
but I'll sit up with him.
I will, dear.
- Try to get some rest.
- I can't.
I'm worried sick.
What if it is the paralysis?
That's what Linge's baby had.
Steve said she had a
fever, was fretful for days,
and she just died.
Henry, you must
go get the doctor.
He'll know what to do, go.
Go now!
Go as fast as you can.
Wouldn't it be better
to take him to the doctor?
We could get there faster
than he can get to us.
Laura, Billy, come, come.
We're gonna take Joe to the doctor.
Help your mother, I'm
gonna hitch up the team.
Yes, father.
Come, come.
Is the lad sick?
Bad weather for youngins, I'll tell you.
Cross and feverish
since Thursday.
He hasn't been able to move either foot.
Is it the paralysis?
I'm afraid
if it is the paralysis
there's just
not much I can do.
I'm just a country doctor, and I'm limited.
Henry, Rosie, I wish to God
we could get him in to see somebody else.
I'm afraid it's possible that
this boy will never walk again.
No, no.
You have to do something for him.
Okay, okay.
Let's don't get ahead of ourselves, okay?
He might get over it.
He's young and he seems stout enough,
and yeah, he could pull through it.
And besides, he comes
from good stock, that's right.
So, here's what I want you to do.
I want you to give him
a couple of tablespoons
of this every hour.
I want you to bring him
back tomorrow and every day
of this week, if need be, all right?
And above all else,
we've got to feed him
good, nourishing food,
we've got to keep his
strength up, all right?
Henry, you gotta be strong.
That woman's gonna need you.
I know you want answers,
but answers take time
and you're just gonna have
to take one day at a time.
I understand.
Never walk again?
Never walk again.
That's not what he said.
We'll get help.
From where, Henry?
We don't have any money.
Our baby will never walk again.
What will he be?
He can't go to school,
he can't have a regular job.
- He will be a cripple.
- You're going too far.
- We need to go to God for this.
- And where is God now, huh?
Our child, our son.
Our little boy needs you,
and so do I.
- I know.
- We'll go to God.
We have a sick one, do we?
He hasn't been able
to walk for some time.
He had quite a
fever and the doctor
at Downs said it might be the paralysis.
Did he ever walk properly?
Well, maybe barely.
But he was playful, though, and healthy.
There's just something wrong.
I see.
I believe this will be of help to him.
What is it?
The names aren't important.
But we have seen some pretty fine reactions
with this medicine.
Of course, improvement or responses
will vary from patient to patient.
When might we see improvement?
As I said,
this will vary from patient to patient.
But he's young and
relatively healthy it seems.
How much will this all
cost, doctor?
Well, let's see.
What did we plan on today?
I have just $300.
As a matter of fact,
that is exactly what my bill is.
I'm certainly glad you
have that today, son.
I bet soon, he'll be as good as new.
That rotten doctor.
Not only did he frighten
us, but he took our money.
Oh, mother, it was meant to be.
But John, the man was
a charlatan and a fake.
I know, but my leg was no good.
Who knew that my boy
would grow to be the great
Dr. John Ise?
Well, whatever I've become,
I have you and father to thank for it.
You set the bar high, mother.
I'm grateful.
Your father was
the intelligent one.
He taught y'all so much.
It's nice
to have you here, Pastor,
and Mrs. Kiplinger.
This community has
been a real blessing to us.
- It feels like home.
- It's our pleasure.
- Cookies!
- After dinner.
Henry, I know you
grew up in Germany.
Wrttemberg.
How old were you
when you came over, Henry?
Seventeen.
I came with my sister.
- And you fought in the war?
- 10th Illinois.
I did the same.
48th Indiana.
Henry, I'd like to start a Sabbath school
for the German speaking folks in our flock.
I think that's a good idea.
Everyone says you'd be
a good one to lead that.
Couldn't you lead that, pastor?
Or someone else?
Well, I plan on leading
the English speaking
Sabbath time, but my German
certainly isn't good enough
to lead those that are Germanic.
There are many here
that come from the old country.
Precisely.
And what a wonderful way to minister them.
I just hear from everyone that
Mr. Ise is the exemplary man
and a wonderful Christian gentleman.
No one disagrees with that.
I'm sorry if we intrude, Rosa.
Mother, may we have our cookies?
May you pass around the cookies?
Ma, he's taking two at a whack!
One for you, Billy.
Let's all gather round, please.
Let's all gather around.
The sooner we complete our program,
the sooner we all get to eat.
Now, let's have our children
from the school please come
forth and kindly sing for us.
Oh my darling,
Oh my darling
Oh my darling,
Clementine
You are lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine
Danny Ise,
did you do your homework for today?
Danny, can you hear me?
Once more.
Did you tackle Belle Bowers
this morning during recess?
- Danny Ise!
- Yes, ma'am?
Joe, go get the switch
for me outside please.
And hurry.
Please don't whip me.
You should've thought
of that before you misbehaved.
Let's go.
Go.
Mr. Ise, I suggest you consider
your behavior and your future.
You know I'll have to
report this to your parents.
Ma'am, please don't
tell this to my folks.
If the boy misbehaved,
he'll be disciplined for it.
They say she's
incredibly harsh, Henry.
He must learn.
Not much
trouble when they're little.
Washing a few diapers,
picking up a few messes,
but then they get big,
and they can get into some real trouble.
The kind that keeps me awake at night.
Little children, little troubles,
big children, big troubles.
It's the girls.
They have big mouths.
- Oh, is that right?
- Not you, mother.
- These girls.
- Your sisters?
Our neighbors.
They want attention.
They think it's funny.
- It isn't funny, Henry.
- It's a little funny.
Danny can hardly walk.
And if he's learned anything,
he'll stay away from Slats.
Please don't call her that.
Henry, it's Bartsch.
He's going fast.
Rosie will want to come.
HENRY Bartsch.
My German Friend.
You've been a good Christian.
You have nothing to worry about.
Rosie and I will help Mary.
Was Mary proud.
CHRIS Danka.
You've been a good friend.
Thank you.
HENRY Go in peace, And with our love.
I'll let you be alone.
I'm so sorry, Mary.
We're here.
Whatever you need.
I know.
You always have been.
We could not have asked
for better friends than the both of you.
Beautiful dreamer
wake unto me
Starlight and dewdrops
are waiting for thee
All of the rude sounds
heard in the day
Lull'd by the moonlight
have all pass'd away
Beautiful dreamer
queen of my song
List while I woo thee
with soft melody
Gone are the cares
of life's busy throng
Beautiful dreamer
awake unto me
Beautiful dreamer
awake unto me
Are you okay?
I'm fine.
I'm enjoying watching the children.
They are talented, aren't they?
Yes, they are.
Thanks to their father.
He's very talented, you know.
Don't forget about their mother.
She's the resourceful one.
She made sure they
studied every single say.
Yes, but their father
taught them to read music.
He was generous and he's very intelligent.
- Is it your stomach again?
- Yeah.
Is it the same
feeling as always?
Different.
How so?
Deeper.
The pain, it's deeper.
Why don't you let
the doctor take a look at you?
Henry, for me.
Please.
Let's find out what this is.
All right.
I'll send one of the
boys to get him tomorrow.
Don't we have
corn to husk tomorrow?
Well, he probably won't
be able to be here
until late in the day anyhow.
Wash.
Dinner time.
Not feeling well?
Nein.
Can I get you something?
A little soup?
Tea?
Nothing.
Your stomach?
Does that feel
like a lump to you?
It hurts.
Your medicine.
Doesn't help.
But it has helped.
Maybe.
You cannot work like that.
Not like you did today.
Someone else can husk the corn.
Okay, dear.
Henry, Doc Poole
and Doctor Bailey are here.
Henry, can I have
a look at that side there?
Henry are
you getting enough to drink.
Laura and Rosie
are very good to me.
I know they are, Henry.
I know they are.
And I'm gonna leave
some medicine with Rosie
that'll help with the pain.
If it is cancer
ROSA: No.
And we fear there's
very little doubt that it is,
all you can do is try to make
it as easy on him as possible.
Isn't there anything?
An operation?
No, ma'am.
I could not put him through that.
I wouldn't know where or how to start.
We have hope, dear, and we have prayer too.
- Thank you both very much.
- Yes ma'am.
Good day.
We need to send for Billy,
and to Iowa for Aunt Kate.
I wish I could've
spent more time with father.
I didn't get to work the fields
or help him like the others.
But your father understood.
He knew you would find a
life in education or music.
Oh, Johnny.
He was our rock.
I think father knew how
strong you could be, don't you?
I suppose you're right, son.
Rosie, girl, wanna go
for a ride around the place?
Henry, you're much too weak.
Ask Billy to fix up the surrey.
Remember when we crossed
here for the first time, Rosie?
Only a little while ago,
yet so much has happened.
A lot of good came from
some very hard times.
If we had seen it all before us,
would we have had so much courage?
If we had known all
our work and all our worry
would lead to this.
I'm not quite 60.
Perhaps we could've found more
joy in the years as they passed.
It seems such a short time now.
If we could just start out
with dear old Frank and Sam.
Drive across the prairie
to our new, little cabin.
It was...
So much promise.
It seemed good.
We were hopeful.
We spend most our
lives living in the future,
and now it's all in the past.
It was the third of
June that day, wasn't it?
Third of June.
What a bright, fresh green everything was.
The prairie, little field of wheat.
Frank Hagel isn't here
to welcome us, this time.
Hmm.
Poor Frank.
He's been gone so long.
Okay Billy, we can go.
It is the last
chance you will have,
brother Ise, to do something for the Lord.
The Lord has
blessed you, Mr. Ise.
Mr. Ise, even
renters who don't own farms
are giving more than that.
We can only live
up to the light we have.
I cannot pledge money for
others to pay after I'm gone.
He'll have to rest now.
Good day, gentlemen.
What did they want?
Money for the pastor's home.
- Were they scolding?
- A bit.
I can't pledge money to
be given after I'm gone.
I won't do that to you.
Henry, speak to me once more.
Farewell.
Thank you for everything.
- And love them.
- I will.
You've been the best
woman a man could ever ask for.
Oh no, no.
I spent 30 years sitting
on that porch praying for rain.
And I've been thinking
that y'all would all leave me,
everyone except Will.
I think Will plans to stay.
Mother, if you need to
stay, that would be fine.
But the children are nearly all grown,
and we worry about how
hard you work in the summers.
You all don't
need me any longer.
And there's not much that I can do.
But it isn't a happy thought to know
that you're no longer needed.
Mother.
Joe, sit on the sofa properly.
Yes, mother.
Mother, you are needed.
Don't you know you and
father were so strong?
Yes, you are needed.
As much as ever.
And you could make a home for us
or for yourself in Lawrence
as well as here.
And leave Will?
Will may not stay here
much longer anyhow.
And if he does, he'll wanna
be married someday, likely.
Yes, I suppose he should.
And I would only be in his way.
You could get
a house in Lawrence.
And some of us would
be here for several years.
Dutch and Happy
aren't through high school yet,
and you know more of us are going
to the university next fall.
Joe and Robert wanna go to law school.
You would have a lot to do to help us.
Yeah, I suppose I could.
But those little houses in
Lawrence, the ones with the...
You turn the facet on for the
water and a man brings the ice
to the back porch, another brings milk.
No garden, no flowers, huh?
What would I do?
Cook?
Dust furniture all day long?
We'll get you
a house where there's a garden
and all the flowers you want.
You could have lots of flowers.
I could have lots of flowers.
Yes.
I used to think
it would be so fine
to have lots of flowers.
But when it comes down
to it, flowers just don't seem
that important anymore.
Caring for the children, planting trees,
building up a home, a good home.
That's what mattered to your father and I.
What you and father built
for us was wonderful, mother.
More than you might realize.
You just want me
to walk away from it all
as if it never happened.
As if everything that
your father and I worked
for was for nothing.
No, mother.
That is not what we're saying.
I suppose I could go.
I could be... I could go and
be content somewhere else,
but it will never be my home.
Do you hear me?
It will never be my home.
This, this is my home.
Momma.
This is your father's place.
This was his dream.
He is everywhere here.
He's not here anymore, momma.
He's not here.
We've got a carriage over here,
very comfortable.
I've got a 40, 45, 45, 45?
Sold.
I got this little saddle here,
can I get 5, 10, 10, a 10?
Can I get a 15?
15, 15, 15,15.
Sold to the man in the back
That it would come to this.
Three, three?
Four.
Four going four.
Sold to the lovely lady in the red dress.
Got a nice work horse here that
will complement everybody's
farming practices right there.
Momma?
Momma, he's selling Joe alone.
Twenty, twenty.
One twenty-five.
Twenty-five!
Twenty-five!
What do you want?
- One twenty-five?
- Oh no.
No, don't split them up.
They've never been apart before,
not even in the pasture.
Sold!
Mr. John Kaser, the buyer.
It's time.
Goodbye, Henry.
My poor little Roozer,
I have to leave you, too.
We'll take care of him.
He's always been so faithful.
- Can you stop here for a minute?
- Woah.
Oh, those dear little birds.
Henry always said they
sang their best out here.
It all happened so fast.
I'll make some notes.
I'd appreciate it, mother.
I'll do it for your father.
But it's our story, mother.
And you're the one who can tell it.
Your father
did everything for us.
Our home
Our lives
'Mid pleasures
and palaces
Though we may roam
Be it ever so humble
there's no place like home
No place like home
No place like home
Be it ever so humble
there's no place like home
We had a wonderful life.
John Ise, with Rosie's
help, finished the manuscript,
"Sod and Stubble", that told the story
of the Ise Family pioneering on the plains.
Henry Ise passed away in 1900.
Rosie moved to Lawrence, KS
in 1909, where she lived just blocks away
from the University of Kansas.
She died in 1947.