Original subtitles

Man: The winter of '96 was a strange one.

My family was used to nature's cold hand around Christmas.

We'd learned to survive her frozen fury.

But that year nature laid a warm cheek on Walnut Grove.

The snow begin to melt in the high country

even before its white blanket touched the flat land.

Steam rose from the rivers

as the sun warmed the flowing waters.

It would be an easy Christmas

for my daughter and her family...

or so she thought.

Watch where you're going, clumsy oaf!

I'm Ss orry !

Shouldn't give you any more trouble.

I appreciate it.

You know, that's a long trip.

Smart of you to check everything out before you start.

Well, especially with Rose and Laura along.

I wouldn't want anything to spoil their trip.

Mr. Wilder! Mr. Wilder!

Whoa! Slow down there, partner.

I thought you might have left already.

You remember...

what we discussed?

For your mother.

It's supposed to be a surprise.

Don't worry about a thing.

You'll be back in time for Christmas?

Long before.

You can do me a favor.

Run over to the mill and tell Mr. Edwards

I'm waiting on him. Will you do that?

Be glad to, and thanks!

That reminds me.

Sarah would have my hide if I didn't give you her list.

Looks like we're all gonna be beholden to you for Christmas.

Money's in there, too.

Glad to oblige.

- Safe trip. - Will do that.

Edwards!

If you're waiting for me, you're backing up.

Art Carter, you behave yourself while were gone

or Santa won't come.

All right, let's go.

Well, Montague!

Might've known you'd show up soon as everything's loaded.

My labors are intellectual, not physical.

Still turning them German words into English, are you?

To the best of my ability,

which is why I mustn't linger here any longer than necessary.

I merely came out to wish you a safe and pleasant journey

and a speedy return.

Well, thank you Mr. Montague.

Now, you sure you can manage until we get back?

- Oh, quite sure. - We're not children, Aunt Laura.

All right.

Now you two take care of each other.

Next time you think about it,

we're gonna be right back here

loaded down with Christmas cheer.

Hmm.

In the form of baubles and trinkets, no doubt.

Oh, now, Montague,

don't tell me you got something against Christmas.

Not Christmas, Edwards.

Crass commerciality and sentimentalism

masquerading as Christian love.

Emphasis on gift-giving is compromising our souls.

Well, I'll tell you something, old buddy,

I never want to compromise your soul,

so I'll just skip over buying you a present this year.

Suits me fine.

- Edwards, let's get a move on. - Oh, all right.

- Don't take no wooden nickels. - I won't Mr. Edwards.

Bye!

( groans)

Patrick?

Patrick?

Patrick?

Your husband is not here, Elsa.

Oh?

Patrick's not here?

Oh.

Oh, he's waiting for us in Milford.

Why do I feel so funny?

We had to give you something for the pain.

It was a very difficult delivery.

The baby...

The baby.

I want to hold my baby.

Elsa...

Is it a boy or a girl?

I know Patrick wants a boy, but I hope it's a girl.

It doesn't matter. We waited so long.

Oh, please, doctor, bring me the baby.

I want to hold it.

Elsa...

your little boy...

Boy?

I have a boy?

Where is he?

What have you done with him?

I did everything I could.

Elsa: No!

No! No!

No. No, I want my--

- Doctor? - I want my son!

Nurse, hold her down. Hold her down.

You're lying. You're lying to me.

Bring me my son! We have to got Milford!

I have bring Patrick his son.

( no audible dialogue )

Here, Rosie!

- Give me. - All right.

- I'll see you inside. - Okay.

I'll get this bit of freight unloaded while you check us in.

Well, don't go spending all out profit at the Red Dog Saloon.

Almanzo, what do you say a thing like that for?

You know I ain't touched no whiskey in years.

Doesn't stop you from spending all your spare time

at Red Dog, buying drinks for your old friends.

You act like generosity's a crime.

When you generosity involves my money,

- itis a crime. - Dagnabbit, Wilder.

Just meet us back here in front the hotel in a half an hour.

Half an hour?

Plenty of time to get the shipment unloaded.

Well, I know that.

Socializing is a very important thing.

- 29 minutes. - I'm going, I'm going.

Yah, yah! Come on. Come on.

Here we are.

Two drops of this in your tea at bed time

will put you in top shape in no time.

Elsa, you've got to get you strength up

so that you can join Patrick.

I know he's anxious to have you with him.

I don't want to see Patrick.

When I see him, I have to tell him about the baby,

and that's all he's talked about for months.

That's why he insisted on going back

to Milford ahead of us,

so that he could make everything perfect

when I brought the baby to our new home.

Elsa...

Elsa, I know how you feel,

but you can't live in the past.

What's happened is over,

and there's nothing you can do to change it.

Now you have to live for the future.

There is no future, doctor.

I can't have another child.

Elsa,

you don't mean that.

You say you know how I feel.

If you really did,

you'd know that I mean that.

Bye, doctor.

Elsa...

if there's anything I can do for you,

anything to help...

Thank you, doctor,

but there's nothing.

I told him half hour.

That was almost an hour ago.

- Maybe he got held up? - Mm-hmm.

- Third bar stool from the left. - Almanzo.

Let's go.

Where we going?

Well, we can stand around and let moss grow under our feet,

or we could do our Christmas shopping.

Let's go.

Well, wait for us. Come on.

Come on!

Come on, Rosie!

( no audible dialogue )

( no audible dialogue )

( no audible dialogue )

I just can't find the perfect gift for Mr. Edwards.

Well, I'm telling you, we're not buying him anything

until we know if he spent all our money at the Red Dog Saloon.

Almanzo Wilder!

Baby!

You want to see the baby?

Look at the babies. Look!

Look!

- Manly? - What?

Stay there, sweetheart.

Do you think you can keep her distracted while I go in?

You go ahead. She won't even notice you're gone.

Thanks.

Almanzo: Rosie! Rosie! Look at that.

Look at that.

Christmas is coming.

Put this back here.

Rosie, have you been a good girl this year?

Rose: Yeah.

Almanzo: I think you've been

a very good girl this year.

- Rose: Baby? - You want the baby, Rosie?

I want you to stand right here and watch the baby

while Daddy goes and gets some apples

for Mommy and Daddy, and Rosie, okay?

Good.

All righty. I'll be right back. Stay right there.

Fight!

( shouting )

Man: Come on, everybody!

Hold these, will you?

Now for you two.

- I could have handled it. - I can see that.

Well I could have. See, I was just wearing them down.

Manly, Mr. Edwards, are you all right?

Oh, yeah, well, just getting a little exercise.

Honestly, you two!

I leave you alone for one minute and...

Where's Rose?

She's right over, there.

Rose!

- Manly, where is she? - I left her right here.

Right here. Rose!

All right, let's split up.

We're going to find her, Beth.

She cannot have gone too far.

We're going to find her.

Wish [I could offer you more hope.

Lots of children disappearing these days.

like they vanished into thin air.

Almanzo: There must be something you can do.

Man: I'd be happy to go along with you,

ask folks if they've seen her.

That picture you brought might help.

Might as well start where you last saw her.

- The toy store just up the street. - Let's go.

Beth, might be good if you went back to the hotel.

She might turn up there.

No, she'd never find her way back there.

- I'm going with you. - All right.

There you are, Mrs. Norris.

Thank you.

I wonder, I'll be traveling with a child,

a little girl.

Will she be needing a seat?

Oh, no, I'll hold her in my lap.

Then there will be no extra charge for her.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Do you want one?

( babbling )

Come along, baby.

You know you're not supposed to talk to strangers.

Well, thank you, ma'am.

Somebody should have seen something somewhere.

Maybe there's a better way of going about this.

Divide up, cover more territory.

- That's a good idea. - Where's your rig?

- At the livery. - There's an orphanage

over on the other side,

the north side of town.

Seems like a lot of lost kids show up there.

Okay, we'll ride over and check it out.

I'll continue combing this area

and see what I can stir up.

- I'll stay with you. She knows me. - Fine.

We'll find her now. Don't worry.

Come on, Beth.

You here to adopt a boy?

No, we're looking for a little girl.

I knew it. Everybody wants to adopt a girl.

We're not looking to adopt one.

We're looking for our daughter.

She's missing, and we thought maybe she came here.

Nobody would come here unless they had to.

Say, you got any boys around your house?

- No. - Ought to consider it.

Alot of things a boy can do

around the house to be helpful.

Take me for instance.

I can chop wood, feed the livestock-- almost anything.

I bet you'd be surprised. I don't eat hardly anything at all.

I'm sorry, but--

Just biscuits for breakfast. I can skip supper.

Samuel.

Yes, Mr. Dodsworthy?

Rule nine?

Do not speak unless spoken to.

Correct.

You should be in class, I believe.

Yes, sir.

I ain't afraid of hard work.

Samuel!

Well...

I think we might have some good news for you.

Little girl was dropped off

not more than five minutes ago.

Rose?

Well, she's a shy child.

Won't tell us her name,

but she matches the description of your little girl.

Where is she?

Right this way.

We bathed her, changed her clothes, and combed her hair.

( girl babbling )

Rose?

You got a penny? Anything to give, ma'am?

You got a coin there, sir?

You got--

Well, hello there.

Come along, darling. We don't want to miss our train.

Edwards.

Any luck?

No.

We were hoping.

Been in every store on this side of town.

It's a way to the train station,

but it might be worth a try.

You know how young'ins are when they see a train.

Edwards: Ain't going to walk that far, you think?

Where else we going to look?

Let's go.

( no audible dialogue )

Excuse me. Can you help us?

If it's about a train, there ain't no hurry.

Last one of the day

pulled out half an hour ago.

This is not about a train. It's about our daughter.

- She's disappeared. - Disappeared?

Here's a picture of her.

No, haven't seen her.

Don't recall any young'ins wandering about here today.

'Course I've been behind the counter mostly.

- You sure? - Yeah.

I'll keep an eye out for her though,

case she turns up.

- Thanks. - Thanks.

Say did I hear you say you were looking for a little kid?

Our daughter.

Well, can I see that there picture?

Yeah. Yeah, I seen all right.

Oh, thank God. When?

Well, first time it was right here,

couple hours ago.

You say she's your daughter?

Yeah.

Yeah, funny.

She was with this other woman.

Acted like her mom.

What are you talking about?

Well, this here woman.

I mean, she told the little girl

not to talk to strangers.

Oh, my God.

She's not lost, she's taken.

Laura. Do you know where they went?

Well, they...

they took the last train out.

I remember her now.

I didn't see the kid, but she asked if she needed a ticket for her.

Well, any description?

Just a woman, late twenties,

early thirties, I'd say.

About so tall.

Hair kind of reddish, I think.

Do you know where the train was headed?

Bound for points south,

all the way to the border.

It's a one-fare ride.

She could get off anywhere between here and Mexico.

We're never gonna find her.

Lots of folks get off at the first stop,

Sublimity.

Quite a settlement there.

Take you half a day by wagon.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Hey, you don't have to pay me for helping you out.

I was just doing my duty as a citizen.

Yeah, but thanks a lot!

"How far we will have to go

or how long we will be gone

we have know way of knowing.

We only know we won't be home until we find her.

Laura."

I can't believe it.

Who would do something like that?

Some poor disturbed creature.

You mean, they aren't coming home in time for Christmas?

I don't know.

If there's anything we can do for you, Jenny...

Thank you.

We're managing quite well.

Still, we thought you should know the news.

Poor Rose.

Oh, I hope she's all right.

Almanzo.

Why did I leave her?

If I'd only stayed with her...

- It wasn't your fault. - Yes, it is.

Can't you see that?

No, I can't.

Listen to me.

It happened,

and it wasn't anybody's fault.

We are going to find her.

Look at me.

We are going to find her.

( chattering )

Would you like something to eat, ma'am?

No, not right now. Thanks.

That's a pretty little girl you have.

Thank you.

She's been so good on the trip.

Well, I'll be back through in an hour or so. Bye-bye.

All Right.

My pretty little girl.

( chattering )

I'll stay with the horses.

Get on. Come on.

- ( boy sneezes) - Gesundheit.

( boy sneezes )

( boy sneezes )

All right, come on out of there

or I'll come in after you.

What the--

Oh, I got your letter all right.

I even went over to the train station myself,

but your little girl didn't get off here in Sublimity.

But did you check the train?

Mr. Wilder...

I'm all the law there is in Sublimity.

One man.

Now if I was to got have got on the train,

I couldn't have been sure they didn't get off.

Now as things are,

I can promise you one thing.

Nobody got off that train with your little girl.

All right, just calm-- Hold it! Hold it.

- Come yourself down there. - Samuel!

You know this pup?

I told you.

What do you have to say for yourself, son?

Well, I thought once you got to know me,

maybe you'd change your mind

about having a boy and adopt me.

So you sneaked into the wagon.

Yes, sir.

Manly, what are we going to do?

We got to take him back.

Edwards: What did the sheriff have to say?

We got go on to Milford.

The train has a two-day layover there.

He thinks we oughta be able to catch up to it.

Not if we take him back to Mankato.

All right, we'll have to take him with us.

Only until we find Rose.

Then we're gonna drop you in Mankato on the way back.

Yes, sir.

Come on. We got a long drive ahead of us.

Well, come on, Samuel.

You can call me Sam.

This one here. The blue wool scarf.

Well, I can get that for you by Christmas,

but it's kind of expensive, Jason.

I'll get the money, Mr. Olsen, somehow.

All right, I'll order it for you. Today.

- Thank you. - Father! Father!

Father! Oh, hello, Jason.

Look, Father, another Christmas present for me from mother.

Put it upstairs in your room with the others.

To bad you won't be getting any Christmas presents this year.

Nancy!

It's true.

Willie said Mr. Carter gave Almanzo money

to buy Christmas presents.

And now Jason and Jeb won't have any Christmas at all.

That is about enough out of you.

It doesn't matter if Mr. Wilder comes back or not.

Santa Claus will still bring us our presents.

That's right.

You still believe in Santa Claus?

Oh, you're so childish, Jason.

He may not come to your house, but he'll come to ours.

Don't pay any attention to anything she says.

I'll have your scarf here next week.

- Thanks, Mr. Olsen - You bet.

I've got your order back here.

How is Harriet?

I got a letter from her yesterday

complaining about the hospital food.

Says the nurses never come when she calls.

Sounds like she's feeling more herself these days.

Yes, it does, doesn't it?

Well, I hope she's out of the hospital and home by Easter.

Hmm.

Do you want all of these?

I read.

Yeah.

( knock on door)

- ( humming ) - ( knocking continues )

Yes?

I want to talk to you, young lady.

Oh, Father!

I'm the luckiest girl in the world

to have all these Christmas presents.

And I was thinking, since the Carter children

don't have any Christmas presents at all.

perhaps I should share.

I can give them one of mine.

Well, that's a lovely, generous thought Nancy.

Um, I thought...

maybe I can give them this one.

I already peeked.

It's just an eraser from Willie and Rachel.

I'm afraid that you don't appreciate

the real meaning of Christmas, Nancy.

Sure I do, Father.

It's a time when we all give presents

to ones we love the most.

And if I happen to get more presents then anyone else,

it's just because I deserve it.

It's because your mother spoils you rotten!

You really do hate me, don't you?

Now don't start that again.

It seems to me that you've been on the receiving end

of a lot of Christmas so far this year.

But I haven't seen very much giving.

I'm thinking about it.

Well, while you're thinking about it, I've got a job for you.

A job!

Well, everyone is contributing

to Christmas together as a family.

Your mother has sent these packages,

I'm preparing the Christmas dinner,

and Willie and Rachel will read from the Bible after dinner.

I'll sing "Silent Night."

I want you to be in charge of getting the Christmas tree.

The tree?

Where am I going to get a tree?

The woods are full of them, my dear.

Why can't you get one?

Or Willie?

We are busy with the store and restaurant.

Besides, I want you to do something

to contribute to the spirit of Christmas.

And I wouldn't waste much time in pouting

if I were you, young lady.

I hate trees.

Been mighty quiet all night.

- Just thinking. - Hmm.

Sometimes it helps to think out loud.

I have to find a way to get some money.

- And fast. - Hmm.

This wouldn't have anything to do with Christmas, would it?

I was counting on Mr. Wilder,

and now he's not coming back.

I have to find a way to get Ma's Christmas present.

Maybe you don't need any money.

I bet if you put your mind to it,

you could think of something to give her,

that you could make yourself.

A drawing.

You could whittle something out of wood.

No matter what it is,

if it comes from the heart,

she's gonna love it.

Yeah, but this was special, Pa.

You sleep on it,

and you'll see by tomorrow morning I'm right.

Pa?

You don't think?

I don't think what?

You don't think that just because Mr. Wilder isn't coming back,

you don't think Santa Claus would skip us this year, too?

Do you?

Course not.

I didn't think so.

Good night, Pa.

Good night, son.

All right, good night, Ma.

Good night, son.

Well, did you find out what was bothering him?

He's worried about...

what he's gonna get his Ma for Christmas.

I told him whatever he got for you,

especially if he made it himself, you'd love it.

Of course, I would.

I'm just wondering what kind of Christmas the boy are gonna have.

If Almanzo doesn't get back in time...

it's going to be pretty meager pickings under the tree.

Well, there's nothing we can do about it.

It wasn't your fault.

I know.

I can explain it to Jeb.

But Jason?

He still thinks Santa Claus is coming.

I know it.

Maybe it's time we told him?

Oh, Sarah, I don't want to do that. Do you?

No.

Well, then let's just keep our fingers crossed.

Maybe they'll be back in time.

Well, no matter what, we'll be together,

and that is more important than any gift.

You're right. Of course.

I hope the Wilders will be as blessed.

Oughta consider it.

Lot of things a boy can do around the house.

Take me for instance.

- Chop wood, I suppose? - Well, yes.

- Cook meals? - I can do that, too.

Listen, I think you're a real fine boy, Sam.

You do?

Yeah, I sure do.

Somebody gonna be mighty lucky to get you for a son.

But me, see, I--

I kind of got my own way, you understand?

I don't eat much.

All right, let's get this stuff loaded.

I can do it. I'm real strong.

See what I mean?

Who can tell me the answer to this one?

That's it!

Jason?

Hmm?

You said you had the answer to the problem.

Oh, no, ma'am.

But you said, "That's it!"

Yeah.

But that isn't what I said "That's it!" about.

- ( laughter) - I see.

Well, I'll try to figure that one out.

In the meantime, class is dismissed.

Jeb...

tell Ma I might be late for supper.

- I have something to do. - What?

I can't tell you.

She'll skin me alive.

I can't tell her you'll be late for no reason.

Tell her... it's about Christmas,

and I'll explain later!

Well, that sounds like a mighty fine offer, Jason,

but, well, I'm afraid I'm not in the market for anything like that.

Well, thanks anyway, doc.

I don't understand.

I haven't been able to sell one tree yet to anybody.

Doesn't anybody have Christmas spirit?

Well...

I guess folks have a Christmas spirit, all right, Jason.

But, well, folks around here,

they can go out and chop down their own tree

and bring it home and put it up themselves.

I guess they don't see the need to pay somebody,

to do that for them.

You're gonna chop down your own tree?

You bet. I do it every year.

Helps me get in the Christmas mood.

But what if you don't know how to chop down a tree?

Well, everybody around here knows how to chop down a tree.

Not everybody.

Okay, thanks, Doc Baker.

Absolutely not!

Jason: Doesn't anybody have Christmas spirit?

Mr. Montague, you can't chop down your own tree,

- can you? - Of course not.

Then if you don't buy one from me,

where are you gonna get one?

I don't intend to have on.

But everybody has a tree.

Not everyone, my lad.

I have never been able to comprehend the absurdity

of chopping down a live tree,

jamming it into a space far too small for it,

crowning it with garish ornaments,

and leaving it there to die.

Then if you don't have a tree,

where do you put the presents?

Jason, my boy, try to understand.

The idea of giving presents

was drummed up by the merchants of our land

in order to line their own pockets.

The message of Christmas is one of love,

not of mindless merchandising.

Do you understand what I am saying?

You don't have any presents to put under the tree.

Ah, splendid!

( door opens )

Any packages for me?

No, not today.

But Jason Carter's package arrived.

If you see him, you can tell him that it's here.

By the way,

Willie and Rachel wanted to know when they should come over

and help trim the Christmas tree.

Whenever they want to.

Well, we can't very well trim a tree

we haven't got can we?

You don't really expect me to get the tree?

You have until Christmas Eve night.

Supper we be ready in about ten minutes.

You wanna get washed up?

I'm busy.

What are you doing?

Putting up my Christmas list.

I wouldn't want anyone to buy me something I don't like.

I can't believe it.

She is so much like Harriet, it's unbelievable.

I just can't believe it.

( door opens )

We're closed.

That's all right.

I just came to tell your father something.

Father!

Father!

You can tell him for me.

Tell him...

Tell him not to send away for that scarf.

I can't buy it.

It already arrived. See?

Well, I can't buy it.

Well, what are we supposed to do with it?

Sell it to someone else, I guess.

I was gonna chop down Christmas trees

to earn the money for it, but...

seems like nobody needs a Christmas tree.

I'm sorry.

Wait! Wait!

Did you say Christmas trees?

Yeah.

You know, Jason,

I think we just might be able

to make a deal for this scarf.

Thank you, ma'am.

- There. You got her? - Come on.

Up!

- Thank you. - Thank you.

Pony!

Oh.

Thank God you're home.

I was so worried about you.

Patrick. Oh...

About the baby...

I know.

I got a wire from Dr. Langley.

I know everything.

He sounded so worried about you.

And then I didn't here from you and I got...

- scared. - Can we sit down for a minute?

Here.

Did the doctor tell you that I can't--

Yes.

When he told me that, I wanted to die.

I did.

But not anymore.

Oh, Patrick, there has been a miracle.

- A miracle? - Yes, I--

Come, let me show you.

There's our miracle.

I don't understand. Where'd this child come from?

She had been abandoned at the hospital,

and the nurses told me that they couldn't find her parents

and that she'd have to be sent to an orphanage.

Patrick, don't you see?

It's as if God had given us the child he'd taken away.

Don't you see?

I couldn't let her be sent to a work house.

Well, of course not.

Please. Please tell me you'll let her stay.

Well, it's just such a shock.

Dr. Langley didn't mention anything about a little girl.

Well, he didn't know.

It happened right before we left to come home.

Now I know this is sudden for you.

Please Patrick.

I need her.

She's such a lovely child.

You'll love her, too, you'll see.

- Please. - Of course, she can stay.

Oh...

Thank you. I love you.

I love you, too.

Does she have a name?

Rose.

Ah, Rose.

Welcome to your new home.

You'll never fit through the front door.

I better trim a little bit off.

I thought you were out getting the tree.

I'm thinking about it.

Well, maybe you can think it already decorated,

then we won't have to go to the trouble.

Now I am going in and starting the supper.

You get yourself to the woods and fetch the tree.

- Father! - Now, Nancy!

Why do you hate me?

Now, Nancy.

The axe is by the table.

( knocking on door )

It's about time.

- Well, where is it? - Right here.

That's very amusing.

- Now where's the tree? - That's it.

That's the whole tree, Nancy.

It'll look much bigger once you get it inside.

You could put it on a table.

You told me you'd get me a big, beautiful Christmas tree.

Well, it was big and beautiful, but--

You expect me to take that--

that disgrace into my living room?

It won't hardly take anytime at all to decorate.

Jason Carter, I don't ever wanna see you again.

- What about the scarf? - ( door slams)

Nancy? What are you doing?

I'm not feeling well.

Well, you're gonna feel a lot worse

when you don't have any presents on Christmas.

I have lots of presents.

No tree, no presents.

But Mother sent me those presents.

Father will take them away.

If I were you, I'd get out there and get chopping.

I can't carry a big tree all that way.

Well, get a small tree!

How small?

I don't know! Just a tree!

Be right back!

Jason! Jason!

Oh, he's gone.

Why did he take that dumb tree?

I'm gonna have to go all the way to the woods...

I bet Jenny would like to have you in her living room.

I bet she can't chop down a tree either.

Jason, come in.

I figured with Almanzo gone you might need a...

Jenny: Need a what?

Oh, never mind.

Want some hot chocolate?

No.

Why you dragging that branch around for?

It's not a branch. It's a tree.

Is Mr. Montague upstairs?

- Mm-hmm. - Okay, thanks.

( vocalizing )

- ( knocking on door) - Yes? It's open.

Ah! Young Carter! Come in, come in.

What on Earth is that?

- A Christmas tree. - Hmm.

A Christmas tree!

And just because it's little,

it doesn't mean it isn't full of Christmas spirit.

- Hmm? Is that so? - Yes, that it so.

I bet the only reason why you don't like Christmas trees,

is because you've never had a Christmas tree.

Well, now that you mention it, I never did.

Even when you were a kid?

Mother hated the way the needles got into everything.

Difficult to clean.

But, Mr. Montague,

everybody should have a Christmas tree.

I'm gonna give you mine.

Now look here, Jason.

I'm not going to be bamboozled

into purchasing this scrawny little tree.

I'm not selling it to you. I'm giving it to you.

Merry Christmas!

My word.

Merry Christmas.

( thudding )

( thudding continues )

( wood creaking )

You really do hate me don't you?

Yes!

Well, this looks like a good of place to start then any.

I'll head over to the depot and look around.

All right, we'll meet you back here at the sheriff's office.

- Beth. - What is it?

Rose's picture. Where is it?

It's in my bag in the back of the wagon.

I'll get it.

Sam.

What are you doing with that picture?

We're going in to talk to the sheriff.

We want you to wait here for us until we get back.

Mr. Wilder?

What happens when you find Rose?

We'll start back home.

Back to the orphanage, you mean.

Well, I'm not going back.

Thank you, Mrs. Martin.

Here you go.

Oh, she's a beautiful child.

You and your husband must be very proud.

Yes, we are. She's everything to us.

What's your name?

( coos )

- Rose. - Candy!

- Rose Norris. - Candy!

Your only child?

See the boys?

Pardon my brood.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Johnny.

I got twelve of my own, all boys.

Mrs. Baker, my wife, very religious--

named them all after Biblical folk.

You like that, darling?

Well... pack up your order.

Thank you.

Need any help?

No, I have all the help I can manage.

Lot of things a boy could do to help out.

Take me, for instance.

Now look here, son,

you don't have to tell me about boys.

I got twelve of my own.

Probably wouldn't even notice one more.

I'm real strong, and I don't eat hardly anything at all.

- Will there be anything else? - Not today.

Up you go.

Your Pa will be worried about us if we don't get back.

- Thank you, Mr. Baker. - You're welcome, Mrs. Lewis.

Bye-bye, Rose. Merry Christmas.

Rose?

A lot of people coming into the area every day.

I can't say your little girl's not here,

but I haven't seen her.

At least you got here before the train pulls out again.

We've got about an hour before it leaves.

That ought to give us plenty of time

to go look over all the passengers.

You go with him. I'll check the hotels.

Whoa, there!

Sam, I thought I asked you to wait in the wagon.

Yes, sir, but--

But what?

Nothing. I--

I just got lonely out in the wagon.

Let's get going.

Come on, Sam. You come with me.

- Looks mighty good, Mrs. Carter. - Thank you, Jenny.

I wish Mr. Montague would have come over with you.

Perhaps you can take him some supper later.

Yes, ma'am.

Oh, he said to tell you

that he doesn't believe in all the--

he had a real fancy word for it.

Oh, yeah!

The folderol around Christmas.

He doesn't even believe in Christmas trees either.

- You're kidding. - All right.

- Let's all bow our heads. - Mr. Carter?

If you don't mind, I'd like to ask the prayer.

Of course, I don't mind, Jenny.

Dear Lord,

we're very grateful for all the blessings

you have bestowed on us this Christmas.

And we thank Thee for see seeing that

we have this wonderful food and loving friends.

We know that you have many, many people to look over tonight.

Lord...

if you have a little extra time,

and you could find it in your heart,

do you think you could lead

Laura and Almanzo to Rose?

Thank you. Amen.

Edwards: Listen, if she didn't get on that train with Rose,

that means she's somewhere in this area.

All we have to do is search the surrounding farms.

That could take days.

Well, the main thing is that we keep quiet about it

so she doesn't get wind of us and bolt.

Darling.

She's here somewhere.

We are going to find her.

It's so black out.

There's not a single star in the sky.

You know, I just realized it's Christmas Eve.

We should be sitting around the table having turkey,

hanging our stockings.

Oh, God, we're never going to find her.

We are.

No, we're not!

Why did you leave her? I asked you to stay with her.

You know what happened.

Oh, yeah, I know. I know what happened.

Isaiah had one of his stupid fights

and you had to leave our baby and to go and help him!

Laura...

now stop it.

Just stop it.

I saw her today.

What?

I saw Rose.

Hello! Is any one there?

Open up!

What's all the racket? We're closed.

This is very important.

We have to talk to you.

Don't you know it's Christmas Eve? Go on home.

We're trying to find our daughter.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Come back in the morning.

You open this door or we'll bust it in.

Well, all right. What do you want?

We're trying to find our daughter.

She was in your store today.

Let me see.

Uh, yeah. Yeah, she was in here,

but she was with her Ma.

Who brought her in?

Why I told you, her Ma.

Look, I don't understand all this.

You don't have to. Who brought her in? The name?

Mrs. Norris. First time I met her.

Know her husband. His name is Patrick.

But this is her little girl, all right.

Do you know where they live?

Yeah, I made a delivery out there.

Kind of remote, though.

Hard to find in the dark.

Edwards: We'll find it.

Let me get you a map.

Be easier to show you.

I told you.

Thank God.

Who could that be?

What? Who are you?

Rose!

Hold it right there.

Put her down.

Put our daughter down.

Your daughter?

Get them out of here.

( cocks gun)

Patrick: I'm warning you, put her down!

Almanzo!

Almanzo: Take her out Beth.

Patrick: I told you, put her down.

Put my daughter down.

Almanzo: She's not your daughter.

Laura: Stop it, both of you!

Patrick: It's your last chance. Put her down.

No, Patrick. No.

Leave them alone.

She's their daughter.

She belongs to them.

I took her.

I thought they'd never find us.

I wanted a child so much.

When I lost my baby,

something happened to me.

And then I saw Rose, and...

the next thing I knew we were on the train.

I'm sorry, Patrick.

I'm Ss ry. I'm Ss ry.

My wife has been through a terrible time.

I know you have every right to press charges against her.

But...

There'll be no charges.

Thank you.

I'm sorry.

I took real good care of her.

She's beautiful.

Rose and I will ride in back with Sam.

I'll never let her out of my sight again.

Don't worry, we'll be right behind you.

You're never gonna lose us.

Let's go.

There you go.

Almanzo?

Almanzo?

Is Sam up front?

- No. - Well, he's gone.

Tarnation. Where is that boy?

Samuel!

Sam!

He ain't gonna answer. He took off.

Now why would he go and do a thing like that?

Because he didn't want to go back to the orphanage.

I should've of known. I should've seen it.

He kept asking me what happens when we find Rose?

When do we go back?

That's why he didn't tell us right off he'd seen her.

Oh, we've got find him.

Let's go.

Beth: Sam!

Almanzo: Samuel, come back!

Edwards: Samuel!

♪ Silent night ♪

♪ Holy night ♪

♪ Allis calm ♪

♪ All is bright ♪

♪ Round yon virgin ♪

♪ Mother and child ♪

♪ Holy infant ♪

♪ So tender and mild ♪

♪ Sleep ♪

♪ In heavenly peace ♪

♪ Sleep ♪

♪ In heavenly peace ♪

That was real pretty.

- I love Christmas carols. - Sodol.

We better get to bed so Santa Claus can come.

I'm gonna give him some milk and cookies.

Maybe we should tell him.

He's gonna be disappointed come morning.

I know it.

Well, why don't you?

I was hoping you would.

We'll both tell him.

There. He ought like those cookies.

Jason.

Yes, sir.

There's something that your mom wants to tell you.

Yeah, Ma?

Jason...

son you're at an age now where--

Well, what I mean is...

( knocking on door )

You go ahead. I'll get it.

Ho, ho, ho!

Merry Christmas!

He's here! He's here!

Why of course I am!

I told them we should have been in bed, Santa.

I told them.

That's all right, young Jason.

Now...

let's see what we have here.

For Jenny.

Music box.

Thank you, Santa.

And for Jeb.

A tackle box.

It's full of stuff! Look it, Pa!

Hooks and lures. It's got everything.

Ho, ho, ho.

John Carter.

Land sakes.

It's a beauty.

I don't know what to say.

A thank you would do nicely.

Thank you.

And Master Jason.

A watch! My very own watch!

Now I'm grown up.

Thank you, Santa.

You're welcome.

Don't you have anything for my mom?

Hmmm.

Let me see.

She's been a good mom.

Oh, I'm sure she has.

Hmm. Ahh!

Here we are.

I knew it. I knew it!

Santa knows everything.

Very true.

It's lovely.

Thank you.

Merry Christmas to all,

and to all a good night!

Excuse me.

Santa?

If you see Mr. Montague,

tell him we love him.

I shall.

Almanzo: Samuel!

Samuel!

Samuel!

Samuel!

It's gonna be near impossible

to find him until daylight.

We're gonna have to.

It's gonna get down mighty cold before morning.

There any other folks living close by?

He wouldn't be shy about asking them to take him in.

No, we're to hell and gone out here.

Dear God, where is he?

Isaiah, look.

That star.

The only one in the sky.

I ain't never seen anything like that out here.

Come on, let's go.

Let's bundle him up. Get him back to your place.

We'll bed you down there for the night.

Thank you.

Amen.

Everybody's asleep.

You should of seen it tonight.

The star?

Never seen anything like it.

That's what Almanzo said.

It was like...

a miracle.

Why not?

It is Christmas Eve.

"And the angel said unto them,

'Fear not, for behold,

I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David,

a savior, which is Christ the Lord.

This shall be a sign unto you."

"Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,

lying in a manger."

Ain't gonna be much of a Christmas

for that babe we found tonight.

I'm gonna hate taking him back there.

I want to thank you for your help last night.

It's me who should be thanking you.

I'm sorry about everything.

I know.

I made some extra biscuits for your trip.

Thank you.

Good-bye.

Bye.

I felt so sorry for the boy.

- Well, what would you say if-- - You don't suppose--

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Yes.

Oh, Patrick. Yes!

Patrick: Edwards!

Hey, Edwards! Wait up!

What's wrong?

Well, nothing's wrong.

Elsa and I got to thinking about Sam.

I mean, he wants a family.

Well, we'd like to be his folks.

You do?

Well, if you'll have us.

Afraid I can't make the trip back with you.

Mr. and Mrs. Norris need a son awful bad.

I'll get my stuff, Dad.

We'll let them know at the orphanage in Mankato.

Thank you.

I can't believe that I got a home!

Good luck, Sam.

Let's go home.

Giddy up!

Wait till you see!

Alot of things a boy can do around the house.

You'd be surprised.

Like the boy said, "Let's go home."

Girl: "For unto you is born this day

in the city of David a savior,

which is Christ the Lord.

This shall be a sign unto you.

Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,

lying in a manger."