Plot

A Confederate veteran living in the Yankee North struggles with his son's shock-induced muteness and the Northerners' hatred.

With his home burned to the ground, his wife killed, and his 10-year-old son David rendered mute after witnessing the traumatizing incident, former Confederate soldier John Chandler arrives in a small, post-Civil War Illinois community. Eager to move on with his life, and desperate to find an effective treatment for the boy, John instead finds himself drawn into a fight with the two sons of ruthless, unscrupulous sheep-farmer Harry Burleigh, facing a severe $30 fine or 30 days of incarceration. As strong, kind, compassionate rancher Linnett Moore decides to intervene for David's sake, providing food and shelter, before long John finds himself involved in a long-standing feud Faced with a cruel dilemma, he must choose between running away or putting down roots. Can a proud Rebel find peace and love in Yankee territory?—Nick Riganas

Searching for a doctor who can help him get his son to speak again--the boy hadn't uttered a word since he saw his mother die in the fire that burned down the family home--a Confederate veteran finds himself facing a 30-day jail sentence when he's unfairly accused of starting a brawl in a small town. A local woman pays his fine, providing that he works it off on her ranch. He soon finds himself involved in the woman's struggle to keep her ranch from a local landowner who wants it--and whose sons were responsible for the man being framed for the fight.—frankfob2@yahoo.com