Little House: A New Beginning.

Episode: The Drifter.

This episode takes place somewhere in season 9, though there is no real continuity. It begins right around Laura's birthday, which is one of the sideplots.

Chapter 1: A drifter comes to town

On a rather warm winter day, Almanzo Wilder and Isaiah Edwards were working at the mill. It had been uncharacteristically mild for a winter in Minnesota, and while it was nice, it had the children wishing for at least one snowflake. Eventually, the sun reached a high point in the sky. The two men stopped what they were doing. It was time for lunch.

"Hey Isaiah, what do you say we go have some lunch at the restaurant?" Almanzo asked.

"Okay. It's about that time of day! Let's eat!" Isaiah said. They began walking toward the restaurant. It was at that same time that they saw a man walking in the middle of the street.

"Hey, who's that?" Almanzo said. Isaiah shook his head.

"I've never seen him around here before!" At that same moment, the man stumbled and fell. Almanzo and Isaiah looked at each other and nodded. They ran to the stranger and helped him up. He was coughing as he stood up. He looked into the eyes of the men.

"What's going on?" he said.

"Are you all right? You didn't look too well walking out there." Almanzo said.

"Who are you, anyhow? We've never seen you around these parts before!" Isaiah said.

"I'm a drifter. My name is Jake Henderson. But more than that, I'm thirsty." the stranger said.

"Pleased to meet you." Almanzo said as he and Isaiah each shook the young man's hand. "Isaiah and I are about to break for lunch. Why don't you come with us?"

"I haven't eaten in a couple days. Thanks for the invitation!" Jake said. They walked into the restaurant and Jake took off his hat. Almanzo noticed the bruise on his face.

"What happened here?" he asked.

"It's a long story. I'll tell you over lunch." The three of them sat down at a table. After placing their orders, Jake Henderson told his story.

"Where do I begin? Let's see, there was this group of kids back where I lived in the central part of the state. They called themselves the Blue Bloodhounds. I was a part of their group, and that was the biggest mistake of my life. We roamed around town causing trouble for years. Anyway, one day our group was planning a big heist. I went along with it until I heard that there was potential for women and children getting hurt, even killed. I turned against the group and foiled their scheme. They were thrown in jail, but they vowed revenge as soon as they got out."

"So what happened with the eye?" Isaiah asked.

"I'm getting to it. That's what happened when they escaped one night. They sought me out and demanded I pay for my actions. Then they began an attack, and the police showed up just in time. I've been on the run ever since." Isaiah and Almanzo looked at him curiously.

"I know those looks. Those are looks of concern. Fear not, I have since severed those ties, and those scoundrels are likely rotting in jail in upstate Minnesota." Jake reassured them.

"Well, you look pretty beat-up. Why don't you come stay at my home? At least until you get back on your feet." Almanzo asked.

"I'd appreciate that, Almanzo. Thanks." The young man said. "I've been meaning to get some sleep."

"You'll get that chance. My niece Jenny won't be home for another two hours at least."

"Good. Hopefully I can have the chance to meet her once I wake up." Within a few minutes, their meals were ready and sitting in front of them.

"This is the first real meal I've had in awhile." Jake said. He took his fork and began to chow down.

"The best is yet to come. You're coming home with me, remember? My wife is making a fine dinner tonight." Almanzo said.

"Slow down, I haven't even had lunch yet!"

Later on, Jake and Almanzo arrived at the Wilder house.

"Nice house you've built here." Jake said.

"It really is. Wait until you step inside." Almanzo said. The pair stepped inside the door. Inside, Laura was watching over Rose as she napped. She didn't notice Almanzo approach her.

"Hi Beth!" he said. Laura shushed him.

"Almanzo Wilder! Your baby girl is sleeping!"

"Oh. Sorry." he whispered. Laura noticed Jake.

"By the way, who's your friend?"

"This is Jake Henderson. I met him in town. He just arrived from somewhere upstate. He's going to stay here for awhile until he gets back on his feet again."

"Nice to meet you Jake." Laura shook his hand. "What does my husband mean when he says 'back on your feet again?'"

"It's a long story. I'll tell you over dinner. Right now I feel a nap calling me!" He went into the other room.

"Where did he come from, Manly?"

"Well, you could say he just wandered into town. He's a drifter, Beth. He's got a story to tell."

"He's pretty polite for a wanderer."

"He seems like a good young man. I wonder what Jenny will think?"

A couple hours later, Jenny arrived home from school. She set her books down and turned on the light in her room, only to see a grown man sleeping on the floor. She let out a shriek, which startled Jake awake.

"I'm up! I'm up! Pa's gonna whip me if I'm late for school again!" Jenny ran out of the room and smacked right into her uncle.

"Uncle Manzo! There's a strange man on the floor in my room!" The young girl said.

"I see you've met my friend Jake Henderson." Jake walked into the room, unaware of his surroundings.

"Pa, I can explain! Don't yell at me again, please!" He then became aware of where he was.

"Sorry. I was having a dream."

"Jake, this is my niece Jenny." The drifter extended his hand to the girl. She was hesistant to accept it.

"It's okay, kid. I'm not going to hurt you."

"Nice to meet you." She smiled as she shook his hand. Jake stared at her. She looked so much like someone he used to know, it was scary.

"Well Jenny, now that our guest is up, finally, how about we show him around Walnut Grove?" Almanzo said.

"I think that's a wonderful idea!" Jenny said.

While in town, Almanzo and Jenny introduced Jake to nearly every citizen of Walnut Grove. It was then that the three came to the Mercantile. It just so happened that Willie Oleson was hanging around the entrance with the Carter boys, Jeb and Jason, who were two of Jenny's closest friends. Greetings were exchanged between the six, and Jake introduced himself.

"Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, I'm going to go inside and check the place out." Jake said.

"Okay. But watch out for Nancy." Willie said.

"Why? Who's Nancy?"

"She's my sister. She's got a strong dislike for those she considers less pretty than herself, which is pretty much everyone in town."

"I don't know...I consider myself to be pretty good looking. Let's see what she has to say." It was just then that Nancy walked out of the mercantile. She walked up to Jake and stared at him.

"And just who are you supposed to be?"

"I'm Jake Henderson. I just arrived here today."

"I can tell." Nancy said.

"Ooh." Willie said.

"Shut up, Willie!"

"I'm Nancy Oleson."

"Believe me, I can tell." Jake said. "This conversation isn't exactly getting off on the right foot, is it?"

"No, I guess it isn't. Now if you'll all excuse me, I have some important things to attend to." Nancy walked away.

"I guess I talked myself out of that conversation, huh?"

"I've never seen Nancy just walk away without shouting like she just did!" Willie said.

"Now to do what I was going to do in the first place...explore the store." Jenny grabbed his arm.

"Okay, but watch out for Mrs. Oleson! She and Nancy are a lot alike!" Jake just smiled and walked up the steps into the store.

"He doesn't know what he's getting himself into!" Willie whispered to Jeb.