Synopsis
What constitutes family? How about a gang of orphaned street kids in 1886 New York who, with great initial misgivings, “adopt” an hours-old infant girl left in a basket in the back of a garbage wagon. Led by 15-year-old Adam, who dreams of becoming “a Negro cowboy” (“Out west a man ain’t looked down on for his color”) the unlikely family flees New York for Abilene, Kansas, to start life anew.
What a sight they are on board the train to Kansas. Travis, 11, Cole and Douglas, 13, and Adam, all four caring for their baby. When a querulous railroad marshal demands to know how it’s possible the three white boys have a black sibling, one of the fast-thinking “brothers” blurts out, “Well you see sir, he was adopted.” How to explain the baby, whom they’ve named Mary Rose, and the absence of a mother? “Our little sister,” is the answer that saves the day. “Our mama died havin’ her, I’m sorry to say.”
Seven years later, after saving every nickel that comes their way, the family is in the Montana territory. Adam finds a dream site for the clan’s homestead. It’s called Rose Hill, and in time “The Rose” develops into a thriving cattle ranch. They even take on a cook, Annie Nelson. And the family expands again when Adam falls in love with a young Shoshone woman, Shining Water.
As the years pass, Mary Rose grows into a beautiful, red-headed young woman, whom any number of young men have their eye on — especially a young Scot named Fergus Carroll, and John Stringer, a smooth operator who’s suspected of being a cattle rustler. When Stringer kills one of Mary’s brothers, he’s tracked down and hanged by a posse led by Fergus Carroll. Mary, disillusioned and devastated by the killings, decides to return to New York to trace her roots and find out who her parents were.
Eventually she does, and in doing so, has an opportunity to taste the grand life of New York. But she learns that the world of fancy dress balls and effete suitors chasing rich young women is not for her. Feeling an aching emptiness, Mary returns to Rose Hill — and finds the once-glorious ranch in dreadful condition. A brutal winter has wiped out the cattle. Brothers Doug and Travis have left for “city” jobs, and Adam is seriously ill, near death.
Mary is galvanized into action. She is determined that the full glory of Rose Hill will be restored, and becomes the catalyst for recovery. Mary convinces Doug and Travis to return to the ranch, and helps nurse Adam back to health.
What brings Rose Hill and Mary Rose back to life? Simple. A family comes back together, spurred to action by a young woman who has never lost hope, never given up believing in her brothers nor in the power of family.
