During a drought in the 1800s,[2] Clark Davis is having difficulty making payments on a loan.[3] His well is dry and he is unable to find water while drilling other wells.[2] Clark is transporting water from a river for his livestock and garden.[2] His wife Ellen takes a job as a seamstress to help pay off the loan.[3] She gets afflicted with scarlet fever and dies.[3] Their daughter Missie causes a fire and burns down part of their cabin. The movie ends with Clark receiving financial help from his parents Lloyd and Irene.[3]