Little Britches: Chapter 29 Summary & Analysis

Fred Aultland visits Mr. Cooper’s Ranch in September. He updates Ralph on the status of the court trial, telling him that his father plans to show gauge readings to the court the next day as evidence of the water theft. Ralph leaves for home early the next Saturday and asks his father about the trial. His father explains how he used the gauges to measure the water theft, and how he convinced the jury of its accuracy. As he and Ralph wash up for dinner, a horseless carriage—or car—drives by and shoots at them. Ralph’s father jumps on Lady with his gun and chases after the car. 

Ralph’s father returns hours later with Fred Aultland and Jerry Adler, reporting that the car got away. He takes photos of the car tracks as evidence. However, when the sheriff arrives, he tells them the automobile tracks all look the same. Though it seems clear the shooting was the result of Ralph’s father’s actions in court, the sheriff says he cannot do anything without better evidence. For the rest of the month, Ralph has trouble focusing on his work at Mr. Cooper’s ranch, and Hi has to scold him several times.

In mid-September, Ralph discovers that things have deteriorated at his family’s ranch. On Saturday night, his father tries to stop him from milking the cows with him as is their tradition, but Ralph sees through the ploy. He follows his father to barn and discovers his father has sold one of their cows, as well as Billy. His father explains that the damages they won for the case were not enough to cover their living costs. He tells Ralph that they’re “not going to make it here,” and Ralph doesn’t know what to say.

Fred Aultland brings Ralph home from Mr. Cooper’s ranch the Saturday before school starts. Ralph overhears them talking about his father, criticizing him for being too proud to accept any help from his neighbors. Ralph storms out without saying goodbye to Mrs. Cooper. Ralph’s father returns home later than Ralph does on Saturday, having gone to help a man build his house. Until Christmas, Ralphs’ father continues working away from home. They become increasingly poor, and Ralph notices more of their possessions being sold. Still, their family has a happy Christmas, and Ralph reflects that they often had the best Christmases while poor.