Little Britches Characters

Bessie Aultland is Fred Aultland’s unmarried younger sister. She lives with Fred and his wife. When the Moody family first moves in, she often takes Ralph and his siblings to and from school.

Philip Moody is Ralph’s younger brother. Phillip sustains an injury from barbed wire when Ralph, who is put in charge of watching him, get distracted by a passing bald eagle.

Lucy is the daughter of Fred’s cousin. While talking to Ralph, Lucy insults his father, calling him stupid for working so hard for his living. After learning of this, Ralph’s father forbids him from talking to her again.

Sky High is a blue roan colt from Mr. Cooper’s ranch who is named, broken, and trained by Ralph. Riding Sky High, Ralph wins the Fourth of July and Littleton Round up matched pair competitions with Hiram Beckman.

Doctor Browne is a doctor and friend of the Moody family. When Ralph’s mother gets blood poisoning after her husband’s death, Doctor Browne takes her away to be cured, bringing her home four weeks later.

Doctor Stone is the Moody family doctor. When Ralph breaks his toes in a riding accident, Doctor Stone re-sets them, remarking how lucky Ralph is to be alive. Doctor Stone also cares for Ralph’s father when he gets pneumonia.

Mrs. Aultland is Fred Aultland’s wife. Like her husband, she extends great kindness and generosity towards Ralph and his family, hosting Ralph and his family when their house is damaged by a windstorm. She is known for her great cooking.

Mrs. Upson is a widow and Ralph’s teacher at his new school in Littleton. She has unpleasant personality, and when the children interrupt her conversation with Mr. Purdy, she sends Ralph and several other boys to be punished by the principal.

The Sheriff is the sheriff of Littleton. When Ralph meets him at the saloon to confess his capturing of the pheasant, he laughs it off, telling Ralph that it is only illegal to shoot them, not catch them.

Jerry Alder is a hired hand on Fred Aultland’s farm and a talented storyteller. When a farmhand Denver make offensive remarks about Bessie during hay season, he fights him.

Johnnie Alder is an older boy at Ralph’s school who, alongside Freddie Sprague, is beaten up by Ralph and Willie Aldivote at recess. He is the son of Jerry Alder.

The principal of Ralph’s new school in Littleton unfairly punishes Ralph for mocking Mrs. Upson. In retaliation Ralph’s father returns the favor, beating him up.

Ralph’s youngest brother. He is one year old when his family moves to Colorado.

Ralph’s younger sister.

A local bachelor who often visits Ralph’s parents with Miss Wheeler.

Mrs. Corcoran’s soft-spoken husband.

An old horse trader-peddler from whom Ralph’s father buys Nancy.

A widower who often delivers eggs and butter to Mrs. Upson.

A wealthy man from Denver who employs Ralph as a cowherd.

A local rancher who hires Ralph’s father for construction work.

A tall eighth grader at Ralph’s first school.

A storeowner in Fort Logan who often trades supplies and produce with Ralph’s family.

The mare Ralph’s father buys to replace Nancy. She is the horse on which Ralph learns to cowherd.

A bright sorrel colt, the offspring of Lady. While trying to breed him, Ralph’s father has an accident on the road, injuring him and causing pneumonia.

A bay mare and the mother of Babe.

A white horse purchased by Ralph’s family after moving to Colorado.

A horse purchased by Ralph’s family in Colorado.

The Moody’s family’s third horse, named “Nancy Hanks” for her old age.

The horse Ralph’s father buys to replace Bill.

Cousin Phil’s horse.