Pit Pony

Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, 1904. Willie MacLean is an 12-year-old with a passion for horses and is helping his family get by the best since the death of his older brother in at the local coal mine.

Nellie's Aunt Rose arrives for a visit, and she does not get along with Ned after learning that Nellie lied to her about him being a farmer instead of a miner. But Ned and Nellie's wedding plans hit a snag when Mr. Frawley wants Ned to work on Saturday.

Willie and schoolmates, Mollie and Angus, are forced to spend the night in an abandoned house reputed to be haunted on a dare from pit boy Spider. There, Willie thinks he sees his father who advices him that things will get better.

In the aftermath of the recent pit flooding, Ned wants to organise a protest of the working conditions. But Mr. Frawley, and his more cynical and nasty boss, Wendell Crowe, only want to keep one section closed and keep the mine operating in fear of loss of profits.

After Mr Frawley unjustly fires Ned to set an example, Rose then wants to take Sarah, Maggie and Willie back to Halifax afterwards. Willie refuses to leave town until Ned breaks off the engagement.

With Ned and Nellie away in nearby Sydney celebrating their honeymoon, the snobbish, city slicker Rose finds herself the centre of attention by a travelling violinist, named John Scottie MacNeil, whom she snubs.