Carl Pitti

Charles decides to bring Caroline and the children along for a springtime trip to Mankato, but on the way back, they must seek shelter from a vicious blizzard. They locate a deserted cabin that allows them to build a fire and shack up for the time being, but problems ensue when Charles must go hunting to feed his family.

Laura’s beloved horse Bunny has officially been returned to her. She eagerly prepares to enter a local race. Jealous, Nellie throws a tantrum until Harriet agrees to buy her a thoroughbred without Nels' approval. Although Nellie and her horse are expected to win the race, Laura perseveres with her training. The stakes are higher than ever when Harriet donates a lavish prize for the winner.

Jonathan Garvey is convinced that he has a great crop coming up, but as he is celebrating with his family at the dinner table, a fateful fire burns their entire barn down. With all their plans destroyed, Alice has a plan to help them get back on their feet, but Jonathan's pride threatens their marriage.

When Harriet Oleson's cousin Sterling Murdock comes to town, he brings his newspaper business with him. Everyone is initially excited about this, but trouble ensues when Murdock gives gossipmonger Harriet her own column - and allows her the freedom to write whatever she wants.

Trouble erupts when a local farmer, who is hateful and bigoted, refuses to set a fair price for wheat, since black farmers would be entitled to the same price. The whole thing escalates when the farmer assaults Jonathan's young son and is later accused of setting fire to the Garvey’s barn.