"Stubborn people by Ernest Haycox" is a Western short story written in the early 20th century. The piece centers on homesteading life in Central Oregon, using a clash of pride and perseverance between two stubborn young people to explore grit, community, and reconciliation on the high desert. Bud, the big-hearted Burnt Creek storekeeper, watches over the scattered homesteaders, including Jim Hunter, a hard-driving settler still smarting from a quarrel with Mary, a
city woman he once called a “butterfly.” Determined to force an apology, Mary arrives to claim a neighboring homestead and prove her mettle, refusing Jim’s help while Bud tries to broker peace. As rumors of the dangerous drifter “Bottle-nose” Henderson spread, Bud hatches a risky plan to scare Mary into accepting protection; Jim mistakes him for the outlaw and they brawl, only for the real Bottle-nose to break into Mary’s cabin. Jim bursts in, thrashes the intruder, and in the heat of fear and relief the couple drop their pride, trade apologies, and admit they belong together. Mary stays, Jim stays, and Bud hauls the captive away, quietly satisfied that stubborn hearts have found their home. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
