A Valley of the Moon

Saxon Brown, a young girl who works in a laundry at Oakland, Cal., falls in love with Billy Roberts, a teamster and ex-prizefighter, who is also attempting to maintain himself in the industrial society of the town. Not long after their marriage, the teamsters' union goes on strike, and Billy, an ardent advocate of the strike, becomes poverty-stricken. Saxon's baby is born dead when she witnesses a horrible fight between police and strikers, in which Billy's best friend is killed. Brutalized by his ensuing economic struggle, Billy is jailed for assault. Upon his release, he and Saxon leave the town and the unsuccessful strike, determining to find a homestead. At Carmel they are befriended by various bohemians, on whose advice they go to the “Valley of the Moon,” in Sonoma County, where they find peace and economic stability, and await the birth of another child.