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Subject: Diary of Elisabeth Koren - 166-173
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2003 09:37:50 -0700
Acknowledgment
The following selection is taken from "The Diary of Elisabeth Koren"
translated and edited by David T. Nelson and published by the
Norwegian-American Historical Association (NAHA) in 1955. The Volume is
still in print and available from NAHA at http://www.naha.stolaf.edu
where you will also find the first 33 volumes of Studies and Records
online as well as Theodore C. Blegen's 2 volumes on Norwegian Migration
to America. This chapter is published with the kind permission of NAHA.
The book this selection is drawn from is under copyright and permission
has been granted for educational purposes and it is not to be used in any
way for commercial purposes.
11 The Land for the Parsonage
Sunday, February 19. It is now more than a week since I have had my diary
out; my eyes have pained me --- a cold from a draft, perhaps --- so that
I have been unable to work, much less write. Now, God be praised, I am
well again; I was really tired of sitting so long with nothing to occupy
me but some knitting. But I have had Vilhelm home all the past week, God
be praised. It is a long time since he has been left in peace for so many
days. Now he is on the move again; he left at eight this morning for
Whisky Grove, where he will stay a couple of days. He went by sleigh (a
half-finished sleigh without a seat, sitting on my cloak, with his bag
tied on behind), and probably has not made fast progress, for it has been
so mild these last days that most of the snow has melted.
We had much company today. They have just gone, and have left me a quiet
hour before sundown to do a little writing; I dare not yet use my eyes by
candlelight. I had just laid my book away, after having read a sermon,
when Anne Aarthun came over with at least five children, the oldest not
yet nine, the youngest not a year old. All these youngsters, together
with Kari and Per, made the house lively indeed today; they stormed the
stairs to the loft until they were tired enough to accept the more
peaceful diversion of driving the sleighs and horses and looking after
the chickens which I cut out for them; it kept my fingers busy. {1}
Suckow, with his wife and little Ludvig, came over before Anne and her
flock started home; they talked of pastors and sectarians, as he always
does when Sigrid is with him. They have gone now, too, and everything is
back to normal. Helene swept the room for the seventh time this
afternoon; now she is waiting for the water to boil so she can cook
porridge, and is scolding Per, who every now and then peeks under the lid
and cries, "Now it's boiling, ma."
I am sitting by the window at Vilhelm's table, glad I can begin this work
again. I have been so much at a loss without it that I have quite
forgotten how the days passed this last week.
Last Saturday afternoon, while I was in the loft with Anne (we were just
putting the finishing touches on a quilt, and had been busy all day), the
pastor appeared, driving up in state with a team and everything, and a
boy for driver. This time he had been in Minnesota. From now on his
journeys will be a little more sensible, I hope. He had work enough that
week --- preached every other day and had twelve baptisms in one day,
besides all the other duties.
On Sunday, services were held at Rognald Belle's, or Vesle Rognald, as he
is called. {2} I drove there with Erik Skaarlia, Eli's father, in a wagon
drawn by oxen, which I thought would never get us there, so slowly did
they drag themselves along. It was quite a procession! Guri Skaarlia sat
in front, enthroned upon a little footstool; Helene, Anne, and I on a
board in the middle; behind us sat Eli on a heap of hay, and then we had
three of Ingebret's pigs galloping after us like a pack of hounds. {3} It
was a perfect spring day. A large crowd had gathered at Rognald's, where
a few boards in the ceiling had been taken up so that many could take
places in the loft. We stayed as usual and had dinner, the Aarthun
family, too. Furniture is scarce at Vesle Rognald's --- no chairs, and
only a large chest to serve as a table. We drove home with Knud. All the
low places were under water, it was so mild that day.
On Monday one of my eyes began to pain me. But it was not so bad that I
could not put a bandage over it and go for a walk with Vilhelm in the
beautiful weather. We followed a road across Erik's field, which I had
not crossed before, and saw two deer. They stood still quite near at hand
and looked at us, then took flight, leaping out of sight with the most
graceful movements. It is strange that they live so close to human
habitations.
We called on the Skaarlias, whom we had not visited before. Here the
walls were whitewashed and everything was so clean and shining that it
was a delight. As we declined to stay for supper, we were given delicious
milk to refresh us, and cakes. We went home by way of the Kvale land,
and, in looking about for a nice building site, sank to our knees in the
snow through the deceptive top crust, and had to cut the most pitiful
capers to get on top again. Then we got into the woods, where the
branches, which reach almost to the ground, caught my coat and veil so
that I could scarcely get through. Since Vilhelm led the way, we went
right through high hazel brush, of course; in short, we had a most
laborious march until we got out of the Kvale land and into Sørland's
territory. Tomorrow the decision will be made as to whether it shall
continue to be called the Kvale land or shall become our dwelling place.
{4}
Knud-on-the-Hill and Ingeborg came over to talk to Vilhelm and stayed
until late in the evening. I had not pictured Knud-on-the-Hill, of whom
people speak so often, as such a small, quiet, sensible man. {5}We got to
bed late that evening. Erik had gone to Decorah with Suckow and Knud
[Aarthun]. When it got to be nine and then ten o'clock and he had not
returned, Helene began to cry and carry on because he was not home; she
just would not listen to reason, and at last took Anne and went to
Aarthun's to see what she could learn. Vilhelm and I were alone with the
two children; he would have gone with her, had I not been reluctant to
stay alone. No doubt the men ended up at Katterud's for dinner, unless
they went farther to look for land.
Today an American was here and took Anne into his service, so now I
cannot get her even if I wished to. Paulsen in Decorah outdoes himself in
sending us gifts. Recently we received four fowls, and yesterday Erik
brought eggs from him. So today I had a splendid dinner consisting of
soft-boiled eggs and fried partridge. It is a welcome change from that
everlasting salt pork. {6}
Wednesday, February 22. It was almost three o'clock before Vilhelm
returned yesterday, and then all he did was pack his gown in my old brown
cloak, which has to be used in so many ways, fasten it as best he could
on the back of his horse, and ride away. Now and then he gave the
dangling bundle a shove to keep it in some sort of equilibrium. He did
not expect to get back that evening and I was just as well pleased, for
it became very dark, and the road passes over a black prairie.
The Kvale land has been purchased for the parsonage; that is the result
of the committee's meeting this time, an outcome with which we are well
satisfied. I like the land very much, provided water is not too hard to
get. Now, at last, it is time to think of the parsonage. We must go up
there, if Vilhelm can only find time, and pick out an appropriate
building site. It is decided, then, that we shall be living here where we
first found shelter, in the most densely populated part of the
settlement; it is very pleasant, too, to live so near people.
I waited a long time for Vilhelm this morning. We had promised to visit
Ingebret, and I had just thought of going on ahead when Vilhelm came
riding at full gallop with a red-checkered cotton handkerchief tied about
his ears as a protection against the strong wind. He had spent the night
at the bride's home, where there had been a big party. But I went on
ahead to Sørland's just the same, hurrying as fast as I could to get down
into the valley away from the biting wind. But it seems I was not to make
much speed, for when I reached the brook, I found it had left its banks
and filled the valley where we usually cross it. I walked back and forth,
looking for a place to get across, and at last came to a place where a
narrow plank had been laid. It was so slippery and icy that I was fairly
sure that I would fall if I went out on it. But I was going to attempt it
and, was just waiting for an opportune moment before a new gust of wind
came, when I saw Ingebret run down from the house and take a course in
another direction. I turned that way, too, and found a passable crossing.
The brook looked so different; where it was deepest, it had swelled into
a veritable lake and the large trees stood far out in the water. Ingebret
cuts down so much of his timber. I do wish he would not chop down those
pretty trees that are standing on both sides of the brook. We say enough
to him about it, both Vilhelm and I, but we do not seem to make any great
impression. "Eli, she wants to see the fields," he says; but really it is
just on account of those wretched cattle, which always must come first.
Old Thrond Lommen bad dinner there and talked about the parsonage land;
Ingebret is not at all satisfied with the purchase of it. Ingebret, by
the way, sat and talked a great deal about this and that and said, "it is
very queer --- everything about this affair --- one would hardly believe
it." Eli set forth great quantities of food at noon and again at four. We
ate what we could and went home.
When we got home, there was still a little hour of twilight; then Vilhelm
turned to his work and kept busy until the family had gone to bed. When
they have done so, we have a gay time to ourselves, communicate by means
of notes, practice pantomime, at which we have become fairly adept, and
are just like two children, happy to be free from all restraint for a
little while.
Thursday, February 23. Vilhelm is away today, too; there is a meeting at
Sørland's about building the church. Perhaps he will soon be back; he
went there early this forenoon, after first having seen Erik off to fetch
Torger Luraas' wagon so that he will have something to travel in when he
goes to Paint Creek Saturday. {7}
The snow has melted now. The wind is so cold that I do not feel like
taking a walk. I sat and read and knitted, and was tired of having to
stop so often because first Suckow, then Aarthun dropped in; it is hardly
proper for me to continue to read then --- in any event I dare not do it,
for I do not want these good men to have any cause for criticism.
It is now evening. I am expecting Vilhelm any moment; the meeting must
soon be over. The evening has gone much more rapidly than it usually does
when Vilhelm is away. Helene is sewing a new hat for herself; she has a
veritable passion for such bonnets, as she calls them. This is the fourth
since we came here. And when this task is in process, her industry
surpasses all bounds; she scarcely even has time to watch the pork. Per
sits at the table with two bonnets on and jabbers so that we can scarcely
hear our own voices. I crocheted and thought of how we may best arrange
our future home. And now we must eat, for it does not look as if Vilhelm
will honor us with his presence.
Friday, February 24. Vilhelm came back yesterday just as I had eaten. He
was well satisfied with the outcome of the meeting about building the
church. There was general agreement, and a great many things were
decided. In the future, services are to be held in three places in the
settlement --- in our neighborhood they will be at Vesle Rognald's, so we
shall not have very far to go. When the candidates for confirmation also
meet in one place I hope there will be fewer trips for Vilhelm --- at any
rate not such long ones. Subscription lists for the parsonage land have
also been started; so it looks now as though there is daylight ahead.
Erik surprised us by getting home with the wagon last night, and now
Vilhelm has something in which to ride to Paint Creek tomorrow. Knud
Aarthun brought his two daughters to register. {8} Vilhelm examined them
at such length that they stayed and helped us eat our last partridge,
which was excellent. I should not mind if Paulsen sent us more. We have
lived like lords lately, with soft-boiled eggs for breakfast and wild
fowl for dinner. Now that glory is past and pork will have to do for a
day.
We have had most beautiful spring weather; the sun is actually getting
higher; it is just as high now as in April or May at home. We have the
door open and go in and out without wraps. I knit and watch Kari and Per
so that they do not stray into all the ponds. Vilhelm, with Knud,
inspects his wagon from time to time and chases the Sørland pigs, which
are very fond of our society and roam about rooting up the ground; there
are six of them, each one fatter and uglier than the next, and they sniff
and grunt, to our disgust, but to Per's great delight, for he is never
happier than when he sees them all around him and can cry, "Here come the
piggies; come piggy, piggy" When we get our own house, one of the first
things will be to get a fence about it so that I may escape this business
of having the cows wash the windows for me with their muzzles.
Today Vilhelm took a holiday, as he says, and we have used that holiday
for a long walk on our land. We left while the sun was still high and
went around Tollefsjord's farm to the parsonage land. It was so warm I
could hardly bear to keep my shawl on, and Vilhelm did not even wear a
scarf. We walked all over the land looking for a suitable location for
the house. It is not hard to find pretty sites. There is one elevation
from which one has as lovely a view as I have seen here - across field
and meadow, woods and ridges. The house is not to be there, however, but
on a slope nearby, closer to the woods. I shall be happy if it is placed
there,' it will be some distance from the spring, but that always happens
if the building site is to be at all attractive. We also went down to the
spring and walked about in the water and mud.
We rejoiced over the natural beauty of the location and are happy indeed
that it was chosen. We went home by way of Sørland's and stopped to gaze
at my rugged old oak, which, Vilhelm tried to maintain, is no finer than
many of its neighbors. If it is not, it is at least more imposing; it is
immense in extent and circumference. It is the largest oak I have seen.
{9}
We spent the greater part of the evening near the open door, behind us a
stove that was red-hot because of some peas which had been given to
Helene that had to be cooked for a long time before they became tender.
Erik drew a sketch of our house, but it was rejected. Vilhelm was more
successful, but concluded that if they do not build the house larger than
they are now planning, we shall scarcely be able to move about in it.
<1> The sleighs and animals were of course cut from paper.
<2> Vesle might be translated as "younger;" "little;" or "junior."
<3> Erik Clementson Skaarlia was the father of Eli Sørland and of Embret,
who worked for a time at the parsonage. The family later took the name of
Clement. They now live in Section 1, Springfield Township, Winneshiek
County. The Korens moved to the Skaarlia home may 2, 1854. In the
original text Mrs. Koren here calls Mrs. Skaarlia Skaarlikjærringa; that
is "the Skaarlia woman."
<4> According to William Linnevold, Iver Peterson Kvale lived to the west
of the parsonage land. He also owned the eighty-acre tract to the east
that was bought for the parsonage in Section 12, Springfield Township.
<5> William Linnevold believes that Knud and Ingeborg were Knud and
Ingeborg Hauge, who settled on the northwest quarter of Section 2,
Springfield Township, Winneshiek County.
<6> Anne is presumably Anne Egge, Helene Egge's stepdaughter. Paulsen is
thought by Mr. Linnevold to have been a real-estate operator.
<7> Torger Luraas took land in Section 31, Highland Township, Winneshiek
County; the property was situated about eleven miles northeast of
Decorah. This information was received from his granddaughter, Mrs. John
Thingvold of Decorah.
<8> That is, to register for confirmation.
<9> Mrs. Caroline K. Naeseth says that in the woods to the north of the
parsonage "there was an old oak, called the Big Oak, which had, I
believe, seven large trunks with one crown. It stood on a green slope,
and the branches spread far out and hung down low so that they formed the
most delightful arbor. Everyone felt the loss when the tree grew too old
and had to be taken down:" See "Minder fra Little Iowa Prestegaard," in
Folkekalender 1933, 11 (Minneapolis, 1933). This series of Folkekalender
began in 1892.
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