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Subject: Diary of Elisabeth Koren - 174-183
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2003 09:29:48 -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.
Saturday, February 25. It is so dark both outside and inside that I am in
danger of becoming melancholy, and must try to divert my thoughts by
writing a little. Vilhelm has gone to Paint Creek and will be away more
than a week, for he will also visit the settlements to the south. We were
busy baking communion wafers this morning; I had forgotten that it had to
be done. Ingebret was here before Vilhelm left and got a subscription
list which he is to take care of. He said something about Nils [Katterud]
having managed to obtain twenty acres of the parsonage land, to the great
sorrow of Ingebret, who considers the action very wrong and is doing all
he can to get it changed. It looks as if he might succeed. He is an
unusual man, this Ingebret. There is something sincere and
straightforward about him and he undoubtedly means well in all he says
and does.
It was ten o'clock by the time Vilhelm had everything ready. He had a
good deal of trouble getting under way. In the first place the horse was
lame when he brought it out; next he discovered half a shoe missing on
one of the hind hoofs. One of the wagon wheels needed to be replaced; it
will be a stroke of fortune if it lasts this trip. At last the horse was
hitched up and the miserable harness patched and tied together as well as
possible. Now the question was, how to carry the wine with him. He had to
take the whole jug along, lashing it fast, and his bag, too. At last
everything was ready. If he went as slowly as he did while I could see
him, he certainly did not reach his destination early in the evening; but
I comforted myself with Erik's assurance that the horse would soon
recover. I hope the wagon holds out.
I do not know why I am so much more reluctant to see Vilhelm go this time
than before. I ought to be more accustomed to his leaving and should be
satisfied with his having been home fourteen days. But the feeling is
there; I can do nothing about it; and it is not something I can become
accustomed to. But I shall manage to be in good spirits before he
returns.
This morning I went up to my trunk for some things and ran across
Valdemar Seier; I began to read a little, and soon found I could not tear
myself away. Since Helene was scouring the floor below, I seated myself
on the chest and read until the disturbance was over. Then I had to go
down to the world below, which at times is unreasonably prosaic and has
no savor at all for one who has just come from the company of knights and
ladies. {10}
At the moment Helene is at Aarthun's, and the children are sitting on the
table watching for her very impatiently, expecting her to return with a
puppy. I was just interrupted by Ingebret, who had made the rounds with
his list and wished to speak to Erik. He was well satisfied with the
results. I hear many have subscribed, even though they do not belong to
the congregation.
Sunday, February 26. It will soon be dark and the day will be over, for
as soon as we have eaten and read a little, the family goes to bed,
whether the clock says seven or eight. Today the same gray, monotonous
weather as yesterday. We have not seen the sun, so I have no idea of the
time; but I suspect I ate dinner at eleven o'clock. It has been a quiet
day with nothing to enliven it. Erik left early in the morning, we knew
not where; he came back a little while ago, smoked a pipe, and went over
to Aarthun's. For the greater part of the afternoon Helene lay on, the
bed and complained of a headache. I have been reading all day; time
drags, however, when one reads so uninterruptedly without speaking a word
from morning to night; I get tired, even though I am interested in what I
read. Thus I spent the day. My whole conversation has been confined to
quieting Kari and Per, and that has not been often, for most of the time
they sat, one on the table, the other on the bench, afraid of the puppy
which Helene brought yesterday. At last they both took refuge behind the
curtain and crawled into bed with Helene, where, to judge by the silence,
all three have fallen asleep. So, for the moment, I am alone.
When I sit alone in this way and all is quiet about me, my thoughts
naturally tend to cross the Atlantic and dwell on earlier days. But when
Vilhelm is away, I am not always rightly disposed for such memories and
would rather keep them away. When I get my own home, this too will
change, I believe; I rejoice more and more at the thought of our home,
and especially every time Vilhelm returns from a journey.
Now it is dark, and I see a man coming who is evidently Erik-on-the-Hill.
{11}
Monday, February 27. I was awakened this morning, and also several times
during the night, by Burman's (the puppy's) whining. This morning the
children made a great racket, yelling and jumping up on whatever was
nearest, to save themselves from the poor creature. It is certainly lucky
that it came while Vilhelm is away; when they get used to it, there will
be less noise. It is a source of pleasure, however, not least to Helene
and Erik. Per has just now taken off both his stockings, placed the dog
upon them, hitched them to his boots, and well content with his heroic
deed, cries, "Don't laugh, now, ma, now the dog is going to have a ride."
We had unexpected guests yesterday, namely, Anne Aarthun, who had been
over at Sørland's and presumably had talked her fill concerning the
parsonage land and the subscriptions, which naturally are their topics
for the present, and Knud, who accompanied Erik home; they stayed for
supper this evening. Helene made corn cakes, which tasted very good both
to the guests and me. Then we had a lively discussion about the Sørland
cattle and the beauty of the calves, while I was busy talking with Knud
about the best place for a garden next summer. I heard to my joy that I
"cannot get finer land than what was planted to Indian corn there last
year."
Now it is afternoon. There has been, as usual, clothes washing and floor
scrubbing. I intended to write, but had to leave my work every now and
then to run and drive that impudent cow away from the washtub.
I have just returned from Katterud's, where I stayed for dinner. A young
boy was there whose family intends to buy the remainder of the Kvale land
--- an old acquaintance of Nils from Muskego. I thought I was surely
going to drown in mud on the first part of the road from Nils's house ---
where there is new "breaking" and the walking is dreadful in either snow
or mud. {12} I actually had to walk with a stick in my hand and scrape
off my galoshes to keep the mud from going over my shoes. Yesterday I
walked down to the bottoms, as I intended, and saw Erik; I found a path
which led me straight to [John] Dysja's, where I went in and visited the
little child who was so ill, but is now better.
Today is already the last day of February. If Erik does not bring back
letters from Decorah tomorrow, it will really be too bad.
Wednesday, March 1. So today we write March 1, and today my little
goddaughter will be three years old; since it is Wednesday, it may be
that Christiane is there and gives her goose coffee in my place. {13}
Would that I knew a little better how all the dear folks at home are
getting on! No one went to Decorah today, unfortunately, so I live in the
same uncertainty.
This month is beginning with rain and thunderstorms. Just as I was
thinking of taking a walk to refresh myself after ironing this morning,
it began to patter against the windowpanes and has kept on ever since. It
is well Vilhelm took his umbrella with him. But how is it with our
baggage during such weather?
There is a bellowing and racket here by all the wonderful Sørland calves,
which are running round the house and licking the windowpanes. The door
is open and the children run back and forth, transported by the event.
Then Nils Katterud came here to fetch them [the calves] home for
Ingebret. I was standing in the door to enjoy the fresh smell of the
rain, so he came up and greeted me with his peculiar, awkward bow and
stopped for a little chat.
Yesterday we had a prairie fire near us. It was on Thorgrim's field and
fairly violent, but did not last long. {14} I get quite frightened when I
see them so close at hand, for I have not yet become used to fires of
that kind. The other evening we saw prairie fires in four places at one
time; they are spreading every day now. I think I shall have to give up
my usual walk today, for the rain does not let up. Well, I am content to
see it rain, if only spring comes soon. I long for it very much and
rejoice at the prospect.
It does not look as though I shall get letters written to Mrs. Garrigues
and Mrs. Lund while Vilhelm is away. I have no desire to write, and so I
do nothing.
Anne Aarthun is here to talk to Erik, and therefore we are to eat supper,
although it is hardly four o'clock.
Thursday, March 2. What weather we are having today! It is blowing as if
it would break down the windows and doors. At noon the sun shone a
little, but this forenoon it rained so hard that water streamed in the
door. I hope Vilhelm is not on the road today.
Erik is in Decorah. I am sitting, as I have done many times, waiting for
him to return, with a faint hope that he will bring letters. God grant we
may not be disappointed this time, too!
It is getting toward evening. The day has gone quickly and agreeably with
steady work and reading; it has been still and peaceful save for the
noise of Per and Burman. Since tomorrow is Friday, it will not be long
before Vilhelm comes, I hope. I wish I might have the joy of giving him
news from home.
It is now our usual bedtime, but Erik has not come home. I am glad that
Helene is not so anxious as she was last time, although she is uneasy and
runs outside every few moments. But there is no reason for anxiety, for
she knows the mill is not yet entirely ready, and moreover, is overfilled
with grain. I spent the evening reading as usual; but it is so
disagreeable today. The wind has increased in violence, and howls and
whistles so frightfully that one hates to be alone in the evening. I only
hope Vilhelm is not out in this. It is fearfully dark, too; one can
scarcely see one's hand in front of one. I see Helene is going to bed. I
thought she would sit up and wait, but I have nothing against going to
bed myself and forgetting the storm and bad weather, if that is possible.
It really sounds as if the house would be blown away.
Friday, March 3. Beautiful sunshine, but about the same wind today. I
have no desire to venture out, but sit and wait for Helene to return from
Aarthun's; she went there at last to seek comfort, for Erik has not yet
returned. Suckow calmed her this morning by telling her that he had heard
the mill had broken down again and that those who were there had had to
wait for their flour. But now she thinks it has taken too long.
The sun is well on its way. I just laid aside my knitting and Irving's
Sketch Book, with which I amused myself this afternoon. My attention was
divided between them and looking after the fire in the stove (with which
I have great trouble, running out time and again for chips), and finally,
seeing to it that the children do not tease poor Burman to death. Now Per
has tied his shoes to the dog's tail, his stockings to the shoes, and
filled both of them with chips, and has climbed upon the table and now is
laughing so hard he is in danger of falling as he watches the dog pull
that load around the room.
Helene has returned without hearing from Decorah, but with a promise that
someone would go down the road at sundown if he still had not come. She
is now quite inconsolable, weeps, and does not know what to believe. I
hope he comes before dark. I hope I shall not lose courage so easily if
now and then Vilhelm is later than may reasonably be expected.
Saturday, March 4. Well, all grief and fright ended in joy yesterday,
although it had looked as if Helene would have to take her anxiety to bed
with her. After we had eaten and she had washed the dishes and put the
children to bed, she went over to Aarthun's again; I sat here alone,
which I did not like doing the last time this happened. This time,
however, I felt no anxiety, but quietly awaited Helene's return. As the
wind had died down, it was not disagreeable. The sunset had been
beautiful, and now there was a peaceful, clear, starlit evening after the
stormy day, which with its lovely sunshine and strong, gusty wind
reminded me of that fearful day of storm on the Atlantic Ocean. Sooner
than I had expected, Helene returned with smiling face and said that as
she neared Aarthun's she heard Erik coming and so had hurried back that
he might not see her. When at last he came, she received him as if
nothing had happened. How strange they are, these people! The mill had
been filled up, of course, and so he had had to wait.
No letters this time either, not even an Emigranten! The mail from
Wisconsin had not come; very likely it cannot get across the river on
account of the ice; possibly that is also the reason we have heard
nothing of our baggage. But now it is all of five months since we heard
from home. Not a line from anyone since we arrived here. I only hope
those at home do not have to wait so long for our letters!
The first thing I heard this morning when I awoke was Anne Aarthun's
voice; she had come to inquire about Erik. She stayed, of course, half
the forenoon, and then Helene began cleaning. I took a brisk walk, clad
in full winter dress because it was blowing lustily. I walked straight
into the wind, with coat and veil fluttering in all directions, around
the Sørland hill, over to look at my old oak; then, I thought, I should
be able to realize what it was like on the parsonage land in such a wind.
I turned off a little too soon and came upon two men who were chopping
rails for Nils Katterud. I talked with them a little and rendered an
accounting of when the "Father" was coming home, whereafter I continued
my way toward the hill. {15} It was not very pleasant on the parsonage
land today; the light was not advantageous and it was blowing hard, of
course. I do not know where we can place a house so that it will be
sheltered from the west wind, unless we set it in the midst of the woods.
I went back and forth for a long time, hunting for a building site, and
made very practical calculations for outhouses, garden, and all, and
considered which vegetables should be planted this summer.
These household thoughts occupied me so completely that I walked right
into a marshy spot; I leaped over very quickly, lest possibly some snake
might have come out unusually early and been sunning himself in the warm
mud, for "I am so afraid of snakes that it is dreadful." Really, I grieve
every time I am on one of my excursions to think that soon I shall not be
able to go about peacefully wherever I please, but must keep to the main
road.
The sun is setting, and soon this week will be over. Helene has just come
back from Aarthun's, bringing with her a chicken and a jug of beer as an
addition to our larder. In honor of this, mush is being cooked for supper
and Kari and Per are dancing around the stove for joy. Now I shall put
this away and go outside and look at the evening sky, as I usually do;
tonight is so lovely, I wish Vilhelm could be here to see it.
Sunday, March 5. I am so angry with the Decorah post office! Old Ola, the
smith, and his son-in-law stopped by this forenoon to tell Erik that a
letter was waiting for him at the post office; the smith had been there
and had actually challenged the postmaster to show him all the letters.
{16} Erik has been there almost every week and yet each time has had a
chance to see only a couple of packs of letters, which were supposed to
be all there were. The letter there now is said to have lain there a long
time. This is certainly a fine post office! If Vilhelm has time, he will
have to go himself, if that will help. We all agree that this post office
simply will not do, and yet all our letters are dated from there.
My walk took me to Sørland's today; I had an errand to Ingebret, whom I
found home alone reading his Bible. I sat there for a time and talked
with him of this and that, likewise of our future home, which he has very
little hope will be ready before autumn. It is said that subscriptions
are coming slowly out in the western part of the settlement. That it will
not be very soon, I understand well enough; we must be patient!
Sigrid Suckow was sitting here when I came home, talking of her favorite
pastor, Dietrichson, and of Ingebretsen. {17} She also told a good deal
about the suffering of the newcomers during their first years in America.
If those coming later knew what was in store for them, they would no
doubt think more seriously before they left the fatherland.
Monday, March 6. I have half a notion Vilhelm will be here today,
although it is unreasonable to expect him so soon. Tomorrow, perhaps.
This time he will certainly expect me to have letters for him, and he
will be disappointed again. It is still early in the day. I have just
finished two beautiful drawings for Per with all sorts of domestic
animals, and I made a circuit of the fields in this lovely weather and
fresh morning air. Now I must try to be industrious.
I have now taken my customary walk. I went to the parsonage land today,
too. It was very lovely there this evening. I stood still, was filled
with joy at its beauty, and cannot say how happy I am to have my wish
that there might be natural beauty where we are to live. It is a mild,
delightful evening, almost too warm to wear a shawl. All the time I kept
wishing I might meet Vilhelm; but I suppose it was a silly wish, for I do
not even know if he will come by that road. I passed through Sørland's
woods and looked at Ingebret's split rails and had some trouble getting
through all the felled trees. He has let a good deal of daylight into his
woods since we arrived. When I got down to Erik's field I halted, quite
alarmed at seeing three or four half rings of fire encircling the hills
to the east, one beyond the other. They were the prairie fires, which
rage everywhere now. These were far away. All day, indeed, there has been
a strong smell from them, just as when the east wind blew at home and
brought us the smoke from the charcoal pits in Ytterso on summer
evenings. {18}
<10> Bernhard S. Ingemann's Valdemar Seier (Valdemar Victorious) was a
Danish historical novel that appeared in Copenhagen in 1826. The chest
that Mrs. Koren used for a seat was in the loft.
<11> Erik Olsen Bakke (1824-1908) married Gunhilda Ramsey in Norway and
came to this country in 1851. He settled in Section 5, Frankville
Township, Winneshiek County; Bailey, Winneshiek County, 2:64.
<12> "Breaking" is land newly broken up by the plow.
<13> Goose coffee was make-believe coffee.
<14> By Thorgrim she means Thorgrim Busness.
<15> The "Father" was the pastor.
<16> William Linnevold believes "Old Ola" might be Ola Nesheim, who lived
about one mile southwest of the parsonage land.
<17> The Reverend J. W. C. Dietrichson (1815-83) organized the
Koshkonong, Luther valley, and eight other Norwegian Lutheran
congregations in Dane County, Wisconsin. Most of the Norwegian settlers
on Washington Prairie east of Decorah came from Dane County, Wisconsin.
Ingebretsen has not been identified.
<18> Yttersø was a farmstead or estate east of Larvik, Norway.
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