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- - - - - XXVIII----THE LETTER FROM SWEDEN Akerby at Ljuder parish, August 16 Anno 1857 Beloved Brother Karl Oskar Nilsson: The Lord's Peace and Blessing upon you. I am about to write you a message of Sorrow. Tears of bereavement are falling as I pen these lines. Our Father, Nils Jakobsson, parted this life the 4th inst. and He was brought to the earth in the Parish Churchyard the 11th inst. His life's span amounted to Sixty-two years and a few months. He suffered a long deathbed but did not Complain. Our new pastor gave him the Sacrament three days before he died, he managed to put himself in order for the pastor and combed his Hair himself It was Our Father's wish to pass on and have Peace. He had some fever attacks and dizziness toward the last and his mind wandered. The last Night he mentioned you and Robert in North America, he heard your wagon drive out of the yard on your journey to America and he rose from his pillow and said Now they are leaving. He said few words in life after that. We must all one day pale in Death. Our strength will not suffice against Him. But there is much to do when He is a guest in the house. We are settling the estate and I ask you to send me your power ofAttorney, then we need not have an auction after our Father. Send also an attest that our Brother Robert is dead and then we won't need a Power ofAttorney from Him. We are in good health in our family except that I have a boil on a finger of my right hand. I have a kind husband, we have now 2 sons and I daughter. I have forgotten how many children you have, Write and tell us. I guess you've forgotten the people hereabouts-Dean Brusander is dead, he had a stroke in the Sacristy Whitsuntide morning, he asked about you a few years ago when he Baptized our oldest boy. Mother greets you as she can't write to you herself Our Mother is getting old and worn-aut-when our strength is gone all joy is over. 338 THE LETTER FROM SWEDEN 339 It is not easy to write down my thoughts on paper, I am poor in composition , excuse my poor spelling. Don't forget us in your new Homeland. God Bless you, Brother, and hope your success continues. Written down by your devoted Sister Lydia Karlsson ...

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