Settlers

XXIX. THE LETTER TO SWEDEN

-----XXIX----THELETTERTOS ~DEN New DuvemaIa at Taylors Falls Post ofis North America, october 3Anno 1857 Beloved Sister Lydia Karlsson, Your letter received, I could not help but shed a few tears as I held it in my hand and read that our Father had passed through the Valley of Death. I mourn him here, far from His bier. I had hoped to see Him once More, I had a good Father but was not always an obedient Son at Home. I feel though that Father forgave me my emigration , I did the best for my Own, our Father couldn't think anything else. Now my Father is in that Land where I no longer can reach Him. Peace over his Grave and Remains. Yes, Death mowes his sharp scythe and makes no exception among us. When He comes we must go with him, whether we want to or not. I am however, glad that Father had one of his children with him as a comfort on his Deathbed. My kind parents looked well after me when I grew up but out here in my new land I have been oflittle Help or comfort to them. I enclose a paper which assures you that you my beloved Sister Lydia Karlsson shall have my inheritance after my demised Father Nils Jakobsson. You shall have my share for looking after Our Mother as long as She is in Time. I believe it cannot be a large sum ofmoney. We have lately had some trouble with money matters in America but it is getting better. Many people have moved in from Sweden this last Summer and they are still coming daily. Even from Ljuder Parish people have come to this Valley. I see that the Dean is Gone, how did he like it that his parishioners followed me to North America? But he couldn't blame me, I like the land here but have never boasted in order to lure people here from Sweden. I urge no man to emigrate; each one must do so at his own risk. The number ofour children is 6 up to date, if I haven't written this before. Our youngest is a strapping son, we call him Frank, it is an American name. He runs and plays on the floor, He was one year last February, the little Amer34 ° THE LETTER TO SWEDEN 341 iean let go his hold and walked by himself 14 Days before he was a full year. Our Children have grown fast in their new Homeland it's a Joy for us to see. I enclose my dear Greeting to our Mother. I know you take good care ofher. You are my beloved Sister and we must write each other more often. Before each Day reaches its end I have some thought here in America for myoid Home, Your Devoted Brother Karl Oskar Nilsson ...