Dear children and grandchildren,

Your letter and the book “The Land-Taking” has been received and read. Great thanks for the book. 

Oh yes, I know that Per Hansa and that Beret from the first year out here, many women stared until they were sick at this strange wilderness that they believed could never be inhabited, but this nesting did not last so long. Will get more about that Sörine and that Kjersti in the other part of the book.

James is reading it now and says that it is very interesting. It should also be more entertaining for the younger relatives and for us who have taken our part with that Per Hansa, that Hans Olsa, and Tönseten. 

I should believe that this book will get raving sales in Norway. Here it will be too expensive; that’s one thing, and also that so many of our younger relatives cannot be bothered to read Norwegian.

I hope, then, that you get a little compensation for the great work.

I had decided to write you a letter on Thanksgiving, but then something got in the way. There are many things I am thinking of writing about, but when all is said and done it won’t be anything. There were a couple of sick people I was going to visit, and then the day went by. The one was old Ole Berdahl as an automobile driver drove by and disfigured him largely. The one leg was somewhat twisted and he got scratches on his head. But now after some 3 weeks’ time he is such that he is walking across the floor. But he has not been out yet.

It is only with the greatest vigilance that a pedestrian can come unscathed straight across the road.

Near Martha’s home a Mrs. Rogness was run over and killed a week ago.

She belonged to our congregation.

Now for two to three days I have  struggled with a strong cold. Yesterday I had to stop at the office at dinner and it was hard for me to go home. Since I have mostly been in bed until this afternoon I feel well enough again, so I am hoping to be all good again tomorrow.

This evening we have a church service here in the church right by us, so I am thinking to go there. I don’t remember when I have managed to drop a church service because of sickness, but today I didn’t dare go out. 

Have just this morning heard from Minneapolis that Martha Thompson’s baby died yesterday, and that Martha is very poorly herself. You all have well heard that her father and mother are up there at their place. It seems to be smallpox. The mother is quarantined with them, but Herman is at Prof. Hel’s place.

With a heartfelt greeting from Grandfather

[Along the side]

Just heard that Martha has written to Jennie today, so I won’t say any more this time.