Anne Marie FRIMANN

«font face='Arial'»«font size=4»
Translated from Danish by Eleanor Freeman.

(No date, only the year 1892, probably written between Pentecost and 31st July, 1892).

Dear good brother,

I long to hear from you, but I can certainly imagine that you have so much news to tell us that you need to collect your thoughts, but some Sunday afternoon can you sacrifice enough time for me to tell me the whole report.

Had you not written from New York, Mother was about to die, and she longs dreadfully for you. You must really write often to them, but you must be sure» to write to me.

I can tell you that Peter Holst has a job. He was last in England. He is now on a trip to Finland, or perhaps it is the other way around. Thomas Frost is going to America the last of the month. Katrine Klausen has become engaged to Nis Bruhn. (Nis Nissen Bruhn and Cathrine Marie Clausen at Oesterkaer). Can you tell Hatt's if you see them. How I would like to hear how they question about us at home and how you answer!

What dreadfully bad luck... it took you days to get to Omaha, and we were in constant anxiety and fear, buth thank God you got there all right.

Lorents Holm was at home at Pentecost in uniform. I greeted him but I dared not look at him properly though I wanted to for Madam Holm watched every look I think.

Rasmus Vrang was in Odense at Pentecost. There is talk that they will rent their farm out. What do you think of that?

Now I can't see any longer. I must leave off. Good night. Greet them all... all my little nieces and nephews. And write a long lot of words to me... so are you my own dear Polle like the time we went to school, and I am your always devoted, faithful, affectionate sister, Marie.

Mother misses our pranks. Good night.

«font face='Arial'»«font size=4»
Translated from Danish by Eleanor Freeman.

Dalagergaard.

Dear Paul,

Perhaps you are not expecting a quick answer from me, but Mother asked me to write. We are very happy that you are well. Yes, it makes all Stenderup Overby happy, for that is the first thing I hear when I go there: 'Now, is Paul well?' Mrs. Holm was over a few evenings ago and asked about you. It was lucky that there was also a greeting to them in that letter.

I can tell you good news about Morbroder. He will move over to Simon Uldall's farm. Simon died but his sister Kirstine has the farm and will be trustee in a way. Morbroder will have room in Salsen, and he will have the farm horses, but he does not need to follow them when he doesn't want to. I think this is so good for him. What do you think?

Have you any fruit over there? Here there is an abundance of red currants, black currants, strawberries and gooseberries. I was home the day before yesterday but I didn't look at the garden. Mother was to go out to Madam Holm for currants. Their Lorents come home last in August.

Now I am engaged another year here. It will perhaps be a long year, for you know I have wanderlust. I can imagine how nice it is with brothers and families. You must remember me to all of them as you think of it.

Sister Thea is going to Cousin Anna in Sommersted to be 'pige'. We hope she will do well. Did you know Anna Staugaard died? Mother got her picture. I'd like very much to see Cousin Peter's picture.

A strict master has come to Katrineberg. He hardly lets people have time to eat.

Father has not much strength this summer. Often he cannot stand to weave till noon.

Tomorrow our dairy man is going away, and so we will have a new one. Madam Frost died, and Katrine Klausen is engaged to Nis Bruhn.

Dairyman Hansen went to get a ticket to America the other day for otherwise he cannot exist.

Now I know no more this time. You must remember to write to me on my birthday.

Hoping that you are well in all ways. I close my letter now with many greetings from half of Stenderup, Agtrup field to Utzon's mill in the county and from the housemaid at Dalagergaard.

Yours affectionate sister, Marie Frimann.

«font face='Arial'»«font size=4»
Translated from Danish by Eleanor Freeman.

Dear 'big' brother!

First I must wish you a happy new year and brother Jesse and Petrea and the children also. Yes, it was not nice of me to let you write two times. It is your turn, but I hope you have forgotten all in the old year. Now comes my only complaint... you are a little sloppy with your writing. I can hardly understand it and the others at home still less.

Last Sunday I was at home and out at Vrang's and Knudsen's. However, I am having, you may be sure, a tiresome winter. But I toil away, and spring is coming. It is very cold these days, and the snow lies deep and has lain so for a time, but it is certainly probably colder in America than in our 'little blessed land'.

Now for the news... Peter Holst has now gone to Kolding to become a shoemaker. I believe he is very skilful at his trade. We have had a letter from Thea. She was well, but Cousin Anna wrote that she was very weak.

I thank you also for the 10 kr. you sent Papa and Mama. The thought that you remembered them is more valuable than the money, although it was not missent. Father is fading dreadfully this winter, one can see.

Lavrids Sandager will soon be getting a reputation as a drunk. Simsen and Anders Vorby must each give 10 kr. whichever of them goes first into Sandagers. Yes, whom they honor now, they soon scandalize. It was at the dance in Havehuset and Froeken Sandager was the most elegant, but alas, the one that amused herself the most foolishly.

I can tell you that they are expecting an heir at Kathrineberg. There have been no children on the property in 117 years Father says.

If only I could fly to you in a month's time, Oh! I would be wild with joy to see Jess's children and wife. Also with three brothers and uncles it would be lovely. It is certainly not good to know that we will not see each other again. If only Father and Mother would go and Thea, I would, too, but otherwise I cannot.

Hans Schmidt (wheelwright) is also going to America in the spring, he told mother. Thomas Frost is there again. Now you must greet everyone, all the dear ones there who are never out of our thoughts here at home, but with you I long very much to have one of our amusing talks.

When you were in school you were certainly a noisy rascal... do you remember... to the Overby women, but now they sing your praises up and down the streets. Yes, a prophet is not honored in his own country.

Give P. Vind my regards... he who is in the bank. He wrote to me once and I to him and that was the end of it, but I liked his letter. Take a day off and go around and greet them all from me. Don't forget Brother Jesse, who is your patron in that place. He has certainly many to think of. And his wife Petrea you must not forget from us as we are fond of them all, and I pray for you over there every night before I sleep.

Now good night, dear little Paul, from you affectionate, Mia.

Thanks for the calendar. It was interesting. I read the old German book in the evening, but I am not very clever.

«font face='Arial'»«font size=4»
Extract of the letter:

'Dear cousin, you have now already heard through your sister Cathrine that your dear sister Marie is dead. Yes, Paul, that will cause you sorrow as it caused us others, as we all loved Marie. She was an unusually good and lovely girl. It is hardest for your dear mother... she misses her most. We should also remember... it is really too much... last year she had to be separated from you and this year from Marie. But it may be this is best, for the Lord's way is not our way. Marie was not sick long. She had not been so well for a while, but she was better and no one thought it was the end. Tuesday, February 7th, she went to play with the child, and when she bent down to pick something up, she would not rise to her feet again. She went to bed, and on Wednesday your mother was fetched. She was then with Marie both day and night until she died. She died Friday, February 10th.

The Lord delivered her soul. She said just before she died: 'Dear Saviour, open the gate, now I am coming'. Yes, she is well off in Heaven, where some day we will see her again. Dear Paul, do not forget to pray to God and read diligently in your New Testament so that you also may go through Heaven's gate to your sister Marie. You should have been there to hear the preacher's funeral address about her. It was splendid. He said in the sermon that we should imitate Marie, the blessed young girl, so that we might become like her and go through the same gate that she did.

No. 810, 542, 410, No. 87, the last verse.
These are the numbers of Marie's hymns so you can read them. You may be sure there were many fine wreaths on her coffin, and there were many people at church.'

«font face='Arial'»«font size=4»
Extract of the letter:

'It is a year today since sister Maria was home the last time. We certainly missed her at Christmas. I could see her every day but never be able to talk with her, and such it is also with you, but it is different. I know that she suffers no more.'