1928-2-23 Letter from Albert Solaas to Olga Eikelid (Ltr28)

Dodson, Montana Feb 23 - 1928

Dear Olga -

will I again be allowed to write you a few words !? Yes certainly I will do so. First of all will I say so many thanks for the letter I received from you, it is really nice to hear how you are doing. (I) See from your "writ" that you are not at home now. It is enough of a change to come out (of the village) for a while; just as what one can learn and see in this world. Yes, yes Olga, it is not so bad. But don't you feel a pity for the Skor valley? As I understand, there are many who have left from there, I understand, in particular the girls. But then again, it is also so that there are some who find their way back.

Here in Montana it all keeps going in the same old way. I was glad last year to get back in order again. I had a lot of work to do; you know how it is after one has been away for some time. I had to fix the machines before the seasonal work started in spring, and some of my working horses were also gone, so I had to go out chasing them. We had a very wet last spring here, so we could not do as much work as we had speculated on, but then we had a good year(īs harvest) so it was acceptable. We had an early winter this year and it was also hard during the time it lasted. But around New Year the snow started to go away and since that time we have had nice and nicer weather, and soon it will be too late (for the snow to return????), and I expect the spring to come early.

In spring I will sow 800 to 1000 "maal" [Norwegian measure unit corresponding to 200- 250 acres], if everything works out as I have calculated with. It is much if comparing to the conditions back home, but as they are here, it will not take so much time. Then we must consider the good and huge equipment we have, and 6 to 8 horses in front, so we also ought be able to have a real portion of work done. Yes I have had it really good this last year as FINA [Albert's sister Olufine] has been with me, it has really been a pleasure to have everything in order and waiting in the house, when one comes back home hungry. I can not see how one can help oneself (with the housework) alone, with all that work outside. But as the times are now, I will soon be in that situation. FINA says that she will soon have too start thinking about herself, because until now, she has only had thoughts for others. Yes yes, as things are standing, I have no objection to that either. It is a natural thing that one wants a home for oneself, and when the opportunity is there and one thinks one will have it good , no one should object. She has been working so hard during the time back home, so I shall be glad if things would once get better.

I can do nothing but think about the hard work some girls have to do back home; they have to be the first (up in the morning) and last (calling it a day). You would not find many (girls) who would go for that (hard work) in this country. But since one is a man, one does not know better. I have heard that MARGIT HOLTEN will come over here in March. She has her mother in Dakota. Margit is truly right about her decision. It is not to be understood so that I am tempting anyone to come over here; I will not have that sitting on me-; but I say that if one wishes, one truly ought to go. But it has been so throughout that times that the voyage is considered so hard, but those times are now gone, with the connections we now have.

Well, Olga Skaar, you shall go back to the Skor valley in spring and fight for everything you love. Oh yes, that is certainly so but who knows! I have been scribbling together so much this evening that you will probably be dizzy and ??, but do not take it so hard that (you) got a condensed report on it all. So then you should have it nice, and do not work too hard, you will never get more because of that, and sometime later you will regret it.

So if you should have the opportunity, I should wish so very much to hear from you again.

Greetings from Albert Solberg Dodson Montana USA