Alexandra's Diary

I’m going into town tomorrow with Emil tomorrow in order to get food and supplies for the house. Hopefully, Lou and Oscar will gather plenty of wood when they travel to the Blue in the morning. Father is very ill, and I do not expect that he has much time left. I know Mother is worried about what will become of us…we all are. Maybe it would be better if we die too. (1)

Emil and I just got back from Hanover a little while ago. My little brother lost his kitten up the telegraph pole and no one would stop and help him! Fortunately, I found Carl in the drug store. He was nice enough to climb up and get Emil’s cat. We also ran into the Tovesky’s and I saw Mr. Joe’s niece Marie. She has some of the oddest eyes I have ever seen. Anyway, on the way home, Carl rode with me part of the way and promised to stop by sometime with his magic lantern. I am very excited and I‘m sure everyone else will be too. (11)

We went and saw Crazy Ivar today. I don’t know why everyone calls him crazy for wanting to live like he wants to. I asked him about raising hogs and he gave me sound advice. I plan to start working on building that new pig corral tomorrow. (27)

Carl told me earlier today that he and his family were leaving for St. Louis. I’m losing my best friend, what can I do? Tomorrow I plan to go look at what Mr. Fuller is doing with all of the farmland he is buying from everyone. I just know that I’ll be able to figure out what to do. (36)

I have seen the future of our land. I have talked to many people in the last five days, and now I have a plan. Lou and Oscar are not going to like what I have in mind though. If we mortgage our land and buy all that we can, I just know that we can make it work. This land is going to be worth something soon, and I intend to make sure that my family reaps the benefits like my father would’ve wanted. (41)

Father would be proud that we did not give up the land. Life has changed a great deal since he and mother passed away. The land has finally shown its true self. The family is prospering; Lou and Oscar have married and have children, and I made sure that Emil got into college – he is growing into such a fine young American man. I did find it odd when Ivar told me that people fear him now that the old ways are being forgotten. I see no reason for such foolishness, but I promised him that I would look after him. (57)

Carl finally returned after all these years! I can’t express how wonderful it was to see him. Yet it is bittersweet as he has told me that he plans to continue on to Alaska to make his fortune. I do hope that he stays for a time before he leaves. (73)