|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 5
"Our little cottage is a pleasant residence, in spite of all its
disadvantages, and I feel assured that both yourself and Nanna do
all that lies in your power to cheer our mutual parent, when he is
sick and dispirited.
"One night while our vessel was lying in the canal, I was visited
by an evil dream, but dreams are empty and meaningless, and I hope
that no more of my disagreeable fancies will be realized than that
you at home, may experience a little anxiety and solicitude
concerning the welfare of the absent one.
"The Spring of the year is always the most severe season, for
winter consumes the harvest of the preceding summer.
"Well, we have many mouths to feed--God protect our children.--When
they are older they will work for us. It was my intention to send
you a small sum of money in this letter; but I was obliged to wait
until Jon Jonson, who is here at present with his sloop, shall
commence his homeward voyage, for I can place no dependence upon
young Rask to whom I am obliged to entrust this letter, as he might
be tempted on his way to the post office to enter a beer-house, and
there lose the money. I am forced to send Rask to the office, as I
am obliged to remain on the vessel until it is unloaded.
"I will tell you in advance that I shall not be able to send you a
large amount of money; but instead of that, I shall forward you
when Jonson returns, a quantity of foreign goods which I have been
fortunate enough to purchase and to place on board his sloop
without paying the duty, which you know is heavy. It consists of
sugar, coffee, tobacco, cotton yarn, and a package of silks.
"You, my dear wife, must select the best, a silk shawl which you
will find in the package. Nanna may have the next best shawl, and
you may give Carl the blue handkerchief which is at the bottom of
the parcel. I have not forgotten father. I shall send him a small
cask of liquor, and in the parcel of silks you will find a bundle
of toys for the children.
"You cannot imagine--but still you must--how pleasant it is to
deprive oneself of luxuries that you may provide for the wants of
those whom you have left at home.
"My ship-mates frequently say that I am severe towards them when at
sea, perhaps I am; but it grieves me when I see those noble men, so
skillful in the management of our vessel, lavish their money when
on shore in foolish pleasures. They have as great reason to be
economical as I have myself, and I cannot resist from occasionally
censuring them, and therefore I may not appear so kind to them as I
am to you when at home, or while I am writing this letter. Although
all my efforts may be fruitless, still I feel assured that there is
not one man amongst them who would not peril his existence to
rescue 'the tiger,' as they call me, from any danger. They well
know that I would not stop to think, but would spring into the
ocean at once, if it was necessary, to rescue them.
"But, my dear Magde, a word in confidence. I am neither as wise or
as well educated as my father was in his younger days, yet I would
not wound your feelings either by word or action; but I must inform
you that a rumor has reached my ears about a certain man, whose
neck I once would have twisted willingly, because, when in church,
he looked at you oftener than he did at the minister.
"But if, when I return, I discover that that villain from Almvik
has been poaching on my grounds, he must look to safety. In you,
Magde, I can place all confidence, and shall therefore say nothing
further. And now farewell. Remember me firstly to my father, and
then to my sister, and my children.
"Your faithful husband,
"RAGNAR LONNER.
"P.S. During the soft moonlight nights, when on my watch, I see
your form, dear Magde, bright and beautiful, as I look over the
wake of the vessel. And when the night is dark and cloudy, I see
you sitting by my side, the binnacle light shining upon your
pleasant face, which is illumined with smiles as I gaze upon little
Conrad, whom I imagine a fine full grown lad, climbing the shrouds
with all the eagerness of a competent sailor. But, belay, otherwise
my letter will be under sail again."
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|