Americanhistory

=**Letter Home:**=

Dear brother and family back home in Norway! I take my pen to tell you all this good news. I have managed to save some money and started my own little farm. I have bought land so now I own about 250 acres. How is it back home? Is it as hard as it was when I left or is the harvest getting better? I've just started to harrow. When I'm starting with the job, it goes so fast because my harrow is as long as 26 feet. Guess how much I paid for it? Only 5 horses! Within 3 days, I have created a huge field. As you know, back in Norway it demands like 10 days of hard work. My plough is even more amazing, it can plough two furrows at the same time. Can you believe it? When the summer makes its appearance, I'm going to milk all my eleven cows. I will separate the milk and then send it to the creamery so I can get a lot of money. Yesterday when I was on my daily visit to the market I saw a huge machine on the Westlings-farm (A very rich family). I couldn’t get my eyes off it because it was the kind I have wanted for so long, but I’m planning to save enough money so I can afford to buy it sometime in the future. It’s called a steam machine. Last but not least I’m hoping that you all want to come to America and live here with me. I know that you, my brother, has spoken about coming over, but you know… Actions speak louder than words. You don’t have to pay an arm and a leg here to survive. American life is great, and I hope you all get a chance to experience it with me. Love from Erik Hansson. PS: I promise to give you 200 acres of fertile soil, if you settle down.