CHAPTER THREE
I quickly opened the envelope, so excited about what information I might find inside. My eyes slowly began reading, trying not to miss a single word or bit of information.
Dear Kirsten,
I have received your letter through the
pastorate in Almeboda and Mr. T. Holmquist.
He is a genealogist and knew that you must be
related to me through your Great Grandmother
Johanna Sophia. He also has investigated
about your Great Grandfather Johannes Petersson
from Algutsboda.
I don't believe it! Related to me? I have relatives in Sweden! I quickly read on. Breathless over what I was reading. I continued:
Your Great Grandmother Johanna Sophia's brother,
Ido Alfred Ahlberg, was my Grandfather.
He moved in 1870 to Vaxjo, situated
about 50 km north of Almeboda. He
had 10 children.
Alma 1880-1953
Josef 1881-1963
Clara 1883-1958
Anna 1884-1972
Johan 1886-1962
Hildur 1889-1962
Albert 1890-1980
Nina 1892-1933
Svea 1894-1962
Erik 1898-1982
"It's like stepping back in time." I said to myself. I sat and pondered what life was like for them back in the old country, so many years ago. I continued on with my letter, my excitement mounting with every line I read. Every piece of information sticking in my mind like a piece of history. In a daze I read the names of my ancestors that had preceded me so long before:
Johan Falk, Farmer and Goldsmith
Born: 11-11-1750
Died: 8-6-1828
Ingrid Svensdotter
Born: 1739
Died 1782
Abraham Gisesson
Born 1679
Died 1741
I laid down on the couch and closed my eyes; so many years ago, I thought. What was it like? It seemed like a fairy tale I had so often dreamed of. What would it be like there? Sweden. Rugged country, full of high mountains, thick forests, vast moors and swift moving rivers. Fertile plains and long narrow lakes that lie in deep valleys. I close my eyes and I can feel the soft cool grass on my bare feet. As I walk through the valley, I can feel the cool breeze that drifts off the water as it swiftly makes it trek between the rugged mountains that lie before me. Or feel the chill of the air as the mists roll in off the moors.
Kapitel Fyre
(Chapter Four)
I laid on the soft dew-kissed grass. I saw above me tall towering trees and high mountain peaks. Above them, a sky, so blue and full of billowy white puffs. I closed my eyes. The cool early morning breeze blew softly across my skin, carrying with it the soft sweet fragrances of the meadow.
"God dag, jungfruls fager."
The voice.... I didn't recognize it. Only seconds ago, I was alone. I heard the whinny of a horse. I opened my eyes slowly and turned to see him standing there. His shoulder length hair shinned from the early morning sun, and the breeze swirled it about his fair complected face. His hand reached down towards mine.
"Good day fair maiden. It's a very cool morning for such a beautiful maiden like yourself to be sleeping all alone on a cold damp ground." He helped me to my feet, and took a wrap from the pack that was strapped to his horse. "You must be very chilly. Here, warm yourself." He turned to the three men that accompanied him. "Build a fire, over there by the edge of the forest, so she can warm herself, and prepare some food."
I could tell by his clothing that he was a man of substantial means. He wore tight fitting pants and an elaborate brocade shirt that fitted tightly around his waist with a broad belt, eloquently decorated with gold and precious stones. He had numerous rings on his finger and necklaces of gold hung about his neck and glistened as the sun's rays streamed across them. The flag being carried by one of his horsemen, was most definitely the flag of the King. Was he the Prince? Was he of the Royal Family?
"I'm glad I found you." He spoke softly. "It's not so often when I ride, that I come upon a beautiful maiden lying in the middle of the meadow. My name is Johan Nilsson. I am goldsmith and craftsman to His Majesty King Gustavus I. And you, my Dear, who might you be?"
"My name is Kirsten Svensdotter. My father is a blacksmith in the nearby village of Sala."
Johan reconized the name. For the work of Sven Olofsson the blacksmith from Sala, was well known to him. His excellence as a blacksmith had been of much help, when the Swede's help to lead the revolt against Christian II, and he was ousted from Sweden. The revolt was led by a young noble man, Gustavus Vasa. Sweden achieved it's independence and Gustavus was elected: King Gustavus I. Johan thought to himself, this is indeed a favorable sigh. His majesty being in need of a blacksmith, sends me to search the kingdom, and now, I have come upon the one person that can lead me to the most desirable and talented craftsman in the entire kingdom. Such a man as Sven could be of great service to His Majesty.
Johan took my hand and led me over near the fire so I could warm myself. The early morning air had left a chill on me that went to the bone. The fire felt delightful, and before long, I had warmed myself and had satisfied my hunger with the food that Johan had so graciously shared with me.
"The King has been in need of a blacksmith." Johan turned to me and said. "Do you think your father might be interested in accepting the position? The King would pay him handsomely and he would be well rewarded for his services to the kingdom."
I turned to him and smiled. It was hard to imagine, me and my family part of the royal court, in Royal company. "how far is your village from her?" He stood and walked around the fire and faced me.
"Just a few miles." I answered.
"Let's ride to your Father and ask him what he thinks of the idea."
His men mounted. He took my hand and led me towards his horse. He lifted me onto the back of the shiney black stallion, and then positioned himself in back of me and we started our short trip to Sala.
TO BE CONTINUED
I quickly opened the envelope, so excited about what information I might find inside. My eyes slowly began reading, trying not to miss a single word or bit of information.
Dear Kirsten,
I have received your letter through the
pastorate in Almeboda and Mr. T. Holmquist.
He is a genealogist and knew that you must be
related to me through your Great Grandmother
Johanna Sophia. He also has investigated
about your Great Grandfather Johannes Petersson
from Algutsboda.
I don't believe it! Related to me? I have relatives in Sweden! I quickly read on. Breathless over what I was reading. I continued:
Your Great Grandmother Johanna Sophia's brother,
Ido Alfred Ahlberg, was my Grandfather.
He moved in 1870 to Vaxjo, situated
about 50 km north of Almeboda. He
had 10 children.
Alma 1880-1953
Josef 1881-1963
Clara 1883-1958
Anna 1884-1972
Johan 1886-1962
Hildur 1889-1962
Albert 1890-1980
Nina 1892-1933
Svea 1894-1962
Erik 1898-1982
"It's like stepping back in time." I said to myself. I sat and pondered what life was like for them back in the old country, so many years ago. I continued on with my letter, my excitement mounting with every line I read. Every piece of information sticking in my mind like a piece of history. In a daze I read the names of my ancestors that had preceded me so long before:
Johan Falk, Farmer and Goldsmith
Born: 11-11-1750
Died: 8-6-1828
Ingrid Svensdotter
Born: 1739
Died 1782
Abraham Gisesson
Born 1679
Died 1741
I laid down on the couch and closed my eyes; so many years ago, I thought. What was it like? It seemed like a fairy tale I had so often dreamed of. What would it be like there? Sweden. Rugged country, full of high mountains, thick forests, vast moors and swift moving rivers. Fertile plains and long narrow lakes that lie in deep valleys. I close my eyes and I can feel the soft cool grass on my bare feet. As I walk through the valley, I can feel the cool breeze that drifts off the water as it swiftly makes it trek between the rugged mountains that lie before me. Or feel the chill of the air as the mists roll in off the moors.
Kapitel Fyre
(Chapter Four)
I laid on the soft dew-kissed grass. I saw above me tall towering trees and high mountain peaks. Above them, a sky, so blue and full of billowy white puffs. I closed my eyes. The cool early morning breeze blew softly across my skin, carrying with it the soft sweet fragrances of the meadow.
"God dag, jungfruls fager."
The voice.... I didn't recognize it. Only seconds ago, I was alone. I heard the whinny of a horse. I opened my eyes slowly and turned to see him standing there. His shoulder length hair shinned from the early morning sun, and the breeze swirled it about his fair complected face. His hand reached down towards mine.
"Good day fair maiden. It's a very cool morning for such a beautiful maiden like yourself to be sleeping all alone on a cold damp ground." He helped me to my feet, and took a wrap from the pack that was strapped to his horse. "You must be very chilly. Here, warm yourself." He turned to the three men that accompanied him. "Build a fire, over there by the edge of the forest, so she can warm herself, and prepare some food."
I could tell by his clothing that he was a man of substantial means. He wore tight fitting pants and an elaborate brocade shirt that fitted tightly around his waist with a broad belt, eloquently decorated with gold and precious stones. He had numerous rings on his finger and necklaces of gold hung about his neck and glistened as the sun's rays streamed across them. The flag being carried by one of his horsemen, was most definitely the flag of the King. Was he the Prince? Was he of the Royal Family?
"I'm glad I found you." He spoke softly. "It's not so often when I ride, that I come upon a beautiful maiden lying in the middle of the meadow. My name is Johan Nilsson. I am goldsmith and craftsman to His Majesty King Gustavus I. And you, my Dear, who might you be?"
"My name is Kirsten Svensdotter. My father is a blacksmith in the nearby village of Sala."
Johan reconized the name. For the work of Sven Olofsson the blacksmith from Sala, was well known to him. His excellence as a blacksmith had been of much help, when the Swede's help to lead the revolt against Christian II, and he was ousted from Sweden. The revolt was led by a young noble man, Gustavus Vasa. Sweden achieved it's independence and Gustavus was elected: King Gustavus I. Johan thought to himself, this is indeed a favorable sigh. His majesty being in need of a blacksmith, sends me to search the kingdom, and now, I have come upon the one person that can lead me to the most desirable and talented craftsman in the entire kingdom. Such a man as Sven could be of great service to His Majesty.
Johan took my hand and led me over near the fire so I could warm myself. The early morning air had left a chill on me that went to the bone. The fire felt delightful, and before long, I had warmed myself and had satisfied my hunger with the food that Johan had so graciously shared with me.
"The King has been in need of a blacksmith." Johan turned to me and said. "Do you think your father might be interested in accepting the position? The King would pay him handsomely and he would be well rewarded for his services to the kingdom."
I turned to him and smiled. It was hard to imagine, me and my family part of the royal court, in Royal company. "how far is your village from her?" He stood and walked around the fire and faced me.
"Just a few miles." I answered.
"Let's ride to your Father and ask him what he thinks of the idea."
His men mounted. He took my hand and led me towards his horse. He lifted me onto the back of the shiney black stallion, and then positioned himself in back of me and we started our short trip to Sala.
TO BE CONTINUED
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