The Icelandic Canadian - 01.06.2005, Blaðsíða 35

Vol. 59 #4
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
161
outcome is always peaceful. She is very
knowledgeable, sensible, and religious. We
enjoy each other's company, but we are too
different to become close friends. Rannveig
is in good health and cheerful, but quiet.
She is probably very reserved and single
minded, but she is highly intelligent. At
first she seems rather cold, but I am sure
that she is warm-hearted. Since we came
here she has been like the best of mothers
to our children, and they love her like
“uncle and aunt.” My dear children devel-
op nicely. I can see very clearly how their
mental growth increases each day. My wife
and I often wish that they could have the
opportunity to see you once in a while. My
brother Fridbjorn is staying with us, and
we have a maid - so there are not too many
people here yet, but we expect an engineer
and a sawyer to work in the mill. These
men will have their meals here, making it
sort of crowded. That condition is not
going to last long, though, since Mrs.
Jonasson and Mrs. Holm move to
Winnipeg soon after the two men come.
I dislike the fact that I only get mail
and papers now and then. I certainly hope
that the government grants a permit for
mail delivery here to Modruvellir every
two weeks. My father serves as a postmas-
ter in Gimli for me.
This winter has been very bad: snow,
frost, and storms throughout the northern
part of the U. S. A. resulting in great diffi-
culties in some regions, especially concern-
ing firewood. You have probably read
about all this in the Norwegian papers.
Bjornstjerne Bjornsson (i.e. a Norwegian
writer) has been travelling there this win-
ter. His countrymen have lost a lot of
respect for him. It is a pity that the man is
not a Christian. He has declared himself
non-Christian.
The Printing Company of New
Iceland is currently idle. The board of
directors has been asked to sell the press or
lease it to someone willing to publish a
paper for Icelanders. Icelanders in America
must not be without a paper. Many are
realizing the truth of this opinion of mine.
It is, however, doubtful that such a publi-
cation can be operated at a profit. Why
don't you think about this matter, my
friend, and then tell me about your conclu-
sion.
The weather is good these days. The
temperature is 40 - 50 degrees F, and the
earth is coming alive. This colony has not
seen any food shortage this winter, but
there has been a lack of hay. Many farmers
are keeping many head of cattle, some of
which are totally valueless, and some of
which have starved to death. There is plen-
ty of fish these days.
None seems to care too much about
social activities - each one is just thinking
of himself.
Dear friends, I ask that you pardon this
insignificant note and please, think of us as
often as you can. My wife sends you her
best, and the children, say: “God owns our
aunt and uncle.” I ask God to give you
peace and happiness forever.
Your friend,
Fridjon Fridriksson
1. This is famous verse from an equally
famous poem called Ferdalok by Jonas
Hallgrimsson.
Letter 23
Modruvellir, New Iceland
August 11, 1881
Dearest Friend:
I find myself sitting at your editorial
desk at Modruvellir. Reminding me of
many happy moments with you, their
owner, the chair and desk vicariously bring
me closer to you. Well, I have come here to
Modruvellir of my own free will and gov-
erned by my common sense which is still
the same as ever. I point this out to you,
especially to you my dear friend, to prevent
you from being worried about my having
taken leave of my senses. I and my family
like it here very much. I have never in my
life been more happy. It is not that I have
everything here, I am never in this life
going to have everything, but here I cer-
tainly have a great deal. I can feel Almighty
God watching over me, the Saviour often
comes to me, God's sky is above me and all