American Girl

Minnesota

They came from Norway to begin a new life. Jensyn Larson liked the way Bryne said Minnesota. It sounded musical to his ears. Their land spread out wide before them. Predominantly prairie, a small creek ran through a plum thicket along the north border. Jensyn built a sod house on the rise and planned to farm corn and wheat.

The Larsons were young and newly married. They traveled a great distance to begin their new life. Norway seemed long ago and far away to seventeen-year-old Bryne. She missed her family, her father and mother, and younger sister, Ingrid. A long time would pass before she saw them again.

Mama didn't want Bryne to leave home. She thought her daughter was too young. It took a lot of persuading, but the young couple finally left Norway for America. They traveled to New York, then by train to the frontier. Jensyn purchased a covered wagon and a pair of horses before they crossed the Mississippi into Minnesota.

The flat land looked different from the Norwegian fjords. Bryne shaded her eyes and gazed into the far distance. She had never seen land as flat as Minnesota's. Besides the small creek, there was no water in sight. Until Jensyn dug a well, they hauled water from the creek for cooking and washing.

"It is different, ja?" Jensyn asked, encircling Bryne's slim waist. He pulled her close as they surveyed the land together.

"Different, ja," Bryne agreed. She leaned her head against her husband's shoulder.

"We will make our family here. We will farm the land and become part of the community, ja?" Jensyn looked forward to his new life. To him, it was an adventure.

"Ja."

Bryne lifted the bucket and walked through the prairie grass toward the plum thicket. She squatted by the creek and played her hand in the clear water. It was a hot day, but the thicket provided shade. Taking off her shoes, she placed them on a rock and waded. The water was cool and refreshing. As she walked, the creek widened. It meandered through the thicket and eventually opened into a small lake. She wondered if the lake was their property, also. She would ask Jensyn when she returned to the sod house.

"Hello," a voice called while Bryne stood at the lake's edge.

Bryne turned to smile at the newcomer. A tall, blonde youth strolled toward her. He had broad shoulders and muscular arms. He stood beside her.

"Are you from the Swanson property? We heard someone just bought it," the boy asked.

"Ja. Yes," Bryne stated, remembering to speak in English.

"I'm Sven Jorgensen," her companion stated. "I live yonder." He indicated the direction with a nod.

"Bryne Larson," she introduced herself. "My husband and I purchased the Swanson property."

"We came here three years ago," Sven continued warmly. "There's Papa, Mama, me—I'm the oldest—Lars and Tyra. We go to school in town. You have children, ja?"

"No, not yet." Bryne smiled, contemplating her future family. "Soon, maybe."

Sven nodded knowingly. He repeated, "Soon, maybe," and chuckled.

"Jensyn and I will visit your Papa and Mama soon." Bryne kept her welcoming smile. "It is comforting to have close neighbors."

"Ja," Sven agreed.

When Bryne returned along the creek, she found Jensyn waiting for her. At first, she didn't see him. He leaned against a tree in the shadows. When he moved slightly, she noticed him and rushed forward.

"I've met a neighbor," she exclaimed, falling into his welcoming arms. "He seems nice."

"You must have met one of the Jorgensen's," Jensyn stated. "They are good people, ja?"