“Johansson, load up those tools,” William yelled across the yard. “We are going to the lumber yard first before we head to a new job southwest of here. It’s going to be a long ride to this new job site. Mr. Gross, the builder, (*) is starting a new land development and we want to get there as early as possible.”
It was before dawn when Olof had arrived at the Carlson’s. William was already up and getting ready for the week’s work. He and William would be spending the week at a site near a more southern branch of the Des Plaines River.
“William,” Elsa called as she carried two baskets toward the wagon, “I have packed some food supplies for you and Olof.” William took the baskets from his wife and loaded them onto the truck. “There is another box of staples on the back porch along with some bedding blankets.”
“Elsa, you’d think we were going on exhibition with ‘Lewis and Clark’ the way you are packing up supplies. We won’t have any room for lumber.” William huffed.
“Oh, stop fussing,” Elsa kissed his cheek. “I will miss you this week too, but don’t worry. Mr. Youngdahl next door will help me if I need anything and you know my friends from Svea Club will look in on me.”
William was worried about leaving Elsa alone for so long since she was carrying their first child. This new job was important to him because he wanted to make enough money so he could raise their new baby. He also wanted to make enough money so he could buy another truck to expand his business.
Olof walked up to the couple. He took off his cap and said, “Elsa, may I ask you a favor?”
William took the baskets his wife had prepared and walked to the wagon.
“Hurry up now Johansson,” William barked at Olof.
“Mr. Johansson, What can I do for you?” Elsa asked surprised at his familiarity.
“Would you invite Fraken Nilsson and me to visit you on Sunday after church? I would like to see her but we are not sure of what customs are best in this country.” A blush rose up Olof’s cheeks as he talked to Elsa.
Elsa smiled at Olof and teased him. “Why Mr. Johansson, you are smitten with Ester.” Then she said, “Please know, you and Ester are very welcome to our home on Sunday. Should I tell her you will be there?”
A silly smile rose over Olof’s slim face. “Yaj, tack sa mycket, tack sa mycket!” Now I have something to look forward to this week.”
Elsa laughed with Olof at his joy.
William called sternly, “Johansson, we have a long ride, let’s go.”
“Yaj, Yaj, Yaj, I’m coming.” Olof called back as he ran to the wagon.
Elsa watched as they pulled out of the yard to the street. It was going to be a long week for her too, missing William, still she would enjoy sharing the news with Ester and planning for her and Olof to visit.
Ester knocked on the door at Elsa’s home. She waited and waited and knocked again. Now getting worried, she turned the door knob to see if it was open, thinking she could call for Elsa if she could enter. Suddenly the door opened.
“Hej, Ester.” Elsa greeted her friend with surprise.
“Elsa, I’m so glad to see you.” Ester responded in Swedish as she approached Elsa to hug her. “How are you feeling?”
“Come in Ester. I am tired and throwing up like any other pregnant woman in her first few months. With William being away for the week, I’m also a little worried.”
“So that’s why you weren’t at the Svea Club class this week. I was worried. I missed talking to you before class,” Ester replied.
“So kind of you to check on me, min van. (my friend) Come into the kitchen we have much to talk about. Would you like coffee?” Elsa smiled leading Ester into the kitchen.
“Coffee would be fine. I was baking all day at the Petter’s for a dinner they are planning for lordag (Saturday) which made me hungry for sweets.”
“I have pepparkokar (ginger cookies),” Elsa offered.
Elsa put the water on for coffee while Ester enjoyed the cookies.
“Now that I finally decided what I should do about my baby girl. I wrote to my brother and sent the papers for her adoption. She will still be in my life as min brors dotter.” Ester sighed.
“You are so strong and brave, Ester. It was a difficult decision but you seem content that you are doing what is right.”
“Elsa, I don’t think I will ever have a harder decision to make in my life again,” Ester said taking a sip of the coffee Elsa poured.
“I have something happy to tell you.” Elsa said.
“Good, I need that now. Tell me, tell me,” Ester said excitedly.
“Olof Johansson asked me to invite you to our home on Sunday so he could keep company with you.”
“Oh!” Ester laughed putting her hands over her face. Then Elsa started laughing, too.
After they both caught their breath and stopped laughing,” Elsa said, “Do you think you want to come?”
Ester nodded her head up and down, just smiling, then she said with a gasp, “I didn’t get to tell you about last Sunday after Church when Olof walked me home. We didn’t go straight home but stopped on the beach and he got some food and drink for us from the street vendor.”
Elsa raised her eyebrows and smiled as she listened to Ester tell her about Olof.
“He told me about his life in Sweden and why he came to America. We got so comfortable talking about home, we forgot the time. Almost the entire afternoon was gone before we knew it. After we got to the Chalberg’s street he told me he didn’t know the custom for meeting ladies in America but he would find the correct way so he could continue to see me. I should have known he would talk to you and William.”
“Ester, I don’t know what the Chalbergs would expect, but I don’t think it’s complicated in America for young men and woman to be together as long as they are respectful. William and I are happy to have you and Olof, our friends, visit our home. Let’s plan what we will do next Sunday.”
William and Olof road northwest on the old Indian Trail (now Oakton Street) to the River, then they followed the river south to their worksite. It would take them almost all day to drive the 22 or so miles. As they went west there was less and less traffic on the country roads. The day was pleasant so their ride was no trouble.
“What did you ask Elsa?” William asked.
“Just wanted to know if she could invite Froken Nilsson for a visit on Sunday.”
William burst out into a loud laugh followed by, “Oh, hej, Johansson, you are in trouble!”
Olof laughed with William.
“Olof, I am so happy now to become a father. I hope you find happiness, too.” William said. “Listen, this new housing development is a good opportunity for both of us. Gross sells the houses before they are built, and since he gives the buyers good terms, he should sell lots of houses which will benefit us, too. He’s been doing this since 1871, after the great fire, to replace homes for the workers. Gross says ‘the rich build those tall buildings downtown, but I build beyond the ‘fire zone’ so the workers can have homes they can afford without all the restrictions from the new building codes’. Gross makes it good for carpenters who are willing to work outside of Chicago.”
“Someday I hope to have a house too.” Olof said.
When they got to the site, there were makeshift tents set up for the workmen. They unloaded their lumber at the stock pile storage tent and the foreman greeted them.
“Hey, Carlson, glad to see you made it here before too late in the day. You are on time for a half day shift. You and your helper can start on House one, just down the block. If you work fast you should be done by the end of the week.”
“Mr. McNicholas,” William said, “This is Olof Johansson. He’s been working with me for several months now and he has good skills.”
“That’s fine. We need good workmen to get this job done. Welcome, Mr. Johnson!” McNicholas said as he extended his hand to Olof.
As they got their tools and walked to House one William said, “McNicholas is a blustery Irishman but he is a good foreman. I worked with him last year on another Gross construction site.”
They had more daylight with the long days still in season so they got right to work.
At night the men camped in the tents near the woods next to the tents where they slept. Big cooking fires lit the area while they eat and drank, relaxing after a long day’s work.
“Carlson!” McNicholas called across the camp as he approached him. “We got lots of work done today. The houses are coming along. Good framing. Tomorrow the lath and plaster workers will start on the walls.”
“How many houses are planned?” William asked.
“Now there’s a question I’d like to be knowin’ the answer to.” McNicholas roared. “Haven’t gotten the final number from the big boss yet. We will finish up what’s started for now. There are plots for several more foundations, but we need to wait and see.”
McNicholas walked on to greet the other workers in the camp. William and Olof settled into their tent for the night.