Lies of Omission by Kathleen Ernst

Author:Kathleen Ernst [Kathleen Ernst]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Level Best Books
Published: 2021-10-29T00:00:00+00:00

Hanneke regarded her laborious translation with gritty eyes. The last paragraph of the translated letter was both the most interesting—and the most infuriating. M. must have been a good friend, for he’d confirmed what no one in Watertown admitted to knowing: that life had been ‘so difficult’ for Fridolin. But Hanneke had no way to identify or find M. The return address on the envelope said simply ‘Milwaukee.’

The reference to the ironworks seemed to be of no particular importance. M. sounded as if he was merely asking Fridolin to do him the favor of passing along the extra parcel to this Mr. Rutherford. It didn’t seem likely that Rutherford would be able to help. Nonetheless, she had to follow every strand that might lead back to Fridolin’s death. Perhaps I can find him, Hanneke thought. Perhaps he’ll talk with me.

The rest of the short letter held no promise. Fridolin had ordered paper and paint from a friend in Milwaukee. She had assumed that the two gorgeously bound books he’d given her had been made earlier, while he was still working in Milwaukee, but perhaps not. She’d seen his bookbinding tools still packed carefully in the farmhouse attic. Fridolin had clearly not been a comfortable farmer. Maybe turning his old trade into a hobby had brought him some satisfaction. If that had been the case, some part of her still cared enough to be glad for him.

And at least Fridolin had evidently had one friend to turn to. She didn’t recall anything to suggest that Fridolin had been a particularly religious man—certainly not as overt a Christian as his friend M. appeared to be. But if faith, or this mysterious friend, had given Fridolin some comfort in his last troubled days…well, for those things too, Hanneke was glad. Even if anger still quivered inside her heart like a plucked violin string.

She turned a page in the blank book. Focusing on her feelings would accomplish nothing. She needed to consider the facts that she’d learned since arriving in Watertown. She picked up her pencil again and started an inventory.

Fridolin arrived in Wisconsin in 1850; worked as a bookbinder in Milwaukee until 1853; came to Watertown and bought an established farm on Plum Grove Road.

His sister Christine emigrated with him and kept house for him in Milwaukee, and later at the farm.

He had a good friend in Milwaukee, “M,” with whom he was still in contact.

He still engaged in at least occasional bookbinding, perhaps as a hobby, since his farming skills were limited.

He spent leisure time at the Buena Vista, favored tavern of Germantown’s Forty-Eighters and Latin farmers.

By all accounts he was liked and respected in Watertown.

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