A.C. Erdahl correspondence

2214 East 34 Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 19, 1932.

My dear Mrs. Rolvaag, --

I am enclosing express order for $25.00. Most of the money that I expected to get the latter part of the week I did not then get. I will, however, have it by Wednesday or Thursday and I will send the rest of the $114.00 so that you will get it before next Sunday. Most likely I will have it in a day or two, and I will hurry it off at once to you.

As I have said before, I shall do my utmost to have loan paid as soon as I possibly can.

Yours respectfully,

A. C. Erdahl

[M]rs. O. E. Rolvaag [North]field, M[inne]sota

2214 East 34 Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, July 8, 1932.

Mrs. O. E. Rolvaag, Northfield, Minnesota.

My dear Mrs. Rolvaag:

I have your letter of recent date. I know that my promises have not been kept; but I know also that they have been made in good faith, and I certainly felt a few weeks ago that I would have the $100.00 plus interest when school closed. I had what seemed a very reasonable assurance that from one source I would get $125.00 and from another $100.00. First just

as school closed I did not get the $125.00, and a week later I did not get the $100.00. Things have happened the last year, -- in fact since Easter, that have scarcely happened before in my life. Four parties to whom I owed some money, -- in most cases not much, threatened to sue if I did not pay. And to get into legal trouble for a teacher in Minneapolis is apt to be fatal to his tenure as a teacher in the Minneapolis schools. And so I have had to scratch and worry, and am at present not so far from a nervous wreck on account of it. The problem referred to had to be satisfied in this way that they were paid in part, -- a couple of small

accounts in full. And I have gone to, I think, much further extremes in trying to get money to pay creditors than most people would have done. I have tried to be honest, and I have done my utmost. As I believe I told you before, we lost a few thousand dollars a few years ago -- like so many other people -- and since last Christmas and especially since Easter life has not seemed worth living because of several merciless demands.

You remind me [of?] that interest bears interest when not paid when due. The first time I paid interest to Professor Rolvaag I sent interest on interest. He wrote back and said he did not want that, and told me to send so much less the next time I sent interest. However, it is only right that interest on

interest -- or compound interest -- is paid, and I will be glad to do that.

In short, all has been meant honestly and in good faith. Moreover, my family are -- so-to-speak -- on the racks as a result of the last year's depression. The future looks dark. I have an unshaken faith, though, that before long I shall have paid you in full. I shall try to send as quick and frequently as I can during the months immediately ahead payments. And I certainly have talked to both private people and banks about getting loans so that I could pay you and others.

I cannot do anything else than to pray for mercy for me and mine, and to assure you before God that I am doing my best.

With kindest regards, I am,

Yours sincerely,

A. C. Erdahl