The Nels and Harriet Story

This is the story of Nels Oleson and Harriet Thorvald and the events that led to their meeting, falling in love, marrying, moving to Walnut Grove, and having children.

Chapter One

"Birthday Girl"

Early August, 1855

Once again, Catherine unpinned her daughter's hair, although more roughly this time than before.

"If you would just hold still, Harriet" she said "I could get this right!"

As her mother picked up the hairbrush and began using it forcefully, the young woman sitting in the chair in front of the vanity simmered. "It's hurts!" she cried. Her glare reflected back at her. "Must you brush it so hard Mama?" she demanded.

Catherine pursed her lips. "I want your hair to shine. You must look your best, tonight. Do not forget what is what is at stake."

"I won't," said Harriet to her mother. "You certainly have reminded me enough. But it is my birthday. Why must we do this today?"

"Because the summer is almost over," said Catherine. "Besides," she said as she began to pin Harriet's bun for a third time "there will be young men there who are starting at the local college. Some we have never met before. I want you to be on your best behavior for them."

"Yes, Mama," was all Harriet muttered.

Catherine worked in silence styling Harriet's hair and then she adorned each side of Harriet's head with a white lily. She smiled at her handiwork.

"There. You're beautiful dear," Catherine leaned down to hug her daughter.
"Please promise me that you will actually greet the guests, and dance at least once with every unattached young man there."

"Yes, Mama," said Harriet sighed.

"That's my girl."

Sometimes Harriet Thorvald hated summers. Summertime meant warm weather and not having to bury beautiful clothes under winter furs, but it also meant more duties to help the family. Every summer, the Thorvalds took a "summer home" in a small mansion at a reduced rent, in exchange for the upkeep and William handling some finances for the owners. This meant tea parties, dinners, and socials with the surrounding neighbors as it was expected that those who stayed in the neighborhood…socialized with the neighborhood.

"Well," said Catherine. "You are ready. Let us go and make sure everything is in order downstairs."

…

At the bottom the staircase stood a stout man with thick, dark hair and glasses. He admired his daughter proudly as she descended the steps. "My little Harriet," he said as she approached him. He touched the bottom of her chin affectionately. "Happy birthday," he said holding out a small box.

"Oh Papa!" Harriet cried. "Another present?" She grabbed it and tore the ribbon off tossing the wrapping to the ground.

Catherine picked up the ribbon and wrapping and stood behind her daughter and husband watching them intently.

Harriet opened the lid to the small box. "Ruby earrings! Oh Papa!" she gasped as she put the lid back on the box and threw her arms around William Thorvald. "I'll wear my red dress tomorrow so I can show them off!" She turned and ran to put them away in her bedroom, squealing excitedly as she did.

William chuckled softly to himself. "I'm sure you'll enjoy them," he said quietly.

Catherine looked at William long and hard. "For heaven's sake, William," she said in a reproachful whisper.

"Our other two children also get more than one birthday gift," he replied.

"But only half their father's enthusiasm," she retorted,.

...

"Oh, the place looks quite lovely," said Mrs. Danforth. "Of course your mother doesn't quite have Tilly's touch," she replied.

Tallulah Walters, was the woman whose husband owned the house the Thorvalds were staying at for the summer. Every summer the Mr. and Mrs. Walters would travel, and every summer for the last six years, the Thorvalds had rented the mansion.

Harriet's lips were pressed thinly together by this time. She had had quite enough of these comments for a lifetime.

"Well I forget myself," said Mrs. Danforth shoving a present into Harriet's hands. "Happy birthday, Harriet, dear. To be eighteen again!" sighed Mrs. Danforth as an afterthought before turning away.

I'm sure that was a long time ago, you old bat! Harriet thought as she smiled insincerely. After Mrs. Danforth left, Harriet turned to her father and grimaced. He chuckled at her inability to hide the disgusted look on her face.

"I think you've had enough, my dear," he said. "Why don't you go enjoy the guests who actually were the age of eighteen in the last ten years or so?" Harriet snickered at that. "I'm sure your mother can help me with the hosting duties, if she's so inclined."

"Thank you, Papa," she said and practically skipped away. She was immediately beckoned over by two young women, May and Abigail Bellmont.

"Harriet!" May cried eagerly. "We were wondering when your father would let you have some fun!"

"It was Mama," said Harriet. "She wanted me to greet the guests. She says now that I'm a woman, I must learn how to host a party."

Abigail tried not to snort but was unsuccessful.

"How was Europe?" said Harriet eagerly.

"Oh you know the same old thing," said Abigail waving a hand. "Well I guess you wouldn't know," said Abigail. "You'll have to go one day."

"They have the most amazing thoroughbreds," said May. "I rode one from Saudi Arabia."

"But that's not in Europe," said Harriet slowly.

"Silly Harriet," said May. "They imported it! Really! I don't know why your father doesn't allow someone to take you to Europe, unless he decides take you himself of course." May smirked knowing full well that Europe, a trip that would require being gone for months, was out of the Thorvalds' reach.

May and Abigail laughed before turning away to approach two young men they saw walking by.

Harriet lowered her head embarrassed, but then steeled herself as she found her resolve. She headed for the food table.

As Harriet was about to reach for a cookie. a voice said, "Is that really wise Harriet when you're having birthday cake later?"

Harriet took her hand away from the platter of cookies and turned towards the voice.

"Hello, Miriam," she responded primly. Miriam Knowlton was twenty-six, and very slender, even after becoming the mother of twins. She was a cousin of Harriet's and processed a trimmer figure than many women years younger than her, including those who had never given birth. What she doesn't possess is humility, Harriet thought. Miriam reveled in the fact that her Auntie Catherine had told Harriet she should aspire to be more like Miriam.

"Really, Harriet," said Miriam softly. "I'm just looking out for you," she replied. "Unfortunately, you take your figure from your father's side and as Auntie Cathy says, only a man can let his waistline go."

Harriet put her hand on her stomach defensively. She had a good figure, but she was not quite as trim as others. According to Miriam, Harriet was "five pounds away from needing a corset attached permanently". Harriet supposed her sweet tooth was to blame, but she frankly didn't care.

"Air, Harriet, air," Miriam continued. "As I always say, you must live, breathe, and eat air to keep those wretched pounds away."

"I think a bit too much of that air has gone to your head," said a decidedly male voice.

Miriam glanced at the new source of conversation and glared. "Impudent! Impudent!" she cried shaking her first at him before stalking off.

"Oh Sterling, you've rescued me again!" Harriet cried.

Sterling Murdoch, another cousin of Harriet's, was only a year younger than her, and closer in age to her than her own brother, Patrick. As children, they had been almost inseparable. Sterling would soon be leaving town to go off to college in Chicago with dreams of someday owning his own newspaper.

"Harriet!" he said hugging her. "Happy birthday! How are things?" he said smiling knowingly at his cousin through his spectacles.

"Oh the usual," Harriet muttered quietly to him as he handed her the cookie Miriam tried to prevent her from eating. She took a huge bite of it and spoke with her mouth full. "Mama and Papa thought they'd use my birthday as a chance to play host to these uppity toads."

"Decidedly unfair," said Sterling.

"Yes," Harriet agreed swallowing. "It's my birthday, I should be able to do what I want," she declared.

"Harriet!" said a voice in a sharp whisper.

"Hello Sterling," said Catherine. She approached and snatched the cookie out of Harriet's hand, giving it back to Sterling. She hooked her arm through Harriet's arm. Several feet behind her, Miriam was smiling triumphantly; it was clear she had tracked down Catherine herself. Catherine looked at her young cousin Sterling. "I'm sorry but Harriet has duties she must attend to tonight. Now if you'll excuse us," she said smiling tensely.

"Of course Auntie Cathy," Sterling replied, using the half-eaten cookie to wave to Catherine's retreating figure. Harriet smiled apologetically at him as she was pulled away.

Catherine took Harriet to one side, nodded in satisfaction as she realized there were no cookie crumbs on Harriet's mouth or dress, and talked to her daughter in hushed tones. "I know you and Sterling were close as children, but you are a young woman now and Sterling is a young man. You two can no longer afford to behave like the common ragamuffins you once did. You must distance yourself from your cousin."

"Mama!" Harriet protested. She was silenced with one look from her mother.

"And what did I tell you about tonight?" Catherine continued. "It is important that we impress. If your father can convince more of these people to invest their money at his bank-"

"I know," said Harriet. "I know, Mama".

Catherine nodded. "Now join your Father," she said pushing Harriet in his direction.

William Thorvald was talking to a silver-haired man.

"Ah," said the silvered-haired man. "There's the birthday girl now. Hello Harriet."

"Mr. Ullton," Harriet said curtseying. He handed her a small gift.

"So," said William quickly as Harriet put the gift on the table behind her. "You will consider it. I think we could take very good care of your investments-"

"Yes, yes" said Ullton quickly. "We'll see how I enjoy myself tonight first William, hmm?"

"Yes of course," William said quickly and apologetically. Ullton left.

Harriet's dark eyebrows settled into a deep scowl. She hated to see her father grovel so.

Her mood was lifted when the next two guests arrived.

"Patrick! Olivia!" she cried hugging the woman.

"Hello Father," said Patrick to William.

"Patrick," William nodded at his son. Neither made a move.

Harriet's brother Patrick had just arrived with his finance Olivia. Harriet had not seen much of her brother lately,

"Happy birthday Harriet," he said planning a kiss on her cheek and a gift in her hands.

"It is from both of us," explained Olivia. She looked around. "Where is Vicki?".

"Oh, you know Vicki" said Harriet of her little sister. "With your engagement party to my brother, and my birthday party, Vicki's angry there haven't been any parties focusing on her lately."

Olivia shook her head and smiled. "I'll talk to her," she said handing for the staircase and up to Victoria's room. Patrick noticed someone calling for him. "Excuse me, Papa, Harriet," he said walking off.

"Ah your brother, no time for us these days," said William to Harriet.

The next two guests arrived. One was a man of around William's age, and the other a gentleman of no more than twenty.

"Gerald!" said William happy to see his friend. They exchanged a hearty hug. Gerald Simmons, a widower, was one of the few true friends William had in these social circles.

"Happy birthday, Harriet" Gerald said warmly as he handed her a gift. "William, Harriet, I'd like both of you to meet my nephew Russell Harmon. He'll be staying with me as he goes to college over the next four years. Russell, this is my dear friend William and Harriet Thorvald, his daughter."

Harriet smiled and looked into the warm brown eyes of Russell Harmon. He returned her smile shyly. "Miss Thorvald," he said quietly.

"Mr. Harmon," she responded.

They looked at each other a bit more before Russell remembered himself. "Oh Mr. Thorvald it's nice to meet you as well, sir" he said shaking hands with William. He hurriedly headed towards the hors d'oeuvres. William and Gerald exchanged a knowing look.

"Well I think you can join in the dancing now Harriet," said William. "I'm sure most of the guests have arrived."

…

As the "birthday girl" Harriet was able to dance with all the eligible young men in attendance that night, but although many acknowledged she was beautiful, they either were not interested in the daughter of a social-climbing investment bank officer, or just weren't interested n Harriet herself, at least in the fashion Catherine was looking for. After the cake was served and the gifts opened, more dancing occurred.

Harriet took a break from dancing to catch her breath. She was taking a sip of some lemonade when Russell Harmon approached.

"Oh Mr. Harmon," said Harriet putting her drink down.

"Oh please," said Russell. "We are the same age. Call me Russell."

"Very well," said Harriet, her eyes shining, "Russell."

"I wanted to apologize to you," he said.

"Whatever for?" said Harriet.

"My Uncle Gerald did not tell me ahead of time that I would be attending a birthday party my first night in town. If I had known, I would have gotten you a gift."

"Oh," said Harriet shaking her head. "It is quite all right."

"I was um…wondering Harriet," Russell continued. "If your dance card isn't full-"

"It's not," interjected Harriet. In fact it was quite empty. Out of the corner of her eye, Harriet could see her mother Catherine talking earnestly with the two young men that May and Abigail Bellmont had chased easier. Catherine was gesturing in Harriet's direction. Neither man looked too enthused at the prospect of dancing a second time with Harriet.

"Could I possibly have the next dance?" Russell asked.

"Yes, you can," said Harriet. And he had the four final dances of the night after that.

…

That night Harriet sat her nightgown humming to herself as she brushed her dark wavy hair.

There was a light knock before Catherine came in, closing the door behind her.

"The party went very well," Catherine announced. Harriet nodded her agreement.

"I think your father may have finally gotten through to Mr. Ullton. Of course, you played no small part in that." She took over brushing Harriet's hair.

"What do you mean?" Harriet asked.

"Five dances with Russell Harmon," said Catherine. "You know how respected his uncle is in this town," said Catherine. "If Gerald Simmons can get through to those gentleman, they may invest all their money in your father's bank. Then maybe finally William will be promoted to management."

"Yes, I know that's what Papa wants," said Harriet.

"It would be a good thing for all of us," said Catherine. "We would be able to live in a place like this all year long." She smiled at Harriet's dark hair, so unlike her fine flaxen locks, but very much like William's dark brown hair.

"I hear Mr. Harmon is studying theology," Catherine said. "He wants to be a lawyer," she said.

"A church lawyer?" Harriet asked bewilderedly.

"Well, churches have money too," said Catherine as she finished rolling the front Harriet's hair into rags. "Even the Lord's money needs to be protected."

"I suppose," said Harriet.

"He comes from a good family," Catherine continued. "His mother is a window now, but Mrs. Bellmont told me his father owned stock in the railroad and left his wife…quite comfortable, shall we say."

"I am sorry about Russell's Papa," said Harriet softly.

Catherine arched a blonde eyebrow. "Russell, is it? You are on first-name basis with him already. I am pleased with your progress." Harriet had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. "Yes," said Catherine re-iterated, "I am pleased you made the acquaintance of young Mr. Harmon." She kissed her daughter on the cheek and left the room, shutting the door behind her.

Harriet smiled at herself in the mirror and she carefully tied a kerchief to hold the rags in place. "Yes Mama," said Harriet softly. "So am I."

References to the television show

1. Harriet's maiden name of "Thorvald" comes from the episode "Doctor's Lady".

2. In "The Campout" Harriet mentions having a brother.

3. In "The Creeper of Walnut Grove", Harriet's sister Victoria is mentioned.

4. Miriam is Harriet's cousin who appears at the end of "To See The Light, Part 2"

5. Sterling Murdoch is Harriet's cousin from the episode "Harriet's Happenings"

6. Russell Harmon appears in "The Preacher Takes A Wife".