Sleeping in the Servant's Quarters

"The drivers were acquainted with the servants at the hotel and intended to ask them to house the wayfarers. With a few words of praise and perhaps a "drink or so" they hoped this could be accomplished. But to our dismay (or perhaps good fortune) the servants had gone to a dance. During this time we sat in the wagons with our sleeping children. Finally they found one who could unlock a door for us which revealed a room with a couple of empty beds. This room was given to us two women and children.

We entered this strange cold room, tired and discouraged, after a long hard day and half a night in a wagon, over rough, muddy, uneven roads. We put the children on the bed without undressing them. We, too, stretched out across the bed without removing our garments. Where the rest of the party got lodging we did not know. We had slept a little while when we were awakened by loud singing and talking. It was those returning from the party in a not too sober condition!

What would happen now when they found their room occupied by strangers? But there our drivers were again, talking to them, asking their pardon for the intrusion, explaining the situation to them, and I imagine gave them a tip or so, because we were not disturbed for the remainder of the night."

Excerpt from Sigrid's account of her journey to America, written in 1919.