These Happy Golden Years
Encyclopedia
These Happy Golden Years, by Laura Ingalls Wilder
, was published in 1943 and is the eighth of nine books written in her Little House
series, also known as The Laura Years. This book is based on Laura's adolescence near De Smet, South Dakota
, in the late 19th century, and focuses on Laura's short time as a teacher
and her courtship with her future husband, Almanzo Wilder
.
These Happy Golden Years spans the time period from 1882 to 1885, when Laura marries Almanzo.
is taking Laura 12 miles from home in the dead of winter to her first teaching assignment at Brewster settlement. Laura, only 15 and a schoolgirl herself, is apprehensive as this is both the first time she has left home and the first school she has taught. She is determined to complete her assignment and earn $40 to help her sister Mary
, who is attending Vinton College for the Blind in Iowa.
This first school proves difficult for her. Laura must board with the Brewsters in their two-room claim shanty, sleeping on their sofa. The Brewsters are an unhappy family and Laura is deeply uncomfortable observing the way husband and wife quarrel. In one particularly unsettling incident, she wakes in the night to see Mrs Brewster standing over her husband with a knife. It's a bitterly cold winter, (though not so bad as the winter of 1880-1881, known as the Hard Winter) and neither the claim shanty or the school house can be heated adequately. The children she is teaching, some of whom are older than she is herself, test her skills as a teacher. Laura does become more self-assured as the term continues, and successfully completes the two month term.
To Laura's surprise and delight, homesteader Almanzo Wilder
(with whom she became acquainted in Little Town on the Prairie
) appears at the end of her first week of school in his new two-horse cutter to bring her home for the weekend. Already fond of Laura and wanting to ease her homesickness, Almanzo takes it upon himself to bring her home—once, on a dangerously frigid day when the temperature drops lower than -40° -- and back to school each weekend.
The relationship continues after the school term ends. Sleigh rides give way to buggy rides in the spring, and Laura impresses Almanzo with her willingness to help break his new and often temperamental horses.
Laura's old nemesis Nellie Oleson
makes a brief appearance during two Sunday buggy rides with Almanzo, who later explains to Laura that he only offered Nellie a ride because he felt sorry for her. Nellie's chatter and flirtatious behavior towards Almanzo annoy Laura, who causes the still-skittish horses Almanzo is training to bolt, which terrifies Nellie. Shortly thereafter, Nellie moves back to New York after her family loses their homestead.
In between, Laura's Uncle Tom (Ma's brother) visits the family and tells of his failed venture with a covered wagon brigade seeking gold in the Black Hills. Laura helps out seamstress Mrs. McKee by staying with her and her daughter on their prairie claim for two months to "hold it down" as required by law. The family enjoys summer visits from Mary.
The family finances have improved to the point that Pa can sell a cow to purchase a sewing machine for Ma
. Laura continues to teach and work as a seamstress in town so that the family can afford to buy an organ for Mary to play when she returns home and purchase clothing for herself.
Almanzo invites Laura to attend summer "singing school" with him and her classmates, which they both enjoy. On the last evening of singing school while driving Laura home, Almanzo—who has by now been courting Laura for three years—proposes to Laura. During their next ride, Almanzo presents Laura with a garnet-and-pearl ring and they share their first kiss.
Several months later, after Almanzo has finished building a house on his tree claim, he asks Laura if she would mind getting married within a few days as his sister and mother have their hearts set on a large church wedding, which Pa cannot afford. Laura agrees, and she and Almanzo are married in a simple ceremony by the Reverend Brown. After a wedding dinner with her family, Laura drives away with Almanzo and the newlyweds settle contentedly into their new home.
There is today a small town called Carthage, South Dakota
, located exactly where Laura described the "Brewster Settlement" as being located. It is unclear however, if Carthage grew out of the original Bouchie (Brewster) Settlement.
Nellie Oleson, depicted in this story, is actually two of Laura's rivals: Genevieve Masters (in the schoolhouse passages) and Stella Gilbert (in the passages about the buggy rides with Laura and Almanzo). The news Laura hears near the end of the book, that "Nellie has gone back East", refers to Genevieve Masters.
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder was an American author who wrote the Little House series of books based on her childhood in a pioneer family...
, was published in 1943 and is the eighth of nine books written in her Little House
Little House
-Books, TV, and Song:* "Little House on the Prairie", a series of novels by Laura Ingalls Wilder * Little House on the Prairie , television series based on these novels...
series, also known as The Laura Years. This book is based on Laura's adolescence near De Smet, South Dakota
De Smet, South Dakota
-External links:* * * * *...
, in the late 19th century, and focuses on Laura's short time as a teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
and her courtship with her future husband, Almanzo Wilder
Almanzo Wilder
Almanzo James Wilder was the husband of Laura Ingalls Wilder and father of Rose Wilder Lane, both noted U.S. writers.- Early life :...
.
These Happy Golden Years spans the time period from 1882 to 1885, when Laura marries Almanzo.
Plot summary
As the story begins, PaCharles Ingalls
Charles Phillip Ingalls was the father of Laura Ingalls Wilder, known for her Little House on the Prairie series of books...
is taking Laura 12 miles from home in the dead of winter to her first teaching assignment at Brewster settlement. Laura, only 15 and a schoolgirl herself, is apprehensive as this is both the first time she has left home and the first school she has taught. She is determined to complete her assignment and earn $40 to help her sister Mary
Mary Ingalls
Mary Amelia Ingalls was born near the town of Pepin, Wisconsin. She was the first child of Caroline and Charles Ingalls...
, who is attending Vinton College for the Blind in Iowa.
This first school proves difficult for her. Laura must board with the Brewsters in their two-room claim shanty, sleeping on their sofa. The Brewsters are an unhappy family and Laura is deeply uncomfortable observing the way husband and wife quarrel. In one particularly unsettling incident, she wakes in the night to see Mrs Brewster standing over her husband with a knife. It's a bitterly cold winter, (though not so bad as the winter of 1880-1881, known as the Hard Winter) and neither the claim shanty or the school house can be heated adequately. The children she is teaching, some of whom are older than she is herself, test her skills as a teacher. Laura does become more self-assured as the term continues, and successfully completes the two month term.
To Laura's surprise and delight, homesteader Almanzo Wilder
Almanzo Wilder
Almanzo James Wilder was the husband of Laura Ingalls Wilder and father of Rose Wilder Lane, both noted U.S. writers.- Early life :...
(with whom she became acquainted in Little Town on the Prairie
Little Town on the Prairie
Little Town on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder, was first published in 1941 and is the seventh of nine books written in her Little House series, also known as "The Laura Years." The book is set in De Smet, South Dakota...
) appears at the end of her first week of school in his new two-horse cutter to bring her home for the weekend. Already fond of Laura and wanting to ease her homesickness, Almanzo takes it upon himself to bring her home—once, on a dangerously frigid day when the temperature drops lower than -40° -- and back to school each weekend.
The relationship continues after the school term ends. Sleigh rides give way to buggy rides in the spring, and Laura impresses Almanzo with her willingness to help break his new and often temperamental horses.
Laura's old nemesis Nellie Oleson
Nellie Oleson
Nellie Oleson is a fictional character that appeared in the children's books written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Her character was later adapted for the NBC television show, Little House on the Prairie. She also stars in the book Nellie Oleson Meets Laura Ingalls, by Heather Williams.Nellie was a...
makes a brief appearance during two Sunday buggy rides with Almanzo, who later explains to Laura that he only offered Nellie a ride because he felt sorry for her. Nellie's chatter and flirtatious behavior towards Almanzo annoy Laura, who causes the still-skittish horses Almanzo is training to bolt, which terrifies Nellie. Shortly thereafter, Nellie moves back to New York after her family loses their homestead.
In between, Laura's Uncle Tom (Ma's brother) visits the family and tells of his failed venture with a covered wagon brigade seeking gold in the Black Hills. Laura helps out seamstress Mrs. McKee by staying with her and her daughter on their prairie claim for two months to "hold it down" as required by law. The family enjoys summer visits from Mary.
The family finances have improved to the point that Pa can sell a cow to purchase a sewing machine for Ma
Caroline Ingalls
Caroline Ingalls, born Caroline Lake Quiner was the mother of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the Little House books.-Biography:...
. Laura continues to teach and work as a seamstress in town so that the family can afford to buy an organ for Mary to play when she returns home and purchase clothing for herself.
Almanzo invites Laura to attend summer "singing school" with him and her classmates, which they both enjoy. On the last evening of singing school while driving Laura home, Almanzo—who has by now been courting Laura for three years—proposes to Laura. During their next ride, Almanzo presents Laura with a garnet-and-pearl ring and they share their first kiss.
Several months later, after Almanzo has finished building a house on his tree claim, he asks Laura if she would mind getting married within a few days as his sister and mother have their hearts set on a large church wedding, which Pa cannot afford. Laura agrees, and she and Almanzo are married in a simple ceremony by the Reverend Brown. After a wedding dinner with her family, Laura drives away with Almanzo and the newlyweds settle contentedly into their new home.
Historical background
The actual name of "Lew Brewster" was Louis Bouchie. He was a distant relative of Mr. Boast, a good friend of the Ingalls who appears in several of the books. Louis Bouchie and Nellie Oleson were the only two disguised names Laura used in her books, as Nellie and Louis Bouchie's wife were both unpleasant people, and Laura wished to respect their privacy.There is today a small town called Carthage, South Dakota
Carthage, South Dakota
Carthage is a city in Miner County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 144 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Carthage is located at ....
, located exactly where Laura described the "Brewster Settlement" as being located. It is unclear however, if Carthage grew out of the original Bouchie (Brewster) Settlement.
Nellie Oleson, depicted in this story, is actually two of Laura's rivals: Genevieve Masters (in the schoolhouse passages) and Stella Gilbert (in the passages about the buggy rides with Laura and Almanzo). The news Laura hears near the end of the book, that "Nellie has gone back East", refers to Genevieve Masters.