1862, Chapter 6

We left our friends on a park bench in 1862 in Wisconsin, with August Kroke admonishing his sister-in-law, Johanna, to cease her "friendship" with Mr. Waggoner. In return, Johanna threatens August.

“I don’t like that Mr. Waggoner at all,” August said, as they settled in the wagon and prepared to leave for the farm, sitting 10 miles distant among vast fields on the blue horizon.

“Oh, Mr. Waggoner? Why, he’s the nicest man I’ve ever met,” said Johanna.

“Really? You realize you’re married, right? To my brother!”

“Yes.”

She was quiet.

Finally she said, “Oh, August, your brother is no good to me or anyone.”

“What do you mean?”

She looked at him incredulously.

“Ever since the war…” she trailed off. “Let’s just say, the war certainly took something from him.”