© Anna-Karin 2003
Kirschtalburg may 25 1769
Dear sister!
I should have put pen to paper much sooner hadn't it been for the little Duchess, or Die Herzogin, as she is called here. She has kept me occupied from early morning to late evening.
I have now arrived to Kirschtal, as you can see, in one piece. The journey was long and tedious, and I had no idea that there could be so much world outside Paris. The roads are bad, and the quality of the coaches, and their drivers, go from possibly acceptable to just awful.
I came to Kirschtalburg, the capital of Kirschtal, late in the day. It was around five o'clock, and a lot of people was out and about in the square, for it was market day. I was met by a lackey, dressed in an uniform in the colors of the von Kirschtal family; Gold and green. He lead me, and carried my luggage, to the Duke's house. I was a bit disappointed when I saw that it was not a palace, but just a common red-brick house. It has three floors and is the largest house in Kirschtal. It has two wings and a yard in front of the house. There's also a yard at the back of the house, and that's where the stables are.
I've lost my way once so far. I ended up in the kitchen wing when I tried to find my way to the class room, which was in the main building. At the house, I was received by an old woman, who was Die Herzogin's nanny. The nanny's name is Hanne, and she is a superstitious old bat, who has scared Die Herzogin with her tales of werewolves, and other rubbish. She showed me to my room, and when I had rested a little I was introduced to the Duke of Kirschtal and his daughter.
Die Herzogin is a five-year-old girl, with long blonde hair that her nanny put up in braids around her head, and with a keen intelligence, and an awfully short fuse. She has already given me two headaches, and I was seriously considering handing over my letter of resignation to the Duke, or Der Herzog, as he is called in German. The only thing that stopped me from doing that was the fact that there is one person who can handle Die Herzogin when she is throwing one of her tantrums. That person is away for the moment, hunting highwaymen in the mountains in the north of Kirschtal.
No, Die Herzogin's father would never go a-hunting, except with a flint-lock and a hound. The person I'm talking about is Erich Mühlenteich, an ex-soldier, who saved the Duke's life once, and then was hired on the spot as Die Herzogin's bodyguard.
Die Herzogin asked me today if 'Herr Teich' were to come home soon. I couldn't answer her,
so I told her that a woman's greatest virtue was patience.
"Patience how?" she asked.
"The cat's patience when she waits outside a rat-hole for the prey to show up", I answered.
"Herr Teich says that's a man's greatest virtue", she said.
"Then what does he say a woman's greatest virtue is?" I asked.
Die Herzogin thought for a while. "He didn't say", she exclaimed.
"Then ask him", I said.
I have not yet met 'Herr Teich', as Die Herzogin calls him. He left two days before I arrived to Kirschtalburg. But he must be handsome, otherwise the maids wouldn't giggle the way they do when they talk of him.
I know I am an old spinster of twenty-six but it doesn't mean I've lost all interest in men.
I sit here by my window, watching the sun sink down behind the hills surrounding Kirchtal. Kirschtal translates as Valley of Cherry. I think that it is quite fitting, since one of its sources of income is the cherry wine made here. It's a good wine. I have a glass of it in front of me now, as I write this letter to you, and every now and then I take a sip of it as I ponder what to write next.
Kirschtalburg is a small town, just a square with the town hall at one side of it, and on the other side of the square is the church. Then there's the Duke's house on the third side of the square. On the fourth side is the river, with a huge stair going from the square to the water. This is the port of Kirschtalburg, and many boats pass here. The first thing one would see, if one was to come to the town by boat, would be the Duke's palace. The town hall is a red brick building, with white stone ornaments around the windows, the gates and the corners. The church is an old romanesque building, as old as Kirschtal. They both were founded by the first duke of Kirschtal, Herr Eberhardt von Kirschtalburg, in the 12th century. The Duke and Die Herzogin are his descendants.
Enough of the lesson! I hear you say as you read my letter aloud to Mother and to Monsieur Dubois. Where are Die Herzogins mother? I hear you ask. What is the girl's name?
The Duke's wife, Die Herzogin's mother, was of an old noble family, claiming to be of Merovingian blood, and related to the Oldenburg family as well. I think that only the last statement is true. She was strong of mind, and a very literate woman, if her library is anything to judge by, but her body was weak. She died within a week after she had given birth to Die Herzogin. Die Herzogin inherited her mother's looks, strong will and name. Die Herzogin's name is Roshilde.
I don't know why the Duke hasn't remarried yet. And as for mistresses, I haven't heard a single rumor about it. What I have heard, though, is that the man is one of the few intended by Nature to be a monk. It is too bad for he is a handsome man with good teeth, and good manners. He'd be a good husband, even without his immense wealth. He is a devout Catholic, and go to Mass every day. He goes to Confession once a month. I have yet to figure out what he has to confess. All he cares about is wine-making, Die Herzogin and reading.
His brother, count Pfau, would have a lot to ask forgiveness for, if he went to confession. Count Pfau is a gambler and a womanizer, who could easily empty the chests of Kirschtal. I happened to witness an ugly scene today between the two, and it concerned money. Count Pfau needed money to pay a debt, and the Duke refused to give him any. They called each other many bad words, and I was happy I didn't know that much German. The fight ended with the Duke giving his brother a teeth-rattling slap on the cheek. The count rose from the floor after a while, and then fled the house. I expect no good things from that direction.
In my next letter I'll tell you what this mysterious 'Herr Teich' is like, if I ever get to meet him. In the meantime I'll do my best to improve the manners of Die Herzogin as well as her reading and writing. I fear that the latter is far easier than the former.
I am running out of paper now, and so I end this letter sooner than I wanted to. Please kiss Mother from me, and give little Mariette a hug from me. She is far more well-behaved than the little duchess of Kirchtal.
Love, Marthe
Kirschtalburg july 4 1769
My dearest sister!
I am so happy to hear that you are well again after your illness. Your fever sounded nasty, and I hope you get to stay healthy after this. I also hope that little Jean will survive his illness. I will pray for him every day.
You asked me if I have met the mysterious "Herr Teich" yet. And, yes I have.
Erich Mühlenteich, or "Herr Teich" as Die Herzogin calls him, came back from his "hunt" about ten days after my arrival.
Die Herzogin came running into the class-room, where I was sitting and preparing for the lesson
after lunch, and didn't stop until she had wedged herself between me and the table.
"You have to come, you have to come", she panted, with sparkling eyes.
I, of course, knew what was going on. The maids had been giggling about it the whole morning.
"Herr Teich is here", she said.
Then she dragged me to my feet and we went down to the stable-yard, where "Herr Teich" was. When we arrived, he was washing up, sitting in the sun on a stool, with a bucket with water in front of him. He was energetically washing his head, and didn't notice us when we walked down to him.
Die Herzogin surprised him with a hug, and a kiss on the cheek. She didn't care about the fact that his face was very wet. He tensed, and seemed to be ready to fight, but then he recognized Die Herzogin. His face was turned away from me, and he hadn't seen me at first. In fact, he didn't notice me, until the girl told him that Mademoiselle Normand was right behind him.
"Herr Teich" quickly remembered his good manners, stood up and bowed. It really was a sight to
behold; a man in black breeches and black knee-high boots, but with no shirt on the upper parts
of his body, and water dripping from his nose and hair, who was bowing for a lady just like any court
gentleman would do.
"Erich Mühlenteich, at your service, Mademoiselle."
"Mademoiselle Marthe Normand, at your service, Monsieur", I said and curtsied.
I was really happy that I had decided to wear my gray and pink silk dress that day. And I had my finest fichu over my chest and shoulders, not to mention that my best lace cap was newly starched so that the lace was framing my face in the most pleasant way, and hid my hair, which, as you know, is a light-brown ugly color. Die Herzogin was dressed in nice clothes too. She had a white dress with red stripes, a nice lace cap and a shawl with printed roses.
Then he straightened and for the first time I saw his face. You won't believe this but he has sharp-filed teeth, just like a shark! One can only see them when he smiles. When his mouth is shut he is one of the most handsome men I've ever seen. Maybe a bit to thin for your taste, my dear sister, but for me he is quite a prince Charming. He has a face like one of those saints flanking the gates to the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. Stern, and ascetic, but with an angelic quality that makes one think of the archangel Gabriel, or maybe I mean Michael.
The clothes that he had cast off in a careless heap on the ground was not made for an angel though, but for a demon. There was a black coat, a pair of richly embroidered black leather gloves, and a leather cuirass with the most extraordinary design on the front. I asked him about the design, which was of two dragons with their backs to one other, with outstretched wings, and fierce red eyes. The dragons were shining of silver in places. He told me that it was Master Timotäus, the Duke's court artisan who had designed it, and the designs on his boots, the saddle of his horse, and the hilt of his sword as well.
And now you roll your eyes because I have mentioned yet another person, that I now will have to tell you about. You really can be very inquisitive at times, my dear sister, but I don't mind. It helps me writing better letters.
Master Timotäus is the Duke's court painter, but he doesn't limit himself to mere paintings, but also designs new decorations for the church, wine-bottle labels, as well as designs for clothes. I have met him a couple of times, and he appears to me as a secluded person, who cares very little for the world outside Kirschtal. He is married to a native Kirschtal woman. They have four children together. Two of the children are about Die Herzogin's age. I'm thinking of inviting them to play with her. She has only adults around her, and I think it would be good for her to play with children her own age.
My room is in the servants' wing of the house, and it overlooks the stable-yard. I think that it is best thing about it, because it is small, with room for only a bed, a stool, and my chest. When I write my letters to you I am sitting in front of my chest, on the stool. There are pegs on the wall to hang up things on, so I hang up my petticoats and my dress there. I have no pretty pictures, but I will buy a couple as soon as I get paid. Or could you maybe send me one nice picture, or two? I will make curtains for the window, to stop cold draughts.
There's no fireplace in here so I dare not think of what it might be like in winter. Hence the curtains for the window.
Die Herzogin came in right now, and tells me to send her greetings to you. She wants me to read for her, so that's what I'm going to do. Her manners are slightly better now, thank Heaven.
Kiss Mother and little Jean from me, and tell them I'll pray for them. Give Mariette a hug from me, and tell her I'll send her a jar of cherries in syrup with my next letter. They are delicious!
Love, Marthe.
August 15th 1769
Dear sister!
I am so sad to hear that little Jean went blind after his fever. I really don't know what to say. I send with this letter a box of toy bricks for Jean. You will see that the bricks have letters and numbers carved out so that Jean can feel them with his fingers. There's the whole alphabet, and all the numbers from 0 to 9, and a few punctuation marks as well. I also send a jar of cherries in syrup to Mariette. I'd never dare to forget anything I promised my goddaughter.
There have been quite a lot of controversy between me and old Hanne. A month ago I had invited Marcus and Kristina (the children of meister Timotäus I told you about in my last letter). Everything went well, and they all had a good time. There were a couple of incidents, but I could sort them out. Since then they have visited us once or twice every week.
Old Hanne thinks that the daughter of a duke shouldn't play with the children of commoners. She even asked the Duke to forbid me to ever invite them again. The Duke told her, that he thought it was a good thing that Die Herzogin had someone her own age to play with, since she is an only child. Old Hanne was really flabbergasted and could only mutter something about the works of the Devil. She has been in the household ever since the Duke himself was wrapped in swaddling-clothes. This must have been the first time the Duke told her "no". A small victory for me, but I've made an enemy.
Die Herzogin said that old Hanne had called me the daughter of a harlot. Then she asked what a harlot was. I told her that it was a bad woman, and that my mother had been a decent married woman. Then I told her that she could give old Hanne my regards.
You wanted to hear about what happened to those highwaymen "Herr Teich" was hunting.
I was there, at their trial, because I wanted to know exactly what "Herr Teich" had been doing, during those weeks he had been away. The band of highwaymen were a sorry lot, five men sitting on the bench of the accused by the north wall, all battered and quite scared. The Duke was sitting on a throne-like chair, listening to the witnesses' stories. There was a man who was to defend the accused, but he did a poor job of it, and barely said a word at all. The prosecutor, on the other hand was having the time of his life, talking all the time.
There were evidence, such as the pawnbroker who identified one of the accused as the one who pawned a pearl necklace in his shop. And then there was the maid who identified the same necklace as the one stolen from her employer. She also pointed out which ones of the crooks that had been attacking and robbing her employers. She herself had hid underneath the carriage.
Then it was Erich Mühlenteich turn to sit in the witness' chair and tell the whole room of what he had done to find the villains. He used a lot of technical terms that I didn't understand, but as far as I could understand he had gone to the place where they had made their latest attack, on a couch full of travelers to Kassel, and traced them from there. He had found two of them, at a brothel, in a town just north of the border to Hessen. The owner had helped him to drug them, and then they were sent to Kirschtalburg. This was done with the blessing of the Hessian authorities. The other three he took out in a fight shortly afterwards.
I noticed that one of them had a bandage on his left hand. I asked "Herr Teich"
about it afterwards, and he said that he had bit the crook there, and that a piece of the
hand was missing.
"He had me down on the ground, and was about to cut my throat when I simply bit his forearm. When
he was screaming bloody murder, I took a bite of his hand. Then I knocked him out."
I don't know how he can stay so calm when he speaks of such things. I wonder if he ever troubles himself about his soul. I can't understand those people who kills for a living. Their souls must be like blood-stained sheets of linen. Disturbing and ugly.
The highwaymen were hanged, all five of them, in the gallows at the crossroads just outside town.
The Duke have been contacted by a wine merchant from Paris. This merchant calls himself Martin Mouret. He came to Kirschtalburg three weeks ago. Monsieur Mouret said that he had a shop in Rue Cuilièrebleu, and that he had branches in Marseilles, Lyon and Orléans.
The Duke have great expectations of being able to sell his cherry-wine to our people, the French. Monsieur Martin have convinced him that he can help him with that.
I suspect that Monsieur Mouret is not who he say he is. It was the way he talked of wines and of people in the business. I decided to test him. If he passed, everything was well, and if he didn't, then I would have to do something. Uncle Armand is a wine merchant, and when I asked him if he knew him, he said yes. Then I asked him a few more questions, such questions that anyone in the business would answer correctly. But he didn't. For example, I asked about uncle Armand's second wife, and he said she was in perfect health. But you know as well as I do that uncle Armand only married once, and that his wife, tante Marie, is still alive, and bedridden since six years.
Enclosed with this letter, together with the gifts for the children, are drawings that I made of him, as well as written descriptions of him. Could you ask your husband if he can check this information?
From one thing to the other:
There are a chance for me to get a better room. If I get married, I can move with my husband to a couple of rooms, with a fireplace, meant for the married servants of the ducal household. I have found someone I'd like to marry, but I'm not likely to get him interested in me.
Kiss Mariette and Jean from me.
Love Marthe.
(Editor's note: The drawings and the written descriptions mentioned above were lost during the French Revoution, when Madame Dubois hid the letters she had recieved from her sister.)
October 15 1769
Dearest sister!
Thank you for your quick reply to my letter. And thank you for the information you sent me. The copy of Monsieur Martin's file at the Paris Police was very useful. It was a great help for "Herr Teich" and I when we spoke to the Duke about that swindler.
I apologize for not having written sooner but I wanted to see how this affair would end. At least it is all over for me now, but not for a few other people.
I see that I have to start from the beginning. Well, here we go:
One evening, about two days after I had sent my letter to you, "Herr Teich" came calling. I was in my room, getting ready to go to bed, when I heard someone knock on the door. I was in my chemise so I quickly put on a skirt and a jacket, and opened. Outside in the hallway, was "Herr Teich", and he wasn't alone. He had a dog, a German Shepherd, with him. He smiled and said that this way we wasn't unchaperoned, but that the chaperone couldn't tell anyone of what we had talked about. I had to smile at the way he showed his good manners.
Then he sat down on my stool, and I sat down on my bed. The dog lied down on the floor between us.
"You don't trust this Martin, do you?", he asked.
"No, I don't", said I.
"Why?"
"Something about him is wrong."
"I think so too."
Then there was a moment of silence, as he thought of his next question.
"Have you written to your sister?", he asked.
I was nonplussed. How did he know that I had written to you? I asked him about this. He told
me that one of the maids had met me at the post office. I had told her what I was doing
there. Then she had told him. The grapevine is very efficent in this little town.
"Yes, I have written to my sister", I said eventually.
"Did you ask her about this Martin."
"Why do you think that?"
"The Paris Police keep files on all criminals known to them. I hoped you would have asked her
for help in this matter."
"Well, you're right. I have asked her for help."
"Good. Will you tell me when she answers?"
"Yes, I will."
"Good."
Then he left, and I felt disappointed. I would have liked him to stay a bit longer, but a good girl don't ask that of a man that isn't her husband. Then I noticed that I had forgotten to put on my cap.
Then we waited for your letter.
During this time Monsieur Martin was not idle. He drew one contract after the other, and left to the Duke for signing, but somehow the inkwell was empty, or the quills gone. In one case the official seal was missing and wasn't found unil a week later. If you suspect that "Herr Teich", old Hanne and I had something to do with it, you are right. Once she fumbled and spillt ink all over the paper.
Old Hanne and I had decided to make peace between us, because she thought it was more important to save the Duke from doing anything unwise, than carrying on a vendetta against me. I couldn't agree more. But she and I still don't see eye to eye when it comes to Die Herzogin's education.
When your letter came, I asked "Herr Teich" to meet me in the church after Mass.
We met in a dark corner near the labyrinth, set in black and white marble in the church floor. He read your letter with some difficulty. A couple of times he asked me to translate what what you had written. It was exciting standing so close to him in that corner, so close I almost felt the blood rush around in his veins. He smelled of horse, and leather, and of that grease he used to shine his boots. I thought he smelled good.
When he had finished reading, he asked me to put away the letter in a safe place. I told him that I would do that. Then he told that he liked the way I smelled that day, of wild pansies and lavender.
I guess you won't be too surprised if I tell you I was on small pink clouds for the rest of the day. No man had ever said something that nice to me since I was seventeen. And I do keep bags of lavender among my clothes, just as Mother taught us, but I also had bought a few drops of violet perfume, to use for an occasion like this.The next day there was no time for any pink clouds of any kind.
I gave "Herr Teich" the letters and the file early in the morning, when I was on my way to breakfast with Die Herzogin. He presented the file, and your letter, to the Duke, who read it once, twice, and then sent for me. I was having a lesson with Die Herzogin, and had to ask old Hanne to look after her for me.
I walked quickly to the Duke's audience room, the room in which he recieve his tributaries and his important visitors. That room was designed to impress, and it still does. Old tapestries, depicting hunting scenes and elegant gardens, covers the walls. The furniture are made of dark oak. Here and there one can see glimpses of gilt leather between the tapestries, and on the back of the chairs. There is an allegorical painting in the roof by master Timotäus, depicting Mercury, god of trade, Bacchus, god of wine, and Minerva, goddess of wisdom. There's also a woman who's supposed to symbolize Kirschtal. She wears a green loose garment, and holds a cherry branch in her right hand. In her left hand she holds a sword. They are all sitting on clouds while the deities presents to her their gifts of gold, wine and wisdom. There are a few chubby cherubs flying around the main characters, holding light pink and blue ribbons. It's a very cute painting, even if the style is a bit out of fashion - in Paris.
I had barely arrived to the audience room before the Duke asked me to explain my actions. I told him what I had told you in my last letter. He was silent for a while. Then he asked me a few questions. I answered them as well as I could. Then he thought it over again. Neither "Herr Teich" nor I said a word while the Duke was thinking. I thought that the clock ticked very loudly, and after what felt like an eternity, he sent one of the lackeys for Monsieur Martin.
When Monsiur Martin arrived, the Duke confronted him.
"Is it true that your real name is Antoine Jules?"
Monsieur Martin twitchced, and then he said that he was not this person.
"Is it true that there is no Rue Cuillierebleu?", asked the Duke.
The man didn't even try to answer, but turned on his heel and tried to make a run for it. I was
standing in his way, and he pushed me aside. "Herr Teich" caught him though, halfway over the
square. The guards had been alerted, so Monsieur Jules would not have gotten away anyway.
Monsieur Jules was brought back to the audience room, and there he confessed everything. In short: He had been paid by count Pfau to act as a wine merchant, and to make the Duke invest money in a venture designed to increase the export of cherry wine from Kirschtal. Count Pfau knew that the Duke wanted to export more wine, and that he was prepared to invest a lot of money in such a venture. But the money would not be used for establishing a bussiness, but for paying count Pfau's debts. The rest of the money would have been split equally between the two partners in crime.
The trial has begun, and I have testified. Count Pfau is not prosecuted, but he will be if he ever comes to Kirschtal again. Monsieur Jules has, in exchange for his life, told everything about his and count Pfau's plan. He has even given the Duke letters written by the count. In those letters the count gives him instructions on how to act, what to say and which buttons to press. The sentence has not been pronounced yet, but I think Monsieur Jules will be banished from Kirschtal for the rest of his life. The Duke is not that keen on the death penalty after all.
Thank you again, and tell your husband that I owe him a favour.
From one thing to the other: I have to agree with what you said about me marrying just to get better rooms. It *is* a bad idea to marry someone for that reason alone. The nicest of rooms can be hell if one doesn't get along with one's room-mate. Either that or one stays out of it, and then what was the use of getting married at all?
Tell Mariette that I'm happy she liked the cherries in syrup, and that I can't send her more. They are quite expensive. Tell little Jean that I'll pray for him. I'm happy that he liked the toy blocks.
Love Marthe
(Editor's note: The file and the letters mentioned above can still be found in the Town Archive of Kirschtalburg. The protocols from the trial agianst Antoine Jules are also preserved there.)
Kirschtalburg december 15 1769
Dearest sister!
Everything is alright here in Kirschtal. Die Herzogin continues to make progress. Her manners has improved. She waits for her turn at the dining table, and won't make a fuss if someone else gets what she had wanted for herself. I have told her that she can ask, nicely, if she can have that particular piece of food. Yesterday she asked if she could have the second smallest joint of roast meat, and of course she got it. And then she said "thank you", just as we had practised.
She still gets temper tantrums from time to time, but there are longer intervals between them now than before. And afterwards we try to figure out what it was that caused that particular rage. I'm happy I get paid for doing this. I probably would not have such a lot of patience with my own child, if I had one.
"Herr Teich" and I meet often, but never unchaperoned. The great kitchen, where we usually meet, is the unofficial meeting-place for the staff of the Duke's household. There's always a game of cards or craps going on; the cook and his kitchen boys are always there, making the next dinner or cleaning up after the last. Die Herzogin are often with us out in the kitchen, and sometimes she helps the cook watch the soufflés, or helps with washing the dishes. They like having her around, and I am happy for any help with looking after her. I think it is good for the girl to see how other people lives.
Marcus and Kristina still visit her, but it is not the same thing. When they come to see her, it is clear that it is her place, and that gives her an advantage over her playmates. When she visit them, then the roles are reversed, and I think it is very healthy for her to play on someone else's terms sometimes.
Even old Hanne have noticed this improvement in her manners, and she quietly supports me. We have buried the the hatchet, and we, the whole household, are happy about it.
You asked what happened to Monsieur Jules and count Pfau. Monsieur Jules were escorted to the border to Hessen, and told never to come back again. And before that he was publically flogged. Count Pfau have not been heard of nor seen. Suits everyone here in Kirschtal just fine.
One evening "Herr Teich" and I told each other about our lives. I didn't have much to tell him. I was the third child, and second daughter, of an inn-keeper. Whan my father died, I had to earn my living somehow. Began with teaching the children of a poor countess, who recommended me to a marchioness. She hired me, and after a few years, the Duke, who was her distant cousin, asked her if she knew of a person who could deal with demanding children. She recommended me and I went to Kirshtal. And here I am.
The story "Herr Teich" told was far more interesting.
"One summer morning", he began, "a miller in the countryside outside Bremen was on his way to his mill. It was one of those with a water-wheel to make the millstones turn. Naturally there was also a small dam, and a millpond there. When the miller walked on the bank between the millpond and the brook, to check on the dam, he heard a baby cry. At first he was frightened, thinking it was the ghost of a murdered child being about. As everyone knows, the spirits of killed children wants to be christened and to get a name. Once they've gotten that, they rest in peace. So he said loudly: 'I name you Erich'. That was his own name. Then he called out again: 'I name you Gretchen'. That was his mother's name. But the screaming didn't stop, so he walked in the direction of the sound. There under a thorn-rose was an infant, swaddled in rags, lying on the soft grass. That was me."
"The miller, having already given me a name, took care of me. I grew up in his house, nursed by his old mother, whom I always called Mutter, German for mother. His wife and his children tolerated me, a bit like they'd tolerate a stray cat in their yard. But Mutter fed me and clothed me, told me fairy tales and taught me to read. I helped her with her household duties once I grew old enough. She taught me many things, like what different herbs are good for, to tell what tomorrow's weather would be like by watching today's skies, and how to mend my clothes. Mutter protected me against her own grandchildren, as if I was her son. She died when I was fourteen years old. Erich Beerenmann, the miller, told me I was old enough to go out in the world and earn my own living. I got a worn old backpack, and some food and a blanket to put in it. Then I got their blessings and left."
"I spent the next two years walking the roads, working where I got a job, and then moving on when they told me to. One night, when I had come to Prussia, I met a group of soldiers. They were sitting around a fire. It was very late in the autumn, and I was cold. I asked them if I could sit with them by the fire. They let me. This was in 1756, at the beginning of the seven- year-war. The next day they convinced me to join the Prussian army. When the scribe, who wrote up the people in the rolls, asked me my name I said my name was Erich. Then he asked me for my family name. That gave me pause. I had to think. Should I use the name of my benefactor, the good miller, or should I make up a new name? I chose the latter, and named mayself after the millpond, mühlenteich. I'd been found next to it so it was in a sense, I thought, my first home. So I told the scribe that my name was Erich Mühlenteich."
"It was during my time in the Prussian army that I got my teeth filed into these sharp points. I figured that it'd give me better chances to survive in close combat. Nobody expects his opponent to have a smile like mine. And that lowers his guard, and buys me enough time. That outfit that master Timotäus designed kind of takes that surprise away. The teeth would work better with a less dramatic outfit."
"After the war, in 1764, I left the Prussian army with my pay, my clothes and my old backpack. I was twenty- four. The roads were insecure at this time, worse than today, and there were many bands of highwaymen in the woods. I was hired by a company to guard the coaches going from Kassel to Kirschtalburg. The Duke liked to travel incognitio at this time of his life, and one day he was among the passengers in the coach. A band of highwaymen decided that it was a good day for a robbery. They attacked and I made short work of them. The Duke hired me as soon as we got to Kirschtalburg. Since then I've lived here, taking care of trouble and babysitting Die Herzogin."
Well, I'm running out of paper, and so I have to end this letter.
Kiss little Jean and Mariette from me, and tell them that the gifts I'm sendig with this letter are not to be opened before Christmas. There's a gift for you and your husband too.
I wish you a merry Christmas.
Love Marthe.
February 23 1770
Dearest sister!
Thank you for your letter. I got it a month ago, but I've not had time to write to you until now. I'm happy to hear that Mariette and little Jean liked their gifts from me.
I'm sorry to hear that Mother is ill. I hope she recovers soon; that her health will return with the sun. Please write and tell me how she is doing. Give her a hug from me. I miss her sometimes.
I'm trying to work up the courage to tell you that "Herr Teich", or just "Teich" as he asked me to call him, proposed to me, a couple of days ago. And I said "yes". We will marry in may. I was as surprised then as you probably are now. Now I'm just happy and still quite stunned. It all happened so suddenly.
This is what happened, as much as I can recollect:
Teich escorted me and Die Herzogin to church, as he always does on sundays. Just as we were about to enter the church, he stopped in his step, and took me by the hand, and walked to a corner behind a pillar. It was the same corner where we had been standing, when he read your letter. Die Herzogin did not accept being left behind so she followed us. Both she and I wondered what was going on. Then he licked his lips and asked the question.
"Do you want to marry me?", he asked.
I was silent for a while, trying to figure out what he had said. My head was spinning. I
couldn't believe my ears, and thought that somehow I had misunderstood him. That he was asking
something else, and that it was just whistful thinking that had transformed his words into a
proposal. Maybe he had just asked me about what we were going to have for dinner. While I was
hesitating, Die Herzogin got a little impatient, so she asked me what he had said.
I asked him to repeat the question.
He did so. It was still a proposal.
"Yes", I answered. I think it sounded like a squeak.
Teich smiled, with his mouth closed (so I would not see his teeth), and kissed my hands. Then he put his hand in his coat-pocket and fished up a ring. He put it on my finger, while Die Herzogin cheered. Her cheer drew the attention of the whole congregation in the church. Everyone craned their necks to see what the noise what about. I simply had to raise my hand and show the ring on my finger. Most of the people in the church then knew I was engaged, and a few actually came to congratulate us after the service.
Imagine. I'm getting married. An old maid like me. Getting married. I can't help but laugh out loud in joy when I think about it. And to Teich, whom I was already a little in love with. Who would have thought that he would ever propose to me. I'm so happy. It feels like it is spring already, even though it's still winter.
Afterwards we broke the news to the Duke, and he congratulated us. Then he asked if we had started planing for the wedding. I told him that we were about to start. Teich just nodded.
So far we have decided to get married in may, when the bird cherries and the lilac bushes are in bloom. It's the best time of the year for a wedding, I think. The weather is warm, while it's not too hot either. We are going to have the ceremony in the church, with a banquet afterwards. Both Teich and I will get new clothes for the wedding. The Duke has said that he will pay for the wedding; feast, food, clothes, and everything else. That's his wedding-present to us. We are also going to move into that servant's quarter I've written to you about. I'm really looking forward to it. To make a home, with a man I love. Maybe we'll even be blessed with children. I'm not too old for that.
Do you think you can come to the wedding? It would be so nice to have you here. I've told Teich so much about you, and he thinks you all sound like very nice people. There is a very good inn in the town, with clean beds and good food, where you could stay.
Today, before I sat down to write this letter, I asked Teich why he wanted to marry me. I think that he was rather surprised, that I asked him about that, but he did his best to answer it.
"Because", he said, "you are clever and pretty. You started to smell a rat before me, and
then you did something about it. I liked that, so I thought that if I was to marry, and have a
family, I'd better get someone who's got brains, and looks. Wouldn't be able to put up with a
fool. Can't stand fools. Not even pretty ones."
Then he got silent for a while.
"I fell in love with you", he continued, "when I visited you that night, to
ask if you had written to your sister. You looked irresistible in your chemise, and your hair
braided in one long braid down your back."
I blushed at that. Then I kissed him. Carefully of course, because his teeth were, and are
still, sharp.
I hope you write back soon, and please tell me if you want to come to the wedding.
Give Mariette and little Jean my regards, and give Mother a hug from me. Teich sends his greetings as well, and hopes he will get to meet you all.
Love, Marthe.
Editor's note: Many letters were sent between the two sisters before the wedding. They discussed everything from accomodations for the guests to the robes of the bride. Those letters, though intersting for a historian, does not bring the story forward an inch. Thus I've decided to insert a letter, from Monsieur Roland Dubois, Madame Dubois' husband to his father Monsieur Dubois. This letter below gives a vivid description of the wedding, and that's why I decided to put it here.
Kirschtalburg the 30th of may
My dear father!
I am sorry for not having written any sooner, but, as I told you in my latest letter, I didn't want to write anything before the wedding was over, so I could give you a description of what it was like.
I hope Jean and Mariette have behaved themselves. I miss them, and so do their mother. She has asked me to tell you that she is writing a letter to them, so they ought to get her letter at the same time you get my letter. Please give them a hug from me, and let them read this letter.
On our arrival to Kirschtalburg, 14th of may, we were recieved by Mademoiselle Marthe, and her pupil, the Duchess of Kirschtal. Monsieur Mühlenteich joined us a few moments later. My wife and her sister embraced and were very happy to see one other. They've always been close, and I think it's been hard on them both to live so far away from each other. Then she introduced us to the Duchess, who was exactly like she had described her in her letters. A small girl, soon six years old, with light blond hair, and a very inqisitive nature. While we were talking she had already decided to open our suitcases to see what I and my wife had brought with us. Mademoiselle Marthe immediatley seized her and told her she was behaving badly, and then the little Duchess apologized to us.
Monsieur Mühlenteich showed up after this little debacle. We recognized him already before Mademoiselle Marthe introduced him to us. He was a tall man, with a black mop of hair, standing on edge. His skin was very pale, and his eyes were a very cold shade of blue. And Mademoiselle Marthe was not kidding when she said he had sharp-filed teeth. His smile made me think of a shark, or a wolf.
Monsieur Mühlenteich and Mademoiselle Marthe make a very odd couple. He is as I described him above, and she is short, with dark blue eyes, a normal smile, and her hair always covered by a cap, soemtimes plain, sometimes with ruffles. I could not help looking at them, trying to figure out what drew them to one other. Maybe it's just the attraction of opposites. I hope so.
A couple of days later, shortly before the wedding, I saw them sit toghether on a bench, near the river, which runs through the town. Actually they weren't sitting together, but she was sitting in his lap. They were talking, but I couldn't hear the exact words. Sometimes they laughed toghether, and I noticed then Monsieur Mühlenteich always covered his mouth with his hand. I think the gesture shows that he really cares about Mademoiselle Marthe's well-being. Sometimes he also would put a finger under the edge of her cap to stroke the skin underneath. She giggled at this, and smiled.
I asked him, Monsieur Mühlenteich, if he was going to let his fiancée continue teaching. He said that he and she had already spoken about it, and that she was going to stay as the Duchess' governess. The money she earned, would be her own, to use as she found best.
The wedding was a very quiet affair. Only the duke, the duchess, we, and the Timotäus family, and the Duchess' old nanny were present. The groom was waring a plain black outfit, with embroideries in red and dark gray round the buttonholes and along the edges of the coat. The bride was wearing a light violet dress, with lace frills and matching ribbons in her lace cap. Even the little rascal, I mean the Duchess, was still for once. She had the most sumptous dress in the church. It was a white brocade with a pattern of pink roses and blue ribbons. The Duke is not able to deny his daughter anything. It was a beautiful ceremony with a very nice speech of the priest on the importance of the marriage.
The banquet on the other hand was a very different affair. It seemed as if the whole town was invited to the banquet, which was held in the town-house. There was a lot of food, including a whole roast pig on a skewer over an open fire, and as much cherry wine as you could drink. I was warned about the wine in the bottles with the black seal, as it was very strong. I didn't heed the warning and spent the day after nursing the mother-in-law of all hangovers. I'll bring home a few bottles of each colour. The colour on the seal indicates the strength of the wine therein. Green is weak, red is a bit stronger, and black is strong, very strong.
Herr Mühlenteich and I happened to talk about our families. Or rather, he asked me, and I answered. When I told him that you had a fencing academy, he asked me if my father was the Jean-Louis Dubois who had written "A Treatise On Armed And Unarmed Combat". I said that it was indeed the case. He was delighted. He had read that book, in a German translation, and found it very good. He had a few things he'd like to comment on though, such as the chapter on combinig different weapons. In the chapter it was deemed useless, but he had a very good experience of combining axe and sword.
Of course I defended you and it ended with him and me testing it. I fought him with one sabre, graciously lent out by the Duke, while he used a combination of sword and axe. It is hard to describe in words the duel between us, but he used the axe to parry my sword, before he put the blade of the sword by my throat. An other time he blocked my sword with both axe and sword, before pushing me away, and put both weapons at my midsection. A couple of other times he bared his teeth at me to make me loose my concentration. It worked.
I suggest you hire him as an instructor at the Academy. He has a very unusual style of fighting, and if I didn't have to go home, I'd like to stay and learn more. Maybe in five years, when his contract with the Duke is at an end, he'll come and visit the Academy for a while.
My wife and I will leave Kirschtalburg in three days. I'll send you a new letter then.
Your loving son
Roland
Editor's note: Much as I would have liked to publish the whole correspondence between the sisters, I find that I must select only those that concern the more important occasions in their lives. The following letters have been selected with this consideration in mind.
Kirschtalburg august 16th 1770
Dear sister!
I have lovely news! I'm with child! I'm so happy!
I began to suspect it when that time of the month came, in june, and the usual didn't happen, when it should have. But I decided to keep silent, in case it was just a hiccup. But in july, the usual still didn't occur. And now I decided to go to the Duke's physician to confirm what I already suspected, or rather hoped, had happened. And he said that I was with child. Doctor Stroh, The Duke's physician, told me that the child will be born in march 1771.
Then I had to tell Teich. I went to the stables where I knew I would find him, and he was there,
He was busy cleaning Daredevil's hooves. I waited in the stable door until he was finished, and
then I told him to come out in the sun.
"Well?", he asked when he got out of the stables.
"Well what?", I asked back.
"It must be something important. You are never out in the stable-yard at this time of the day."
"It is", I said.
"Well?"
"Well", I said, "I'm pregnant."
Teich just stared at me, so I thought he might not have heard what I said. But he had, because in the next moment, he lifted me of my feet and turned around with me in a crushing embrace. Then he realized what he was doing and put me gently down on the ground. I thought I could see tears in his eyes.
He has already started to dream about teaching his son the fine art of armed combat. But I've told him that it might as well be a girl, or perhaps one of each. But Teich is certain that it will be a boy. I think he has asked master Timotäus to make a small wooden toy sword for the baby. I think it'd have been better if he ordered a cradle instead.
Do you still have the clothes Mariette and Jean had when they were small? If you do, would you please send them to me. Old Hanna gave me a long list over what babies needed, and it was a lot. But I think that you already know what babies need, don't you.
We have started to plan our future, with the baby in mind. We'll stay in Kirschtal until Teich's contract runs out, that is for another five years, before moving to Paris. Teich is very honored, he asks me to write, that he has been offered a position as an instructor at the Academy. And he says yes to the offer. So, in five years we'll come to Paris. Our baby, if it's a boy will go to school in Paris then, but he will have to learn both French and German.
Die Herzogin ought to be old enough then to have a tutor who can teach her what she needs to know, in order to rule Kirschtal, when that day comes. The Duke told me that he would need my help in selecting a good tutor.
It is harvest season in Kirschtal now, and soon the wine-making season will begin. I will get my pay for this year in Michaelsmass, and I think I'll get a pay rise. After all, Die Herzogin's behavior has improved very much during the summer, and she soaks up learning like a sponge. She is still visiting the Timotäus children, and I believe that that has been very good for her.
In your last letter you wrote about little Jean's illness. I'm sorry to hear about that, and
I'll pray for his health. That cough you described does not sound good at all. Dr. Stroh says
that a cough medicine made from chamomile, honey and cherry wine will help, so I send a bottle
of the medicine. There are also his instructions, with my translation.
Consider it a late birthday gift.
Your sister Marthe
Kirschtalburg november 24 1770
Dear sister!
I'm so happy to hear that little Jean is well again. I think it's a very good idea to apprentice him to a basket-maker. That way he'll learn a trade and will be able to provide for himself one day. He is very good with his hands, so that would be perfect for him.
Have you give any thought to Mariette's future? She ought to learn a trade as well. I'm not considering anything as low as a seamstress or a lace-maker. She is a very fast learner, and you did tell me that she's been helping her friends with their home-work, so perhaps she could become a teacher. When I move back to Paris, in five years, I will perhaps start a school for girls from good families. I'm already saving up some of my pay for this, and Teich says he'll help me with the rest. Perhaps Mariette could help me with the tutoring?
I'm in my sixth month now, and I feel as huge as a whale. Not to mention my desire for food. Teach says I have a very short temper, but I think he's exaggerating. He has moved out in the stables, because he does not want me to wake him up just to fetch some food for me. I think that's quite unreasonable, since I'm eating for two now. There's nothing wrong with wanting fresh apples in november, is it? Teich says there's dried apples and apple juice, but I want fresh apples! Is that too much to ask? And I don't like that he sleeps away from me at all. It's like he tries to get away from his duties as my husband.
I had a disagreement with him the other day, and when I've finished stating my opinion, I found him staring at me. I asked him what he was staring at. For some reason he moved so that he had the table between himself and me. Then he had the guts to say that he could take lessons in scaring people from me, since he himself had been frightened by me. If that table hadn't been there I'd given him a sound smacking around the head. Now I didn't even try do that. I just cried, because he was so rude, to say something like that to his own wife. Normally I would not have cried, because this would not have happened. Being with child really turns one topsy-turvy.
I cry for the most silly reasons. Sometimes because it's autumn and everything that was green has now turned yellow and brown. And I felt so sorry for the trees who had to drop their leaves. Then there was the geese and the cranes flying south for the winter. I watched them fly across the gray skies from my window, and then I started to cry -again. And Teich just stood there and didn't know what to do. For all his fighting skills, he is sometimes a very slow man. But he knows when to give me a hug, and that makes up for his faults -most of the time.
Now when I read what I've been writing, I realize that I've made Teich sound rather insensitive, which he is not. He's been very nice really, trying to make things easier for me. He's started to make a cradle for our baby, with his own hands, and some help from the carpenter. And he picks up things from the floor for me. He's ordered a chest of drawers to keep the baby's things in, from master Timotäus. I wonder what it will look like. Master Timotäus is not one for conventional designs.
The Duke has given us Die Herzogin's old swaddling cloths and baby clothes. I think I have almost everything I need for the baby. Old Hanne approved of the things you sent to me. And her approval made me cry again. I was so touched by her joy to have another baby in the house again. She's never had one of her own you know.
Die Herzogin has started to read Fontaine's fables in German. Then I ask her questions to see that she has understood what she had read. Then we discuss the morals of the fables. She is a very clever girl, and I have hopes for her. I hope that she will be a wise ruler of this little state, and that she will be wise enough to not be a fool. I'll have to find a tutor who will encourage her natural wisdom, and discourage, in a kind way, her more impulsive sides.
I'm running out of paper, and the candle has almost burnt down, so I will have to finish my letter here.
Please give Jean and Mariette, Mother, and Monsieur Roland a kiss from me.
Your sister Marthe
Kirschtalburg february 26 1771
Dear sister!
I am so happy to be able to tell you that you are now aunt to a little boy. He is very small but strong. He eats, sleeps and yells only when he wants something. He has black hair, and blue eyes, though the doctor says that the colour of the eyes might change during his first year. He is very beautiful, and Teich just can't take his eyes of him. He has counted the fingers and the toes and come up with the same result every time; ten fingers, five on each hand, and ten toes, five on each foot. Two eyes, one one each side of the nose, and only one nose, right in the middle of the face. One mouth, just below the nose, and two ears, one on each side of the head. He just can't imagine that he has become father to something that perfect.
The little boy looks just like his father. I can see the angles of Teich's face buried beneath the baby skin, the nose showing signs to be just like his father's. The only thing he has from me, as I can see now, is the mouth, and the shape of his ears.
I wonder if he will be a fighter, like Teich, or a book-worm, like me. Teich said, when I asked him, that if our son was lucky he'd be both.
He was born a week ago, february 19, and only now have I been allowed to put quill to paper, to tell you these happy news. It was a hard time, and the doctor thought I was going to die from loss of blood, but I, as you can see, survived. I've spent this week resting up and looking after my son.
He sleeps right now, in the cradle that his father made. Old Hanne is here as well, and helps me with the washing and the nursing. I've decided not to have a wet-nurse, but to nurse my son myself. Doctor Stroh thinks that using wet-nurses might be bad for the baby's health, and I am not taking any chances. Old Hanne keeps her opinion on the matter to herself, for which I am very grateful, as I simply isn't strong enough to discuss this subject with her yet.
Teich gave me a gold chain yesterday. He said that it was as a compensation for what I had to go through when I gave birth to our son. He really shouldn't have bought me such an expensive thing. But he said that he had saved money for a very long time, and so he could afford that kind of gifts, but not too often though. He was smiling when he said that.
Die Herzogin have visited us at least once a day to look at my son. She was thrilled when I allowed her to hold him in her arms for a short moment, with Old Hanne carefully watching them.
Now you want to now his name, I'm sure. And that's why I saved it for the last.
His name is Erich Mühlenteich, after his father. Though we will all probably call him 'little Erich', or just 'Erich'.
Please send my regards to the whole family, and all our friends and acquaintances.
Love Marthe
Kirschtalburg 15 june 1771
Dear sister!
Thank you for the lovely gift. The basket was very well-made, and the Duke thought that it was made by a master basket-maker. Imagine his surprise when I told him it had been made by my nephew.
Little Erich took his first steps yesterday. He is such a clever little boy. I still have to hold him by the hand, but every now and then he lets go of it and try to take a few steps of his own. Teich was so proud when he toddled over to him, with arms reaching out. He's still just babbling, but we are waiting for his first word. He is such a good little boy.
Sometimes Teich takes him out for a ride. It looks so very adorable with the little boy sitting in the saddle in front of Teich, held in place by his father's strong arms. Little Erich is not afraid of horses. He coos happily when Daredevil puts his head close to take a closer look at him.
Die Herzogin behaves as if she was Erich's older sister, carrying him around and showing him for the Duke's visitors. I think that is very sweet, even if I do keep an eye on them. The Duke made a joke about wanting to adopt my little Erich, but I took him seriously and said "no" in such a way that he will think twice before making such a joke again.
Teich has been away for nine days. There's been trouble in the south of Kirschtal. A band of robbers have attacked ships going to Kirschtalburg, taking the cargo and killing the crew. This time he's got a troupe with him, since it's a big group of villains. Teich may be a great fighter, but not even he can take on ten men at once. I hope that he never will have to. I miss him. I want him to come back alive.
Tell little Jean that the basket he mad for me is very lovely and that everyone was impressed by his skills. I keep my school things in it. It's just the right size for it.
Now I hear Erich crying so I'll end this letter here.
Love Marthe
Kirschtalburg 14 march 1774
Dear sister!
My hand tremble as I write this, and my eyes are still red from having cried so much. So forgive me if this letter is hard to read. Teich and little Erich sits at the table looking at me with troubled eyes. They know that the only thing that can possibly calm me down now is to write a letter to you, so that's what I'm doing. Teich tries to keep himself calm for Erich's and my sake, but I can see how his hands tremble as he holds a cup of hot chocolate. Little Erich go with his eyes from me to Teich and back. A cup of hot chocolate is a rarity in our household, and between sips he wonders why I've made him and Teich some. He knows that something is wrong, but we haven't managed to tell him yet.
Two days ago the Duke received a letter from the prince of Hesse. He asked the Duke to send him soldiers. And he asked specifically for Teich.
Today the Duke sent for Teich and me. We had no idea what was going on and walked up to his office. He was sitting behind his writing-table, and I noted that he looked very uneasy. When Teich and I were standing in front of him, he began to talk.
"As you know Great Britain are in war with its colonies in America", he said, "The British king
has asked the prince of Hesse for aid with soldiers and arms. The prince of Hesse and I have an
agreement. According to this agreement Hesse will support Kirschtal in the German Reichstag, and
in return Kirschtal will support Hesse with men and guns in case of war. Now Hesse is in war,
and he is sending men over to America. He has asked me to send a troupe of soldiers to him, to
fight in the war."
"And what does that have to do with me?" Teich asked. But we already knew where this was going.
"Well", said the Duke, "Your reputation as a fine swords-man has spread widely, and the prince
of Hesse asked for you to be among the soldiers sent to him."
"What?" said Teich.
"I can't deny him that, otherwise I'll be breaking our agreement, and Kirschtal need his
support."
I began to cry, and then I got very angry. I don't remember what I said, but I guess I'm lucky I said it all in French.
It is only a year left of his contract. And now he will be sent away across the sea to a place I know nothing about. For a war that doesn't involve Kirschtal at all. And there's nothing I can do. Damn the British king, and the Hessian prince, and curse the colonialists, for starting this war.
Teich will leave in a month, together with other men from Kirschtal. He has been promoted to captain of the troupe, but that's no comfort for neither him nor me. He had looked forward to go to Paris with me, to start teaching at the Academy. He is as disappointed as I am at this turn of things. And everyone knows that being sent out to war is as good as a death sentence. I thought that we would have many more years left together.
Die Herzogin is upset too, and would have kicked her father's legs if I hadn't taught her some restraint. As it is she has mereley yelled at him. I don't feel sorry for him at all.
Love Marthe
P.S Erich sends his regards to all of you. D.S.
Kirschtalburg june 14 1774
Dear sister!
Thank you for your letter.
Teich has now left for America. By way of Hesse of course. Yes, I have managed to calm down since my latest letter.
It was heartbreaking to see the troupe leave Kirschtalburg, marching in neat lines, with their guns and their rucksacks on their backs, lead by my husband. He looked so good sitting in his saddle, and for a moment I thought it was just a parade, that they would be home again, soon. But then the truth hit me once more, that I may never see my husband again. It wasn't only I who did not want to see them march away.
The soldiers were singing marching songs. Those songs have such a beat and rhythm that one feels compelled to march along. But that day I didn't want to hear them. Those songs will be sung as they march into the fire, and that makes them, the songs, repulsive to me. I used to like them, but not any longer.
Little Erich sat on my arm, waving good-bye to his father, and Teich turned around in his saddle, and waved back. Then Erich asked me when Papa would be back. I said that I didn't know. So he asked if Papa would bring any gifts when he came back, and again I could only say that I didn't know if he would. Die Herzogin was standing by my side, waving. She heard Erich's question. 'He won't come back, you dolt', she snapped. I said, to calm her, and Erich, down, that he might come back, and that one shouldn't lose hope.
I hope I can follow my own advice.
I think I've finished crying, for now. All that's left is a feeling that I and little Erich are on our own now. Women have seen their husbands walk off to wars for centuries, and they have survived, and so will I.
I have discussed the current situation with the Duke, and I might stay on as Die Herzogin's governess for another year. After that, maybe I can start a school here in Kirschtalburg. Teich thought that it was a good idea. And this place needs a school.
This is a sad letter, I know, and short.
Write soon. I need to hear some happy news, or at least ones that are not sad.
Love Marthe
Kirschtalburg september 5 1777
Dear sister!
I'm happy that Jean's qualifying piece was approved by the masters of his guild. He is very skilled at basket making. The little doll cradle he made for Die Herzogin was very much appreciated. Die Herzogin may well be twelve now but she still plays with her dolls. I think that it gives her some needed training in how to treat people. Her tutor is doing his best, but he still sends me messages every week to come and help him. He's still not used to her temper after two years.
Erich has started school now. In fact he is a pupil at my school. I hope that the other children wont hold that against him, that he is the son of Frau Mühlenteich, who is the owner and headmistress of the school. As you know I also teach a few subjects myself; reading and writing for the younger children, and French and geography for the older children. Erich will be very good at French since he has spoken the language at home his whole life. Maybe he can tutor the other children in due time. When he's old enough.
I am much more worried about his father:
I have got only one letter this year from Teich, and it was a month ago. It was short. Not as long as I would have preferred. He is still alive, but tired. He wrote the names of those that had died since december 1776, on a piece of paper enclosed to the letter. There are now five left of the forty-eight men sent to America. The Duke read the list as well, and sighed at the thought of yet more widows in Kirschtal. He did promise them widow pensions after all.
I had to go to see the families of those that he wrote had died, and tell them the sad tidings.
Some take it calmly, others break down and cry, and some have already found themselves a new man. One never really knows what the reactions will be. There was this woman, who had, according to the rumors, seen out her new husband. So I thought she'd be relieved. She wasn't. She began to cry, and I suspect she was as surprised as I. "I never thought I'd cry for that asshole", she said.
I fear that somehow this war have made Teich slightly mad. There are wordings that I know he would never use. And his handwriting, though always bad, have become almost illegible. And before you shrug this off as me just worrying too much, let me just tell how he ended the letter: Not with "always yours", as he always done before, but with "I'll take their heads, every single one!" And then just his signature, and a post scriptum telling me to give Erich a hug from him. It's like he has lost control over his temper, and it's ruling him instead. Like he's possessed by his rage.
I'm worried. If I was brave enough I'd cross the Atlantic now to find him and bring him home. But as it is I'll stay in Kirschtal and raise our child, and teach at my school. Perhaps after the war, when the roads and waters are safe.
Love Marthe
Kirschtalburg 9 april 1780
Dear sister!
Three days ago I got informed by the Duke that Teich had been reported missing in action, and probably dead. The Duke allowed me to read the report he'd got from the Hessian army. It stated that my husband had been in a battle in an area called the Hudson Highlands. That the last time he was seen, he'd been heading towards a forest, known as the Western Woods, near a town known as Tarrytown. The troops he'd been serving with had been ordered to retreat to a field beyond these woods. Only he never showed up. The battle was on the 12th of december 1779.
The day after, the 13th of december 1779, a group went to find out what had happened. They found his horse Daredevil near the edge of the wood, dead and covered with snow. Any footprints that could say where Teich had gone had been snowed over. The group ventured into the woods, and found a newly dug grave, with his sword as a marker. They thought that it might be Teich's grave, and that he'd been killed by the rebel soldiers. That the rebels had followed him into the woods, and killed him. Then they'd buried him. The group went back to the camp, leaving the grave untouched because the earth had frozen to the extent that digging had been impossible. A week later the troops moved on, leaving the Hudson Highlands.
I am now a widow, and Erich have lost his father. I have put on the usual widow weeds. Erich wears black too.
I'm surprised that I can write such a calm letter, but I guess that sooner or later the truth will hit me like a stone to the head. That my husband of ten years is dead. That we only got four years together. That our son, who have not seen his father since he was three years old, never will meet him again.
I asked Erich just yesterday if he could remember his father. He said that he wasn't sure, but that he could recall a smell, a mix of stables, boot polish and sweat, that he was sure was his father scent. He could remember a male voice singing a lullaby, with a north German accent. But that was all.
I am a widow now. All I have left of him is our son, and the memories of our life together, and the rings on my finger, and the gold chain he gave me when our son was born. It is funny that such a tall, strong man should leave so few traces behind him. But he was not a man of power, or influence. All that he was, was a soldier, who followed orders. He was a good husband and father, and that's what counts to me.
Die Herzogin have asked master Timotäus to make a ledger stone for Teich, with his name, his birth year as well as his dying year, and the coat of arms that the Duke decided to grant him, as a posthumous reward. It is to be put in the church floor, near the altar of Saint George. There is no body to bury, but it will feel good to have somewhere to go.
Please send my regards to the family.
Love Marthe
Editor's note: Erich traveled over the sea to America in the year 1820, to find where his father, Teich, was buried, and to take him home to Kirschtal. With the aid of prosecutor Ichabod Crane, he succeeded in his mission. In 1821 Erich returned to Kirschtal, with his father's bones and sword. The bones were buried in the church of Kirschtalburg, next to the remains of Marthe, who had died in the year 1818. The sword was put up on the church wall above the grave.
I wish to thank the Archive of Kirschtalburg and all the very competent people working there for
their aid in my research.
I also wish to thank duke Otto von Kirschtal, for the access to his private library.
Erica Mühlenteich, Kirschtalburg 2003
Author's note: I wanted to play around a bit with a fictious editor of a fictious collection of letters. Of course both the people and the locations mentioned in this story are fictious, with exceptions for the town of Paris, and the state of Hesse.