The Poor Man of Toggenburg - Autobiography of Ulrich Bräker

briefly. I will not do the same - but satisfy your demand - as far as this short letter can. Indeed everything is still much the same in the old place - but there have been some noticeable changes - since the twelve years that you have been gone. First of all you will be wondering how things go with your wife and your two children - there I can tell you nothing but - that they are still in the same place, well and healthy, and in a position to earn their bread if they only wished to do so. The lad spends much of his time hired out as farmhand or day-labourer - and for the rest they are growing up as children do when they are brought up badly.

As for our family - I can tell you - that our mother is still alive - still well and healthy - though in some need - but of our brothers and sisters three have died - Rudolf our youngest brother - ten years ago. Sister Anna Maria died a year and a half ago from consumption, unmarried. Brother Johannes died a year ago

126

- after he had been married just under three years to Thoma Hartman's daughter from Bleiken - and had a child by her - but it died before he did. For a year before he was blind - so that we all must thank God - that He took care of this wretched blind man. Sister Anna married only last year - so we still have three brothers and three sisters living - all married and well blessed with children - And moreover they are all well, are healthy and have earnings and make their livings.

As for me, my wife and five children - we too are at present, praise God, all healthy and well - I am still at my old business, and still find food and shelter from it - and so I have satisfaction and pleasure in it. A few years ago the income from cotton spinning and weaving was very good. Anyone who was willing to work could live well. But this winter, since the peace was concluded between England, France and Spain, trade has much gone down - and the income is less by two thirds. The best thing is that victuals are not dear [...]

Now it remains to me to send you many greetings - and then to tell you what I think - mother and all our brothers and sisters - and your wife and children too - my wife and children all wish you a thousand greetings and further commit you to the protection and care of the Highest - as for what concerns us - they would be well pleased to see you here again - but they wish also - if that cannot happen - only that you should keep well and do well - so that on that Day we may meet each other at the right hand of the Judge on High. As concerns your wife and children - I know well what they say - you should come home, you would find work and nourishment - but I am doubtful - if it would do any good - whether they - if you came home empty-handed - would continue to obey you as husband and father [...] I have learned from the man that brought your letter, that you want to remain - and that your regiment will soon have to travel into Sardinia again - I have nothing against it - but I should be glad to receive beforehand a detailed letter from you - the captain or another officer would certainly send it for you and write the address [...]

N.B. My debts are still as they were before you left - your wife brings me every year the interest reduced by a third. I greet you once more and commit you to the generosity of Providence - Thus far has your God brought you - may He keep you and prepare you for eternal life - this I wish you from the bottom of my heart - your faithful brother Ulrich Bräker." [Voellmy, v 2 pp 200-203]

26th-27th Apr. Bräker has severe toothache and on the 30th cupping is tried as a remedy, again by Andreas Grob in Lichtensteig. It makes Bräker so faint and sick that he has to be looked after by the pastor, Abraham Rüfenacht, who gives him several cups of coffee. After this Bräker easily resists the temptation to linger in company. [Chronik, p 235]

This must be Johannes, who was ill when Bräker saw the kite killing the magpie. The third brother who died would be Samson, who died as a result of falling out of a tree in 1767.