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large company of Appenzell men questioned me about my business here. I told them truthfully about my lawsuit. Then there were disputes about my case. I heard that many more spoke against me than for me. That would have discouraged me a little, if I had not been acquainted with the Appenzell brand of justice and incorruptibility.

My adversary, however, may well have reckoned that as he was a native of the canton and an officer to boot, and I on the contrary a stranger with an invalid claim upon him, he could not fail to carry the day. Otherwise he would have sought to get on a good footing with me, and before all this he might have found me amenable. No more, of course, now that he had driven me so far.

In the morning and for almost the whole of the afternoon I heard nothing of my adversary. I was advised to go to the Council chambers, so that when my opponent came I should be ready at hand. At noon he at last appeared. We were called forward, while other parties were still standing behind the bar and had still not finished their complaints. There I saw and heard how people went about the work, how they addressed the Landammann and the whole council and expressed their complaints. My opponent was called upon to speak first. He declared, in short, that he had indeed to go against the evidence of his own handwriting. He had indeed pledged himself in writing, but only on condition that the fellows behaved well. Now they had deserted and he could not accept that he should reward such rascals, who had robbed the regiment and were now run off to the Devil, etc. etc. I on the other hand appealed wholly to his promise and to his writing, the fellows might be wherever they would, dead, shot or run off, I did not know and it was none of my affair. The promise in writing had been made not to these lads but to my brother as compensation to him. I had advanced him money six months ago, on that understanding, because he, the lieutenant, had according to his written promise been due to pay six months ago, etc. etc. Thereupon I laid down the writing and stepped down. But soon I was called back into the council hall, to hear the judgment, which was: The lieutenant W. should pay me according to his written promise without further ado.

After my midday meal I went for a stroll round Trogen and inspected the splendid buildings. The situation did not particularly please me. But I could not profit from the view, for grey fog lay on the lower ground, but in the districts lying higher up there was bright sunshine. The situation of the village of Speicher pleased me better. [...] I must wait another seven days and seven nights, I was told, until I could collect the money promised to me. But I still have nothing - Since then I have never on purpose, but every time that I was in any case going to Herisau, sought after justice. But every time I let myself be put off with empty promises. I heard, indeed, that the man had no money, and in such a case I know only too well how one feels, when creditors threaten and one has neither money nor credit. So I was always led from pillar to post and had to be content with that change. At last an honest man last month promised to pay me in a month's time - and kept his word. So no more lawsuits for me, especially not as representative of another, were he ten times my brother. [...]"

[...]. What a pleasure it is to be able to converse in spite of their distance with such bosom friends, such noble people, to share with them my inner meditations and thoughts. And what a pleasure it is, to receive the same from them, to read their letters. How many of them have I kissed and read over twenty times. [...]" [Voellmy, v 2 pp 236-237]

The Chronik [pp 415-6] adds that Bräker recorded this year as having good harvests, but food prices rose even higher than in the 70s. Bräker feels that he is not well treated at his work in the factory, and too often is ordered about by other people. But he is resolved not to sacrifice his way of life to his son-in-law. The factory is not doing well and has brought much anxiety in its train.

21st Dec. Bräker's granddaughter Anna Elisabeth Zwicky is baptised. [Chronik, p 416]

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