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too. Ah! there's many fine countries in it, and money thick as dirt to be earned, I've seen it all. But then I was nothing but a poor wretched fool, and now it's too late, when one's getting on in years and with a wife as well. Oh, it makes me weep to think of it! But what can a man do?" "All very well," my father broke in: "but he would need letters of recommendation, or else to have someone by him who would help him take the plunge. Indeed, I should like to know that all my children were provided for, and not stand between them and good fortune. But " "But what?" interrupted Laurenz, "leave it to me and it shall not cost you a heller [farthing], Hans! I'll guarantee that your boy shall be taken care of, and become a man, a gentleman. I know plenty of respectable people up and down the country, who could be the making of a lad like him, and I'll be sure to find out the best of them for Uli, so that he'll thank me all his days."

My father, contrary to his wont, very soon came to place confidence in the truth of this, for he liked this man Laurenz. And as for myself - save for a few scruples concerning my love, of which more presently - I certainly raised no objections. And so when the question came from father: "Well, Uli, would you like it?" - I for my part said only "Yes!" My father may have been all the more content, because in this way he could part me more completely from Ännchen. Mother, on the other hand, did not like it at all. But, as you already know, when Hans of Näbis had made up his mind, heaven and earth could not turn him aside. So the day and the hour were fixed upon, when I should set out with Laurenz, without saying a word about it to anyone else. That would only cause unnecessary excitement, said my guide.

34. Farewell to my homeland:

[...] And so it was decided, that on the 27th of September, a Saturday evening, we should set out on our journey in God's name. "We'll leave under cover of darkness", said Laurenz, "otherwise everyone will make such a devil of a stir about it, and on a weekday I haven't the time to spare. So you be ready for the journey, bring a good coat and that's all you'll need." So on Saturday morning I made all ready. Then it was time to take my leave. My mother and sisters shed many tears and began even at midday to bid me farewell a thousand times with: "God keep you, God be with you!"

My father, likewise cast down with grief, gave me a few batzen and the following words to help me on my journey: "Uli", said he to me, "you are going away, Uli, I know not whither you go, and no more do you. But Laurenz is a well-travelled man, and I trust to his honesty, that he will somewhere find a comfortable spot where he can place you. You, for your part must be honest and upright, and thus, please God, no evil will come to you. At this time you are still raw as an unbaked loaf. Be attentive and learn all you can, for you are able to learn. And you know, moreover, that concerning this plan I said not a word to turn you for or against it. It was Laurenz who proposed it and it was your wish, I agreed to it but with a somewhat heavy heart. For after all I could have gone on feeding you as before, if you had been willing to resign yourself to any work that came your way, whether hard or easy. But I shall be no less content if you can earn your bread in some less arduous calling, or even make your fortune. What gives me the most anxiety, Uli, is your youth and your thoughtlessness. For you must believe me, you are going out into a world full of temptations, where there are plenty of rogues and rascals lying in wait for innocent lads like you. I beseech you, do not trust anyone for his countenance until you know him, and do not let yourself be persuaded into anything that does not seem right to you.[...] I can do no more than commit you to His almighty care, and that shall I do, and never cease". He continued in this manner for a while. My heart became soft as wax and amid my sobs I could say nothing but "Yes, father, yes!" and in my innermost heart it still re-echoes "Yes, father, yes!"

Finally, after a short silence, he said: "Go now, in God's name!" and I: "Yes, I will go!" and "Dear, dear mother, don't take on so, I shall not do so badly. God keep you, dear father, dear mother! God keep you all, my dear brothers and sisters! Obey father and mother, I will remember the good they have taught me, no matter how far away I am". Then each one clasped my hand, and tears rolled down their hot cheeks. I was almost choking. Mother

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