Stegers, Febr. 1, 1892 Much loved Parents, We were very delighted about your letter on the Holy Christmas in which was stated that we also would get a letter from Franz. But unfortunately my happinness and longing hope are in vain. I cannot comprehend this, because my brother always wrote to me and ever since my Franz is there not anymore. Whatever does that mean. It is very obvious for many people and I am ashamed when people ask me and how many tears have I spilled over this. Our priest asked me recently what does my son do and how is he. Dear Father, what am I to say then? Tears are in my eyes immediately and I don’t know what to say. They all write, poor or rich. 25 young people went last year and they all have already sent their parents money and two already sent their parents a free ticket. Along with Franzen traveled a certain Hoffman. His father was from Bischofswalde and is now dead. And then his mother married a certain Hase, 28 years old, and Hoffman could not get along with his stepfather Hase. [page 2:] And since we were neighbors he came over all these days and then went with Franzen for his money. His inheritance was two hundred and he took them with him and we were also quite glad that Franz had company. He was also 18 years old and tall and strong and after being gone three months, his stepfather came back sick from a military maneuver and was dead a fortnight later. He was buried on Pentecost. So Hoffman’s mother said, quick write your brother to send my Albert home to run [the farm] and afterwards I will hand it over to him. He was supposed to write if he was coming back, but he didn’t write and was here within 4 weeks. He often comes over and says that Franz is doing very well and that my brother is making a lot of money and that my Franz already has some, too. And to the people in the village he proclaims that my brother will become filthy rich and that my Franz is very happy as long as he is careful and responsive to him. But he says that he has a good soul, but he fears that he won’t get old because he is always sick. This Hoffman and my Franz worked at a canal for two months. Each made almost 70 Thaler. Hoffman brought his money back home and Franz put his 70 Thaler into the [page 3:] iron locker. He said he would have handed it over to me if Franz had given it to him. My brother gave him 60 Mark to hand over to me and I got the money and was very delighted. We have bought a few Scheffel rye for it as seed-corn and the end of February we have to pay the interest of 45 Thaler exactly on the hour and minute to the inheritors of my sister in law Theresia from Flötenstein at the Baldenburg court. And we have no idea how to get the money, and dear Father, in these bad times one gets no other advice than to run away. And all the owners here in the area have to buy bread grain. Wheat flour costs 17 Marks per cwt and to fatten the horses and the pigs corn costs 9 Marks per cwt. So I wrote to my Franz that he should send us the money for the interest too and things would probably be better the coming year. But I regret very much that I wrote it to him, even if the bailiff should seize our property and I have to run away with my two children I cannot help it. I think this is why he does not write because I wrote this to him. I wrote him 4 weeks ago if he does not answer this very last letter then they shall not see my handwriting again. [page 4:] But he does as his Uncle Joseph does and gives no news of himself. Dear Father, nobody writes to me except you and should you get very sick and die in the end, would you please remind your family not to forget me, so that I always know if you are all still alive and how you are doing and where Man [Maria] is and how she is. When I wake up in the middle of the night, I think of you all and most of all you, dear Father, you never leave my mind for a moment. And dear Father, do write to me how Antonge [Antonia] is doing. Hoffman told me that my brother told him how one time he had brought Antonge to him and found him in a bar and he didn’t have anything. Is he drinking or what is this all about that he constantly goes from one place to the other? Also when Franz, my brother, sent the free ticket to my Franzen, he wrote that he hopes my Franz would not be as bad as his uncle Joseph and that my Franz would make him proud and not bring shame on him. Please write us what kind of life he is leading, it seems to me he must be my husband’s brother through and through. I wouldn’t mind so much if only he had not been drinking and had not led such a fast life, he would already be better. Johan is probably the best among them, he is a good provider for his family. He also handed Franz 30 Mark and said not to forget to write me.