It is said with truth that misfortunes never come singly; one brings
another in its train. The death of our good sergeant was, however, the
last.
That same day the enemy withdrew his outposts to six hundred yards from
the city, the white flag was raised on the church, and the gates were
opened.
Now, Fritz, you know about our blockade. Should I tell you, in
addition, about Baruch's coming, of Zeffen's cries, and the groanings
of us all, when we had to say to the good man: "Our little David is
dead--thou wilt never see him again!"
No, it is enough! If we were to speak of all the miseries of war, and
all their consequences in after years, there would be no end!
I would rather tell you of my sons Itzig and Fromel, and of my Safel,
who has gone to join them in America.
If I should tell you of all the wealth they have acquired in that great
country of freemen, of the lands they have bought, the money they have
laid up, the number of grandchildren they have given me, and of all the
blessings they have heaped upon Sorle and myself, you would be full of
astonishment and admiration.
They have never allowed me to want for anything. The greatest pleasure
I can give them is to wish for something; each of them wants to send it
to me! They do not forget that by my prudent foresight I saved them
from the war.