From: Petrofka, Bessarabia
31 December 1912
(First Continuation)
Through such single instances the lack of understanding lets it be misled and uses the perceptibility as an excuse, as a pretense, which is stupid and lame at the same time. Then it is said, “The scribbling about moderation and abstention taking care of one’s health is foolish gossip! Just look at Michael! He has been dissolute all of his life and has grown old doing so and will outlive all of us! And then there is George! What all he had to endure in his life and is more solid than thousands of others. Carry on like a woman in childbed or live all out like a debauchee – that is all the same. Whatever is destined for you will happen, regardless of how you live!” In such a naïve and frivolous way the dear Lord is being involved with these foolish actions and he is being blamed in an irresponsible and blasphemous way for all of that. Do not such irrational sinners understand that the strongly built, healthy born and reared people can withstand more without damage than a human being, which from his mother’s womb and from infancy on has been a weakling? Just like a bottle of beer or a quart of wine would strengthen a man, but would harm a child? Just like a physical exercise will become a need for the strong, but would put a weakling onto his sickbed. That’s why it should be obvious that one cannot task a frailly built body as much as a robust one.
However, we do not deal with the mind here, which is incurable. Instead, we turn to rational people by calling out to them once more, “Please consider the build of your body. The less it can take, the less of a demand you should put on it, without falling prey to pampering! But when age approaches then learn how to cope with it and realize that you are old. That is not as easy as some may think! It will creep into self-disappointment, which in time will take a terrible revenge! Some struggle hand and foot against old age, believing that they are still young and think way too much about once being young. In contrast, like the young think too little about not wanting to grow old, or that they will.
Women want to realize the least that they are growing old, especially those who beyond their younger years were glowing with beauty. Often there are tears and distress before they submit to the unavoidable! Of course those who have not pursued the meaning of life in coquetry but who have found their place in homes as wives and mothers, those will peacefully and softly glide into the days of old age. They will assume an esteemed position as an honored matriarch among their children and grandchildren.
Therefore friend, when old age comes along then learn how to cope with it! Don’t think for a moment, when you are already fifty or fifty-five that you can still act like you did when you were in your thirties or forties. And no one has to act surprised, when they see you looking a little thinner. That’s what occurred to me in Krasna. I unexpectedly showed up at my old friend’s, Mr. Anton Kunz where guests who attended the baptism of my nephew Thomas Januschaitis were in awe when they saw me. They hardly recognized me because I had lost so much weight in the short time of three months. That stands to say that things are going down hill already when one is in one’s fifties. The lung doesn’t have its’ earlier elasticity, breathing becomes more difficult and the mucus in the windpipe gets sticky. What is the conclusion of this? You are old! If fifty or seventy, you are old! Learn to understand it, learn to cope with it, because it can happen to you too! You catch a cold easier than before. What causes that? Well, friend that means that you are old. Your digestion is worse than before. All bodily functions like excretions, exhalations, bowel movements and urination are more difficult to perform. Why? You are old! Sleep seems to escape you or you become lethargic. The reason of course is that you are old! Movement becomes more troublesome. The senses become dull. Nature takes effect clearly and understandable by slowing down all natural functions. No wonder, but all in the order of succession, because you are old! There is no cure for it, like shivering when cold, like beauty lotion for wrinkles and also no struggling against old age! It’s a fact. It is here to stay. It will not let itself be chased away. You cannot chase it away or deny it, or pretend that it is not there.
Therefore my dear friends, I want you to remember the time when you were gathered at my niece’s house Amalia Kunz and Anton Kunz. You were 28 to 30 years old and you had rosy cheeks. You enjoyed the wine like your stomach had no bottom. Once you get to this age, then you too will notice how rapidly the body’s system will change. If you want to enjoy your remaining God-given years like I mentioned before, then heed my advice. Put on the fur coat, which is right for you. Live in the room, which has been assigned to you. Look at yourself as being old, which you now are!
Secondly, I will tell you, adjust yourself to old age! As soon as a wholesome recognition has surfaced within you that had you admitting that you are old, then adjust yourself prudently to your age. As with everything, first of all you have to find your way about it. Organize and accustom yourself to it in order to feel well. The same holds true with old age.
However, if you are already old or are in the years when old age starts to set in and you do not treat your body accordingly, then it can happen suddenly that you will not hear the cuckoo’s sound too much longer. I assure you with heart and word dear friend, that when being in the fifties and sixties and you haven’t mistreated your old body too much, then life during old age is not as bad as you might think, as long as you have gotten used to it. Not only spring and summer have a charm, but fall and winter as well! Many a storm of passion has cooled off. We look back in our old age on these earlier outbursts with humiliation and with that sweet feeling of now being guarded against it. The children have grown up. They are possibly living on their own. Maybe grandchildren were born who have raised our worries but also our joy. They return our love with respect and honor. Now more than ever the old man is busier than when he was young! He has to plan, advise, worry and hope. He is tied down in dealing with wishes and need, fortune and sorrow and success and failure. Many sad and happy life experiences endlessly drift through his mind. They offer us an inexhaustible treasure of thousands of enjoyments and teachings for the younger generation. The mature judgment, as well as literature and passing judgment offer joy about which the young have no idea. If these spiritual and heartfelt delights belong exclusively to the old age, then there will also be a shortfall of a contented mind. I did drink wine in earlier days, but it is not an imagination when I maintain that a glass of aged red or white wine is more becoming and tastes better. It appeals to me like a good tasting medicine. Likewise, a glass of aged beer tastes better to me than it would to a young man, who enjoys it in my opinion, with not enough testing and know-how. On the contrary, I as a gray old revere of the “Gambrimus” (type of beer or wine) do it homage with a competent tongue and an experienced palate.
That is how you, dear friend and fellow reader, should see me sitting with my pipe and a cup of coffee. If you have a feeling for other joys and sense when other people feel content, then you would praise me as the biggest enjoyment addict, but also as a lucky man whose comfort is reflected in his eyes. Of course, you have to know your limits like I do in reference to drinking. The old body is no longer able to drink a whole bottle of wine or a bottle of beer. It will protest bitterly when tasked with too much in this regard.
Romuald Dirk
(Conclusion will follow)
From: Petrofka, Bessarabia
(Second Continuation & Conclusion)
Now let’s talk about food. Old age has dulled my teeth or has mostly taken them away. Therefore I chew slower and prefer softer food which is less demanding on my teeth. The stomach is still in good condition. I stay away from hard to digest, spicy, acidy and fat food items, which I always have avoided. Moderate eating and drinking is the key issue in old age. All it takes is a sound willpower, since nature already points towards moderation and often will even give us clues. In this case, self-deception will lead many seniors astray. Because eating and drinking seem to be their only enjoyment left in old age, they are easily tempted in this matter. Therefore, moderation is important in old age. It serves the younger generation and the strong man well, but how much more does it serve the old one, the senior.
As an old man, while trying to enjoy life, you should before anything else give up the enjoyment of sexual and carnal activities. The one who ignores the signs of nature in this matter, while nature already reduces the urge, and the one who doesn’t or doesn’t want to understand, that’s who will waste away his life’s capital in a short time. For that there is no replacement. In this respect, the sooner a man counts himself among the old the better it is for him. It is a question in life not only for the body but also for the mind. Save the strength of your nerves. It will give gusto to the spirit and protects you from acting like an animal! If you don’t want to listen, then you can find out the hard way!
Patient reader, you probably noticed that my words are nothing new and that they not only apply to old age but also to any segment of life. But they are especially recommended for the old age. Also do not accept or underestimate unhappiness. You can compare the human body with a house with a similar structure. Of course, one is more massive and solid than the other. You may postpone or neglect to repair a new building or a body that is still young. Most likely you will harm yourself, but the building will remain in tact and the body will overcome the ailment. But if you postpone a needed repair on an old building, then you will encounter danger. The already rotten beams, the cracking walls will lose their stability and the house will collapse over your head. When young, pay attention to catching a little cold or sneezing, or a minor complication when urinating, or a minor soreness in the arms. All this will go away again! It will probably go away because the body is still strong and repels anything damaging. It replaces anything lost and successfully resists evil influxes and their effects.
However during old age it’s a different story! “What are you saying? Michael is supposed to have died? I saw him just a few days ago. He appeared vigorous and lively!” “Why of course, but he had caught a little cold and that’s what brought him a quick death!” Don’t underestimate an indisposition! Your chest will grow weaker, sickly and prone to constriction. Don’t sit down for hours in stinking tobacco smoke, but look for fresh air! You will catch a cold faster than before, because an old body will be less capable to expel toxins. The body will have less strength to put warmth into chilled skin. Therefore protect yourself from drafts, from extreme cold, not only during the winter but even more so during spring, because the sudden jump in temperatures between hot and cold will bring more old people to their graves than the severe winter. There are many that have been deceived by the mild air in spring or comfortable warm summer evenings and have ended up dead. Store your winter clothing a little later rather than sooner! The heat may become a little uncomfortable, but the cold is old age’s mortal enemy. Of course, a big and fat body can withstand more cold than a skinny, bloodless and sensitive one. But one should not be too worrisome and spoil oneself with putting on too many clothes. Many young people are doing so nowadays. They put on a heavy overcoat just to go from one house to the next when the temperature is only minus 2 or 3 degrees below freezing. What kind of clothing will such gentlemen wear once they are old?
Equally important in my eyes are activities, movement and living. Whoever has experienced this during his youth will not recommend constant rest in the old age. You shouldn’t be as active in old age as you were in earlier times, not as hasty and less tempestuous while working, be it at home or in a trade. Nonetheless, one should keep active and keep the muscles fit, if one wants to enjoy good health and well being. If old age becomes inclined to too much rest, to take it easy, as old age is known for, then stiff joints and weakness, which old people often complain about, will be unavoidable! Straining and exercising the muscles will improve blood circulation, digestion, protect against the agglomeration of blood in certain areas, and guard against getting fat and weak. It is common sense that the muscles should not be overworked. But regular walks especially are excellent. They will improve the needed detoxification and the airing out of the skin during old age. They will cause the right proportion of tiredness and hunger. Following a moderate meal a restful sleep will ensue. The senior can also continue with certain types of gymnastic exercises, which will serve him well. The stretching of the individual joints of the feet, legs and arms even when doing so in bed will keep the joints flexible and free of stiffness.
If a person used to wash his entire body with cold water right after getting up during his youth and later on as a man, then he should carefully continue to do so. In the worst case he should have the water at room temperature. This principle care will only be of benefit to him. There are many similar suggestions for the golden age, but for now I want to conclude my essay.
Dear reader, put these words to a test and try to see if you can find some wheat underneath the chaff. The reader can tell from each written line that I am not a doctor, but I have my personal experiences. Based on these I wanted to present the above statements to serve the wellbeing of human kind. I wish – and hopefully you too dear reader – that I will reach my God given goal in life as a prudent man. I love to live, but I am not afraid to die.
Blessed are those with a pure heart for they will be in the presence of God. This means in other words: Blessed are those, who have no corrupt thoughts and desires in their hearts. Those who are without anger, greed, envy, lust, treachery, injustice and fraud. Furthermore, those who are gentle, peaceful, forgiving, loving, modest, humble, generous and righteous. Therefore, we should take this little proverb to heart:
Oh Lord, what an incomparable treasure for us is a pure conscience; whomever this consoles will have courage whenever sinners will be faint-hearted. His heart full of peace will not tremble, not even when facing death and judgment. You bestow him with rest and peace.
I sincerely greet all my friends in the far away America and Canada, especially my children Ignatz Gross and his wife Amalia, Eduard Richter and his wife Eugenia. Further, I am greeting my old colleague Anton Jochim in Harvey, North Dakota and also the esteemed editorship.
Respectfully,
Romuald Dirk
From: Shields, Morton County, ND
8 February 1913
On January 14, a bachelor was found dead in bed. Investigations state that he must have been dead for a week. (*Publisher: We already reported the suicide of the young Russian, and the theft as reported. See above, Nikolaus Kahl)
Mr. Jakob Kopp has been ill for some time and is still bedridden. May the good Lord grant him good health soon.
We are getting new neighbors. Simon and Wendelin Kopp and their families are settling here from Lemmon, South Dakota.
Greetings to my sibling’s child Joachim Both in Emmental, South Russia, my school buddy Magnus Miller in Canada, and the publisher and readers of this paper.
Philipp Kahl
From: Raleigh, North Dakota
11 February 1913
Here is my first correspondence to this paper. If it does not end up in the wastebasket, I will continue to write.
So, my fellow countrymen in the old fatherland let me tell you that we are well off here! We have a debt ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, but we shall rid ourselves of it as soon as we get a decent harvest and the grain prices improve.
We are very determined to start building a church here come spring. We are in agreement on it, just not exactly where and when.
I would like to ask our old friends in South Russia, Anton Gedak, Romuald Dirk and Zachäus Kopp of Bessarabia to write more frequently. There cannot be enough news from there!
(*Publisher: The poem submitted has already been printed in the paper.)
Greetings to all readers and staff of the paper.
Joseph Blotzki