From: Petrofka, Bessarabia
5 January 1913
With this letter I am reporting to the honored editorship that during the time of my move I received all issues of the paper (#9 to #20) and also the “Regensburg Marien Calendar” for 1913. For that I am grateful to the editorship. But now 3 weeks have passed since I received Issue #20 without receiving the next issues. I don’t know what the obstacle could be but I won’t despair and will patiently wait to see what the time will bring me. I had already planned to send more articles to educate and entertain the readers of the Staats-Anzeiger, but without receiving all issues of the dear paper it is a difficult situation. It could happen that there would be an interruption in my reports. (*Editor: The next issues must have certainly gotten into the hands of the correspondent since they are sent from here regularly.)
The weather up to 25 December was mild, rainy and muddy. After that we had frosts and very cold temperatures until 1 January. Today, 5 January, it is raining once again just like in December.
This winter we hear very little about burglaries here in our village. There have also been no accidents. Since I have very little to report I don’t want to omit reporting a comical event which happened in a school. A school inspector had inspected the school “X” and had a conference with the teachers. The severe Mr. Superior praised the achievements of the students but he added, “The school is not only here to teach the students academics, but the school should also teach the boys the art of living and politeness. Part of that is that they also understand to give reasonable answers. I have noticed that the answers of the students were awkward and even impolite. They did not give the questioning person the proper address when they answered. For example the student, who was asked his name, would answer Mueller, instead of politely answering Mueller, Mr. Inspector. Gentlemen, please see to it that at least this rule of politeness will be impressed on their minds.”
One year later! The inspector once again appeared at the school for an inspection. He entered the classroom, where the students had just been taught about religion. They were just into the “fall of man”. The inspector took over the instructions and started questioning the students, “What did God say to the serpent?” He asked the young boy Mueller who immediately answered, remembering the strict instructions, “You shall be damned, Mr. Inspector.” “No, no that’s not what I mean. What else did God say to the serpent?” Mueller answered, “You shall crawl on your belly, Mr. Inspector.” The inspector said, “Dear God what else did he say?” Mueller said, “I shall step on your head and squash it, Mr. Inspector.” The inspector said, “Now Mueller let’s forget the story about the serpent. What did God say to Eve?” Mueller answered, “You shall bear children in pain, Mr. Inspector.” The inspector said, “This is getting curious Mueller. The story is getting so thick one can’t swallow it anymore. Let’s finish with this story and start with something that is not so deep in the hands of God.”
In closing, I will remember my old colleague Anton Jochim who asked the question of me why I gave up my jobs as teacher, secretary and sexton. I will answer that question in my biography and I will also send a picture of myself at the same time. Up until today, I have not succeeded in getting a picture for this purpose. I will strive to send all of it soon to the Staats-Anzeiger.
I am sending a heartfelt greeting to the editor and the readers everywhere.
Respectfully,
Romuald Dirk
From: Krasna, Bessarabia
25 January 1913
I want to write a few lines to the Staats-Anzeiger, so my friends can see for themselves that I am still among the living!
Here we have a discussion about school matters facing the community. In order to honor the 300th anniversary of the House Romanov and for the use of our children, we are planning to build a school with six departments.
Currently, there are movements in the works at ministry level to curtail the Germans in Bessarabia. Let us hope that this will not come to pass.
The new rail from Leipzig to Akkerman is the biggest talk of the town right now. It is of great advantage to us all and our construction will start in the spring.
(*Publisher: A personal attack follows, which we had to purge.)
Many of my friends in the new world always want to know how this or that person is faring. I can respond by saying that all in all, all are well, especially Mr. Anton Gedak, who has many friends. He still takes his walks and every so often, he hunts rabbits too.
We have had great spring weather for a week now.
Greetings to Peter Löb and all friends and relatives.
Peter Leintz