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Updated: May 26, 2025
The Bridge Farmer had to withdraw with his business undone, and with the old, gnawing worm in his heart. Nevertheless, he did not give up hope, but got after old Fottner and promised him the nicest things for his Matt. For a long time it was in vain, but after about two years Heaven itself interposed and brought about a favorable turn of affairs.
A high polish he did not get, but the worthy fathers thought it would suffice for the savages, and told him that the power of his faith would very well make amends for the lack of science. Matthew Fottner had his own thoughts and said nothing.
In those parts the people speak German as well as in Eynhofen, and they roast chickens and ducks on the spit, but no missionaries. There Fottner spent his days in peace and contentment, and soon weighed two hundred and fifty, not a pound less. For the Bridge Farmer, who would have liked to see Matt as a saint, this was a disappointment. And for the Hindians too.
At the same time he was notified that he had passed the age limit and might not come back again. Now wouldn't that beat all? So they were all out in the cold: old Fottner who had been so proud, the tavern-keeper who had already been joyfully looking forward to Matt's first mass, and the Catholic Church, which was losing such a pillar.
But in this deal with Heaven he thought more would be better, and as he had often read in the paper that nothing afforded a better claim on the next world than assistance in supplying priests for the many empty posts, he resolved to have a boy study for holy orders entirely at his own expense. His choice fell upon Matthew Fottner, and this he rued more than once.
The remarkable fortunes of the Reverend Matthew Fottner of Eynhofen, Studiosus, Soldier, and later Pastor at Rappertswyl TRANSLATED BY BAYARD QUINCY MORGAN, PH.D. Assistant Professor of German, University of Wisconsin Whoso has six horses in the stable is a freeholder, and he sits next to the burgomaster in the tavern and is a burgess.
Old Fottner was proud of his son, on whom a faint reflection of his future dignity already rested, who was invited to dinner by the priest, took walks with the Vicar, and played tarot with the teacher and the chief of the constabulary. And the Bridge Farmer was satisfied, too, even though he occasionally found the expenditures of his young protégé somewhat large.
Probably Fottner would simply have to become a missionary. That ought to fill you with joy, for that's actually more deserving than to become priest here." "Oh, but are you quite sure of that? I wouldn't want to have all those big expenses again and then have it turn out only a half-way business." "It is certain and indisputable, for the messengers of the faith were always most highly honored."
Corporal Fottner reflected that it woudn't be a bad life among the clerical gentlemen in Rome, better at any rate than in barracks under a captain who was so generous with the guard-house. So he agreed, and when his time was up at the close of the summer maneuvres, he went to Eynhofen and got in writing the Bridge Farmer's promise relative to the three thousand marks.
James the Apostle, the Reverend Licentiate Matthew Fottner would celebrate Holy Mass for the first time in Eynhofen. Then there was excitement and astonishment in the whole country round!
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