Ruth’s childhood in a closer view of the wedding song

English translation

This closer view repeats verses II through V of the wedding song. II. Little Ruth was always a joy to her parents and to me. Julius loves her dearly. To all her aunts she was manna, and Ruth feels loving sympathy for everyone. Once on Lindenweg she climbed over a fence entirely by herself; but as she squeezed through, little Ruth caught one leg. Uncle Georg found the incident interesting. Fräulein Mieze had to treat her for a long time. Ruth—this is rare—because she bears no blame, always does her duty well and patiently. III. Ruth studied very diligently and cultivated friendship well. Quick as a weasel, she could win many prizes at tennis, upon my word. Swimming and dancing delight her; she pursues every sport enthusiastically. She always likes to stay in Schierke and has for years climbed the Brocken. She also loves the dunes and the beach at Norderney, however far away. It should not go unmentioned that eight years ago she made an impression there upon a gentleman. IV. Last winter Albert came upon Ruth again in Schierke. On New Year’s Eve shortly before midnight he did exactly the right thing and, without ceremony, steered Max into the hotel reading room so that he could speak. Father Reichenbach interrupted very quickly with a comic remark about the good air. Albert thought quietly to himself, “I must keep my mouth shut now.” Then, because he was so in love, he pursued the matter rather hurriedly and not lazily. V. Albert then appeared in Halberstadt. Dolf, the brother-in-law and versifier who had known both girls, called them “Halberstadters.” “Dolf, you are not to make a sound tonight—someone is coming to visit!” The verse jokes about Albert’s competence as a cavalier and driver, Ruth’s preference to be driven by no other man, and the proverb that a prophet has never counted for much in his own country.

English translation or reading prepared for the Reichenbach Family Archive. Comic wordplay and several faint readings remain provisional.

Same life

• Ruth Helene Reichenbach
• Adolf “Dolf” Reichenbach