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Rolling On

Written by Karen Bergstralh

January 1632

 

            "Master Ritterhof, Master Eisenbach, may I present my staff?"  Martin asked, conscious of the scuffling sounds behind him. He heard Max hiss something at Jakob followed by a 'thwack.'

            "Certainly, Master Schmidt. Certainly."  Master Blacksmith Bruno Ritterhof smiled in return, politely ignoring the apprentices' bustle. "Master Eisenbach and I have been looking forward to this day for some time."

            Bowing, Martin turned and scowled at his staff. It gave him time to control his emotions. Even after a month he was still not used to hearing his old masters calling him "master." Taking a deep breath, he looked at his staff. Max Ohl, the senior journeyman, had them lined up by rank and age. For once they were all reasonably presentable; even Rudy was wearing his best shirt. Thanks be to God and Frau Kunze!

            "Masters, may I present Journeyman Max Ohl."  Max bowed to the masters and Martin continued. "Max is working on the thread rolling machine Master Glauber and I discussed with you last night."  It had not been Martin's idea to discuss Kudzu Werke's latest machine with the two out-of-town masters. He well remembered Master Eisenbach's admonitions on guarding your smithy's secrets lest another, rival smithy steal them. Still, Herr Glauber was the boss and, Martin remembered, Herr Ritterhof's brother-in-law. A small thought nibbled; no doubt Herr Glauber had some deal up his sleeve or else not even a brother-in-law would hear of the thread rolling machine. His attention snapped back to the matters at hand as Masters Ritterhof and Eisenbach nodded in acknowledgement of Max's bow.

            "Delighted, Journeyman Ohl. Perhaps you would be so kind as to show us your machine later?"  Master Ritterhof smiled kindly at the journeyman.

            "Indeed, I confess I am very anxious to see such a machine. Master Ritterhof and I had a lively time debating it over breakfast."  Master Eisenbach chimed in.

            Martin caught the startled look in Max's eyes and nodded slightly. There had been no time this morning to warn the journeymen about last night's discussions. A stern look at the others quelled any reactions from them. What was Herr Glauber up to this time? No time to think about that now. Frowning fiercely Martin watched Max's reply carefully.

            Max bowed again to the masters, his face serious as befitted a journeyman greeting masters of his guild. "I will be happy to do so, Masters." The young man sent a quick glance Martin's way and Martin gave him a tight smile and a nod of approval. That appeared to satisfy Ohl who turned his attention back to the visiting masters and the rest of the staff.

            Martin stepped down the line to face the next young man. "And this is Journeyman Carl-Maria Tausch. He is working with me on the reclining chair mechanism. Journeyman Tausch is very good with mechanisms."  At least Carl-Maria had expected to show off their progress to the masters. As he bowed enthusiastically, the young man beamed. Keeping his face straight, Martin considered speaking to Carl-Maria about the proper respect to be shown visiting masters. His own pride in their work on the reclining chair made it difficult not to smile along with the journeyman.

            "Ah!  Another wonder we await being shown. Praise from Master Schmidt on the subject of mechanisms is praise indeed. We were sorry when he left our shop for Madgeburg. Master Ritterhof, I told you we would find our Master Schmidt elbow deep in mechanisms."

            "Indeed, Master Eisenbach, and this Grantville is full of such interesting mechanisms," Master Ritterhof intoned solemnly. Martin's glance did catch a twinkle in the older man's eyes. Hearing his own skills praised, Martin felt a flush of pleasure. He clamped the feeling down. He was a master now, and so he must act like one. Martin moved to introduce the next in line.

            "Sirs, this is Apprentice Rolf Ackermann. A most promising young man, especially at hot and cold forging."  Martin watched closely as Rolf made a credible bow. Turning to the shorter apprentice beside Rolf he continued. "And this is Apprentice Jakob Betche. Apprentice Betche has learned a great deal in the last months and shows considerable promise as a tool maker."  Betche for once stood straight and made his bow without clowning around. From the color creeping up under the boy's collar Martin suspected the praise had surprised the boy. He made a mental note to praise young Betche's work more often for the boy really did show promise. "Lastly, Sirs, this is Journeyman Rudy Neder, the young man who made the fittings for the presentation chests."  The chests had been a hit. Made from quarter-sawn oak and outfitted with deceptively simple pulls and hinges, the chests were among the first results of Herr Glauber's latest venture. To the discerning eye they displayed a high level of craftsmanship in their simple and pleasing lines. Both masters had been impressed.

            "Ah, so this is the young man!  Have you more such work to show us, young Neder?  If it is up to the level we saw last night I will press Master Schmidt to see you quickly promoted. The drawer pulls have a delightful grace and yet are substantial without being overly heavy. And I must say I admire the hinges. I thought they were Master Schmidt's work until he informed me that you began making them as an apprentice. You thought so, too, did you, Master Ritterhof?"

            "Definitely, Master Eisenbach, definitely. Master Schmidt, I applaud you on your ability to find such talented journeymen and apprentices. "

            Rudy turned bright scarlet at the praise of his work. He, too, managed a well-mannered bow and stuttered. " Th . . . th . . . thank you, Masters."

            "Now, Master Schmidt, may we see this thread rolling machine?  I confess to being very much interested in such a device."  Bruno Ritterhof clapped Martin on the shoulder and looked around the shop.

            "And the reclining chair, please?  A machine that threads bolts is certainly a wonderful device, but a chair that lets one recline . . . Ah!"  Master Eisenbach added. "However, before we see these miraculous devices, I have a question. The day is cloudy but you have these wonderful 'electric' lights. Your forge is cold yet the workspace is warm. Can you explain these marvels?  We attempted to ask our hostess but, marvelous woman that she is, she speaks only English."

***

            Three hours later the wonders of the up-time building with its gas heaters and fluorescent lights had been explained. The journeymen and apprentices had shown off the budding thread rolling machine and both the original up-time reclining chair and the developing Kudzu Werke version. The older masters lavished praise on all the staff along with occasional suggestions for improvements in methods and hardware. Pride swelled in Martin's heart as he realized how few improvements were suggested. He had worried about this moment. Worried that his old masters might find his work lacking. Now, basking in their praises he began to truly feel he deserved his new rank. Herr Glauber had told him not to worry, but Glauber was a master carpenter, not a blacksmith.

            Master Ritterhof cleared his throat and gave Martin a questioning look. "If we may, Master Schmidt, Master Eisenbach and I would like to present a little reward to your staff."

            "And, if we might be so bold, suggest that they be allowed the rest of the day off to enjoy these fruits of their labors," Master Eisenbach pitched in.

            From the corner of his eye Martin could see the hopeful expressions on the boys' faces. He didn't have the heart to deny the boys either the purse Master Ritterhof held or the time off. The boys had done extremely well showing off their work and had been good representatives for Kudzu Werke. Despite his feelings he kept his face solemn as he turned to face his staff. "Such rewards will end up being the ruin of them, I'm certain."  Now, behind him, he heard a sound suspiciously like a laugh turned into a cough. That would be Master Eisenbach. He'd gotten the voice and accent just right. After four years of hearing that phrase repeated weekly, he certainly should be able to rattle it off.

            Max seemed to be fighting to keep his face straight. Carl-Maria and Rudy grinned back openly. Only the apprentices' faces showed concern. "I do believe, Masters, that these impudent young rogues could use some time to reflect on life. Alas, given your reward and the day off, I am sure that they will do their reflecting in the Thuringen Gardens."

            "As you say, Master Schmidt, as you say."  Master Ritterhof no doubt remembered some of the times Martin had reflected on life in a beer hall when employed in their Jena shop. Thankfully Master Eisenbach simply smiled, nodded, and silently tapped his lips. No tales would be told today. Masters had to stand together for the good of discipline.

            Master Ritterhof tossed the purse to Max and waved the boys out. The three men stood watching the boys race about for coats, hats, and scarves before stampeding out the forge's door.

            "Ah, youth!  Did we every have that much energy, Bruno?"  Master Eisenbach asked wistfully as the last boy exited.

            "I seem to remember you, Herman, and I one time . . . there was a prostitute or two involved and several bottles of wine . . ." Bruno Ritterhof replied dryly. "Yes, you old stick, we were just as lively."

            Joseph Eisenback chuckled. "Ah, Bruno, I believe you have shocked our young Martin with your tale of our misspent youth."

            "He's bound to learn sometime that a master is just a man who once was a journeyman and before that an apprentice. The title does not confer Godhood, something Herr Hubner would do well to contemplate. Come, Martin, I believe we are to have lunch with Herman today. Will you lead the way?"

            "Of course, sirs."  Martin came out his dazed vision of these men as youths and escorted them out. Before locking the shop he reached over and turned off both the lights and the heater.

***

            "That was a sumptuous repast, Herman. Your housekeeper is a good cook."  Bruno Ritterhof sighed and patted his stomach.

            "Yes, I was lucky there. I met Frau Kunze at the Refugee Center. When I rented this house I remembered her. A gift she is, a gift,"  Herman Glauber answered agreeably, leaning back in his chair.

            "The apprentices mind her—they like her cooking but they like her as well. She manages to feed us all along with keeping the house clean. She also sees that they do their schoolwork and attend church."  Martin added,  "I would be driven crazy trying to care for them without her."

            "Ah, and has this paragon a family?  Would she relocate to Jena?  My Maria could use such help," Joseph Eisenbach teased. "You've only got two apprentices, I've got eight."

            "Oh, yes. Frau Kunze has a husband and three grown sons. When they arrived the husband and one of the sons were gravely ill. Since then they have both recovered and all now all have found work. Hard workers, all of them. They are doing well here and may end up quite wealthy. I'm afraid Maria and your apprentices will have to do without Frau Kunze's aid, Joseph."  Herman leaned back in his chair and smiled at his old friends.

            "In all seriousness, Herman, we are glad to see you doing so well. When word first came of the sack of Madgeburg we feared for you and the boys. Your first letter was most welcome."

            "Very welcome, Herman."  Joseph chimed in. "And startling. We had, of course, heard about Grantville's sudden appearance. Then your letter arrives and we find that not only are you and the boys alive, but that you are here."

            "Your letter was so full of wonders that we thought you had been bewitched . . ." Bruno began.

            "Oh, Bruno!  That was Pastor Hentzsche!  He remains unconvinced that Satan didn't send these Americans. We are tasked to report back to him on any signs of magic. Maria was most insistent that we would find you in dire straits and must bundle you back to Jena with us."  Joseph shook his head. He finished off his wine and smiled.

            " I confess, at first I could not imagine why you wanted to stay here. Now, I think, I begin to understand. Your Grantville is a wondrous place."  Bruno waved his hands at the electric chandelier hanging over the table.

            "Oh, it is. And not the least because here I can meddle in blacksmithing and furniture making instead of sticking just to carpentry."  Glauber chuckled.

            "So we've noticed. What other little businesses are you contemplating, Herman?"  Joseph asked.

            Glauber smiled slyly and puffed his cheeks out. "Oh, I have one or two things but nothing to really talk about. It is Martin here who has big plans."

            All eyes shifted to Martin. Trying to get his thoughts straight he ...