Note 3 — Chapter IV · ToC

The advertisement columns of the daily papers, those most trustworthy of documents, told many a tale of distress. Here is one such advertisement:—

"Valuable violin—Antonius Stradivarius Cremonentis, authentic, will exchange for provisions: meat, sugar preferred."

But it's an ill wind that blows nobody good, and if it blows away the family heirloom it blows off the mortgage on the family property:—

"Summer holidays in peace and plenty. Farmhouse in Harz mountains will receive family and provide them with farm produce, milk, butter, eggs, etc., in return for redemption of mortgage of 10,000 marks."