tallyman at the lower market, of Kuttenberg
“I count timber at the yard and shout at carters. It is dirty work, but it keeps my throat wet.”
Things Hermann Berger had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday before Whitsun, at None
Christ almighty, three massive timber wagons just choked the yard and the carters are threatening to unhitch. If I leave the board to fetch beer, Master Jacob will have my hide. Someone bring three jugs of cheap ale before there is a riot.
Nota scribaeDictated in a great hurry amidst shouting and the lowing of oxen.
the eve of St George, at Vespers
William Baker is weeping about militia fines again. I told him to shut his mouth and tally his load. If you keep the wood moving, Master Jacob does not dock your pay. It is not difficult.
It is easy for you to say, Hermann, you have no fines.
the third day of Easter week, at Prime
Hans Kohl is still sulking in Humphrey's rotting garret over his late mother. God rest her soul, Edith was a good woman, but a man should drink for one night, weep, and get back to the scales. The dead do not tally timber.
Have some respect, Hermann. She mended your shirts.
Nota scribaeThe man spat on the ground after saying this.
the Monday after St Gregory, at Terce
Hynek Wood has been looking at me sideways. I still have his silver weights from the rush. They are bloody useful for my own board. I will give them back by Pentecost, or when he buys me a jug of ale, whichever comes first.
I lent those in good faith. Buy your own weights.
Candlemas, at Compline
The settling of accounts is a bloody nightmare. Young Nickel Berger lent me his brass calipers. He is too timid to ask for them back properly, so I am keeping them to teach the boy a lesson about guarding his livelihood.
Please, Master Hermann, I need them for my work tomorrow.
You are a hard man, Hermann.
Nota scribaeThe man smelled strongly of cheap ale.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I will fetch it if you pay for the ale and my trouble.
Just get it here, lad, before they block the road.