merchant of Kuttenberg, of Kuttenberg
“I buy cheap from the Fara and sell to the town, and my ledgers are spotless. A man builds his standing on a clean tally and keeping his shoulders square.”
Things Joerg Bauer had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of Whitsun, at Vespers
I need a pair of sharp eyes to go down the steep alley to the Fara forge. Young William is supposed to be making hinges for my stock, but I warrant he sleeps in the shade. I have no silver to spare, but I will pay a useful man with a patched woollen coat.
Nota scribaeThe merchant stood very rigidly while speaking this, gripping the counter with his right hand.
the third day of Easter week, at Terce
A sudden twinge in my spine this morning pulled a sharp oath from my lips. It is nothing but the damp spring air. I bought willow bark and wine from Veneficus, and my mind remains sharp enough to keep my ink neat.
Drink the wine slowly, Joerg. It will ease the stiffness, but it cannot knit old bone.
the Tuesday after St Gregory, at Sext
Heinz and Tuma are bickering endlessly over bags of iron nails and dice. With Gottfried locked in his house with the gout, these hired hands have lost all discipline. I pay them on time and expect them to haul without complaint.
the first week of Lent, at None
I saw Lamprecht the town clerk sniffing around the market apothecary for the levy. The war brings taxes and hungry soldiers to our doors. I am thankful my stiff back keeps me off the muster lists. Let Fritz stand watch, he is better suited to it.
Candlemas, at Compline
The winter cold makes my left hand a little stiff, but it is nothing a warm fire does not cure. I refuse to let it slow my trade. I tallied my groschen by candlelight tonight and the numbers are exact.
A clean ledger is the only thing a man can trust these days. Well done.
Nota scribaeHe kept his left hand tucked firmly in his belt the entire time he dictated this.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I am working the anvil until my arms ache. Come down and see for yourself if you doubt me.
I have no time to walk down your alley. Just have the nails ready by tomorrow.