Life Story
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The train hurtled on it’s journey from Frankfurt to Berlin on that day of May l835 chugging breathlessly and coughing smoke from it’s chimney, like some prehistoric dragon. In a secluded corner, a young man and woman sat very close, obviously lovers and upon observing the young woman, one saw that she had been weeping. Upon the cushioned seat beside her, lay a small boy of about two sleeping quietly. At intervals she bent over the child to ascertain that his slumber was undisturbed by their conversation. As she leaned over him, the resemblance of mother to child was remarkable. A perfect miniature. The same sunny red golden hair, the fine small nose, sweetly shaped mouth and fair almost alabaster skin. There could be no doubt that when the boy awoke he would have inherited the same deep blue eyes. "Michael, I love you so much, but I am terrified when I think of Heinrich’s rage. He will never grant me my freedom When he discovers that I have left him, he will seek revenge. He has always frightened me and now doubly so. If only we can reach Berlin and take Rolf out of school before he follows us. I will die without my precious boys." Again she wept piteously. "My dearest please don’t worry, everything will be alright. This was the only way for us I could no longer stand by and witness Heinrich’s brutality. I promise to protect you and the boys with my life. You are my life" "Darling, you know I would have destroyed myself long ago if it were not for my sons. I was a prisoner in my own home. While everyone envied me for his money, I had nothing. I was forced to account for every penny he gave me to run his household. Now he beat me at the slightest provocation. This you know. You have treated the evidence. You have done so much for me, but what am I doing for you? Your medical career will be ruined. I am dreaming that this will all work out and that we will have a life together. Such an impossible dream!" "My darling girl, you have brought me the best dream. The beauty of the world was created by the dreamers and our dreams will come true. I was an empty shell until I met you. Your beautiful face is my talisman, my love. This is not the Dark Ages it is l835 an enlightened world. People will always need a doctor and I pride myself that I am a good one. Stop worrying. When the facts are known we will have our dream." Michael reached for a shawl to cover Anna. "Rest now, my angel, rest" Suddenly there was a great swerving of the train. Michael was thrown off his feet and onto the seat behind him. "Michael " screamed Anna but the scream was cut off in her throat by a shattering noise as the train plunged over the embankment and crashed blazing into the once tranquil night.
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The Banker's house in Frankfurt was in a state of turmoil, servants moved around afraid to create the slightest noise that would bring down the wrath of the Master upon their heads. The Master, a tall dark, heavy set man of about forty, stood against the mantel, holding a letter in his hand, his face contorted with rage and tears of fury. "That bitch," he howled, at last, "does she think that I will give up my sons! I’ll see her in Hell first! She and that bastard doctor of hers! I’ll kill them both! "Hans," ringing for his servant, "Hans send a messenger for Herr Baruch. I want him here immediately!" he shouted as the man appeared. Hans turned on his heels and ran to do his masters bidding, fearing for his own safety, for Heinrich was a man possessed. Shouting, stamping, tearing at his clothes, he made no effort to control himself. He could not cope with being thwarted. "The nerve of them! Who do they think they are! I have broken better men than that quack! As for her, that she wolf, I will destroy her completely! Sweetness and light, eh? Patient suffering! All a pose to cover her falsehood. I’ll fix her!" Hans returned with a fashionably dressed handsome man who hurried into the room before the servant could announce him. "Herr Baruch is here Mein Herr." "Baruch," screamed Heinrich, "your bitch of a sister has run away with her doctor and taken my son Emanuel with them. Just read this filthy letter. That whore has the nerve to tell me that they will pick up Rolf at school. You had better find them, because if I find them first I will kill them and no judge will condemn me!" "Heinrich calm down or you will have a stroke. You brought this situation upon yourself. You treated Anna like a possession, not a wife. A pretty thing to show off to your friends. With all your money she never owned anything. She could have lived with that, but you showed her no love, only brutality. She was ready for the first person who gave her the love she craved. I am surprised that she waited as long as she did. It was only the boys who kept her here. Now she has found someone who will help her take them into a better life."
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About the Book
This is the story of the family of Emanuel and Ernestine Hirsch and their seven children. It begins in 1830. Emanuel was lost, then miraculously found, in a tragic train crash that killed his mother. The story continues through his maturity, at times a journey through several countries, his life, loves, mistakes and courage. The story tells of his arrival in America in 1863, his many trips home, his return to the United States, and finally the landing of Ernestine and her family in 1878. Then each chapter is a tale in itself as the children progress, including various missteps along the way, weddings, business ventures, great affections, and many love affairs. The story ends with the marriage of their last daughter in 1900 (the only one born in America), after much controversy among the family members.
About the Author
I am 83 years of age, a graduate of CCNY, and an accountant of British Airways for the past 35 years. I have been married for 62 years to the same man and have one son, two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Until ten years ago, I was a resident of New York. We now reside in Florida. My dad died at age 49 when I was a small child. My oldest brother and my Mom worked, so I was shuttled between aunts and uncles for several weeks at a time. This was a gold mine in disguise as I heard and memorized much of the history of this most interesting family. During my life, I have written poetry and attempted other writing, but was always too busy with work, housekeeping, family illnesses, and the hundreds of essential operations of a domestic CEO. After retirement, I decided to piece together all of the knowledge and notes I had accumulated. This is the labor of my last 5 years.