An Old Story of My Farming Days Vol. 2 (of 3).: (Ut Mine Stromtid)

In Short

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century Mecklenburg, this middle volume of a trilogy traces the unraveling of a once-stable farming estate. It centers on the conflict between Hawermann, a steady, experienced bailiff, and his new employer, Alick von Rambow, whose misguided attempt to "modernize" his farm makes him vulnerable to the predatory influence of a local rival, Pomuchelskopp. Through a domestic lens, the book captures the subtle decay of character caused by pride and poor counsel, grounding its weight in the enduring bonds of friendship and family loyalty.

The Story

The narrative opens in the summer of 1843, establishing a pastoral peace at Pümpelhagen that is soon unsettled by the arrival of Alick von Rambow and his bride, Frida. While Frida shows a genuine, intelligent interest in the land and forms an unlikely bond of trust with the bailiff, Hawermann, Alick proves to be a man of weak constitution. He is easily swayed by the superficial advice of his neighbor, Pomuchelskopp, a man driven by greed and a long-standing resentment toward Hawermann.

Alick, desperate to appear a sophisticated landowner, begins to neglect Hawermann’s practical wisdom. He spends recklessly on exotic livestock and enters into disastrous financial arrangements, all while distancing himself from those who truly understand the estate’s needs. As Alick’s debt mounts, he sinks into a cycle of moral cowardice, hiding his failings from his wife while borrowing money from unscrupulous sources. The domestic discord mirrors the farm’s decline; the "door remains ajar" for strife to enter the household.

Simultaneously, the story follows the fortunes of Hawermann’s friends and neighbors, including the eccentric Zachariah Bräsig and the Nüssler family. The subplot regarding the Nüssler twins, Mina and Lina, and their complicated, often misunderstood romances, provides a counterpoint to the growing tragedy at the manor. Through these smaller lives, the author highlights the value of sincerity and clarity in communication.

By the end of this second volume, the internal collapse at Pümpelhagen is nearly complete. Hawermann, sensing that his influence has been permanently eroded by Alick’s vanity and Pomuchelskopp’s machinations, feels the heavy weight of a life’s work turning to sorrow. The atmosphere of Christmas is marred by the absence of true peace, as Alick remains under the thumb of his deceptive neighbor. The book concludes with the clear understanding that the master of Pümpelhagen has sacrificed his integrity and his estate’s future to satisfy his own fragile ego, leaving the reader with a profound sense of looming, inevitable loss.

How It Unfolds

The new mistress arrives. Alick von Rambow brings his wife, Frida, to Pümpelhagen, introducing the initial tension between the old, honest ways of farming and the new, superficial trends championed by the squire.

A bond of confidence. Hawermann and Frida take a walk over the farm, where they find a mutual respect and understanding that briefly masks the underlying instability of the estate’s management.

The intrusion of malice. Hawermann warns Frida about the true nature of their neighbor, Pomuchelskopp, revealing the history of a past grievance that still threatens the peace of the region.

The folly of progress. Alick, ignoring his bailiff, allows himself to be manipulated into expensive and unnecessary agricultural changes, prioritizing appearances over the practical health of the estate.

Domestic misunderstandings. The focus shifts to the Nüssler household, where long-standing silences and missed cues nearly ruin the romances of the young people, emphasizing the dangers of failing to speak plainly.

The trap closes. Alick, now deeply in debt, turns to Pomuchelskopp for a loan, effectively binding his estate to the whims of the very man who seeks to destroy his reputation and livelihood.

A somber conclusion. As the year ends, the divide between Alick and his wife grows, and Hawermann realizes his role as the protector of the manor has been rendered impossible by the squire’s pride.

The People

Hawermann is the moral anchor of the story—a seasoned, diligent bailiff who wants only to maintain the health of the land he loves. He is constantly frustrated by his employer's refusal to listen, and he ends the volume feeling profoundly weary and sidelined.

Alick von Rambow serves as the cautionary figure. He desires status and the appearance of being a successful, modern gentleman, but his lack of substance makes him an easy target. He ends the story in a state of self-imposed isolation, having traded his independence for the toxic influence of his neighbor.

Frida von Rambow acts as a bridge between the old world and the new. Intelligent and observant, she wants to be a good mistress, yet her growth is stunted by her husband’s refusal to trust her with the truth of his financial ruin.

Pomuchelskopp is the antagonist, driven by a deep-seated desire to acquire land and humiliate his social "betters." He remains consistent in his cold, calculating greed, successfully pulling the strings that draw Alick deeper into dependency.

Zachariah Bräsig provides the heart of the story. Eccentric and loud, he is nonetheless fiercely loyal to Hawermann and possesses a surprisingly keen ability to read human character, often acting as the conscience that others lack.

In Its Own Voice

"No, that would have been impossible; the lady might have sat here on the bench beside me till doom's day, and I'd never have thought of giving her a kiss."

(Christian explains to his sweetheart why the social divide between a laborer and the squire’s wife is an absolute barrier.)

"Domestic strife may be likened to the tail of a kite, such as children play with, the string forming it is very long, and there are small bundles attached to it at regular intervals."

(The author reflects on the persistent, tangled nature of arguments that are left to fester between spouses.)

"He was sad when he thought of how his life at Pümpelhagen had ended, and how all his joy in the place had turned to sorrow."

(The narrator notes Hawermann’s quiet despair as he realizes the estate is beyond saving.)

What It's Really About

At its core, this is a study of the fragility of stewardship. The book argues that an estate—or any organization—cannot survive when the person in charge lacks the humility to learn from those who have spent their lives in service to the land. It asks whether pride is a greater danger than poverty, suggesting that Alick’s moral cowardice is the true catalyst for his ruin. The text explores the tension between tradition and modernity, but it does so without sentimentality; it is less interested in the "good old days" and more concerned with the timeless necessity of honesty, clear communication, and the dangers of allowing one’s judgment to be clouded by the opinions of the dishonest.

Why Read It Today

Reading this volume is an exercise in patience and empathy. It offers a window into a specific, vanishing world of rural life where the rhythm of the seasons and the management of crops dictate the pace of existence. It is not a fast-paced thriller, but rather a slow-burning portrait of human failing that feels remarkably contemporary in its depiction of how a person might choose the "easy" lie over the "hard" truth.

Readers who appreciate detailed, character-driven fiction will find the dialogue—and the eccentric personalities like Bräsig—genuinely memorable. However, the book does present challenges: its length is significant, and the period attitudes toward class and gender are traditional, reflecting the mid-19th-century context. The prose, though warm and precise, requires the reader to settle into a different, more deliberate time. You will stay with the story because of the palpable sense of injustice Hawermann suffers; you will root for him even when the plot dictates his powerlessness. It is a work for those who appreciate seeing how small, seemingly insignificant choices—a poorly made stack of straw, a secret kept, or a misplaced loan—can combine to shape the course of a life.