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Chapter Twenty: Redemption
It had taken a month for the trial of Herr Mueller for murder to come to court. For that month Mueller waited in prison.
Johann, Hilda, and Richard Henri returned to Herrnhut with many of the older boys - about twenty - from the Rostock Boys Orphanage. They would stay at the Orphan House in the community until they came of age.
Henri and Maria also returned home to Herrnhut, and just in time. They wrote to Richard that the day after they arrived, their first child was born, a daughter whom they named Christine. They were anxious for “Uncle” Richard to see the newest member of the family.
Hans went to Herrnhut as well. Gradually he improved - his spiritual and physical health becoming a project for the entire community. Hans’ simple ways and practical wisdom made him a favorite of everyone - especially the children.
Since there was no war for the Prussian Army, Kolonel Baron von Steuben retired at the age of thirty-three. He began to search restlessly for another army at war. He finally arranged an appointment as chamberlain to the prince of the small state of Hohenzollern-Hechingen. The baron offered Richard a position as his aide.
Pastor and Frau Schmidt returned home to their Lutheran parish at Warnemunde. Richard gave to his old church his family home to be used as an orphanage to be administered by the congregation and pastor. The younger boys from the orphanage at Rostock - numbering about a dozen - were transferred to Richard’s old home with the prospects of better care and loving supervision.
Richard and Emil worked secretly on Richard’s project which involved converting his family’s savings into cash and many trips to Schwerin, the capital city of the Province of Mecklenburg.
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Finally, in July Herr Mueller was brought before the judge for the murder of Master-at-Arms Reinhold Reichman. The brief trial lasted only one day, as did Richard’s.
Mueller’s trial was not well attended. No one really took notice. The one person in attendance was Richard Schuler.
Richard watched Mueller during the entire trial. The man entered the courtroom, eyes blood shot and frantic. His lower lip quivered underneath his mustache. It appeared to Richard that Mueller had lost much weight. Apparently, he had not eaten well or slept well during his month of waiting.
Richard sat straight and unmoving in his new uniform in the back of the courtroom. Occasionally, Herr Mueller would glance back at Richard. Their eyes would meet. Mueller’s eyes were whimpering and pleading as if he were begging for mercy. Richard’s eyes reflected intense thought and calculation.
Mueller was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging the next morning. Justice was served. When the verdict was read, Mueller collapsed on the floor. Richard quietly stood and left the courtroom.
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Both Herr Mueller and Richard spent sleepless nights - though in different circumstances. Mueller in his cell was awaiting his execution. Richard in a room in a nearby inn was praying he was doing God’s will.
Early that morning, two hours before the time set for the execution, both men were up and pacing. Richard dressed in his new uniform and neatly packed his belongings in a chest. He paused to look at the comb which his brother had made, his mother’s ring, and the family Bible with the note from his father. I hope my family will understand what I am doing.
The prosecutor had offered to return the knife which had belonged to his father and which had been used in the murder, but Richard had refused that. He placed the comb, ring, and Bible on top of his other belongings and locked the chest. He called for a servant to carry the chest down stairs.
At the same time Mueller was accounting for all of his belongings. There was not much left of his life, only what was allowed him in the jail - cup, plate, and fork. So this is the sum of my life, he thought. He placed his belongings in a cloth sack and handed them to the jailer. He tried to arrange his clothing as best as he could, but his hands shook with fear.
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One hour before the execution both men finished their meal. Neither could eat well. Richard rushed through his breakfast while Mueller took his time trying to delay the inevitable.
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Emil Schmidt arrived in front of the inn in a carriage. Richard was waiting for him and quickly got into the carriage and sat beside Emil without speaking. Emil told the driver to go to the jail.
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In the jail Herr Mueller heard slow footsteps on the stone floor. They grew louder.
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Emil shook his head. “I am not certain I understand what you are doing. Think of your future. You are throwing it all away. Let the justice system take its course.”
“I thank you for your concern for me,” said Richard, “but this is something I must do.” The two boyhood friends rode together in silence.
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“Herr Mueller,” said the guard, “It is time now.”
“Mein Gott,” whimpered Mueller, “can you not wait a little while longer? Please?” With that he fainted and collapsed on the floor.
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Mueller was awakened by a bucket of cold water being thrown in his face. At first he did not know what had happened or where he was. Then he saw he was still in his cell. He struggled to get off the floor and onto his cot. He sat with head buried in his hands and sobbed.
“Herr Mueller,” called the guard who stood in the open doorway with the empty bucket. “It appears that you have a visitor.”
Into the cell walked Richard. “Would you please excuse yourself, my good man, and shut the door behind you.”
“Yes, sir,” said the guard with some hesitation. “But . . . but, sir.”
“Thank you, that will be all!” commanded Richard.
The door shut and the two men were left alone. Mueller looked up and saw Richard standing above him. “So, Schuler, I see you’ve come to enjoy my last moments. You want to hear me beg for mercy? You want to see me twitch at the end of the rope? Will that give you pleasure?”
“No, Herr Mueller, I am not here for that.”
“Well, what then? What could possibly be your motivation for being here than to get your revenge by watching me die? What else can you do to me? What else is there to . . . You are here to do it yourself, aren’t you?” Mueller rose, wide-eyed and panicked. “That’s it! You will have your revenge at your own hands! You will execute me yourself! No!” Mueller was shouting hysterically and backing into a corner of the cell. He began to whimper as Richard walked toward him, “No, no, please no! Don’t make me suffer! Don’t torture me! Oh God, help me!”
Richard reached out with his hands. He grabbed Mueller by the front of his coat. “God will help you, Mueller. Listen to me! Are you listening?”
Mueller tried to compose himself. When he was quiet, Richard spoke in soft tones. “I have purchased your pardon. You are free to go. Here,” Richard held out a legal document.
Mueller grabbed it and read quickly. He looked at Richard and simply said, “How? Why?”
“The ‘how’ is easy,” said Richard. “The kingdom is in need of funds to pay for the war. The King is selling pardons - at quite a price. I took all my family’s savings and purchased your pardon.”
“But, why?” asked Mueller as he collapsed on his cot in astonishment.
“That is the harder question,” said Richard. “All I can say is that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ commanded me to do it. I don’t really know why. All I know is that Jesus commanded me and I obeyed.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I don’t either, Herr Mueller. I don’t either. All I know to say is that God loves you and will forgive you too if you will let him.” Turning toward the door Richard shouted, “Guard.” The guard came running.
“I am ready to leave now.” The guard opened the door as Richard continued. “Herr Mueller, the jailer knows why I have come. He will release you immediately. I bid you goodbye. Rest assured I will continue to pray for you.”
Richard walked from the cell, leaving Mueller sitting on his cot stunned. But he did not sit for long. He quickly bolted from the cell waving his pardon. The jailer muttering to himself waved Mueller out the front door, “Lucky man, that one.”
Mueller ran out the door to see Richard walking away. Without looking back Richard entered the carriage as sat beside Emil. Emil leaned out the window and shouted to the driver, “Back to the Boar’s Head Inn!”
Mueller ran hysterically from the jail. He screamed and danced, laughed and cried through the streets of Rostock with no direction.
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The two friends, Richard and Emil, lounged at a corner table at the inn. They had been sitting for an hour discussing what had just transpired.
“Well, Richard,” said Emil, “As your lawyer it is my duty to inform you that you are now officially broke! You have no money. Buying that pardon cost you everything. I hope it was worth it to you.”
“I guess I won’t be able to pay you,” grinned Richard.
“Nonsense. It was worth the effort. I thought you were crazy at first, but you have a good heart, a Christ-like heart. The last month has been better than all my father’s sermons - though don’t tell him that. Seriously, though, what will you do now?”
“I suppose I will accept Baron von Steuben’s offer to join him as his aide. It will be good to have some peace and quiet for a change.”
“Well, you’ve earned it. I suppose that . . . Oh no,” Emil interrupted himself. “Look who’s up to his old habits already.” Emil pointed to the door of the tavern. There in the doorway stood Herr Mueller. He frantically looked around the room. He saw the two young men and hurried over toward them, knocking into chairs and other customers in his haste.
“Herr Schmidt,” Mueller’s nod almost became a bow as he greeted Emil.
“Herr Mueller,” Emil responded guardedly.
“Herr Stabskaptain Baronet von Schuler, sir,” the bow was unmistakable this time.
“Herr Mueller,” responded Richard. “What may we do for you?”
“Nothing, sir, . . . ah . . . that is . . . you have done so much . . . I . . . was wondering if you might have some time to spare me sir. I . . . ah . . . I would like for you to tell me, sir, how do you know God loves me?”
A Chamberlain was a court official who had charge of the daily operations of the court and the management of the household for a ruler.
The Principality of Hohenzollern-Hechingen was one of a myriad of small semi-independent states in Germany during this time. Germany was not united, and small principalities dotted the maps like a quilt. Hohenzollern-Hechingen was located about fifty miles north of Switzerland and forty miles west of France in southern Germany. It was approximately 400 square miles in size. Baron von Steuben served as Chamberlain in this minor court from 1763 to 1771.
Mecklenburg was a semi-autonomous state within the Kingdom of Prussia at this time and included the towns of Warnemunde and Rostock. The province would have had its own system of local government including its own legal system.
