HOT TEA OR COLD TEA?

"They should take cold tea."

"No, let them take hot tea."

"Cold tea is better on a long trip."

So the argument went on between Grandfather Fritz and his brother, Uncle Ernst. What could be the reason for such excitement between these two brothers who had always gotten along so well?

Father and his brother Paul had been delegated to travel from Nuremberg to Paris which in the year 1907 was a long tiring train trip. Their Uncle Emil, 60 years old, a brother of Grandfather and Uncle Ernst, was reported to be seriously sick. He was a bachelor, so the question of his will became important.

After Father and Uncle Paul left, Grandfather had ample time to think over the situation. He paced back and forth, now and then pausing to warm himself before the large blue and white porcelain stove, which stood in one corner of the living room. Finally, tired out, he sat down on the horsehair sofa.

Money was not the reason for Grandfather's concern about the will.

He and his five brothers were organized like an army.

Uncle Joseph, the oldest, was a born salesman. He travelled in the Rhineland and Denmark and acquired many friends and customers among the flourishing brewers, who wanted the best hops for flavouring their beer.

He was too good‐natured and could not say no to anyone. To curb him, cautious Uncle Ernst had inserted a clause in the partnership agreement, preventing any partner from extending a loan above 5000 Marks without consent of the others. Uncle Joseph had passed away 15 years before but his two sons had successfully taken his place.

Grandfather's territories were Russia, Finland and Sweden, while Uncles Emil, Heinrich and Martin visited Norway, Belgium and France. They all had loyal customers who bought from them year after year.

Uncle Ernst took care of buying and shipping the hops which his brothers had sold. Prices fluctuated a great deal and buying at the right time and price made all the difference between profit and loss. He was extremely cautious and never followed the crowd. Uncle Ernst also carefully watched the outstanding accounts and to the annoyance of his brothers never failed to point out the customers who were late in paying their bills. As a result of these policies Uncle Ernst could boast that his customers' ledger was his favourite reading.

The brothers had been so industrious and wise and the times were so favourable that they all became multi‐millionaires.