Der Lehnhold

Lehnhold, Der, a Novelle by B. Auerbach, published in 1853 in Schwarzwälder Dorfgeschichten. The ‘Lehnhold’ (owner by inheritance of a large undivided farm) is the Furchenbauer, who has two sons, Alban and the younger Vinzenz whom he had struck with the haft of a horsewhip so that the boy lost an eye. The reproaches of conscience impel him to swear to give the estate (which he will not divide) to Vinzenz, against all law and rural tradition. A feud develops between Vinzenz and Alban, and in an encounter in the mountainous forest Alban grapples with Vinzenz after the latter has set his dog on him. They fall from a ledge, Vinzenz is killed, and soon after Alban dies of a brain fever. The new heir is the steward Dominik, who has married the Furchenbauer's daughter Ameili. Dominik promises the dying Alban that he will in time divide the estate justly among all of his children.