Dear and devoted Sol,

After spending eight days in Opoczno, certain acquaintances
interested themselves in my situation. They suggested that
I wrote to you about (the possibility) of their exporting
feathers and down to you. Such a transaction is related to
your line of business; that is, you sell beds and mat-
tresses, so you could also have feathers. Many Polish peo-
ple have done very well in this business.  You could send
us, in return, wheat flour, or something else--American oil,
cocoa, butter, and so on and so forth. It seems to me that
it might be possible to do something. Write to me and we'll
mail you a quantity of feathers. Also write about anything
else we might send to America. If we were to succeed, then
we could make a whole project of it, e.g., Lazer, his
mother, Moshe Shpitz (Zilbershpitz), his (Lazer's) brother-
in-law, and me...with my great poverty. However, don't look
upon this as a family affair, Shloymele. Consider it purely
from a business point of view.

I am convinced that Americans have done well in importing
feathers and exporting wheat flour and other food staples.
It would be very nice if we could make a go of this!  If I
am successful in getting all the necessary information, you
will receive a precise answer.

        Your uncle,

        Wolf Lewkowicz

My dear child,

With great joy I received a letter from you saying that you
have become engaged. I have not had any greater joy in my
life than what I am experiencing now.  You want me to
congratulate you.  Even though I am on the road and not in
my own home, I wish that you have finally found your good
fortune.  I will write more and congratulate you and your
fiancee further...perhaps a bit later, when I have more
peace of mind. In the meantime, I wish, my dear child, that
you may have found the match made for you in heaven. May it
be as in the biblical passage, "To find a wife is to find
good." May your heart, from this moment forth, be healed.
May your bride-to-be be a comfort to you, a balm, a mother
as well as a wife. May she advise you and help you.  In
short, may you be happy wherever you roam, wherever you may
be. I am also proud that I have the honor of knowing your
fiancee's parents. I would like you to send me a picture of
your fiancee as well as a verbal description.

I send regards to you and your worthy bride-to-be (although

I  haven't  met  her).  With  respect,  your  uncle,
        Wolf Lewkowicz




All material Copyright 1995 by Marshall L. Zissman and Sol J. Zissman.