Opoczno, 10 May 1926 To my most devoted and most beloved nephew, Sol Zissman, I am now sitting and thinking about you, my devoted one. I have in mind how fortunate I would now be if my most beloved one were close to me here in order to convince and inform him of all the details. I wrote you ten days ago that I closed a deal here in Opoczno, i.e., that my brother-in-law, Lazer, interested himself in my situation...and helped me close the deal. The terms are as follows. I have become a 1/4 partner to a mill, i.e., to mill as much as there is to mill, and I will earn 25%. I have been in the mill since May 1, and it doesn't appear to be a risk. It should produce good profits, and I think that, with G-d's help, I will do business. It would be about time... But, the problem is, Sol, that I am involved in the business on a provisional basis, without money. It was agreed that I would provide 200 meters of corn having a value of $600. Lazer risked bankruptcy, borrowed, put together and provided 100 meters; we are required to provide the second 100 meters by May 15. Devoted Shloymele, I know very well that this letter will arrive after May 15, and perhaps you have already read my first letter. Possibly, you have already thought that maybe it's better to help your uncle here on the spot rather than to spend money on tickets for a journey, etc.... However, dear Shloymele, I have absolutely no patience to write now. If I had you here close to me now, I would be able to convince you on the spot of my opinion, the desires that I want to accomplish. Be aware, Sol, that you are my only benefactor who can assist me and steer me onto a path of earning a living because these days it is as bitter as death in Lodz; it really can't get any worse. And if I made a decision and left my home, my wife, my children and came to Opoczno to seek a living, you can imagine what the prospects were... For the time being, I am in Opoczno by myself. I eat and sleep at Aunt Estherl's, and Uncle Lazer expends all his effort so that I might remain in the business. He borrowed money from a charitable fund. He shrunk the operation at his bakery. He also buys the grain for the mill and also works at getting the baker- customers to make purchases. In short, he does everything for me and for my benefit because I showed him all your letters and assured him that you, my devoted Shloymele, will not leave me standing in the middle of the sea. You will surely save me when I call for your help. And now the most opportune time has come. It's a shame that Mr. Anker left two weeks ago. If he were here now and looked over the business on the spot, he would surely have indicated his agreement. Furthermore, all is in the hand of G-d. One can't figure everything out with his intellect, but it seems to me that, with G-d's help, I can make a living in this business. But, of course, only if I can carry through and implement (the deal). Devoted Shloyme, my request to you is that you not approach my letter in a casual manner because I know very well that my nephew doesn't have a bank or a dollar factory there. I know that you work hard and slave away sufficiently there until you accumulate a few hundred dollars! However, Shloyme, your uncle begs you to extend yourself again and, as far as possible, to provide me with several hundred dollars, even if it's with interest, because I anticipate, with G-d's help, that the business will go well and that I will be able to repay the money with interest in a very short time. Even though it was risky to make the deal first and then to write to my devoted nephew for money, nevertheless my writing leaves me with the fullest expectation and the greatest confidence in you that when you receive my letter you will already have telegraphed money to Uncle Lazer's address. If you wish, I can send you a copy of the contract that I signed. Heartfelt regards to you and your wife and family. With respect, Your uncle, Wolf Lewkowicz All material Copyright 1995 by Marshall L. Zissman and Sol J. Zissman.