To Mrs. Irina Lucani Radautz
Dear Madam!
My deepest regrets for the heroic death of our honest good husband. In him you loose a good-hearted excellent husband as well as an sacrificing father and I a true good friend whom I valued for his good-heartedness, sincerity a[nd] correctness; may the Almighty give you his merciful comfort. Friends of which you might not have too many now, yet I hope the state will recompense you if possible. You have your child and that will give you courage I am sure How we are! I can’t describe bad. We arrived with rucksack luggage in Mohilew robbed of everything else. If it hadn’t been for a good person we met, we would not be here any more. He lent us money so that we can live. Until a few days ago we slept on the floor; we have now had an iron bed for 6 days and a room half the size of your
entrees. You can not imagine the rise in prices; one letter 36 – 40 Rubels the rate here. 400 Lei as of. 1600. 1litre petroleum 20 – 25 Rubels etc. … The money we took with us has long gone; as I said the notary from Atachi Iwan Pajevanu lent me money and has kept me going. I ask you therefore, dear Madam, to send the money we left with you to: Iwan Pajevanu, Atachi, Jud. Saraca and to write to him on a separate card: “spre acoperirea im pess mutuliu dat Dlui Simon Hilsenrad achialemente in Mohilew” ["to cover the loan given to Mr. Shimon Hilsenrad, currently in Mohilev"] He trusts me so you can send the money in instalments; let me know of those letters. Transfer costs and post-age are paid by me. In case you should leave Radautz I ask you to take our Lei the things we lent you and stocks to my aunt at the brewery or to Mrs Virginia Sorda also living at the brewery and to let us know; maybe one day it will be possible to send something. God be with you and your dear family. I wish you all the best and will always be at your service yours Dr. Hilsenrad.