THE P O LI S H PEAS ANT I N EUR O PE

AND AM ER I CA

VO LUM E I I
PR I MARY - GR O UP O R GAN IZ ATION
TH E P O L I S H PE A S A N T
’

I N EU R O PE a nd A M ER I C A
M ON O G R APH O F AN I M M I GR ANT GR O U P

W ILLI AM I . THO M AS
an d

FLO R I AN ZNANI EC K I

VOLUM E I I
PR I M AR Y -GR O UP O R GANI Z ATION

B O S TO N

R I CHAR D G . BAD GER

THE G O R H AM P R i _
CORRES PO ND ENCE BE TWEEN MEMBE RS OF FAm v- GRoup s —
C ti
on nu ed

Ja ckowski Sen e s
Ka n iku la Seri e s .

Topol ski S eries

S ekowski S e ri es
Ma kowski
‘

S eri es
Cu gowski Se ries
B a rszczewski Series
Ha Iicki Seri es
Rzepkows ki Seri es
K a linowicz S eries
Wicko wski Series
S erczyfiski Steri cs
Te rlecki Se ries ,

R aczkowski Seri es
‘

Rem biefiska Se ri es
’ ’

R a dwa fis ki S e es ri
D obieuki S eri es

lk
Fe i s P Seri es
.

W in kowski Seri es
I N DI VI D U AL LE TTER S AND FRAGME N TS or LETTERS SHOWI NG
D I S S OLU TI ON or FAMILI AL S OLID ARI TY
‘

COR RE S P ONDE N CE B ETWEE N HU SBAN DS AND WI VES

Pa wla k S e ri es
Ku lci elka Series
-

Ja nkoski Se rie s
' '

La zow ska Serie s

S t a rkiewicz Se ries
 CON TENTS

'
a h S e ri es
Klu c

P orzy cki Series

Piede wski Se ri es .

A rei5z ews ki Se ries

"

Km p a Series
 CORR E SP ON D EN CE BETWEEN M EM BE R S OF
FAM I LY GR OUP S
- —Con tin u ed

KOZLOWS KI S ER I ES
Th e K ozlow skis p oor f a m ily in the p rov in c e of
a re a

Lom i a At h is d ea th th e fa ther left a sm a ll fa rm of t w o

m orgs—p ossib l y in herite d from hi s m oth er
.

Th e wid ow .
,

Fra n ciszka rem a in ed on t he fa rm with t he y ou n g es t

,

boy Fra n ek
, On e da ughte r ( s tep d a u ghte r
. of Fra n cis zka

m a rrie d a shoem a ker of t h e s a m e v illa ge The p osi tion of

.

a vi ll a g e sh oem a ke r is r a th er ba d a n d th is exp la in s t h e
,

a pp a r e n t c u p id it y of t h e da u ght e r The other c hildr en h a d

.

gon e t o Americ a M ea n while there ha d r em a in ed u n divide d

.

’ ’
a f a r m l eft by Fra n ciszka s l a t e hu sb a n d s f a th er a n d t h e ,

trou b l e b egin s with th e d ivision of this l a n d I n th e division .

six m orgs of l a n d a re a dd e d t o t h e sm a ll f a rm of Fra n ciszka .

Sh e h a s n o r ig ht t o s ell thes e 6 m orgs b ut a t th e sa m e tim e

,

sh e w i sh e s t o ge t a s m u c h p r ofit fr om t h e situ a t ion a s p os

sib l e a n d on t h e oth er h a n d ,sh e i s r ea ll y n ot in a p o si tion

, ,

t o t a ke c a re of th e W h ol e f a rm u n til Fra n ek g row s u p Th e .

’
sh oem a ke r s wi f e h a s a right to p a rt of th e va lue of th e
whol e f a rm a n d sh e c l a im s h er sha re b ut Fra n ciszka wa n t s
,

t o p a y h er on l y a su m c orr esp on din g t o h er p a rt of t h e ori gi

n a l f a r m of t w o m org s a n d wi she s t o dr iv e a sh a rp b a r ga in
,

e v en th en . Her fir s t p la n is t o s ell t h e fa rm c on c ea l a s ,

m u c h m on ey a s p ossib le for he r self a n d go t o Am eric a t o be

,

supp orted th ere by her chi ldren Bu t th e c hildren a re .

u n willin g t o give her p ower of a ttorn ey ; the y seem rightl y

t o d i s tru s t h er Then a s t h e opportun it y t o m a rry p resen t s
.
,

it s elf sh e ch a n ges h er p la n s sell s wha tev er ca n be s old

, ,

W i th out l ega l a uth ori t y ge t s m on ey fr om h er c h ildren t o

,

j oin th em in Am eric a in ven t s p ret ex t s for n ot g oin g ge t s

, ,
 PRI MAR Y -
GRO UP OR GAN IZATI ON

m a rrie d , andtries t o keep t he whol e fa rm for her y o u n g es t

son ,
while ge ttin g in a ddition a s m u c h m on ey a s p ossib l e
from th e sa l e of t he f ore s t a n d s t ock She su cc ee d s p er .

fec tly a n d is evi d en tl y t oo c lev er for h er c hildr en

,
The y .

n ot onl y ge t n o m on e y fr om h er b ut sh e s u cc eed s in g e tti n g

,

som e from them Ultim a tel y she c on cilia tes even h er m os t

.

da n gerou s a n ta gon i s t s th e shoem a ker a n d his wife

,
.

All this show s n o la ck of m a te r n a l fe e lin g On t h e c on .

’
t ra ry sh e sh ow s th a t f e el in g on t h e o cc a sion of h er d a u g ht e r s
-

dea th B u t sh e h a s a p owerful p erson a li t y a n d sh e h a s

.
,

p rob a b l y b een in d ep en den t for a lon g tim e ; she ha s go v e rn e d

h er en vir on m en t a n d sh e does n ot wi sh t o f a ll in t o t h e
,

p osition of a n old h elp l ess a n d m on ey l e ss m other s upp orte d

, , ,

by h er c hildren An d a s h a vin g som e m on e y herse lf is t he

.

onl y w a y of keep in g h er in d ep e n d en c e sh e en d ea vo r s by ,

a ll m ea n s t o ge t i t As a w om a n sh e ha s n ot t h e s a m e
.
,

tra dition of fa m ilia l soli d a rit y a s m en ; sh e is n ot th e h ea d

of th e f a m il y t h e r ightful m a n a ge r of t he c omm on p r op e rty ;
,

there a re n o rights a n d r esp on sibili ties of l ea d er ship t o set

lim it s t o h er egotism Th e fa m il y g rou p a s a dis tin c t wh ole
.
-

d oes n ot e x is t for h er ; sh e m ea n s t o d ea l a lwa ys on ly with

in d ividua l s a n d opp o ses t o them h er own in di vidu a lit y In .

so fa r th e c a se is d iff er en t fr om th a t of t h e old Wr ob l e w ski ,

w h o sh ow s a m u c h m ore fa r goin g m or a l d egen er a tion sin c e

-
,

h e is th e h ea d of a fa m il y a n d n eve rth ele ss b r ea ks ofl a ll

r e la tion s wi th his son s .

Th e in flu en c e of Fra n ciszka s p er s on a lit y u p on h er

’

e n vir on m en t i s v er y w e ll show n by t h e c ir c um s t a n c e th a t
e ve r yb od y wh o c om e s in t o imm e dia t e t ou c h w ith h e r fin a ll y

d oes wh a tever sh e wish es Her y ou n ge s t son is un d e r h er

.

a bsolut e c on tr ol ; h er ku ma M a r y a n n a S zczep a ri ska is

, ,

d om in a ted ; her sec on d hu sb a n d m a n ife s ts a rea l d e vo tion

t o h er ; e v en t h e s t ep d a u ghte r a n d t h e s hoem a ke r a re s u b

juga ted thou gh n o t without p ro t es t Her b rother s a n d

, .
 KOZLOWS KI S ERI E S 3

c hildren in Am eric a a re of c our se l ess un der her p ower b ut

, , ,

even th ey c a n n ot qui t e a v oid h er in fl u en c e Th e letter s give .

u s a good i d ea of the m ea n s by whi c h t he socia l en vironm en t

m a y be con troll ed thr ou gh m er el y psy c hol ogic a l infl uen c e s
wi thout a n y socia lly a ckn owledged right to c on trol—
,

o n e of

th e p ra c ti c a l p r ob lem s of t h e p ea sa n t wom a n a n d s olv ed by

m a n y of them in th e s a m e w a y a s by Koz low ska .

Th e fun d a m en t a l d evic e is of cour s e t he a pp ea l to s en ti

, ,

m en t Kozlow ska u ses it a rtis tic a lly I n order to a pp re

. .

cia te thi s w e m u s t rem em b er t he p ea sa n t s ten den cy t o

’

sc hem a tize p eople a n d thin gs Every p e rson b elon gs t o a

.

c erta in d et ermin ed socia l ty p e a n d is p resu m ed t o ha ve t he

a tti tud e s of t hi s t yp e ; every p er son h a s a d e te r min e d p o si

tion a n d from thi s p osition con c lu sion s a b out hi s b eha vior

,

m a y be dra wn Th e sur es t w a y t o p rovoke a desired s en ti

.

m en ta l r ea c tion in t h e en viron m en t is therefore t o a ss um e

a n d t o keep c on s is ten tl y a c h a r a c t er c orr e sp on din g t o t h e

sen tim en t it is de sir ed t o p rovoke Thu s for e x a m ple a .

, ,

n ob l e a p rie s t a te a c h e r a n ofli cia l a n ew sp a p er m a n a n

, , , , ,

a gi t a t or wi sh in g t o w in th e a tta c hm en t of the p ea sa n t s
, ,

m u s t ea c h a ct in a difleren t w a y There a re a l so rea c tion s

‘

wh ic h onl y a p er son in a determ in e d p osition ca n a rou se .

For in s ta n c e en vy is m os t ea sil y a wa ken ed in p ea s a n t s

,

by a p ea s a n t .A p ries t or a n ob l e wil l h a rdl y s ucc eed in

p rovokin g pi ty et c ,
.

N ow Kozlow ska ha s a d eterm in ed c h a ra c ter a n d sh e

,

tries t o a rou se onl y s u c h feelin gs a s a re h a b itu a l with rega rd

t o a p er s on of this c h a ra c te r Sh e is a wid ow a n d ther efore
.

p resum e d t o be help le ss The supp osition of help l essn e ss

.

h a s a s tr on ger b a sis b ec a use she is old a n d f orm a ll y p oor

, ,

i e sh e h a s l ittle which is rightfull y h er own

. .
, Further sh e .
,

is a m o th e r a n d gr a n d m oth er a n d s upp o s ed t o ha v e t he
,

feelin gs of l ove l on gin g for her a bs en t c hildren grief for a

, ,
’
child s d ea th a nxie t y for her g ra n dc hildren when they
,
4 P R I M AR Y G R OU P OR GAN I ZATI ON

b ec om e orpha n s e t c Th e typ e of f a vora b le r ea c tion whic h

,
.

sh e ca n e a sily p r ov oke in h er e n vir on m en t i s thu s p rede t e r

m in e d ; it is p i ty for h er h elp l essn e ss a n d sy m p a thy for h e r

m a t er n a l f eeli n g s An d in d e ed sh e p la y s c on tin u a ll y th os e
.
, ,

t w o c h ord s. An d sh e d oes it wi th ju s t th e in ten s i t y r e quir e d

by t h e s oc ia l mil ie u t o whic h sh e b el on gs I n a m or e c ult i
.

v a t e d m ilieu m or e a cc u s tom e d t o r e s tr a in t h e f ee lin g s h er

, ,

b eha vior would a pp ea r highl y u n n a tura l dista s t eful a n d h ys , ,

t erica l . P erh a p s sh e is in fa c t a li ttle h ys t eric a l b ut c ert a inl y ,

h er b eh a vi or is a d a p ted t o h er socia l sp he r e — on e a cc u s tom e d

t o a d isp l a y of f eelin gs S h e h a s n othin g t o l ose a n d m u c h

.

t o w in by e x a gg er a tion ; therefore sh e e x a ggera t es h er

helpl essn ess a s we ll a s h er m o th erl y love h er p ov ert y a n d ,

h er ( c e rta in l y un r ea l ) ba d h ea lth h er grief a n d h er gr a ti tud e

,
.

Of c our se h er a c tion s a re n ot in a cc ord a n c e with h er

,

a ss um e d c h a r a c t er ; b ut sh e kn ows l ike a m a s t er h ow t o
p resen t them in a suita b l e li ght The gra du a l sellin g of t h e
.

f ore s t is given a s t h e re sult of her pove rt y a n d in a b ilit y t o

fa rm Wh en sh e wa n t s t h e fa rm sold sh e a pp ea l s t o h er
.
,
“ ”
O ld es t son a s h er gua rd ia n a n d p r e t en d s t o a ckn owl ed g e

his a u thor ity . Wh en sh e m a rries she p re ten d s tha t she

,

w a s fo r c e d t o it by h er h e lp l e ssn ess Her a n ger a g a in s t th e

.

’
shoem a ker s wi f e is ju stified by her m o therl y in dign a tion ,

b ec a u se of th e in v ec tives a n d c ur ses which th e s t ep da u ght e r

hurl s a ga in st her children An d th e ha rde s t b l ow t o h er is
—
.

th e ju s t or u n jus t—a ll ega tion of im m ora l c on du c t whic h ,

ten d s t o wreck c om pl etely h er a ssum ed c ha ra c te r .

B u t sh e kn ow s a l s o h ow t o u se oth er w ea p on s She .

a pp e a l s t o r elig iou s f eel in g s—b

y u sin g in a c l ev e r w a y t h e
n a m e o f God by sen din g r e l igiou s t oken s by e xp l oi t in g t h e
, ,

m a gic a l f ea r of a m oth er s c u r se by p r esen tin g o th e r p eop le s

’
,
’

duties towa rd her in a r elig iou s form et c Exp re ss ion s of ,

.

in d ign a tion a n d p rid e a lte rn a te wi th a pp ea l s t o p it y a n d

s tr en g then ea c h other by c on tr a s t .
 KOZLOWSKI S E RI ES 5

Th e sec on d ty pica l m ea n s c on trol is the u se of t h e

of

f eelin gs a ro u sed in s tea d of ra tion a l a rgum en t s I n a skin g

,
.

for a n y thi n g or in e xp l a ini n g h er c on du c t Kozlow ska does

n ot r ely u p on t he s tr en g th of h er a r um en t s On th e con
g .

t ra ry sh e s eem s t o a voi d in t en tion a ll y t h e r ea l iss u e a n d

,

in s t ea d c r ea tes a rou n d t h e p rob l em a n a tm osp here of s en ti

m en t f a v or a b le t o h er I t is h a rdl y a full y c on sc iou s
.
,

ra t ion a ll y m otiva t ed p olicy a n y m ore th a n is h er a bilit y

,

t o p ro v oke t h e d esir e d f eelin gs ; b oth a re c erta inl y n a i ve .

Her u se of sen tim en t in stea d of a rgum en t is a l s o l a r gel y

du e t o h er in s uffic ien t tra in in g in a rg um en ta tion M os t of .

h er a rgu m en t s a re in f a c t ra ther w ea k a n d in this

, , , ,

r e sp ec t she is a l so a typ e Th e e ssen tia l fea tures o f h er

.

a rg u m en ta tion a re a lm os t u n iv er s a l n ot on l y a m on g ,

wom en b ut a l so a m on g m en of the p ea sa n t c l a ss a n d
, ,

th i s is p recisely t he a rgu m en ta tion whi ch is m os t effi c ien t

with p ea sa n ts I n ord er t o dem on s tra te som e thin g ra tion
.

a lly,
w e m u s t n ot onl y be a b le t o d evel op a l ogic a ll y
p erfec t cha in of re a soni n g b ut m u s t a l so ha ve a n Opp on en t
,

a b l e t o foll ow th i s r e a son in g t o a ckn owl ed g e it s b in din g

c h a ra c ter ; a n d fir s t of a ll we m us t ha ve iden tic a l p r emises

,
.

B u t a p ea sa n t Opp on en t is n ot tra in ed t o foll ow a l in e of

rea son in g is n ot a cc us tom ed t o a cc ep t a thin g a s true sol el y
,

b e c a u se it h a s b een dem on stra ted t o him An d even if .

h e a d mit s a p rem ise e xpli c itl y h e h a s a lwa ys som e othe r

,

im p lic it p r em is es which h e keeps in ten tion a ll y u n exp ress ed

’
a n d whi c h in va l id a t e in his mi n d his opp on en t s c on c lu sion .

S o i t is a difli cul t t a sk t o ge t t h e p ea s a n t t o a cc ep t y ou r
a r g u m en t . B u t if wi th r ega rd t o a giv en p rob l em y ou
, ,

su cc eed in a rou sin g a set of feeli n g s f a vora b l e t o y our view ,

t h e work is d on e for th e p ea sa n t will hi mself i n ven t a rg u

,

m en t s which wil l p er su a d e h im This is the m ec ha n .

ism u s e d c on s c iou s l y by a ll th os e w h o wa n t t o in flu en c e
t h e p ea sa n t a n d th e y im it a te it from th e h a lf c on sc io u s
,
-
6 PR I MAR Y G R OU P
-
OR GAN IZATI ON

p rocedure of the p ea sa n t s them selves of whi c h Koz low ska ,

giv es a good exa m p le .

Th e third m ea n s which th e old w om a n u s es t o o b t a in

wh a t sh e wa n t s is t o be a s e x a c tin g a s p ossib l e Sh e n ot .

on ly d oes n ot give h er c hi ldr en wh a t is du e t o th em b ut sh e ,

c on tin u a ll y dem a n d s m on e y from them a n d n ot on ly from ,

them b ut even from h er b rothers w h o h a v e n o ob liga tion

,

wh a tever t owa rd h er Sh e sim pl y r ev erse s t h e si tu a tion

. ,

m a ki n g dem a n d s whi c h t h e oth er s m ight n a tur a ll y m a ke .

I t ca n be un d ers too d then tha t un d er th es e c on di tion s h e r

- -
,
’
son in la w in s t ea d of c l a im in g h is wi f e s d owry would be ,

sa tisfie d if sh e sen t him b a ck his own m on e y or h er son ,

would be sa tisfied if sh e let h im a lon e The p rin cip l e is t h e

.

sa m e a s in b a r ga ini n g whi ch is a gen er a l c h a r a c te r is t i c of

,

t h e p ea sa n t a s we ll a s of th e Jew I n their d ea lin gs wi th

.

t h e m a n or own er s th e p ea s a n t s c l a im s a re som e tim e s im p u

’
-

d en t Th e y do n ot e xp ec t those cl a im s t o be gr a n te d b ut
.
,

they hop e t o get a t lea s t som e thin g I n m a n y c a se s t h e

.

sour c e of this un lim i t e d exa c t in g is foun d in a c uriou s

psychologi c a l iden tific a tion of wish a n d right Thu s t he .

,
’
p ea sa n t s wish t o get t h e l a n d of th e n ob ilit y give s ri se t o
a h a lf d e t e rm in e d
-
som e tim es even full y de term in e d a n d
,

ra tion a ll y ju s tified c on c ep tion th a t they ha v e th e right t o

,
’
this l a n d I n Kozlow ska s c a se c erta in l y ther e is m u c h of
.

thi s a ttitude We fin d it a l so in m o s t fa m il y qu a rrel s a b out

.

p r op ert y a n d in m a n y la wsuit s
,
.

Am on g t h e o ther p er son a li tie s in this s er ie s t h e m os t

in teres tin g is p e rha p s t h e ku m a (M a ry sia s g od m oth er )
’
,

M a r y a n n a Szczep a ri ska S he is n o ta b le b ec a u se of t he
’

n a tur e of h er fr ien d ship w ith Fra n ciszka This kin d of old

.

’
w om en s frien dship is ver y fre qu en t I t is b a sed up on a.

c omm un ity of in te re s t s a n d a ttitudes Th e w om en seek in

.

ea c h o th e r a h e lp a g a in s t th eir r esp e c tiv e f a m il ies a n d com

f ort in d om es tic trou b l e s a n d b ein g of th e sa m e g en era tion

, ,
 KOZLOWS KI SERI ES 7

and t he sa m e socia l gr ou p they a gr ee p erfec tly with ea c h

,

o th e r ,
p a rtic ul a rly a s ther e a re n o p ra c tic a l p rob l em s t o
divide th em The n ec essi t y of su ch a fri en d ship is fe lt
.

m os tly in old er a ge by wom en w h o do n ot kn ow how t o

a d a p t th em se lve s t o t h e y ou n g gen er a tion a n d wh o b egin ,

t o f eel s ol it a r y in th eir own f a milie s Of c our s e if ther e is a

.

c l o se a n d ha rm on iou s r ela tion b e tween hu sb a n d a n d wife

su ch a f rien d shi p h a s less occ a sion t o a rise a n d in deed w e do ,

n o t fin d it in m o s t of ou r seri e s I n their r el a tion th e old

.

wom en m a n ife s t m u c h m utu a l a dul a tion a n d this sh ow s ,

tha t their frien dship h a s s til l a n o ther fun c tion ; it is their

on l y wa y of g e ttin g s oc ia l r ec ogn i tion of t h e kin d a n d d eg r ee

th ey desire I t seem s t o be a ta cit pa c t b e tween them

.

a lw a y s t o p r a i se n ev e r t o b l a m e ea c h oth er
,
They b eha ve .

in t h e s a m e w a y wh en sp ea kin g a bout ea c h o the r a n d ,

M a ry a nn a s l e tter s a re good ex a m ples of th is b eha vior

’
.

Old m en like old b ull s do n ot c a r e m u c h for socie t y

, ,
.

Their socia l s ta n din g is m ore a ssured their in s tin c t of dom i ,

n a ti on fin d s p la c e en ou g h in t h e f a m il y th eir f a m ili a l a tti ,

tude do es n ot a llow them t o in itia te stra n ger s in to their

hom e a fla ir s a n d th ey do n ot n eed a n y h elp a ga in s t the ir
,

fa mi lies After their re tirem en t the situa tion cha n ges a n d

.
,

then w e fin d them some tim es a ssocia ted in frien d ship with

r eti red n eighb or s of t he sa m e a ge The u su a l c on sequ en c e
.

of r e ti r em en t howe ver is t o s tr en g then th e b on d s b etw een

, ,

hu sb a n d a n d wife .

THE FAMILY KOZLOWS KI

Fra n c iszka Kozlowska widow ,
a

An ton i (An t oé) h er son livin g in Am eri ca

, ,

Fra n ck ( Fra n c i szek) her son liv i n g w ith her

, ,

Jozef Pla ta her secon d h usba n d

,

M a ry si a ( M a n i a ) Ba ra n owska
her da ughters livin g with their husba n ds
Zos i a B ien iewska
,

in Am eri ca
Jul cia Brzostowicz
8 P RI MAR Y GR O UP
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

The shoem a ker s wife her d a ug hter t da ughter

’ ”
,
or s ep

An ton i Herm a n owicz , t he shoe m a ke r

“

Wi n cen t y
brothe rs ( rothe rs in la w )
’
Fra n ciszka s or b - -

An t on i
M a ry a n n a Szczep a ri ska Fra n ciszka
’
,
s ku ma

226
— MA I N LY FR OM F RA N CI S ZKA K OZLO W S KA I N P O LAN D ,
45
—
.

TO ME MB E R S OF HE R FAM I LY nv AME R I CA 237 38

—
.
,

FR O M MA R Y ANN A S ZC ZE P A NS K A ; 2 30 2 39 4 1 FR OM
— —4 5
, ,

FR ANE K ; 242 43 ,
FR OM J OZE F P LATA ; 2 44 ,
FR OM

AN TON I HE RMA N OWI CZ

22 6 D AN I LOW O Ma rch 1 5 1 90 6 , ,

[To M AR YSI A AN D JAN B AR AN O W S KI ] I n th e firs t wo rd s of m y

l e tte r I sp ea k to y ou with the se godly wo rd s P ra ise d be Je sus ,
“

Ch ris tu s a n d I h op e tha t y ou will a n sw e r m e I n cen turies of

”
,

cen tur ies Am en ,

.

I in form y ou dea r childre n a bout m y grief Were it n o t for

, ,
.

m y soul for which I a m a n xio u s les t I l ose it in e te rn ity I sho uld ,

h a ve drown e d m y self a n d y o u w ould ha ve n obody t o write t o a n y

,

m o re D ea r chil dren I wri t e t o y ou a n d I don t see these l ette r s

’
.
,

from c ryin g I a m on ly gl a d from your l ette r tha t y ou in ten d to

.

ta ke m e t o Am e rica Th ere p e rha p s I should still live som e yea rs

.

m o re . But d ea r d a ugh te r a n d son in la w m a ke some p la n a bout

,
- -
,

a ll this .

D ea r da ugh ter a n d son in la w th e worst is the f orest for I could

- -
, ,

fin d som e fa rm er for [ ren t in g] the fie ld bu t the wo rst is a bo ut the ,

forest Peop le would cu t it d own [ stea l the wood in m y a bsen ce]

. .

D e a r children y ou sa id in yo ur firs t l e tt er th a t y ou wo uld ta ke m e

, ,

so t a k e m e in d ee d I beg y ou h ea rtily , .

D e a r children I describe t o y ou m y grief

, On the sa m e da y .

wh en I received tha t lette r fro m y ou I receive d a l so a n o tifica ti on ,

from t he ba ilifi tha t the shoem a ke r s wife wa n ts it [ th e fa r m] sold a t ’

a u c t ion a n d t h e a uc t ion w ill be on M a rch 2 1

, Now dea r ch ildr en .
, ,

when we were a t the court I a ske d th e m : How m uch do y ou wa n t ,

“

”
t o be p a id ofl She sa id 60 a n d he [her h usba n d] sa id 7 0
.
, S he .

sa id th a t she w a n t e d n ot on ly [ t h e in he r i t a n ce] a ft e r h er f a th e r bu t ,

a l so a ft e r h er g ra n dfa th e r I ofiered her 50 But n ow I will give h er

. .

n o t h in g a t a ll Le t her go by [ t he wa y of] la wsu its I will give he r

.
,
 KOZLOWS KI S ER I E S 9

no thi n g a t a ll N ow dea r children I in form y ou tha t she writes

.
ll
, ,

le tte rs to Am erica a n d p a rticul a rly t o An ton i Moreove r th rough , .

,

a cqua in t a n ces she sen d s m essa ges a ga in st m e An d n ow An tos h a s .

n o t wri tt en t o m e for m ore th a n 3 m on th s [ a s a r esult of th is sl a n de r

in g] An d p erha p s d ea r d a ugh te r a n d son in la w d ea r children

.
,
- -
, ,

p e rh a p s they [An t os a n d w ife] d on t k n ow tha t y ou wish t o t a ke m e t o

’

Am e rica a n d they d on t kn ow B ut dea r d a ugh ter a n d son in la w ’

- -
,
.
, ,

don t be a n g ry with m e for t he th in g wh ich I sh a ll m en ti on D ea r

’
.

children I could n ot get t o Am e rica for m y m on ey Why a n d I

,
.
,

sh ould n ot go wi th o ut m y son wh o is wi t h m e D ea r d a ugh te r a n d .

son in la w p e rh a p s y ou w ill sen d m e a sh ip t icke t

- -
,
D ea r ch ildren -
.
,

S ign a ll of y ou ,
th a t y ou wa n t m e t o com e For p erha p s y ou wa n t
,
.

m e t o com e dea r d a ugh te r a n d son in la w a n d p erha p s th ose [ th e -

son a n d d a u gh t e r in —
-
, ,

la w ] don t wa n t m e t o com e a t a ll D ea r da u gh
’ 2
-
.

ter I a sk y ou wh e th er y ou re ce ive d tha t l e tt e r in which w e re th e

,

sca p ul a ries a n d th e v e il of Go d s M o th e r ? Y ou sa y dea r d a ugh te r

’
,

1
On e of th e m a i
r ble d i t rm i a ble la wsu its
n sou ces r of t he i n n u me a an n e n .

Wh ver i en e disp o e p rty goes t

n a cou rt so m ch u e t
threa t s w ith a n a o , or u as en

la ws it it is e ou gh to ha rd t he other p a rty a ga i st ll p e
u , n i v if he en n a rsu a s on , e en

k w th a t h e i t t l ly w r g
no s Bu t t t he la st m om e t b f r t h
s o a it mes on a n e o e e su co

us a lly com es— fl ctio a d f r of losin g— d if ther

.
,

t o tri l a ctio a rea n u re e n n ea an e a re

m di to
e t h m a tt r is fr qu
a rs tly ttl d a t th i m m t M uch d p d lso
e e e en se e s o en . e en s a

t he j dge wh ther h e is bl t giv t h whol fii l f rm a d

’

u p on u , fla i e a e o e e e a r an u no cza o n

t op r u d t h e p a rti es t
e s a ag e
e Th refore t h cou try j u dges a s littlo r e . e e n u se e

f rm lity p o sible fo if on ce the m a tt r is p u t u po a form l b i it c a ses t o

o a as s ,
r e n a as s e

b e aq ti f righ t o wro g
ue s on od becomes m r figh t The l w it b tw r n an a e e . a su s e een

f m ily m m b r m u t be con sidered from th is p oi t of vi ew A l g th m a tter

a e e s s n . s on as e

r em i w ith i t h e fa m il y g eem t is lwa y p ossibl

a ns n p a y ba si s ; t h p a sa t
,
a r en a s e u on n e e n

is e dy ot o l y t o a ck wl dg
r a n y j t cl im b t
n t m k a y s crifi no e e an us a u e v en o a e n a ce .

Bu t s aa s t he q estio
soon m s f rm l cha r t r u id r tio f j ti n a ssu e a o a ac e n o con s e a ns o us ce ,

a d i ge era l
n n o of t h m r l
n o m r g l ti g t h e f m ily life
n ne e a p p lie d t
e ll ; o a n r s e u a n a ar a a

the l w i a tsid of m r l A a ttit de wh ich wo ld be j u dg d im m r l j st

s ou e o a s . n u u e o a ,
un u ,

si f l from t h
n u ,t dp i t of f m ili l o comm a l r l ti
e s an i l j dg d t ll
o n a a r un e a on s , s na u e a a ,

by y mora l t
an d rd i leg l rela tions A d thi
s an ttit d i t a lw y
a s no a . n s a u e s no a s unc n

sci o s A p
u . t who w s i t h m idst f l wsu it with hi br ther d who
ea s a n a n e o a a s o ,
an

wa s evi de tly d bsol tely i t h w r g fr m t he st n dp oi t of j stic ; rep lied

n an a u n e on o a n u e ,

wh e w n i t d t his o t t him Why they did ot w a t it s ttled by th wa y

e p o n e u o :
“
,
n n e e

f j ti ! m e n i g th t th y w t t ce t o co rt i te d f try i g t o get his

”
o us ce a n a e en a on u ns a o n

con sen ti m i a bl wa y
n an a e .

Th i 2
q t m y h ve two a ims She ither w ts t be ss r d tha t i a y
s re u es a a . e an o a u e n n

ca se s h e will b pp rted in Am ri a o sh e w n ts t o h v
e su d om t wh i ch e c ,
r a a e a ocu en ,

wh il t equ iva le t t l g l a u th o ity m y still e a bl h

e no n t o disp ose f a p a rt of
o e a r ,
a n e er o

t h p r p erty o t o p r u d t he gua rdi

e o t let h
r d e s a e ans o er o so .
Io PRI MAR Y -
G R OU P OR GAN I ZATI ON

tha t I wa s a n g ry with y ou No I wa s n ot a n g ry
a n d son - in - la w , .
,

a t a ll I w a s ve ry m u ch sa ti sfi e d on ly I w a it e d for y o ur a n s w e r
, ,
.

D ea r children y ou a re so d e a r t o m e t h a t I kiss t he se p h o t ogra p h s

, ,

of y ou up on t he wa ll .

FR AN CI S ZKA K OZLO W S K A

N ovembe r 4 , 1 90 6

MY DEAR CH I LDRE N info r m y o u An d n ow I

tha t I a m hea lthy ,
bu t sca rcely , from a ll th is thinkin g wh i ch I h a ve
up on m y m in d . I received your le tter a n d 3 p ho tog ra p h s ;
I ga ve on e t o S zczep a ri ska a n d I h a ve t wo l eft I inf orm y ou th a t I .

a m very m u ch sa tisfied dea r d a u gh t e r a n d s on in la w m a y our L o rd

,
- -
,

God bl e ss y ou a n d God s M oth er M a y sh e h elp y ou in yo ur wo rk

’
.
,

a n d in e v erythin g N ow I write your m o th e r t o a ll of y ou

.
, , ,

m y children in gen era l ,

First t o y ou dea r son a n d to m y da ugh te r
.
, ,

in la w ,
-
a n d t o th e Bien iew skis and t o t h e Brzost ow iczs a n d t o t h e
B a ra n ow skis, I wish y ou every good wha teve r y ou w a n t for
and ,

yourselves m y dea r children

,
.

N ow I in for m y ou a bout this l a n d th a t t o these 2 m orgs we re ,

a d de d durin g th e n ew d ivision 2 m orgs of fi e ld a n d I m org of f o r es t

,

t o ea ch S o the re a re n ow 6 m orgs of fi eld a n d 2 of f ore s t ,

8 m orgs toge the r N ow I in fo rm y ou d ea r children on wh a t sp o t s

.
, ,

w e rece ive d th i s a ddition [ D e scribes in de ta il ] You Au t os a n d

.
, ,

y o u M a ry s i a y ou kn ow wh e re i t is a n d in wh a t p osi tion
, , .

N ow m y de a r children i t would be th e best if we sold i t for I

, , ,

ha ve n o thin g from it excep t trou ble I d on t sow the l a n d on ly ’

.
,

[ stra n ge] p eop l e do for I ren te d it for I ca n n ot m a n a ge it m yself

, , .

E ve n if I w a n te d t o sow m y se lf y ou kn ow th a t th e re is n o ba rn a n d ,

th e re is n o p la ce t o p u t t he c rop s I keep t he fores t bu t a ga in p eop le .

,

s te a l A m a n could gu a rd it m ore ea sily wh il e I a wom a n wh a t

.
, , ,

ca n I do ? I ha ve on ly trou ble So it wo uld be t he best m y dea r .

,

ch ildren t o sell it for a ll t h is is wa s ted for t h e la n d t h ey

, , p a y [ t h e r e n t] ;
bu t in th e forest wha t ev e r a n ybody sn a tch es is h is own a n d wh en I ,

n ee d m on ey I a l so sell som e t ree a n d so a ll t h is is wa st e d If y ou

I
, , .

don t do a s I a dvise you d ea r children a fte r a few yea rs it will be

’
, ,

m uch chea p e r [ worth less] N ow they wou ld give m on ey for t hey

.
,

Sh e h a s o right t do th i s a d she co fesses it for e ide tl y t h

n o , hoe
n n ,
v n e s

m a ke s wife h a s writte m r th n o e t o her brot h er n d s ister tha t t h e m othe r

’
r n o e a nc a s

i wa ti g t he forest
s s n .
 I 2 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR G AN I ZATI O N

Am e rica n or p a yi n g her off Ou r g ua rdi a n s a sk ed h er how m u ch sh e

.

wa n te d t o b e p a id off . Th en th i s old begga r , th is ca rca ss [her h u s ‘

ba n d ] w a n t e d 7 0 rou bl es a n d she a ske d 60 ,

I will give h e r 50 a n d .
,

t he gu a rdi a n s a l so tell h er t o t a k e 50 a n d n o m ore But dea r son .

, ,

I would ra th er give h er n oth i n g Wha t do y ou a dvise ? I wa s every .

wh ere [for a dvice] a n d I tho ugh t of e ithe r ren tin g the field or sell in g
,

t he fo re st [ t o p a y her] But dea r son I wish I h a d n ever lived un til

.
, ,

th i s n ew divis ion a n d a ddition s in ce I a m a h in de ra n ce t o a ll of y ou

,

a n d y ou a re a n g ry w i th m e a n d y ou d on t wr it e m e for h a lf a y e a r
’
.

Were it n ot for th is a ffa ir I would ra th e r h a ve died [ zdechla u se d ,

h ere vulga rly l ike the En gli sh rotte d is p rop erly u se d on ly of“ ”
,

a n im a ls = Germ a n krepi ren ] a n d w o uld n o t h a ve wri tt e n N ow .

,

dea r son com e ra the r t o a n un de rs t a n din g a m on g yourse lves ta ke

, ,

it sell it a n d m a ke p ea c e wi th th i s sh oe m a ke r s wif e
’
,
Le t he r n o t .

ca ll Go d s ven ge a n ce up on y ou a n d g rie ve m e An d n ow a fte r a ll

’
.

th is She in ten d s t o ha ve a n a u ction for her p a rt of th e i nh erita n ce ,

from your g ra n dfa ther a n d yo ur f a the r You l eft m e h ere for sorrow .

on ly D e a r children don t beli eve a n ybo dy wh e n th e sh oem a ker s

’ ’
.
, ,

wife Sla n de rs m e t o p eop l e Wh y y ou g e t it [ba d word s] a l so from

.
,

h er de a r son i n t o yo ur e ye s a n d beh in d yo ur eyes [p roverb i a l t o your

, , , ,

fa ce a n d beh in d your ba ck ] An d y ou ge t still m ore from her She

. .

sa ys M u ch did h e ca re for h is m o t he r ! An d whe n h e c a m e t o

“

Wa rsa w he le t his n a il s grow a s qéefi lon g [6 f eet ] p re ten di n g t o be

,

a gen tl e m a n
”
.

D ea r son I tha n k y ou for writ in g t o m e so often ! B ut don t

,
’

thin k dea r son th a t I write it from m y wh ole hea rt [ th a t I a m

, ,

grie ve d] I sa y i t sim p ly beca use y ou write on ce in a yea r If I

.
.

h a d kn o wn th a t y ou would g ua rd m e so ! M a y ou r L ord God a n d

your children ca re for y ou a s m uch a s y ou do for m e ! If y ou ha d
n ot gon e in t o t h e wo rld y ou wo uld h a ve k n ow n be tt e r w ha t a m ot h e r

is whi le n ow in re turn for m y e duc a ti on [ of y ou ] y ou a re a sh a m e d of

,

me . But M a rika did the sa m e She a cciden ta lly wrote on e le tte r .

,

tha t we m igh t kn ow on ly th a t she go t m a rried D ea r son p lea se sa y .

,

t o M a ri k a a bo ut th is l e tt e r t h a t she rej oice d m e a wfully th a t I d on t ’

,

kn ow wh a t to do in the coun try a n d sh e ga ve me p recisely such ,

a dvice a s t h e l e tt e r s she writes [ n o l e tte r s n o a dvice

] To th e shoe , .

m a k er s wife S he ca n we ll sen d bows a n d writ e bu t wh en h e r od

’

g
m othe r sen d s h er a g ift—she sen t h er sca p ul a rie s a n d a veil of God s
,

’
 K OZLOWS KI SERI E S I 3

M oth er —h s e did n ot e v
D ea r son a n d a ll m y dea r chil
en th a n k h e r .
I
,

dren t ogethe r I tell y ou sin cerely I won t wri te y ou a n y m ore le tte rs

,
’

s i n ce y ou a re so tur n e d t o s t on e a ga in s t m e S i n ce y ou a re so li ttl e .

c ur i ou s t o l e a rn wh a t is goin g on h e r e wi th u s I won t in form

’
y ou .

I bless y ou a ll wi th th e h oly cross [old ha bit in biddin g fa rewell] .

D ea r son y ou sa id t o Fra n ek If y ou m a n a ge well I wil l sen d

, ,
“

y ou so m e a ss i s ta n ce An d n ow y ou d on t ev en sen d a n a k e d l e tt e r
” ’
.

[ wi thout a sta m p ] B ut if this S h oe m a k e r s wife sell s ou r la n d a t

’
.

a u c tion th en ou r a ssi s ta n ce is o ve r D ea r son w e keep t w o p igs .

,

for o ur se lves bu t th e re ca n be n o cow from t h em [p roba bly a llud in g

,

t o som e p rom i se t o sen d m on ey for a cow ] t h e l ess so if the shoe ,

m a ke r s wife dra g s u s a bout courts a s sh e is n ow d oi n g D ea r son

’ ”

.
, ,

I a sk y ou a n d do y ou a n swe r m e D o y ou a g ree t o p a y her 50 roubles

,
.
,

a s I wi sh or n o t ? ,
P e rha p s y ou will sen d u s som e m on ey for th is

p a ym en t ? Fo r if w e sell th ese p igs w e c a n h a ve p e rha p s en ough ,

t o bu y a cow I beg y ou dea r son for a sp eedy a n swer I sa lute

.
, , .

y ou a ll your se lf a n d your wife a n d m y gra n d children

, .

[FR AN CI S ZKA ]

Jun e 2, 1 90 7
I in form y ou tha t I a m n o t ve ry hea lth y
D E AR CH I LDRE N : ,

for e ven a n iron m a n w o uld ha ve n o l on ge r a n y he a l th I t ha n k y ou .

h e a rtily fo r thi s l e tter d ea r chil dren wh i ch y ou sen t m e ,

An d ,
.
2

then dea r ch ildr en I received a l so th e le tte r from Zosia D ea r ch il

, ,
.

dren I beg y ou a ll toge th er a n swe r m e wh a t is thi s dirt which I

, , ,
“

h a ve on m e P3 An swe r m e wh o wro t e th a t l e tte r so tha t this d irt

“
,

m a y n o t grie v e m e l on ge r D ea r chi ldren I h a ve en ough of m y ow n .

,

trouble D ea r children I ca n n e ve r in th e wo rld hea r th ese tro ubles

.
, ,

for dea r children in th e wee k when I wrot e this l e tte r I wen t t o Czer
, ,

win a n d I ha rdl y got th e re for m y f ee t we re co ve re d wi th bl ister s

, , .

Th m mb r ef t h fa m ily i Am ri
e e s o i d tly di a fl cted by r p rts
,
e n e c a a re ev en s e e o

f om th h m k r wif d r li th t S cz p ri sk i i th sch me wi th thei

r e s oe a e
’
s e an ea ze a z e a a s n e e r

m o t he r .

2
Th e son ha s been m o ved in som e w a y by th e p r
l tt r t writ ;
e ced n g i e e o e

pr oba b ly by th e m o th r w rd
e
’
s o s: May ou r L ord God a d y h il dre
n a re ou r c n c

Th is is t he kin d o f m th r r whi h ver ’

for y ou as m u ch as y ou do for m e . o e s cu se c ne

f il
a s t o be im p r iv ess e .

D irt i mm n ly s d i t h imm r lity Sh h rob bly

“
3 s co o u e n e sen se of o a . e as p a

been a ccu se d f imm r l rel ti o s with th

o o a a n e man wh o ft rwa rd m a rrie
a e s h er .
 I 4 PRI MAR Y -
GR OUP OR G AN I ZATI ON

An d va in for n ot a ll of ou r g ua rd ia n s we re the re ; 3 w ere

I wen t in ,

a n d 3 n ot N ow I sh a ll ha ve t o go a g a in a n d wh en w in te r com es a n d
,
.
,

it is n ecessa ry t o c re ep up on t he sn ow surely I sh a ll die An d sin ce ,

.

t he sh oem a ke r s w if e m a d e t h e i n ven t ory t h e g u a rdia n s w on t a ll ow

’ ’
,

m e t o sell this p rop e rty for Fra n e k is a m in or ,

.

An d n ow clea r ch ildren co uld y ou a rra n ge so : S en d m e s u ch a

, ,

decision tha t I ca n ren t [ th e f a rm ] for som e yea rs N ow p eop le a re .

a fra id t o p a y m on e y d ow n for som e ye a r s l e s t it be l os t I sh ould ,

.

be gl a d d ea r ch ildren t o s tep a wa y from h er [ th e sh oe m a k e r s wife s]

’ ’
, ,

e yes [Slepi e in t he o rigin a l is p rop erly u sed on ly for the eyes

.
, ,

of a n im a l s ] Le t h e r n o t ca u se m e a n y m o re gri ef If I wen t t o .

y ou p e rha p s God wo uld g u a rd m e for a yea r or t w o wh il e th u s d ea r , ,

ch ildren wh en th ese trou bles fill m y h e a d I h a v e [p ea ce] n e ith e r da y

,

n or n i gh t Th er e is n o work from m e a t a ll a n d soon I sh a ll go

.
,

a wa y from [ lose ] m y r ea son a n d I S h a ll n o l on ge r u n d e r s t a n d a n y of ,

your writin g 0 God m y dea r God m y clea r why do y ou keep m e

.
, ,

in t his world ? D ea r ch ildren I beg y ou t a ke m e t o y ou I w a n t

I
, , ,

t o h a ve on e hour of r eli ef a t l ea s t a n d n ot h a ve t o l is ten t o th i s [ca ll in g

of] v en gea n ce a ga in s t y ou d ea r s on a n d a ga in s t Zosia M oreo ve r , ,
.
,

sh e [ th e da u gh t e r] p e r su a des som e d og s l ik e h e r se lf t o writ e dirt

a ga in st m e Wh a t dirt do th ey write a ga in st m e ? P e rha p s sh e

.

w rites a ga in st m e a bo ut this [ m a n ] ? I wh o ca n ha rdly w a lk wi th

m y p a in s a n d S he writ es dirt a bout m e ! F or th is l a n d I S hould h a v e
,

m ore tha n on e p urch a se r bu t when I l ea rn e d tha t t he gua rdia n s won t

’
,

le t i t be sold I h a ve n o m o re s tren g th t o bea r a ll this

, Oh n othin g .
,

c a n be d on e m y dea r ch ildr en e vid en tly she m u s t kill m e wi th tro ubl e

, ,

in th is coun t ry !
D ea r bro th e r y ou a sk m e in yo ur l e tte r a bo ut m on ey , I did n o t .

see a n y m on e y a n d p roba bly I a m t o see n on e Wh en y ou sen t m e .

som e I sa w it b u t n ow when y ou d on t sen d I see n on e

’
, , , .

I gree t y ou a l so m y dea r ch ildren It is true tha t I received a t

la st a le tter from y ou bu t I w ill rem em be r it un til m y d ea th—wha t
, .

[sorrow] y ou ga ve m e a bout t ha t di rt .

Here t he gri ef re r l th i t h first letter

,
a lth l
ou gh a so a flec te d, seem s mo ea an n e ,

b sid th q rr l wi th t he h m ker s wif there is oth r r son i “ ’ ”

f
or e es e ua e s oe a e an e ea , . e .
,

t h m tt r f t h
e a dirt e Wh th r j ti fied
o t s he su sp i ci
“
is lik l y t o
.
”
e e us or n o , uc a on e

a f t p e t w ma m r p r f dly th
ec a a sa n yth i g l A d t h im p os i
o n o e o ou n an an n e se . n e s

bilit y f selli g t h l d m
o i g t h f il r f he sch m is th ird
n e an ,for ea n n e a u e o r e e, a rea son

gri ef .
 KOZLOWS KI SERI ES I 5

I h a ve n o th n g i m ore t o write t o y ou , d ea r ch ildren and broth e r .

R em a in with God . M a y God help y ou .

[ FR AN CI S ZK A]
I sa lute m y si s ter—in —la w a n d m y b ro th er Sister in la w wh y .
- -
,

sh ould w e b e a n ry wi th ea ch o th e r a n d wha t for ? I ha ve n o t seen

g
y ou siste r i h la w with m y v ery ey es a n d I sh a ll die with out seein g
- -
, , ,

y ou . Well m y d ea r le t u s ki ss ea ch oth e r a t l ea st by l e tt e r a t
, , , ,

l ea s t th rough this p a p er ; le t u s give ha n ds to ea ch oth er I th a n k .

y ou so m u ch sis t er in la w for n o t fo rge ttin g m e y et a n d th a t y ou

- -
, , ,

bo th r em emb e red m e D ea r bro the r I tha nk y ou for this for your

.
, ,

kn ow in g tha t I a m your sis ter Rem em ber d ea r how y ou ca re d for .

, ,

m e a n d I ca r ed for y ou .

[ FRAN CI S ZKA]
D ea r ch ildren ,I don t w a n t t o m a k e y ou a n y tro uble a bout ta k in g
’

m e [ sen d in g m e a ship — ticke t] I sho uld p ref er if y ou sen t m e a few .

roubles [in ca sh] bu t I sh ould fin d m y w a y m ore ea sily if y ou ta k e m e

,

[ if y ou sen d m e a t ick e t] .

2 30 [Jun e 2 1 90 7]

D E AR B R OTHE R AND SI S TE R S : Ha ve p ity a n d ta ke a t l ea s t o u r

m o th e r le t h er h a ve a t l ea s t a few ea sie r hour s
,
D ea r b r o t h e r a n d .

si s t e r s a n d b ro th e r s in la w I beg y ou if y ou w a n t t o see y o ur m o th er
- -
, ,

befo re sh e di e s ta ke h er to y ou
,
Ha v e pity for d ea r broth er a n d .
, ,

sis t e r s y ou h a v e writt en a lre a dy 4 l e tt e r s t h a n k s t o God a n d i n ea ch

, , ,

of th e m y ou sa y th a t y ou will t a k e u s t o Am e ri ca So m o th e r w a it s .

for this l e tte r l ik e th e m er cy of God Wh en t h e l e tte r com e s m oth e r .

,

kisses it from joy a n d we ts it wi th tea rs bu t when she op en s it [sh e ,

is d eceiv ed ] .

[ F KAN E K]

July 1 2 [ 1 90 7 1
D E AR S ON ANTONI : An swer m e how I sh a ll m a n a ge for m y ,

son in la w B a ra n ow ski sen t m e a l e tt e r s a yi n g t h a t h e is sen d in g m e a

- -

ship ti cke t for m y self a n d for m y son a n d w i she s t o t a k e u s t o Am e r ica

-
, .

An d y ou d ea r son com e t o a n u n d e rst a n di n g yourself with th e o th er s

, , ,

wh e th er a ll of y ou k n ow a bout it or n ot for I a m n ot ju st a s I s ta n d , ,

bu t I ha v e l a n d a n d f ores t a n d I d on t k n ow how t o m a n a ge It is ’
.
,

tru e th a t m y son in la w is good But y ou m y son y ou a re m y

- -
.
, ,
1 6 PRI M ARY ~ GR OU P OR GAN I ZATI ON

gua rdia n wer m e how I sha ll ha ve it the re [wh a t con d ition s]

,
and ans ,
.

For m y d ea r son th e re is a m a rria ge opp ortu n ity for m e with Jozef

, , ,

Pla ta w h o is a very good m a n

,
S o a n swe r m e m y son a s soon a s .
, ,

p oss ibl e wh e th e r I m a y l iv e in ou r coun try for I don t n ee d t o w a n d e r

’
, ,

a bo ut t h e w orld in m y old y e a r s on ly m y [you n ges t ] son wa n t s u s ,

t o go . D e a r son a n sw er m e a s soon a s p ossibl e for I a m a w a i tin g

, ,

th i s l e tt e r w ith m y j ourn ey a n d w i th m y w e ddi n g D ea r son I

.
,

reflect a ll of y ou on ly on ce bu t w ell for m y son in la w te ll s m e to , ,

- -

ren t th e l a n d a n d th e f ores t I ca n n ot sell i t m yself a fa th er .

,

ca n b u t n o t I
,
I ha ve n o thin g m ore to wri te on ly I w ish y ou h ea l th
.
,
,

ha p p in ess a n d good su ccess,

D ea r son wh en y ou r e ce iv e th is .
,

l etter don t Show it t o m y da ugh ter Ma n ia a n d don t tell h er a n y

,
’
,
’

th in g for m y son in la w w ish es to ta ke m e secre tly to Am e rica [ t o

,
- -

surp ri se h i s wif e] .

FR AN CI S ZKA K OZ L O W S K A

S ep t ember 1 1 [ 1 90 7]
D E AR S ON : Y ou a d vi se d m e t o g o bu t n ow I a m
n o t go i n g I h a ve m a rrie d th a t Pl a ta wh o h a d Ew a P ieriko s a s wif e
.
,

from th e sa m e vill a ge I ca m e from Wha t co uld I dd in th i s m ise ry .

When I r ece ived th e ship — tick e ts I did a t on ce wha t y ou o rde re d m e

to do .I ren ted the l a n d for 3 yea rs I sold th e cow wh i ch I h a d a n d ,

the fo res t wh i ch wa s l eft aft e r f a ther s d ea th wh il e your s [ inh er i t ed

’

from th e gra n dfa th er] is s till th ere I h a ve wa s ted a ll th e l ivin g

'

wh i ch I h a d [s tore of gra in p o ta toes et c ] a n d I h a ve bough t e very , ,

thin g for th e j ourn ey An d n ow li vin g is exp en s ive a n d I sp en t so m e

.
,

m on ey on l ivi n g a n d I h a d t o dress m yself a n d Fra n ck a l i ttl e bef o re

,

go i n g to y ou a n d I bo ugh t 2 sh a wl s for 1 3 rou bl es a n d 1

5
p ou n d s of f ea ther s for 1 2 r oubl es [ Wen t twi ce t o th e doc to r th en t o .
,

Liba wa a n d wa s sen t ba ck ]
,
Th i s j ourn ey cost u s m uch for e v ery ,

where m on ey h a d to be p a id a n d I wa sted eve ry thin g I ha v e n ot , .

written t o y ou for I f ell s i ck from g rief a n d I w a i ted un til ou r L o rd

God ch a n ged [ restore d ] m e But n ow I a m som ewha t bette r a n d I .

describe th i s to y ou Herm a n ow iczowa [ t he shoema k er s w if e .

“ ’

m ove d to m e to m y l od gin g a n d I l ive with Pl a ta

, He bu ilt a n ew .

Th e l tt r
e e shows c ea l rl y b h i d th ti u s p r i
, e ttl n e ca u o ex ess on s , a o a c h a n ge o f

i t ti
n en Sh
on s . e no l g r w t t g t Ameri b t h d
on e an s t d r
o o o ca ,
u s e oes n o a e to t a ke a

d i iv step t
ec s e a on ce Pr b bly t t he m m t f w riti g th i l tt
. o a a o en o n s e er the l tr
a e

sche m e is n ot y et rea dy i h mi d
n er n .
 KOZLOWS KI S E RI ES I 7

h ou se , and Fra n ek is with me . How g ood h e [ th e h u sba n d ] is to m e ,

tha nks t o Go d ! M a y h e be a lw a ys
good ! For wh en I a m sick ,
as

he lea s t ca res well for m e

at ,
a n d i t i s w ell n ow I ha d decided t o go .

t o Am eri ca bu t wh en th ese Ba ra n owskis m a n a ge d i t so ba dly I

, ,

ch a n ge d m y m i n d for n ow I h a v e n o l a n d a n d th eref or e I h a d t o, ,

m a rry In fo rm th e B a ra n ow skis h ow I did a n d let th em sen d their

.
,

a ddr ess th en I sh a ll sen d th e m th e sh ip tick e ts ba ck D on t be ’

-
, .

a n g ry w i th m e for h a vin g d on e so for I h a v e wa st ed ev e ryth in g ,

th rough this An d in th e ofli ce [in Liba wa ] they sa id th a t th e se

.

a re t icke t s for a w orkin g ship [ s teer a ge An d y ou ca n kn ow wh a t -

th i s j ourn ey h a s cos t m e From Wa rsa w to Liba wa a lon e 4 2 .

roubles .

[ FR ANCI S ZKA]
[ Pos t scrip t ]
An d I
info rm y ou th a t w e wen t [ s ta rted ] t o Am e ri ca a ll th ree ,

th e sh oem a k e r wen t w i th u s for m on ey , for h e borro w ed i t . Wh en

t y s ela ted i th is d t h f ll wi g l tt r i f ll f co tr di ti
Th e s or ,
a r n an e o o n e e s, s u o n a c on s

d t t ll y f l sp ite i l w wi h h d cid d
’ ’
an o a I f h sa se d . n t o er on s an son -
n -
a s s , s e e e no

t go t o Am e i
o t ll b t t m rry P l t r ca a S h wi h d vid tl y t p r fi t f om
a ,
u o a a a . e s e e en o o r

t h opp rt
e ity d t g t m h m y p ibl f h r elf s d w ry
o un ,
an o e as uc on e as oss e or e s ,
a a o .

a ccordi g t o h wi h h r t d t h la d a d ld p rt f t h for t ’
Th u s, n e r son s s ,
s e en e e n n so a a o e es .

Evid tly sh h d t o sell l f rm t k d h h ld efl ts i rd r t '

en ,
h e a a so er a -
s oc an ou se o ec n o e o

m k it a pp e
a e th t h r lly i t d d t g Th he h d t fi d a p ete t fo
ar a s e ea n en e o o . en s a o n r x r

no t goin g t cc

i l w t he sh em k r
son - h -
a
t f th m y t o p l i he m rri ge d t
,

,
o a

d hi wi f h
ou n

o a
or

e
cili t h e

w r t e mi es—th t t h y m i ght ot ,
e

an
on e

s
,

e —
ex

er
a n

o s
r

ne
a a ,
an

a
o con

e
a e

n
r

betr y h bu t c r b r t h
a er t ry o ro o a e er s o .

S h hop ed fi rst t b d t i d
e th re of or y ( p icio f tr h m )
o e e a ne on e sco s e e es su s n o ac o a .

S he w t th erefore t m y
en u l i ts h p i g th t f t h m w ld tell h
o an th t oc s ,
o n a on e o e ou er a

sh e c l d ot g ou I t is v ry p r b bl th t sh e v
n o . t i d t get h ey lids i fl m d
e o a e a e en r e o er e n a e ,

an d w t to enJ wi h b rb r i G w wo ( t h J wi h b rb r a t secr tl y
a e s a e n o oro e e s a e s c e as

p h ys i i a d a e r dy t o d y th i g b ti rti fi i l c ipp li g t e m p t ~
c ans n r ea o an n a or on , a c a r n o xe

y u g m fr m m ilit ry servi
o n en o wh he s y i l tter N a 33 lm o t ce , o, a s s a s n e o . 2 ,
“
a s

b r ed h
u n y S h th
er e w t t W r w h op ing t deceiv th
es .
”
e li t there
en en o a sa o e e ocu s s

Wh th i s p la f il d h i v t d t h t ry f th ti ck t wh i h i wh lly f l
en n a e ,
s e n en e e s o o e e s, c s o a se .

Fir t he s y th t th tickets w r f w ki g h ip w t h is t m is
“
s , s a s a a e e e or or n -
s no , er

r t o ly a m o g t h p sa n t to i di t sh ip wh i h t ke nly ste a g p sse

cu ren n n e ea s n ca e s c a o er e a n

g r e s, a nd h o ld t h a v h rd th i t rm fr m t h st a m sh ip g
s e c u no ts Th e ea s e o e e a en . en

sh y th ti k t w r t v lid t a ll B t it i ide t th t t h ge t in Wa r w
e sa s e c e s e e no a a . u s ev n a e a n sa

w u ld
o t h v se t he t Lib w wi th such ti ckets f
no a e n h w u ld h v be
r o l g lly a a , or e o a e en e a

resp ibl Cert i ly the ti kets wer v li d b t f st r ge ; som body m st

on s e . a n c e a , u or ee a e u

h v t ld he th t t er g t v l i g w
a e o r ba da d sh p rofi t d fr m th is su gge tio
s e a e ra e n as , an e e o s n

t st y
o P rh p s sh e w ld ot ha ve g
a . e a ev t Liba w if h h d b ou lo e n on e en o a S e a een a n
,
1 8 PR I MAR Y GR O U P
-
OR GANIZ ATI ON

2 33 O c t obe r 24, 1 90 7

we re turn ed h e ga ve this mon ey ba ck a t on ce for h e borrowed it from ,

th e p ries t a n d w i sh ed t o go a l on g w i th u s .

I inf orm y ou a l so tha t wh en I in ten d ed t o go to Ame rica I wen t

t o Goworow o t o a doc tor He p oure d som ethin g i n to my ey es a n d .

a l m ost b ur n ed m y ey es I w en t twice to Wa rsa w a n d there th e .

,

doctor sa id tha t I could ha ve been b l in ded You sa y th a t I did n o t .

wish to go But I wen t twice t o O strol eka to th e [ di s trict chief

.

for p a sspo rts a n d I p a i d on ce on e rouble th en t wo

,
S o m uch ,
.

trouble a n d cos t I h a d .

N ow I i nf orm you m y d ea r children d a u gh ter an d son , ,

in la w th a t I rece iv e d your l e tte r a n d we a n swe r y ou a t on ce a n d w e

-
,

inform you tha t w e a re in good h ea lth [ wish es] N ow y ou write to .

m e son in la w a n d y ou a re a n g ry wi th m e
- -
But n othin g ca n be don e
I a m n ot gu ilty a t a ll in thi s ma tte r my d ea r son in —
. .
, ,

la w for I wa s ,
-
,

a lr ea dy on th e w a y in th e l as t s ta tion in Liba wa a n d from Liba w a, , ,

we were sen t ba c k N ow my d ea r chil dren woul d I ha ve ca u se d su ch

.
, ,

a cost for y ou with o ut wishin g t o go t o y ou ? Why ou r Lord God ,

w ould p un ish m e severely for it An d a s t o this clea r children th a t .

, ,

bu t her son -in - la w , th e shoema ke r , wa s w h h er it . Then sh e tri es by a ll m ea n s t o

m a ke it a pp ea r th t he spe t a ll h r m y on the jou rn y to Liba wa
a s n e on e e an d ba ck .

I t is ea sy t o c l l t how much m o y sh rea ll y ha d with h

a cu a e The cow crop ne e er .
, s,

h ou s hold fu it r m ust ha ve br gh t t l a st 1 5 t
e rn u e, r bles R e ta l f ou a e 0 o 20 0 ou n o

—
.

6 m orgs for 3 y at l st 1 8 rou bl s w ki sen t 6

— together b t 6 0 The j our ey
Th e son in la w B
e a rs ea Th 0 e .
- -
a ra n o s 0 . e

sa le of a p a t of t h lumber p erh p r 5 e a s 1 0 200 a ou 0 . n

t Liba wa a n d b ck f r 2 p e son s
o 8 r bles aAs she writ o
4 she m st h v r 2 ou es 2, u a e
—
.
,

p id her so ih l w s f re in ord r t o wi his discre tion Th j u rn eys t o Wa r w

’
a n- a a e n . e o sa

an d ba ck in sp ecti by t he c li sts t
, more tha n
on p r b bl y less ; buy i g o u ,
e c .
,
no 20 ,
o a n

o f t he Sha wls a d fea th rs (wh ich h l t r kep t for h rs lf)

n 7 p ssp ort 3
e If s e a e e e ,
2 ,
a , .

we ta ke in to a c t the livi g duri g th i time a n d the cl th in g we h v

’
cou n n n s son s o a e

n ot m ore th a 5 ro bles for a ll t h n 1 p s 0Thus sh ha d

u ta in ly a bout 4 5 e ex en se . e ce r 0

r u bles left Sh writes i the l tter N 3 tha t sh e w blig d t o bu y cloth i g

o . e n e o . 2 2 as o e n

f r herself wh il l t r her k m
o , M ry a S zc ep i sk
e a e ys tha t she w u a a ann z ai a sa as

oblig ed to s ll h b e t p etticoa te Th e k m is evide tl y fi d

er s t he da ugh t r . u a n
“
xe e ,

sh ema k r w if a lso for a ft ll th e p recedi g q rrels she com

“ ’ ”
th e o e s e, t , er a n ua es o

live in her m oth r h e Thus t h sch m e is ca rried t d Fran ciszk mu t

e
’
s ou s .
, e e ou ,
an a s

h ve brough t t h
a h ba d n o less th o 4 roubles f d wry As sh e w s old
er us n an 00 o o . a ,

the ma n wou ld ev r h ve ta ken he w i tho t money n A d ll th i s wa s so clev rl y

e a r u n a e

t l os her rig h t— p rt of t he in h rit

.

d e tha t she d s
on oe no left by h r fir t
e a a e a n ce e s

h ba d
us I n d d h e p ects to re ive t he tot l in come f m t he l a n d wh
n . ee s e x th ce a ro en e

p eriod of its r t l h a e p ired for th r i m en tion th t h h sba n d mu st f ed h

en a s x , e e s a er u e er

un til tha t tim e .

20 PRI M AR Y G R OUP
-
O R GAN I ZATI ON

Ify ou w a n t t o com e h e r e , se ll h er p a rt and t a ke it , for it belon gs t o

her .I t is a s if she h a d it in h er p oeke t .
I

N ow I
d y ou a g ree tin g from m yself your m o th er a n d from
sen , ,

Fra n ck a n d from yo ur f a th e r m y h usba n d D ea r ch ildren I did

, ,
.
,

n ot m a rry a yo un g m a n on ly a m a n in t h e s a m e a ge a s I a m a n d h e
,

is good for m e a n d h e d oes n ot h i n d e r y ou a t a ll for h e w on t wa st e

, ,

your fortun e ; he h a s en ough of h is own t o live I n a n o th e r le tte r .

I will write y ou s till m ore a bout m y j ourn ey for it is too m uch writin g ,

a t on ce .

Your truly lovin g m other ,

FRAN CI S ZKA KozLowsx A

2 34 D ecembe r 2 4, 1 90 8

D E AR S O N -
I N - L AW : I
in for m y ou tha t w e rece ive d your l e tt e r
on D e ce m be r 2 1 , for wh ich we t h a n k y ou h ea rtily But in s tea d of .

be i n g com forte d , I w a s gri ev ed , a n d I sh ould e ven p ref e r if y ou h a d

n ot a n s wered me so soon for I sho uld th in k h er still a l ive Why did
,
.

y ou sen d m e dea r ch ildren such a le tt e r a t on ce a bout m on ey a n d

, , ,

a bout m y d ea r dea d da ugh t er ? P roba bly y o u i n ten d t o p ush m e

a li ve i n t o th e t omb th ro ugh s u ch writ in g a s y ou wri te t o m e ! Y ou
write son in la w a n d y ou troubl e m e a bo ut sen d in g y ou a t l ea s t 1 0 0
,
- -
,

roubles ba ck But I t ha n k God th a t I h a ve a n y th in g t o p u t in to m y

.

p ot for I ha ve wa ste d e ve ryth i n g t h ro ugh y our f a ult

, I r e n t e d th e .

la n d a n d I live n ow a s I ca n p oor orp ha n up on this w orld of God

, , , .

An d n ow dea r ch ildr en do y ou th in k th a t I grie v e on ly a bout your

, ,

m on ey ? Oh n o m y childr en I grie ve b eca u se m y bel ove d d a ugh t e r

, ,

is dea d a n d t h e orp h a n s a re l eft How do th ey l ive th e re m y de a r “

,

l ittle gra n dchildren ? An d I g rieve beca use Fra n ek w ill h a ve t o go ,

t o the a rm y a n d y ou a ll sca tte re d a bo ut the w orld a wa y from m e

, , ,

p oor o rp ha n An d y ou c a use m e s till m o re g rief by this bit of p a p e r

.
,

a sk in g m e t o give y ou t h is m on ey ba ck I kn ow th a t y ou wa s ted .

m on ey on m e bu t I w a s te d a l so ev erythin g wh ich I own e d up on th is

,

j ourn ey t o y ou But I d on t d en y wha t y ou sen t m e O n ly if y ou

.
’
.
,

wa n t t o ha ve this m on ey com e ba ck to ou r coun try a s o th e r p eop l e

, ,

do ; y ou h a ve your p a rt s sell them a n d y ou w ill ha v e yo ur m on ey

, .

But e vid e n tly y ou wa n t t o bury m e a live in to th is holy ea r th tha t I ,

Th j r ey w uld ost m or th
x
e ou n thi s p rt w ld b w rth H h d
o c e an a ou e o . e a

e vide tly m pl i ed th t h t ly g t d wry w ith his w if b t th a t h h s

n co a n a e no on o no o e, u e a

ex p e esns t f t he m th r i l w
on a ccoun o o e -
n- a .
 KOZLOWS KI S ERI ES 2I

ma y l ive a n y m ore up on this ea rth with m y belove d d a ugh te r [ si cl ]

n ot .

But why S hould y ou dea r son in — la w p e r sua d e m e th a t it is tim e

,
-
,

for m e t o go in to th i s h oly ea rth ? When I sh a ll o t o m t omb

g y ,
’
y o u w on t e ven kn ow it S o m y d ea r son in la w d on t m a k e 1 ’
.
- -
, ,

m e g ri e ve a n y m ore for y ou m a d e m e grie ve en ou h in a sin l e

, g g
le tter .

D ea r son in la w B I beg y ou if i t is ve ry ha rd for ou t o be there

- -
.
, y ,

with these children I beg y ou if it is p ossible sen d m e on e ch ild so I

, , , ,

ca n e duca te it I beg y ou dea r son in la w do a s y ou th i n k t he best

.
- -
, .
,

An d I beg y ou dea r son ln la w Fr a n u s [p e t n a m e] if ou could sen d

y
- -
, ,

it w rite m e in a l ette r w he t her y ou w ill sen d it or n o t m d e a r son in

y
-
, ,

la w !
D ea r son - in - la w [ J a n ek ]
da ugh te r a lth ough y ou a re a n gry a nd ,

with m e a bout th is m on ey I beg y ou s till ca re for th ese orp ha n s , , ,

for y ou see th a t th ey h a ve n o m o th er n ow An d if it is p ossi bl e I .

,

beg y ou d ea r d a ugh te r sen d m e on e ch ild

, I wo uld keep it a s lon g
, .

a s m y e ye s sh i n e up on th is w o rld I beg y ou for it m y dea r d a ugh te r . .

,

R eflect how y ou sh o uld a ct with rega rd t o m y wo rd s M a y God .

gra n t u s to l ive u n til th i s Am en . .

[ FRAN CI S ZKA]

235 Ap ril 1 8, 1 90 9

An d n ow d ea r ch ildren turies of cen ,

we a ns wer y ou In cen

t u ries Am en
, An d n ow we in form y ou tha t w e r e ce iv ed yo ur l e tter
.

on Good Frid a y for wh ich w e tha n k , y ou h ea rtily for n o t forge tti n g ,

us .
[H ea lth a n d wish es ] I a m h ea l th y by th e gra ce of God on ly this , ,

d ea th of Zosia to rm en ts m e a n d gives m e n o p ea ce How is she .

bur ied th e re a n d w h y w a s I n ot th er e wh en sh e w a s dyin g ? But

, ,

dea r da ugh ter a n d son in la w try th a t a t lea s t these o rp ha n s g e t on

- -
,

well th a t they don t su ff er h un ger for y ou see th a t th ey ca n n o t h a ve

,
’
,

a m o th e r a n y m or e on ly y ou a re th e ir g ua rd ia n s
, C a r e for the m a n d .
,

God a n d M other Ma ry w ill ca re for y ou .

An d I a sk you m y d ea r children how do y ou liv e without your

, ,

s i s t e r a n d m y d ea r d a ugh t e r for I th in k con t in u a lly a bo ut h e r da y , ,

a n d n igh t I ga ve m on ey for reco rdi n g h er a n d if God h e lp s m e I will

.
,

1
All h t i s a bou tb i e ng bu ri ed , e t c is p rob a b n o h n g bu t a h e o
.
,
ly t i r t rica l d v l p e e o

m en t r p r h f t h gri f
of h er e oa c or e e h er son in la w h as ca u sed by h is e
- -
l tt r it m y
e , or a

be ani dir t ll i t s m e p hr i
n ec a u s on o o a se n his l tt r
e e . He m a y h w itt
a ve f r r en , o

i t c th t S h w t old t o m ry
ns a n e, a e as oo ar .
22 PRI M AR Y G RO U P
-
OR GAN I ZATI O N

giv e l for h oly m a ss for

rep ose of An d I p ra y for h er h er sou l I
a so a .

t o God a n d t o ou r M oth e r M a ry tha t God m a y t a k e h er t o h im se lf ,

.

P r a y y ou a l so t o God for h er so ul a n d God w ill f org iv e h er ce rta inl y ,

.

An d n ow d ea r d a u gh te r y ou m en tion t hese f ea the r s a ski n g m e

, , ,

to sen d them t o y ou Y o u see it is so d ea r d a ugh te r. Th ese fea th ers , ,

.

which I ha d bo ugh t bega n t o b e ea ten by m ites so I sold a p a rt of ,

th em bu t if som ebody ha p p en s to go to Am erica I will bu y som e a n d

, ,

se n d them t o y ou But if n obody goes th en n o thin g ca n be don e

2
, ,
.

a n d d on t be a n gry wi th m e d ea r d a u gh t e r a n d son in la w for I a m

’
- -
, ,

n o t g uilty a t a ll It is tru e th a t it costs y ou a few roubles bu t I h a ve

.
,

a l so l os t e ve ryth in g wh i ch I h a d S o d on t be a n gry with m e m y

’
.
,

dea r children for if I ca n n o t rew a rd y ou I w ill p ra y t o God for your

, ,

hea lth a n d success a n d God wi ll help y ou in yo ur work,

[ FRA N CI S ZKA]
An d I g ree t y ou d ea r b ro th e r Wi n cen ty I ca n n o t give y ou m y
,
.

ha n d in th i s [h elp y ou ] for I h a v e n o th in g m y self bu t y ou ch ildr en

, , , ,

do yo ur best a n d n o urish yo ur u n cl e a s y ou ca n D ea r b ro th e r ca n .
,

y ou n o t help your self in a n y w a y Com e t o a n u n d e r s t a n d in g wi th

ou r bro th er a n d m a k e som e p l a n so tha t it m a y b e w ell ,
.

You see d ea r bro th e r wh en y ou w e re in good con d i ti on y ou did

, , ,

n o t w a n t t o kn ow a n ythin g a bo ut y our w if e a n d ch ildr en a n d n ow ,

y ou r em em ber th em !

Februa ry 9 1 9 1 3 ,

I rece ived your l e tter m y dea r children [ B a ra n ow skis] , ,

fo r wh i ch I th a n k y ou h ea rtily for I wa i ted for it w i th lon gin g My , .

d ea r ch ildren y ou sa y tha t I a m a n gry w i th y ou Oh n o m y d ea r

, .
,

ch ildren I a m n o t a n gry with y ou You sa y tha t I did n o t a n swer

, .

yo ur l etter It is true m y d ea res t children tha t I did n o t a n sw e r

.
, ,

y ou bu t why ? Y ou se e it is true tha t y o u w ish e d t o t a k e m e t o

, ,

y ou a n d I wa s g l a d beca u se of y o ur w ish b u t I d on t k n ow wh e th e r
’
,

tha t t icke t w a s ba d or th ose g u ides An d so y ou sen t m e m on ey a n d .

I sold everyth in g or ra th er w a sted everyth in g [sold too ch ea p ] a n d

,

Th p i t h s r cord of th
l
e r es of h i p
a i h e s who ha ve di d
a e d b tw ose s ar s on r e ,
an e een
th rm
e se d th m on a n pr y f th ir souls lli g their me A m c ts
e a ss a s or e ,
ca n na s . a ss os

fr mo t
on eth bles
o A rec rd is ch p r
re e rou d l fi c i t th
f .
m ss o ea e an ess e en an a a .

F is k m y h v h d
ra n c z a ma lebra t d b t p r f
a e t t a k wl dg th a t
a a ss ce e , u e e rs n o o ac no e e
she w s i a p o iti t sp e d tha t m
n a s on t o n a ou n .

Sh d t h f a th r p rt f h d w y
2
e u se e e e s as a o er o r .
 KOZLOWS KI S ER I ES 23

wen t . when I wa s re turn ed wa s it m y fa ult ? I wa ste d your

An d ,

m on ey a n d ve ry l i ttl e of m in e Wa s l eft
, Wh en I re turn ed hom e I .
,

f oun d a d esert house Wh a t could I begin th en p oor o rp h a n ?

.
,

S hould I ha v e ca ll ed t o y o u m y d e a r children a n d rel a ted t o y ou m y

, ,

troubl e But m y voice could n o t ha ve rea ch ed y ou for y ou a re in a ,

fa r co u n try a n d I w a s l eft a n o rp ha n a m on g w a s t e a n d tro ubl es

, , , ,

a n d I h a d sl owly t o p r o v id e m y se lf on ce m or e w ith the outfit wh i ch I

h a d w a s te d Y ou w e re a n gry w ith m e d ea r children a s if I did so

.
,

in te n tion a lly in ord e r t o ta k e th e m on ey w i th out comin g t o y ou Oh .

m y children ou r L ord God i s a bov e u s He sees a n d h ea rs e ve ryth in g

, ,
.

S h o uld I lie ? S ho uld I h a ve r en ou n ced y ou a n d n o t [ wa n ted ] to

I

go t o y ou a n d n o t [wa n ted ] to see y ou ? Wh y y ou k n ow tha t I a m ,

left n ow a l on e I h a v e n on e of y ou m y dea rest ch ildren wi th m e I

, , , ,

a m l e ft a l on e a n o rp h a n a n d I ca n see n on e of y ou a l ive o n ly I
, , ,

l ook con tin ua lly up on the se d ea d p ho togra phs B ut y ou d ea r da u gh .

,

t er surely y ou f orgo t m e in truth sin ce y ou le t a y ea r p a ss w ithout

, ,

writi n g to m e a n d y ou f orgot when I a sked y ou for th e p hotog ra p h of

,

th a t orp ha n a fter [l eft by ] Zosia You sen t on e to the shoem a k er s .

’

w if e a n d y ou did n o t even m en tion m e I a sked th e shoem a k er s .

’

w if e for th is p h o togra p h bu t sh e did n ot wi sh to give i t to m e

,

Well a n d n ow dea r da u gh t er y ou rem em bered tha t y ou h a ve s till

, , ,

a m o th er som ewh e r e in th e w o rld a n d y ou wr i te c ur iou s h ow I l ive , ,

h e re a n d how I sU cceed !
An d n ow d ea r d a u gh te r a n d son ln — la w p l ea se d o n t be a n gry
’
-
, ,

a bo ut th a t which I Sha ll a sk for a n d sen d m e a p h o togr a p h of th e se ,

o rp h a n s ; le t m e see th em on ce m or e a t l ea s t .

N ow I sen d a n im a ge a n d a toy for m y g ra n dd a u gh ter

[ FRAN CI S ZKA]

2 37 [ Novem ber 4, 1 9 0 6]

I write d ea r godda ugh ter I your god mo the r

t o y o u bo th , m y , ,

S zczep [ a ri ska ] a n d I wish y o u e v e ry good a n d wh a t eve r y ou wa n t

,

from ou r Lord God the bes t I tha nk y ou for n ot f orge ttin g a bout
,
.

Th is a p p ea l ri us fo a p s t n ever m a kes a f l a th les

to God is cu o , r ea a n a se o ,
un s

t t lly dem r li ed B t a oa th with m ta l r e v ti o i fr q t I th is

o a o a z . u n en es r a n s e u en . n

ca se th th d e oa t r f r t y th i g i pa rtic la r u l t t he f ll win g
oes n o e e o an n n u , n ess o o o

phr d a s h p r b bl y r ll y w a n ted t see h

a se , a n s e o ch il dr
a it is in f tr
ea o er en , so ar ue .

It m y b a l o th t i r p ti g ll h lies she ha s fin lly ha lf forg tt her rea l

e a s a n e ea n a er a -
o en

i t n tio s which she h d p rha p s a lso ever v ry p li itl y t ted to her elf
n e n ,
a e n e ex c s a s .
24 PRI M AR Y G ROUP-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

m e, so I sen d y ou a g ift Th e se
ula ries from C zest o
. a re those sca p

ch ow a a n d i n ,
th i s on e sca p ul a ry
with the c ross th e re is sew ed u p a
[p a rt of th e] ve il of God s Mo th e r of Czes to chowa Th is is imp orta n t
’
. .

I sen d y ou a blessin g for yo ur wh ol e life M a y God bless y ou a n d .

,

God s M o th er An d m y da ugh te r Helcia is v e ry gl a d tha t y ou d on t

’
.
’

fo rge t h er .

S zCZE P [ANS KA ]

2 38 [ D ecembe r 2 8, 1 90 8]

An d I clea r da ugh te r g ree t y ou I yo ur godm o th er gr ee t

n ow , , , , ,

y ou M a n ia ! D ea r d a ugh te r I write y ou a bout th i s : Why did y ou

, ,

ca u se su ch co s t s for yo ur m o th e r t h a t sh e m igh t g o t o y ou t o Am e r ica ! ,

Goi n g t o th is Am erica your m o ther sold th e f orest a n d ren ted t he

,

l a n d a n d a ll th e m on ey wh i ch she ha d w a s w a s ted in j ourn ey in g

,
.

Sh e wen t tw ice to Ostrol eka ; n o l i ttl e m on ey w a s sp en t ; twi ce t o

Wa rsa w on a ccou n t of h er eyes Th en a t l a st th ey we n t t o Liba w a .

a n d th e r e th ey r em a in ed for som e ti m e a n d th e r es t of th ei r m on e y ,

wa s sp en t on th eir l ivin g for th e ship ti cke t s w e re ba d a n d th ey h a d

,
-
,

t o re turn h om e Your m o th e r h a d sold ev e ryth i n g she h a d sold

.
,

e ven h er bes t p e tti coa t for t his j our n ey a n d wh en sh e ca m e ba ck , ,

if P l [a ta ] h a d n ot m a rried h er I d on t kn ow h ow sh e wo uld l iv e fo r
’
, ,

sh e h a d n ot a grosz l eft N ow y ou wro te tha t Z osia is n o l on ge r

.
,

a live a n d I a m a l so sa d a n d w h a t do y ou thin k a bout y our ow n

, ,

m o th e r ? An d y ou m a k e h er g r ieve s till m o r e a bout th is m on e y .

Y ou h a v e n o id ea wh a t a sa d Ch ris tm a s yo ur m o th e r h a d th is y e a r ,

for she is g ri ev ed beca u se of t h e d ea th of her belo v e d da ugh te r An d .

th i s field which your m o th er ren ted is still sow n by s tra n ge p eop l e ,

un til th e yea rs a re en ded [ th e ren tin g term ] a n d your m o th er a s -

, ,

y ou k n ow is fed by P l [a ta ] un til [ th e en d of] thi s t im e

, An d n ow .
,

dea r da ugh ter M a n i a d on t be off en ded a t m y writin g it to y ou bu t

,
’
,

your m other is a lmos t sen sel ess a n d she con tin ua lly cries a n d com ,

p la i n s wh a t a ba d fortun e bef ell h er up on th is w o rld

, .

1 Who l ov e you m y d a ugh te r

’ ’
M AR YAN N A SZ ,
CZEFANS KA

D ea r [god ] d a ugh te r , I h a ve l ea rn ed t o k n o w y o ur moth er n ow .

If sh e co uld ta ke her hea rt ou t , she would give it t o y ou , bu t sh e

ca n n o t ta k e it ou t a n d w h a t will sh e do w it h h er m i se ry ? An d n ow
I bid y ou a ll goodbye M a y God gra n t it Am en I . . .

Th e letter i ide tly writt

s ev n en u n de r t he i fl
n u en ce o f Kozlow ska , and is
r
p e ha p s i tig t d by he
ns a e r .
 K OZLOWS KI S E RI E S 2 5

2 39 O c t obe r 2 4, 1 90 7

D E AR S I S TE R B R OTHE R I N LAW : I sen d y ou holy im a ges

AN D - - .

D ea r sis ter a n d brothe r in la w y ou don t bel ie ve u s tha t we - -

,
’

wa n ted to go to Am e rica ; bu t I your bro th er w ill dra w m y , ,

lo t [ be ca ll e d t o mil ita ry service] in tw o yea rs a fte r n ext sp rin g ,

so I shou ld be gl a d to see a ll of y ou a t on ce D ea r .

b ro the r in la w I a m ve ry m u ch gr ie v e d th a t y ou sa y th a t y ou will
- -
,

tea r a ll the h a ir from your h ea d [from d esp a ir] D ea r bro ther in la w .

- -
,

it is n o t the fa ult of m y siste r .

FR AN E K K oza owsxr

[ Ap ril 1 8, 1 9 0 9]

An d I Fra n ciszek [ Fra n ck] tha n k y ou d ea r b roth er in —

n ow ,
la w , ,
-

a n d sis t e r for a t l ea s t n o t fo rge ttin g m e for m y bro th er dea r [ iron y ]

, ,

d oes n o t write m e a sin gl e w ord He is a n g ry with m e I d on t k n ow .

,
’

wh a t for Al though we ough t t o lo ve ea ch o ther for we a re on ly t wo

.
,

a n d I m u s t go t o th e a rm y in s t ea d of h im h e does n o t ca r e for m e ,
.

S u ch a good br o ther l ovin g h is b ro th er ! It is bitte r a n d ha rd for

,

m e t o re me mber su ch a b ro the r ! Wha t is m y fa ult towa rd h im ?

0 God be m e rciful t o u s your sin n ers !
, ,
I

An d n ow d ea r b ro the r in la w a n d siste r I go to P russia so p l ea se

,
- -
, ,

write m e a l e tter th ere I will sen d y ou m y a ddress I wa s in Czes to

. .

ch o wa bu t I did n o t e xp ec t th a t a l e tt e r from you d ea r sis t e r wo uld

, , ,

com e or el se I sh o uld h a ve brough t a g rea t e r tok en

,
N ow I sen d y ou .

on ly sca p u l a ries of M a ry t h e Vi rg in a lr ea dy con secr a te d rea dy t o , ,

be p u t a rou n d th e n e ck .

[ FR AN E K]

Jun e 1 1 1 9 1 1 ,

D E AR SI S TE R AND B R O TH E R I N LAW : [ Com p l a in s a bo ut - -

m ili ta ry se rvi c e ] Ma y n eve r a n y goo d m a n serve in t h e a rm y for ,

h e r e eve rybody m u s t be a sla v e a n d is n o t fr ee a s a t hom e An d n ow ,

.

I a sk you m y dea r sister Ma n i a a n d bro ther in la w h ow do you

,
- -
,

s u cceed in t ha t Am e rica wh e th er w ell or p oorly W rit e me p l ea se

, .
,

d ea r sis ter how a re these o rp ha n s k ep t a fte r Zosia [ s d ea th]

,
for
’
,

1
A s tr a n ge r fo y g b y ; typ ica l p h
ph a se r a f ou n ld wom o a ra se or a n o an . The
s tyl e of th e wh le l tt r i l rly imi ta tio f t h m ther s tyl
o e e s c ea an n o e o
’
s e .
 26 PRI M AR Y -
G R OU P OR GAN I ZATI ON

I a m ve ry curious [in terested] An d a n swe r m e wheth er ou r bro th er .

,

in la w B m a rried [ a secon d tim e] or n ot

- .
[D escribes m ili ta ry .

life ]
An d n ow cl ea r M a n ia a n d bro th e r in —
.

,
Ia w I beg you wr i t e a l e t te r -
,

t o ou r sorrowful d ea r m o th er a n d don t be a n g ry wi th m oth er for

’
, ,

sh e i s with out gu ilt to wa rd y ou a n d sin ful befo re God a l on e D ea r 1

.
,

M a nia a n d bro ther in la w y ou a re p roba bly a n gry S in ce t he tim e wh en

- -
,

y ou wa n ted to ta ke h er t o Am e ri ca B ut old moth er th en wa n ted .

t o go to y ou a s to God ( wi th out co m p a rin g it ) a n d sh e rej oiced

2
,

tha t in her old yea rs sh e wa s to see her chi ldr en But wha t cou ld sh e .

do wh en sh e wa s un a bl e t o go t o y ou An d n ow dea r sister M a ni a ,

a n d b roth er ih la w y ou a re a n g ry w i th yo ur sorrowful a n d g ri eve d

- -
,

m o ther while p e rha p s y ou won t see h er a n y m or e unl ess in th e n ext

’
,

world An d wi th th is a n g e r y ou will g o in to the n ext w orld a n d so

w e sh a l l look up on on e a n o the r—a n d wh a t wi ll God sa y t o this ?
.
,

How sha ll w e jus tify our selv es ? D ea r sist er a n d br o the r in la w - -

,

m othe r writes t o m e a lw a ys a n d sa ys tha t sh e ha s n o l e tt er from y ou ,

a n d sh e a lwa ys weep s in h er le tte r so i t i s n ot p l ea sa n t for m e ei th e r , ,

for sh e is my m other a n d y our s If y ou sa w ou r m o ther y ou .

,

would n ever recogn ize h er how she is n ow with out ch ildren for , ,

a lwa y s som e thin g n ew h a p p en s [ som e n ew t roubl e] .

FRA NE K K ozr owsx r

[ July 1 2, I 90 7 ]
I J62 ef Pl [a ta ] w ish t o ta ke yo ur d ea r mother for my wife
, , .

An sw er a s soon a s p oss ible wh e th e r y ou w ill tak e her or wh e th e r y ou

tell her to ma rry m e I wo uld give m y li fe for h er I h a ve n othin g
. .

m ore t o wri te on ly I sen d a low bow t o y ou a ll to the wh ol e fa m ily !

, ,

Yo ur well wishin g -

J62 EF P1 .
[ATA]
Not t o be ta ken a s a n a dmissi f an y on o pa cu rti la r sin bu t onl y a s th e a p p li
,

ca tion of the g enera l p ri cip l f Ch risti

n e o an hu m ility tha t a ll m en a re sinn ers
before God .

Th e restri ctio is m de b c nrea l m p a ri would be a sin ; th e rest ric

a e a u se a co son

tion cha racteri es it a s a simp l m t p h r

z e e a o .

The m a n simp ly a sks f p ermi i n t m rry th ir mother Th i s in di ca tes

3

—
or ss o o a e

—
.

once m re the degree to wh i ch t h f m ily i s f lt

o re lity a d the m a rria ge of a n y
e a e as a a , n

m em ber fa ther or mother b th r si t r s d u ghter a s a fiecti n g imm e

,
ro e or s e , on or a

dia t ely th is rea lity is a fa m ilia l,w ll s a i divid l m tter as e a n n ua a .

28 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR GAN IZATI ON

a n d sa i d , Why
wa s te this tim be r ? th ey a b use d m e sh e
do y ou
”
,

a n d h er son a n d d en i e d th a t th e re w a s a n y th in g t o which I h a d a n y
,

righ t S o I w a s obliged t o h a ve a g ua rd ia n ship es ta bli sh ed beca u se

.
,

Fra n ck wa s a m in or a n d m oth er took ra ther too m uch liberty An d .

ex cu se m e d on t be a n g ry w i th m e d ea r si s t er a n d b r o th e r in la w
’ - -
, , ,
’
for I te ll the truth a lw a y s in to on e s eyes n o t behin d on e s eyes
’
,

For so m a n y yea rs si n ce y ou h a ve been in Am erica I h a v e n ev e r h a d

e ven a sm a ll sh ee t fr om y ou ex cep t n ow th i s a ddre ss for wh ich , ,

m a y God rew a rd y ou I sh ould n ot go t o Am e rica excep t for m y

.
,

chi ldr en M y da ugh te r M a n i a ca n m a rry S h e is 2 0 years old M y

. . .

son VVla dzio i s 1 6 y ea r s ol d Zygm un t 6 y ea r s Ge n i a 4 y ea r s a n d I , , ,

a m v e ry sa d th a t I ca n n o t h e lp them for in ou r cou n try th e re i s n o ,

work a n d th e exp en ses a re big Wh a t I ca m i s on ly en ough for l ivi n g .

,

a n d wh e n w e h a ve t o p a y th e r en t w e m u s t go h u n g ry If y ou co uld .

dra w m e t o y ou I don t kn ow h ow I could rewa rd y ou [ I Sh ould be so

’
.

g ra teful ]
AN TONI HERM [AN 0 W I cz]

Ma y 29, 1 91 2

B R OTHE R I N LAW
D E AR SI S TE R As t o th eAN D - -

S hip tick e t wh ich I m en t ion ed I did n o t c ou n t on y ou a lon e b ro the r

-
, ,

For there a re th ree of y ou I d on t coun t B for he is l ik e ’

in la w
-
. . .
,

a s tra n ge m a n I a m n o t a cqua i n ted w ith y ou so I did n ot loo k [ t o

I
.
,

y ou a l on e] I beg your p a rd on p olitely for im p ortu n in g y ou For I

. .

bel iev e ev e ry thin g y ou wro te a bout An ton i a s if I w e re th ere m y se lf , .

You tell m e to borrow 1 40 ro ubles bu t i t i s n ot so ea sy fo r h e r e , ,

p eop l e l en d on ly t o a m a n wh o ha s som ethin g t o l ook up on [ so m e

p rop erty] M ea n while I live on ly from t hese fiv e fin ge r s ; I h a v e
.
,

n o thin g bu t wh a t I ea rn E v en so ou r bel ove d lo vi n g iron i ca l ] “ ”

.
,

m o th er wh en eve r S he se es a n y thin g n ew of cl oth es up on u s won d e r s

, ,

wh en ce w e get m on ey for it In s tea d of bein g gl a d th a t we m a n a ge .

t o dress our selves a s w e ca n she i s a n g ry wi th u s How ca n I e xp ec t , .

e

s tra n ge p eop l e to he l p u s wh en ou r ow n m othe r be rud es u s a

g g p iece
,

of br ea d ? If I ha d wa n te d a b solutely to be in Am e rica I sh ould h a ve ,

gon e a bout 6 yea rs a go wh en I w en t to L iba w a w i th Fra n ck a n d w i th

in rp r ti n of t h b th r i la w i th f m ily i i terrup ted

The gra du a l co o a o e ro e -
n- n e a s n

by t h d th f hi W if
e ead he b m o stra g r s e, a n eco es a n e .
”

P r ba bl y
2
ot e y b t a e p r io f K l wsk g r l disp ositi to
o n nv u n x ess
’
, n o oz o a s en e a on

k ep th r d w
e o e s o n .
 KOZLOWSKI SERI ES 29

m oth e r . Then I ha d a ll m y d ocum en ts a n d I begged m o ther t o

,

h el p m e a l ittl e bu t sh e did n o t wa n t to
,
. I sa id Then sen d Fra n ck
,

in st ea d of m e .
”
But m othe r sa id I d on t g o a n d you sha ll n o t go
,
“ ’

e ith e r. An d so m othe r s a c t towa rd th eir ow n ch ildren ! B eca u se

sh e r u i n e d he r se lf S h e wa n ted t o rui n h er chi ldr en
,
But she re turn e d
.

t o h er ow n hou se whil e I re tu rn e d l ike th e f a rm e r whose bu ild in gs

,

a re al l b urn e d a n d w h o i s l eft wi th out a roof a b ov e his h ea d .Th e

few r o ubl es wh ich I h a d I l os t th em for m o th e r s sa k e a n d l a t e r I
’
, ,

w a s obliged t o e a rn a n d econ omize a ga in .An d excuse m e for wr iti n g

th is for I tell th e truth As I bel ieve you so do y ou beli eve m e
, .
, ,

p l ea se. An d n ow m o th er is a n g ry for your n o t ha v in g sen t m On ey

for Fra n ck wh en h e w a s goin g t o the a rm y .An tos [h er son ]
sen t h er 1 0 r o u bl e s a n d n ow An t on i [her br o th e r] sen t a l so 1 0 ro ub l es
, ,

bu t a ll th is i s n ot en o ugh for th em .

AN TON I HE R M
 JAC KOWS KI S ER I E S

These a re l e tters fr om a p la in Ga licia n p ea s a n t f a m il y .

Th e old e s t son Ja n wen t p r ob a b l y ve r y ea rly t o Ger m a n y

, , , ,

a n d fr om th e r e c a m e t o Am e ri c a a n d se ttl e d in C h i c a go .

Th e sec on d son S ta n isla w w a s wi th hi m a n d th en

, , ,

a l on e
,
in Germ a n y b ut r e tur n e d t o Au s tria for h is mili
,

ta r y servic e Th e third son Fra n ck is y oun g a n d s t a y s

.
, ,

a t h om e .

Th e qua rr el s a llu d e d t o in t h e b e gin n in g o f t h e c orr e

sp on den ce h a v e th eir sou r c e in e c on om ic m a tte r s Th e con .

dit ion s m u st be v e ry ba d in Wie tr zyc h ow ic e up on a sm a ll

piec e of l a n d Ja n w ho does n ot seem t o be of a g en e r ou s
.
,

disp osition is irrita te d by th e d em a n d s for m on e y esp e

, ,

cia lly a s h e su sp e c t s th a t S t a n isl a w h a s dra wn a s m u c h

m on ey a s p os sib l e fr om th e p a r en t s durin g hi s m ili t a r y

se r vic e a n d th a t h e h a s tried t o w in t h e f a vor of t h e p a ren t s
,

a n d a ssu r e for h im se lf t h e b e tt e r S ha r e of t h e in h er i t a n c e

a fte r h i s r e tur n fr om t h e a r m y I n a dd it ion S t a n isla w

.
,

h a s evid en tl y b een a r a ther light h ea d e d boy w i th ou t

-
,

m uc h f or c e or p r a c tica li t y a n d Ja n c on v e rts s om e of his

‘

gen era l irrit a tion in to p er son a l c r itic ism of h is y ou n ger

b rother .

On th e o the r ha n d th e e ffo rts of S t a n isl a w t o in tr o du c e

,

ha rm on y in to the fa m il y a re in te r e s tin g I t fre qu en tl y .

ha pp en s a s in this c a se tha t wh en th e fa m il y b eg in s t o
, ,

dissolve on e m em b er hold s it t oge th er m ore or l ess I n .

t h e Osi n ski serie s t h e m oth er d oes it s u cc es s full y I n th e .

Terl ec ki series (b el ow) th e m oth er tr ies t o do it b ut wi thout ,

s ucc ess .
 JACKOW S KI SERI ES 3I

THE FAM IL Y JACKOWS KI

Ja ckowski , afa rm er
Fra n ciszka , his wif e

Ja n
S t a n i sl a w h is son s

Fra n ck
M a ry s i a h is
d a ughter
,

Ja siek a co us in
,

Th e a un t h is m oth er
”
,

m o re a un s t t wo cous in s .

2 46
—6 7 , To J AN JACK OW S KI ,
IN AM ER I CA , FR O M FAMI LY
ME MB E R S , I N P O LAND

2 46 TR AWNI K ,
Augu s t 1 1 ,
1 90 9
D E AR B R O THE R : A lon g tim e h a s p a ssed sin ce w e sa w ea ch othe r
and a ( rel a tively ) lon ger time sin ce w e wr o t e B ut whose fa ult i s it .

S urely n ot min e .

O n Ch r is tm a s I [ from
r y] for a t en da y s lea ve ’
ca m e hom e the a m ,

a n d p re cisely th en w e r ece ive d yo ur l e tt e r Evid en t ly if th ey h a d .

kn ow n wh a t w a s written there they would certa in ly n o t h a ve rea d

,

th a t le tter Seei n g wha t w a s go i n g on I wen t i n to th e field for

.
, ,

tea rs s tood in m y eyes D ea r br o th er wha t I did I kn ow it well

.
, ,

en o ugh m y se lf a n d wh a t y ou do an d w ill do y ou m u s t kn ow it th e
, ,

be s t your self a n d i t con ce rn s n obody el se a t a ll

,
N ow d ea r bro the r .
, ,

y ou sen t a li ttl e m on ey h om e D on t th i n k tha t I sh a ll ta k e it

’
. .

Th ey won t ever g ive it to m e Th e secon d yea r of m y service

’
.

a p p roa ch es i t s en d a n d duri n g th is tim e th ey sen t m e on ce l a st y ea r

,

3 cro wn s for wh ich I did n ot a s k N ow wh en I wen t fro m th e .

,

S e rvi a n fron tier w e dra n k m errily beca u se w e re tur n e d in good h ea lth

, ,

from th ose troubles d u rin g th e w i n te r in B osn i a S om ebody p roba bly .

m a d e a m is ta k e a n d r ea ch ed in m y p ocke t i n s tea d of his ow n or I ,

sim p ly los t [ m y m on ey ] som ewh er e Th en I a sked for 4 crown s a n d .

they sen t m e th em [from h om e] I thin k i t w a s n ot m uch durin g 2

.

yea rs .

N ow d ea r broth e r if y ou ha v e tim e a n d wi sh p l ea se w ri te m e a
, , ,

few w o rd s a n d inform m e wh y y ou d on t wr ite h om e P e rh a p s y ou

’
.

a re a n g ry b eca u se I sha ll r e tur n h om e a ft e r m y mi li ta ry se rvice

[ a n d tak e over the fa rm ] ? Well don t th i nk it for I won t be a t

’ ’
, ,
 32 PRI M AR Y G RO UP
-
OR G ANI Z ATI ON

h om e , I sh a ll will in gly
yi eld t o everybody The world is w id e a n d .

h igh on e ca n quie tly wa n de r th ro ugh it

,
Or p erh a p s som e th in g el se .

h a p p en ed be tween y ou a n d th e h om e ?
S TANI S LAW J .

2 47 S ep t em be r 1 8, 1 90 9

D E AR B R OTHER : I received yo ur l e tte r a n d a l so a dolla r in it ,

for which I th a n k y ou h ea rtily N ow d ea r broth e r I a sk ed y ou w hy

.
, ,

y ou do n ot wri t e h om e a n d y ou a n sw e r m e th a t it is n o t m y a ffa ir
,
.

I con f ess tha t it con ce rn s m e v e ry littl e a n d I m us t w ri te a l so tha t ,

th e o th er m a tte r wa s m y a fl a ir n o t yo ur s I should n o t ha ve gon e so

,
.

soon t o th e a r m y or h om e bu t I h a d t o for th e y ca ugh t m e ,

We r e , .

i t n o t for th is p e rh a p s w e S h o uld be n ow tog e th e r

,
An d if y ou a re .

ta k en to th e a rm y y ou ca n n o t h op e th a t y ou will be set fr ee for a

,

da y or ha lf a da y Wi th m e i t w a s the sa m e ; th ey took m e a n d h e ld
.

m e un til Ch ri s tm a s An d if m y p a ren t s ca m e t o m e a t on ce in th e
.

sa m e w eek I ca n n o t h elp i t a n d i t w a s n o t m y f a ult

, ,
.

N ow secon dl y wh en th ey w ere wi th m e I did n o t boa s t t o the m

, , ,

tha t I h a d m uch m on ey a n d th a t I kn ew 4 l a n g ua ges They a sk e d m e .

,

wh eth er I h a d m on ey a n d I sa id tha t I w a s n ot without a cen t It

,
.

s eem s to m e tha t i t w a s n ot a lie La ter wh en they were l ea vin g m e .

, ,

th ey told m e n ot t o do a n y silly th i n g a t l ea s t in the a rm y [p roba bly ,

m ea n in g tha t h e did silly th i n gs before] a n d t o k eep well I sa id th a t ,

.

n o th in g b a d could h a pp en t o m e i n th e a r m y a n d I sa id th a t I kn e w ,

Ge rm a n so it would be a lwa y s ea sier for m e tha n for a boy who does

,

n o t kn ow i t a n d com es imm e dia t ely from hi s vill a ge I n th ese thi n gs .

whi ch I told th em there wa s n o lie even for a h ellcr But a s t o wh a t .

they wro te y ou I a m n o t th e H oly Sp iri t th a t I ca n kn ow e ve ry th in g

, ,

whe ther they wro te the truth or a dd ed som e thin g mo re If y ou w ro te .

in a n ger d ea r bro the r tha t I ga ve my m on e y to som ebo dy t o k e ep

, , ,

i t w a s n o t so m u ch a n ge r a s sco r n [y ou sa id i t i ron ica lly] .

D ea r bro ther y ou remin d m e a l so of this fa ult th a t th o ugh I h a d

, ,

n ot seen my p a r en t s for 8 ye a r s I sh ould n ot h a v e a ll ow e d t he m t o ,

com e a n d vi sit m e b ef o r e I w en t t o the m But y ou a re m is tak en I

.
,

for if y ou wer e in Am erica for 1 0 y ea r s a n d a p p oin ted the da y on w hich

y ou w o uld v isit them a n d if y ou ca m e to th e fron t ie r a n d th ey [ t h e

,

Au stria n s] ca ugh t y ou y ou co uld offer them thou sa n d s th ey w o ul dn t

, ,
’

I t is n o t ea s yt o u n de s a n d rt i
t h e ba s s of J an s
’
r p ro
e a ch , bu t ( cf . the foll wi o ng
 JACKOWS KI S ERI ES 33

le t y ou go un til your tim e ca m e Jus t so it w a s wi th m e dea r brother .

,
.

I wa s ta k en n o t ev en a t th e fron tier bu t in Brem erh a fen From th e re ,

.

they brough t m e to Eger a n d th en ce t o Ta rn 6w Wh a t could I do .

I on ly l ook ed t o see tha t n on e of m y a cqua in ta n ces sa w m e for h e ,

wo uld ha ve though t I h a d kil led or robb ed som eon e .

N ow dea r bro th e r y ou wri te m e tha t y ou h a v e e xp erien ced m a n y

, ,

l ies from m e I a m curiou s how y ou did it sin ce we ha ve n ot wr itten

.
,

t o ea ch o th e r Y ou r em i n d m e of P la gwitz wh ere I wo rke d wh en

.
,

1 4 yea r s old But n ow I a m a g rown u p m a n a n d I ha ve diff eren t

.
-

p rivil eges [si c ? P roba bly difler en t cha ra c t er a n d ha bit s] Wha t I .

sa id a n d did a t 1 4 I s ure ly w oul d n ot do n ow a t 2 2, ,

.

D ea r bro th e r y ou write a bo ut Ja siek a n d y ou sa y th a t y ou ca nn o t

,

bel iev e th a t I h a d n o opp o rtun ity t o wri te to h im If I ha d h a d hi s .

a ddr ess s ur e ly I w oul d h a ve written

,
I w a s a t hom e a n d ou r a un t .
,

a sk e d m e t o wr i t e a l e tt e r t o Ja siek bu t a m om en t a ft e r sh e w en t t o ,

S o wa a n d wro te from th e r e Wh a t ca n I do if they qua rrel be tween .

th em selves S urely it is n o t m y fa ult .

D ea r bro the r y ou wr ite m e th a t in m y lif e y ou see a whole series

of li es .
,

This on ly in teres ts m e wh en ce do they com e whe th e r — ,

from m e or from som ebody el se ? I did n ot w rite t o a n ybody excep t

3 l e tte rs t o Ja siek S o y ou m u s t w rite m e wh en ce th ese l ies co m e
. .

D ea r b ro the r y ou wri te m e th a t I giv e y ou a dmon it ion s

,
Th ese .

a re n o t a dm on i tion s a t a ll [ wh en I sa y ] tha t y ou l eft n o thin g [n o

m on ey of your own a t hom e for I l eft sti ll l ess Y ou coul d ca r e .

on l y i f I took a n y thi n g fr om h om e bu t I wr o te y ou clea rly th a t I ,

ta ke n o m on ey from hom e .
I

D ea r bro th er y ou wri te m e tha t the w orld is wi d er befo re y ou

,
I .

beli e ve y ou bu t n ot st ron gly ,

Though I a m a sla ve a n d serva n t .

F r l l tter it i vi d t th t Ja ha i g u rea s d grudge

om t he w h o e e s e en a n , v n an n on e

a ga ins t S t i l w p r b bly
an s a t d with t h fa t t ha t t h la tt r is re hom
,
o a conn ec e e c e e n ea r e

an dm bl t o
ore a tr l th i p r ts t i t fi d m ra tio a l ca s f his w
e con o e r a en , r es o n so e n u e o o n

fee li gs d th s i v ts i p r t t t o exp l in hi a im o ity Th c is

n ,
an u n en v a r ou s e ex s a s n s . e a se

p rfe tl y typ i l f
e c p as t ca Th p w f l b ckgro d f t ra di t i a l a ttitudes
or a e an . e o er u a un o on

giv s rie t o a beh

se i r whos t r d reaso a p uzzl t th s bj ect hi m lf
av o e na u e an n re a e o e u se .

Th l t t r wh
e a a ked fo e p l
e ,
ti
en giv s im a gin a y
s s i us eas
r xs m oreana on , e r con c o r on ,

l ss i a dequ te d p di g p o the degree of his i tellige ce A d c riou s

—
or e n a ,
e en n u n n n . n a u

e l t io a l o occu r ; th im gin a ry rea so thr gh th p w r f exp r ss ion

vo u n s s e a n, ou e o e o e
,

b m es m r
e co le l e o f the f t
o e or p a rt f th s b n sci s f el i g
ss a r ea r as n or u ure a o e u co ou e n

fl w thr ugh thi

o s o w cha el Thi s f t r
s t r i t the evolutio of the
ne nn . ac o en e s n o n

p asa t ttit d t w rd th m a n or o w er the J w the gove rnm n t a n d in to

’
e n s a u e o a e - n e e
, , ,

ma y relig i u s
n d f m ili l ttitudes
o an a a a .
 34 PRI M AR Y G ROUP
-
OR GANIZ ATI ON

of the em p e o r r , y e t y ou a re a l so a sla ve , a
rva n t of som ebo dy e l se se .

P erha p s th e sa m e h a pp in ess a wa i t s y ou
a l so wh i ch I d on t wish -
’

y ou — th a t y ou will be in the sa m e s itua tion a s I a m a n d I in t h e sa m e ,

a s y ou a re S o w e ca n n o t sp ea k m u ch a bout it
. .

N ow d ea r brothe r I infor m y ou th a t I a m a corp ora l

, ,
I s u ccee d .

well en ough I ca n sa y n o thin g a ga in s t it for in the a rm y it ca n n o t be

, ,

be tter I n a few m on th s this sl a ve ry will com e t o a n en d

. N ext .

m on th I will sen d y ou m y p h otogra p h a n d I beg y ou to sen d m e

yours S in ce w e ha ve n ot seen ea ch o th er for so lon g a tim e D ea r
,
.

brother let u s forge t wh a t wa s before a n d p e rha p s ou r lu ck will

, ,

se rv e u s be tt er in th e futur e .

S TAN I S LAW J .

2 48 O c tobe r 22, 1 90 9

D E ARB R OTHER : I rece ived your p h otog ra p h for wh ich I tha nk ,

y ou h ea rtily a n d wh i ch r ej o ice d m e very m u ch N ow d e a r b ro th er .

, ,

I a sk a bo ut yo ur d ea r hea lth a n d success For m yself th a n k s t o o u r .

,

Lord God I a m hea lthy a n d m y su ccess is good en ough ; a be tter

,

on e ca n n o t b e f ou n d in th e a r m y Now on Oc tobe r 1 8 I b ec a m e a .
, ,

Z u gsfzl krer [ se rgea n t] a n d I a m wi th th e recrui ts D e a r b ro the r

‘

.
,

y ou ha v e sen t m e your p ho tog ra p h a n d p roba b ly y ou a w a i t m in e so ,

it wi ll co m e soon a fte r th is l e tte r You m u s t p a rd on m e bu t I d on t

.
,
’

feel a t e very m om en t e qu a lly s tron g in m y p ocke t N ow d ea r .

,

broth er h e re in B osn ia th e re is n o n ews t o wri te

,
If I w e r e in ou r .

coun try I sh o uld h a v e m o r e t o w rit e y ou for th e re I sh o ul d soo n e r

, ,

m ee t som ebody a n d ta lk whil e h ere a re on ly s tra n ge r s

, N ow
I a sk y ou d ea r bro ther wha t i s th e n ew s in Am erica who ge t s m a rrie d
, , ,

or will m a r ry .

I greet y ou kin dly a n d h ea rtily un til I see y ou a ga in M a y God , .

g ra n t i t Am en . .

Yo ur l ovin g bro th er ,

S TANI S LAW J .

2 49 D ecember 2 4 1 90 9 ,

D E AR B R OTH E R : I n m y firs t w o rd s I i n f or m y ou tha t I r ece iv ed

your le tte r a n d a dolla r in it for wh i ch I tha n k y ou h ea rt ily
, .

D e a r broth e r y ou wri te tha t they did n o t in f or m y ou b t el e ra m

,
y g
a bout ou r fa th e r s d ea th I a m quite stup id [ I don t un d e rs ta n d ]
’ ’
.

m yself .Wh en ou r sis ter died I wa s the n in Ta rn 6w a n d th ey wro t e

, ,
36 P RI M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR GAN IZ ATI ON

som e ill n ess or som e m isfo rtu n e , i t

would fin a lly be n ecessa ry p erha p s
t o ta k e a ba g a n d a s tick a n d t o go beg gin g a bout v illa g es D ea r I
.

b ro th er I don t k n ow your id ea s for y ou ca n rem a in in Am eri ca a s

’
, ,

l on g a s y ou lik e it a n d wh en y ou com e ba ck t he m il i ta ry service

, ,

won t let y ou esca p e bu t I h a ve served 3 yea rs a n d [ form e rly] I

’
, ,

ha v e wa n d e r ed en o ugh a bout tha t G er m a n y a n d I h a v e e xp erien ce d ,

e n o ugh of good a n d evi l But I don t kn ow h ow it is in Am erica ’

. .

If I a m n o t a ccep ted a s a con s ta ble n o thin g will be left for m e ex cep t ,

t o go t o y ou D ea r bro th er if y ou r eceiv e this l e tte r p l ea se d escrib e

.
, ,

t o m e y our con d i ti on Wh a t i s th e n ews wi th Ja siek ? I sen t h im

.

a p h o tog ra p h bu t I h a d n o a n sw e r
,

S TANI S LAW J .

[Lett e r of Ap ril 1 9 1 0 a sks fo r a littl e m on e y t o bu y c lo th es wh en h e

1 , ,

lea ves t he a rm y S ta t es th a t h e h a s n ot received m ore th a n 1 0 gul den from

.

ho m e duri n g m ore th a n 3 0 m on th s ]

Jun e 9 1 9 1 0 ,

D E AR B R OTHE R : I n my fir s t wo rd s I t ha n k y ou h ea rt ily for yo ur

le tter a n d for which I receive d from y ou M y su ccess
is g ood en ough on ly I a m bore d ; these d a y s go so S l owly in th e la st
,

yea r
D ea r bro th e r I rece ive d a l so l e tte rs from hom e bu t th ey don t
’
,

rej o i ce m e a t a ll for m o th er is sick Sh e wro te m e a l e tter tha t durin g

,
.

th e whol e m on th of M a y sh e w a s in bed S om e th in g cr ep t i n to h er .

a rm a n d sh e ca n n o t m ove i t She a sk ed m e to wr i t e h er wh en I .
,

receive d your l e tter wh a t is goi n g on w ith y ou for sh e ha s h a d n o

, ,

l e tter from y ou a t a ll D ea r bro th er I d on t u n der s ta n d a ll this

.
,
’
.

If God a llow s m e t o en d m y service ha pp ily a n d if I go h om e I w ill ,

de scribe every th i n g in d e ta il N ow I don t even kn o w wh o is m y .

’

gu a rdi a n a lth ough we don t n eed him n ow a n y m or e I ca n n ot

’
, .

rem a i n a t h om e a fter m y milita ry service for wha t should I h a ve of it ? ,

If I wi shed to rem a in a t hom e I should ha ve to m a rry a n d it look s .

,

s illy t o keep a w if e up on a m org of la n d a n d t o w o rk l ik e a h orse in a

th resh i n g m a chin e
-

S TAN I S LAW J .

A ra th r u e p t d t dp i t from a p s t
x
e n x ec e Cf t h ttit d f Alek
s an o n ea a n . . e a u e o

sa n d ( O in ki ri s) wh dr m
er s s se f oth i g bu t com i g b k
e ,
o ttli g p on t he
ea s o n n n ac , se n u

f rm d m rryi g P rh p s t h r
a an a n i th c s
. f S ta isl w i t be fou d in
e a e e a son n e a e o n a s o n

hi wa d ri g f
s n e ight y
n i Ge m y
or e ea rs n r an .
 JAC KOWS KI SERI ES 37

July 29, 1 91 0

D E AR B R O THE R I inf orm you th a t m y clo thes a re rea dy

a n d m y sh oe s a l so ; I w a it on ly for the m a n e uve r s which w ill be fro m ,

Aug u s t 1 4 u n t il S ep t ember 1 0 We d on t kn ow y e t wh en w e S h a ll go
.
’

hom e
As to y ou , dea r bro th er , m o th e r comp l a in s th a t y ou wrote h er
n ot t o w ri te t o y ou a n
y m or e S e con dly , som ebody inf orm ed th em
.

tha t y ouwill m a rry a girl wh o ha s [onl y her] ten fin gers a n d tha t ,

ry body l a ugh s a t y ou As t o m e I d on t b eli ev e i t p e rh a p s som e

’
.
, ,

body sa id or wrote it in j ok e a n d they bel ie ve it ,

.

N ow d ea r b ro th er they ha ve very good c rop s on ly th ey ca n n o t

, , ,

m a n a ge a lon e a n d th e re is la ck of p eop l e in th e vill a ge [beca u se of

,

e mig ra t ion ] Wh en I go th e re n ow I m u st l oo k well a t every th in g

. .
, ,

a n d go fur th e r D ea r bro th e r in e n din g these few wo rd s I gree t y ou

.
,

kin dl y a n d h e a rtily a n d d on t b e a n g ry wi th m e a bo ut wh a t I wri te

’
, ,

for it d oes n o t com e from m e bu t from h om e ,

.

S TAN I S LAW J .

2 53 S ep t embe r 1 , 1 91 0

D E AR B R OTH E R : I tha n k you hea rtily for your le tte r a n d the

dolla r On Oc tobe r 1 0 I a m going hom e The m a n e uv e r s .

were ra th er sho rt bu t help ed u s en o ugh [ tired u s] N ow w e res t

,
.

a ft e r a ll th is .

I wro te home wha t th ey m eri te d I h op e th a t th ey won t wri te .

’

s u ch sl a n d e rin g a n y m o r e [ a b o ut y ou ] I d on t m a rvel th ey did for ’

.
,

y o u k n o w h ow p eop l e a re in th e coun try p a rticu l a rly in ou r villa ge ,

.

If som ebody su cceed s w ell th e o thers eye s a re a ch i n g a n d if th ey

,
’
,

ca n n o t a n n oy h im in a n y o th er w a y they t a lk a t l ea s t As to m yself .
,

I ow e [ha ve wron ged] n o on e either bu t th eir eyes a ch e beca use I a m ,

a se rgea n t so th ey sa y in th e vi ll a ge tha t wh en I ca m e t o Ta rn é w
,

m y un ifo rm w a s full of h ol es a n d p a t ches a n d tha t th e be tter gu es ts ,

w ere a sha m ed t o go with m e t o th e town But I l a ugh a t them a ll . .

L e t th em ta lk f u r th e r If God gra n ts it every th i n g will go

.
,

we ll.

S TANI S LAW J .
38 PR I MAR Y G R OU P
-
OR GANI ZATI ON

2 54 WI E TR Z YCHOWI CE ,
O c tobe r 21 ,
1 91 0

D E AR S O N AND B R OTH ER : I n my firs t w ord s : P r a ised be Jesu s

Ch ris tu s
”
[et c ] .

D ea r bro th er I i n form y ou th a t I ca m e hom e on th e 2 o th in th e

,

e v en i n g a n d I a m ve ry g l a d th a t th i s m il ita ry s ervice i s en d ed a t l a s t .

As t o ou r hom e d ea r br oth er I f ou n d eve rythin g in h ea l th a n d in

, ,

very good order M o ther is h ea lthy Fra n ck a l so a n d Ma rysia

.
, ,

k eep s well en o ugh .

D ea r son a n d bro th er w e in f o rm y ou tha t u p t o th e p resen t ev ery ,

th in g is in th e sa m e s ta t e a s i t w a s when ou r d ece a sed f a ther l eft it .

H ere eve rybody is a g a in st u s ev erybody is en viou s on e does n ot , ,

yi eld t o a n o th e r even for a grajea r [kreti zer] Fa th er ha d been sick .

for 2 ye a rs ; a n a bcess g rew on h is s tom a ch H e w a s m o re th a n .

on ce con sult in g th e d oc tor s a n d n obody could h elp him on ly e v ery , ,

bo dy a dvi se d him to go to Cr a cow to a hosp ita l But f a ther wo uld .

n o t a g r ee t o i t sa yin g th a t h e p r ef err ed t o fi n ish h i s l i f e a t h om e

, ,

with h is own p eop le n o t a m on g s tra n gers a n d in a n o th er city I n

,
.

t h e l a st tim e h e could ea t n o th i n g for i t [ the ill n ess] did n o t a ll ow him ,

.

At th e m os t h e took a gl a ss of win e or of milk ev e ry h our a n d it ,

th re w ou t of him e ven th i s For som e m on th s m o th e r could n o t .

1

l ea ve h im for a m om en t bu t sa t wi th him da y a n d n igh t An d wh en ,

.

fa th er w a s givi n g his S p irit t o God h e exp la in ed to m o th er a ll his ,

a rr a n gem en t s h ow m ot h e r o ugh t t o do i n ord e r th a t e v e ryth in g migh t

,

rem a in a s h e l eft i t On ly d ea r son a ll the rel a tives a n d frien d s for

.
, ,

go t a bo ut yo ur f a ther a n d in th e l a s t m om en t in s tea d of g o i n g t o th e
,

fun era l som e of th em wen t with oxen to the fa ir For e xa mp le your .

,

a u n t fr om t h e o th e r h ou se sen t Fra n ck [h er son ] t o th e f a ir w ith a

Jew a n d when y our a un t from Szy m on owi cc m en tion e d i t to her

,

sh e a b u sed h er a n d sa id tha t sh e [ t h e a u n t fr om 8 ] h a d co m e to th e

fun era l on ly to ea t a n d t o drin k So y ou ca n im a g in e h ow a ll this .

wen t on D ea r broth er when th ey re la ted a ll this t o m e tea rs stood

.
, ,

in m y eye s An d n ot on ly a t h om e bu t a l so in th e vi ll a ge I ha v e
.
,

been t old th e sa m e .
2

S p ki g f i k
1
ea n of om e im p er
o s c al it i v stige f t h ld m gi l
n ess a s s son s a e o e o a ca

s y t m i which it m t the evil t he i p ri ip l

s e n
“ ”
ea n
“
,
”
n ox ou s nc e .

Th gr t t di re p t wh i h
2
e ea es b sh w s f m ily i l k f
s ec
g r s i c ca n e o n a a s ac o ea e ne s n
a i ti g a t t h f r l f
ss s n ef it m m b r
u ne a I t sh ws th a t t he s ia l t n di g
o one o s e e s . o oc s a n
o f t h fa m ily m t be very l w i d d
e us I t hi s c th w re gr w u p o n ee . n a se ere e no o n- son s
a t h m o Th e
e . i Am ric s t son m y ; t he
n i th rm y h a d b e w y
e a en no on e on e n e a e n a a
fr m h m
o o lo g tim d s
e a nld i r did t c t ; t h fa th r h d b en i k
e an ,
a a so e , no ou n e e a e s c
f
or t w ye rso Th e fa ct rs h d l w r d t he S t di g of t he f m ily
a . se o a o e e an n a .
 JACKOWS KI SER I ES 39

N ow , d ea r bro th er I in form y ou tha t N og from S i e dliszow ice

, .

ca m e h er e t o u s a n d w a n t e d m o th e r t o m a k e a m a rr ia e f es t iva l
g
-
,

sa y in g th a t
y ou ha d m a rrie d h er s i s te r th er e in Am e ri ca It is her .

luck th a t I w a s n ot a t hom e ; I would ha v e given her a f es tiva l w h i ch

sh e w ould h a v e r em em be r ed for a lon
g ti m e H ere in Wie trzych ow ice .

they figh t a m on g th em selv es like dogs a n d ca ts .

D e a r br o th e r when y ou r eceive this l e tter p l ea se d e scribe e ve ry

, ,

thin g tha t is n ew s th ere wi th y ou M oth er is old a lrea dy Sh e . .

ca n n o t w o rk a s sh e did b ef or e fo r sh e h a s n ot s tren th en o u h I
, g g .

th i nk it wo uld be th e bes t for h er t o sell [or ren t the field a t a u c tion ,

a n d t o l ea v e th e h ou se a n d a bi t o f
ga rd en Sh e could k eep a p ig .

a n d g o a bo ut th e h ou se [ k ee
p ord e r] a n d w e could h elp h er a littl e
,
.

Wh en I ca m e hom e I p iti ed h e r so m u ch th a t I wep t lik e a ch ild

,

wh en she told m e a ll th is .

D ea r b ro th er I ha v e sen t a p e tit ion t o the con s t a bl e s d ep a rt

,
’

m en t . If I l ea rn tha t th ey w ill a ccep t m e I will rem a in h ere bu t , ,

if n o t I w ill go t o y ou I will write y ou l a te r a bout it

'

, . .

N ow d ea r broth e r th e r e is work e n ough

, ,
Tim es a re ha rd .
,

m o th e r h a s p a id 2 4 ren skis of ta xe s a n d th e ca ttl e a re S ick

,
N o th i n g .

ca n b e sold Wh oev e r h a s a n y thin g ca n n o t sell it

. .

N ow d ea r bro th e r fin ishin g th ese fe w word s I beg y ou t o wr ite

, , ,

your though ts for m o th er ca n n o t do o therwise S h e ha s w ork ed

,
.

en o ugh l e t h er h a ve a t l ea s t in h er old y e a r s a few d a y s of r es t

,
I .

h a v e t a lk e d a lrea dy with m o th er a n d she a grees S h e wa n t s t o k eep .

i t for a yea r s till for sh e h a s e veryth in g sown

,
D ea r bro th e r we m u s t .
,

try th a t every thin g m a y be well It won t cos t u s m u ch a n d a t.

’
,

l ea st m oth er will ha ve res t a n d com fo rt in h er old y ea rs Alth ough .

w e ha v e l os t ou r fa th e r y e t ou r m o th er liv es a n d we ca n be p ro ud
,

tha t sh e is so good tha t a n other co uld be fou n d wi th di ffi culty in t he

vill a ge She does n o t a sk a cen t from a n ybody a n d she w on t wa ste
.
‘

h er ow n m on ey on t rifles a s o the rs do for she wa n t s to l e a v e a

, ,

rem em bra n ce [in h erita n ce] t o her ch ildren a fter h er d ea th .

[ S TANI S LAW J ] .

2 55 Lw6w , M a r ch 5, 1 91 1

D E AR B R OTHE R : [ H ea lth a n d success ] As y ou k n ow a lrea dy ,

I a m in Lw6w [Lem be rg] in a con sta ble sch ool for 5 m on th s i e u p ,

. .
,

t o t he I st of Au gu st If I hold ou t I sha ll go to a p ost in Aug us t a n d

.
,

if n o t I m u s t seek for som e o th er b rea d If ou r L ord God .

40 PRI M AR Y GRO UP
-
OR GAN IZATI ON

a llows ,
it will go p erha p s
w ell for here discip lin e is in th e firs t p l a ce
,
.

AS t o th e sch ool I don t n ee d t o sp ea k

,
’
Wh e th er the re is h ol id a y or .

S u n d a y y ou m u st a lw a y s l ook in to th e book s a n d e v en a t n igh t

, ,
.

[ M i se ry a t hom e a n d in th e coun try ; ta xes h ea v y ; Fra n ck n o t

diligen t or stea dy ] N ow d ea r bro ther I w ill m en tion furth e r th e
, ,

le tter wh i ch m other wro te t o y ou a skin g for a few h ell ers Y ou got a .

littl e a n gry bu t wha t ca n be don e ? Wh en w e a re in n eed we l ook

,

for a n y m ea n s by wh ich w e ca n ge t som e th in g It w a s th e sa m e h ere . .

I did n ot rea liz e it m yself befo re I l eft h om e bu t when I ca m e hom e ,

a n d m othe r showe d m e th e a cco u n t s wh a t sh e s en t a fte r f a th e r s

’
p ,

d ea th I w a s a ston ish ed ; I S h ould n eve r h a ve bel ieved it But n e ve r

,
.

m in d At l a st it h a pp en e d th a t th e re w a s n o t a h ell e r a t h om e
. On ly .

then this le tter wa s written But sin ce y ou did n o t wa n t t o sen d .

a n yth in g n obody c a n t ea r th e m on ey a w a y from For th is

, y ou .

m on ey which y ou sen t for m edi ci n e for fa th e r l ie s in th e ba n k Th e .

la st d ecision of fa th er wa s n o t to touch i t For if th ey wro te y ou

,
.

b efo r e t o sen d th em som e a n d y ou did n ot do it i t w a s ov e r It ca m e ,

.

too l a t e a n d fa th e r tha n k e d for it [ re fu sed i t ] N ow y ou wro t e a l so .

tha t y ou ha d work ed en ou gh for u s tha t y ou m u st th i n k a b out y o ur ,

self . I t is a ll r igh t bu t th e re h a s n ot been so very m u ch of it Y ou .

,

ea rn e d som e m on ey in P ru ssia ou r
p a r en ts a dd ed so m e o f th eir ow n
,

a n d bough t a
p iece of l a n d for it wh ich y ou h a v e s ti ll Y ou ough t
,
.

n ot t o m a k e r ep roa ch es t o m o th e r for it is n ot p rop e r M o th er w ep t

,
.

m o re th a n on ce a n d sa id if y ou ha d a l ittl e r em emb ra n ce a t l e a s t ,

a bout ou r f a th er
y ou w o uld sen d a t l ea s t on ce in a y ea r [ m on ey] for
,

a m a ss for f a th er D on t thin k tha t I w a n t t o tea ch y ou I don t do

’ ’
. .

it e v e r But I ca n wri te wha t I h ea r for I don t kn ow wh a t is th e

.
,
’

op i n i on of a n ybody [h ow o th e r s look a t th e qu e s t ion i e I let ev e ryon e . .

, ,

ha v e h is o wn op i n i on ] .

[ S TAN I S LAW ]

2 56 Ma y 5, 1 91 1

D E AR B R OTHER : I a m curiou s w hy do y ou n ot a n sw er m e .

I wro te first a ca rd th en a l e tter a n d I received n o a n sw er ; I don t

, ,
’

kn ow th e ca u se Certa in ly m y la s t le tte r oflen ded y ou for th e re

.
,

wa s n o th in g el se be tween u s I w on t h id e [ retra c t] wha t I wro te

.
’

y ou .
I wro te wha t m o th er told m e If y ou got a n g ry it is n ot m y .
,

fa ult Th ere wa s sure ly n o th in g so di sa greea bl e a s to brin g a n ge r

.

be tw een u s You are a grown u p ma n a n d y ou ca n m a n a ge a c co rd in g

.
-
 JACKOWS KI S ER I ES 41

to your own i de a s
U p to th e p resen t n obody h a s
. righ t t o dis a ny

p ose of o th er s ; e v e rybody i s h is own lord N ow I a m a fr e e ci t izen .

of th e Au str ia n sta t e ; I ca n do wha t I like I ca n ta k e a t a n y .

m om en t wh a t I r eceived a fte r th e d ea th of m y fa th e r a n d do wi th ,

it wh a t p l ea ses m e for in th e w ill it is cl ea rly sa id tha t wh en w e

,

becom e 2 4 y ea rs of a ge m oth e r h a s to give ea ch wh a t bel on gs t o him ,

a n d ea ch ca n do a ccord in
g to h is w ill .

I wa s it is true for a few week s a t hom e a n d I kn ow very well h ow

, ,

ev e rythin g i s oin Noth in g ca n be sa id a ga in s t wh a t is a t hom e

g g on . .

Every thin g is in th e gre a tes t ord e r But a s th ere is n obody to work .

a t h om e I told m othe r t o r en t
, th e field so tha t on ly a ga rd en ,

woul d rem a i n wi th h er ; th en sh e would n ot h a ve to w ork so h a rd in

h er old yea rs Sh e fir st a sk ed y ou for a dvice wh e th e r y ou w ould
.
,

a gr ee You a n swe red tha t y ou a g reed bu t a s eve rythin g wa s sow n

.
,

sh e wa n t s t o h a rves t th e cro s t hi s ye a r a n d to r en t n ot u n ti l th e
p
a utu mn I don t k n ow y et h ow sh e will do I cou ld ta ke m y p a rt
’
. .

n ow bu t wh a t do I ca re for i t ? As lon g a s m oth e r l iv es let it re m a in

‘

wi th h er let her do with it wha t p lea ses h er M ea n while I ca n do

, .

with out it a n d la ter in a yea r wh en I becom e a rea l con s ta ble a n d

, ,

keep [ th e p la ce] I sh a ll h a ve a n ice livin g The school is ra the r ha rd

, .
‘

a n d th e r e is little t im e bu t n o th i n g ca n be d on e a s m a n ca n a n d
, ,

m us t get a cc u s tom ed t o ev e ry thi n g An d so d ea r broth e r d on t be .

, ,
’

a n g ry for we a re on ly th r ee a n d w e don t kn ow wh a t
y e t a wa it s u s
’
,

in th i s l if e I sa y onl y th is th a t on ly con cord will brin g good results

.
,

a n d fruit s a m on g u s .

[ S TANI S LAW ]

2 57 Ju n e 2 9, 1 91 1

D E AR B R OTHE R : I a m a ston ished a t your silen ce Wh y ha ve I .

ha d n o a n sw er from y ou for so l on g a tim e ? I ca n n o t i m a gin e it .

Four m on ths h a v e p a ssed sin ce I left m y hom e a n d a s soon a s I ,

ca m e t o Lw 6w I wro te y ou fir s t a ca rd th en a l ette r a n d I receiv ed , ,

n o a n sw e r a t a ll But I hop e th a t this silen ce be tw een u s w ill n ot

.

rema in Wh a t is m y guilt towa rd y ou ? Ha ve I d on e y ou a n y

.

wron g Certa in ly n ot I Wh en I wrote y ou th e le tte r from home .

,

I did n o t writ e from m yself bu t I wro te wha t m o th er a ske d m e to

, .

An d y ou kn ow certa inl y m o the r a s well [ a s I do] so y ou sho uld n o t ,

be a n g ry bu t do a s y ou p lea se for toda y i t is p er mitted to eve rybody

, , .
42 PRI MARY-G R OUP OR G ANI ZATI ON

As to m y self , I ca nno t sa y a n ythin g n ow On the on e h a n d .

,

when I con sider e ve rythin g it seem s p a in ful a n d I reg re t a l i ttl e

,

h a vi n g becom e a con s ta bl e bu t on th e oth er h a n d if I r eflect e v e ry

, , ,

th i n g cea ses a n d som e sp a rk of hop e rej oices m e If I rema in I sh a ll .

,

ha v e a p iece of brea d bu t ea rn e d with d iffi culty n o t on a ccoun t of

, ,

h ea vy l a bor bu t be ca u se eve ry in con side ra t e step l ea d s the con s ta bl e

,

t o th e ga rrison [ mi lita ry p rison ] a n d a t l a s t h e m a y be d ism isse d a n d

,

go wh en ce h e ca m e I n a n oth e r rega rd h e is a lwa y s exp ose d t o

.
,

d a n ger of l ife a n d hea lth An d in the thi rd p la ce a n ybody w h o

.
,

wa n ts to serve a s con s ta ble t o th e e n d m ust be d ea f dumb a n d blin d , ,

.

On ly s uch a m a n is a good con s ta bl e The re a re o rd e rs enough a n d

.
,

e v e ry orde r m u s t b e well e x e c ut e d a n d e verybody w a n t s t o sa y [ t o

,

o rd e r] som e th in g so n oth in g r e m a i n s excep t to k e ep y our m o uth

,

sh ut a n d t o w ork [ D escribes th e school ]

. .

N ow d ea r bro th er if y ou r eceive this l etter I be g y ou be so k in d

, , ,

a n d if y ou ca n sen d m e a few kron en for a ft er th e en d of this m on th

, ,

I n ee d them ve ry m uch I don t kn ow whe re t o turn to get som e

.
’

m on e y a n d it is n o t s uita bl e t o go t o m y p ost wi tho ut a kre uz e r

,
I .

hop e dea r bro th er tha t you w on t r efu se m e a n d I will a l so try t o

’
, , ,

re qui te y ou la ter on You h a ve n othin g t o fea r for I won t den y a n y

.
,
’

h elle r which I re ceive d from y ou .

S TAN I S LAW J .

2 58 N ADW OR N A , O c tobe r 5 [1 91 1 ]
D E AR B R OTH ER Why do y ou n ot a n sw er m e ? D on t ’

min d if I wro te t o y ou for m on e y It wa s in y our ha n ds y ou could

.
,

[h a ve sen t i t] bu t y ou did n t ha ve to It is yo ur b u sin ess I wr o te

’
. .
,

be ca u se I n eed e d it I did n o t rece ive it so I m u s t get on witho ut it

.
, .

D on t min d it a t a ll for if y ou h a d sen t it I should h a ve p a id it ba ck

’
,

soon er or l a t er D on t won der tha t I wro te a sking for m on ey

’
.
,

for I h a d ju s t l eft th e school So d on t be a n g ry d ea r br o th e r

.
’
, ,

on ly a n swer m e a s soon a s y ou receive th is l e tte r a n d if

y ou h a ve a ,

p h o tog ra ph sen d it for I h a v e le ft the o th er a t h om e

, , M oth e r .

a sk e d m e to l ea ve it a n d I could n o t r efu se .

S TANI S LAW J .

2 59 B EDN AR OW , July 20 ,
1 91 3
D E AR B R OTH ER AND SI S TE R I N - -
LAW : I sen d y ou hea rty tha n ks
for your le tter a n d photogra p h I ha ve h a d no n ew s fr om
44 PR I MAR Y G R OUP
-
OR GAN IZATI ON

p oor [begga r] a few cen t s or b rea d , h e goes to th e Jew a n d g e t s so

drunk tha t h e lies un d er a h edge So it is be tter t o give for a m a ss .

th a n to th e p oo r .
1

FRAN CI SZKA J .

July 4 ,
1 91 2

D E AR S ON AN D B R O TH E R : We r eceive d your le tter a n d

for which w e th a nk y ou N ow d ea r b ro th e r y ou a sk a bo ut th e
.
, ,

cr op s [Ha il ruin e d the crop s ]

. .

N ow for th ese d oll a r s w e th a n k y ou h ea rtily for we n ee d th em ,

like eyes in the hea d N ow bla ck p ox re ign s in ou r coun try ; i t is

.

s till wo r se th a n ch ol era Th e doc tor s com e a n d in ocul a te e v erybo dy

.

tryi n g to sa ve th em from i t An d if a n ybo dy dies it is forbidd en [ t o

.

ta ke him ] to the ch urch on ly direc tly t o th e cem e tery a n d th ey don t

, ,
’

a ll o w him dre sse d ex cep t in a sh roud ,

.

N ow d e a r son a n d bro th e r th ere is n o o th e r n ew s in th e villa ge

, ,

ex cep t th ese t w o mi sfo rtu n es N ow there w ill be ca l m n ess for th e re

.

will be n o thin g t o ha rv est a n d n o th in g t o th resh a n d a t l a s t th e re ,

will be n o thin g to ea t ex cep t wha t on e b uy s if h e h a s m on ey

,
N ow , .
2

we g ree t y ou in n u m era bl e ti m es h op in g t o see y ou a ga in Am en , . .

[ FRANCI SZKA J ] .

I
Th e i n Am e i ca h a s e den
so n rtl y l vii t t iv
dev e op ed t h e dea h a g in g m on e for y
r li i r
e g ou s p u p oses is wa s ng ti it t t it
a n d ha l tt r r
w ou d be be e t o hon o h is fa h e ’s t r
m em o ry i r i i t
by u s n g t h e co resp on d n g su m on p h l a n h rop y t
Bu t t he p e a sa n kn ows .

i t r i
n o p h l a n h op c en ds e x cep t l i
h e p n g t h e begga r it iv i
Ass s a n ce g en t o a n e gh bo r .

or t o a f ly
am i r r il t r y
m em be does n ot com e u n de th e h ea d o f p h a n h op , bu t o f
t l l
m u u a he p v l i r
B u t e en t h e h e p n g of be gga s is n o t a p u e
. r ly il t r i
p h a n h op c , bu t
l r i i
a h a f el g ou s a c t , n o t on
-
ly it r r li i
beca u se is o de ed by re g on , bu t beca u se th e begg a r
ryr
is bou n d t o s a y p a e s for t he g e iv r f t r t r i i
I n a c , t h e begg a h a s som e wha a el g ou s
.

f ti
u n c on ( C f Wr6blewski se e s , N o 3 1 , n o e ) I f he e o e Fra n ciszka e xp a n s
. . ri t t rfr . l i .

t t it
ha l iv y r r
is n o t we l t o g e m on e t o begga s , t he ba ckg ou n d of h er a ttit u de is n ot
me e r ly f li t t
t he ee n g ha t he m on e y t r
is w a s ed u n p odu c tiv y
e l , bu t a lso t t
h a t he
r rt y t ir r li i f ti
begga s a re u n w o h o f he e g ou s u n c on , a n d h at t t ir r y r r f
he p a e s , p o a n e d
t i i tti
by he r go n g t o a Je w , ge n g dru n k, a n d l yi
n g u n de r l
a h edge , w ou d be e ss l
i t r li i ly t it tt r ri
—
e ffic en e g ou s ha n a m a ss For h e r is a m a e of comp a son of h om o

—
.

t i r
gen e ou s h n gs , n ot of het e og en e ou s , a s for her son i
Th s p ecu a li rity o f the .

p ea sa n t li l k
fe t h e a c of a p u e r ly il t r i ttit
p h a n h op c a u de l i
exp a n s t o a g ea r t
t t
e x en i tr t i t t r il t r i i it ti
t he m s us w h ch t he p ea sa n sh ows o wa d a ll h a n h o c n st u on s
p p ,

r i i r l
o ga n z e d by t h e h g he c a sses , u l t
n e ss hese a re ba se d u on re
p li i
g on l r
Th e a t t e .

ti
excep on s ho ws ha t t ri i i tr t
t he o g n o f t he m s u s does n o t lie in t he gen e a h osr l tility
t w rd t h highe cl
o a e r Cf No 3 a sse s ote
. . . 1 ,
n .

2
Th cu ri u f t re i th is lett r i wh t t he G rm s c ll G l
g h mo
e o s ea u n e s a e an a a en u r .

I t is oft fou d i the p ea t g a d tori

en n n sa n son s n s es .
 JACKOWS KI S ERI ES 45

October 8 , 1 91 2

D E AR S ON B R OTHE R : [L e tter received ; hea l th a n d

AND

su ccess ] N ow in th e v illa ge th e re is n o n ew s for n obody g ot m a r ,

ried N ow we ha v e ha d ra in s for 2 m on ths a n d n o thin g ca n be don e

.
.

N ow d ea r son y ou write a bout m a rryin g

, ,
Well y ou ca n m a rry .
, ,

on ly y ou m u s t kn ow wh om y ou m a rry An d n ow con sid er th a t .

sh e m a y b e a n h on es t gi rl w h o wo uld r esp ec t y ou a n d w ould n o t

,

throw m on ey a wa y for [just] a n y thin g N ow con sider tha t sh e .

m a y ha v e the re som eth in g [ som e m on ey] or a t l ea s t th a t sh e m a y be

,

of a n orde rly [ good] f a mi ly N ow from Wie trz y ch owice th ere is n o

.

o rd erly gi rl [ in Am e rica ] N ow ta ke ca re of y o urself for a fte rw a rd

.
,

it will be too la t e You kn ow th a t y ou get m a rried n ei th e r for a

.

yea r n or for t w o bu t for your whol e life N ow when y ou m a rry

,
.
, ,

m a y ou r L ord Jesu s a l so bl ess y ou for th e wedd in g An d n ow I .

,

your m o th e r bless y ou a n d wish y ou good luck in eve ryth in g N ow

,
.

there is n othin g n ew or in te res tin g ; if th er e i s a n yth in g w e will ,

wr ite y ou N ow w e g ree t y ou
. a n d w e bless y ou on ce m ore

in orde r th a t y ou m a y m a rry th e bes t p ossi bl e .

[FRAN CI S ZKA]

2 64 Ma y 5, 1 91 3

D E AR S ON B R OTHE R : We received your l e tter from which we

AND

lea rn ed a bout your h ea lth a n d success a n d m a rria ge Now we a re .

ve ry m uch sa ti sfied tha t you a re m a rried N ow a s t o th e wedd in g .

,

p ho togra p h m y d ea r son y ou o ugh t t o sen d i t witho ut a skin g for

, , ,

y ou ca n k n o w tha t whoev er m a rries sen ds a p h o togra p h h om e a fte r

hi s weddi n g a n d a few crown s for his p a r en t s in o rder th a t th ey
,

m a y r ej oice [ fea s t] tha t h e go t m a rri ed SO n ow d ea r son a n d .

,

bro th e r s i n ce y ou a sk w e beg y ou for it in ord e r th a t we m a y see

, , ,

[you r wi fe] a t l ea s t up on th e p a p e r sin ce w e did n o t see her with ou r

,

eyes .

N ow d ea r bro th e r a n d sis te r in la w I wi sh y ou hea lth in yo ur

,
- -
,

m a rria ge a n d good success th a t y ou m a y liv e t he best p ossibl e

, .

[Villa ge n ew s a n d gree tin gs ]

-

FRA N CI S ZKA a n d FRAN E K

[ ]

2 65 July 1 9 1 9 1 3 ,

D E AR S ON AND B R OTHER : We received your le tte r for ,

which w e th a n k y ou , and N ow y ou wri te tha t y ou sen t t wo

46 PRI M AR Y—
GR O UP O R G AN I ZATI ON

p h o togra p h s , a n d w e receiv ed on ly on e , wh e re y ou a re , a n d JOzek ,

a n d y our s [ wi fe] , a n d t h e O ld e r b es t m a id , bu t th e r e is
th e r -
no o .

N ow for th ese d oll a r s m y son I a rra n ge d a m a rri a ge f es tiva l

, ,
I -
.

in v ited m y frien d s a n d M a ry sia s m o th e r a n d so w e a m u se d o urselv es

’
.

N ow d ea r son K o i lok ca m e a n d sa id th a t th e g u es t s h a d a v ery

, ,

sm a ll fea s t a n d w e ca n e v en k n ow o urselves for y ou sen t u s a p h o t o

, ,

gra p h w ith two p a ir s while w e h a v e seen w eddin gs wh e re a t l ea s t

,

5 or 6 p a irs w e r e [p ho tog ra p h ed ] You h a ve be en for 5 y ea r s in .

Am eri ca a n d your s [ wif e] 6 a n d s till y ou did n ot m a k e yo ur selves a

,

d ecen t wedd in g N ow we l ea rn ed tha t y ou a re a S okol Well

. .
,

m y son w e wo uld a d v ise y ou t o l ea ve it for y ou won t be w ell Off

’
.
, ,

For n obody h a s y e t been well Off for b e i n g a S okOl a n d y ou w on t

’
,

ei th e r [ Gree tin gs ]
. .

[ FR AN CI S ZKA a n d] F[R A N E K ] J .

2 66 S ep te mbe r 3 0 , 1 91 3

D E AR S ON B R O TH ER
AN D Y ou a sk wha t w a s in this [ l ost]
l etter Well th ere wa s th i s D on t d a re m y son to sell your fi eld
.
,
.
’
, ,

h e re w ith out m y k n owi n g it a n d d on t le t your self be chea t ed a s

’
,

S t oklosia k chea t ed K a zimierz M wh o sold h im h is lot of l a n d h a lf .

,

g ra tis S O I a d m on ish y ou m y son t h a t y ou m a y k n ow wha t to do

.
, , .

If y ou in ten d to sell write h om e a n d I will describe wha t a n d how

, , ,

y ou should do wi th a ll th is [ Crop s ; w ea th e r ; fa rm work ]

.
-

N ow d ea r bro th er wr it e u s h ow do y ou wish a n d wh a t do y ou
, ,

thin k wh e th e r y o u w ill re turn or wi ll sta y th ere N ow a s t o m e .

,

d ea r brothe r I wa n t to go th ere t o y ou for h ere we work bu t we ca n

, ,

p rodu ce n oth in g for wh en e ve r we m a k e a few cen t s a t on ce th er e is

, ,

a n exp en se a n d i t l ook s a s if on e m ea sur e d th e wa t e r a n d t he wa t e r

, ,

is a lwa y s th ere S O I beg y ou d esc r ibe t o m e wha t y ou thin k

.
, ,

wha t y ou thin k a bout yourself a n d a bo ut m e

[ FR ANCI S ZKA and ] FKA N E K J .

2 67 Jun e 1 2 , 1 91 4

D E AR S O N AN D B R OTH E R : Wh en y ou writ e d e scri be to u s ,

h ow fa r from Chica go y ou will go to t h i s fa rm N ow d escribe to u s .

whe ther this l a n d is fertile a n d how m a n y m orgs For we w ould

, .

d issua d e y ou from this in ten tion I n ou r coun try there a re t erribl e

.
 JAC KOWS KI SERI E S 47

ta xes a n d so ma ny
d ifferen t exp en ses th a t it is imp ossibl e to
p a y wh il e th e c rop s a re ba d a n d if ra i n com es [ dur in g th e h a rves t ]
, , ,

e ve ryth i n g s r o ut s so th a t it i s im ossibl e t o e a t th e br ea d N ow
p , p .
,

a s y ou k n ow t w o y ea r s a o h a il bea t e ve ryth in
, g g a n d on ly th e n a k e d
soil r em a i n e d .La s t yea r e veryth in g sp routed a n d n ow God a lon e
,

kn ow s wh a t will be with th e c rop s .S O if y ou h a v e m on ey it wou ld

,

be p e rh a p s be tte r for y ou to bu y a h ou se in Chica go tha n a fa r m .

N ow d on t be a n g ry wi th m e for g ivin g y ou a dvi ce bu t I a s your

’
, ,

m o the r wa n t y ou to l ive t h e best p ossi bl e

, . N ow y ou see th ere a re
, ,

m a n y p eop l e from ou r co un try bu t they a ll se ttl e in Chica go

,
.

[ FRAN CI SZKA]
 KAN I KU LA S ERI E S

In c on tra st with t he p re c edin g i

m a ter a l s— r el a tivel y
in telligen t a n d sh owin g a g r ea t va rie t y of in t er es t s—w e
p la c e here the m ost stupid s eries of ou r whole c olle c t ion .

Th e l e tter s—th eir s t y l e th e m a n n er of d a tin g them

, ,

etc
—show a ver y low deg ree Of in t ell ec tua l developm en t .

Tw o of t h e le tte r s a re d a te d : Th e p r e s en t da y O f t h e p re s
“

”
en t m on th . On r e ceivin g fro m u s a m on e y ord e r t h e -
,

son p r o t e s te d sa y in g tha t h e e xp ec t e d m on e y a n d r e c e i v e d
,

a m e r e s c r a p o f p a p er
— a n d thisa fte r thr ee y ea r s in Am e ric a .

He did n ot kn ow h ow to wri te his ow n a ddr ess .

’
N ow this se ries d iscl oses t h e m ea n in g of t h e p e a sa n t s
s tupidit y This does n o t m a n ifes t it self in a n in a b il it y t o
.

m a n a ge t h e n orm a l h a b i tu a l b u sin ess O f life Th e K a m

’

.
,

kula s kn ow well en ough h ow t o fa rm t o m a ke g oo d m a r

,

ria ges t o bu y l a n d
, ,
et c
. An d t h e m os t ign or a n t p ea s a n t
m a y be qu ite su cc essful wi th in th e u su a l c ir c l e O f p r a c t ic a l
p rob lem s P erha ps in d ee d in t h e p ea sa n t ta les th e su cc es s
.
, ,

O f t h e y o un g est st u p id son is p r e c ise l y t h e e xp r e s sion O f t h e

,

fa c t tha t la ck O f develop m en t O f t h e reflec tive fa c ul t ies

goes a lon g ver y well with p ra c tica l c le vern ess ( Cf I n tro . .

”
duc t ion : Th eore tic a n d Aes th e tic I n t eres t s ) The u su a ll y
“

a dm i tt e d m a ni f e s t a tion of s tu p id it y is t h e in a b il it y t o a d a p t
’
on e s self t o n ew pra c tic a l situ a tion s B u t even this
.

c rit erion is n ot e x a c t en ou gh I n deed a n ew situa tion is

.
,

s eldom imm edia tel y im p ose d by th e en v iron m en t a n d p a s

siv ely a cc ep t e d by t h e in d iv idu a l ; u su a ll y th e l a tte r s e l ec t s

ou t O f a d iv e r sit y of e x ter n a l c ir c u m s t a n c e s som e p r a c t ic a l

situ a tion s a m on g m a n y o ther s e qu a ll y possib le a n d trie s , ,

c on sc iou s l y or in s tin c tivel y t o sel ec t on l y s u c h p rob le m s a s

,

h e is m or e or l ess a b le t o s olv e I n this w a y for in s t a n c e

.
, ,
 KAN I KULA SERI E S 49

is t o be p l a in e d th e fa c t Oft en n o t e d wi th a s ton ishm en t

ex ,

by th e p ea sa n ts th em selves tha t t h e f a cili t y of a da p ta tion

,

of e m ig r a n t s t o th eir n ew en vir on m en t is n ot p rop ortion a l t o

th e d eg r ee O f th eir in te ll ig en c e a n d c ul tur e I t e viden tl y

.

d ep en d s up on t h e m erel y n ega tive a b ilit y Of the m a n t o lim it

h is sp h er e of a c tivit y .

Th e onl y c riterion Of in telligen c e is th er efor e th e width Of

th e sp h e r e O f a c tiv it y wi th in whic h t h e m a n ca n be su c
c e ssfu l t h e r a n g e of p r ob l em s whi c h h e is a b l e t o so lv e
,
.

Th e m e r e f a c ult y of a d a p t a tion d ep en d s on l y m edia tel y

up on th e d egree O f in te lli gen c e I n a c om ple tel y n ew .

e n vi r on m en t a n in t elli g en t m a n will m or e ea sil y fin d solu b l e

p rob l em s w ithin hi s rea c h tha n a stupid on e B u t on t h e .

,

o th e r h a n d h is c la im s a re gr ea t e r a n d thu s sub j e c tiv el y

, ,

his c ha n c e s m a y be e qu a l or l ess Th e s tupid K a n iku la

.

i s m u c h ha pp ie r in Am eric a th a n th e in t e lligen t P iotrow ski

or P orzy cki ( Cf those series ) An d this c ri terion O f
. . .

in t elligen c e d ep en d s in turn up on a fea tur e with r ega rd t o

whi c h th e Ka n iku la series is p a rtic ula rl y in st ru ct iv e th e b

ra n ge of in teres t I t c ould h a rdl y be n a rrower th a n it is

.

h ere .

To thi s gen era l p oin t O f view w e sha ll re turn in a l a t e r

volum e when w e a ttem p t t o a pp re c ia te the in t ell ec tua l
,

e vo lut ion O f t h e p ea sa n t dur in g t h e l a s t thi rt y y ea r s u n d e r

“ ”
t h e in fl u en c e of t h e m ovem en t of en l ig ht en m en t .

Th e Ka n iku la corr esp on d en c e c ov er s tw o a n d a ha lf

y ea r s Four le tte r s ver y m u c h like the first a re om i tte d
.
, ,

three a skin g for m on e y a n d on e exp ressin g th a n ks for

m on ey .Th e fa mil y soli da ri ty seem s to be p r e s e rv e d .

The son in d ee d did n ot s en d m on e y home a t on c e b ut

, , ,

p rob a b l y he c oul d n ot .
50 P R I M AR Y G RO U P
-
OR GAN IZATI ON

2 68
—7 2 ,
FR O M P I O TR KA N I KU LA , I N P O LAND ,

TO H I s S O N , I N AME R I CA

L e tte r written on t h e p resen t da y O f t h e p resen t

m on th [ 1 9 1 2 , Sp rin g]

[ U sua l gree tin gs wishes ; ,

in f orm a tion
ut wea the r ] An d n o w a bo .
,

d ea r son we in form you a bout th i s m on e y tha t y ou sen t tha t w e

, ,

received it a n d a n swered y ou direc tly [O n e p a ge a bo ut l e tt er .

writin g follows ]
[PI OTR KANI K U LA]
D EAR B R OTH ER I N LAW I beg y ou ve ry m uch d escribe to m e
- -
, ,

h ow it is ther e in Am e rica a n d how is th e wo rk n ow wh e th e r

, ,

good or ba d be ca u se I wa n t t o go to y ou D e a r b ro t h e r i n -
.

la w I sha ll a sk y ou t o help m e in som e m a n n e r t o ge t t o Am er ica

, ,

beca u se in ou r coun try n othin g c a n be d on e Th e wa ges a re n ow ve ry .

sm a ll . I ha ve n o thi n g m o re t o wri te Goodbye . .

2 69 Le tte r wri tten in 1 91 2 [Sp rin g]

[ U sua l gree tin gs ; l e tte r rece ive d ] An d n ow , d ea r son , w e beg
y ou very m u ch t o sen d u s m on ey D on t fo rge t a bout u s , beca u se it
’
.

is m ore a n d m o re d iffi c ult fo r u s to work in ou r O ld d a ys Fa th e r h a s .

sp ra in e d h is ha n d a n d ca n n o t w ork a n d y ou w en t a wa y a n d too k ,

w ith you e v ery p en n y w h e rev e r i t wa s a n d y ou l eft u s w ith out a ,

p en n y so if ( God fo rbid !) d ea th com e s w e sha ll ha v e n o t a p en n y

, , .

An d J é zef your bro the r in la w ha d n o w ork in th e fa c tory

,
- -
,

durin g the wh ole win te r on ly wa lked a bout Hu szczk a a n d n ow h e

, ,

ha s gon e t o Ch elm s i n ce Ea s ter , [ M ore a skin g for m on ey a n d

.

describin g ba d con dition s ] An d n ow cl ea r son I a sk y ou w h e re , , ,

did y ou p u t th e a x ? W rite w h e re y ou p u t it so w e sha ll n ot h a v e t o

, ,

sea r ch for i t .

PI OTR KAN I KU LA

L e tter wri tten on Jun e 8 1 9 1 2 ,

We sen d you a lrea dy the third l e tt e r a n d y ou don t a n s w e r ’

.

Ha ve y ou forgotten a bout u s a lrea dy or wha t ? An d y ou d on t sen d ,

’

m on ey a l th ough w e n ee d it v e ry m uch be ca u se J osz t is p a rc el in g a

, ,

fi eld so we would ta ke som e m orgs You don t even sen d th o se few

, .
’
52 PRI M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR GAN I ZATI O N

t h e r e th e y go t m a rri ed B eca use Loza did

. n ot wi sh her t o m a rry
him , h e m a rried h er a ga in s t h is will N ow th ey a re sittin g in the
.

h ou se Of Jé z wa bu t L oza re fu ses t o giv e h er a n ythin g

,
.

[ N ews a bout w ea the r ] D ea r son d on t forge t a bou t u s Ou r

’
. .
,

d ea r children rem embe r a bout u s old p eop le beca use y ou k n ow tha t

, ,

w e ha v e n ow t o l iv e lik e sm a ll chi ldren As we form e rly c a r ed for .

y ou so n ow i t is ou r tur n t o be ca red for by som ebody

, I rep ea t w e .
,

a re n ow li k e sma ll ch ildr en wh om som ebody m u s t dr e ss a n d p u t th ei r

shoes on a n d f eed th em [ Gree tin gs blessin gs ; re qu est for le tte rs ]

.

[ PI OTR KAN I K U LA]

Now the wi fe of Joze f gree ts ve ry m uch h er h u sba n d and th e son

g ree ts hi s fa the r 1
.

Ka n ikul a ev id en t ly t ook his b r th r i

o e -
n - la w to Am e ri ca .
 T OP OLS KI S ERI E S

Th e fa m i l y is livin g in a town a n d workin g in a

n ow

f a c t or y b ut the y c a m e from th e c oun tr y There is therefore

,
.

s om e diff er en c e b e tw een th e p a r en t s a n d t h e childr en ; th e

l a tter a re a lrea d y developin g t o som e e x ten t the fea ture s of

t own sp eopl e whil e th e p a ren t s a re t yp ica l p ea sa n ts Th e
,
.

rela tion b e tw een p a ren ts a n d children a ssu m es a p a rticula r

form ; the chil dr en a re tota ll y in dep en den t a n d t he pa ren ts
t ry t o keep up th e c o u n tr y rela tion s n o t by a uthor it y
-
, ,

sen ti m e n t .

TH E FAMI LY TOPOLS KI
Top ol ski a fa cto ry worker
,
-

H is wife
Wa cla w (Wa c ek)
An te k
hi s son s
J a n ek
S t e fek
B ron ka
J é zia his da ugh ters
S ta s i a ( S t a chn a )
M i cha lows ki B ron ka
, s h usba n d
G an a un t of Sta si a
M i cha l
E d z io co usi n s

2 73
—8 0 ,
1 0 S TA S I A TOP O LS K A , I N AME R I CA , FR O M
F A MI LY - ME MB E R S , I N P OLAN D

2 73 O S TR OW I E C , M a r ch 20 ,
1 91 2

D E AR CH I LD RE N We w rite this le tt er on Good Wednesda y ,

for S tefek ca m e for t he h ol ida ys while An tek does

and he writes it ,
n o t w a n t t o wr i t e H e would p refe r t o be sick for 3 da ys ra the r tha n
.

write on e l e tter We ga ve the p rocess t o a la wye r

. .

Your fa ther a sp ires a n d p ra ys t o God tha t h e m a y go to Kuj a wy [ the

54 PRI M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

fa rm wh ich is t he Obj ec t o f t he la w suit] if it w e re on ly on e h our bef ore ,

dyin g a n d n ot h ea r a n y m ore th is bullyin g in th e fa cto ry

,
.

Bron ka wrote to u s tha t M icha lowski [her h u sba n d ] tea ses her in his
le tters She comp l a i n s th a t sh e is un h a p p y Sh e h a s a lwa ys som e
. .

m isu n d e r sta n d in gs wi th h im An d y ou th e r e [ S ta s i a ] k eep a w a y .

,

from M icha lowski l es t p e op l e a sc ribe t o y ou som e [e vi l ] thin gs for

, ,

Ma lczy kowa a sked a lrea dy whe the r y ou a re n ot l ivi n g in th e sa m e

a p a rt m en t Ha s M i ch a lo wsk i sen t som e m on ey t o h is wife ?
.
2

Wri te u s wha t work is Wa c la w d oin g Bronka a l so w on d e r s .

th a t in your le tte rs to he r y ou m en tion l i ttle a bo ut Wa c la w Ja n ek .

is su ch a disorderly boy a s h e h a s a lwa ys been ; he d oes n o t p u t a n y

m on e y a side We h a d h a rdl y p u t 40 roubles in th e ba n k for him wh en
.

h e dre w it a n d bough t a b i cy cle An d if h e h a s som e troubl e in th e .

3

fa c tory he com es a n d a sks u s to ga the r a n y m on ey tha t w e h a ve ,

sa yin g th a t h e will go t o Am e r ica For t h e h ol ida y s w e h a ve 3 0 .

p ou n d s Of flo ur 1 2 p o un d s of h a m a n d a le g of v e a l
,
M i ch a l bro ugh t .

a ll t his fr om Iw a n isk a .

E VE R YB OD Y FR O M H OME

2 74 D ece mbe r 2 9, 1 91 2

D E AR S TAS I A : We rece ive d your le tt e r

were ve ry and we
m uch r ej oice d bu t wh en w e rea d it we wep t
,
Wh y did y ou l ea ve .

Wa cl a w [brother with w h om she wen t t o Am e ri ca ] th u s ? Y ou ough t

t o r em a i n with h im a n d t o co m e ba ck t oge t h e r God k n ow s wh a t h a s .

becom e Of him ? Pe rh a p s in such a big c i ty he ca n n o t fin d y ou .

Wh a t did w e suffe r u n t il we got th i s le tte r from y ou ! Peop le sa id

th a t y ou we re a rreste d [while c rossi n g t h e fron tie r] a n d p u t in t o
p ri so n o th ers sa id th a t y ou we re sen t ba c k by eta pes [from p ri so n
,

t o p rison to the n a t ive v illa ge ] Jul a fro m Ki elce sa id th a t th e .

, ,

sh ip s topp e d in t h e sea a n d n o ship wa s p e r m itt e d t o go An d n ow .

I
Lon g i ng for l a nd a nd for i dp n e en den ce . Th e f t r
ea u e is a lmo t s un iv rsa l
e

a m on g p ea sa n t
s wh o wo k in r f ct ri s i
a o e n Po l a n d, bu t i s wea ken e d di
or sa pp ea rs in
Am e rica .

2
Th i s su sp c on ii l
vill g Br n ka i S t si si ster d
wou d h a d r ly rise i a n a a e . o s a a s
’
,
an

a r l ti
e a b tw
on St i d h er h sb d w l d be felt s lm st i
e een tu s
as a a n u an ou a a o n ces ou .

W r th f m ily livi g i t h cou try t h f th r w ld p roba bl y t ll w

3 e e e a n n e n ,
e a e ou no a o

J k t w ithd w t h m y F
a ne o a m pl rath m y r ed by t he ch ildr
e on e . or ex e, e on e ea n en

at w o k i G rm
sea son ~ y v if t gi t t he p r t f p di g i
r n e an ,r e en no v en o a en s or s en n , s n ev e

th l lm t lw y giv to th m t k p til th
e e ss a os a a o d sght m rri
en e o ee un e son r au er a es .
 TOPOLS KI SERI ES 55

t h e p eop le sa y tha t it is ba d in Am e rica tha t this n ew p residen t is n ot ,

good th a t f a c tories ha ve s topp e d a n d on ly a few O f th em a re a ctive

, ,

th a t he ha s di min i shed t he p a y for work a n d th a t he en dea vors n ot t o ,

a d m it th e Po l es in t o Am e r ica sa yin g t h a t t h ey sp o il t h e p eop l e t h ere

I
.
,

All th i s is m ore gri ef for u s for wh il e y ou did n ot l ose m u ch Wa cla w , ,

h a d m on ey a n d good w ork a n d l ost it a ll If h e does n ot ge t wo rk .

the re it will be ba d Write u s a bout e ve ryth in g

,
. D id y ou ge t .

a c qu a in t ed w ith som ebody from Os tr owiec ? If n ot try t o do it 2

.
,

Write u s whe th e r y ou a re boa rdi n g w ith som ebody e l se or cookin g

for your self a n d a bout Wa cek a l so whe the r y ou bo th a re n ot hom e
, ,

s ick For wh il e y ou ha ve been a wa y from h om e for a l on g ti m e [ sh e

.

w a s first in R u ss i a ] Wa c l a w l eft th e hom e for t he firs t ti m e so w e

,

d on t kn o w h ow h e f eel s [N ew s a bout th e fa c tory in wh ich t he

’
.

fa th er is w orkin g ] Ja n ek [bro ther] h a s le ft tha t girl in K u n Ow for ,

sh e wa n te d h im t o ren t a n a p a rt m en t for h er in O s trowi e c a n d t o

furn ish it wh ile h e wa n ted t o go to her [ t o li ve in h er p a ren ts house]

,
’

for som e t i m e un til they ea rn a n d p u t a s id e m ore m on ey

,
As h e .

h a d n ot m on ey en ough [ for th e a p a rt m en t ] th e y sep a ra te d 3 [ Pol i tics ; ,

.

ca ll s for m il i t a ry se rvice ; con dem n a ti on s of p ol i t ica l O ffen d e r s ]

The re is n o m ore n ews bu t y ou m us t d escr ibe your j ourn ey wha t , ,

they ga ve y ou t o ea t up on t h e ship h ow m uch m on ey y ou sp en t a n d , ,

e veryth i n g Write u s regula rly a lett er eve ry t wo weeks

.
,
.

YOU R P AR E N TS a n d E V E R YB ODY FR OM H OME

2 75 Februa ry 2 6, 1 91 3

D E AR CHI LDR E N : uriou s h ow y ou l ook n ow We a re c ,

S ta s i a We im a gin e tha t y ou m us t look ve ry ba d beca u se y ou grie ve

.
,

[ a re hom esic k] But n o th in g ca n be d on e it m ust be so for som e

.
,

time An tek K wen t t o Am e rica He did n ot wi sh t o go t o th e

. . .

hild ish id f t h p r id t i fl i l d c m ic lif ’

Th e c ea o
p s e es en s n u en ce u on oc a an e on o e

is vid tl y t h e r
e en lt of t w f t r — f mil i ity wi th th id f b l ti m d
esu o ac o s a ar e ea O a so u s an

th e e n or m s git ti w h i h p r c de t h p reside tia l elec ti

ou a a on c e e s e n on .

P r t a e lw ys gl d wh
3
a en s th ir hild fi d i Am ric p eopl f th i
r a a a en e c re n n n e a e o e r

o w n il l gv ighb rh d Th r i th m in t i ed m e sembla
a e or n e o oo f . m e e s us a a n so n ce o co

m u ity i ter st
n v ight d m u tua l id
n e ,
o ers , an a .

Th e r 3 eem s tri fl i g Am g p
ea son s n ts wh er t h e q sti f i d
n . on ea sa e ue on o an n e

p e d t h m e is
n en t d wi th the qu estion oi a fa rm s h n a ttit d w ld
o con n ec e ,
uc a u e ou

b j ustifi bl a n d v th g irl w ould h a rdly bj t t he h ba d s livi n g fo

—
’
e a e, e en en a o ec o r us n r

s m e ti m
o with h p r te H r th i d
er t m tiv i v
a en s
e it y v ity of th
. e e e ev en o s an a an e

typ e whi h d v lop s i t w c e e n o ns .

56 PR I M AR Y -
G R O UP OR GAN IZATI ON

a rm y ,
he p refe rred Am e ri c a He t ook your a ddre ss . . Y ou
ca n n o t im a gin e h ow m a n y p eop l e g o t o Am e rica S oon ve ry few .

will rem a in in ou r coun try We a re curious wh e the r M ich a low sk i

.

sen t som e m on ey t o h is wif e W rite u s exa ctly a bout eve ryth i n g

.
,

h ow y ou l ike it in Am e ric a How d oes th e f ood t a s te t o y ou for

.
,

w e hea r tha t t h e cookin g i s di ffere n t th e re Wri te u s wh e th er y ou

did n ot m ee t som ebody el se Of your a c qua in ta n ce P e rh a p s y ou .

fee l be tter n ow tha n in the begin n in g D id y ou da n ce durin g th e .

la st da ys Of ca rni va l ? For R em wrote tha t he da n ce d so m uch a s .

t o l ose his h ee l s M y d ea r S t a sia wh en y ou wr i t e a le tte r wr it e i t

.
, ,

in th e p resen ce of Wa cek th a t h e m a y di c t a t e a few wo rd s in his

o w n n a m e fo r it is so p a i nf ul for u s —
,

,
a s if h e w e r e n o t th e r e We .

kn ow n othin g a b out h im An d yourself y ou wr it e s uch sh ort ,

le tters th ere is n o thin g t o rea d a lth ough y ou a re in such a d ista n t

, ,

cou n try N ow w e i nf or m y ou a bout this l a ws ui t

. The l a wy e rs .

a ssur e u s th a t w e sh a ll w in We h a ve a sk ed t w o a n d th ey both
.

sa y l t ‘

Y OU R P AR E N TS a nd E VER YB O D Y FR O M H O ME

2 76 Ap r il 22 , 1 91 3
D E AR CH I LDR E N l a wsuit a bout Kuj a wy w ill be Ou r
judged on M a y 5 As soon a s i t is o ve r w e will wri t e
.
y ou a t o n ce .

An d w e beg y ou in t h e ca se w e n ee d m on ey t o p a y t his f a r m e r s p a rt
,
’
,

sen d u s a s m u ch a s y ou h a v e Ask e ven M i ch a l ow s k i t o giv e y ou

.

those 1 0 0 roubles ba ck We exp ec t t ha t if we w in in R a d om he will

.

a pp ea l t o Wa r s a w Then we sho uld n o t n eed t he m on e y so soon

.
.

But p erha p s h e won t be a ble t o a p p ea l ’

Y ou n ee d n ot be .

a fra id a bo ut y our m on e y for it wo uld n ot be l os t if m ort a e d u on

, g g p
t h e f a rm Of t h e 1 0 0 r ou bles which Wa cl a w left w e sp en t 50 on th is
.

l a wsuit bu t we k eep a p ig Which we bo ugh t for 7 —

, 5roubl es a fte r Ch ris t
mas . N ow w e co uld ge t m ore th a n 3 0 for it S O if w e don t wi n .
’
,

w e sh a ll sell th e p ig a n d p u t th e m on ey in th e b a n k [ t o Wa cla w s I ’

a ccou n t ] [ N ew s a bout frien d s e t c ]

.
, .

Y OU R PAR E N TS a n d EV E R YB O D Y FR OM H O ME
2 77 D YM I N Y , Augu s t 22 , 1 91 3
DE AR S TACH N A [ STAS I A] : I rea d your le tter t o Edzio Th e con .

ten t oi th e le tter touch e d u s ve ry m uch It is true th a t y ou h a ve .

been coura geous in go i n g so fa r Th is onl y is h a p p y th a t y ou su c .

,

I th s m o e y m a tt rs t he ttit d of th p r n t i t yp ic ll y
p sa t
n e e n e a u e e a e s s a ea n .
 TOPOLS KI SERI ES 57

ce eded in p er su a di n g Wa cla w [ t o go w it h y ou ] . P roba bly yo ur

tim e p asses m ore p l ea sa n tly toge th e r Are y ou h ea lthy a t . le a s t ?
I rea lly ca n n o t im a g in e th a t y ou a re there a t t he o ther en d Of
t h e world ; I sh ould n ot m u s t e r co ura ge en o u gh t o do it I a d mire .

y ou .

God, 0 my God ! Wh a t does d est in y

with m a n ! He fin d s do
h im se lf sudden ly there bey on d th e se a M a n is like a ba ll I f ee l . .

t h is a ll I h a ve e xp er ien ce d it m yse lf t o som e e xte n t this w o rkin g

, ,

for a p iece of brea d bu t I should n ot h a ve equ a l ed y our bold

,

n ess in lea v in g y our cou n try a n d your n a t ive h om e I im a gin e your I

.

fea r your reg re t your fea rs ! M y dea r God ha s seen a ll th i s

, , ,
.

Th e High es t C rea tor will rew a rd y ou sin ce h e h a s tri ed y ou th u s ,

.

The con fid en ce in God s m e rcy n e ve r d ece iv es a n ybody P e rh a p s ’

.

God will gra n t y ou som e good lot in r ew a rd for th a t troubl e a n d

l a bor which y ou ha ve born e u p t o the p resen t O God ! d on t .
2 ’

fa il t o com e with help t o them From m y p oor s ide I wish y ou .

,

t o com e ba ck ha pp y a n d t o rea ch t h e en d for wh i ch y ou l eft yo ur

home a n d m a y th e p resen ce of th e H ighes t a lwa y s be a wit n ess Of
,

your lot .

You a sk a bout m y childr en [ In f orm a tion a bout children ] Jé zia .

[ S ta sia s sis ter] wa s he re n ot l on g a go a n d men tion e d tha t y ou dissua d ed

’

h e r from m a rryi n g a w id owe r But I un dersta n d her very well He . .

is a n h on es t a n d l a bori o us m a n a n d t he childre n d on t p l a y a n y p a rt
’
.
,

Th e boy is 5 yea rs old a n d c a n e ven be u seful wh il e both t he girl s a re ,

kep t by the ir gra n dm other Th e girl [J é zia ] is n ot in h er first yo uth . .

M oreove r h e lik ed h er [fell in lo ve with h er]

,
I a dvi sed her t o m a rry .
3

h im I told h er tha t if she is good she wil l be h a p p y [Of] h e rself

. .

Ha ve y ou n o Opp ortun ity [ to m a rry] the re ? I a dvise you a l so t o

m a rry n o t t o wa it a n d n o t t o se lec t for th i s is t he wo rs t
, As l on g , .

a s y ou a re in good h ea l t h a ll is w e ll I n o tice it in m yself Evid en tly . .

it is ea si e r t o hold ou t som eon e s el se ba ck [ t o be be a t en ] tha n on e s

’ ’

The difi eren ce be ween t t h e O lder a n d yo u n ge r gen e r ti n s is h re cl a rly

a o e e

r
e xp es sed . I n deed, th e em ig ti
ra on of wom en ( n ot go i ng t o th eir h sba ds) i u n s a

c omp a a r tiv ly rece t p h

e n en om en on .

3
The sufi erin g a s such is h ere con s id r e ed a s a su fli cien t cla im on God s rew rd’
a

a ltho lig d th g i l t g to Am ic
u gh n o on e ob e e r o o er a .

I t i ch a ra cte i sti c th t the u sua l t rm till

3 s r a e s u se d in try f l v b for
th e cou n or o e e e

m rri g ( love with u t ither

a a e a l r l ti o e se xu e a on or m r i g —t i ) is
a r a liki g
e t e
“
n , no
“
l vi g wh il betw p a re t a d chil d
o n ,
”
e een n s n ren or br t hero d i ters th e t rm
s an s s e

l vi g i cu rre t
”
o n s n .
58 P RI M AR Y—
G ROUP OR G AN I ZATI O N

own But I Sha ll wa it soon for n ews a bout yo ur

. It is t o m a rria ge .
I

be h op ed th a t such a g irl a s y ou a re sho uld n ot wa s t e h e r t im e

t h e re .

[ YOU R AU N T] G .

2 78 O S TR O W I E C , Februa ry 9, 1 91 4

D E AR S TAS I A : We re ceived y our le tt e r on Feb . 1 ,

a nd Wa cla w
ca m e ba c k on good h ea lth , h a d n o
Feb 3 . . d t Th e
He ca m e in a c c i en .

c rossin g Of th e fr on t ie r cos t h im 4 r oubles He s a y s th a t h e i s .

bored h e re , h e regre t s th a t h e c a m e ba c k work we d on t ’

As to t h e
k n ow y e t—for he h a s n ot y e t a sked a n ybody—wh e th e r h e will ge t a n y
.
,

or n ot Your f a th e r k eep s well bu t he co uld n o t be a sh o ote r ,

a n y m or e for h e d oes n o t see w e ll

,
When he com es ba c k fr om t h e .

fa c to ry he Often f a lls or j ostl es p eop le I n Ostrow iec it is a s wa rm a s .

in sum m e r If w e were in Kuj a wy we should think a bout sowin g

.
, ,

while a s it is p roba bly th a t f a rm er will sow for u s We a re ti r e d .

wi th wa itin g It seem s t o u s a s if there were 1 0 yea rs left un til t h e

.

en d of thi s su i t But wha t ca n we do ? Wh en w e were the p la in tiff s

.

t h e su it w a s soon d ec id ed bu t n ow h e is th e p la i n t iff a n d w e ca n do
, ,

n o th i n g . Wa cek a sk s y ou t o tha n k t h e a gen t wh o sa id th a t

h e wo uld go 6 da ys [ by sea ] wh ile h e wen t I O H e reg re t s n ow th a t
, .

h e ca m e a n d sa ys th a t in t h e sp rin g h e w ill go ba ck Th a t wo uld .

be a troubl e for u s if h e wen t ba ck t ook t he m on ey a n d w e S h o uld

, , ,

h a v e n o th in g t o p a y for Kuj a wy N obody f ee l s it a s m u ch a s I do .

[ th e m oth er] for I sho uld lik e t o ge t the re a s soon a s p ossible wh ile
, ,

it l a s ts so l on g .

YO U R P AR E N TS

2 79 May 21 [ 1 9 1 4]
D E AR S TAS I A : You k n ow th a t y ou worry m e n ow in writin g t h a t
we ha ve f o rgo tten a bout y ou Wh y we sen t t wo p os t ca rd s a n d t w o .
,

le tters a fter Ea ste r An d n ow I a m o blige d t o sen d y ou a l e tte r

.

w ith out a sta m p for evid en tly y ou ga ve a ba d a ddress You m a y

, .

kn ow th a t th ere is n ot a n h our durin g t he da y wi th out m y th in k in g O f

1
The aun ta nd t he p a r ts ret i en a n th e tra ditio na l a tti tud s t th
e a o e n e cess ity of

ma rry in g b , ut t he a u n t c re le tha s ss an th p r t
e a en s wheth r t h g irl m
e e a kes a go od
ma t h Cf
c . . N os . 2 79 , 2 80 .
60 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

m ore th a n forty and as if h e h a d g ra y h a ir .He m u st n ot h a v e been

for a l on g tim e inAm e rica , for h e we a r s wh iske r s n ot in th e Am erica n
fa sh i on cu t a n d fix ed bu t ha n gin g d own in diso rd er B ut if he is a n
, ,
.

h on es t a n d good m a n d on t m in d a n ythin g For u s i t m a tte r s onl y

’
.
,

th a t w e migh t se e y ou som e da y .

kiss y ou a thousa n d tim es We hop e tha t y ou will sen d u s

.

a le tte r be fore your we d din g D on t give h im this l e tte r t o r ea d

’
.
,

l est h e be off en ded .

Y OU R FAMI L Y
 S EK OWS K I S ERI E S

Up t o t h e p resen t w e ha ve h a d t o do with f a mil ies O f

p ea sa n t f a rm ers Here w e fin d a f a m i l y of m a n or em p lo y ee s -
.

—
.

J a n S ek ow sk i t h e,
f a th e r is p r ob a b l y
,
a f a r m c lerk or a l a n d
s t e w a rd He h a s s om e e du c a tion
. His l e tt ers a re wr itten in
.

r a th er g oo d P oli sh Th e oth er l etter s of th e f a mil y a re on

.

t h e a v era g e n ot a b ove t h e u su a l l ev el of p ea s a n t l e tt er s Bu t .

a l e tte r whic h M a n ia w r o t e t o u s in sen di n g t h e l e tt e r s

sh ow s a n a s t on i s hin g p r og r e ss m a d e dur in g h e r f our y e a r s in

P erha p s it is du e t o h er hu sb a n d s in flu en c e
’
Am eric a . .

S h e is on e O f th e few O f ou r p ea sa n t c orr esp on d en ts showin g

a n in t e r es t in ou r w ork .

Th e m a n or li fe d eve lops f ea tur es wh ic h differ t o som e

-

e x t en t fr om th ose O f th e p ea sa n t f a r m e r s Th e series th er e .

f ore a ssu m e s a p a rticu la r im p orta n c e There a re ov er t w o .

mi llion m a n or se rv a n ts (f a milie s in c lud e d) in P ola n d

-
Th e .

m a in b ulk of the m a re th e so ca ll e d pa robeks i e those w h o do

-
,
. .
,

ph ysic al fa rm work -
ha rvestin g thr eshi n g
—
, ,

drivin g ,
Then com e t h e c a ttl e p ig a n d sheep h erd ers -
, ,

fores t gua rd s wa tchm en e t c ; then ha n dworker s ( b l a c k

-
, ,
.

smi th s c a rp en t er s ga rd en er s mil ler s) th en p riva te serva n t s

, , , ,

(b u tl ers c ooks m a ids g room s la un dre sse s c oa c hm en )

, , , , , ,
”
(over seer s c l erks stewa rd s
“
a n d fin a ll y the O ffi c ia l s , , ,

c a shiers m a n a gers distill ers hea d fores t er s ) A ra ther

, , ,
.

sm a ll est a te h a s thir t y t o fort y serva n t s m ost o f th em ,

m a rrie d ; a r el a tivel y l a rge es ta te O f som e s ev en or eight ,

t h ou sa n d a c r e s h a s t w o hu n dr e d t o three hu n dr ed serv a n t s ;
,

b ut there a re est a t es whi c h keep m a n y m ore tha n this ,

a lth ou gh t h e l a r g e s t on es fr om a b out tw en t y th ou sa n d t o
,

three hu n dre d thou sa n d a c res ( or ove r ) h a ve p a rtly t h e

ten a n t s ys t em Thu s t he m a n oria l org a n iza tion e x ert s a
.
,
62 PR I M AR Y G R OU P OR G AN I ZATI ON

p owerful in flu en c e up on c oun tr y l if e a n d this e x t en d s

b ey on d th e sphe re O f th e m a n or—
,

serva n t s b ec a u se th e r e is ,

in term a rria g e b e tween them a n d t h e f a rm er s a n d a r u in e d ,

fa rm er or his children fre qu en tl y g oes in to s ervi c e

, ,
.

Th e c ha ra c te ristics which th e lif e O f a m a n or em p l o y ee -

ten d s t o d evelop a re ra th er n ega tive Th e d ep en d en c e

up on th e m a n or—
.

ow n er is m u c h g rea t e r th a n th a t of e m

p loy ees up on em p l oy er in t h e c i t y b e c a u s e t h e wh ol e life O f

,

t he m a n or em p l o y ee is sp en t in t h e m a n or a n d ev en h is
-
,

p riva te l ife is n ot c om p le tel y his ow n At t h e s a m e t im e .

,

w e fin d in a ddition t o the b u sin ess r el a tion a soc ia l h ie ra r c h y

m u ch m or e rigid tha n in t h e t own A high e r e m p l o y ee in a
.

’
t own b u sin ess m a y be rec eiv ed in h is e m p lo y er s h ou se m a y ,

m a rry h is d a u ghte r m a y b e c om e h is e qu a l if h e m a kes

,

m on e y ; t h e m a n or Offi cia l is on c e a n d f or eve r out sid e o f

-

th e soc ia l sp h er e Of h is n ob l e em p l o y e r—u n l e ss O f c o ur se , ,

’
h e is a ru in e d n ob le him self or h is em p l o y er s r el a t i v e
,
.

On t h e othe r h a n d th e m a n or officia l t en d s t o ke ep b e twe e n

,
-

him self a n d t h e p h y sic a ll y workin g serv a n t s th e sa m e dis

ta n c e a s th a t whic h sepa r a t es him from his em p l oy e r .

I n this w a y t h e S yste m a lw a y s keep s a l ive t h e id ea th a t

soc ia l h ie r a r c h y is som e thin g a b sol u t e I n a c corda n c e w i th
.

this idea hu m ilit y t ow a rd t h e su p er ior a n d a rro g a n c e

,

towa rd t h e in ferior a p p ea r qu ite n a tura l ; n o m o ra l c on

dem n a t ion O f a n y kin d is a tta ched t o th e m .

M or eover whil e w e ha v e d istin guishe d on l y thr ee d egr ee s

in this h iera rch y —
,

th e e m p l o y e r t h e O ffic ia l t h e s erv a n t
v

, ,

th ere a re in fa c t m a n y m or e On a l a r ge e sta t e th er e is a
.

c on tin u o u s gra da tion fr om t h e hea d m a n a ger d own t o th e

un m a rried posylka ( serva n t h elp in g th e pa robek) in volv in g
som e t im e s a s m a n y a s six or se v en d e g r ees O f soc ia l ( n o t

m er el y b u sin ess) hiera r ch y On t h e oth er h a n d o n a

.
,

very sm a ll esta t e the distin c tion s b e twe en e m pl o y ee s m a y

be r a th e r s m a ll a s th e high es t t yp e Of em p lo y e e m a y be a n
,
 SEK OW S KI S ERI E S 63

’
o ve r seer or clerk Thi s is S ekow ski s p o sition I t is ea sy
. .

t o un d e r s t a n d h ow m a n y in signific a n t in ter e s t s p ett y ,

va n i ties a n d ridi c ul ou s fights resul t fr om thi s sys tem

,
.

An o ther fea tur e still m ore n ega tiv e whi c h m a n oria l life
, ,

t en d s t o d evelop is pe tt y di sh on es t y Th e c on trol Of th e
,
.

em p l o y e es in a m a n or is p a rtic ula rl y diffi c ult b e c a u se O f t h e

c om p l ex it y of th e fun c tion s t h e diffi c ul t y of in trodu cin g a

,

p e rm a n en t di vision of la b or a n d a c orresp on din g sp ecifica

,

tion of re spon sibili ties e t c The tem p ta tion t o s t ea l is

,
.

s tron ger h ere th a n a n y wh er e else b ec a u se O f th e O ld p r ep os

,
“ ”
S ession tha t s t e a lin g m e a n s s t ea l in g on l y m on e y c a ttle , ,

hor se s or m a n u fa c ture d thin gs whil e s tea lin g n a tura l

, ,

p ro du c ts whi ch serve to m a in ta in hum a n or a n im a l lif e is

”
sim p l y ta kin g a n d h a rdl y reprehen sib le I t b ec om e s
“
.

r ep reh en sib le when th ese p rodu c ts a re s tol en a n d sold b ut ,

t h e d iff er en c e is ea sil y ov e rl ooked .

E gotism is a l so m or e ea sil y d evelop e d in m a n oria l lif e

tha n in vill a ge life The idea of mu tu a l help a n d of c olla b ora
.

t ion sc a r c el y ex ist s Th e m a n or serva n t s look for h elp t o

.
-

t h e own er n o t t o on e a n o th e r ; th er e is n o m ut u a li t y a n d n o
,

r e c ip r ocit y a s in help b e tween equ a ls I n s tea d of this

,
.
,

a n o th er soli da ri t y develops—t h e compli ci ty in la zin ess

a n d s t e a l in g On l y durin g t h e r egen e r a tin g m ov em en t
.

O f t h e l a s t twe n t y y ea r s h a s t h e idea of t h e solida ri ty o

f
g en er a l i n teres ts O f m a n o r se rv a n t-
s a s wor k ers —t h e c ou n t er
p a rt Of t h e s ocia li stic id ea —s u cc eeded in devel opin g ; a n d
it h a s r esulte d in m a n y s u cc essful s trikes in whi c h n ever , ,

t h eless onl y t h e l ow er worker s

,
n ot ,
t h e m a n or— O fli cia ls ,

to ok pa rt .

I n fa m il ia l r e la tion s t h e in fluen ce Of th e m a n oria l li fe is

a l so ra th er n ega tiv e a s c om p a r e d wi th th a t Of t h e vill a ge li f e .

Th ere is in deed n o riva lry a n d n o stru ggl e a m on g children

for in h erita n c e bu t th er e is a lso n o s olid a rity resultin g
,

fr om c omm on in te res ts Th e fa ther does n ot l ook up on his

.
64 PR I MAR Y -
G R O UP OR GAN IZ ATI ON

chil dr en as upon c oll a b ora tor s a n d help ers b ut a s up on ,

a b urd en O f wh ic h h e tries t o g e t rid a s s oon a s p ossib l e ( a s

S ekow ski d oes) by sen din g them a wa y t o work on th ei r

ow n a cco un t . Wh en the c hildren ha ve l eft their p a ren ts ’

hom e n o thi n g el se keep s th em toge th er a n d ther e is n o

, ,

ten den cy t o re turn As m os t O f t h e m a n or serv a n t s

.
-

wa n d er from p l a c e t o p l a c e there a re n o s ta b l e a ssoc ia tion s

,

w i th a d e t erm in ed l oc a li ty The e gotis m a n d h a rdn e s s of

.

t h e p a r en t s in Vil l a ge l ife a re t em p ere d by t he i d ea th a t

th eir c hil dren will in heri t th e f a rm u p on whi c h the y h a ve
worke d durin g their wh ol e l ife a n d will c on t in u e th eir ,

work ; t h e sp here O f in te re s t in c ludes t h e future g en e r a

tion s I n m a n oria l li fe t h e on l y in te res t whic h m a kes t h e
.

p a r en ts c a re for th e future Of their c hildr en is t h e h op e

tha t on e of the children will t a ke th em wh en they a r e
u n a b l e t o wo r k .

THE FAM I LY S EKOWS KI

Ja n Sekowski , a m a n or em p lo yee
-

His wife
Ad a m ( Ada s)
h is son s
Ta deusz ( Ta dzio)
Ka z i a
M a n ia ( M a ry a n n a ) h is da ughte rs
Leosia (Leoka dy a )
( Fra n ka ) Ad a m s wife
’
Fra n ia ,

Teodor Ka cp erski Ka zia s husba n d ,

’

Ja nek M a n ia s h usba n d
,
’

Zyt n iewski a n d wif e Sekowski s p a ren t s in

,
’
- -
la w
M a ri ka the ir g ra n dd a ugh te r
,

S t a Ska n iece of S ekow ski s wife

’
,

The a un t S t a Ska s m other

,
” ’

Wa len ty t he a un t s secon d husba n d

,
’
 S EKOWS KI S ER I ES 65

28 1
—
95 ,
LE TTER S FR OM THE S EK OW S KI FAMI LY , I N P O LAN D ,
TO FAMI LY - ME M B E R S I N AME RI CA

L AZ Y ,
D ecembe r 5, 1 90 9

D E AR HU S B AND : I inform you th a t w e a re in good hea l th a n d ,

w e w ish to y ou a l so th e best h eal th a n d success from our Lord God .

D ea r h u sba n d th e thi rd sta r [ Chri stma s] a pp r oa ch es a lrea dy sin ce

,
I

y ou h a v e been fa r a wa y fr om u s in tha t f ore ign co un try D ea r .

h u sba n d th e r e is n o m ore p a inful m om en t for m e th a n wh en I r em em

,

ber tha t y ou a re there fa r a w a y a n d qu ite a l on e S o w e sen d y ou a .

s t a r a n d a t th e sa m e tim e I di vide a wa f e r wi th y ou D ea r h usba n d 2

.
,

a s t o our comi n g y ou m u s t kn ow fir s t whe th e r w e h a v e goo d e y es

,
.

D e a r h u sba n d so w e sha ll go t o t o P ozn a n wh en w e sha ll kn ow cer

, ,

ta inl y tha t w e a re goin g D ea r h u sba n d I beg y ou in th e n a m e Of .

,

e ve ry thi n g in th e world d on t ch a n ge y o ur word For I won t wri te

’ ’
.
,

y ou [a sk y o u ] a n y m ore a bout i t beca u se y ou wro te [ a s if rep roa chin g] ,

th a t I w an ted a bsolutely to com e to Am e rica D ea r h usba n d it is .

,

true bu t d on t be a fra id [of my com in g for I will b e a good wif e]

,
’
, .

For I kn ow wh a t [ a li f e] I ha d wh en y ou w e r e a t hom e h ow y ou a lwa ys ,

m a de m y h ea rt j oy f ul D ea r h u sba n d I did n o t kn ow a t a ll how t o , ,

resp ec t [a pp recia te] y ou 3 But n ow d ea r a n d on ly n ow I kn ow .

, , ,

The word is u se d in connecti on wi th Ch ri s tm a s ceremoni e s t o in di ca te ( I ) t he

firs t s ta r on Christm a s e ve with th e a pp ea ra n ce of wh ich t h e su ppe r, t he m ost
,

im p orta n t cerem on y , beg in s ; ( 2 ) th e Ch ri s tma s celebra tion in g en era l ; ( 3 ) t he

C hr is tm as g f s; it ( 4) t p a p e , w a e s , e tc , h u n g p on th e Ch r s m a s
s a r s cu t ou t of r fr . u it
t r e e or sen tin e l tt r e s a s Chr s m a s oken s ; ( 5) a it t
a n sp a en a n d l um n a ed s a tr r t il i t t r
of pa pe r or
g a ss l it i y
w h wh ch bo s wa lk a bou t he il a ge on C h s ma s n gh , t vl ri t i t
i
s n gin g , oflerin g w sh e s, i a skin g for gi ft s .

2
r t wa f r p la ys a imp t t p rtly m gi l Ole I t is co
Th e con sec a e d e n or a n ,
a a ca , r . n

sec t d b f r Ch ris tm s a d d ri g t h
ra e e o e s p p r th m m bers O f t he fa m il y
a n u n e e ve u e e e

divi d p rt of it m o g th ems lve

e a a d wh il e ea ti g
a
p res wi h s ev id tl y
n e s an , n ,
ex s s e , en

with h a lf co sc i
a id f p w r i h r t i th e w fer t f lfil wishes a d with
-
n ou s ea o a o e n e en n a o u , n

th e c i ide f c mm i
on sc ou s Th t i k p t n d d du ri g th e y a r m r
a o o un on . e res s e a u se n e , o e

o r l ss wi t h t he i dea
e f it hea lin g p r p rtie ; p owders a o
p ref ra bly t ke i
s o e s re e a n n

c nn ecti on with it
o P rep ri g d selli g w fe s is th p ri il eg
. f org nis t
a n an n a r e v e o a s .

W h ve s e ( I tr d cti n M rria ge tha t esp t is th e fun da m e t l

3 e a e n n o u o :
“
a
“
r ec
”
n a

n orm of con j u g l r la ti ons The lov in cl u de d wi thin th e orm of re p ect is

a e .
t e n s no

r m a n tic o sen su l love S s l l v a s such is cl ea rly out id f th e id of

o r a . en u a o e s e o ea

no rm l tha t is p erfect co j g l rel tions A d wh il it xist i you g m rria g s

a , ,
n u a a . n e e s n n a e ,

it is t t be pok of; it i co sidered s be i g m ethi g i d c t Th re i

no o s en s n a n so n n e en . e s,

m p l a l tt r from a p a an t i th e n e w p p er Z a m describi g h ow
'

fo r e xa e, e e e s n s a ar e n a

p rie t i his weddin g a ddress c d m d

s n al ab s b t sp oke f th m on e ne sen su u se u
-
, o e so
66 PRI MAR Y G RO U P
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

how n ecessa r y it is t o resp ec t th e h u sba n d ,

as th e con juga l duty
O rd ers .

D e a r h u sba n d ,
I in f orm y ou a lso a bout ou r d a ugh ter h ow in t ell i ,

g en t sh e i s W h en I a s k h e r W h
. a t will f a th e r bu y y ou sh e sa y s
,
“
,

Sh e sa ys D ea r p a p a M a n ia w i ll go to p a p a
” “
Sh oes .
, ,
.

I wi sh y ou hea lth a n d h a p p in ess for you r n a m e da y d ea r Ad a s -

,
.

M a ni a [ sis te r] beg s y ou t o fin d a n ice boy for h er B ut S he begs .

I

y ou n o t to wri te a bo ut i t for f a th er rea d s e ve ry l e tt er Wh en w e ,

.

com e t o y ou w e sh a ll sp ea k of i t I g reet y ou kin dly a n d h ea rtily a n d .

,

goodbye .
Your l ov in g w ife a n d da ugh te r ,

[ FRAN I A]

Februa ry I [1 91 0]
B R OTH ER : I h a ve a l ittle wi sh [ re quest] for y o u Y ou
D E AR .

wro te before tha t y ou would sen d sh ip tick e ts for Fra n i a a n d for m e -

,

a n d th a t we sh o uld go tog e th e r t o Am e rica a n d n ow y ou sen t u s s u ch ,

r li tica ll y to m k hi h re i dig t Th i is t h a w
ea s as a e ld m
s ea rs n na n . s e re son e so se o

fi d xp res io s f l v i c j g l l tt r p rti l rl y if th
n e s n o o e di ta t dn I on u a e e s, a cu a ese a re c e . n

on e l tt from Am ri ( S t ii ki ri s) h ba d m k t h i wif m
e er e ca ru c r s se e a us n a es o s e so e

s en su al ll si b t imm di t ly b gs h p rd
a u on s u e a e e er a on .

Th e b t ill str ti f th es tith is f j g l f li g w ithi th e rm f

u a on o e an es o con u a ee n s n no o

r p ct d o t sid f th is rm is ff rded by t h p r ctice Of b ti g B ti g

es e an u e O no a o e a ea n . ea n

on e s w if i
’
id tly m g t h w rst ti o s fr m t h st dp i t f t h rm
e s ev en a on e o ac n o e an o n o e no

o fr p t es B t b tw
ec yo g p p l it h m i s p erfectly with l
. u e een A yo g un eo e ar on z e ove . un

w m o ft lik t b b t p ti l rly whe th h b d b t h b c se

an O en es o e ea en , ar cu a n e us an ea s er e au

h i j l
e s b t h wif i
e a ou s , t d m t a ti e gh o r f
ec a u se m rit l r l
e e s no e on s r ve n ou ,
r e u ses a a e a

ti on s B ti g i th
. s id r d
ea p n f f l v ; s w m en si ders hcon s lf e e a roo o o e a o an con er e

wr g d
on ot l ved wh
e ,
t he hu b
n d v r b ts he W m p k w ith
o , en s an ne e ea r . o en s ea

p idr f bei g be t
e o d h ppy b
n f t h i di ff
a en , f h sb ds
an a re un a eca u se o e n e ren c e O u an

wh d o t b t th em
o no A y i t rf r i th
ea d b dl y f
.
th e i t r n n e e en ce n ese ca ses en s a or n e

f i gp r
er n wh m y b b t
e son , by m d w if t g th r
o a E vide tl y s ch
e ea en an an e o e e . n , u an

a ttit d t w d b a ti g i t b d r t d o ly p t h
u e o ar e n l b i Th tti s o e un e s oo n u on e sexu a as s . e a

t d i q it t h
u e s t y wh th p ir ( t h h sb d) i ld wh th r
u e e con ra r en e a or e u an s o , en e ea son

O f b ti g h a
ea thi g t d w ith t h cip r l r l ti
n s no nfm d w ife
o s o e re oca e a on s o an an , a ,

for exa m p l wh t he m b a t h i wif i

e, enm qua rrel b t m y an bout e s s e n so e a ou on e or a

th h ildr
e c en .

Th r i 1
g ra l a d j tifi d p i i m g P li h g irl th t it i v ry sy
e e s a en e n us e o n on a on o s s a s e ea

t g t m rri d i
o e Am ri a d th t t he P li sh Am e i
e n h sb d e b tt r
ca an a o -
r ca n u an s a re e e .

Th i p l i s p rtly th f t th t g irl
s ex a n e w illi n g t g t
a u k ew m whac sk a s ar o o o an n no n an o a s

th m i m rri g (cf t h
e n af S t Sk i th i serie )
a e d i g
. ra l th t th y
e ca se O a a n s s , an n en e a e

i k g i g l t Am ri while they
r s o n a on e fte a f id t go a l t t h
o e ca r st a re o n ra o on e o e n ea e

tow i th ir w co try
n n e o n un .
68 PRI MAR Y G R O UP
-
OR GAN IZ ATI ON

tire d with s ta yin g in our hom e sh e m a y go t o se rvi ce a n d eve rywh e r e ,

1

i t wi ll be well Th us sh e ough t n ot to drea m a bout Am erica bu t sh e

.
,

will go t o P ru ssia An d then y ou ca n wri te t o ea ch oth e r

. .

We a ll g ree t y ou m ost kin dly You r fa ther .

J . S EKO W S KI

2 84 M a rch 1 8 , 1 91 0

D E AR S ON : We
wep t a bout yo ur mi sfortun e a n d w e
a ll a t h om e ,

t ry t o fin d som e wa y t o imp rove yo ur lo t bu t we a re un a bl e t o do ,

a n y thi n g God a lon e is l eft t o y ou a n d He wil l h elp y ou w ith out

.
,

doub t onl y y ou m us t p ra y w a rml y to Him But a t th e sa m e ti m e

,
.

don t let yo ur h a n d s f a ll try in every wa y S om e tim es it is even

’
,
.

n ece ssa ry t o h um ili a t e on e s s e lf d eep ly bu t on e m us t n ot mi n d

’
,

it . M a y God h elp you

2
Your f a th er
J . S EKO W S KI

2 85 M a r ch 1 8, 1 91 0

D E AR HU S BAND : I in f orm you a bout ou r h ea l th tha t we a re in ,

good h ea l th on ly for m e th e re is n o grea ter p a in Of th e h e a rt tha n th a t

,

God h a s sen t y ou such a sickn e ss in tha t f oreign coun try D ea r .

h u sb a n d wh a t m a y n o t ha pp en with y ou th e r e wh en y ou a re S O
,

se v e re ly sick ! Wh o ta kes ca r e Of you in this sickn ess ? M y h ea rt

ca n n o t bea r a n y l on ger th is g rief a bout yo ur m isf o rtu n e ! Wh a t
con di t ion s do y ou h a ve ther e in tha t Am eri ca ? D ea r h u sba n d , ,

if God gra n ts y ou t o r ecov e r a n d if you see th a t th e con d i tion s a re ,

ba d in th a t Am e ri ca com e h om e ! I will go a ga i n to sea son wo rk

,
-
.

D ea r h u sba n d I beg y ou if Go d s till g iv es y ou h ea lth wr i te to m e

, , ,

a n d d esc ribe t o m e e ve ryth i n g a bout yo ur ill n ess If th i s l e tter .

[ fin ds] y ou still a l ive ! For I thin k th a t y ou a re n o m ore a live D e a r .

h u sba n d ! How I wa n t ed to see y ou on ce m o re bef ore yo ur d ea t h !

For y ou kn ow h ow I h a v e l ov e d y ou a n d I n eve r h a v e l os t h op e in ,

God a n d even n ow I d on t l os e it tota lly P erha p s ou r Lord Go d

’
.
,

A f rm r wo l d e
2
a ea llow his d
u ghter i l w t
n ver
g i t ser i ce ; h au -
h -
a o o n o v e

w ul d
o sid r it d r g t ry t h i
con e d him lf
e o a o o s son a n se .

Th i s i t h p hr s t wh ich th e w it r d ug hter K i K p
2
s e a e o k ll d s r e
’
s a az a ac ers a a u e
he a y th t f th r told Ada m t b g I f ct th i is d i wh i h a
“ ”
wh e n s s s a a e o e . n a , s an a v ce c

f rm w uld ha rdly giv his o wh il it h ws th t t he writ r ttit d i the

a er o e s n, e s o a e
’
s a u e n se
m a tt ersi s i fl e c d by his ervil p s itio
n u n e s e o n.
 S EKOWSKI SERI ES 69

w ill still give y ou h ea lth ! On ly I a m very a nx ious beca use Of m y

dr ea m s for I h a d them ve ry ba d D ea r h u sba n d if y ou l ive s ti ll
, .
, ,

a n sw er m e a s soon a s
p ossible for m y h ea rt will be grieve d un til ,

I receive n ew s tha t y ou live s till D ea r h u sba n d I should p refer t o .

,

die ra th er th a n y ou S h ould die For wh a t sh ould I do if y ou w e re to .

die ? I p u t a ll m y hop e in y ou ! D ea r h u sba n d I a m even un a ble

I
,

t o d escribe this p a in which I h a ve up on m y h ea rt B ut n ever min d

for m yself—bu t th e child ! If y ou kn ew h ow she r ej o i ce d tha t she
.

would go to y ou ! These la s t da ys she con tin ua lly p oin ted a t you [ r

p ho togra p h] sa yin g This is my p a p a a n d this [ the old S ekowski] is
, ,
“
,

An d S he wa s so gla d tha t S h e woul d go to he r p a p a !

’ ”
p a pa s p ap a .

An d she l ove d [ ca ressed y ou so a s if som eon e ha d orde red h er , .

2

But w e di d n o t tel l h er a t a ll ; she did it of h erself An d a ll this wa s .

for th i s p a i n a n d g ri ef ! Wh en we tell h er th a t h er fa the r is sick a n d

m o th e r wi ll go t o P russi a she sa ys M a m a won t go P russi a bu t , ,
“ ’
,

will go with M a n ia to p a p a If sh e sees th a t I a m weep in g sh e

”
.

begin s to cry a n d d oes n ot a llow m e to weep D ea r h usba n d I gree t .

,

y ou kin dly a n d he a rtily .

YOU R LO VI N G WI FE a n d Y OU R D AU GHTER
I comm en d y ou to ou r Lord God a n d I p ra y to ou r Lord God
th a t He m a y give y ou hea lth a n d tha t we m a y see on e a n oth er .

An d if n ot up on this world m a y we m er it t o see on e a n o th er in th e ,

o th e r wo rld .

2 86 D ecember 1 3 1 9 1 0 3 ,

D E AR S I S TE R M ANI A Ta dzio is very gla d tha t y ou will

sen d him m on ey for a n ew su i t He k n ow s a lrea dy how to rea d .

a n d t o wri te a l i ttle a n d n ow he sa ys tha t he will l ea rn s till be tt e r

, .

We h a ve n ow two boa rd ers bo th fro m Prussia On e Of , .

Th i lett er show tra

2
s f t r d i p rh p t h e tr n g st
s
p res i
ces o f ea s a n s e a s s o e ex s on o

con uj g l l ve i o c lle ti
a o Th tr d iti
n l f m of j ga l l tio s
ur o c on . e a on a or con u re a n, a a

m ere fa m il i l r l ti h r br k d w
a e a m p l tel y ; th m r i d co p le becom
on , e e ea s o n co e e a r e u es

a. u i q ue a lm st i sol ted
n , c i l grou p
o We sha ll foll w l t r t h s m p r cess
a , so a . o a e e a e o

i de ta il i other seri s
n nH r t h c j ug l r la tio is m or
e . ily lib ra t d from
e e e on a e n e ea s e e

t h f mili l tie b ca
e a i m
a i l lif th s ti s th ms lves e ot v ry str g
s e u se n a n or a e o e e e e ar n e on .

The word lovi g fo ca ressin g is e y ofte u s d ; t he p a s ts

2 “ ”
n r v r n e e an a re

i de d littl i li d t ca r a d a r i a lw ys the p r i of str n g

n e e nc ne o ess , n a c ess s a ex ess on a o

fe lin g
e .

O 3 l tt r p c di g th is one i omi tted I t n ta i J n s m era ti n f

ne e e re e n s . co ns a
’
en u o o

t he e p x of t h e j ur ey of M n i a a d Fra i a t
en se s o Am ri cn a n n o e a .
70 P R I M AR Y—
G R OU P OR GAN I ZATI ON

th em sp ea k s Poli sh bu t the o th e r d oes n o t Th ey a re the ,

.

ki n d Of en gin eers who p u t wa ter p ip es in th e m a n or B o th a re s till -

.

un m a rried We kille d a p ig n o t l on g a go a n d I w en t t o K a z i a t o
.
,

ta k e h er som e [ m ea t] I w a s there fOr a week a n d K a zia m a d e .

,

a sk irt for m e a n d for m o th e r a [ill egibl e wo rd] which I b ro ugh t

h om e I ha d p u t som e m on ey a s ide for th i s j o urn ey for I sw eep
.
,

the room of th ese g en tl em en Yo ur h en is d ea d !

.

Tereska s m a n h a s been ta k en t o th e a rm y a n d h er s i s t er h a s a
’
,

ch ild [ ill ega l ] J62 ef w en t to Am eri ca a n d ZO Ska will a l so go before

.
,

su m m er for she w a s his girl

,
Ka z i m ierz [ M a n i a s swee th ea rt] is .
’

n o t ta k en t o t h e a r m y H e n ei th e r wa lk s n or sp ea k s wi th a n y
g irl on ly is a lwa y s v ery p en sive
,
D ea r M a n ia m o th e r is n o w so ,

feebl e a n d tired th a t she ca n n ot wo rk As l on g a s I a m a t h o m e I .

do ev e ryth in g bu t f a th e r ta lk s a lrea dy a bo ut m y goin g t o [ se a son

,

work Could y ou write th a t I S h ould n o t go for I don t min d a n y th in g

.
,
’

e x cep t m oth er M o th e r lon gs a lso for y ou

.
I
.

Yo ur sister ,

LE O KAD YA S EK OW S KA

2 87 M a r ch 20 ,
1 91 2

D E AR CH I LDRE N : Yes terda y w e h a d S t Josep h s h olid a y .

’
.

I n th e a ftern oon w e w e re with Ta d e u sz in Za g6r6w for m o th er ,

o rd e re d a suit fo r him th e r e for 6 roub les It w ill be rea dy for S un da y ,

. .

We h a v e n ow su ch n ice a n d wa rm da y s ; th e p ig i s w ell fa tt en e d .

He will be k illed a s soon a s K a z i a com es to h elp m o th er wo rk May .

God g ra n t d e a r children your wi shes t o be f u lfill ed th a t y ou m a y

, , ,

be a bl e t o ta k e u s som e da y t o y ou for h ere on e ca n n o t co u n t for ,

a n y thin g As lon g a s I c a n ru n [work ] w ell they k eep m e b u t wh e n

.
,

I g e t old er they wi ll do t h e sa m e wi th m e a s th ey did wi th M r R

, . .
2

Th itu ti
2
h w
e s m r t h f th r
a on s g ti m d v ri ; th i
o s on cett m p t o e e a e
’
s e o s an a a ce s a e

t d iv t h l t d
o r e g h ter f m t h h m wh ile t h m th r
e as au d h h elp c ld ro ly e o e e o e n ee s er ou on

p ti lly r i f rm r f m ily ’
exce on a occu n a a e s a

r—v t p itio j tifi s t o s m t t hi

.

Thi s i ec rity f t h m
2 ’
ns u o e ano ser a n s os n us e o e e x en s

f lt I t ha d be lw s th st m t p p rt Old m r rv ts w h th y
au s . en a av e cu o o su o a no -
se an en e

h d r d l g i t he a m e m a r b t i l te tim es cha g i g f pl c h
a se ve on n s b c m no , u n a r n n o a e as e o e

m r o e andm r l Te y g
o e u su a ss i tio w rg i d f t he p io
. n ea rs a o an a oc a n as o a n ze or en s n

i g f t he old m
n O r rv t A m rva t ano h rdly p t a id m
-
se y
an s . a n or- se n ca n a u s e on e

e n ough from his s l ry t k p h im i hi ld a g a aTh ly w y t m

o mee n s o e . e on a o a a ss so e

c p it l i
a at h i llicit on
s d there
e i d ed m y m or v t wh h v e, a n a re n e an an -
se r an s o a e

b u gh t i e f m a d h ses i sm a ll t w
o n c ar Sekowski vid tly h s m
s n ou y n o ns . e en a on e ,

a ltho gh h d s ot ck wl dge it
u e oe n a no e .
 SEK OWS KI SERI E S 71

If Z
th e [ wife s p a ren t s] com e we sha ll be a l m os t obliged t o
y t n iew skis
’

sup p ort t h e m Th en I sh o uld like your m o th er a n d Ta d e u sz t o go

.

t o y ou a n d I sho uld s t ill r em a in for som e ti m e wi th th e g ra n dp a r en t s

, ,

a n d g ra n d m oth e r wo uld k ee
p m y h ou se I will tell Ta d e usz .

t o writ e y ou a l so som ethin g in th e e v en in

g for I h a v e n o th i n g m or e
'

t o wr it e On ly h e d oes n o t w a n t m u ch t o writ e sa yi n g th a t h e ha s
.
,

e n ough O f h is ow n w ri t in
g [ for th e school ] .

[J . S EK OW S KI ]

2 88 [M a rch 20 ,
1 91 2 ]
D E AR S I S TER S : I rece ived your ca rd ,
for which I tha n k y ou
hea rtily , for rem emberin g m e An d n ow I beg y ou .
,
eco n omize

a s m u ch m on ey a s
p ossibl e tha t I m a y com e som e da y t o y ou w i th ,

m o ther a n d f a th e r An d n ow I i n form y ou a l so a bo ut th ose du ck s of

.

yours You kn ow th a t g ra y duck wh en S he sees m e fa r a wa y Sh e

.
, ,

qua cks a n d ru n s towa rd m e .

I rem a i n yo ur b ro the r , ,

TADE U S Z S EKO W S KI

2 89 Ap ril 9 , 1 91 2

D E AR FRANI A : I received your letter Gra n dfa th er a n d .

g ra n dm o th er Zy t n iew ski ca m e to u s t o s ta y a n d th ey bro ugh t on e ,

g ra n dda ugh te r 1 0 y ea rs O ld Wha t ca n I do ? I ca n n ot grudge

, .

a l i ttl e food a n d a cor n e r As l on g a s I a m in L a zy they ca n be .

with m e [N ews a bout wo rk frien d s a n d a cqua in ta n ces ]

.
1
, ,

J . S EKO W S K I

Ja n ua ry 1 5, 1 91 3

D E AR D AU GH TER [ M AN I A] : So l a st tha t tim e h a s com e t o y ou at

when the h um a n lot is to ta lly cha n ged From a m a id en y ou will .

becom e a m a rri ed wom a n from a fr ee bein g a sl a v e Of your h u sba n d

,

a n d O f f o rtu n e from a m e rry a n d live ly [ girl ]

, y ou will becom e sa d ,

for the re is n o tru e ha pp in ess in this world ; it ex is ts on ly a fte r d ea th ,

a n d th en o n ly for th e ch osen on es I n this w orld th e r e is a va ll ey O f .

tea rs n othin g bu t a nx i e ty sufferin g a n d d iff eren t tro ubl es which we

, , ,

m u s t bea r p a tien tly i n o rd e r t o m erit tha t tru e h a pp in ess We .

2
We se i thi s e m p l how th
e n pp rti g f a ged p r t i f lt a s
xa e bs e su o n o a en s s e an a o

l t
u e O blig tio E e th
a ld m i r S ek w ki wh d i
n . v n ll his ch ild
e o w y to
se o s ,
o r v es a r en a a

w rk c t begru dg hi wif p r t p l w ith him ’

o ,
an no e s e s a en s a a ce .
72 P RI MAR Y G R OU P
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

ca n n e ve r a void m isf ortun es a n d we a re un a bl e t o bea r th em wi th

p a tien c e w ith out th e h elp of God Therefore ma y th e L ord God .
,

who b l essed Abra h a m I sa a c a n d Ja cob thi s God w h o bl esse d our , , ,

forefa th ers a n d who rem em be red u s in His P roviden ce wh o w ill

—
,

ne ev r f r t
o ge H s c ea
i r tur e up to
s th e en d o f t h e w o rld ma y He bl ess
y ou un til the en d of your l if e a s yo ur p a r en t s bl ess y ou n ow I n th e .

n a m e of th e Fa the r f th e S on I an d th e Holy S p i ri t I Am en
‘' ‘ ‘
.
, , ,

Ma y God gra n t it Am en YOUR PARE N TS

. .
I

291 Ap ril 3 , I 9 1 3

D E AR Yeste rda y we received your l e tte r a n d I a n sw er

CHI LDR EN :
y ou a t on ce First I in fo rm y ou tha t we i e your fa ther m o th er
.
,
. .
, , ,

a n d g ra n dfa the r a re in good h ea l th a n d we wi sh y ou th e sa m e w i th

,

ou r wh ol e soul a n d h ea rt Gra n d m other a n d Ma nka w en t t o K a lisz .

,

a n d T a d e u sz is p roba bly in t he m iddle of t he sea or a lr ea dy n ea r

Ame rica a n d wi ll be th e re so on e r tha n th is l e tter

,
You co uld .

ha ve wri tten soon er a bo ut fea th e rs [for p ill ows] then Ta d e usz wo uld ,

ha ve ta ken th em Ma ri ka K owa l won t go n ow ; th ey ha ve ch a n ged

.
’

their m in d a n d fir st K aziek w ill g o a n d two da ugh ter s of Ka miri ski

’

the mi ll e r Th ey will surely go t o Chica go beca use a rich b ro th er of

.
2
,

Ka miri ska lives th ere a n d I bel ie ve tha t th e F s borrowed m on ey

’ ’
,

from him for th e exem p tion of K a zimierz from the a r m y Moreover .

moth er sa ys tha t y ou ha ve en ough fea thers whil e Leosia h a s n o th in g 3

, ,

a n d wh a t will Leosia say t o i t ? Well p erh a p s i t woul d n ot m a tte r ,

m u ch th ese fe w f ea ther s bu t th e r e won t be a n y Op p ortun i ty [ t o sen d ’

, ,

th em ] u n til I g o with y our m o the r As to th e g ift fr om Ja n ek I did .

,

The p om p ess of peech a d t h e p rea ch i g ttitu de f th is lett r a s well

2
ou sn s n n a o e ,

m e oth r f Sekow ki s lette p l i d by t h m bi ed i fl e ce

’
as o f so e e o s rs , a r ex a ne e co n n u n

of re ligi n a n d m ria l lif They im p ly a rela tiv perio i ty f the p r cher

o ano e . e su r o
“
ea
”

ov r hi h ea rer
e s da e f d m os t fr q e tly a m g me w h a e m re or l ss
s, a n r o un e u n on n o r o e

ou t id of t h e p r p r p ea sa t commu i ty a n d a littl
s e o e a bove it by the ir lea r in g
n n e n

organ s i ts com m e secr t ri s shop k epers m r em pl y s etc As these

, un e a e ,
-
e , ano - o ee , .

m e h vi g o l d p rop erty e looked up o by th p a sa n t f rm er with c ri ous

n a n n an ar n e e a a u

mi t
x ure of sup e fici l resp t a d a p rofou d a n d h idd n disd i t he disp la y of their
r a ec n n e a n,

rela tiv lea rn in g p a rticu l rly in divi

e , d mor l m tters is m ea n s of securi g
a ne a n a a , a n

a n d d fen din g th eir su p eri rity

e The p a n t is i fa ct m ch impressed by good
o . ea s n u
, ,

sp e ki g
a n .

Ka iek ( K imi r ) w form erl y en ga ged t o S ekows ki d u gh ter

2
z az e z as
’
s a .

Fe a the rs a r the m s t ecessa ry p rt of the dowry t he oorest irl m u st

3 e o n a
; p g
hav e good f t her bed
a F a t hers n d p illows
ea colle ted beyo d t h rea l
-
. e a a re c n e
n ec ess ity .
 S EKOWS KI S ERI E S 73

n ot rej oice [exp ect] so l on g a s I did n ot h ea r a n y thin g bu t n ow sin ce , ,

I ha ve been p romised I will wa it p a tien tly till it com es I a m very ,

.

gl a d th a t I h a ve a son ih la w wh o is a bl e t o bu y a gift for his fa the r

- -
,

while I m ust p resen t gifts to Ka cp erski [o th er son ih la w ] He does - -

.

n ot a sk for th e m bu t i t wo uld n ot b e s u i t a b l e o th erwi se On Ea ster I

.
,

th ey di d n ot com e t o u s bu t on Pen tecost they wil l ce rta in ly com e , ,

a n d m oth e r a lwa y s fi n d s som e thin g t o giv e th em wh il e I g ive the m ,

2 0 ma rks a s if for th e i r tra vel in g e xp en ses

,
They don t wi sh to go to .
’

Am erica a n d p roba bly they wi ll n ever go a l thou gh a f a c tory

, ,

workm a n like Ka cp erski would ea rn m ore in Am erica tha n in P russia .

B e en e rge tic w ith Ta d e u sz th e re a n d m a k e h im l ea rn w ell ; the ,

m or e a n d the be tte r h e l ea rn s th e be tte r it wi ll be for him As to th e .

p h o tog ra p h it is n ecessa ry onl y t o k n ow h ow t o s ta n d a n d to a rra n ge

,

on e s self th e bes t p oss i bl e

’
Why does your m o th e r look so w ell in h er .

p h o t og ra p h B eca u se sh e is ta ken m o re from th e S ide M o th er does .

n ot l ook so y o un g to d a y ; sh e did p erh a p s 2 0 y ea r s a go If y ou don t

’
.

l ook well in you r firs t p hotog ra p h s I thin k tha t it is n o t th e fa ult Of ,

the p ho tog ra p h er b u t your own S till I d on t in ten d t o burn th ese

’
.
,

p ho tog ra p h s for in a few yea r s y ou w ill l ook exa c tly th u s a n d then

, ,

th ey will be good An d n ow I wish y ou would h a ve yo ur p ho to

.

gra p h ta k en on ce m or e bu t a ll O f y ou toge th e r a n d w ith o ut a n y , ,

s tra n ge p erson s e x cep t th ose wh o bel on g n ow t o ou r fa mily

Ja n ek s p a ren ts a sk e d m e to tell them how they could com e from their

’

l oca l ity t o u s for th ey i n ten d t o Vi sit u s But I doub t m u ch wh e ther

,
.

the y wi ll risk it th e m o re so wh en I d escri be [ th e wa y ] t o th em

, ,

for the y a re n ot fa r a wa y from th e ra ilwa y wh il e w e l ive a bout 1 0 ,

mi l es [ P o lish = 50 En gli sh ] from K a l isz th e n ea res t st a tion , .

2

S ek wski g v
2
o d w yt y f hi d g h t r
a e no d o t h h m p l in
r o an o s au e s, a n e v en us e co a s

of on e i l w th t h m t giv him p e
son - n - a ats wh e h e h im s lf a cc p t
us e r sen , e re a s e e s

p s t fr m th e oth r
re en s o S ch tt it d w ld b rm l i ill g life o ly
e . u an a u e ou e no a n v a e n

i
n an o ld d h lp l
an wi d w eA f rm r v ess p r w old cc p t p r t
. a e , e en a oo on e , ou a e a esen

fr m hi
o i l w b t
s son - n - a ly b ca h c sid red tha t fter his d a th th
,
u on e u se e on e a e e son

i l w w l d h v t h e i h rit c ;
n- a ou a ed h wou ld v g u dge th e g i i g f
n e an e an e ne er r v n O a

pr t H w ld id r S ekowski a ttitu de hum ilia ti g ’

e sen . e ou con s e s n .

The fa mily liv s e r the G rm

2
fr ti r A th R si g v m t
e n a e an on e . s e us an o ern en ,

fo str t g i c l
r a e did ot llow th e bu ildi g f r ilw ys i th i p t of t h
a rea son s , n a n o a a n s ar e

cou n try whil,

t h G rm e on S id th r il d wer
e m r
e t h lif
an f t he e e a roa s e nu e ou s , e e o

f t ier di tri t is m u ch m
ron -
s c s l ly t d wi th t h lif f th P lish p r vin c
ore c ose con n ec e e e o e o o es

i G m
n er y th with th t f ce tr l P l d Th
an an m ig r tio ( i
a o th n a o an . e sea son - e a n n e

d i tri t wh
s c t h Sek wskis liv
e re pe
e t f t h p p l ti g s e e y yea r t
o e, 2 0 r ce n o e o u a on oe v r o

sea s w rk) d v l p d ir ct el ti on s with c tr l

on - o e e o s d west r G rm y
e r d is a
a en a an e n e an an

m di m f G rm
e u O i fl ue ce
e an n n .
74 PRI M AR Y-G R OU P OR GAN I ZATI ON

My fa th er a n d m other live in Sm u lsk s ti ll Som e da ys a go I receive d .

a le tt er from m y fa the r in which h e a sk s for a few r oubles I a n sw e r e d .

h im a n d I p romised [ t o sen d th em ] som ewha t l a te r for n ow I h a ve ,

n on e a s I s en t eve ryth i n
g on Ta de u sz [ s j o urn ey] But m y fa th e r ’
, p .

wri tes tha t h e is a lrea dy very feeble a n d m y m o ther a lso H e is 7 8 ,

.
,

a n d m o the r 7 9 yea r s old If I ca n I should be gla d t o visi t th em

.
,

on ce m ore .

Your p a ren ts ,

[J S EK OW S KI ]

M a rch 4, 1 91 4

D E AR S O N : I r eceive d a ll your l etters th e m a p s a n d the bookl e t ,

.

I looked ove r a ll th is At th e firs t sigh t i t seem s ve ry goo d a n d

.

p rom isin g m u ch ; even if on ly on e h a lf w e re tru e of wha t is p rin te d

-

in th is bookl e t it w ould s till be ve ry good I n a n y ca se I a dvi se y ou .

n ot t o be in a n y thin
g g bef ore y ou l ea rn the truth You h a ve tim e .

en o ugh sin ce y ou h a ve n ot y e t sold yo ur ho u se

,
SO a s I wro te y ou .
,

in my p rece d in g l ette r a sk yo ur p a p e r for a dvice ,

Th ey wri te .

there p recisely tha t they d on t wa n t t o m a k e a f ortun e from th eir ’

p a p er on ly t o in form th e Pol es a s m uch a s p ossibl e

,
Th ey wi ll .

n ei th e r p ra ise n or bl a m e bu t wi ll wr it e y ou th e truth ; th ey wi ll
,

p erha p s ev en p rin t i t in th e p a p e r P erh a p s i n th e Office O f th a t p a p e r

.

in Chica go th ey kn ow a bo ut th ese f a rm s a n d p er ha p s n o t ; y ou could ,

sen d them on e s u ch bookl e t i f y ou h a ve a n y m or e for i t w ould be

, ,

be tte r if they firs t re a d th e bookl e t a n d a n swe re d th en .

x

I believe y ou tha t fa c tory wo rk ca n becom e a bore a n d tha t it ,

will p a y l ess a n d less while liv i n g will be a lwa ys more a n d m ore

,

e xp en sive for p eop le con tin ual ly go to Am erica

, Write a l so t o .

Fra n ek Leosia s [h usba n d] a n d sen d him such a bookle t if y ou ca n

,
’
, .

He h a s m on ey a n d p erha p s th er e wh er e h e wo rk s som ebody kn ow s

, , ,

Florida .

About a ll p oin ts it is n ecessa ry t o a sk eve rybody s a dvi ce bu t n ot ’

,

t o l is ten a n d n ot to be l iev e e ve rybody a n d a bove a ll n ot t o try t o ,

ca t ch th e p igeon l ett in g th e Sp a rrow

, go a n d then to h a v e n o th in g , .

2
The ld m a n s con it is clea rly m ifested i th is givin g of a dvice with out
o
’
ce an n

k wi g the c di t ions
no n At t he e d f th is le tter h g ives the te t of th e lette r
on . n o e x

wh ich his s ou gh t t o writ

on t o th e p p r Anoth r xa mple is t h questio
e a e f . e e e n o

p h togra p h w h ich recu r i m a n y l tt rs

o s, Evid tl y t he m nor life devel p i g
s n e e . en a -
, o n

t h ten dency t k p a s st
e o g a s p ossibl m a ll hiera rch i l distin ti
ee ron lea ds t t he
e s ca c on s , o

t m of rti g o e w supe ri rity i a y m tters howev r t ivia l

cu s o a sse n n
’
s o n o n n a , e r .
 76 PR I MAR Y G RO UP
-
OR G AN I ZATI O N

wh en it is rea dy a n d I a m to sen d it to y ou bu t if it d oes n o t p lea se

, ,

m e I wil l sen d it ba ck a n d le t h er h a v e a n o th er ta ke n .

As to m y Op i n ion I d on t l ik e t o p ra ise a n ybody m uch bu t I m u s t

’
,

con f ess th a t S ta Ska i s a v e ry g oo d g irl in t ell ig en t w o rki n g sa vin g , , , ,

h a n dsom e on ly a l ittl e t oo t a ll a n d n o t in s tru c te d

,
B ut th ese a re .

secon da ry fa ult s At a n y ra t e sh e d eserves good lu ck

. Tod a y is .

p recisely th e tw en ty n i n th a n n iver sa ry Of ou r m a rria ge w i th your

-

’
m o th e r It wa s a l so S un da y a n d S t P e ter s a n d S t P a ul s da y on ’
. .
,
.

M on da y We h a ve lived toge th e r for so m a n y y ea r s s trugglin g w i th

.
,

a va rio u s f ortun e [s o ra the r ba d] wh i ch is li kely t o b e fo un d in e v ery ,

m a rria ge Well good or ba d fo rtun e m u s t be a ccep te d a like

.
,

Ou r p ries t is s till a l iv e bu t v e ry f eebl e , .

[J . S EK O W S KI ]

2 94 July 5, 1 91 4

D E AR CH I LDRE N It is p erh a p s be tte r tha t y ou did n o t

s u cceed llin g your h ouse
in se ,
for there is n o e vil wh ich d oes n ot turn
t o g ood Pe rh a p s l a t er y ou will se ll it m ore p rofit a bly a n d in
.
I
,

Am e rica when y ou h a ve m on ey y o u ca n bu y l a n d a t a n y m om en t ;
the re is en ough of it there I tha n k Fra n ia very m uch for her w ork .

up on Ta de usz It is well th a t he is n ow wi th Leosia Let everybody

. .

h a v e a p a rt Of th e tro ubl e An d th u s a da y [ will p a ss] a fte r a da y .

,

a y ea r a ft er a y ea r a n d y ou w on t e ven n o t ice h ow h e will r ea ch h is

’
,

1 6 th y ea r a n d t hen a cco rdin g t o t he Am eri ca n l a w s h e wi ll be a bl e

, , ,

t o w ork hi m self [N ews a bo ut a cqua in ta n ces ]

.

From M a n ia I received a v ery stra n ge l e tter S he a n d Leosia like .

t o wri t e m uch a n d t o a dd l a rge r a n d sm a lle r scra p s t o the l e tt e r An d

th is l e tter ha d a l so such a scra p —a n d n o th in g m ore
.

P roba bly
th e le tter w a s t oo thick a n d so m ebody h op ed tha t th er e wa s m on ey ,

O p en ed th e l e tt er a n d did n o t p u t ba ck th e m a in sh ee t Up on
th is scra p M a n ia wri tes u s to sen d Jé zef s [ d a ugh ter] S ta Ska ’

t o Am erica sa y in g th a t she ha d a boy the r e who wo uld sen d S t a Ska a

,

sh ip t icke t
-
Mo the r wa s a w eek a go in K a l isz a bout this m a tter
.
.

2
Th i s kin d of op tim i sm is no th i ng bu t t he ti m t e p ssio f th su l
ul a e x re n o e u a

p ea sa nt r ig tio t t h p t d t h
es na n o e as an e irrep r bl wh ich p r ve t him fr m b i g
a a e e n s o e n

v r i c ur g d d a lwa ys e a ble
e e d s o a e an n s him t b g i o g in e Th e m i gr ti
n ato a . e a on

Bra il fl ded m
z a ory h m pl an su c e xa es . P nt
ea sa wh w s b ich m b k
o e re orn r ca e ac

co m p l t ly r i d
e e db g t ce
u ne an e an a on as m nor
a rv t t w rk a d t c m i
-
se an s o o n o e on o ze

w ith el
unr ti g rgy a d vit lity
en n en e n a .
 S EKOW S KI SERI ES 77

S ta éka wo uld be gla d t o go bu t y our a un t a n d h er Wal en ty [h er secon d

h usba n d ] w on t le t h er go from K a lisz for S ta Ska ha s a good p osition
’
,

th ere whil e y our a u n t a n d Wa len ty su ffe r mi se ry beca u se th ey both

, ,

keep drinkin g h ea vi ly Your a un t qua rrel ed a t on ce wi th your

.

m o th e r so th a t th e l a tte r cr ie d
,
I don t won de r for th e Zy tn iewski .
’
,

fa mily [from which the a un t com es] is good on ly for dr in kin g vodka ,

qua rreli n g a n d di scord S ta Ska a s it seem s wi ll be som e thin g el se

, .
I
, ,
.

As I n o ticed sh e is i n telligen t sp a rin g p re tty en ough on ly som e

, , , ,

wha t t oo ta ll Gra n dfa ther Zy tn iewski is wi th u s

. bu t qu i t e
imp o ten t [ feebl e a n d u sel ess] .

[J S EKO WS KI ]
.

2 95 July 1 9, 1 91 4

D E AR M ANI A :
Yes terd a y we received S ta Ska s p hotogra ph from ’

K a li sz a n d tod a y we sen d it t o y ou I d on t k n ow wheth er a ll th i s .

’

w ill succee d a n d wh eth er S ta Ska s j ourn ey w ill com e a bout Sh e ’

.

wa n ts t o go t o Am erica ; your a un t is n ot sa tisfied with it bu t she ,

ca n n o t h i n d e r it E v e ryth i n g w ill d ep en d u p on h ow th ey write t o

.

ea ch o th e r a n d h ow th e ir p h o t og r a p h s p l ea se th em If they .

com e t o a n u n d e rs ta n din g I w oul d a dvi se y ou n ot t o sen d a shi

, p
ti cke t bu t m on ey
,
for in th e ca se of som e un f oreseen hin dr a n ce
i t is ea sie r t o ge t th e m on ey ba ck But sen d it to m y a ddress .
,

for it is im p ossibl e t o trus t your a un t They a re in a ba d situa tion -

.
,

a n d v ery a va ricio u s If y o u don t receive a n y a n swer from ’

.

K a li sz d on t thin k tha t it is S t a Ska who does n o t a n swer bu t tha t

,
’
,

p erha p s som ebody p l a y s ba d trick s i e ei th e r h er em p loy ers [ S h e ,

. .
,

is a ho u sem a id ] or your a un t S O wri te si m ulta n e ously h e re a n d t o

.

K a l isz B ef ore S ta Ska l ea ves w e should li k e t o brin g her here a n d

.
,

t o se n d her fr om h e re u p on th e j o ur n e y .

U . S EKO W S KI ]

2 96 B YD GOS ZCZ ,
N ovem ber 23, 1 91 3

D E AR M ANI A :
I receiv ed your l e tter with th e photogra ph a n d I
a m ve ry gl a d th a t y ou go t su ch a m a n But first Of a ll le t him be .
,

good for m on ey is of n o u se if you r li f e is n ot ha pp y

, Wh en y ou .

2
Th is is a ha d r i
exp ress on , a s hi s o wn wife com es f om thi s fa mi ly
r a nd her
pa r ts li
en ve it
w h him .
 78 PR I M AR Y G ROU P
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

wro te tha t I co uld a l so h a ve su ch luck Teod o r [her h u sba n d] w a s

terri bly a n g ry a n d is s till a n gry with y ou It i s true tha t I co uld .

h a v e a l so su ch luc k But n o e ven n ow I s till f ea r to go to Am e ri ca

.
, ,

a n d wh en I w a s a t h om e I w a s so t im id t h a t I w o uld n o t h a ve g on e t o

K on i n a lon e If I h a d gon e when fa th er h a d ord ered m e wh en

.
,

R ozyn a wen t fr om th e m a n or I should h a v e f a ll en p r eci sely in t o t h a t ,

mi se ry P erha p s I sh ould n o t ev en liv e toda y for y ou k n ow h ow

.
,

Ad a m ha d i t h ow fa the r t old h im t o An d I a m S O i n cli n e d t o

cryin g a n d S O tim id I S h ould n e v e r h a v e ta lk ed t o a n yb ody [ fa th e r
,

or m o th e r] a bo ut it You k n ow h ow i t i s wi th th e Ba jt lers n ow h o w
.
,

m u ch R ozyn a cos t th em [h ow l a rge a d owry th ey ga ve] a n d wh a t a

S p l en did w e ddin g i t w a s An d n ow wh a t h a s sh e ? Y ou k n ow th a t 2
.

h e wa n ted t o sh oo t h er d own E ve rybo dy m u s t bea r the lo t w h i ch .

God de sign ed for him I h a ve n ot a ga y l ife e ith er I did n o t i n ten d

. .

t o write of i t t o y ou e v er b u t n ow o ve r th i s l e tte r Of yo urs h e m a d e

,

m e suffe r m o re th a n e ve r Y ou see h ow i t h a pp en s Y ou kn o w
. .

him for h e wa s in ou r h o u se D O y o u r em embe r h ow good h e wa s

like a child—a n d n ow h e sin s a s if h e were n ot th e sa m e m a n For
.
,

m erly h e m en de d m y s tockin g s a n d m a d e m y be d wh en I wa s a l on e ,

a n d n ow h e sa ys th a t m o the r a n d fa t he r p e r s u a d e d him a n d th a t w e

h eld him in o rde r t o m a k e him m a rry m e An d wha t did h e sa y t o .

m e ? He sa id tha t h e would be S O good tha t I sh ould bea t him r a t h e r

th a n he m e tha t h e would ta ke m e even in a sin gle dress if fa th e r
,

ga v e n othi n g th a t h e h a d , m a rk s a n d th i s would be en o ugh for

e ve rythin g An d n ow h e sa y s th a t it is n o t true th a t h e n eve r sa i d
.
,

so . He rep roa ches m e a lwa y s th a t o th er s got so a n d so m u ch a n d ,

wh a t di d I ge t ? An d h e d en ies th a t h e e ve r sa id so [ tha t h e wo uld

ta ke m e without dowry] M a y your h usba n d on ly n o t be so fa l s e !
.

I don t even wi sh t o write h om e a bo ut it for f a ther wou ld tell i t t o

’
,

e v erybody a n d i t i s a sha m e for u s

,
N o th i n g ca n be d on e .

I beca m e a guiltless vic ti m for I though t th a t h e loved m e so O f h im ,

self ,
while it wa s m other who p ersua d ed him a n d ga ve him m o re
tha n on e gla ss Of liquor An d n ow h e rep roa ch es m e wi th a l l this
.
.

Fa th er a lso p l a gued m e a n d I did n o t ha ve a m erry l ife a t hom e wh ile -

h e p a in ted ev erythin g so swee tly t o m e—

,

tha t I sh ould h a ve ev e ry
2
Al lu s on i to N O . 2 84 .

2
R oz y na p r b bly m rri d th m t h
o a a e e an e w riter wa s to m rry a . Her a ll u s ion s
t o dow ry m ea n th t wif w ith d wry h
a a e a o as an a dd itio l ig h t t g
na r o ood t rea tm ten .
 S EKOWS KI S ER I ES 79

th i n g so good D O y ou rem em ber how it w a s in R uda a t th a t p a rty

.
,

h ow h e d a n ced w ith a ll th e girl s wh il e I s tood in the corn e r a n d wep t ?

An d this wa s only t h e fi rs t y ea r . Wh a t m us t it be n ow wh en 5 yea r s
,

h a v e p a ssed ? I ca n n o t wr ite y ou ev eryth i n g .

I greet y ou a th ou sa n d tim es a n d wish y ou good S l eep Could .

y ou n ot ha ve sen t m e a t lea s t a d oll a r t o drink som e win e for I wa s

, ,

n o t a t th e w edd in g
7

[ K AZ I A KA CP E R S KA]
Love ea ch o th e r tha t you m a y
,
ha v e a chi ld ,
a boy , in a yea r .

R em em ber m e a n d com fort m e .

 M AK O W S K I S E R I E S
We fin d here a ga in a m odific a tion Of t h e fun d a m en t a l
pea s a n t a ttitudes du e t o t h e fa c t tha t t he M a kow skis a re
,

n ot f a r m e r s b ut b e l on g t o t h e h a n dw or ke r c l a ss in a s m a ll
,

town .

Th e l e tter s Of An ton i M a kow ski giv e u s t h e exp ression

O f a p a t e rn a l f ee lin g d is tin c t fr om tha t whic h w e fin d in
’
o the r se r ies ; it i s a f a th e r s l ov e with out a n y a s s u m p tio n

of a uth o ri t y or a n y p a tr o n iz in g . B u t thi s s im p l e a tti tud e

is l e ss p r im itive th a n t h e c om p l e x on e of l ove a n d a uth o r i t y
whic h w e ha ve seen in t h e ea rlier series Th e l a ck O f .

pa tern a l a uthorit y im p lies a disin teg ra tion of t h e p rim i tiv e

fa m ilia l group This is p r ov e d in th e p re sen t c a se by t h e
.

fa mi lia l qua rr el s a ll u de d t o in M a kowski s l ette rs a n d by

’

th e l a ck O f s olida ri t y of wh ic h h e c om p la in s .Th e c au s es of
this c h a n ge a re : ( I ) t h e fa c t tha t a m on g t he h a n dwo rke r s
t h e O ld f orm s O f so c ia l li f e th ou g h S l owe r t o d is a pp ea r in
,

p rovin c ia l town s tha n in la r ge c ities dis solv e m or e ra p i dl y

,

tha n in t h e c oun tr y ; ( 2 ) t h e em igra tion b oth t o Am e ric a a n d

,

t o P ru ssia O f whic h th e d is tr ic t O f P rz a sn y sz is o n e O f t h e
,

O ld es t c en t er s I n c on se qu en c e O f this th e f a th e r in his
.
,

rela tion t owa rd h is c hildren c ea ses t o be t h e r ep re sen t a tive

,

O f t h e f a mi l y gr ou p a n d b e c om es a m er e in d iv idu a l
-
.

An other in te re s tin g p oin t in this se ries is t h e a tti tud e

towa rd dea th As n oted e lsewhere dea th for th e p ea sa n t
.
,

is a n im p orta n t b ut n orm a l p h en om en on —n or m a l n o t on l y
a s t o th e or e t ic a l r efl e c t ion b ut a l s o a s t o t h e s en tim en t a l

rea c tion t owa rd i t I n t he in tell igen t c la sses on t h e co n

.
,

t ra ry t h e d ea th O f a b el ov e d p e r son is a lwa y s r ea c t e d u p o n
,

a s a n a b n or m a l f a c t in sp i t e of t h e th eor e tic a l r efl e c t ion

, .

Th e difleren ce h a s it s s our c e in t h e socia l r egula tion O f t h e

 MAKOWS KI SERI ES

a ttitude towa rd dea th whi c h we fin d a m on g th e p ea sa n t

tra dition s S ocia ll y dea th is a n orm a l fa c t a n d will be
.
, ,

suc h for t he in dividu al in th e ex a c t m ea sure in whi ch t h e

’
in divi du a l s a ttitud e is s ocia ll y d e term in ed Thi s View .

is corr ob or a te d by t h e f a c t tha t in a n y c on c r e te c a s e Of
d ea th a m on g t he p ea sa n t s t oda y (if w e a bs tra c t the rem
n a n t s of t h e Ol d n a tur a li s m a n d O f t h e m a gi c a l Chr is tia n it y )

th e im p ort a n t p a rt is p l a y e d by t h e soc ia l reli giou s sys t em

-
,

whil e th e in divi dua l m y stic a l a ttitud es a re rela tiv el y littl e

d evelop e d D ea th is viewe d by th e d yin g p er son a n d by
.

his r el a ti ve s from t h e s ta n dp oin t of t h e r eligiou s com

m un it y t o which t h e in dividu a l a n d hi s fa m il y be lon g ;
t h e in t e r es t in futur e l if e t h e p r ob l em O f t h e r el a tion t o
,

God a re less a bs orbin g tha n th e qu estion s Of s ocia l c er e

,

m on ies b e fore a n d a fter d ea th a n d Of t h e a ttitud e of t h e

,

fa m il y a n d th e c omm un it y t owa rd the d y in g in dividu a l ,

of t h e c omm on p ra y e r s t o b e sa id m a sses t o b e c e l eb r a t ed
, ,

e tc. This shows the e x ten t t o which socia l regul a tion Of t he

a tti tud e t owa rd d ea th i s d omin a n t .

I n t h e p resen t c a se wh er e t h e fa m ili a l c on n ec t ion is

,

wea ken e d on e lin k of this soc ia l r eg ula tion is l a ckin g

, .

Th e d ea th of Z ygm un t a n d th a t of his m othe r a re rea c te d

upon in t h e socia ll y d e term in e d wa y wi thin th e n a rrow
c irc le of the n ea res t fa m il y on t h e on e h a n d a n d wi thin t h e
wide s t c irc l e O f the c omm u n it y on the other b ut n o t by the ,

in ter m e dia r y c ir c le O f t h e f a mi l y in t h e wi d e r s en se a s ,

( Cf the b eha vior of Wa lery s

’
in c lud in g a ll r el a tive s . .

fa ther in t h e Wrob l ew ski series ) Further in t h e c a se of

, .
,
’
Zygm u n t s d ea th the r e is a s ocia ll y a b n orm a l el em en t
t h e e x tra ordin a r y n a ture o f his s ic kn es s B u t oth erwis e
w e fin d t he t yp ic a l a tt i tude s —
.

the c a l m a lth ough s orr owful

, ,

exp e c t a tion of d ea th by t h e d y in g p er s on a n d t h e fa mil y ;

t he tr a di tion a l f a r ewell a n d b l ess in g given t o th ose w ho

re m a in ; th e rel igiou s c erem on ia l b efor e de a th (with it s
82 PR I M AR Y GR OUP
-
OR GANI ZATI ON

m a gic a l b a ckgroun d) th e fun era l c e rem oni es ,

so cia l i m p orta n c e e t c ,
.

THE FAM I LY M AKOW S KI

An ton i M a kowski ,
a shoe m a k er
H is wife
S ta n i s l a w ( S ta s S ta ch) ,

Z yg m un t
h is so n s
Wa cla w ( Wa cu s Wa cek) , 7
K a zio ( Ka zie k)
M a n i a ( M a r yn ka ) h is da ugh t e r ,

W M. a k ow ski A n t on i ’
s b ro th e r
,

Wla dek ( VVl a dy sla w) a cou s in

G ra n dm o th er Gru dzrn ska , t h e m oth e r Of An ton i s ’
( p roba bl y)
Hip ek l h er son s
F r a n ek

2
—
9 7 30 5 ,
To S TAN I S LAw ( S TAS) MAK OW S KI ,
IN AMERI CA ,
FRO M FAMI LY - M EMB E R S I N P OLAN D

2 97 P R ZAS N Y S Z , D ecem ber 2 9, 1 90 8

“
firs t w ord s of ou r l e tte r P ra ised be Jesu s Ch ristu s
I n th e .

We re ceiv e d t w o of your le tte rs a n d w e a re v ery m u ch sa ti sfi ed , ,

for in yo ur firs t l e tter y ou wro te th a t y ou we re sick a n d w e w e re

‘

te rribly g rieved bu t in your secon d le tter y ou write th a t y ou a re in

,

good h ea lth a n d w e th a n k ou r L o rd God for thi s [h ea lth ] is a tre a s ure

, ,

from God W e a re ve ry m u ch p a in ed tha t it is a lrea dy th e

se con d Ch r is t m a s ev e th a t w e divi d e th e wa f e r a n d y o u a re n o t h e r e .

We sa id Wi th whom does ou r S ta ch divid e th e w a f e r ? a n d w e

“ ”

l ooked up on yo ur p ho togra p h I sh ed tea rs th a t y ou a re n ot h er e .

d ea r S ta ch a n d we ca n n o t d ivid e th is d ea r wa fer wi th y ou for w e

, .

d on t kn ow wh eth e r we sha ll l ive un til the n ext yea r Ma y God

’
.

g ra n t u s t o see on e a n othe r a s soon a s p ossibl e ! We d ivid e d a ll of u s

th e wa f e r wh ich y ou sen t a m on g a ll of u s Ka ziek took a bit of it a n d .

w en t to your p ho togra p h a n d p re ten d ed to p u t i t in to y our m outh ,

D ea r St a s bi te a l i ttl e o f thi s wa f er ! a n d w e w e p t ”
“
sa in g I
y , , .

2
Ka ziek e xp ressed s ym b li lly th e id a f t h
o ca e o e sp iritu l p ticip ti
a ar a on o f t he
a bsen t b th r i ro e n t h f m ili l f stiv l
e a W a h e a . e see ere h ow w ym bol
ne s s a re crea t ed

in ord r t k p
e o ee u p th p i it f th
e s l d org i ti
r o e o a n za on i
n ne w c ditioon ns .
84 PRI M AR Y G RO UP
-
O R GAN I ZATI ON

Th e decea sed Zygm un t wa s a l i ttle a n gry wi th y ou for ha vin g written

h im th u s th a t h e b eh a v ed ba dly
, S o m eb o d y m u s t h a v e i n f o r m e d
.

y ou fa l sely for h e w a s i n t e res t e d i n n o th i n g ex cep t w ork a n d ch urch

,
.

H e h a d i mp roved h i m self for t w o y e a r s a n d p a ssed th e exa m in a tion

in t he sch ool Your fa ther h a s w ep t a l on g ti m e for y ou b u t th e re
.
,

rem a in s th e hop e th a t a t l ea s t w e rece iv e som e ti m es a le tte r from

y ou ; th i s is o u r wh ol e joy But from Zygm un t we sh a ll n eve r m o re
.

receive a n ythin g B efore dy in g h e ba d e u s a ll fa rewell a n d y ou a l so

.
, , ,

dea r S ta s H e a sk e d y ou n o t t o be a n g ry wi th h im He h a d a ve ry
. .

n ice fu n e ra l Th ere were a s m a n y p eop le a s on All Sa in ts D a y even

.
,

m a n y J ew s Four ga rla n d s we re ca rried bef ore th e cofli n which

.
,

w ere m a de for h im in the town a n d we received t w o tel eg ra m s on e , ,

from P lock from th e p ries t KrOlikow ski a n d on e from h is com p a n ion

,
.

I ca n n o t write a n y m ore a bo ut Zygm un t s fun era l for ou r h ea rt burst s ,

O p en with so rr ow .

D ea r S ta s y ou m a y be e xem p t ed [ from m i l i ta ry se rvice] b e ca u se

, ,

Zygm u n t is dea d a n d these o th ers a re sm a ll

,
Your f a ther h op es y ou .

will com e h om e p erh a p s We h a ve n o thin g m o re t o writ e We hop e

. .

tha t y ou will sha re ou r sorrow N ow we a ll gree t y o u An sw e r u s. .

a s soon a s p oss i bl e As t o Wla dek [ cou sin ] don t a n swe r h im a t

.
,
’

a ll ; wh y should y o u h a ve th i s trouble wi t h h im ? Wh en Zyg m u n t

w a s sick h e di d n ot e ven drop in on ce .

[ Your fa ther]
AN TON I M A K O W S KI

N ove m be r 1 5, 1 90 9
D E AR S TACH : Firs t I in form y ou a bo ut th e sa d S itua tion Of
your p a ren ts Zygm un t is dea d on N ov e m ber 2 a fter t errib l e
.
, ,

suffe ri n gs for h e w a s t e rr ibly ill for

, 3 we e k s a n d did n ot sp ea k a w o rd
for 2 week s I ha ve l ived 40 yea rs a n d I h a v e n ev er seen a m a n so
.

d esp era tely sick a s h e w a s Yo ur p a ren t s did n o t un dress for 1 7

.

n igh t s for th ey bo th h a d t o s it wi th him be ca u se h e a lw a y s trie d t o

,

ru n a w a y a n d b ea t him self so th a t h is a r m s a n d l e s w e re a ll bru ised

, g .

An d n ow I writ e y ou n ews wh ich is m u ch sa dd er st ill Yo ur m o th e r .

f ell sick a t on ce a fte r the d ea th O f th e l a te Zygm u n t a n d is n ow

se ve r ely sick so th a t th e
, p r ie st wa s th e r e w ith o u r L ord Go d [ sa cra
m en t ] a n d she w ill soon follow h er son
, An d a s t o their m a t e r ia l
.

S itu a ti on, th ey ha ve e xha us te d wha teve r t h ey ha d Your f a th e r .

wa lk s like a sha dow from grief An d y ou a sk w hy do th ey n o t a n sw er

.

y ou .
But p e rha p s y ou d on t rece ive ou r l e tters ; p e rha p s y ou a re
.
’
 M AKOWS KI S ERI ES 85

then in the fa cto ry a n d somebody el se receives your l etters More .

over som ebody h a s tur n e d yo ur h ea d a n d y o u l is ten t o him a n d wr it e

,

foolish le tters to your p a ren ts When th ey receive d your l a s t l e tter

.

they beca m e still m ore sick S O d ea r S ta s forge t e verythin g a n d

.
, ,

sha r e th e sorrow Of y our f a m ily N ow we yo ur u n cl e a n d a u n t .

, ,

sen d y ou sin cer e g re e tin gs Am en .

W MAKO W S KI .

D e cember 8 [ 1 90 9]
We received your le tte r tha n k y ou N ow ,
for wh i ch we .
,

when the Ch ris tm a s holida ys a re a pp roa ch in g we sen d y ou a wa f er ,

a n d we di vid e i t w ith y ou a nd w e wi sh y o u me rry h olida ys We wish .

y ou t o ha ve m err ie r h ol id a ys th a n w e h a ve h ere in ou r co un try for w e ,

ha ve very sa d on es beca u se w e a re pa in ed tha t y ou a re n o t h ere a n d

,

Zygm un t is n o t h ere a n d m othe r is ve ry sick so th a t sh e ca n n o t ri se , ,

a n d sh e m a y n o t l iv e un til th e h ol ida y s N ow w e won t d escribe a n y

’
.

thin g m ore un til the n ex t l e tter I yo ur Oldes t b ro ther Wa cla w .

, ,

a n d M a n ia a n d K a zio w e th r ee littl e o rp ha n s w e d ivid e the

, ,

wa fer with y ou a n d wish y ou a M erry Ch ri s tm a s An d don t for .

’

ge t “5
WACLAW M AKO W S KI
/

Ja n ua ry I ,
1 91 0

D E AR S TAS : We received yo ur
le tters for wh ich we two ,

th a n k y ou for on ly your le tters rejoice u s Your m o ther wa s a wfully

,
.

gla d to receive this l e tte r ; she e v en kisse d it from joy For your .

m o the r is ve ry s i ck D ea r S ta s d on t grie ve tha t y ou a re fa r a wa y

’
.
,

in the wo rld a n d ha v e n obody ex cep t Go d Your m othe r ha s bee n .

sick for m o re th a n t w o y ea rs a n d ha s re m a in ed in be d for 1 0 w eek s

, ,

a n d th u s d ea r S ta s I m u s t w o rry te rri bly for I h a v e n obody

, ,
I ,
.

m u st cook m yse lf for M a ryn k a is t oo l i ttl e y e t a n d n eed s ca re he rself

,
.

An d a s t o the fa m ily [ rela tives] in h a p p in ess th ey a re good bu t in

, ,

misfo rtu n e th ey don t e ven l ook I d on t k n ow how I sha ll do n ow

’ ’
. .

Your m oth er won t li ve lon g ; M a ni a a n d Wa cek m us t be sen t to

’

’
sch ool for t h ey h a ve n ot y e t le a r n e d m u ch
,
But I d on t kn ow how .

I sha ll m a na ge a ll this Ou r Lord God ha s p u t a te rrible cross up on

.

m e a n d I ha ve ca rried i t for 3 m on th s a lrea dy I don t work a n v ’

.
,

m o re a t a ll in m y shop N ow I tha nk y ou for the m on ey for it wa s

.
,

very useful to m e M a y God giv e y ou hea lth [a s rewa rd ] An d

. .

Ka ziek is a p re tty boy ; y ou wo uld n o t recogn iz e h im An d he is .

cl e v e r ! [Wea the r ]
86 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

Your m othe r ca n n o t write a n y m ore so sh e t ell s m e t o write y ou ,

th u s : S he kisses y ou wi th h er wh ol e h ea rt a n d h er wh ol e so ul a n d wish es ,

y ou e very good wh a tever y ou w a n t from God a n d s u ccess in your

, ,

in ten t ion An d [ sh e sa y s] I wish you t o be m y tru e ch ild good

“
.
,

a n d r el igi ou s An d m a y w e see ea ch oth e r in H ea v e n An d d on t

’
. .

forget a bout your fa ther a n d th e se little o rp h a n s An d n ow I bless .

y ou in this fa r wo rld in the n a m e of the Fa th er a n d t h e S on a n d th e

,

Holy Sp irit Am en ! An d n ow I bless a l so m y dea r b ro ther ih la w

,
- - .

D on t a ba n don m y S ta ch ! An d I bless y ou m y sis te r a n d your

’
, ,

children ; m a y God b less y ou ! An d a l so m y broth e r [co u sin ] G .

On ly d on t g riev e on ly d on t griev e ; p erh a p s ou r L ord God wil l

’ ’
,

s till gra n t h e a lth t o yo ur m o th e r N ow w e gr ee t y o u I yo ur fa th er .

, ,

w ish y ou a good N ew Yea r a n d Wa cla w a n d M a n ia a n d Ka zio , , ,

.

AN TO N I M AK OW S KI

Ja n u a ry 1 4, 1 91 0

D EAR STAS : We sen d lrea dy buri ed

y ou sa d n e ws ,
for w e ha v e a

your m o ther A grea t sorrow reign s ove r u s a fte r th e loss Of ou r

.

d ea res t [wife a n d] m other a n d th e dea r Zygm un t We ha ve gon e .

th rough two fun e ra l s in so S hort a tim e Th e fun e ra l w a s very .

bea utiful for the re w ere 4 p ries t s

,
The p ri es t s did n o t cos t m e very .

m u ch . An d the re w e re m a n y p eop l e Ye s d ea r S ta s I a m to ta lly .

, ,

rui n ed Yo ur m o th er ha s been s i ck for m ore tha n t w o yea rs a n d

.
,

t h e d oc to rs cost a n d I could n o t w o rk a n d n ow I ca n n o t w ork eith e r

, , ,

beca u se a te rribl e so rrow ove r com es m e for your m o th e r a n d Zygm u n t

a n d y ou d ea r S t a s N ow I d o n t k n ow wha t t o do If I k n ew tha t ’
.
, .

i n Am erica I S h ould be a bl e t o e du ca te these th ree o rp h a n s I w ould

go to Am e ri ca S O I beg y ou a n swer m e a n d a dv ise m e how t o

.
,

m a n a ge a ll th i s Y es d ea r S ta s d on t gri e v e on ly p ra y ou r L ord
’
.
, , ,

Je su s for hea lth a n d d on t fo rge t a bout u s a n d don t be a n g ry w ith

’ ’

u s for wri ti n g y ou S O O fte n N o w we gree t y ou I y o ur f a th e r k iss

.
, , ,

y ou hea rtily a n d Wa cl a w a n d M a ry n ka a n d Ka zio

, , , .

AN TON I M AK O W S KI

Feb rua ry 1 5 1 9 1 0 ,

D E AR S TAS : I tha nk y ou hea rtily fo r your le tte r beca u se ,

on ly y our l e tte r ca n rej oice u s We ca n n ot cea se t o lo n g for ou r .

bel ov ed Zygm u n t a n d ou r d ea r m o ther who l oved u s so An d n ow .

 M AKOWS KI SERI ES 87

’
we m us t thi n k ut o urselves But n o thi n g ca n be don e God s
a bo . .

wil l ! Your m othe r wa s n ot si ck with consum p ti on bu t wi th chr on ic ,

”
lu n g ca ta rrh S O th e d oc tors sai d It is on ly yo ur dea r gra n d
,
.
“

m ot he r wh o gossip ed tha t y our m oth er wa s sick wi th con s um p tion .

She told i t eve rywhe re in P rza sn y sz a n d e v en wro te i t t o America .

S uch is ou r d ea r fa mil y !
N ow dea r S ta s I sha ll d escribe t o y ou ou r in cid en t—wha t the
, ,

Lo rd God ca n do ! Wh en Zygm u n t died ou r d ecea sed m other wep t ,

terribly la y d own a t on ce a n d di ed from t hi s sorrow On the thi rd

,
.

da y a fte r your m o th e r s fu n e ra l Wa cu s f ell S i ck with typ h oid a n d

’

ha d 4 1 [ C en tigra d e] Of fe ve r
°
Wh a t could w e do ? M a rynka a n d .

R a z i o wi t h tea r s p ra yed t o Go d s M othe r a n d d e vo te d him t o God s

’ ’

M o th e r a n d a ske d Go d s M o th e r for hi s h ea lth p romi si n g th a t when

’
,

he recov ere d h e would go t o Cz es tochowa

,
Th e fev e r di sa p p ea red .

a t on ce It wa s a t 3 in th e a fte rn oon a n d a t 4 th e fever ha d a lrea dy

.
,

yielde d The d oc tor coul d n o t beli eve th a t h e wa s be tte r He wa s

. .

wea k a fter t his bu t for t h e la s t t wo wee ks he h a s wa lked a n d n ow

,

tha n k s t o Go d h e is a lrea dy goin g to school a n d is p erf ec tly h ea l thy

, .

D ea r S ta s I should a dvi se y ou tha t it w ould be be tter if this M iss

,

Sz czep a nska wen t t o y ou Y ou kn ow h er ve ry w ell so p erh a p s sh e .

,

would be good for y ou N ow she isin Wa rsa w a n d even go t a li ttl e .

,

in s truc ted As t o M is s D rewni a cka I ca nn o t tell y ou a n ythi n g for

.
, ,

it could sp rea d a bout [gossip ] on ly I write y ou tha t S he wro te a le tter ,

t o on e boy here in t he tow n a skin g him t o com e [a n d m a rry h er]

2
.

AN TON I M A K OWS KI

Ap ril 7 , 1 91 0
I
k you h ea rtily for your le tters for on ly your l e tters
tha n ,

rej oice m e I should like to h a ve a le tte r from y ou eve ry da y bu t it

.
,

is im p ossibl e N ow d ea r S ta s I wri te y ou a bout ou r holi da y s

.
, , .

We ha d ve ry sa d h olida y s so t ha t I ca n n o t even describe them t o y ou , .

N obody from ou r fa mil y ca lls up on u s a n d n obody h elp s u s As lon g .

2
l k thi
Ca ses i r la t d by th th sa ds t n ly a m g p easa ts bu t
e s on e a re e e e ou n ,
no o on n ,

am g i t ll ig n t cl ss s
on n eTh eow of p il gri m g t C est ch ow i co id red
a e . e v a a e o z o a s ns e

p rt ic l rl y ff tiv
a u a e ec e .

Th fa ct woul d b
2
e o ider d r p reh ibl i t wo p e ts ( ) p rovi g
e c ns e e en s e n re s c , 1 as n

th t t h girl i t r lly tta ched t o S ta s si e t l g befo b omi g ng ged

a e s no ea a ,
nc no on re ec n e a

t him h w t t
o s o th r a d th us sh
e ro e wa ts t o m ry j t n yb dy ; ( ) a s
o an e , n e n ar us a o 2

p ovi g th t sh l k s lf a pp r c ia tio
a e i ac h m kes dva ce
s e e n , s n ce s e a
-
r n a n s .
88 P R I M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR GAN I ZATI O N

as e verythin g wa s who le [ clo th es e t c ] i t wa s on ly h a lf a s ba d bu t .

,

n ow I d on t kn ow wh a t w a y t o turn Y ou wro te m e to ta k e so m e
’
.

wom a n bu t it is n o t worth wh ile for I m u s t give h er a room a n d p a y

, ,

h e r a n d th e ch ildren won t ha ve a n y ben efit P ro ba b ly I sh a ll b e

’
.
,

obli ge d t o m a rry U p t o t h e p r esen t I see n o th i n g con v en i en t

. An d .

’
t h e sh oem a ke r s w ork is ba d the re is n o ea rn in g a t a ll I don t
’
.
,

k n ow h ow it will be All t h e m en a re goin g t o Am e rica

. N ow
ou r p ries t from P rza sn y sz i s goin g t o C zes t och owa a n d I h a v e de vo te d ,

Wa ce k [m a d e a v ow in his n a m e tha t he wo uld go] But I d on t kn ow

’
.

h ow t o sen d him a lon e a n d th en i t will cos t a bout I 5 ro ubl e s

,
.

A M A K O W S KI
.

Jun e 21 ,
1 91 1

I won t descri be t o y ou m y success ; y ou

D E AR S TAS :
’

kn ow yo urself ve ry well h ow I succeed Y ou wri t e in you r l e tte r .

tha t when Wa cek a n d M a n ia g row u p i t w ill be v e ry w ell wi th m e

2
.

An d n ow d ea r S ta s I ca ll e d up on M rs D rewn ia cka on th e sa m e
, ,
.

da y wh en I receiv ed th e le tte r a n d M rs D h a d a l so receive d a le tte r ,

. .
,

from M a nia [her da ugh te r] So we ta lked it ove r a n d I wen t t o t he .

p ries t a n d took bo th bi r th ce rt ifica tes which I sen d y ou Why -

, .
2

did y ou n o t write wh en yo ur weddi n g will be ,

I wo uld ha ve
gon e t o y our wedd in g w hil e n ow I won t go It is ve ry p a in ful to m e ’
.
,

n o t t o be a t t he w eddin g o f m y firs t son An d n ow d escribe t o m e .

,

h ow th e w eddin g wa s a n d w ho wa s a t it S en d m e your w e dd i n g
p ho togra p h D ea r son I sen d y ou m y bl essin g m a y L o rd Go d bl ess
.
, ,

y ou a n d God s M o th e r a n d S t Jozef I wish y ou e very good [e tc ]

’
. . .

I n th e n a m e Of t h e Fa th e r [ e t c ] N ow I ca n n o t write a n y m ore .

fo r reg re t con tra c ted m y h ea rt 3 on ly I gree t y o u a n d m y d ea r ,

d a ugh ter in la w - -
.

Your l ovin g fa th er ,

AN TON I M A K O W S KI
2
vide tly
E fi i h d p r ch The fa th r is off r d sm a ll c m f rt
n an un n s e re oa . e e e o o .

Th e o sh ld h av p rom ised t
s n ou m b k a d t h foll wi g p a r gr p h
e m t o co e ac , n e o n a a s ee s o

i di t th t he h d form rly p rom is d to t ke his fa ther t Am ric

n ca e a a e e a o e a .

Th
2
m
e sonies p re isel y t h girl wh m t h f th r sou gh t to di d him
a rr c e o e a e ssu a e

f m m rryi g d th f th
ro a n ,
m p l i s with t he fa ct with t p rote t
an e a er co e ou s .

Th l tt r is o of t h b t p r i
3 e e e i
ne ll ctio f p ter l esign
e es ex ess on s n ou r c o e n O a na r a

ti
on a nd ff cti i t he f
a e f th r p di tion by t he ch ild f t h f m ili l ties
on n a ce o e e u a o e a a .

U s lly i
ua u ch
n s the f th r r b k threa t s p r ches
ca ses a r e e u es , en , ea , or cu ses .
 CU GOW S K I S E R I ES

Th e a uthor Of these l e tt er s J6zef Cu gow ski is a skil l ed

, ,

workm a n of p ea sa n t origin a n d ha s eviden tl y so m e gen era l

in s tru c tion . Hi s l ett er s a re in r a th er good P olish He .

h a s kep t a lm os t a ll t h e tra d ition a l p ea sa n t a tti tud es on l y ,

m or e in di v idua l c on sc iou s a n d e qu il ib ra te d
, ,
.

’
After hi s fa the r s d ea th h e a ss um es im m e d ia tel y a s th e ,

O ld est b ro th e r t h e rOle O f h ea d of t h e f a m i l y a n d if h e s t ill

, ,

see m s t o r e c ogn ize th a t h is b r o th e r s h a ve a n e qu a l r ight

O f d e c ision a n d a sks for the ir a dvi c e i t i s p a rtl y a f or m a li t y

, ,

p a rtl y a d esir e t o keep ha rm on y p a rtl y fin a ll y the la ck O f

, , ,

p erson a l in te rest in a n y p ossibl e ec on om ic a rr a n gem en t

a b out t h e f o rtu n e l e ft This la c k O f p erson a l in t erest show s
.

th a t for h im t h e rOle O f h ea d of t h e f a mi l y is n o th in g b ut a
so c ia l fu n c tion im p osed by c ir c u m s t a n c es a n d r esul tin g fr om

th e fa m ilia l u n it y B u t ther e is on e p oin t in whic h h is

.

a tti tu d e di ff e r s sli ghtl y fr o m t h e a ve r a g e p ea sa n t s—h e

’

goes furthe r in hi s p a tria rc h a l a ttitud e tha n is n orm a l in

t h e c o un tr y by p ra c tic a ll y e xc ludin g fr om th e f a mi l y gr ou p -

a ll t h e m e m b er s wh o do n ot b e a r t h e sa m e n a m e ie
m a rr ie d sis t er s a n d b r oth e r s ih —
. .
, ,

la w -
I n this r esp e c t his
.

( o th erwi se ju s tified) trea tm en t of Gra j hi s c on t em p tu ou s ,

a tti tud e t ow a rd M a r ga s h is (p r ob a b l y wi lli n g ) li mi t a t ion O f

,
’
t h e s u bsc r ip tion t o th eir p a ren t s m on u m en t a re v e r y ,

sign ific a n t . He goes so fa r a s p r a c tic a ll y t o c on sid er his

s t ep m oth er a n d hi s sis t ers in la w m ore a s r ea l m e m b er s Of
- -

t h e fa mil y th a n h e d oes his own sis t e rs N ow th er e is of

.
,

c ourse som e s up eriorit y Of m a sc uli n e over f emi ni n e r ela tion

s hip a m on g t h e p ea sa n t s b ut n ot t o su c h a n ex ten t ; there
,

a re l oc a li ti e s wh e r e n o s u c h s u p er ior i t y s e em s t o be a ckn owl

’
e d ge d a t a ll As t o th e qu estion O f keep in g t h e fa ther s
.
90 P R I M AR Y G R OUP
-
OR GAN IZATI ON

fa rm —it is evi d en tl y Gra j wh o is n ea r er t o t h e p ea sa n t

tr a di tion tha n Cu gow ski S in c e n o son ca n ta ke t h e wh ole
.

f a rm b ec a u se a ll the son s h a ve o ther occ upa tion s a cc ordi n g ,

’
t o t h e p ea sa n t s ide a s i t S h oul d be t a ken by a son in la w - -

r a ther tha n be di vid e d B u t Cu gow ski wa n t s t h e fa rm t o

.

r e m a in in the ha n d s Of s om e m a le m em b er Of t h e f a mil y a n d ,

S in c e thi s c a nn o t be don e h e n o l on g er c a r es for i t s i n t eg ri t y .

I n r eli giou s m a tter s Cu gowski keeps m ost of the cha r

a c t erist ic f ea tur e s of t h e a c tu a ll y d om in a n t m or a l r eli giou s -

s ys tem ,
p a rtic ul a rl y t h e ri ch f orm a li sm a n d t he l a ck Of
r ea ll y m ys tic a l or esc ha tologic a l in teres t s B u t r eligio u sn e ss
.

is a lr ea d y m u c h m or e in di vidua liz e d a n d in ter n a l Ex c ep t .

t h e m en tion O f t he c rim e in Ja sn a Gé r a ( Cz es t o c h owa ) w e ,

fin d n o thi n g in hi s le tt er s c on c e rni n g c hur c hes c e rem on ie s , ,

m e etin gs e t c
,
. Thu s we ca n c on sid er hi s re ligion a s
,

in te rm e di a ry b e tween th e m ora l a n d t h e m y s t ic a l sy s tem .

Th e s a m e m a y be s a id of hi s a tti tud e towa rd d ea th ; s till

t o som e e x t en t socia ll y d e te rmi n ed i t le a v e s m u c h m or e
,

p la c e for in di vidua l sorrow .

On e of h is f ea ture s is ty p i ca ll y p ea sa n t—t h e p om p osi t y

o f s t y l e S O u sua l in a ll t h e p ea sa n t s wh o rise in t e ll e c tu a ll y

a b ov e t h e a v e r a g e l ev e l I n thi s p a rtic ul a r c a se th er e is
.

ha r dl y a n y showi n g O ff We ha ve ra ther t he im p r ession

.

( whic h a ll t h e p ea sa n t sp eec hes l ea ve) tha t the m a n sim p ly

”
en j oy s hi s ow n a b ili ty O f fin e ta lki n g or wri tin g I t .

m us t be r em em b er ed a l so tha t a l e tter ought t o be t h e b es t

li tera r y work Of whi c h t h e writer is c a pa b le .

TH E FAM I LY CU GOWS KI

Cu gowski , a fa rm er
H is secon d w ife
Jozef a skilled workm a n
,

Teos a m e rcha n t
,
his son s
S ta s ( S ta n i sl a w)
P iotr
92 PR I M AR Y GR OU P
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

would h a verra n ged it for h e e ven refu sed o r ra the r did n o t w ish
a , ,

t o sen d a te leg ra m for m e a n d Teo s bu t bu sied him se lf wi th ev e ry ,

thin g un til the p riest a n d t he n eigh bors forced him He wi sh ed t o .

p u sh his wo rk t o t h e en d bu t h e did n o t s u cceed a t a ll ,

Wha t is .

worse for him he ha s becom e n ow in ou r eyes a n d con vic tion ou r w ors t

,

en em y f oreve r When w e ca m e eve rythin g wa s rea dy i e th e

.
,
. .
,

fun era l a greed up on th e coffin bough t But God ha ve p i ty wha t a

,
.
,

coffi n ! Firs t t oo n a rrow bu t wha t is the m os t im p orta n t a bout

, , ,

6 i n ches t oo sh ort But it cost on ly 1 7 z lo ty [ 2 roubl es 55 cop ecks]

.
, ,

so y ou ca n i m a gin e wha t ca n be ha d for th a t m on ey As soon a s I .

ca m e I o rd e r ed a t on ce a n o th e r m a d e a n d I t ook up on m y se lf th e

d ecision O f eve rythin g un til Teos ca m e Gra j wa s v ery m uch di s .

sa tisfie d a n d sp oke v e ry li ttle wi th m e But tha t is n ot y et th e en d . .

Afte r th e fu n e ra l it w a s n ecessa ry t o d ecid e a bout wh a t w a s l eft of ,

co urse with ou r wh ol e fa m ily p resen t

, th a t is I Teo s Gra j wi th , , , ,

Wikcia Ludwik with Fra n ia An u sia m o th e r a n d P io tr I t w a s t o

, , ,
.

be d ivide d in to e qua l p a rt s bu t a s fa the r sa i d while a l ive tha t it wa s

,

t o gO t o on e of y ou t wo I don t Opp ose t h e wi ll O f ou r fa th e r bu t

’
, ,

resp ect i t a n d resign m y p oor p a rt for the ben efit Of y ou or T eo s .

But a s y ou w ere n ot p resen t I ga ve it in your n a m e to Teos F ra n ia , .

wi th her h usba n d a n d An u sia did the sa m e On ly he [ Gra j] did n o t .

wa n t to a gree to a n ythin g ; he wa n ted to be the fa rm e r a fte r ou r

fa ther s dea th to give a few roubles t o mo th e r a n d t o drive h er ou t
’
,

up on th e roa d B u t it ca n n o t be a n d won t be so I p rop ose d

. .
’
.

t o giv e him a s rem un era ti on for th e p a in s wh ich h e took for ou r fa th e r

, ,

on e m ea d ow h a lf of th e h a rves t for thi s y ea r on e

, p a rt of th e turf ,

a n d th e wood wh i ch li e s n ea r th e h ou se But he re fused t o a ccep t i t . .

Then he got a few roubles in ca sh a n d su ch a di sm issa l t ha t h e wen t

h om e wi thout ev en b idd in g u s goodbye Aft e r this I ca ll e d t w o .

f a rm e r s a n d wro t e a n a u th or iza ti on in fa vo r O f ou r m o th e r
,

th a t She wa s to live in th e h ouse un til her d ea th ha rve st ev erythi n g , ,

p a y the ta x es a n d keep th e hou se in ord e r w ith th e h e lp a n d a dv ice ,

O f th ese t w o fa rme r s They boun d them selv es by th eir ow n sign a ture

.

tha t they won t p ermit a n ybody to ta ke a n ythin g excep t Teo s in th e

’
,

future a n d ou r moth er a t p resen t I n ca se of violen ce th ese t w o .

,

h a v e th e ri gh t to ca ll on o thers for h elp a n d t o p rev en t p osit iv e ly

a n y a bu se .

N ow m y S ta s h e begin s t o p ro te s t furiou sly th a t a s th e O ld es t

, ,

son in la w h e h a s the righ t t o se ll th e fa rm a t a u c t ion a n d h e sa y s

- -
,
 CU GOWSKI S E RI E S 93

th a t he ha s your a utho riza tion But w e don t beli eve tha t you could .
’

’
ha ve resign e d in his fa v or p a rticula rly in wri tin g I don t exp ect ,
.

it to be p ossible kn owin g his m ea n in t en tion s with r ega rd to u s a ll

,
.

[Wo rk ; con di t ion O f th e cou n try ]

S ep tem be r 7 , 1 90 7

D E AR S I S TER I N LAW AN D B ROTHE R : We received your

- -

l e tter on Th ursda y for which w e tha nk y ou v e ry m u ch We .

wa ited for som e n ew s from y ou bu t a la s ! such a la rge sp a ce divid es ,

u s tha t n o n e w s ca n com e ra p idly from the oth er h emi sp h e re of t h e

ea rth . But glo ry be t o God th a t y ou a re bo th in good h ea l th a n d ,

tha t y ou m y S ta s ha ve som e work a n d ca n ea rn for yo ur l ivin g a n d

, ,

tha t Of your w ife I hop e tha t la ter on y ou w ill get be tter a n d m ore
.

p ro fi ta bl e w o rk a n d th en y ou ca n li ve be tt e r t h a n in ou r n a t ive

cou n t ry . You k n ow h ow it w a s when y ou w ere lea vi n g a n d n ow ,

thin gs d on t seem to ge t be tte r bu t ra ther wo rse The tra de a n d

’
.

in du st ry a re s topp in g p a rticula rly n ow when wi n te r a pp roa ches

,
.

Ou r fa cto ry goes on v ery ba dly a n d y ou kn ow m y d ea r on es , ,

tha t th ere is a n um erous fa mi ly t o n o urish so there is enough to ,

thin k of wh en on e ca n n ot ea rn An d wha t is t he wors t there is n o .

,

p la ce to go for in th e whol e cou n try it is the sa m e in som e loca lities

, ,

s till wo r se Food ha s beco m e m uch cl ea rer

. e ve rythi n g cos t s

a bo ut m ore tha n before It is beca u se in m a n y loca lities ha il ha s “

bea ten th e c rop s in o the r l oca l ities th ey ha v e ro tte d in R u ssia a n d

, ,

Lith ua ni a the re were s trikes in m a n y m a n ors a n d the crop s were ,

left in th e fie ld Mo reover fires i n cen dia ry a n d from ligh tn in g ha ve

.
, ,

a l so d es troye d m u ch br ea d I n a wo rd ou r L ord God took t he .

,

brea d a wa y a n d begin s t o p un ish th ese bea s tl ike e lem en t s whi ch

n ow d on t a ck n owle d ge the ir C r ea t o r a s th e ir L o rd a bov e th em bu t
’
,

in th e m ost ho rrible wa y bla sp hem e a ga in s t Him a n d a ga in s t ev e ry

thi n g which is holy i e t he fa i th a n d His comm a n ds
,
. .
,
.
I

D ea r S ta s y ou a sk m e n ow for the secon d tim e to ge t from

,

Ba ra ri ski yo ur 40 r o ubl es S O I ha ll d esc ribe t o y ou n ow his p resen t

'

s .

si tu a t ion .Wh en he ca m e ba ck h e go t sick a n d s ta y ed for som e

w eek s in bed I wa s ju st th en in their house bu t they begged m e
.
,

2
Ag d oo pr io f th p s t h t f r v lu ti a y idea
ex ess n O e t cou t r
ea a n
’
s a e o e o on r s, no n e

b l
a a n ce d i th is
h s by y refl ct i o o t h p r ba ble b ri g f th e e idea s p on
ca e an e n n e o ea n o s u

t hecon d itio of t he l w r l
n p th
o ti l P lish life
e c a sses or u on e na on a o .
94 PRI M AR Y G R OU P OR G AN I ZATI ON

i n th e very th in g [a n d sa id] th a t wh en he wa s b e tt er a n d
n a m e of e

bega n to wo rk som ewhe r e he w ould try t o ge t m on ey a n d w o uld giv e

i t ba c k But wha t h a p p en ed A few da y s la ter h e ca m e t o h ea lth
.

a ga i n a n d wen t in sea rch O f wo rk in t h e dir ec tion O f th e fro n ti e r t o

, ,

Za wiercie An d wh a t did this scou n dre l do ? A few st ep s from t h e

.

ra ilwa y s ta ti on he cu t his throa t a n d s ta bbed h im self th ree tim es

-
.

When p eop le n o t iced h im h e ga ve fe w sign s Of l ife T hey t ook him ,

.

t o t he hosp ita l a n d sen t h e r a t e legra m a ski n g h e r

t o com e I don t k n ow whe ther he is still a live a n d e ven if he

.
’
,

recovers c rimin a l resp on sibility a wa i ts him th e scoun drel for su icide

, , ,
.
I

An d t h u s m y d ea r on es your 4 0 ro uble s a re t o be con sid e r e d l os t

, ,
.

I n th e ir h om e is m ise ry som e ch ildren a n d n ot a p en n y p u t a sid e

, ,
.

An d y ou m u s t k n ow d ea r S ta s tha t y ou a re n o t t he on ly on e , ,

w ho is t h e vi c ti m of this chea te r H e ha d borrowe d m on ey from .

m a n y p eop le when com in g ba ck from Am e ri ca a n d e v en m o re tha n ,

from y ou Who is to be m a de resp on si ble for th i s m on ey while thi s

.
,

wom a n a n d her ch ildren ough t ra the r to ha ve some help ? You

rem embe r p roba bly h ow I a dvised y ou t o be ca re ful for y ou did n o t ,

kn ow him a n d n ow m y p rop hecy is a lm os t fulfille d

,
.

From ou r m othe r w e ha ve ha d n o n ew s for som e weeks I d on t .

’

kn ow how Gra j trea ts her the re But it seem s t o m e tha t h e w on t .

’

ge t a n yth i n g by his a va rice a n d wra t h .

D ea r br o th er I in fo rm v ou a bout on e th in g m o re I d on t k n ow ’
.
,

whe ther y ou will both a gree We d ec ided Teo s a n d I t o e rec t a .

, ,

m on u m e n t t o ou r d ea r p a ren ts It wo uld cos t a bo ut 1 50 ro uble s .

,

a n d t h e loca l p ri est w ould ta k e ch a r g e O f t h e m a tt e r for i t w a s h e w h o ,

ga v e th i s id ea a v ery good o ne , S o if y ou w ish to con trib ut e it .

,

wo uld be a m on um e n t from t he son s for ou r sis te rs refu sed t o ta ke ,

p a rt in i t ; on ly the son s with th e ir wiv es .

308 D ecem be r 2 9 1 9 0 7 ,

D E AR SI S TER I N LA W AN D B R O TH ER : [ Ex p re ssion of f a m il ia l
- -

a flec tion ; N ew Yea r w ishes ; n ews a bout work a n d fa c to ry ] I

received a le tter from ou r m other a few d a v s a go She d esc ribes t o "
.

T ch ic lly
2
e t t t h p o ibility of p
n a correcti b t m re as o rv d e ss rosecu on , u a o u n rese e

an d el f rig h t
s -
d m ti f ic id t h i
eou s con l m gpe na ts A on O su e an s u su a a on ea sa n . s

sh w by p p l r t l
o n o d g th ttit d is by m
u a a es a n if m b t s i th
son s e a u e no ea n s u n or , u ,
a n e

h igh r l
e v ri s with th m tiv f t h i id th h t r f t h p er
c a sses , a e e d o e O e su c e, e c a ra c e o e son , an
th s i l
e oc a q e of t h
con se t ue n c s e ac .
 96 PRI MAR Y G R O UP
-
O R G AN IZATI ON

tha t th rough ou r fa ult h e go t t oo little well I sha ll try t o a dd som e , ,

[m on ey] m ore tha t he m a y ha ve en ou gh a n d m a y n o t com p la i n a b o ut

,

m e o r m y wife An d I will m en ti on or ra th er rem in d h im wha t h e

.
, ,

go t a n d wha t w e got An d I wi ll a sk him a l so who h a s m ore righ t s

.
,

wh e ther he a s the Oldes t son in la w or I a s the O ld es t son An d

,
- -
, , .

if I m a d e su ch a d ecision I t w a s n o t for m y ow n ben e fit bu t fo r ,

th e ben efit of y ou a n d Teos This is the first p oin t An d the secon d

. .

p oin t is tha t a ll this [ th e f a rm ] o u gh t t o r em a in in to ta l ity a s t h e ,

on ly rem em bra n ce of ou r p a ren t s in ou r n a ti ve co u n try He th o u gh t .

p roba bly tha t h e would i n h e ri t a ll th is a n d wo uld m a n a ge it a l on e

bu t it ca n n ot be by a n y m ea n s a n d will n ot be [Ea s t e r w ishes ] .

JOZE F

July 1 2 ,
1 90 8

MY DE ARVED L [ U CIA ] AN D S TAS : I received

AN D BE LO

your le tte r D on t be a n g ry wi th m e for n o t ha vin g wri tten t o

’

y ou bu t I wa s sure tha t y ou wo uld do a s h u n dre d s a n d th ou sa n d s of

,

p eop le do who com e ba ck in th ron g s co ld a n d h u n g ry B ut sin ce ,

.

yo ur con dition is n ot so ba d a n d m o reover y ou a re bo th in good ,

he a lth we a re v e ry gla d a n d tha n k s be for it t o God th e H igh es t

, ,
It .

wo uld n ot be a c rim e if you should com e ba ck bu t you kn ow how i t is ,

n ow in ou r co u n try a n d so y ou a re righ t in n o t m ovi n g

, [ D esc ribes .

t h e e con om ic a n d p oliti ca l c on d i t ion s of t he co u n try la c k O f w o rk , ,

m urd e rs ]
N ow I in fo rm y ou m y d ea r on es a bout ou r su c cess a n d hea lth a t
, ,

h om e I a n d m y Children a re n ow h ea lthy tha nk s to God bu t w i th

.
, ,

E w cia th in gs a re v ery ba d For a l on g tim e sh e h a d been w ea k

.
,

sh e wa lke d a n d did wha t sh e could But a lmos t sin ce Ch ri s tm a s sh e

.

ha s been wo rse a n d worse to s uch a n ex t en t t ha t on E a s te r th e re

,

w a s n obody t o m a k e a n yth in g [a n y E a s t e r food ] I d on t ca r e for m y

’
.

se lf bu t th e ch ildre n ha d a lm o st n o t hi n g a n d I h a v e a h ea v y so rrow
, , ,

for she w a s lyin g sick durin g the whol e h olid a ys SO w ea k th a t S h e could ,

n o t com e u p th ese few s t ep s I a sked fa c to ry a n d p riva te doc tors bu t

.
,

it did n ot help a t a ll for it is a lun g d isea se wh ich re quires a sp ecia l

,

c ur e . SO a p r iv a te doc tor a fte r e xa m i n a tion d ecid e d th a t sh e m u s t

, ,

go a b roa d S O I h a d t o do it in o rd er t o sa ve th e h ea lth of th e
.
,

m o th er of the fa mily wh i ch God ga v e u s We ll w ith out m u ch h e si .

,

ta t in g I took m y w ife t o Za k op a n e a n d p la ced h er in a sa n a to riu m

th ere The cost is en orm ous for it w ill cos t a lm os t 1 50 roub le s
.
,
 CU GOW S KI S ERI E S 97

m on th ly , bu t d on e I m us t comp ly wi th it M a y
no th in g ca n be ,
.

God on ly gr a n t her to r e cove r I ca n n o t d e termin e toda y how l on g .

2

sh e w ill be th e re for it h a s been on ly a w e ek a n d a h a lf

,
The d oc to r .
,

a fte r exa m in in g h er ga v e m e this com f ortin g h op e ,

th a t sh e ca n ,

recov er bu t n ot soon a t lea st in tw o m on th s Ma y God th e Om n ip o

, ,
.

ten t gra n t it for I a m un ha pp y wi th th ese sm a ll children in su ch a

,

tim e a s n ow B el ieve m e m y dea r on es I ca n n o t keep m y idea s

.
, ,

toge th er in View of th e burd en which ove rwhel m s m e I try to ge t .

a lon g wi th th e se ch ildr en a s well a s I ca n for it would be im p os ,

si bl e to h ire a n ybody I m us t h ire on ly for wa shin g a n d the rest

.
,

Gen ia m a n a ges a lon e a cco rdin g to m y di rec tion s You wa i ted for a
,
.

le tte r from m e bu t I wa s un a ble t o wri te even a few words Wh en

,
.

I ca m e ba ck from th e fa c tory in s tea d O f restin g I h a d to try t o give ,

som e f ood t o thi s p oor s i ck w om a n But could I do it a s it ough t .

t o be d on e An d ca n on eget eve ryth i n g a lwa y s e ven for m on ey ,

Y e s d ea r Lu ci a a n d S ta s m y d e s ti n y s trik es m e ha rd p a rtic ul a rly

, , ,

a s in th e p resen t tim e which i s so ba d I ough t t o be thin ki n g a bo ut

-

, ,

econ om i z i n g a s m uch a s p ossib l e a n d h e r e on th e con tra ry I m u st , , ,

ta ke th e m on ey which I ha ve p u t a side in o rder to sa ve h ea lth B ut .

if God gives h ea lth we m u s t l ive in som e wa y ,

M ea n wh il e m a y Thy .

will be don e m y Lord ! ,

It wa s a t th e en d of M a y in Pe te rsb urg I took R om u s [son ] t o ,

Teos th a t h e migh t l ea rn bu sin ess a n d h elp them I ha ve receive d

, .

a lrea dy t w o l e tt e r s from th em a n d on e fr om R om u s He is ve ry .

m u ch p l ea se d a n d he un d er s ta nd s e ve ry thin g we ll P e rha p s Go d .

wi ll g ra n t him t o h a v e a p i e ce of b rea d in th is wa y in t he future .

He h a s n o t m u ch in s tru c tion bu t Teo s a l so h a s li ttl e a n d h e m a n a ge s ,

Fr m
2
m
o i C g ow ki s p iti
a an th e n rifi c is gr t f it p r b bl y
u s
’
os on sa c e ea , or o a

m ea n s a rifi Of hi whol f rtu n A p sa t f rmer w ld h rdl y d th is

sa c ce s e o e . ea n a ou a o .

B t it w ld b
u ou m i t a k t o e p l i it m
e a ly by st o g r fl t i
s e C g w ki s
x a n e re a r n e a ec on . u o s
’

a ff ti
ec i p rob bly ot m h st ro g r th
on s a th t f a v g p e sa t p
n uc n e an a o n a e ra e a n , ar

t ic l ly
u ar it i hi co d wif
as sd h a lf a yea r a fter h r d th he m a r i s
s se n e an as e ea r e

fo the th i d tim
r d eem s t be h p p y a ga i
r e an Ther i s rt inl y other o a n . e s ce a an

rea son f s ifi i g m or th
or a cr p e s t wou ld ; h e is
c n h i d workm
e h is
an a a an a re an ,

w h le life is org
o i ed p th ba i of a la ry a d p r p rty h s for him
an z u on e s s s ,
n o e a

on l y t h s co d y v l
e e of a resou rce i
n ar t he ca e of
a ue tr rdi a y p se ; n s ex ao n r ex en s

i ts i fl e ce p
n u his s i l ta n di g i
n u on l o ve y slight Fo the p e t o the
oc a s n s a s r . r a sa n , n

con tr y p p rty m
ar ,
b s is
ro e t ly f c m i life bu t of th wh l i di
ea n s a a , no on o e on o c , e o e n

v idu l d i l li f F m w rk i hi m i i t r st la d i t h
a an soc a e . ar ti l con
-
o s s a n n e e , n s e e ssen a

diti on of hi i l ta di g i th e comm ity Therefor f p a s t s crifi

s soc a s n n n un . e or a e an a a ce ,

e c on o m ic ll y q l t a tha t of Cu gowski would be bj tively i comp r bly

e ua o su ec n a a

gre te a lm st im p ssibl
r, a o o e .
98 PRI MAR Y G R OUP
-
OR GAN I ZATI O N

a ra th er big busin ess R om u s h a s fi n ish ed t w o cla sses a n d if h e i s

.
,

w illi n g h e ca n l ea r n the r e for it is e a si e r tha n in ou r to w n

,
T eo s .

a n d his wife d on t l ook we ll a l th o u gh th ey h a v e en ough t o e a t a n d

’
,

d on t la ck m on ey But they don t la ck wo rk a n d troub l e ei th e r

’
.
’
.

Th ey k eep t en m en so th ere is en ough t o thin k a bout Th ree good

,
.

sh op s a n d a ba k e ry a re up on his h ea d Th ere I S I n com e b u t a l so .

,

en orm ou s exp en ses I a dvi se d th em t o ta k e a sm a ller bu sin ess a n d

.

t o m a n a ge i t a l on e th en i t w o uld be e a si er
,
But they sa y th a t eve ry .

thin g w o uld be w ell we re it n ot for th ose p eop l e w ho d on t p a y th e i r

’

d eb ts . I h a ve sen t lon g a go th e m on ey for ou r f a th er s m on u ’

m en t bu t I h a v e n o n ew s y e t whe th e r it i s rea dy
,
Gen ia l ea rn s
ve ry w ell ; she got p riz es la st yea r a n d this yea r Sh e p a sse d t o th e .

3 d d ivi sion .

B OLE S LAW OW ,
S ep t em be r 7 , 1 90 8

D E AR AN D B ELO E D V li ttle co m
LU CI A AN D S TA S: I am a

f orted in h ea rin g tha t a fter so lon g a tim e y ou go t som e w o rk a n d

y ou wi ll be a ble t o ea rn a t l ea st for a m od es t l ivin g At l e a s t
y ou m a d e y our wi f e fr ee from th a t h ea vy w ork Th is is yo ur grea t .

luck gra n te d by God tha t hea lth fa vo rs bo th Of y ou in these

, ,

troubles a bo ut m a te ria l exis ten ce for o th erwi se it wo uld be ba d in ,

th a t dis ta n t a n d fo re i gn coun try Y ou write you rself m y S ta s .

, ,

th a t it is n o t w ell t o be s i ck th e r e beca u se th e d oc t o rs tre a tm en t

’
,

i s ba d Th e sa m e u sua lly h a p p en s h ere wi th a fe w ex cep ti on s

.
, .

Wh oeve r h a s m on ey h a s e verythin g a n d wh oe v er is p oo r th e w i n d
, , ,

a lw a y s b l ow s i n t o his ey es [ P r ov erb] An d i t is n o n e w s t h a t th e .

w orkin g cl a ss is ill fa vored toda y n o t on ly th e re bu t up on th e who l e

- -
,

ea rth sp h er e
-
.

As I h a v e wri tt en y ou in th e l a s t l e tte r I th in k E w cia i s sick , , .

U p to t h e p resen t S he rem a i n s in be d n ot ev en a t h om e b u t a b r oa d , ,
,

in Za k op a n e But tha n k s to God she f eel s m uch be tte r a n d

.
, ,

p e rh a p s God t he Al migh ty will g ra n t h er t o reco ve r a lth o ugh i t cos t s ,

u s v e ry m u ch M ore tha n tw o m on ths ha v e p a sse d sin ce sh e wen t

.

th ere a n d I m a n a ge t o get on a lon e a s well a s I ca n w ith m y ch ildren

, , .

If I could ea rn m ore ! But w ork is so ba d tha t I ea rn sca rcely ,

e n o ugh t o k e ep t he h ou se a n d God sen t E w cia t h e sic k n e ss

, fo r ,

wh ich I sp en d th e rest of th e O ld supp l ie s I rea lly d on t k n ow .

’

wha t will h a p p en when eve ryth i n g is sp en t a n d if h ea l th d oe s n o t ,

1 00 PR I M AR Y G R O UP -
O R G AN I ZATI ON

Feb rua ry 28, 1 90 9

D E A RE S T L U CI A I a n n o u n c e t o y ou m y
AN D S TAS '
,

dea r on es a v ery sa d n ews a terrible blow tha t bef ell m e a few w eek s
, ,

E v en to da y I don t k n ow h ow t o d esc r ibe i t t o y ou be ca u se O f

’
a go .
,

m y h ea v y sorro w a n d terr ibl e g rief .

As I t old y ou in m y l a s t l e tt e r w e bo th w e re sick E wcia a n d 1 , ,

.

Toda y I a m in good h ea lth tha n k s t o God for m y sick n ess w a s

, ,

tra n sitory a n d th rough ca re m y p a in s h a ve d isa pp ea re d B ut .

m y d ea r p oor E w cia ba d e u s f a r ewell f o r e ve r l ea vin g t hese l i ttle ,

children orp h a n s a n d m e in a hea vy sorrow wi th t h e m I d on t ’

.

kn ow h ow t o describe t o y ou m y d ea r on es wha t a terribl e woe a n d

, ,

d esp a ir a re tossin g m e I d on t kn ow h ow to defi n e this terr ibl e blow ;

.
’

I a l m os t l ose m y sen ses After s uch ca re on m y p a rt a ft e r s uch

.
,

e n o r m ou s e x p en se s i t wa s i m p ossib le t o sa v e h er by a n y m e a n s fr om
,

tha t terrible di sea se un til it en d ed w i th d ea th a m id h o rribl e s uff erin gs

,

S h e wa s c on sci ou s a l m ost till the la s t m om e n t a n d begged u s in th e ,

n a me O f e v e ryth in g t ha t is sa cr e d t o h e lp h e r p oor m a rtyr Y ou ,

.

ca n im a gin e m y d ea r on es wh a t wa s g oin g on w i thin m e wh en m y

, ,

children s m o th e r a n d m y w if e im p lor e d for h elp a n d I co uld n o t

’

h el p h er. M y h ea rt a lm os t b ur s t op e n wi th gr ief in l ooki n g a t a d e a r

p er son whose life w a s goi n g ou t f or eve r be for e m y ey es a n d w h o h a d a ,

righ t to live who w a s ve ry n ecessa ry in this world t o brin g u p h er

,

childr en wh o w e r e so sm a ll Y ou ha v e n o idea wh a t a t orture it is

.

for the dyi n g p e r son whe n she is con scio u s I ca n n o t describe i t a n d .

n obody ca n re la t e i t But I ha d n o less t o s uffe r in loo k in g a t su ch

.

a n a gon y . For if a n old p erson dies on e ca n m o re ea s ily com p l y w i th it ,

wh ile m y p oor E w cia w a s still a youn g w om a n ; sh e h a d live d sca rce ly

3 6 y ea r s she wa s in t he fuln ess of life a n d she h a d t o die
, I wa s gla d
, .

when she ca m e ba ck from a broa d in S ep tembe r She l ooke d so well .

,

a n d sh e w a s so full of joy tha t sh e ha d got h er h ea l th ba c k B ut ou r .

rej oi ci n g did n o t la s t After a few weeks she bega n to ge t w or se a n d

.
,

so ra p idly t ha t th e r e wa s n o h e lp Eve ry da y she wa s w orse ; y ou could

.

a l m ost see h er f a d e a w a y I bro ugh t doc tors a ga in

.
bu t it did
n o t h el
p a t a ll Th ree week s before Ch ristm a s S he la y d ow n a n d di d
.

n o t rise a ga in Sa d is m y lot for I a m tod a y in su ch a si tua tion

, ,

tha t I ha ve n eithe r m on ey n or w ife n or wha t is th e m os t im p orta n t , , ,

a m o th e r for m y ch ildre n You m u s t kn o w m y d ea r on es t ha t th e

.
,

3 m on th s a broa d cos t m ore tha n 50 0 ro u bles a n d co u n t in g o th e r ,

exp en ses I s uff ered a n a wful loss An d a ll this wa s in va in for

, ,
 CU GOWSKI S ERI E S 1 0 1

n obo dy ve r recovered from con sum p tion a n d p oor Ewcia wa s

ha s e ,

s ick wi t h this t errible di sea se N ow a ft e r h er d ea th a n d fun e ra l

.
,

I ha d to sell a lm ost for n oth in g her beddi n g a n d m a n y o the r thin gs

, ,

wh ich she u sed a n d I don t kn ow wha t to do wi th the thin gs which a re

,
’

left It is ea sy t o wa ste them while th ey cos t a con sidera ble su m of

.
,

m on ey An d I h a ve n o n ea r frien d s wi th m e who would give m e

.

sa lu ta ry good a dvi ce E ve rythi n g ha s fa ll en up on m y hea d tro ubl e d

.
,

wi th a hea vy so rrow You ca n a gree yo urse lv es my dea r on es tha t

.
, ,

m y p resen t s itu a tion is p a in ful a bove a n y e xp ression But Thy will .

be d on e 0 L o rd ! I m us t ca rry this hea vy c ross which y ou ha v e p u t

,

up on m e O Lo rd ! Give me on ly stren g th a n d p a tien ce in o rde r n ot

,

t o f a ll u n d e r i t s w eigh t !
M y dea r on es I should ha ve m uch t o wri te y ou s till bu t exc use
, ,

m e for even in p enn in g these few wo rd s m y h ea rt is cu t wi th sorrow

, ,

a n d I wri te a lm os t wi th o ut i dea s th ey ha ve becom e so en ta n gl ed

, .

Th ree weeks ha ve p a ssed toda y Sin ce she l eft u s i e on Februa ry 7 a t ,

. .
, ,

1 0 o clock in th e even in g a n d s till I ca n n o t c om e t o m yse lf a n d I

’
,

don t kn ow wha t will be furthe r I on ly p ra y God to give m e hea lth

’
.

in ord er t o ea rn brea d for th ese p oo r o rp ha n s a n d to educa te them ,

tha t they m a y fin d thei r wa y in life For m yself I don t foresee a n y .

’

ha p p in ess up on this mi se ra bl e world for I h a ve exp erien ced n on e u p ,

t o th e p resen t I n l ess th a n 1 7 yea rs I ha ve buried t wo wi ves a n d

.
,

in su ch con d i t ion s on e m a y becom e w ea ry o f h is l ife .

Ap ril 2, 1 90 9

MYVED LU CI A AN D S TAS :
B EL O Y ou p roba bly
received m y le tte r with the sa d n ews wha t a seve re blow befell m e , .

The secon d m on th S in ce th e dea th Of m y d ea r E wcia will be en d ed

soon a n d s til l I ca n n o t a dju s t m y self to t his r ea li ty
,
I feel so lon ely . .

Eve ry Obj ec t remi n d s m e vividly how g rea t a la ck is felt a t e v e ry

st ep wh en on e h a s n o w ife m othe r a n d h ou se ke ep er , S till m or e .

I feel it n ow when the solem n holi da ys of Ea ster a re a pp roa chin g

, .

E v erybo dy rej oices even if h e is in m isery on this j oyful da y whil e

, , ,

I u nh a p p y m a n exp erien ce for the secon d tim e such a n a wful p a in of

, ,

hea rt p a rtic ul a rly toda y bein g burden ed wi th so n um erou s a fa m ily

, ,

a n d in t h e c ri t ica l t im es which ha ve p re va il e d i n ou r co un try durin

g
t he la s t few y ea rs But n othi ng ca n be don e such is evi den tly m y
.
,
1 0 2 PRI M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR GAN I ZATI O N

d esti n y from God t o bea r on ly h ea vy crosses a n d sorrow a n d to il

,

som e la b o r I n a wo rd i t is n o t g ra n ted t o m e t o sh a re b ri gh t a n d
.
,

p l e a sa n t d a y s b u t on ly th i ck c lo ud s o ve r sh a d ow th e h o ri zon O f m y
,

life a n d sen d som e tim es s tron g ligh tn in gs wh i ch sha tte r a lm os t

t o ta llV th e re m n a n t s O f h op e of m y wre t ch e d li fe in th is va lle y of

tea rs An d I ca n sa y truly M y soul is sorrowf ul ev en un to d ea th

.
“
.
”

But Thy will be don e 0 Lord ! An d a lth ough I a m so torm en ted wi th

,

d iff e ren t kin d s Of a ffliction s still I don t lose h op e in th e m e rcy of t h e

,
’

High est tha t He will deign t o com fort m e a t l ea s t for t he S hort tim e
,

of m y sha tt e re d lif e An d con sciou s of t h e dut ies wh ich I h a v e I

.
,

i nvigora te m yself wi th this h Op e a n d sa y a fte r th e Lord s P sa lmi s t : ,

’

Sursum C ord a
“
.

D ea r S ta s I in f orm y ou m oreove r th a t be s id es th e sorrow w h ich I

,

bea r o n e thi n g sti ll h a ra sses u s i e this m i se ra ble fo rtu n e wh i ch w a s ,

. .
,

l eft a fte r t he d ea th Of ou r p a ren ts AS you kn ow m y S ta s Gra jw a s t he .

, ,

m a in sp ri n g in try i n g t o m a n a ge so tha t it m igh t n o t ge t in t o y o ur

ha n d s or th ose of Teo s tha t it m i gh t n ot be wille d t o a n y O f y o u by a
,

n o t a ria l a c t duri n g ou r fa th e r s life An d th u s it h a pp en ed

’
S O n ow . .

Gra j gives Teo s n o res t bu t dries h is h ea d [a n n o y s h im by a s kin g]

,

con ti n u a lly tha t a division m a y be m a de or th a t T eo s will gi v e him ,

t he p owe r t o be a tru s t ee of i t But I ca n n o t a g ree to it in a n y wa y .

.

He d oes n o t write to m e for he is a fra id beca u se I ha v e a bu se d him

,

m u ch on c e durin g ou r d ea r fa th e r s fu n e ra l a n d th en for t he secon d

’
, ,

tim e in m y l e tter So h e corresp on d s n ow on ly with Teos a n d gives

.

h im n o r es t bu t wa n t s to ben efit from it h im self a n d t o driv e o u r s t ep

m o th e r a wa y But h e does n o t su cceed fo r I kn ow a bout e verythin g
.
,

beca u se T eo s s en d s m e a ll his l e tters ; he d oes n o t s u sp ec t i t p roba bly .

H e tries t o p e rsua d e An u sia s h u sba n d a lso a m a n n a m ed Ma rga s t o

’
, ,

ced e him th e ir cla im s a n d p rop oses to le t thi s M a rga s l i ve in this h o u s e

, .

This M a rga s wro te a lrea d y t o m e a n d to Teos tha t a p a rt is du e t o

him a l so But I d on t k n ow him a n d don t wish t o ha ve this p lea sure
’ ’
.
-
.

An d so m y S ta s th i n k a bout it well how to a c t

, , If y ou wa n t to k eep , .

this fa rm I a s w ell a s Teos will give you a written d ocum en t tha t we

, ,

resign ou r cla im s in fa vor of y ou a n d y ou m a y th en m a k e som e p la n ,

w ith it th a t it m a y rem a in w ith y ou a n d th a t in th e future ou r n a m e

,

a t l ea st w ill be t he r e To t e ll th e truth it is n o t a res tin g p l a ce for

.
,
-

u s e v en in th e futur e for I su p ose t ha t i t will e n d by bein

p ,
g e qu a lly
d ivided a n d th e n ea ch m em ber O f the fa milv will ge t p e rha p s 6 0
,

roubles or ev en l ess a n d it will n o t p rofit on e m em be r t o p a y a ll the

,
1 0 4 PR I M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR GAN I ZATI O N

a nd I sh a ll kn ow how t o a pp recia te it duly a fte r so m a n y tro ubles a n d

s u ch a h ea vy so rrow But I w on t describe it in d e ta il ; p erha p s ’
.

God will gra n t u s t o see on e a n o th e r a n d th en y ou will get a c qu a i n te d

with m y ch osen li ttle wife M ea n whil e we s e n d y ou ou r .

we ddin g p hotogra p h I d on t k n ow whe th e r y ou will li ke h e r in

.

t h e p ho t ogra p h a l th ough I m a y sa y tha t she is we ll [p re tty ] e n ou gh

2
.
,

But I in form y ou a t the sa m e tim e of n ew s sa d beyon d e xp ression .

Genia ha s been da n ge rou sly a n d severely ill for som e week s a n d this ,

gri e ve s u s m uch M a y God g ive h er recove ry for i t is re a lly a p i ty

.
,
.

S u ch a good child M AR YA a n d Jé zn r
.

O ctob e r 1 5, 1 91 0

MY
VE D LU CIA AN D S TAS : Firs t I in form y ou m y
B E LO ,

d ea r on es a bout t he very sa d a cc iden t wh ich ha pp en ed in tha t

,

m ira culou s p la ce Ja sn a Gora [ Cz estochowa ] th rough thi s sco un dr e l

, ,

a n d m urd e re r th e P a uli n i s t D a m a zy M a coch a n d his m a t e s

,
T h ey ,
.

di sg ra ced the mi ra culous im a ge of the Holies t M othe r a n d robbed it

O f j e w e l s a n d cos tly a d o rnm en t s M oreove r they ha ve lon g p a ssed
their tim e in the Cloi s te r—
.
,

cells in reve lry a n d thi s y ea r in July th e y ,

com mi tted a m urd e r in this h o ly p la ce It is im p ossibl e to de scribe .

wh a t a f eelin g O f Opp ression p reva iled in the coun try But

tha n k s to God the m a in c rim in a l a n d his a ssocia tes ha ve been ca ugh t
, ,

a n d ju st ice w ill m ea sure a m e ri te d p u ni shm en t t o t h e m [ N ew s .

a bo ut w o rk fa c to ry wea th e r ], ,
.

D ea r S ta s the re is t he qu estion of th i s m isera bl e p rop e rty left by

,

ou r d ecea sed p a ren t s As y ou kn ow it is n o t will e d to a n ybody bu t

.
, ,

m u s t be di vid e d in to e qua l p a rt s Teos wro te t o m e a ski n g m e t o .

a rr a n ge i t bu t n o o th e r a rra n gem en t ca n be m a d e e xce t a n e qu a l

, p
divi sion S o w e ca m e t o a n u n d e rsta n din g with Teos a n d it is decide d
.

th us for you m us t a gree yourself tha t such a situa tion ca n n o t la s t lon g ;

,

e ve ryth i n g ge t s wa s te d a n d th e re is n o p r o rie to r t o re a i r
p p ,

Write m e your Op inion

M AR YA a n d JOZEF wi th T HE IR FAMI LY
H r t he m a n s c j u g l ttit d is m p l t l y i divid a l i d Alth gh
2 ’
e e on a a u e co e e n u ze . ou

t h m rri ge w
e a p r b bly c tr ct d p tly f
a as o c mic
a s p rtly w ith
on a e ar or e on o rea son ,
a

re g rd t o t h
a hildr C g wski who
e c i divid l feeli g
en , m r dev l p ed
u o , se n ua n s a re o e e o

th i th v r ge p a t d l s s bordi t d t th f m ili l ttit d s i tr

an n e a e a e sa n an e s u na e o e a a a u e , n o

du ces a tim e t l lem t i t hi

sen n a j u g l r la tio whi h i s lly la ki g
e en n o s con a e n s, c s u ua c n

ev eni fir t m a rri g
n sof p ea sa n ts a es .
 CU GOW S KI S E RI ES 1 0 5

Au gu st 5, 1 9 1 1

B E LOVE D LU CIA AN D S TAS: I beg yo ur p a rd on for n o t

ha vin g given y ou a n y n ew s It is n o t a big thin g to wri te a few
.

wo rd s a n d it does n ot ta ke m uch tim e on ly the m ost im p orta n t p a rt ,

is p la ye d h e re by a though t free [of ca re] whi le I ha v e v e ry li ttle O f it , ,

for tro ubl e a n d sorrow h a v e been m y con tin u a l com p a n ion s S in ce l on g

a go . Ou r L ord Go d d oes n ot sp a re m e His crosses in this mi se ra bl e
va lley O f so rrow An d so begin n in g with the sickn ess a n d d ea th of m y
.
,

wife Ewcia a yea r la te r [ca m e ] the dea th of m y belo v ed a n d a lwa ys

,

regre tted da ugh te r Geni usia She w a s extin g uished li ke a ligh t

.

whi le still like a blossomi n g bu d of a p ure li ly The sorrow of my .

h ea rt a fte r t he loss of these d ea r bein gs is n ot y e t ca lm e d the woun d ,

O f th e h ea rt is n o t y et h ea l e d a n d a lrea dy a n e w b l ow begin s t o
,

wo un d m y hea rt for even if I do n ot wi sh it I m u s t te ll y ou the

, ,

sa d n e w s in o rd e r t o r e li eve m yse lf a li ttle a t l ea s t Well it is so .

, ,

m y d ea r on es H eni o [ son ] ha s been sickly for a l on g tim e bu t n ow

.
,

for a few m on ths he ha s bee n seriou sly sick I d on t wish t o believe .

’

it bu t it p rove s tha t he ha s th e sa m e sym p tom s of d isea se a s Ewcia

,

a n d Gen iu sia h a d N eith e r m ed icin e n or s tren g th en i n g food is Of

.

a n y h el p ; h e is w ea k e r a n d w ea k e r he look s wo r se a n d w or se u n til
, ,

a t la s t h e wi ll en d w ith this sa d d ea th .

An d so m y bel oved Lu cia a n d S ta s this is m ore or l ess th e fir st

, ,

sid e of t h e m e da l O f m y p resen t life con cerni n g th e f ee lin gs of m y ,

hea rt a n d th e m o ra l side An d n ow a s t o th e m a t e ria l sid e I ca n n o t

.
,

sa y tha t i t is p a in te d wi th brigh t colo r s [Wo rk ; fa c to ry con diti on s ] .

D ea r L a n d S in form m e wha t is the n ews with y ou

. .
,
From
Teos I ha ve ha d n o n ews la tely They succeed ra th e r well bu t .
,

h ea lth fa vo r s n eith er Of them R omu s a n d M icio a re w i th th em

. .

R om u s ha s been th e re for m ore th a n th ree yea rs a n d I took M ici o ,

l a s t Octobe r R om u s is a lrea dy a ra ther good sa lesma n As to

. .

B ogu n ia she ha s fini sh ed th ree d ivision s [of th e vi ll a ge school ] a n d

,

w e d on t kn ow wha t t o do with h er n ow I ren ka p a ssed in to the

’
.

secon d divi s ion Sh e d oes n o t l ea rn well bu t she is h ea lthy a n d

.
,

s tron g S ta sia is a l so in good hea lth on ly m y p oor d ea r Hen io is

.
,

very wea k a n d it will cl ea rly be difficult for him t o recover But .

m a y God gra n t it for I a m ve ry so rry for him

,
.

N ow I sha ll m en tion in sho rt ou r a c tu a l comm on lif e Tha nks to .

God I ca nn ot comp l a in a bout m y wi f e

,
S he com p li es wi th eve ry .

th in g a s well a s she ca n n o t ba dly Well a n d th e frui t of ou r love

,
.
,
1 0 6 PRI M AR Y G R OUP
-
OR GAN IZATI O N

ca m e to u s , of f em a le kin d ; sh e is 6 m on th s O ld, is hea lth y a nd k e ep s

well .

In fo rm u s m y dea r on es wh a t i s t h e n ews with y ou h ow d oes

, , ,

yo ur h ea lth se rve y ou h ow do y ou s ucce ed a n d h ow a bout yo ur

, ,

r
p go en y D O y ou t h in k o f i n c rea sin g yo ur f a mily n ow or o n ly wh e n ,

y ou ha v e p u t som e ca p i ta l a s id e ?
M AR YA a n d JOZE F wi th THE I R FAMI L Y

N ovembe r 1 2 ,
1 91 1

B E LO VE D LU CI A AN D S TAS : We a re gla d tha t y o u

a re bo t h in good hea lth a n d s u ccess a n d t h e p roof O f i t i s t ha t y o u ,

in ten d t o bu y a hou se M a y God h elp y ou m y d ea r on es ! Ha pp y

.
,

th e m a n w ho d oes n o t n eed t o p a y th i s a wful tri b ut e Of ren t ha vi n g ,

t h e Opp o rtu n ity t o com e t o [a c q u i re] h is ow n p rop e rty .

M y d ea r L a n d S p roba bly y ou thin k m o r e th a n on ce

. .
,

wh y do I wr i te t o y ou so se ldom ? But y ou will a gre e tha t I ha v e

m a n y rea son s t o be d own h ea rt e d a n d sluggish a n d la zy t owa rd e ve ry
thin g S O to sp ea k I sha ll exp la in t o y ou a t lea s t som e p a rt of th ese
,
.

rea son s Well y ou k n ow wha t I p a ssed th rough a fter your dep a r

.
,

ture I los t firs t m y wife a yea r la te r m y d ea r Gen iu sia Thi s yea r

.
,
.

a th ird blow s tru ck m e a n o t l ess h a rd on e ; m y b el o v e d l i ttl e so n

,

H en io ba d e u s fa rewell fore v e r o n S ep tem ber I 3 I a m un a bl e to .

d escri be m y woe ; y ou ha v e n o idea wh a t so rrow a n d p a in O f h ea rt

'

toss m e a fter th e loss O f th ese m y d ea res t bein gs I sh ould n o t wi sh .

t o m y w or s t en em y th a t whi ch God sen d s u p on m e Am on g such .

p a i n s a n d a ffli c tion s o n e S im p ly does n o t wa n t t o liv e ; t h e w o rld ,

e v en in i t s m o s t bea utiful co lo rs l oses i t s ch a rm a n d on e becom e s , ,

i n d iffe ren t towa rd everythi n g Ve rily I a m tha t m a rtyr whom God .

p uts t o t he t es t a n d whom d es tin y s trikes h ea vily B ut Th y w ill .

be d on e 0 L ord ! I sa y on ly this : Ill fa t e d [e up h em is ti ca lly in s tea d

,
-
,

a ccur sed is this di sea se a ga i n st wh ich n o rem edy h a s bee n fo u n d

“
of

u p t o t h e p resen t bu t wh oe v e r is a ffl ic ted w i t h i t sees a n in ev i ta bl e

,

d ea th before his eyes An d it is t he m os t terribl e d isea se for it

.
,

con s um es g ra du a lly lea vin g the m in d con sciou s a lm ost u n til th e

,

m om en t O f a gon y An d h ow m a n y vic tim s it swa llow s a t difle r en t

.

a ges m os tly in yo uth

,
I will a dd on ly th is tha t it ca n n o t be d esc ri bed
.
, ,

wh a t a g ri ef t ea rs the hea rt in l ookin g up on the slow a gon y of a dea r

bein g wh e n y ou a re u n a bl e t o he lp t o giv e som e re l ie f o r ev en som e ,
 B AR SZ CZEWS K I S E R I E S

Th e f a mi l y B a r sz cze w ski l iv es on the limi ts Of e thmo

g ra p hica l Pol a n d The p rovin c e O f Gro dn o ha s a
. m ix e d
P olish Li thua n ia n a n d Whi te R uthen ia n p op ula tion
, , As .

i t lie s out sid e of th e kin g dom of P ola n d fix ed in 1 8 1 5 th e ,

e fforts a t R u ssifica t ion ha v e a lw a ys b een s tr on ge r a n d m or e

c on tin uou s th ere ; thu s the re is a c erta in in flu en c e of R u ssia n

,

c ultur e Th ese t wo fa c tors e xp la in c erta in di ff e ren c es in

.

a tt itud es when c om p a r e d wi th t h e n o r m a l psyc h ol o gy O f t h e

P oli sh p ea sa n t Th e in fil tr a tion O f e a s tern in fl u en c es m a y

.

perh a ps be t he rea son for t h e m a rke d dissolution of t h e

fa mi l y rela tion whic h w e fin d h er e Th e fa the r d oe s n ot.

l ive wi th t he m oth er ( N O . S ta n isl a w qu a rrel s with

J6zefa wi th Kr y szcza k with Al eksa n d e r B a n d b rea ks O ff

, .

rela tion s a lm os t c om p le tely wi th his pa ren t s—a ll b e c a u se

, ,

O f c ert a in e c on omi c m isun d er s t a n din gs Tom a sz wri tes a n

.

e xc ep ti on a ll y h a rd l e tt e r t o hi s m o th er wh en sh e a sks for

h el p ( N O . Th eir b rother in la w S tef a n is a cc u se d of

- -
, ,

in diff er en ce by h is sis t er a n d p a r en ts An d it is ev id en t
.

from o th er fa c t s th a t this situ a tion is th e result of t h e dissolu

tion of a form er s ta t e of grea t er solid a ri t y I n d e e d t he .

c la im s of f a m ilia l s olid a rit y a re t h e s a m e a s in a n o rm a l

P ol ish f a mil y For e x a m p l e ever yb od y a sks S t a n is la w
.
,

for m on e y on t h e b a sis O f t h e fa m ilia l rel a tion s An d th o s e .

c la im s a re s till p a rtl y rec ogn ized ; Toma sz ha d l en t m on ey

t o S t a n i s la w S t a n isl a w giv e s a d owr y t o h is sis t e r
, M or e .

th a n this w e fin d h ere a ty p ic a l en dea vor t o e s ta b lish a

,

p erson a l c on n ec tion b e tween t wo m em b ers of the f a m il y w ho

do n o t kn ow ea c h oth e r ( N O .Thu s t he fu n d a m en ta l
108
 BAR SZ CZEWS KI SERI E S I O9

fa mili a l or ga n iz a tion w a s evi d en tl y th e sa m e a s every where

a m on g t h e P oli sh p ea s a n ts An d th e di s or ga n iza tion ca n
.

n ot be e xp l a in ed m erel y by t h e in fl u en c e O f m oder n li f e s in c e ,

it exist s a lr ea d y in t h e O ld e r g en era tion a n d c oul d har dl y

develop S O r a pidl y in t h e y ou n g gen era tion if it ha d n ot b een
p repa re d .

Th e se con d fea tur e is th e phil os ophi c a l a ttitud e t o

wa rd so c ia l a n d reli giou s p r ob l em s whi c h we fin d in th e
l etters of Tom a s z a n d Al eksa n der I t is n o t Poli sh in it s .

f orm b ut r em in ds u s of t h e socia li s tic a n d m y s tic a l reflec

,

tion s u s u a l l y cla d in p oe tic a l exp re ssion s of th e R u ssia n

, ,

”
Th e r o ute by whi c h
“
hom e b re d p hil osopher s O f lif e
- .

th e in flu en ce c a m e is ea sil y exp l a in e d ; it ca n be onl y th e

‘

R u ssia n li te ra ture Acc ordin gly those a tti tud es a re ra the r

.
,

sup erfic ia l p a rti c ul a rl y wi th Tom a sz ;

,
th e y do n ot gr ea tl y
in fluen c e t h e p ra c tic a l life .

THE FAM I LY B AR S Z CZE WS KI

Ja n Ba rszczewski a fa rmer ,

H is wife
Tom a sz
S ta n is l a w
hi s son s
An ton i
Al eksa n der
Ozefa Kry szcza k
{ Wikt ora Bla szczuk
hl s da ughters
An ton in a w ife Tom a sz
, of

M a ry a ( Wiszn iew ska ) wife of Sta n isla w

,

M a ry a ( Gé rska ) wife o f Aleksa n d er

,

P a uli n a wife O f An ton i

.

Al eksa n d er Kry sz cz a k husba n d O f J6z efa

,

Alfon s son of Tom a sz

,

Ad el a da ught er of Wik t ora Bla szcz u k

,

S tefa n G6rs ki brot her of M a ry a Al eksa n der s

’
, ,

S t efa n s fa th er
’
 I 10 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
O R GAN IZATI ON

3 1
—
9 48 ,
TO S TAN I S LAw B AR S ZCZE W S KI , IN AME RI CA , FR O M

FA MI LY - ME M BE R S , I N P O LAND

319 GR OD N O , N ovem be r 1 7, 1 90 6

[To S ta n i s l a w
B a rszczew sk i B egin n in g O f the l e tter m issin g ]
.

About p eop le a re to rture d in p rison s h un dred s ha v e been sh o t ,

a n d h a n ge d Th e sp rin g
. will p roba bly p u t m ore i n n ocen t
Victim s t o the s wo rd tha n the p resen t wi n ter for the blood th a t is ,

sh ed th e fir e o f ci t ies a n d villa ges do n o t subdue t he p eop l e bu t

, ,

ra ther ki n dle ha tred a ga i n s t their p ersecutors a n d Opp ressors I n .

ou r p rovin c e i t i s a l ittl e qu ie t e r b u t a t I n dur robber s com p e ll e d th e

p ost offi cia l t o giv e th em a ll t h e m on ey from t h e offi ce I n S isdra

- .

t he p os t Officia l kill e d on e a n d w o u n d e d a n o th e r of 1 2 ro bbers a n d

-
,

t h e o the rs fled w i th o ut m on ey B ut i t d oe s n o t m a tter m uch a s l on g

.

a s the re is n o a rm y wi th g u n s in v ill a ges a n d c it ies N ow

e ve ry thin g is d ea r from sa lt a n d m a tch es u p t o th e coa t on yo ur
,

S h oulde r s a n d th e wa gon of fir ewoo d a t th e m a rke t ; ch ea p is o n ly

t he li fe of t he p oo r m a n beca u se i t is t a k en a wa y wi th out qu es ti on
, ,

wi thout wi tn esses wi th out co urt ,

.

P roba bly y ou a re lon gin g th e r e d ea r bro th e r a n d som e tim e s , ,

so rrowful I a n ticip a te tha t a lthough su ch a grea t di sta n ce of la n d

.

a n d sea sep a ra t es y ou s ti ll in y o ur t h o ugh t y o u vi sit your co u n try

, ,

your re la tives a n d frien d s ; y ou rem em be r the ra d ia n t m om en ts a n d

,

th e p a in ful ho ur s y ou im a gin e th e cir cum s ta n ces m e t lon g a go ;

,

yo ur n a tive co un try house wi th it s s tra w roof a n d it s d ea r inh a bi ta n ts

- -

seem s love ly t o y ou ; p erh a p s even th e c urve d rid e be tween th e fi e ld s

g
or a n a ke d s t on e up on th e stripp e d soil rem in d s
y ou swee tly O f som e
m ys te ry of th e p a s t .

TOMAS Z B AR S ZCZE W S KI

VI LLAGE S YTKI , D ecember 2 6, 1 90 6

OU R DE ARE S T S ON S TAN I S LAW : We your p a ren t s

, ,
in fo rm y ou t h a t
we li ve a n d h ea lthy tha nks to ou r Lord God
a re a , . We wish to y o u
a l so good h ea lt h a n d m a y Go d s M o th e r bless
y ou in yo ur hea lth
’
,

a n d h e lp y ou in yo ur p la n s a n d m a y the Sa vior of th e w orld n o t fo r e t

,
g
’
y ou beca u se y ou d on t f orge t u s
, T ruly y ou a re ou r son beca u se , ,

y ou rem em be r ou r fa mily S O we a lso bl ess y ou a t l ea st in a le tte r

.
, ,

sin ce we ca n n o t sp ea k wi th y ou fa ce to fa c e a n d h ea rt to hea rt Go d .
I I 2 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

would sen d m e m on ey for a cow An d n ow you write a bout bein g .

a n g ry wi th m e But I did n ot ta ke it m yself O u r p a ren t s sa id so

. .
,

We h a ve tha nks t o God t wo cow s S O ta ke t h e old on e a n d th e yo un g

, , , ,

on e will re m a i n wi t h u s a n d wh en yo ur b r o th er se n d s y ou m on e y
, ,

y ou w ill bu y a n o th e r or y ou will h a v e it for som e thin g e l se

”
.
,

0 d ea r bro the r in la w if y ou kn ew wh a t a m isfortu n e I ha d

,
- -
A , ,
.

cow wh en ca lvin g wen t a wa y [ die d ] a n d a y ou n g h or se 3 y ea r s O ld

, , , , ,

di ed a l so Th erefore w e beg y ou d ea r bro ther in la w d on t be a n g ry

.
,
- -
,
’

with m e a n d with m y wife beca use we ha v e a fa rm which tha n k s

t o God ca n n o t be co un te d a s sm a ll—t wo p a rt s o f [m y fa th e r s] fa rm
, ,

’
,

( the third is ta ken a wa y for m y u n cle ) a n d 1 0 desia tin a s 2 0 m orgs ,

2 6 a c res] wh ich I bou gh t An d wha t y ou sa y a bout ta ki n g t h e

.

cow a wa y I d on t m i n d i t bu t y our p a r en t s sa id t h em selves

’ “
,
For , ,

s u ch a la rge fa rm it wo uld n o t be n i ce o f u s n o t t o giv e t h e cow

”1
.

An d th ey sa id Ta ke th e cow children a n d when S ta n isla w sen d s

,
“
, ,

y ou m on ey y ou wi ll bu y a n o th e r a n d for u s this you n g on e will b e

, ,

en ou g I ga ve th em h a y a n d ve tch for their cow S O n ow m y .

,

wif e a n d I we beg y ou b ro th e r in la w to keep yo ur p rom ise

, ,
Y es - -
,
.
,

d ea r bro th er y ou ha v e n o rea son t o be a n gry We beg y ou if y ou

, .
,

ca n n o t give u s t hen len d u s a t l ea s t beca u se w e n ee d it n ow ve ry

, ,

m uch GOO d e OZE FA a n d ALE K S AN D E R K R Y S ZCZAK J

'

[ S p ri n g ,
1 90 8 ]

[Th ree fourths of t he le tte r filled with gree t in gs from a ll th e m e m

-

be rs Of th e fa m ily ] An d I Ale k sa n d e r write furth e r a bo ut how a ll , ,

th is ha p p en ed Bro the r y ou a re very a n g ry with m e beca use it

.
, ,

h a pp en e d so in ou r lif e It is n o t y ou a n d n o t I who a rra n ged it bu t

.
,

ou r Lo rd God h i m se lf sen t i t I n o u r l if e w e we re com p ell e d t o bea r .

g rea te r m isery tha n th i s on e a n d we bo re i t ; so w e m u s t bea r thi s on e ,

a l so . M y broth e r if we do n t forgive ea ch o th e r ou r L o rd God w ill

,
’
,

n o t f o r g ive u s Y ou sa id bro the r t o p rovid e fo r t he w e dd in g of Jé zefa

.
, ,

S O I ga v e such a w edd in g a s wa s su ita ble It cost a ll toge ther with .

,

t he bed furn ishin gs a bout 1 0 0 r oubl es a n d t he 1 0 0 roubl e s of d owry

-
, ,

which you sen t a n d the cow befo re ca lvin g worth 8 0 roubles , .

I did n ot write t o y ou brothe r whe re fa the r lives Fa the r is in , , .

B a ciki a t hom e He does n o t wish t o be w ith m o ther

. .

[ALE KS AN DER B AR S ZCZE WS KI ]

Th m
2
e i g is th t Jé f s h b d i ri h m ow
ea n n a l rg fa m d
ze a
’
us an s a c an , ns a a e r , an

i t w ldou t be s it bl if JO f h d t
no u am ll d wrye Ze a a oo s a a o .
 BAR SZ CZEW S KI S ER I ES 1 1 3

32 3 [July 21 ,
1 90 8]

D E AR B R OTHE R : It is lon g tha t we ha ve ha d n o n ew s from

LI TTLE

y ou a bout your hea lth a n d exi s ten ce a n d we wa n t t o kn ow som e thi n g

a bo ut y ou —
, ,

how y ou ha m m e r ou t your ha pp in ess a broa d We kn ow .

tha t in Am e rica it is n o lon ger a s it u sed t o be beca u se a m ulti tude of ,

fa c to ries ha ve s topp ed work M a n y of ou r p eop le ha ve com e ba ck .

u n de r th eir n a tive roof s ; bu t y ou giv e n o n ew s of yourself .

S in ce sp rin g ou r p a ren ts ha ve been l ivi n g in Grod n o fa th e r wi th ,

m e m o th e r wi th Ale ksa n d e r
, W ith th e p re sen t l ette r I ha s tily .

a ddress m y self t o y ou hop in g tha t I m a y fin d in your k in d n ess a g ra ,

cion s h el p for m e in th e p rese n t m om en t wh ich is a ve ry d iffi c ult on e

fo r m e Th e qu es ti on is thi s : As y ou k n ow if y ou wish to ea r n a
.
,

m isera ble rouble h e re y ou m us t ba th e it in your swea t befo re y ou ,

re ce ive it I n ord e r t o supp o rt m y sm a ll ch ildren a n d m y wi fe a n d

.

t o a s s ure their e xi s ten ce in th e future I m u s t a cco rdin g t o m y Obl iga , ,

tion s rise when th e n i gh t wi th her da rk cloa k begi n s to fly befo re t he

,

ligh t of th e comin g da y While a ll p eop le a rou n d m e ca lm ly sleep .

u n tro uble d on their soft couch es I set to work in ord e r to clea r the ,

roa d s for them th a t When the p owe rful Of thi s world wa lk in th eir
,

leis ure the y ma y n ot hurt their d elica te feet a ga i n st a n y sm a ll lu mp

o f ea rth O r th a t t h e ca p riciou s l a di es m a y n o t soil their m a n y co lo r ed
,
-

S ilk dr esses The whol e lon g da y I wo rk li k e a n a n t in a n a n ts n est

.
,

u n til n i gh t drives a wa y the la s t ligh t of th e da y An d so da ys week s .

, ,

m on th s a n d yea rs p a ss a n d who k n ows wh ether m y whole life will

, ,

n o t be like thi s ? Tha nks to ha rd la bor I succeeded in p uttin g

2

a sid e a sm a ll s u m ou t of whi ch I bou gh t a li ttl e l a n d a n d b u ilt a sma ll

h o u se b u t I ca n n o t fini sh it beca u se O f la ck of m on ey ; th e re a re
,

i th is typ
ii r ti Th r ti d A s th ti
t t—
On e Of p h l osop h z n g , cf I n t odu c on
2
. : eo e c an e e c

I t r t
n e es s Th tr t t e conrich d p w rf l d t h
en t he con a s be w ee n th e an o e u an
—
.
, e

poo r w rk m h w th i fl
o an f ity l if a d of t h w rkm
s o sp sych l gy
e n u en ce o c e n e o an o o .

We do t fi d t h i ttit d m g t he p a s t f rm er wh v if p r h v i
no n s a u e a on e an a s o, e en oo , a e n

th m tter p y h l g y f i d p e de t p r p riet s S i li m fin d littl

ose a s a s c o o o n e n n o or . oc a s s e

i t r t m g the f rm ers n ot o l y b c
n e es a on of it st dp i t i m tters f p rop
a ,
n e a u se s an on n a o

e ty b t
r l b u i th b liti
a so f fd m th re h s de el p d a c
eca u se , s n ce e a o on o ser o , e a v o e er

ta i lf— i
n se d p rid i th p
con sc ousn ess a n t which r der th id f bei g e n e ea sa n en e ea o n a

l
c a ssopp ressed by t h c p ita li t devoi d f c te t a d diffi c lt f cc p t c
e a s o on n n u o a e an e .

Th r i e y of co
e e s dnv e ti m t of i j s ti i th divi i o of p r p rty
u rse , a n a s n en n u
—
, ce n e s n o e ,

b t
u i f b i g
n o con sc ousn ess o p l it d p t i m a tte f t es M r r
e n ex o e e x ce n rs o ax . o eo v e ,

th p e t f m r b i g th m mb r f f m ily do
e a sa n ar e , t f l s i la t d i hi
e n e e e o a a , es n o ee o so e n s

str ggl
u f life d t h w rkm a
or T ma i o l y b g i i g t d
e as oes lop th
e o n . o sz s n e nn n o eve e

w rkm
o p sy h l g y
an c o o .
I I 4 P R I MAR Y—
G RO UP OR G AN I ZATI O N

ne ith er s toves n or doo rs n or win dows n or m a n y o th er thin gs I

, , ,
.

ca n bo rro w n owh er e e ven a t 1 0

p er cen t a n d n ow t he t im e h urrie s
, ,

m e t o fi n i sh i t S O I beg y ou d ea r bro th er d on t refu se m y r e qu es t

’
.
, , ,

sen d m e th e soon es t p ossibl e a t l ea s t wh a t y ou o w e m e a n d h e r eby ,

y ou w ill do a g rea t se rvice t o m yse lf a n d t o m y fa m ily Y ou k n o w .

,

fea r com es up on m e when I rem em ber tha t if I d on t ha ve m y own ’

sm a ll h om e wh en m y stren g th a n d m y h ea l th r e fu se th e i r se rvice

a n d I sha ll be com p ell e d t o t a k e a s t ic k in to m y h a n d a s a h e lp t o

m y f ee t tha t I sha ll then ha v e t o sp en d th e res t O f m y d a y s in som e

,

da mp a n d ha lf da rk cella r I feel ill a t this though t I en d ea vored

-
. .

t o a dd on e p en n y t o a n o the r in t he m ea sure Of m y s tren g th a n d

ca p a ci ty in o rd e r t o se c ur e m y self a ga in s t a n y bla ck h o ur a n d t o ,

ha ve a t an y ra te a roof of m y own .

B es id es wh a t y ou ow e p lea se te ll S tefa n tha t we beg him t o len d

,
-

u s a bo ut 50 r oub les a n d a t th e fir s t Op p o rtu n i ty w e p rom ise t o give

,

it ba ck wi th ou r th a n k s
,
.

ToMAsz a n d AN TON I N A B AR S ZCZE W S KI

Februa ry 4 1 9 0 9 ,

D E AR B R OTH ER S TA N I S LAW We beg your p a rdon '

don t be a n gry wi th u s if we off en ded y ou a bout th is ship ticke t

’
-
,

be ca u se w e did n o t kn ow a t wh ose cos t y ou cou n te d it a n d n ow w e ,

tha n k y ou for exp la i n in g t o u s h ow it ough t t o be Al eksa n d er sa ys .

tha t h e will give u s 1 0 0 roubles [of th e d ebt he owes y ou ] a n d w e tha n k

y ou for i t for your good w ill a n d yo ur good a c ti on s
, We tha n k a l so .

o u r b roth e r Al e k sa n de r beca u se h e did n o t d isa v ow tha t [ d eb t]

, ,

wh ich he p a y s u s .

N ow it is yo ur p a ren ts w ho write D e a r son y ou wri te to u s .

, ,

you r p a ren t s a n d y ou a sk u s a bo ut the m on ey which y ou sen t But

, .

y ou sen t u s 50 roubl es when Ale k sa n d e r ca m e from t he a rm y wh ich ,

we re for his j ourn ey a n d you sen t the res t a t ou r disp osition a n d

, ,

n ow y ou a sk a bout i t The 1 50 roubl es [a dd i tion a l ] wh ich y ou se n t

.
,

y ou wro t e a n d sa id yourself in yo ur l e tte r tha t y ou w er e p rov id in g fo r

t h e m a rria g e Of J6zefa a n d w e did e ve rythin g a s y ou wro te w e y o ur
, , ,

fa ther a n d m o the r your p a ren ts An d n ow S ta n isla w y ou d em a n d

,
.
, ,

2 0 0 ro ub le s from Alek sa n d e r We a sk y ou wha t [ 2 0 0 rou bles] ? He

.

is givin g 1 0 0 roubl es to Toma sz a n d 1 0 0 rou bl es we re S p en t for ou r ,

d ifferen t e xp en ses for w edd in g clo thes m a rria ge fea s t a n d diff eren t
,
-
,
-
.

thin gs
I I 6 PR I M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR G AN I ZATI O N

som eb o dy s tole m y p urse with m y m on ey The re wa s n ot m u ch .

,

fiv e roubl es w ith som e cop ec ks a n d Am e ri ca n B e lgia n D ut ch, , , ,

G erm a n coin s I d on t regre t t h e R uss i a n m on ey bu t I do th ose

,
.
’
,

s tra n ge c o i n s beca u se I ga th e re d them for rem embra n ce

,
An d .

m oreove r it w a s n ot n i ce a n Am e ri c a n c om in g h om e in a ca b a n d
, ,

a sk in g th e l a n dl a dy t o p a y t h e ca bm a n E v ery thin g el se I brou gh t .

a rr ived sa f e ly I ga ve t he ea r ri n gs t o your sister ih la w for

.
- - -
,

which sh e tha n k s y ou v ery m u ch Sh e is v ery m u ch p lea sed . .

Tom a sz bough t a lo t a n d bu ilt a sm a ll h ou se yo ur secon d bro th e r ,

bou gh t a l so a n d bu ild s a n d y o ur p a r en t s a re in Gr odn o your fa th e r

, ,

with Tom a sz m oth e r with t h e youn ger son a n d so th ey l ive O n ly

, ,
.

th ey a re v ery a n g ry wi th Tom a sz beca us e y ou wro te t o t h e y o un ge r

bro th e r t o g iv e T om a sz your m on e y Tom a sz took 1 0 0 roubl es a n d
.
,

t he res t r em a i n s w ith th e you n ge r bro th e r beca u se bo th of the m n ee d ,

it. Th ey bo th bough t [lo t s] a n d th ey a re both buildi n g .

[ S i gn a ture m issi n g]

S ep tem be r 5, 1 91 0

We in f or m y ou , d ea r b r oth e r , tha t w e r eceived 2 0 0 r ou bl e s

Of m on ey , a n d [ w e ] , yo ur b ro th er a n d s is t e r in la w , th a nk
y ou ve ry
- -

m u ch for refu sin g ou r re quest N ow broth e r S ta n isla w y ou

n ot .
, ,

a sk e d wh e t h e r ou r p a r en t s a re a liv e so w e a n sw e r
y ou a n d i n f o rm
,

y ou th a t th ey l e ft for th e cou n try beca u se m o the r w a s ve ry ill a n d

,

S h e w a s a fra id of dy in g in Gr o d n o so th ey l e ft for th e O ld p l a ce
, .

But tha n k s t o God n ow th ey a re in good hea l th

, , N ow y ou .

a sk br o t he r a bo ut Ch odorow ski
, , H e is n ow a g r ea t l ord h e d oes
.
,

n o t e ven wish t o sp e a k t o u s b ec a u se h e h a s o en ed a beersh o

p , p a nd a
s to r e Y ou sa y tha t y o u sen t h im 3 l e tte rs a n d h e sa y s th a t h e h a s
.

received n on e
TOMAsz B AR S ZCZE W S K I [ P roba bly written by h is son ]
N ow your [ god] son bows to y ou He t en d s t h e cow .
.

32 7 N ov e mbe r 7 , 1
91 0
D E AR B R OTHER : [ G en e ra l ities a bo ut h ea l th ] I h ea rd d ea r ,

bro the r th a t y ou wro te tha t y ou in t en d e d t o co m e in a y ea r

, SO w e .

beg y ou com e a n d w e w ill live h e r e a s be s t w e ca n

, , N ow I beg y ou .
,

d ea r bro th e r if y ou ca n sen d m e 1 0 0 roubl es I d on t w a n t th em fo r

, , .
’

dri n ki n g bu t I sh ould l ike to b u y a n oth er cow I h a ve som e roubl es

, .
,
 B AR SZCZEW S KI SERI ES I I 7

bu t it is n ot en o ugh
I ha ve a p iece of la n d bu t I ha te to sell it
.
,
.

’
If y ou com e y ou ca n ta ke it for yo ur hou se a n d if y ou d on t wa n t it ,

I sha ll th en sell it t o som ebody el se a n d give y ou the m on ey ba ck I .

sh ould like t o b orr ow m on ey h e r e b u t n obody will giv e i t t o m e ,

.

G ood m en ha ve n on e a n d ba d m en a re en viou s N ow I i n fo rm y ou .
'
,

dea r bro th er tha t m y hou se cost s m e 7 0 5 roubl es a n d t he cell a r 1 0 5 ,

’
ro ubles I beg y ou dea r bro th er togethe r with m y w ife d on t
.
, , ,

refu se m y request N ow y our [ god ] son Alfon s gree ts y ou ,

wishes y ou e very go od a n d begs y ou t o com e .

[ T O MASZ B AR SZCZE W S KI

win ter 1 9 1 0 — I I [ P ro ba bly ,

I Al eksa n d e r your bro th er a n d m y wif e M a rya a n d m y

, , ,

ch ildr en w e Ba rsz czew skis sen d y ou a g ree tin g b ro the r S ta n isla w

, ,

a n d sis t e r in la w We don t y e t kn ow ou r s i st er in la w bu t by le tte r

- -
.
’
- -
,

w e k iss y ou bro the r a n d s i s t er in la w a n d w e w ish y ou in th e n a m e

,
- -
, ,

of J esu s h ea lth a n d wh a te ve r y ou w a n t fr om God

,
An d n ow I a sk .

y ou br oth e r wh e the r ou r L o rd Jesu s l oved t h e world or t he m a n ?

, ,

I sa y the m a n beca u se for his sa ke He w a s h un g up on th e cross a n d

, , ,

He l ove d th e m a n Wh en h a n gin g up on th e cross He sa w Joh n

.
,

u n d e r th e cross a n d sa id t o his m o th er Th ere sta n din g n ea r y ou is

, ,
“

your son An d H e sa id to John

.
”
Tha t is your m o th er S o He ,
.
”

ca lle d u s son s o f M a ry a n d His b ro th e r s O u r L ord J esu s sa y s to u s

,
.
,

“
Broth er s love God a n d I will love y ou
,
Ou r Lord Jesu s ord ers
,
.

m en t o l ove on e a n o th er a n d t o c a ll on e a n o th e r bro the r s Why do .

w e children of th e sa m e fa th e r a n d th e sa m e m other n o t l ove

, ,

o n e a n o th e r ? Wh y ? B eca u se fire is kin dl ed a m on g u s a n d h ell ,

bur n s a n d sa ta n s r ej o i ce tha t w e bro th e r s l iv e w ell a n d re m embe r

, , , ,

on e a n o th er a n d l o v e on e a n o th e r in s u ch a w a y [ iron y ] Oh m a y .
,

God a n d th e H oli es t M ot h er gra n t u s bro the rs t o l ov e on e a n other ; , ,

a s M a ry l oved o u r L o rd J esu s so w e ough t t o l ove on e a n o th e r a n d ,

h a ve ch a r ity As Ch ris t ou r L ord sa id L ove on e a n other a n d ha ve “

,
.

ch a r ity th en your H igh est w ill love y ou But y ou brother did ”I

.
, , ,

y ou rem e mbe r tha t y ou ha d a f a th er a n d a m o th er in y our l a n d ?

Y ou f o rgo t h ow y our m o ther n urse d y ou how m a n y n igh ts sh e ,

did n o t sl eep Y ou w en t t o m a k e m on ey a n d y ou f o rgot tha t y ou

.
,

Th whole lig iou i trod ctio m y b

2
e re i th im ita tio f
s n m u n a e e er a n n o a ser on or

es lt f p h il ph i i g u d r R i i fl with T m B t from
“ ”
a r u o oso z n n e u ss a n n u en ce , a s o a sz . u

th is p i t to t h e d th l tter i typ ica ll y P li h d p

o n e n e t e s o s an ea sa n .
I I 8 PRI M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR G AN I ZATI O N

l eft Old p a ren ts D O y ou k n ow b roth er wh a t a sorrow th ere wa s

.
, ,

wh en ou r m o ther w a s dyi n g ? S he ca ll ed t o u s My son s w h y do I ,

“
,

n o t s e e y ou ? You w en t fa r a wa y i n to th e w orld a n d y ou f o r g o t ,

a bo ut u s Wh a t a p ity it w a s wh en ou r m o th er w a s dyi n g th a t
”

there w a s n obody t o wip e the tea rs from h er eyes An d n everth el ess .

in dyin g sh e bl esse d [ h er son s] a n d sh e bl essed y ou bro th er S ta n i sl a w

, ,
.

Sh e did n o t f orge t y ou a lthou gh y ou f orgo t y o ur m o th er

,
B ef ore h er .

d ea th she wrot e a sk in g for h e lp th en I bo rro w ed som e m on e y a n d

,

sen t i t t o th em ; bu t T om a sz wro te su ch a l e tt e r th a t ou r f a t h e r co uld

n o t li s t en wh en th e y r ea d i t t o him so h e wr o t e m e ,
.

ALE K S AN DE R B AR S ZCZE W S KI

32 9 VIL LAGE S YTKI ,

D ece mbe r 2 9, 1 91 3

MY DE AR E S T S ON S TA S I O I yo ur
A N D MY D AU GH TER -
I N - LAW : ,

f a th er sen d y ou m y b l essin g M a y God b l ess y ou in your in ten t ion s

,
.

a n d h elp y ou ; w h a t ev e r y ou wi sh for y o ur selve s I w ish it t o y ou ,

.

An d n ow I i n f or m y ou d ea r children th a t I a m a l ive b u t a s t o m y
, , ,

h ea lth I sca rcely liv e in th is w orld

,
I ca n n o t n ourish m yself [ ta k e .

th e sa m e f ood ] a s bef or e a n d t o tell t h e truth i t i s ve ry h a rd for

, ,

m e t o l iv e n ow An d I in fo rm y ou d e a r son tha t w e b urie d y our

.
, ,

m o th er 3 y ea rs a go bu t y ou did n ot k n ow a bout m o th e r s d ea th
'

, ,

be ca u se y ou forgo t a bout u s It seem s t o m e th a t 7 y ea rs h a ve

.

p a ssed s i n ce w e sp oke to on e a n o th er by l e tt e r s
o
M o re th a n on ce .

w e w ep t for y ou th i n k in g th a t y ou w e r e n o l on ge r a liv e
,
But a t .

l a s t w e receive d n ew s from y ou a n d I w a s gl a d th a t in m y old d a ys

,

I h ea rd a t l ea s t by l e tter som e words a bo ut your lif e a n d su ccess .

N ow I beg y ou m y son d on t f o rget a bout m e y our old f a th e r a n d

’
, , , ,

p erh a p s God will n ot forge t a bo ut y ou I w ish y ou m y d ea r ch ildren .

, ,

e ve ry good a n d a bove a ll h ea lth

,
Your f a th er O ld a lrea dy.
, ,

JAN B AR S ZCZE W S KI
[ F oll ow greet in gs from bro th er a n d a n O ld com p a n ion ]

Ma y 1 9, 1 91 4
B RO THE R AN D SI S TER I N LAW
D E AR I your b ro th e r - -
,

An ton i a ddress m y self t o m y b ro ther S t a n isl a w w ith a g rea t r e qu es t

, .

M y d ea r bro th e r I your br o th er w ith g re a t t im id ity beg y ou t o be

, , ,

so goo d a n d t o l e n d m e a t l ea s t 3 0 0 r o u bl es I w ill give it ba ck .

,

e ve ry p en n y beca u se t o t ell t he truth I h a v e en ou h t o liv e on fr o m

, , g ,
I 20 P RI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR GAN I ZATI O N

To m y godfa th e r :
D E AR F ATH E R I sen d y ou m y lowes t bow bowin g bel ow your
, ,

kn ees a n d I k iss bo th your ha n d s I i n f orm y o u th a t I a m h ea lthy

,
.
,

th a n k s t o God a n d I w ish y ou the sa m e good h ea lth from ou r L ord

, ,

God e very virtu e a n d h a p p in ess

,
Y ou a sk m e wh e th e r I l ea rn so
.
,

I will tell y ou tha t I w ish it very m u ch bu t n ow it is co ld a n d sn ow

,

fell a n d I ha ve n o shoes on ly O ld sl ip p ers I ki ss your ha n d s a n d

, ,
.

I beg y ou for a p a ir of shoes a n d th en I beg yo ur p a rdon

,
.

su n is se t t h e l ig h t is ou t m y p en sl ipp e d fr om m y h a n d I
, ,

wa n t to sl eep G oodbye !
.

Your well wish in g -

,

ADE LA B LAS ZCZU K [ a v e ry yo u n g child ]

 H AL I CKI S ER I E S

I n t h e B a r sz czew ski serie s w e n o tic ed c erta in eff ec t s which

R u s sia n in fl uen c e h a s up on th e p ea sa n t on th e ea ster n b ord e r
of e thn ogr a phic a l P ola n d Here w e fin d th e Germ a n in
.

’
flu en ce m a nifes te d in t h e we s t Th e Ha licki s live in a sm a ll
.

town in th e p rovin c e Of Posen The y a re n o t p ea sa n t s b ut

.
,

b elon g to th e lower b ourgeoisie The o rigin a l di fferen ce .

in a tti tud e s be tween t he p ea sa n t c l a ss a n d t h e lowe r b our

geoisie ( h a n dworke r s sh opkeep er s e t c ) in sm a ll town s w a s
, ,
.
,

however ra ther sm a ll I n f a c t t he P o li sh bourgeoisie

, .
,

w a s c on s ti tuted m a in l y O f t w o elem en t s— Ger m a n imm i

gra n ts O f t he bourgeois c la ss a n d Poli sh p ea sa n ts se ttled
in tow n s .I n sm a ll town s th e l a tte r el em en t p r e v a iled .

Town li f e develop ed of c our se differ en t a ttitu des in eco

, ,

n omi c a n d t o som e e x t en t in r eli gio u s li f e b ut t h e c h a r

, , ,

a c ter of f a mi li a l li f e a n d t h e r e l a tion towa rd t he c omm u n i t y

r em a in ed e ssen tia ll y th e sa m e a n d even in e con omi c li f e

,

m os t O f t h e fun d a m en ta l f ea tur e s Of th e p ea sa n t a re p re
serve d , e g. qua n tific a tion O f ec on omi c v a lu es p ropert y
.
, ,

a s fu n d a m en ta l c a te go r y N ev erthe le ss the se Old a ttitudes

.

disin tegr a te m ore ra pidl y in town s a n d a n y e x tern a l infl u ,

en c e sh ow s it s effe c t s m u c h soon e r in a t own th a n in a

vill a ge.

An d this is p r ec is el y tru e in th e c a s e O f t h e H a li ckis .

The ha rd b u sin ess lik e a ttitud e to wa rd li f e whic h c ha r

,
-

a ct eriz es t h e Pru ssia n o r ga n iza tion h a s b een a ssimil a t e d by

t h e P ol e s in th e p ro vin c e of Po sen ; thi s a s sim il a tion w a s

n e c e ss a ry in vie w o f t h e e con om i c a n d n a tion a l s tru ggl e

whic h the y ha ve to c a rry on Th e c ha n ge d a tti tudes r equ ire

.

a r e or ga ni za tion of t h e old fa mili a l a n d c omm u n a l soli d a r it y

upon a n ew ba sis a n d thi s reorga n iza tion is goin g on B u t

, .
I 22 PRI M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

wh er ever it is n ot y e t a c hieved th e n ew a ttitudes m e r el y

di ssolv e t he Old soc ia l s y s tem a n d w e fin d su c h S itua tion s
,

a s t h e p r e sen t on e .

On e sp ecia l p oin t i s s tr on gly em p h a siz e d in thi s ser ie s

th e c h a ra c t er Of a l e tte r a s m ea n s of l i te r a r y e xp r e ssion a n d
t h e f eel in g O f ob lig a tion to m a ke th e l e tt er s a s goo d a s
po ssib l e from t h e li te ra r y poin t of View .

TH E FAM I LY HALI C KI

R Ha lic ka ,
. a widow
Po lika rp
K a io ( K a z i m i e rz)
z
h er son s
M icha l
Ta d ek (Ta dzio Ta deusz) ,

P el a
J a dwiga h e r d a ugh t ers
S ta si a ( S ta ch a S ta n isl a wa )
,

M a n i a ( M a ry Ska M a ry si a ),

S ta s ( S t a n isl a w ) R a kowski P el a s h usba n d

’
,

Krukowski J a dwiga s betrothed

,
’

G ra n d m o t h e r

33 2 —
47 ,
TO P O LIK AR P HALI CKI , I N AME R I CA , F R OM F AM IL Y
ME MB E R S IN PO L AND , AND A LE TTE R (3 48 ) FR O M

HALI CK I To THE A U TH OR S .

ZALE S I E , O c t obe r 7 , 1 91 2

I tha n k y ou for your l e tter for wh ich I wa ited w ith

D E AR S O N : ,

lon g i n g We kn ew tha t on e ship sun k w ith th e m en Glo ry be t o

. .

God th a t y ou a re h ea l thy a n d h a pp y I beg y ou m y d ea r son write

.
, ,

t o u s a s often a s y ou ca n y o u kn ow h ow gl a d I a m w h en I ca n s p e a k
,

w ith y ou a t l ea s t by le tters M y sickn e ss h a s decr ea se d a

l ittle ; durin g the p a st w eek I w a s so sick tha t I did n o t recogn ize m y
frien d s I don t kn ow wh en ce this sickn ess ca m e
.
’
bu t S t a sia
k n ew h ow to hel p me a n d Go d is good a n d le t m e l ea v e m y bed
,
.

An d y ou d ea r Pol ika rp h a v e p rov id ed m e so w e ll w i th hou segoods

, ,

tha t I ca n ha ve everythin g wh a tever a si ck p er son m a y n eed W hen

,
.

I l ook up on th e furn iture bough t fro m your econ om ized m on ey I

m u st she d t ea r s I n your r oo m l ives yo ur s u cce sso r M r Fra n kow ski
.
,
. .
I 24 PRI MAR Y G R OU P
-
O R G ANI ZATI O N

S he is wh a t ca l m er I wo uld n o t gri eve y ou wi th sa d n ew s ; I

som e .

th ink n everth eless th a t it wi ll be be tter if I describe t o y ou everyth in g

s i n ce r ely .

I a m ve ry p a i n ed th a t w e ha v e sp en t th e l a s t ti m es so sa dly .

P erh a p s y ou reg re t i t yo ur se lf for if y ou h a d k n ow n th a t y ou wo uld

,

ge t so fa r a wa y ce rta i n ly y ou w o uld n o t h a v e a c t ed th u s a n d y ou ,

wo uld ha ve sp a re d ou r m o the r s tea rs An d S ta sia a n d even Ja dwig a

’
.
, ,

is n o t so ba d a lth o ugh sh e h a s a sh a rp ton gu e

,
P a rti c ula rly I co uld .
,

n o t bea r i t t ha t y o u h a t ed h e r so Wha t sh ould I sa y ? I ou gh t t o

.

a v en ge m y self m o re th a n y ou did P e rh a p s y ou won t be p l ea se d w ith

’
.

m e for m en ti on i n g O ld s i n s But I kn o w h ow m uch w e h a ve a ll w ep t

.

wh en we l ea rn e d th a t y ou w ere to go a wa y in ea rn es t It seem e d t o .

u s S O im p roba bl e Ja dwiga cri ed for wh o le da y s th a t sh e did n o t bid

.

y ou go odbye E v e rybo dy sa id tha t i t w o uld be be tte r if M i ch a l h a d

.

l eft h e would h a ve ca used less sorro w

, .

Yo ur p la ce is occup ied bv a M r Fra n kow ski Th e boys ough t t o . .

ta ke him for a m odel Wh a t a qui e t m a n ! For whol e ev en in g s he

.

s ta y s a t h om e r ea d s p l a y s with th e boy s a t di ff e r en t ga m es
, ,
M o th e r .

wo uld even p refer som e ti m es if h e w en t som ewhere or sh ut h im se lf u p

in h is room ; sh e co uld then do m o re [h o u sewo rk ] M a n ia is with .

m e durin g th e da y h elp s m e in eve ryth i n g a n d wa i t s im p a tien tly fo r

t h e ev en i n g t o com e—
,

they a re so m erry a n d j est so m uch th e re a t

h om e . But Ja dwiga s ta y s wi th m e con t in ua lly ; she h el p s m e in
sewin g a n d sl eep s h e r e I h a ve on ly 3 g irl s for sewin g a n d th ere is
.
,

v e ry m u ch wo rk D on t won d er th a t w e did n o t a n sw e r y ou
.
’

soon e r S ta s [h u sba n d ] com mitte d it t o m e a n d I h a ve t oo m u ch

.
,

t o do . Th e b u sin ess goes on v ery w ell B ut a lth ough w e h a ve .

en ou gh t o ea t a n d t o dr in k I a m n o t sa ti sfi ed w i th a ll t h i s S ta s is .

i n iquitou s He n ever gets drun k bu t h e ha s such a so m e thin g in him

.

t h a t m or e th a n on ce th e w or s t id ea s co m e in to m y m in d I p u t a ll .

t h e f a ult up on m yself a n d r ep roa ch m y self [for ha v in g m a rried him ] ,

a n d y o u wo uld do th e sa m e Y ou write m e th a t y o u a re p l ea se d
th ere a n d su cceed well Tha n k s t o God if it is rea lly so bu t it see m s
.
, ,

t o m e tha t y ou t ry to stifle y o urself [ y our f eel in gs] I ca n n o t bel ie ve .

,

I k n ow your d isp osition I k n ow how m uch I suf ered w ithout sho w in g

,

i t a l tho ugh I w a s judged v ery ba d

,
An d tod a y wh en I r e flec t it .
, ,

s ee m s t o m e th a t th er e w a s n obody w o r th v of m S ta s
’

y su fierin gs .

w o uld n ot be so ba d Of h i m self if h e w ere be tter educa ted a n d did n o t

,

l a ck rel igion Thi s ki lls m e th a t h e wa s a ble th u s t o p re te n d An d

.
, .
 H ALI CKI S ERI ES 1 2 5

t od a y it see m s a s if h e wa n te d to a ven ge him self up on my fa mily ,

as

if h e h a ted th em He won t ldren com e t o ou r h om e

’
. le t th e chi .

Alth ough for th e k e Of a p p ea ra n ces w e d on t Sh ow it

t o p eop l e y e t
’
sa ,

a s w e a re in b u si n es s p eop l e n o t ice en ou gh
,
An d for h is ow n fa m ily .

h e figh t s t o th e la s t S ur ely h e wo uld l ik e to ha ve th em with h im

.
.

Th ey m oved t o L eszn o God kn ows for how lon g If th ey ha d k n ow n

,
.

th a t S ta s w ould com e so ra p idly to his own bu sin ess they would n ot ,

h a ve d on e it Wh a t I Sha ll ha ve t o struggle with s till ! An d it p a i n s

.

m e s till m or e wh en I see di scord a t h om e la ck of a tta ch m en t of on e ,

t o a n o th e r M y hea rt burs t O p en ! I sh ould lik e t o symp a th ize

.

m or e with them duri n g m y life bu t th ey [ t he boy s] a re too h a rd .

Alth ou gh th ey h a v e Fra n kowski 5 exa m p l e it is Of n o u se I don t ’

—
.

p r a i se h i m t oo m u ch — I k n o w littl e of h i s p a s t lif e b u t a s fa r a s w e
k n ow him it is diffi cult to fin d su ch a ki n d a n d qui e t m a n B ut .

M icha l ! If h e d oes n ot i m p rove h e will p e ri sh m i se ra bly N obody .

p ra ises him .

P e rh a p s I sh a ll bore y ou with m y scribbl in g bu t I d on t k n ow

’
,

h ow to com p ose a l e tte r a s w ell a s y ou do M or eove r I h a ve writt en

.

it durin g a wh ol e week a n d I h a v e a sore h a n d

,
On ly I beg y ou v e ry .

m u ch y ou h a ve a lrea dy the l e tte r from Krukowsk i h el p them a s

, ,

y ou ca n bu t k eep him in h a n d D on t be obsti n a tely grud gin g

’
.
,

a g a i n s t J a dw iga for w e h a ve en ou h t o s u ff e r fr om o t h e r s [ out sid e of

, g
t h e fa m ily] Toda y I so m u ch w a n t con cord a m on g ou r f a mily I
. .

h a ve a lwa y s d esir ed it bu t toda y a fter a n ew ca ta strop he with

S ta s—
, ,

p erha p s th ey will write y ou a bo ut i t fro m h om e I fin ish .

this l e tter a t home for I ca n n o t do it in m y own house from fea r

,

O f S ta s

I wish y ou h ea lth y a n d m erry holida ys—hea l t h h a p p in ess a n d

.

—
, ,

G o d s blessin g in th e N ew Yea r
’
.

I ha ve still so m uch to wr ite bu t l a ter .

Your lovin g sis ter ,

P ELA

334 D ece mber 1 6, 1 91 2

D E AR POLI KARP : I write

rst ti m e I wish
to y ou for th e fi .

y ou a M e rry Ch ri s tm a s I n o ticed tha t you ha ve s topp e d

.

writin g But y ou ough t to keep in yourself th e feelin g of a P ozn a m a k

.
'

[ m a n from Posen ] a n d n ot to h a ve a lrea dy tha t of a n Am erica n If .

1 2 6 PR I M AR Y GR OUP OR G AN IZ ATI ON

I could fin d th ere som e sui ta ble p osi tion I should com e n ext sp ri n g , ,

for h e re I a m bor e d t o d ea th .
2

Th e [ fa mily w a r is a littl e ca l m e d bu t n o t for lon g I h op e y o u ,

.

d on t in ten d t o com e ba ck wh il e it l a st s
’
M o th e r sa y s th a t .

wh en sh e receives a l e tter from y ou sh e f ee l s a s if sh e sp ok e wi th y ou

I n th e h ou se of R a kow ski [broth e r ih la w P el a s h u sba n d ]
’
- -
, ,

th ere w a s a n outb rea k l a t ely R told m o th e r t o get ou t O f his h o u se

. .
,

witho ut a n y rea son But don t be a n xi o u s a bout m o th er ; I w ill

.
’

a ven ge h er P el a is m u ch ch a n ged for R h a s bea ten h er se v e r ely

.
,
. .

A rea l cra zy ba n d i t If y ou wr i te t o h im a b u se him sou n dly

. An d .

don t m a k e h im a gift of your m on ey [a sk him to p a y h is d eb t t o y o u ]

’
,

for h e h a s sca r ce ly got f ea th e r s a n d h e wa n t s t o fly [H e be ca m e ,

.

a rroga n t to wa rd hi s w if e s f a mily a s soon a s his own b u sin ess de

’

v e lop e d P roba b ly h e w a s f orm e rly d ep en de n t up on th e m in fi n a n c i a l

.

m a tte r s ]
Yo ur broth er ,

KAZI MIE RZ

335 N ew Yea r ,
1 91 3

D E AR S ON ve ry gl a d to receive the m on ey bu t I
I wa s ,

f elt h ow p a rsi m on iou sly y ou m us t h a ve live d dea r son wishin g to , ,

h e lp m e for th e h ol ida y s E v en if I h a d n o t th e l o rd s h elp [p roba bly a

’
.

widow s p en s i on ] I should n o t a sk a n y thin g from y ou T ry on ly t o

’
,
.

p u t som e m on ey a s id e a n d t o com e b a ck a s soon a s p oss ibl e t o ou r

cou n try a t l ea s t for a sh ort ti m e N a tura lly on ly if w e h a ve p e a ce
’

.
, ,

for in th e con tra ry ca se y ou m u s t giv e u p co m i n g for I h op e th a t , i

y ou w on t com e h e r e for d ea th
’
Ta ke ca re of your h ea lth a n d lif e . .

Krukowsk i a n d we a re wa iti n g for your a n sw er t o his l e tte r s It .

w ould be be tter [if i t com es] for y ou would describe everyth i n g b u t ,

I be lieve th a t h e won t m i n d [ if it does n ot com e] bu t w ill go H e h a s

’
,
.

rela tiv es en o ugh th e re Fra n kow ski is n o lon ger h ere Th e r ea son
. .

w a s th a t h e sa w h e re n o futur e a t a ll H e n o t iced it a t on ce a n d .

tri e d secre tly to fin d a n oth er p l a ce a n d h e succeeded Wh en ,

h e ba d e good bye to th e p ries t th e l a tt e r a ske d him w h e th e r

M ich a l [ th e writer s son ] is a bl e to occup y his [ Fra n kow ski s] p l a ce
’ ‘

t d y t o g t w y fr m h m e i b com i g so g r l a m g P li h
2
The en en c e a a o o s e n en e a on o s

b y th t it m y b
o s a si d r d o f t h m t i m p rta t c
a e con s f em igr ti on
e e ne o e os o n a u se o a .

E i P l d hildr
v en n f l o an b rd c th ir dep e d ce th eir p r t d
en ee as a u en e n en on a en s a n

t h ir bliga ti to th m d f co r th i f li g
e O on s e ly i r
, an i Am ri
,
o u se , s ee n ca n on n c ea se n e ca .
 I 28 PRI M AR Y GR O U P
-
OR G AN IZATI O N

so and so Th ey ha ve a lrea dy g iv en him t h e titl e

m u ch .

“
direc tor O f th e mill But in th e Ofli ce w ork h e is v ery in dus tri o u s
.
-
.

Th ey a re sa ti sfie d with him a n d beli eve tha t h e will be a good

m e rch a n t
N ow sa d d a y s w ill begin h er e [ beca u se of L en t ] We sh a ll sp en d .

S u n d a y s on ly in rea di n g book s .

I fin i sh my Short writin g Corr ec t m y fa ults for i t is m y .

,

firs t l e tter .

I embra ce y ou hea rtily M AR YSK A [ M AN I A ]

.

337 F ebrua ry 10 ,
1 91 3

D E AR S ON : d a y s I ha v e ha d t h e i n ten tion O f
For so m e

writin g this le tter bu t I co uld n ot ga ther m y tho ugh ts for m y h ea rt

, ,

w a s burd en ed with so rro w b e ca u se M ich a l a l so w a s l e a vi n g u s

,
I .

a m ve ry a n xi o u s th a t h e m a y ge t b a ck h is goo d n a m e Y ou k n ow h im .

ve ry w ell so y ou ca n guess h ow h e is He h a s f o un d a p la ce him self

,
.

a n d w a n t ed a bso lute ly t o go in to th e w o rld b u t w h e n t he m o m en t ,

of sep a r a t ion ca m e h e Could n ot w i thh old t e a r s,

I ha ve a t l ea st t h i s .

on e com f ort th a t h e m a d e h is p ea ce wi th God

,
I n th e ev en in g h e .

wen t t o town t o con f ess i on t he n ext m orn in g h e receiv ed holy com ,

m u n i on a n d h e l eft on th e th ird da y
,
He wro te th a t h e is .

wo rkin g with a ve tera n of th e l a st in surrec tion I h op e th a t un d er .

th e i n fl uen ce of su ch a m a n h e will be e difie d Y ou will r ece iv e soon 2

.

a l e tte r fr om h im .

D ea r son S ta si a a n d I h a ve ha d sa d drea m s We sa w y ou a l wa ys
, .

gloom y a n d weep i n g But a s I guessed from yo ur le tter y ou m us t

.
, ,

h a v e b or n e p a i n ful m om en t s wh en y ou w e r e l ea v in g th e G a n zes .
2

On ly ta ke ca re th a t th e se di sa g ree a bl e thin gs don t h a pp en a n y m o r e ’

.

I beg y ou for God s sa ke d on t p oison your h ea lth w ith this th a t I

’
,
’

m a y see y ou a n d embra ce y ou on ce m ore a s m y m os t bel o ve d ch il d , .

Wh a t a joy it wa s when w e received t h e p a rce l of t ea ! It h a s a

v ery good ta ste a n d seem s to u s m ore h ea lth ful tha n o ur s I .

w a s ve ry gl a d th a t y ou ha d s u ch a n id ea Gra n d m o the r e ven m en .

t ion e d o n ce tha t a s y ou re m em ber a bo ut y our m oth e r o u r L o rd God

,

w on t forge t y ou
’
.

Cf N 2
33 6 . t o .
, no e .

H w g ged t th i d ugh te d left b ca f s m q a r el

2
e a s en a o e r a Th e r an e u se o o e u r .

m th r m
o e th t t h h d dr ms
ea n s a lr dy fu lfill d d furthe m i f rtu n
e a ea a re a ea e an no r s o e
i t b
s o ticip t d
e an a e .
 HALI C KI S ERI E S I 2 9

As t o the gossip Of Ososka , I h a v e ca l m ed h er a lrea dy N ow th e y .

begin to ta lk a bout th e Ga nz es O soska sa id tha t M rs G a n z a n d h er

. .

d a ugh ter a re ru n n in g a fter m en a n d M r C took a n a version to h er ,

. .

[ th e da ugh ter] on ce a n d forever .

D ea r son I in form y ou tha t Krukow ski in ten d s certa in ly to go t o

,

Am e rica B ef ore lea vin g he w il l be en ga ged t o Ja dwiga a n d wh en

.
,

h e com es ha p p ily to Am e rica h e will t a k e h er a t on ce ,

On ly I a m .

a fr a id th a t y ou won t receive h er a s a broth e r [ sh o uld ] But i t is

’
.

true tha t her ch a ra c ter ha s ch a n ge d a n d she is n ow v ery serio us .

Wh en Krukow ski com es Show him whe re h e ca n fin d th e bes t wo rk .

D on t be a fra id a bout m on ey for he fin ds his wa y him self I th i n k

’
,
.

th a t i t w o uld be the bes t for them if th ey co uld se ttl e in M ilwa ukee ,

for i t is th e best t o be a m on g on e s own p eop le Y ou k n o w

’
.

Krukowski th a t h e is a good m a n
,
.

Wh e reve r I go eve rybody a sks how y ou su ccee d O u r p ries t

,
.

a sk s oft en a bo ut y ou ; w h eth e r y ou i n ten d t o r e m a in th e re a n d h ow

y o u s uccee d I sa y on ly tha t good p eop l e ge t on well everywhere

.
,

while ba d p eop le a re a lwa ys so ur .

YOU R MOTH ER

338 Februa ry 1 9, 1 91 3

D E AR V S ON : I received the m on ey for which I sen d

AN D B ELO ED

y ou a h ea rty God re wa rd I rej oi ce very m uch d ea r child tha t

“ ”
.
, ,

be in g in su ch a fa r world y ou n e ve rth el e ss rem em ber a bout m e

,
I .

d o ub t wh e th er a n y of yo ur bro the rs wi ll do it But certa i n ly Go d .

will rewa rd y ou D ea r son it is n o t your duty Why should y ou

.
, .

e ve r re fu se a n ythin g t o your self ? An d m or eove r y ou ha ve still t h e , ,

b urd en of th e j ourn ey [ th e d eb t] S O on ce m ore m a y God re wa rd .

,

y ou !
As I h a ve m en ti on ed
lrea dy dea r son Krukowski is goin g on
a , ,

M a r ch 8 for h e sa ve d so m u ch tha t n ow h e ca n boldl y go a n d if h e

, ,

does n o t like it he ca n boldl y com e ba ck B efore l ea vin g i e n ext .

, . .
,

S un da y h e will excha n ge ri n gs with J a dwiga

, SO I beg y ou con sid e r .
,

hi m a m em be r of ou r fa mi ly i e in th e beg i n n in g u n til they m a rry

,
. .
, , .

La ter let th em do a s they like Krukowski con f esse d t o m e

.

sin ce r e ly th a t if h e h a d m a rrie d J a d wiga a t on ce h e would be ha p ie r

p
toda y But it is n o t his f a ult
. He told m e tha t he l ove d y ou
.

m u ch An d y ou kn ow how Ja dwiga h a s a lwa y s in ten ded to go t o

.

Am e rica Perha p s fortun e will be k in d t o her

. I sha ll sen d .
I 30 P RI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR GAN IZATI ON

y ou som e thin g
ro ugh Kru k owski ; I th i n k p erh a p s ciga rs a n d a
th
bo ttl e Of cogn a c An d I b eg y ou ta ke ca re O f Kruk o wsk i , ,

l es t som e Am eri ca n g irl should se duce him Well God s will .

,
’
.

Y OU R M O TH ER

339 Ap ril 3 , 1 91 3

D E AR S O N : We h a d h e re n ice [ Ea s t e r] h oli da ys M ich a l .

wa s a w a y on ly 3 da ys he co uldn t h o ld ou t l on ge r
’
, 0 m y God .
,

h ow M icha l is cha n ge d ! He sa t a t h om e a n d w h en I told him t o g o ,

a n d a m u se him self h e p e tt e d m e a n d sa id Eh m o th e r I f eel th e

“
, , ,

bes t wi th y ou Im a gin e th i s ! He who wa s so in sol en t ! I won t

” ’
.
,

e v en d escri be h ow th e y beh a ve d h e a n d K a zim i e rz a ft e r y o ur go i n g , , .

An d th e ir dem a n d s ! K a z i m i erz is a li ttl e a n gry for th e truth

wh i ch y ou wr ot e h im .

Tell m e wha t y ou wa n t I wi ll sen d y ou everyth in g th ro ugh .

Ja dwi ga For a s y ou kn ow the Ship ticke t will com e soon

.
, ,
-
.

An d m a y God gra n t it for I h a ve a lrea dy sp en t m on ey en ough

, .

An d p eop l e en v y h er m a rryi n g Krukowski , .

Gra n d m o th er is m orta lly sick All her childr en ca m e a n d she .

bl esse d u s a ll .

Kruk owski wep t m uch in l ea vi n g Wh en Ja dwiga r eceiv es th e .

sh ip tick e t we sh a ll orde r a m a ss
-
, Th e s i n gers h e re wa n t t o si n g .

“
Ven i C rea tor for h er ”

Your t ruly lo vi
.

ng

M O TH ER

Ma y 2 5, 1 91 3
D E AR P OLI K ARP : I tha n k y ou h ea rtily for
your l e tte r Y ou a sk .

m e why I h a ve n ot g iven a n y n e w s a bo ut m yself for so l on g a t ime I .

thin k y ou ga ve t he rea son yourself in writin g m e tha t I a m drin ki n g ,

loa fin g a bout resta ura n ts e t c I w on der m uch th a t y ou bein g

,
.

in Am e rica kn ow be tter wha t I a m doin g tha n m y self

, Ev iden tly .

y o u o ugh t to k n ow tha t the n e w s of yo ur co rresp on d en t ( I k n o w e ven

wh o it is ) is n o t a t a ll in a ccord a n ce w ith the tru th
[N ew s a bo ut his .

future exa min a tion for j ourn ey ma n bu ilde r ; co m p la in ts a bo ut his -

m a s te r ] Well bu t a ll this will la st on ly for a ce rt a in t im e I th in k

, .

t ha t th i s w ill be th e l a s t wi n te r I sh a ll s e n d a t h o m e I d on t k n ow ’
p .

y e t wh e r e I sh a ll go bu t I w ill n ot re m a i n h e re
2
,

K AZI MI ER Z
Cf N 3 3 4
2
. o t.
, no e .
I 32 PRI MAR Y G R OUP
-
OR GAN IZ ATI ON

p l ea sa n t for y ou t o r eceive n ew s yo ur si s te r S ta ch a B ut written by .

Ta d ek ca m e on ce from th e m ill m e wh e th er I k n ew h ow t o a sk in g

write a le tte r ; if y es th en y ou a sk m e t o write y ou a few wo rd s a n d

, ,

if n o t then h e sa id tha t h e wo uld h elp m e

,
S O I ta ke th e p en .
,

bu t I ha v e n o tim e t o com p ose a bea ut iful s tyl e on ly wh a t e v e r ,

th ough t s com e to m y h ea d m y h a n d follow s th em obed ien tly in o rd e r

, ,

t o desc ribe m y l if e for a ra th e r l on g t im e .

I m u s t con f ess tha t I h a v e n ow grea ter a n d g rea ter duties a s t he ,

O ldes t in th e h ou se Th e wh ol e h o u se r es ts up on m e p a rt icu l a rly sin c e

.
,

w e h a v e a s tra n ge p er son a t h om e M oth e r is burd en e d wi th ye a r s .

,

b u t n ev e rth el ess she is a lwa y s a c tiv e ; sh e ha s n obody [ e l se] t o h elp h er .

M a n ia is in bu sin ess ( I sh o uld like it be tte r if sh e occ up ie d h e rse lf

w it h sewin g for a m on g th ese p eop l e sh e will get a ba d cha ra c ter )
, ,

a n d t h u s sh e m u s t be r a th e r se rv ed a t h om e for e v en if sh e ,

w ish ed t o h elp u s she ca n som e tim es sca rce ly wa lk p oor g irl An d

, ,
.

th u s w e both m o th er a n d I s truggle with th e cru el lot I th o ugh t

, , .

tha t when Ja dwiga l eft th ere would be f ew er p erson s a t ho m e bu t ,

i n s tea d of h er th ere is gra n d mo ther who ca n sca rcely brea the M ore , .

o v e r I took a n a p p r en tice for se win g

, Y ou ca n i m a gin e m y yok e . .

I n t h e m or n i n g I comb m y l a d ies [ sh e is a ha irdresse r] wh en I com e ,

h om e th e r e is a g rea t h urry a bout cookin g di n n er ( I cook m y self .

s i n ce w e h a v e boa rd ers ) S om e tim es I h a v e n o ti m e t o b rea kfa s t

.

An d th e n cl e a n i n g of room s th e a p p ren ti ce a sk s a bout w o rk —it is

.

m a dd en in g ! An d a s you k n ow th ere is n o l ittl e [f a r m s t ock

, , In .

a w ord w e h a v e v ery m u ch t o do
, But tho ugh w e work so m uch .
,

life is ca l m for th e boys beha ve w ell en ough We ca n th a n k God th a t

, .

H e g ives u s h ea lth M oreov er y ou sen d u s fr om t im e t o ti m e wh a t

.
,

y ou ca n ; wh a tev er y o u do for m other y ou do it a l so for u s O ft en , .

w e ha ve m irth Wh en your le tter com es e ve rybody tries t o ge t i t

.

firs t For exa m p le wh en y ou wro te your l a s t l e tte r t o m o th e r y o u

.
,

m u s t h a v e been in a sp l en d id h u m or a n d it ca u se d u s a g rea t o
jy , .

N ow I p er m it m y self a l so t o d escri be t o y ou how M ich a l w a s

for t w o week s a t hom e Th e p oor f ell ow he ha s im p rov e d v e ry m u ch
.
,

in his h om e l if e ; w e sp en t v e ry p l e a sa n t ho urs a n d d a y s Th e p oor .

boy he l oo k s so ba d a n d d oes n o t ca re for his h ea lth

, He tri ed t o ge t .

a p l a ce b u t h e wa s d ismisse d e v erywh e r e
, Y ou k n ow how m o t h e r .

is . Sh e bega n t o ge t a n x i o u s h e beca m e v e ry irrita bl e l a te ly a n d

, ,

fi n a lly h e go t som e p la ce in D bu t he will be there on ly a m on th .

, .

E v en if on e w a n ted to p u t th e bl a m e on him on e co uld n o t It is , .

ev id e n tly h is d es tin y I n o ticed durin g hi s s ta y a t home th a t h e

.
 HALI CKI S E R I ES 1 33

ne ve r sa id a p ra yer slep t over th e tim e Of m a ss Perha p s h e got

,
.

so G e r m a n iz e d in th a t l a s t p la ce I p ity him m uch bu t I ca n n o t .

,

hel p him .

D ea r Po l ika rp in y our l e tter s to M ich a l I r ea d a bo ut a se cr e t

,

which you h a d con fid ed t o him If y ou will n o t be a n gry with m e I .

will tell y ou L ea ve Off this in ten tion Th e a cto r s l ife is misera ble
. .
’

a n d y our h ea lth is n ot good en ou gh If y ou w ere in Posen it w ould .

,

be a n o th e r qu es tion ; we sh ould a d m ir e y ou a l so It is well th a t .

m o th er does n ot kn ow a bout it for cert a in ly sh e w o uld h a v e co un te d ,

it a m on g th e wors t c rim es This n ews ca m e t o the ea rs of Pe la a n d

.
2

M a n i a ; even Ka zio a n d Ta dz io kn ow n o thin g .

D escri be t o m e w ha t coiflu re is f a sh i on a bl e in Am erica a n d wh a t

dresses Ja dwi ga writes so little th a t I ca n n ot get a n a n swer to a n y
.

qu es tion s a n d Krukowski does n ot write a t a ll S oon it will be

,
.

m o th e r s n a m e da y a n d on Sep tembe r 2 tha t of Fra n k o wsk i D on t

’ ’
-
.
, ,

f orge t to sen d him wishes He got a n o th er p la ce Ev erybody

. .

in vi ted him bu t h e did n ot go a n yw h e re h e r em a in e d with u s

, ,
.

Th ree da ys a fte r his d ep a rture h e ca m e th rough Za l es i e from Posen t o

his n ew p la ce a n d ca m e t o u s a ga in
,
He w a s a n gry for M rs Ch .
, . .

con g ra tul a t e d him on l ea vin g his h ea rt in Za l esie a n d in gen era l ,

e very body in Z sa y s tha t I go n owh ere b eca u se I a m en ga e d t o h im

.
g .

I a m p roud tha t I beca m e a n i n teresti n g p erson in Za lesie

Th ough n eve r such a n idea —t o m a rry Fra nkowski—ca m e in to m y
.

h ea d ; bu t p eop l e ta lk It is tru e tha t h e got a tta ch ed to u s He

. .

writes Often to m e a n d it is diffi cult for m e to a n swer him Often

, .

if m other did n o t obli ge m e I S houl d n ot do it But I do ubt whe th e r .

h e wi ll be n o w e qua lly a tta ch ed P ro ba bly he will be p ro ud of his .

luck D on t f orge t a bo ut M icha l Give h im a lwa ys good

’
.

a dvice Fra nkowski him self wh en he kn ew him sa id tha t h e n eeded

.
,

con t in u a l a dv ice a n d r em on s tr a n ce for h e is very ligh t h ea d ed ,

-
.

I sen d y ou a h ea rty gree tin g .

Yo ur sister ,

S TA CH A

The p rej u dice a ga in st the tr f ide

’
li is t a ll ba sed
i t i P l d—
n ot a a of the
2
ac o s e u p on a n y

i mm or l ch r t r f th tri l hows—which doe n ot

a a ac e o ea ca s s ex s n b t u p ono an u

th rr t c p ti f th t r p riv t life w
e cu en con e on o e ac o
’
s a e ,
as an d ri g i se r im m r l
e n ,
n cu e , o a

i
n se x u al r l ti s giv p t dri ki g Th
e a on , p ti en u o n n . e con ce on i dr w f m th Ob e
s a n ro e s r

va ti of w deri g pr i i l tr p h lf
on an n t ry ov n c a oo s a a cen u a go . Th rti ti B hé m e a s c o e

i p r i ly t h
s ec se tith i f th lif id l f t h P l
e an es s o e e- ea o e o es o f P Th th t
osen . e ea e r

its lf i Po i
e n ep ti
sen i p bli op i io be
s a n ex c on n u c n n ca u se o f it tion a l imp orta
s na n ce .
I 34 PRI M AR Y G RO UP
-
O R G AN IZ ATI O N

3 44 S ep te m b e r 1 6, 1 91 3

D E AR P OLI KARP : I t un d ersta n d h ow m y l e tte r co uld h a v e

ca n n o

a n ger e d y ou s o m u ch [ t h e le tte r r ef e rr e d t o is m is sin g] a n d h ow t h e ,

m om en t a ft er r ea d in g th a t l e tte r could h a v e bee n t h e m os t dis

a g ree a bl e S i n ce y o u h a v e be en in Am e r ica D on t believe th a t I ’
.
,

writi n g th a t l e tter w i th good in ten tion s w a n te d t o give y ou a n y a dvi ce

,

or t o m a k e a n y r ep roa ch es a bo ut y our beh a vi n g ba dly Oh n o ! I .

kn ow your cha ra c ter n ow I kn ow th a t y ou h a ve been n o t on ly a good

.
,

bu t a m o d e l b r oth e r for I d on t k n ow h ow th e o the rs will be b u t I

’
,

th i n k tha t n o on e O f th em will beh a ve a s y ou I ha ve p a rtic ul a rly .

M i cha l in m i n d for a l though h e w a s a bl e t o beh a ve well duri n g th e

,

2 da y s wh i ch h e sp e n t a t h om e i n r e a lity h e i s n o t lik e th is
,
M o th e r .

gri eves n ow o v e r th e lo t tha t a wa its him N ow h e wo rk s in th e m ill

.
,

bu t I d on t k n ow h ow l on g i t will l a st For Ta dz io i t is di sa g ree a bl e

’
,
.

for he is m o r e resp ec te d th a n M i cha l [ tho ugh h e is on ly a boy ] a n d ,

m or e th a n on ce he com p l a i n s a bout him wh en h e com es ba c k h om e .

M icha l f ee l s h a pp y wi th K os te k with wh om h e k eep s com p a n y a s

,

if h e w e re d ep en d en t up on h im B ut th ro ugh this h e ruin s a ll his

.

future D O y ou k n ow h e h a s b ecom e wo rse n ot be tter E ven if

.
, ,
.

th ere a re s tra n gers a t h om e h e beh a ves a s if h e we re quite un e duca te d ,

a n d sw ea rin g i s with him a u s u a l thin g P e rh a p s h e will h a ve m or e

.

h u m il ity wh en h e ha s n ot a p f enn ig in his p ock e ts a s it wa s in Ka m ie fi ,

wh ere h e h a d n o t even m on ey en ough t o sen d a p ostca rd h o m e .

M o the r di d n ot wr ite y ou p e rh a p s a bout it bu t I a m obl iged t o

, , , ,

for y ou b e l ie v e tha t he ha s r ep roa ches t o h e a r from u s But y o u a re .

m ista k en for it i s n o t h e bu t we who h ea r rep roa ch es

, , M oth e r [ d oe s .

n o t r ep r oa ch h im fo r sh e ] i s a fra id th a t h e m a y tak e his lif e I w on t ’

, .

write a n y m ore for I don t kn ow wha t a n im p ression this le tter w ill

,
’

m a k e up on y ou a n d t h en it is a lrea dy 1 o cl o ck a t n igh t a n d t im e to
’
,

s l eep . Th e best tim e t o wr ite i s n igh t for m e for n obody hin d e rs ,

me
B e h ea l t h y , ch ee rful k ,
eep fa r from y ou a ll troubles and d on t ’

ge t ry
a ng .

With k in d es t gree tin g a n d hea rty e mb a ces r .

Alwa y s the sa m e ,

MAR YSKA
I 36 PRI M AR Y GR O UP
-
OR G ANIZ ATI O N

3 46 F ebrua ry 2 ,
1 91 4

D E AR B R OTH ER : P roba bly y ou exp ecte d t o rece ive m y le tter

soon e r bu t I co uld h a rdly fin d a qu ie t m om en t for I n o t on ly h a v e
, ,

m u ch w o rk in th e sh op it a w a its m e a t h om e , Wh e n a m om e n t .

com e s I p rofit by i t t o sew m y dr e sses An d n ow m o th e r is w ith .

S ta s a n d P el a a t a fa mily f es tiva l for Pel a s littl e son P oli k a rp is

’
-
, ,

ba p tize d to da y S ta ch a is a t a p erform a n ce a t t h e S ok ol s
. E ve ry .

bo dy i s a wa y a n d I a m gl a d th a t I ca n p en a few wo rd s t o y ou
,
.

Th e win te r sea son [ in th e sh op ] wa s very good a n d the p rop ri e tor ,

is sa ti sfi e d It is p erha p s beca use th e exp rop ria tion [ Of Polish la n d ]

.

is p os tp on ed a n d p eop l e a re l ess criti c iz ed [wh en they bu y in G e rm a n

sh op s . Th e girl is in a G e rm a n sh op ] I sho uld n e ve r h a v e b eli e ve d .

th a t a t s u ch a ti m e p eop l e w o uld go to s tra n ger s ; in o u r sh op

a l m os t t w o third s of th e b uy e r s a re Poles
-
Alth o ugh in Za lesie .

e x cep ti on s a r e n ot so m u ch m a d e [ P ol es wh o w ork w i th G er m a n s a re

n o t so d esp ised ] n e ve rth e l e ss i t i s ve ry p a in ful for m e t h a t I m u s t be

,

a m on g p eop l e wh o p er sec ut e u s con ti n ua lly How g l a d I Sh ould be .

t o s ta y a t hom e for the re is work en ough ev e rywh ere

, On ly m othe r .

ca n n o t d e cid e a n d k eep h er d ecis i on You don t kn ow wh a t a n n oy

’
.

a u ces I m u s t bea r som e tim e s I n on e of yo ur l e tte r s t o m o th er y o u

.

wro te th a t m y d em a n d s a re t oo grea t But y ou a re m ista k en I . .

kn ow th a t som ebo dy ha s written fa l se thin gs t o y ou a bout m e But .

I will bea r p a tien tly eve ryth i n g For to tell the tru th I a m on l y .
, ,

a vi c ti m a s y ou m en ti on e d on ce i n a l e tt er a n d I m u s t su ff er for a ll
, ,

the o th e rs P erha p s Ja dw iga wa s a l so mi su sed in this wa y a n d n ow

.

sh e m u s t s uff e r for i t for wh a t n obo d

y wa s will in g [ t o sa y ] J a dwi ga
,

h a d t o sa y The ref ore it w a s sa id tha t sh e ha d a big m ou th a n d

.
,

fin a lly sh e wa s con sid ered the wo rs t a t h om e But p erh a p s th e ti m e .

2

wi ll com e wh en a fter ge ttin g rid Of thi s sco rn she w ill be con sidered
th e bes t .

It is very difi cu lt for m e t o ta lk a bout M ich a l for a t this though t ,

m y id ea s seem t o lea ve m y h ea d I thin k th a t y ou h a ve been a lso

.

m uch Op p r essed by this n ew s He wa s a lwa y s a drea m e r with n o

.
,

se riou sn ess a n d h e will r e m a i n on e

, Aft er a ll th e l e tte r s fro m m oth e r
.
,

a fte r a ll t h e beggin
g a n d im p l o ri n g he d ecide d a fte r a l on g tim e t o , ,

write tha t h e l igh te d a ciga re tte w ith th ese silly s to ries [ th a t he d oes
n o t m in d t h e m ; h e is evi d e n tly a ccu sed of som e d ish on es ty
] An d .

h ere th e J e w th rea t en s m oth er a ga i n with th e co urt I d on t kn ow .

’

2
Cf N o 3 4 8
. . .
 HALI CKI SERI E S I 37

ho w th is m a tte r wi ll en d . P olika rp , m a k e th is
rifice write him a sa c ,

few wo rd s they w ill ce rta inly a ct up on him I a m sur e

,
Wh a t a ,
.

l if e h e m ust lea d n ow with the Lejow skis wh ere a n ge r is a lwa y s ,

boili n g. An tek L a n d his fa th e r p a ss ea ch o th er by a s if th ey we re

.

n o t a c qu a in t ed H ow ca n M icha l imp rove there ? S o I beg y ou

.
, ,

g ra n t m y r eques t [Wea th e r ; ska ti n g ; a m usem en ts ] You h a ve

f orgo tten a bout m y n a m e—
.

da y ; e verybo dy ha s forgo tten e xcep t

m o th e r . I n ever rem em ber h a vi n g such a n a m e da y -
.

I fin i sh m y sp len did writi n g a n d kiss you m a n y tim es .

Alwa ys the sa m e ,

M AR YSKA

3 47 Februa ry 22 ,
1 91 4

D E AR POLI KARP : whe th er I a m in such a

Y ou a sk me
fin a n c i a l p os ition tha t I could go to the a rchitec tura l sch ool D on t .
’

y ou k n ow o u r con dition ? D on t y ou k n o w th a t t h e m on ey which I

’

br in g h om e is im m e d ia tely sp en t ? It is v ery n ice of y o u tha t y ou

wa n ted t o d ep rive yo urself a n d t o p u t a sid e for m e i e t o l en d m e ,
. .
, ,

s om e m on ey I a m gl a d tha t I ha ve a t l ea s t on e such bro th e r Could

. .

n o t M ich a l sen d som e m on ey h o m e for I h ea r tha t h e ge t s 1 4 0 m a rk s

,

a m on th As t o m e I sha ll see l a te r in Ma y or Ju n e
,
I sh a ll ri sk
,
.

writin g t o Posen [ t o th e sch ool ] Perha p s R a k ow ski co uld

.

a l so l en d m e som e m on ey for I ha ve n o thin g my self

,
Th ere .

w a s a ca ll to milita ry se rv ice ye s terd a y E v e rybody wa s t a k en excep t

.

3 boy s . M o th er even wep t from p ity .

KAZI MI ER Z

3 48 Ma r ch 4, 1 91 5

D EAR S IR qua rrel with m y sist er Ja dwiga a rose in

The ,

m y O p in ion from a ve ry trifli n g ca u se a l though m y m oth e r a n d m y

, ,

sis t e r s a scr ibed t o i t m or e im p o rta n ce .

Wh en w e w ere on ce toge th e r a t a p a rty Ja dwiga n o t iced th a t m y ,

beh a v io r t owa rd on e Of m y fr ien ds w a s too cord ia l M y b ro t h e r s a n d .

sis t er s d islike d th e whol e fa mily O f thi s girl for so m e wron g ca u sed u s

a few yea r s a go b u t I did n o t ca r e a bout i t

,
At hom e th ey re qu ired .

m e t o a v oid a ltoge the r ou r so ca ll e d en em ies bu t I did n ot con f or m

-
,

t o th i s d em a n d con s id e rin g su ch beha vio r n ot s uit a bl e in socie ty

,

( in the club) Al th o ugh I n eve r m e t th is girl i n ten t ion a lly outside

.
I
38 PR I M AR Y G R OUP
-
OR GAN IZATI ON

of th e lub m ee tin gs th e gossip grew th a t I w a s sec re tly en ga ge d t o

c ,

h er Ja dwiga ca ugh t th i s goss ip a n d w a s th e firs t t o i nf orm m o th er

.

Of it M y f a m ily w ould n e ve r h a ve con sen te d t o s u ch a n a llia n ce

.
,

a n d I did n ot think of i t e ith e r . I n gen e ra l th e re w a s n o lo ve re l a tion

,
-

a t a ll with th a t fr ien d . I n V i ew Of th e go ss ip I ga v e n o e xp la n a ti on
,

b u t d em a n d ed th a t th ey S h o uld n o t a n n oy a n i n n ocen t g irl This .

on ly s tr en g t h en e d th e su s i c i on s Th e wh ol e m a tte r w a s l a te r cl e a r e d
p .

up ,p a rti cula rly when in con seq uen ce O f th is in cid en t I le t m y self

, ,

be p er sua d ed by som e p erson s from Am eric a wh o we r e th en in Z a l esie

, ,

a n d ca m e wi th them h e r e l e a v in g a sp len d id p osi ti on a n d m y

,
sw ee t

h ea rt I su cceeded in g e tti n g m y m o th er s p ermiss ion p romisin g

” ’
.
,

t o re m e m ber h er a n d t o com e ba ck a fte r t w o yea rs . Ja dwiga

refu sed n eve rth less t o bid m e goodbye Sh e is n ow h ere in Am erica
.
,

a n d o u r re la t ion s a re a ga i n h a rm on io u s .

P H ALI CKI
.
1 40 PRI M AR Y -
GR O UP OR G AN IZ ATI ON

THE FAM I LY RZEP KOW S KI

Augus t R z e p kow ski , a n em igra n t

M i ch a l
Ja k6b
Kl em en s
S ta s h is co usin s
E m il i a
M a ry a
Wik c ia
Zo cha , da ugh ter of a n oth er cousin

—
3 4 9 52 ,
1 0 AU GU S T R ZEP K O W S KI ,
IN A ME RI CA , FR O M

FA MI LY - M E MB E R S I N P O LAN D

3 49 Ja n ua ry 2 7, 1 90 8

D E AR AU GU S T : I l a ck wo rd s to tha n k y ou for rem embe rin g m e .

Y ou ga ve m e a grea t p l ea s ure in sen d in g your p ho togra p h a n d tha t

Wh en I ca m e to th e R a dori ski s ( t o Wikcia ) a n d sh e
'

of y o ur fa mily .

g a v e m e y o ur p h o t og r a p h sa y in g t h a t it w a s for m e a n d a skin g wh e th e r

I recogn ize d y ou I could n o t recogn ize y ou ; y ou ha ve ch a n ge d ve ry

,

m u ch An d y ou would n o t k n ow m e eith e r
.
2
I a m a lrea dy a gra y .

h a ir ed old wom a n My mi sfo rtun es g rief s sorrows a bo ut m y chil

.
, ,

dren ruin e d my hea l th It is a lrea dy 2 5 yea rs sin ce I m a rried 7 yea r s

.
,

sin ce I b eca m e a w id ow I h a ve fiv e children th ree boys a n d t w o

.
,

d a ugh te rs The O ldest K a zim ie rz is 2 3 yea rs old He is in a m il ita ry

.
, , .

sch ool in Cz u ga jew o gov e rn m en t Ch er son Wh en m y h u sba n d l ived

,
.

h e w a s in th e four th cla ss a n d fin i shed it a fte r th e d ea th of m y h u s ,

ba n d b u t ha d n o grea t wish t o l ea rn a n d wen t t o th e a rm y [ a s v olu n

,

teer] B ut a s the n u mber of Poles in t he mi lita ry sch ool is l im ite d

.
2
,

for 3 y ea r s h e could n ot p a ss th e exa m i n a ti on on ly l a s t y ea r h e su c ,

2
A gu s u
t h r w d rel ti w ith his co sin s d his b th r ft r m o
as en e e a on s u an ro e a e re

th tw ty y r f bs l t il
an en ea Th i dd
s o eviv l
a f f m ili a l f li gs is
o u e s en ce . s su en r a o a ee n

a fre q u t end com w ith t y pp r t r

ca se a n Not l ss fr que tl y it
es ou an a a en e a son . e e n

h a pp th t m m b r f f m ily wh h v v k w
en s a e e s o other fe l s dd
a a ly o a e ne er no n on e a n e u en

i t r ted writ d try t m t This b ha vi r i bvio ly due t fu cti i g

n e es ,
e an o ee . e o s o us o a n on n

o f i f til m m ori
n an a d p i t b ck t a m re
e e mm
es , i tic fa m ili l org i ti
n o n s a o o co un s a a n za on .

I t is c
2
id r d r th r b d f Pole t m k m ilit ry
on s e e a e r i th Ru i
a or a o a e a a ca ree n e ss a n

a rm y A m r ov r th i str cti
. s, f th
o e rm y fii
e , i v ry i
e nfi ci t u on o e a o ce rs s e n su en

( h rdl y q l to th gym
a e iu m i t cti ) th i e p l i why th m th r
ua e na s n s ru on , s x a ns e o e con

s i d rs h o h i e a
e er s lt f his willi g e t l r
’
n s c o c s a resu o un n n ss o ea n .
 RZEPKOWS KI S ER I ES 1 41

c eede d a fter m a n y diffi culties Th e other son B olesla w 2 2 yea rs .

, , ,

co uld n o t l ea r n beca u se of d ea f n ess He fi n ished on ly t wo cl a sses in .

th e gy m n a siu m in K a l isz Aft er h is fa th er s d ea th I se n t h im t o

’
.

Cu kiern icy Wa rsza w scy

”
th e ch ocola te a n d ca n dy fa c to ry bu t “
,

n obody w o uld a ccep t h im beca u se h e la ck s in s tru c tion a n d is d e a f ( in

on e e a r) Th e th ird M a rya n 2 1 y ea rs fi n ishe d 6 cla sses in a rea l

.
, , ,

gymn a siu m a n d is s tudyin g in Wa r sa w in th e school of Wa welberg ,

.

He w ill becom e a techni ca l en gin ee r bu t h e is in on ly th e secon d ,

yea r a n d th e re a re fo ur The Oldes t da ugh ter Ja n in a is 1 7 yea r s O ld ;

,
.
, ,

s h e is in a boa rdin g s ch ool in Wa r sa w in t h e sixth cla ss I n Ju n e she .

will fin ish the re a n d w ill go to th e m us i ca l con serva tory beca use sh e ,

ha s grea t a bil i ty a n d t a l en t in m u sic Sh e h a s 4 yea r s still t o w ork .

,

a n d th en sh e m u s t ea rn h er livi n g b y l esson s The you n ge r W ies l a wa .

, ,

is 1 6 yea rs old sh e is a t th e sa m e sch ool in the fifth cl a ss

,
Wh en S he .

fin ish es I sh a ll try to ge t a p la ce a s tea cher for her Af ter th e dea th .

Of m y h u sba n d ve ry l i ttle [ m on ey] r e m a in ed ; w e r e it n o t for th e h elp

O f th e f a mi ly I co uld n o t e du ca te m y childr e n Go d took th e ir p ro .

tecto r a wa y when he wa s most n ecessa ry for th e ch ildren M ich a l .

,

m y yo u n gest bro th e r is a p ri es t in D z i er zen in He took m e wi th a ll

’

.
,

m y childr en to h i m self ; a n d Ja k ob a n d Klem en s h el p with 2

m on ey Tha n ks t o th e ir good hea rts I ca n in s truc t m y ch ildren

.
,
.

M oth e r a n d Ka ru sia ha d been a lso with M icha l F our y e a r s a go .

Ka ru sia d ied She wa s 55 ye a r s old

. M other died on Nove m .

ber 4 on e y ea r a go
,
On e ha lf Of her body wa s p a ra lyzed ; she .

la y m on ths in h er be d Poor thin g she sufl ere d m u ch bu t wa s .

, ,

a lwa y s ca l m s u bm i tti n g t o th e wi ll of God

,
H er dea th wa s ve ry .

ea sy sh e S l ep t qu ie tl y a n d l eft u s orp h a n s
, God took a wa y from u s .

th i s bel oved bon d Of th e wh ole fa mily M y h usba n d died a l so from a .

h ea rt ill n ess H e wa s buri e d in Wa rsa w beca u se the r e Ja k6b

.
,

h a s his to m b wh e re hi s wife is burie d ,

Fa ther m o ther a n d Ka ru sia .
, ,

T h v
2
om m b r f t h fa m ily
a e a p ri st is co idered t h e g ea test l ck by
e e o e a e ns r u

the p s t The fa ct it lf m o th
ea a n s . ythi g l e r i the i l ta din g se re an an n e s a se s soc a s n

f t h e f m il y ; som e of th p riest eli gi us ch ra cter i in t h y t ’

o a f th p
e s r o a s, e e es o e ea sa n ,

c mm u i c t d t o his r l ti e
o n a e A di co om i ma tt th p ri t p r v
e a s w
v s . n n e n c ers e es o es , a e

see i th p r
n tc e f th g test h lp t o th f m il y H h
esen a se , o go d i m e rea e e a . e as a o n co e

an d p erso l blig ti
no ; h i u p p o ed t
na opr v th ttit d f f m ilia l
a ons e s s s o eser e e a u e o a

sol id rit ya a d h d , p rve it i f t Th r f r v y p

n e oes t a lm o t
rese n ac . e e o e e er e a sa n , s

with ou t p ti wh g ivi g i tr ti
e xc e t his so
on , dr a m s th t th e la tt
en will n ns uc on o n, e a er

bec m o p iest
e a W h v h re the m ttitu d whi h f m y e t ri s the
r . e a e e sa e a e c or an c n u e

n oble fa m ili h a d p res rv d ; es h d t o bec m p i t for t h s ke of th

e e on e son a o e a r es e a e

f m il y ev if it m t a crific f p er l sp ira tio s

a ,
en ea n a s e o son a a n .
 1 42 PRI MAR Y GR O U P OR GAN I ZATI ON

a re buried in Ciecha n ow , beca u se Ja kob erec ted a fa m ily tom b Of th e

R z ep kow ski s the re a s u n cl e W ikto r is a p rie s t t h ere a n d w ill b e th e r e
,

u p t o his d ea th M o th er wi sh ed fa th e r t o be buri e d th e r e a n d u n cl e
.

t o t a ke ca re of th e cha p el a n d t o ce l ebra t e t h e h oly m a ss for t h e so ul s

of th e d ecea se d f a mily a s l on g a s h e l ives .

La stly I h a v e h a d troubl e beca u se in sp ite of th e d ea fn ess of m y

son B ol esla w th ey i n s i st e d on ca lli n g h im t o th e a r m y Th ey k ep t .

h im in the h osp ita l in the f o rt O f M odl in a n d w ea r ie d him duri n g 6 ,

w eek s I ha d m uch to suff er bef ore I succeed ed in ge ttin g him free

. .

Y ou ha v e n o id ea wh a t l a wl ess thin gs a re goin g on h e r e w e a re so ,

h a pp y tha t often th e livin g en vy th e d ea d A sm a ll s ta r sh on e for .

a m om en t a n d a ga in cl oud s a re co min g [ r ef erri n g t o t h e

p ro m i ses of
a ut on om y m a d e by R u ssia in

D o y ou co rr esp on d with a n y on e fr om L ip sk ? D O y ou kn ow th a t
th ey h a ve been p e rm itted to b uild a ch urch ? I w a s th ere a yea r a go 2
,

a fte r 3 0 y ea r s I ha d h op ed t o fin d a l ittle p rogress a n d im p rov em en t

.
,

bu t I sa w wi th p a in tha t it is wor se tha n it wa s wh en w e liv ed th e r e .

Th e gla ss [ dri n kin g ] p l a y s th e m a in p a rt the re Th e ba ckwa rdn ess .

is en orm ou s I write this l e tter in Za remby where I h a ve been for

.
,

a w eek with [ m y bro th e r] th e p ri es t Kl e m en s Wikcia Ca m e a l so .

,

a n d E m il ia liv es h e re We com e so ve ry seldom toge the r ; w e a re

.

t he on ly sis t ers sin ce Ka rolcia l e ft u s [ d ie d ] .

Your sis te r [cou sin ] ,

M AR Y A

Ja n ua ry 2 8 1 90 8 ,

D E AR AU GU S T : By a ve ry s tra n ge a n d un e xp ec te d a c cid en t w e

go t n ew s Of wh er e y ou a re l ivi n g in Am e rica ; u p t o t he p re sen t w e

did n ot kn ow wh ere to fin d y ou We ta k e a dva n ta ge of t he a ddress
.

w e r e ceiv ed a n d with o ut d e l a y w e ta k e t h e p en in o rd e r t o i n f o r m

y ou wha t is t he n e w s w ith u s But dur in g such a lon g p a s t a n d s u ch

.

a l on g t im e of ou r com m on sil en ce m a n y ch a n ges h a d t o com e v e ry

,

sa d ch a n ges for o u r f a mily O u r p a ren t s a re d ea d a n d sis te r K a rol in a

.
, ,

t h e h u sba n d of Au n t ie M isie w icz bo th t h e Z6lkiew skis th e h u sba n d , ,

of m y sist e r M a n ia e tc O n ly m y h usba n d Pa we l is a l iv e
,
.

a n d th e yo u n g gen e r a t ion wh ich a lso is ge ttin g old It is , .

very sa d tha t in Lip sk they devo te them selves so m u ch t o the g l a ss .

Th p rm i i
2
e t b il d
e ( C th lic) chu r h is still difli l t t g t i R us ia n
ss on o u a a o c cu o e n s

Pol n d p rticu l rl y i th
a ,
a a t n e ea s .
1 44 P R I M AR Y G R O UP
-
O R GANI ZATI ON

Th e m o re so a s ou r h ea lth is no lon ger goo d

i lly . R h eu m a ti sm esp e c a

p reva il s in ou r wh o le fa mi ly Th e p ri es t
“ ”
n o t a joy . Old a ge is .

M ich a l is t he yo un gest a n d he w a s born in 1 8 63 ; wh a t sh a ll I

s a y a bout u s olde r on es But I m u st inf o rm y ou a bout m y children ,

th a t Ja n ek is s till un m a rried bu t a lrea dy be trothe d a n d Ja dzia , ,

m y d a ugh te r m a rr ie d a s tuden t of m edicin e so she m u s t w o rk u n til

, ,

h e com p letes h is m ed ic a l s tud ies It is on ly ba d th a t th ey m us t live

.

a p a rt for h e is in C r a cow If th ere w ere a [Polish] un i ve rsity in

“

.
,

Wa rsa w it would be m u ch ea sier for them a n d m u ch be tte r to be ,

toge th er But p roba bly M a n ia inform e d y o u a bo ut ou r fa m ily

.
,

th a t th ree brothe rs a re in Wa rsa w a n d sister W iktoria who is m a rried ,

.

S ta s is in R iga in th e a rm y t w o bro th ers a re p ri ests in th e ir p a rishe s

, ,

a n d t w o s i s t er s m y self a n d M a n ia a re w i th t he m
, ,
.

[ EMI L I A]

WARS AW Ma y ,
1 2, 1 90 9
MY DE AR , V U N CLE : I receive d your l e tte r thi s w eek
M Y B E LO E D .

It wa s so sa d tha t it frigh ten ed m e a n d the refore I wri te di rec tly in

orde r t o sh a re m y though t s wi th y ou I regre t tha t I ca used y ou p a in .

wi tho ut even kn owi n g it It is true th a t la te ly I did n o t g ive y ou a ny

.

Sign of life bu t belie v e m e I wa s so ill tha t I could n ot ta ke a p en in

,

ha n d a n d [b roth e r] Wa c io is a s a fra id of wri tin g a s a Je w is O f wa te r

, ,

a n d m oreov er n obody ca n wri te for m e a s I writ e my self The refo re .

I did n o t a sk either m y Oth er bro the rs or m y p a ren ts I beli eve d tha t .

I sho uld die a n d th en m y p a ren ts would write t o you M ea n while it .

ha s turn ed ou t o th e rwi se I a m s till a live I d on t kn ow fo r how lon g ’

.
,

a t im e I n a n y ca se ev ery le tte r th a t I writ e seem s t o m e th e la s t

.

wh i ch I ca n write The refore y ou see dea r un cle in wh a t a p osition

.
, ,

I a m P lea se don t won d er if I a m la te in writin g a lthough I w ill

.
’
,

try t o a void it a s m uch a s p ossibl e You don t write whe th e r you a re .

’

in good hea lth How a re a un tie a n d m y cou sin s d oin g ? I k n ow

.

on ly tha t th ey a re w o rk in g bu t tha t is n ot en ou h for m e

g Wi th u s .

the re is n o n ews M y p a ren ts a n d bro the rs a re in good hea lth a n d in

.

the bes t of sp i ri ts It is a lwa ys so on ly som e tim es it cha n ges un de r

.
,

t he in fl uen ce of high er fo rces bu t e v e ry thin e n d s ha

g p p ily
, .

I ha d la tely the h on or of gettin g a cqua i n ted with ou r cou n tryma n

from Lip sk p erha p s y o u rem em be r him —
, M r Ada m C ho m iczew ski ~
. .

H e deign ed to com e t o u s beca u se h is cou sin S kokowska wh o is i n ,

Wa rsa w for trea tm en t li ves wi th u s You ha ve n o idea w ha t a m a n

, .
 RZE PKOWS KI SER I ES 1 45

he is , y ou ca n n o t r em ember a ll th e ben efit s he ha s don e to p eop l e , a ll

the w e a lth a n d rel a tion shi p s he h a s ! He is a fri en d of t he firs t p er son s
in Wa rsa w and who le coun try ! He p oses egregiously bu t
in th e
evid en tly h e does n o t k n ow tha t wh oever lis t en s t o him sa ys S tup id
“
, ,

ma n !
”
I like p eop le from m y co un try bu t this on e d oes n ot p l ea se ,

me I will write toda y a bout n o gen e ra l ques tion s beca use to tell the
.
,

truth I a m ve ry sleep y It is l a te a lrea dy a n d durin g the da y I ha ve

.
,

n o ti m e to wri t e beca u se I a m
p rep a rin g t o go a wa y n ext week or ,

som e da y Then there is n o thin g of im p orta n ce Abo ut p erson a l

. .

qu es tion s a lso m uch ca n n ot be sa id I will w rite t o y ou a t len gth a ft er

.

ge ttin g t o Wyza rn e ; I sha ll ha ve m o re ti m e th e re a n d m y th ough ts

wi ll be fr eer I hOp e to live for those few week s a n d if i t ha pp en s
.
,

o t h e rwi se well th en my p a ren ts wi ll in fo rm y ou tha t your corre

, ,

sp on den t h a s rem o ve d from h e re t o e te rn i ty B ut I con fess tha t if .

,

fo rm erly I wi shed t o die n ow such a n en din g is disp lea sin g for I

,

wa n t to live It seem s tha t I p e rceived too la te tha t lif e is bea utiful

.

in sp i te Of a ll I a m curi ous whe ther in dyin g on e ha s a ll his p resen ce

.

of m in d whe ther he u n der s ta n d s wh a t is goin g on a t th a t m om en t

,

with him a n d a roun d him If so I tha n k very m uch [wish t o be .

,

ex c u se d ] I d on t wish t o die in full con sciousn ess I ca n n o t ima gin e

’
. .

wha t occ urs in the hea d in the though ts of the dyin g p erson wha t he
, ,

feel s a n d thin ks D O y ou kn o w I ha ve th e in ten tion of dyin g with a

.
,
.

p en in m y ha n d n a m ely to wri te wha t I f eel in those l a st m om en t s

,
.

Of co urse if i t is p ossible to do i t a n d if regre t for the flyin g l ife d oes

,

n ot op p ress me .

I wri te a s if I we re a lrea dy wi th on e foot in th e gra ve bu t it is n ot ,

so beca u se I don t e ven h e in be d bu t I wa lk I e ven sew som e tim es

’
.
, ,

wi th the sewin g ma chin e ; on ly thi s dea th p e rsec utes m e a n d

-
“
,

I ca n n ot wri te m o re toda y beca use a ll m y fa culties a re cove red wi th

,

m ourn in g cra p e [ Gree tin gs a n d kisses ]

.

ZOCE A

LI P S K Ju n e
, 20 ,
1 90 9
MY U NCLE : Two weeks ha ve p a ssed a lrea dy sin ce I left
DE AR

Wa rsa w a n d n ot u n til toda y ha ve I foun d tim e t o write t o you dea r

, ,

un cle I ha d to ren e w m y Old a cqua in ta n ces a n d ha d o the r obliga

.
,

tion s a l so which di d n ot p er m i t m e t o do un til n ow wha t I shou ld

,

ha ve be gu n wi th How is your hea lth dea r u n cle a n d a un tie ? Are

.
,

m y li ttl e cousin s in good h ea l th do they p la y or work I a m curious

,
1 46 PR I M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR GAN IZ ATI ON

how th e wea th er tem p era ture in Am e ri ca beca use h e re

is , a nd t he ,

i t is ba d n ot w e t bu t ve ry cold
, ,
D o y o u k n ow n ot a ll th e p o ta to es
.
,

h a ve y e t com e u p ? The s u m m e r will be ve ry l a te .

I feel worse tha n ba d in m y hea lt h It ha s com e so fa r tha t .

wh il e 5 yea rs a go I weigh ed 1 4 8 p o u n ds n ow I w eigh sca rcely 1 1 2 ; ,

i t is p e rha p s t he sm a llest w eigh t th a t a grown u p p e rson ca n ha v e - .

I ha ve li ttle h op e Of livin g for a l on g tim e a n d still l e ss of h a v i n g th e ,

h ea lth a n d s tr en g th which I n ee d so m u ch for w ork

,
Th a t is t h e .

rea son I ca n n o t follow your a dvice d ea r un cle a bo ut l on g wa lks , ,

.

From Wyza rn e t o Lip sk is 6 v ersts ; to Prolejki 4 tim es a s fa r It

'

,
.

is n o t for m y stren gth t o wa lk so l on g a wa y sin ce if I wa lk a littl e ,

th rou gh th e fores t I f eel te rribly ti re d Corse ts a n d n a rrow sh O e S I

‘

d on t wea r e ven in Wa rsa w t h e l ess so in t he cou n try I ta k e a s

’
,
.

m u ch so ur a n d swee t m ilk a s I ca n a n d e ve rythi n g m a d e fr om m ilk I .

a l so ea t a ll vege ta bl es bu t wh a t i s t h e u se of a ll t h is
,
I n the cou n try ,

in deed I ge t be tte r duri n g th e sum m e r a n d som e p o u n d s a re a dd e d t o

, ,

m y w eigh t bu t t he win te r ta k e s a ll t his a wa y a n d m ore still

,
How .

l on g will it la s t a n d wha t ki n d of illn ess is it ? N o doc to r ca n kn ow it

,
.

Th e h om e rem edi es the so ca ll ed old wom a n s rem ed ies don t b rin g

,
-
’
,
’

t he d esi re d result s eit he r I try e verythin g tha t a n ybody a dvise s

.

m e t o do a n d in va in, N ow som ebo dy got t he id ea tha t it is a ta p e

.

w orm a n d they ga ve m e som e p oi son ; bu t I fea r to u se it l est I m a y

,

p o i son m yse lf in rea lity D ea th d oes n o t le t u s wa it very l on g for

.

itself ; wh y sho uld I h a s ten it s visi t ?

I n L i p sk I f ou n d everythin g a s i t ha s b een from old ; n o cha n ges
rea ch these re tired p la ces If th e re w e re n o t the fre quen t t oo fre
.
,

qu en t em ig ra tion t o Ameri ca a n d ba ck p eop l e h e re co uld re m a in

, ,

for a lon g ti m e a s in G od s h o u se behin d th e s t o v e [ P r o v e rb :

“ ’ ”

h a pp y a n d ca l m ] with out k n owin g th a t th ere exist s a wo rld besid es

S uwa lki Gr od n o Wa rsa w a n d Cz es tochowa a n d th a t in this wo rld
, , , ,

p eop l e a re m or e in tell igen t r ich e r a n d be tter p r ep a re d t o l iv e

,
H e re .

it is th a t th ose who h a v e m on e y en o ugh sit e v ery da y in t h e t a v er n

n o i t is n o t a ta ve rn th e se be l on g t o th e
, , p a s t — bu t a resta ur a n t ! e
“ ”

Lip sk h a s been a ble t o do this m uch for the com fort O f it s ci tizen s .

An d th ose wh o ha ve n o t so m u ch m on ey work the whole w ee k in

o rd e r th a t th ey m a y a t l ea s t on S u n d a y be e qua l to m en a n d sit
a t th e sa m e t a bl e — or u n d e r th e sa m e t a bl e N ot e v e rybody is l ik e .

this bu t a n en orm ou s ma j ority The ca use O f a ll this is t he l a c k of

, .

sch ool s a n d th er ef or e p eop l e w h o a re a l i ttl e m ore i n t elli en t cr

, g y
1 48 P RI MAR Y GR O UP
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

lord s a s the Jews sa y I n Am erica p eop le a re m ore p ra c tica l

, .
,

therefore i t is be tter there th a n h e re.

S ta yin g in t he cou n try a n n oy s m e ve ry m uch n ot beca u se I a m

wi tho ut occup a tion —I ha ve en o ugh for m y s tren g th—bu t m uch ti m e
,

rem a in s whi ch in Wa rsa w I sp en t in rea din g books a n d h e re I ha ve

,

n on e . I a m robbed Of thi s on ly p lea sure tha t rem a in ed beca u se I

,

like book s be tter tha n a ll a m u sem en ts a n d p la ys or socie ty a ll visits

, ,

e tc . I n Wa r sa w I surroun d e d m y self wi th books like a tru e book ~

worm ; here I ca n n ot borrow th em a ny whe re a n d I a m sa d [ Greet

,
.

in gs a n d kisses ]
ZO CE A
 KALI N OWI CZ S ERI ES

We ha ve here an c a se Of fa mi lia l sol ida ri ty

in te res tin g
preserved in full stren g th by th e c hildr en a fter th e dea th
of th eir p a r en t s in sp ite of t h e u su a ll y di sin tegr a t in g
,

in fluen c e of e mi gra tion Affec tion seem s t o ha ve grown

.

s tron ger a n d h a s ta ken t he p l a c e of the sub ordin a tion t o t he

hea d Of th e fa mil y I n this w a y t he m o ra l un it y of t h e
.

group is kep t a lthough the re is n ei ther a c omm on ec on om ic

,

ba sis of e xi s ten ce n or a n y e x te rn a l p ress ure of the com

m un i t y a n d in sp ite of t h e fa c t tha t t h e m em b er s a re
,

sepa ra ted .

Th e growth Of a ffe c tion is shown by th e e x a ggera t e d

sen tim en ta li t y in t he le tte r s Th e exp re ssion of feelin gs
.

in t he p ea sa n t is seldom p rop ortion a te t o th eir r ea l im p or

ta n c e b ut wh en w e fin d su c h a n e x a lta tion a s throu gh o ut
, ,

a lm o s t a ll of t h e l e tt er s of th e m em b er s of thi s fa m il y th e r e ,

is certa inl y a ve r y rea l in ten sific a tion of t h e f eelin gs Th e r e .

is a l s o a ve r y good opp ortuni ty for th e fa m ili a l solid a rit y

to m a n if es t i t s elf in t he f a c t Of t h e m a rria ge of on e sis t e r .

An d in gen e ra l w e see thi s solid a ri t y in it s p ures t form free

, , ,

from a n y qu e s tion s of m on e y socia l O pin ion etc

, ,
.

THE FAM I LY K ALI N OWI CZ

Wla dzio ( Wla d y sla w)

Leon broth e rs
Ja n ek
Helcia
S ta si a
Todzia (Teodora ) itr
s s e s

An t osia
Ka sia Hul ewiczka cousin,

B ron ck Helc ia s husba n d

’
,

R a s i a s h usba n d
’

An un cl e
I
50 PRI M AR Y GR O UP
-
OR GANI ZATI ON

—
3 53 63 ,
To W LAD ZI O (W LADYS LAW ) K ALI N O W I CZ , I N
A ME R I CA, FR O M F AMIL Y - ME MB E R S

3 53 [ D ecem be r 5, 1 91 3]

D E AR WLADZI O : We
d y ou a ki n d a n d hea rty g ree tin g w e
sen ,

e mbr a ce y ou a n d k iss ou in n u m e r a bl e t im es a n d w e i nfo r m y ou th a t

y ,

tha n k s t o God we a re in good h ea l th a n d w e wish y ou a l so wi th ou r

, ,

whole hea rt th e bes t of h ea l th D ea r b ro th e r a fte r a l on g wa itin g .

,

a n d a g rea t l on g i n g w e r e cei ve d yo ur l e tt er w h i ch r ej oi ced u s so

m u ch th a t w e w ep t th e wh o l e da y from joy th a t y ou a r e a live a n d

from sorrow tha t p erh a p s y ou bea r th ere m i sery dea r Wla dz io ,

Toda y it is D ecem ber 5 tom orrow we a re goin g h om e a n d I thin k t o

, ,

m y self 0 God ev en if I h a d t o w o rk a s h a rd u n til th e n ext D e c em

, ,

ber or ev en a y ea r m ore I w o uld work g l a dl y if I co uld h elp ou r d e a r

, , ,

l ittl e bro th e r But n o thin g ca n be don e D ea r Wla dz io wh en w e

. .
2
,

rem em ber y ou w e shed bitte r tea rs a n d w e thin k tha t th ere is n oth in g

,

m ore l eft for u s up on this wo rld I would be gl a d to go to y ou d ea r .

,

Wla dz io .N ow we fi n ish th ese few wo rd s we g ree t y ou on ce ,

m ore k iss y ou a n d em bra ce y ou

,
P e rh a p s God w ill comf ort u s a n d .

w e sh a ll se e on e a n o ther s t ill Wh en w e ge t h om e w e wi ll write .

O ften e r

T [EODORA ] a n d J [AN E K] KA LI N OWI CZ

N ow w e g ree t d ea r Hul ew iczka [ cous in ] w ith h er h u sba n d a n d son , .

3 54 [L am e n d of Ja n ua ry ,
1 9 1 4]
M OS T B E L O VE D WLAD ZI O : I TO dzia [Teodora ] write to y ou th ese ,

fe w wo rd s Firs t I gree t y ou wi th m y wh ol e hea rt I ki ss y ou a n d

.
, ,

em b r a ce y ou h u n dre d s of t im es N ow I i nf orm y ou firs t d e a r .

,

Wla dzio a bo ut Helcia s we d din g Th e we dd in g w a s p e rform ed on

,
’
.

Ja n ua ry 2 1 a t 7 O clock in th e e veni n g It w a s very bea utiful a ll

,
’
.
,

th e li gh t s in th e ch urch shon e rug s we re sp rea d ou t a n d sin e r s sa n

g ,g .

But dea r Wla dz io a ll this cha n ged for u s in to a grea t sorrow a n d

, ,

w e a ll w ep t beca u se ou r m o s t belove d Wla dz io w a s n o t th e re

, .

D ea r Wla dzio w e f eel ve ry sa d w ith out y ou a n d w e l on g for ou

, y .

D ea r Wl a dzio write a few w ord s t o Bron ek ou r b ro th er in la w for h e

, ,
- -
,

is a lw a y s v ery sa d ; h e im a gin es th a t p erha p s y ou a re a n gry with him .

2
they m t go h m f t h Poli h
Tha t is , w orkus ot p rm itt d
o e, or e s sea son - e rs a re n e e
t st y i P r s i du ri g t w w i t r m
o a n u s a th th P russi n f ri g th t th y will
n o n e on s, e a s ea n a e
ettl i a st p r vi c a d tr
s th
e n e e
g th th P li h l m e t th ere
o n es n s en en e o s e e n .
I 52 PRI M AR Y G R OUP
-
OR GAN IZATI ON

th a n th a t Of o thers [ m y comp a n i on s] S o I beg y ou ve ry m uch dea r .

,

br o th e r if som e body t ell s y ou th a t y ou a re a l on e sp it in to his eyes

, , ,

a n d re m embe r th a t y ou h a v e b ro th e r s a n d s i s te r s w h o w a n t n e ws

from y ou You wro te in the beg i n n in g a n d y ou com p la in ed a bout

.

m e [ sa yi n g] tha t it i n te res t ed y ou a n d y ou wa n t e d t o k n ow a bo ut m y
,

con dition about m y su ccess An d y ou t h i n k th a t I a m n o t i n t e r

,
.

est e d But I wa n t ve ry m uch to kn ow a b out yo ur h ea lth a n d success

.
,

t o kn ow wh e re m y d ea r b ro th e rs a re S o I beg y ou ve ry m u ch write .
,

m e wh er e y ou a re h ow do y ou succee d
,
for from h om e the y
write m e n othin g a bo ut y ou ; they sa y on ly tha t y ou d on t succee d ’

in Am er i ca S uch is ou r lo t th a t w e d on t succeed a n ywh e re

’
. .
,

Your bro th er ,

LE O N

3 56 F ebrua ry 1 1 ,
1 91 4
MOST B R O TH E R :
B E LOV E D Toda y I ha d the h a p p in ess to
receive yo ur l etter which ca used m e a g rea t joy Wh en I received
i t I could n ot ea t m y din n e r Y ou a sk m e h ow lon g I h a ve s till
.

t o serve I ca n n ot te ll y ou ex a ctly for I d on t kn ow it m yself I wa s ’

. .

gl a d th a t the l a s t yea r w a s comi n g bu t n ow I a m very sa d for

p eop l e sa y tha t the re will be a wa r w ith P r u ssi a a n d Au s tria a n d
E n gla n d Y ou k n ow wh a t m y life is fa r a wa y from m y d ea r es t ,

bro th e r s a n d si st ers I ca n n o t com p la i n tha t the con d i tion s a re

.

ba d bu t wha t a bou t this sla very ? For wh a t a m I a sl a v e in th ese

'

S i beri a n m ou n ta i n s ? I could be som e thin g else th a n I a m [ n ot

a si m p le sold ie r] bu t I d on t w a n t it I a m w ea ry of li f e
’
, ,

Y ou sa y tha t H elcia is ge tti n g m a rrie d Y es she a sked m e for .

,

a dvi ce [p e r mission ] a n d I a dvised h er a l so t o do it for I

, p i ty h er ve ry ,

m u ch tha t she rem a in s so a l on e whil e w e d on t kn ow w h e ther a n y

, ,
’

on e O f u s wi ll eve r co m e ba ck t o our bel ove d Po l a n d a n d t o ou r be

l oved sis ters a n d bro th e rs It seem s to m e a s if I n ever sh ould tea r

.

m y se lf ou t of thi s sl a v e ry Your in ten ti on s a re very serious [p roba bly

.

th e broth er in ten d s t o ta ke his fa mi ly t o Am e rica ] b u t d on t w o rry ,

’

a bo ut m e a s lon g a s I a m in se rvice When I see th a t th in gs a re ba d.

I sha ll a ddress m yself to y ou bu t n ow fo r a tim e I w ill be p a tien t , .

Th e se rvi ce is ea sy [ Exp re ssion of bro therly feel in gs ; n ews a n d

.

requ es t for n ews a bo ut rela tives a n d frien d s ]

I rem a in in lon gin g .

Your lovin g bro th er ,

LEON
 KALI N OWI CZ S ER I E S 1 53

3 57 May 1 9 ,
1 91 4

MOS T B R OTHE R
B E L O ED V Y ou a sk m e why I sen d y ou '

l e tters wi th s ta mp s whe th er I a m so rich in m on ey Well I don t ’

—
,
.
,

g rud g e th ese 1 0 cop e ck s W h y I h a v e 9 0 r o u b l e s o h I beg y our

—
.
, ,

p a rd on 9 0 cop ,e ck s a m on th But for this m on ey I ca n sen d m ore .

le tters th a n m y broth er in la w wh o ha s m o re hon o r [h igh er p osition P]

- -
,

a n d m ore m on ey th a n I Th ey wro te to m e n ot lon g a go comp la in

.
1
,

in g th a t y ou don t w ri te to him He sa y s tha t h e is oft en in d esp a ir

’
.
,

beca use e ve rybody in ou r fa mi ly p a rticul a rly t he brothers l ook s a t , ,

h im w i th a n u n f a vora bl e ey e S ta si a a n d Todz ia com p l a in ed a l so .

th a t y ou wro te seldom t o th em I told th em to write more often .

,

th en they w ill re ce iv e m o re l e tte rs An d wh y d oe s Helcia n ot wr ite .

t o Hu lewi czka ? I w ill l ea rn it a n d info rm y ou If it is through h im .

[ th e brother in la w] I will th a n k him wh en I com e ba ck

- -
,
.
2

3 58 Li p ) ,
M a rch 22, 1 914

D E AR WLADZI O : I n ou r first wo rd s t o y ou P [ ra ise d] b[ e] J [ esu s]

Ch r [ i s tu s] We hop e th a t y ou will a n swer u s :
. I n cen turi es of
“

cen turi es Am en ,[ Gree tin gs ; hea lth ].

D ea r Wl a dzio we ha ve wri tten 4 l e tte rs t o y ou a n d we d on t

’
,

k n ow wha t ha pp en ed for w e received a n a n swe r t o n on e We a re

, .

very m u ch p a in ed tha t ou r m os t belove d bro the r f orge ts a bout u s .

D ea r Wl a dzio w e love y ou so m uch I p ra y t o o u r Lord God tha t I

, ,

m a y see y ou a t l ea st in a drea m a n d y o u ha ve f o rgo tten a bout u s , .

D ea r Wla dzio d on t bel iev e Ja n k a tha t sh e is fa ith ful t o y ou

' ’
.

Sh e ha s a lrea dy Joz ef B a lcza k Sh e bough t a r in g for h im a n d sh e .

,

d a res to write to y ou ! Pa rdon m e d ea res t Wla dz io for writin g th us t o , ,

The broth er in la w is req u ired

I - -
t o becom e a t on ce a m em be r of th f e a mi ly in
t he fu ll sen se o f th is m embersh ip .

In ite of t he ex ra o t rdin a ry
il i l lida rity t h cfiort s t o p re se rv th e f am
2
sp e a so e
,

broth r i l w i
e -
t
n- a im il t d d t h i t r is e tra g d ; th fa m ily t
s no a ss a e ,
an e s s e s n e e no

O l y do s
n t cqu ir
e no w m m ber b t is i d g r f l i g
a e a ne Th f mi ly
e u n an e o os n on e . e a

K li wicz i
a no ot h ld toge th er by a comm ni ty of eco om i c
s n e so i l in t rest u n or c a e s,

b t m ely by
u er f ecti o n d th ere am t b o i m m d ia te r l ti on of
n , a see s o e n e e a

solid ity b tw
ar it a n d the fa m ily f th br th r i l w im p ly b c u e the f m il y
e een o e o e -
n- a , s e a s a

K li wi cz is
a no l gr mpl t
no d org i d fa m ily gro p a d d s ot
on e a co e e an a n ze -
u , n oe n

cou n t s h i th ye of th mm ity A f m ily m t ith r ha v a h a d (o

a su c n e e s e co un . a us e e e e r

ra th r
e h d a pl ) ea b c m p s d f m rri d ettl d a d
cou e or cia lly ma tu r
e o o e o a
-
,
e , s e , n so e

m emb rs i e der t h ve
,
n or soc i l st di g a g roup
o a a a an n as .
 I 54 PRI M AR Y G ROUP
-
OR G AN IZATI ON

y ou , bu t w e h a ve a d ea r b r o th e r a n d w e ve a l so a d ea r wa n t to ha
sis t er in la w , a n d th a t i s th e e n d of i t
- -
I y ou n ot h i n g bu t t h e . write
h oly truth I in fo rm y ou m os t belov ed Wla czio tha t w e sha ll go
.
, ,

i n to th e world on M a rch 3 0 We a re very sa d th a t w e m u st wa n d er .

a bout th e w orld bu t n o th i n g ca n be h e lp e d Go d s will be d on e ’

,
.
,

le t it be so for som e ti m e D ea r Wla dzio don t be a n g ry w ith H elcia

’
.
, ,

sh e g ri eves ve ry m u c h th a t y ou h a ve n o t writt en t o h er for so l on g a

tim e D ea r Wla dzio H elcia lon gs m uch for Hu l ewiczka sen ds h er

.
, ,

a sin ce r e g ree t in g k isses h er a n d embra ces h er th ou sa n d s O f tim es a n d

,

begs h er t o write D e a r W la dzio don t b e a n g ry w i th H elcia for

’
.
,

ha vin g m a rri ed Sh e h a d n o th i n g el se to exp e c t bu t t hi s P ru ssi a n

—
.

g r e a se [ fig ur a t iv e for s e a son work ; a p a rticula r ki n d of grea se

“ ”

is giv en to th e sea son w o rk e r s for co oki n g] a n d w e don t l ik e th i s

’
-
,

P russ i a n gr ea se ; w e a re tir ed of i t D e a r Wla dz io Ja n ek is a g oo d .

,

for n o th in g h e a lwa y s p l a y s ca rd s refu ses t o l is ten t o a n ybody is

-
, , ,

ve ry v ulga r off en d s e ve rybody ; such a rogu e a s the wo rld h a s n eve r

,

seen . Writ e h im a fe w w ord s d ea r Wla dz io p erha p s y ou will correc t , ,

h im a littl e in this wa y .

D ea r Wl a dz io p e rh a p s y ou a re d isp l ea sed wi th m e for d esc ri bin g

,

e ve ryth in g th u s bu t wh a t y ou d on t l ik e fo r iv e m e I write y ou ’
, g , .

t he si n ce re truth beca u se I l o ve y o u sin ce re ly

, .

I rem a in your truly lovi n g sis ter ,

TE ODORA

M a y 8 [ 1 9 1 4]
D EAR WLAD ZI O :
y w ith u s for writ in g littl e D on
’
t be a n gr

t o y ou for it see m s t o m e th a t w e ha ve writt en m o re t o ou tha n ou

, y y ,

d ea r bro ther t o u s B eli eve m e I n eve r f elt so sa d a t h o m e a s th is

,
.
,

wi n ter You sa y d ea r Wla dz io tha t w e h a ve a broth er in la w n ow

.
, ,
- -

a n d th e r ef or e w e f orge t a b out It is n ot tru e w e sha ll n ever for

y ou .
,

ge t y ou for y ou a re ou r m ost bel oved l ittl e b ro th e r a n d w e l on g fo r

,

y ou a s a d ee r for w a t e r l ik e ea rth witho ut ra in ; a n d w e w a n t t o see

,

y ou a s soon a s p ossibl e D ea r W la dzi o if y ou kn ew ho w every .

,

l e tter of yours rej oices u s y ou would wr it e m o re often ou r belove d ,

broth e r .

I w ro te t o y ou a fte r Helcia s w edd in g bu t I d on t kn ow ’

,
’

w h e ther y ou rece ived th i s l e tte r I p itied [regre tted H elcia very .

m u ch I cri ed durin g th e wh ol e f e stiva l ; th e f es t iva l wa s n o t a

,

f es tiva l bu t a sorrow for m e [p la y of word s wesele m a rria ge

, , ,
I 56 PRI M AR Y -
G R O UP OR GAN I ZATI ON

or sin ce y la y down for th e first ti m e t o sl eep th ey h a ve n o t a w a k

th e
en e d u p t o th e p resen t Well I wi ll a rou se th e m wh en I go ba ck .
,
.

I rece ived a le tter from M insk Th ey wro te m e tha t un cl e .

is ge ttin g m a rrie d a n d th ey in vit e m e t o com e t o th e m a fte r th e en d

O f m y se rvi ce I ha ve h a d for a lon g tim e t h e id ea of v isiti n g th em
.

a n d O f ge ttin g a cqu a i n t e d with th e m for th ey a re v e ry good p e op le

I
.
,

Th ey a lwa ys a sk wheth er or n o t I n eed a n ythin g But th ey h a ve n o t .

sen t m e a n ythin g u p t o t he p resen t for m y ch a r a c t e r d oes n o t p e r mi t ,

m e t o beg E verybody k n ow s th a t I a m n o t e a rn in g wa ges b u t in

.
,

sl a ve ry [ a n d th ey ou gh t t o sen d wi th out a sk in g]
LEO N

LAD , July 1 3, 1 91 4

D E AR WLADZI O : Yo ur le tt er fo un d
in good h ea lth us .

[ Wishes ] I beg your p a rdon for n ot ha vin g a n swe re d your firs t le tte r ,
bu t I h a ve n o ti m e t o wri te a n d Helcia d o es n ot wa n t t o wri t e a lo n e .

Y ou we re di ssa tisfied tha t I did n ot wri te I did n ot wr ite it is t ru e .

, ,

a n d y ou w e r e a n g ry wi th m e i t is a fa c t But y ou ha d n o rea son I ,

. .

ha ve m ore rea son [ to be a n gry] bu t tod a y I beg yo ur p a rd on

for everythin g You w e re d issa tisfie d wi th u s for n o t ha vi n g wri tt en
.

t o y ou before ou r we ddi n g But y ou kn ow why we did n ot w rite . .

Y ou did n ot write t o m e a n d th e refore I di d n ot wri te t o y ou T od a y .

2

I write t o y ou dea r Wla dzio a n d we a re v ery gla d tha t y ou d on t

, ,
’

f o rge t a bout u s a n d w e don t forge t a bout y ou eith er We rem em be r

,
’
.

y ou c on t in ua lly N ow I in form y ou wha t is th e n ew s h e re

. Wa cek .

is n o m ore w ith u s beca u se h e got to ta lly sp oile d H e a tt em p t ed t o

, .

vio la te M a n i a F He in vi t ed her t o his r oom sa yin g tha t he w o uld

.

sh ow h e r t h e p ho tog ra p h of th e you n g m a n o r o w n e r ; h e close d th e -

door wi th t he key a n d th re w her up on the bed O n ly she cried ve ry .

m u ch Wi th difii cu lt y p eop l e forced the d oor 3

. T h e re w a s a n .

Th e u le ho ld b com e th h d of th f mi ly ft r th f th r dea th
I
nc s u e e ea e a a e e a e
’
s .

We see i d d th t h sh w
, n ee m i tere t f h is ep h ws
, a B t h i s lo g
e o
p r s so e n s or n e . u n se a a

tio from thi br h of the fa m ily h i de him from a m i g a y r lly tiv Ol

n s a nc n rs ssu n n ea ac e r e .

Fr m th st dp i t of t he fa m il y rela ti s Wl d i w
o e an
p rfectl y rig h t
o n -
on , a z o as e

i b i g g y fo hi p rm i s i w s p ba bl y k d bef r h i si t r s m ’
n e n an r , rt s e s on a ro no as e o e s s e ar

i ge a d it w th e b ot h i l w d ty t write him fi rst a fte t h e m r i g

‘
r a ,
n as r er ~
n -
a s u o r a r a e .

Th i W cek i p r b bly
3 s v r e i t he m r Th t temp t f vi l ti
a s o a an o e s er n a no . e a o o a on
w l d h rdly v r h p p
ou a i th is form i
e vill g
e di g a ra l it is n f t h
en n n a a e, a n n en e o e o e

r re t rim s H re it s m t b the s lt f t h i fl ue of s a
a s c e . e m ig r ti
ee s o e re u o e n n ce e son - e a on

( bou t 5 p c t of th p op ul tio i t h is l
a 2 er en lity m ig t fo th e s m m r) a d
e a n n oca e ra e r u e n
t he cor e p di g l
r s i g fm l
on n oosen n o o ra s .
 KALI NOWI CZ SERI ES I 57

d t : on e work ma n wa s drown ed He wa s ba thin g on Sun da y

a cci en . ,

p recisely durin g th e d ivi n e service [ R ela tes who d ied ; wea ther ] I
.
.

BR ON E K

D ea r b ro th er I greet y ou a lso a n d embra ce y ou a n d beg your

,

p a rd on fo r n o t h a v in g a n swe re d y ou a t on ce I w a n t e d Bron ek t o .

write bu t he le t on e da y p a ss a fter a n o th er If y ou k n ew how m uch

,
.

he works y ou w ould n ot won d er a t a ll He work s in S lup ca . .

He l ea ves a t 4 every m orn in g a n d com es ba ck a t I O He boa rd ed .

wi th P el ek p a id him 3 roubles a week bu t the y ga ve him ve ry

, ,

mi sera bl e livin g a n d he ha d t o s top [Ne ws a bout frien d s ] I gree t

.

y o u d ea
,
r l i ttl e b r o t h e r I e mb r a ce
, y ou a n d ki ss y ou a th o u sa n d t im e s ,

a n d I beg y ou ve ry m u ch w rite oft en ,

for w e lon g m u ch for y ou ,
.

An tosia gree ts y ou S he rem em be rs y ou often a n d wi sh es

.

y ou to com e a s soon a s p ossibl e .

HE LCI A

3 63 [Novem be r] 2 7, 1 91 4

D E AR B R O THE R AN D DE AR KAsrA : After a p a in ful sighin g a n d a

terri ble lon g i n g [on ou r p a rt] Todzia [Teodo ra ] sen t u s two lette rs
which rej oiced u s very m uch N ow we in form y ou th a t w e a lthough
.
,

in grea t fea r a n d wa itin g for bette r tim es to com e a re s till a l ive a n d ,

hea lth y a n d we wi sh y ou the sa m e wi th ou r whol e h ea rt

, N ow w e .

in fo rm y ou tha t God ga ve u s a son H e is n a m ed S ta n isla w J é zef . .

For th e fir s t tim e he gree t s his d ea r u n cl e a n d a u n t K a sia a n d the

o th e r u n c le [ Ka sia s h usba n d] a n d his cou sin D ea r bro the r we p ity
’
.
,

y ou v ery m u ch w e rem embe r you O ften sa yin g th a t p e rha p s y ou a re

, ,

h u n gry som e tim es sin ce your con d i tion is so ba d

, a n d y ou

ha v e ha d n o w ork for 6 m on ths We a re very m u ch p a in e d An d

. .

how d oes m y d ea r K a sia succeed ? I lon g very m u ch for h er D ea r .

brothe r w e ha ve m uch n ews bu t a ll is sa d N ow I won t write m ore

’
.
, , ,

for t he da y is sho rt a n d w e sp en d these lon g even in gs in d a rk n ess

,

[n o oil beca u se Of t he wa r] .

[ HE LCI A]
[Lon ge r or shorter greetin gs from o the r m embe rs of t he fa mi l y ,

e xcep t those wh o a re in P ru ssia ]

t i g du i
Ba h n r ng i i
t h e d v n e se rvic
e is con s id ered t he ca u se o f h is d r own n g i
God s p u i h m e t
’
n s n .
 WI CKOW S K I S ERI ES

Th e le tte r s d epic t typ ic a l ec on omi c situ a tion resul tin g

a ,

p a rtl y from c erta in tra di tion s pa rtl y from r e c en t lega l

,

fa c tors Tra di tion a ll y th e p ea sa n t p referre d r a ther t o will

.

h is fa rm t o on e son tha n t o d ivi d e it B u t i t w a s n ot a

.

u n iversa l c u st om I n som e c a ses it wa s m ore p rofita b l e t o

.

divi de t h e fa rm p a rticul a rl y if t h e fa ther die d b efore hi s

,

c hildren we re of a ge t o b e se ttl ed Th e de vel opm en t of .

e m ig r a tion durin g t h e l a s t tw en t y y e a r s b r ou g ht a n ew a n d

im p orta n t ch a n ge O f c on di tion s A sea son em ig r a n t ca n li ve

.
-

a n d p ut m on e y a sid e u p on t h e sm a ll est bit of la n d a n d b u y

la te r a la rge r fa rm whil e if h e h a s n o la n d a t a ll h e is hop e

,

le ssl y prol eta riz ed Hen c e di vision of l a n d b ec om es a n

.

e c on omi c n e c e s si t y B u t it is lim ite d by t h e R u ssia n la w :

.

n o n ew f a r m s b e low six m org s ca n be c r e a t e d b y d iv ision .

Th e la w w a s e s ta b l ished duri n g t h e libe r a tion of t h e serf s ,

a n d i t s in t en t ion w a s t o kee p a n e c on om ic a ll y s tr on g p ea s a n t

c l a ss c on serva tive a n d true t o th e R u ssia n g ove rn m en t

,
;

a s a g a in s t t h e t oo p a tr io t i c a n d r e volution a r y n o b ili t y .

Th e r esult w a s a n en or m ou s a n d c on tin ua ll y g r owin g c ou n tr y

p r ol e t a r ia t whi ch p a rtl y em ig r a t es t o Am e ric a a n d w e
, ,

fin d m or e a n d m or e fr equen tl y si tu a tion s like t h e on e in t h e

p resen t series where the h eir s li ve up on a n un d ivided
,

p ropert y ruini n g the fa rm or qu a rreli n g c on tin u a ll y

, .

I n the p r e s en t c a se the r e a re four b r o the r s a n d t w o

s is t e r s . On e b ro ther JOze f is in Am e ric a
, , O n e s is t e r
.
,

M a n ia is m a rrie d The o th er b rothe r s Ja n S t a n isl a w

,
.
, , ,

a n d An to s a n d th eir sist e r H e l en ka l ive toge th e r a n d kee p

, ,

t h e fa r m Th e f a r m w a s the ir m o ther s a n d w a s a p a rt O f
.
’
,

t h e f a r m of th eir g ra n df a th e r ; p a rt of it b el on gs t o th e ir

u n c le A n ew survey w a s m a d e a fter th eir m other s

.
’
 I 60 PRI M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR GANI Z ATI ON

M a n ia usba n d
’
s h
Wla dka h is n iece,

S ta n i sla w Wicko w ski ,

an un cl e
His wife
Wa cek his so n

Zos ia his da ugh ter

,

Wla d y sla w Wickowski a n oth er un cl e ,

J6zefa his wife

,

An dr z ej Wickow ski th ird un cle ,

Jé zef
F ra n e k h is son s

W icek

3 64 68 ,
— TO J OZE F (JOZI O ) W I CKO W S KI , IN A ME RI CA , FR O M
F AM I LY - ME MB E R S

3 64 GORZ KOW M a rch 4 , ,

1 91 4

P ra ised be Jesus Ch ris tus

“
.

[ D E AR B R OTHER JOZEF ] whethe r An to s is Y ou a sk

l ea rnin g B ut we infor m y ou th a t An tos is so la zy t o l ea rn t ha t the re

.

i s n obody in th e world lik e hi m N ei ther bea tin g n or beggin g Ca n

.

h elp Although he kn ows h ow to r ea d a li ttl e it is v ery li ttl e

. M or e ,
.

ove r h e is a ba d boy d isobe di en t

, ,
tea rin g his cl oth es a n d di fficult
, ,

t o k eep a t h om e for h e a lwa y s loa f s a bo ut U n cl e s [ da u gh t er]

’
.
,

Zosia a l th ou gh n obody co m p el s her t o lea r n l ea rn s w ell h er self

, ,

beca u se sh e is Wil li n g .

We ca n n o t give n ow a n y thi n g to ou r brothe r in la w besid e s t hi s - -

cow for w e h a ve n o m on e y
,
P e rha p s l a te r on . Tho ugh we ha d a .

few rou bles they ha ve been sp en t duri n g t he ca rn iva l

, S ta sie k .

sp en t som e m on ey on ciga r e tt es a n d o t h er thin gs for h e is n o t ve ry ,

p a rsim onio us Here he ga ve a dep osit for a s uit th e re h e sp en t

.
,

m on ey durin g a weddin g for Wice k A m a rrie d Wi sn ie wski s da ugh te r

, .
’

a n d w en t t o li v e wi th h er ; sh e wi ll h a v e 7 m orgs of l a n d An d Jozef .

Lisek bough t hi m self ou t of th e mili ta ry service [wa s d ecla red u n fit

by bribin g the doctor] a n d is a t h om e bu t we don t k n ow h ow m uch i t ,
’

cos t him for he refu ses t o te ll

, Pe rha p s w e sha ll l ea rn som e da y
.

then we will write y ou .

[ JAN WI C KO W S KI ]
d ea r bro the r I wi ll wri te y ou a
N ow , , feww ord s Jé zef A wa n ts
. .

t o ren t ou r l a n d if y ou ta k e m e t o Am e rica . He sa ys tha t he will su p

 WI CKOWSKI S ERIE S 1 61

po rt Ja n [who is S ick] a n d sow the la n d a s we a gree He . is x

e em p e t d
from mili ta ry service ; it costs him a bout 3 50 roubles
Your lovin g brother ,

S TAN I S LAW WI C KO W S KI

Ap ril 1 1 [ 1 9 1 4]
D EAR B R OTH E R JOZI O : We info rm you a bout ou r hea lth .

We ca n n o t com e t o hea lth a n d I don t kn ow wha t will be wi th us

,
’

for An to s is s till sick wi th h is leg It would be worth whil e to

.

ta ke him t o a doctor bu t we a lwa ys la ck m on ey An d I a m tortured

,
.

by this co ugh which won t lea ve off It is d iffi cult to get hea lth a n d
’
.
,

difi cu lt t o die M isera ble is m y life for I see n o thin g up on this world
.
,

e x cep t m ise ry .

Well dea r J6zio I info rm y ou a bout ou r s uccess Thin gs go on in

, ,
.

a va riou s w a y n ot very w e ll for you n g p eop le don t k n o w how t o

’
, , ,

m a n a ge a s w ell a s old p eop le for on e does n o t wa n t to l isten t o the

,

o the r
. If m o the r li ved it would be difieren t a n d the orde r a t hom e ,

woul d be better Helen k a n either se ws n or wea ves bu t wa stes her

.
,

tim e a bout ca bin s [goin g to n eighbors a n d ta lkin g] An d Sta siek .

does the sa m e An d they would be gla d to dress bu t they ha ve n ot

.
,

m on ey en o ugh But even so they bo rrow a n d bu y [clothes] An d

. .

t h e buildi n gs a re ge ttin g ru in ed The roof s a re ba d . It wou ld be .

well wo rth while t o tra n sfe r them ; for ev en un cle is n ot sa tisfied tha t
we don t ta ke t he bui ld in gs from th e ir p la ce
’
But wha t P We .

ca n n o t do i t o urse lves for m on ey is n eed ed for t hi s tra n sfe rrin g

, .

[ Wea th e r ; fa rm work ] -

You wa n t me t o d esc ribe a ll the n ews You a sk me why .

Fra n ciszek the bla cksmi th did n ot a n swer you

, , H e in ten ded
t o wri te bu t n ow in t h e sp rin g he ha s n o tim e He is n ot .

a n g ry a t a ll Why should h e be ?
.

An d the J edrzejskis wh en they c a m e did n ot tell a n ythin g ba d

a bout you .On t he con tra ry t hey p ra ise d y ou sa yi n g tha t y ou work ,

a n d a re p a r simoni ou s a n d d on t loa f a ft er girls a s y ou loa fe d here in

’
,

ou r cou n try a ft e r wom en a n d girls On ly Fra nek sa id tha t y ou .

qua rreled with S ta s so tha t i t ca m e to figh tin g This on ly I h ea rd .

from them .

An d n ow I in form y ou tha t H e len a S is ma rryi n g imm edia tely .

a ft e r Ea st e r The wed di n g wa s to be a t ca rn iva l bu t I d on t k now ’

.
,
 I 62 PRI M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

wh y they p ostp on e d it But it will ce rta i n ly be for th ey h a v e

.
,

a lr ea dy bough t weddi n g dr esses n ow duri n g L en t

-
[O the r n e w s a bo ut .

m a rria ges a n d dea ths ]

D ea r bro ther Jé zio ou r a u n t S t a n isla wo wa [ S t a n i sla w s wif e]
’
,

a sk e d m e t o write y ou t h a t y ou migh t l ea r n a bo ut t h e ir [ son ] Wa cek

,

For h e wro te th em tha t he su fie rs a te rribl e m isery i n A m e ri ca a n d

b egge d his p a ren ts t o se n d him m on ey for th e j ourn ey sa y i n g tha t ,

if t h ey don t sen d it h e would comm it su icid e for he h a d t e rri bl e

’
,

m ise ry But they did n o t sen d h im th e m on ey for th ey h a d n on e

.
,
.

Th e a u n t begs y ou t o h e lp h im ei th er t o fin d som e wo rk fo r hi m or
, ,

t o l en d h im m on ey for t h e j ourn ey th en th ey w ill p a y y ou ba c k ,

.

The a un t begs y ou v e ry m uch .

[JA N WI C KO W S KI ]

Jun e 2 9, 1 91 4

B R OTHE R
D EAR We fa r m a s w e ca n a n d w e ea t
wha t w e ha ve We ha ve n ot m uch m ilk for w e m ilk on ly on e cow
.
,
.

The o th e r is big wi th a ca lf bu t p erha p s sh e wi ll ca lve a bo ut t he en d

,

of thi s m on th

Wa cek will com e h e re on July I so h e wr o te O u r a un t

,
.

a n n oy s u s a bout t a ki n g ou r bu ild in gs a wa y fro m t h e ir p l a ce a n d sa y s

tha t y ou should se n d m on ey for tra n sfe rri n g t h em if y ou i n ten d t o

rem a in for som e tim e s till in Am erica An d p e rh a p s y ou ha ve n o .

i n ten tion of com i n g a n d fa rmin g her e a t a ll Th en S ta sie k wo uld .

m a rry a n d tra n sfer the b uildi n gs N ow he d oes n o t k n o w wh a t t o do

.
,

for t o rem a i n toge the r th u s is ba d The bu ildi n gs a re ge ttin g ru in e d

.
,

a n d lu mbe r is dea re r h e re ev e ry y ea r ; n ow a s ag of lu m be r cos t s

2 0 ro u b les S o d ec id e
. E ithe r sen d t h e m on ey for tra n sf e rri n g t he
.

buildi n gs or com e yo urself a n d begin t o fa rm

, [ N e ws a bo ut frien ds ] .

JA N WI C KOW S K I

3 67 OR CH O W I CE , Jun e 20 ,
1 91 4
D E AR B ROTHER : [ Com p la in ts of h is n ot writ in g n e w s a bout
fa rm wo rk wea ther he a lth etc ] When y ou rece iv e this le tter from
-
, , ,
.

u s a n d wh en y ou wr i t e t o u s writ e u s a fe w w o rd s w he t h e r
, y ou
in ten d t o com e n ow w it hin a short tim e o r n o t
, For n ow m a n y , .

p eop l e com e from Am er ica a n d sa y tha t in Am e r ica th i n gs a re ba d ,

a n d w e d on t kn ow wh a t is yo ur con di t io n If you com e ba ck t o

’
.
 SER CZYNS K I S ER I E S

W e h a ve he r e a thi rd typ e of si tu a tion in whic h t h e

chil dr en a re l eft a lon e a fte r their p a ren t s d ea th Th e le ga l
’
.

gua rdi a n s do n ot seem t o p e rform their dut y c on scien tiou sl y

The t w o olde r b ro the r s a re in Am erica O th erwi s e it
.

woul d be their n orm a l fun c tion t o c a re for t h e y oun ge r .

chil dr en S O there rem a in t h e t wo m a rrie d S is te r s e a c h O f

.
,

whom wa n t s t o ta ke c a re of th e three y oun g es t o rp h a n s .

I t is of c our se their fa m il ia l dut y b ut t h e c ur iou s s tru gg l e

; , ,

whic h b r ea ks ou t b etween t h e tw o m a rrie d c oup le s di sc l ose s

o the r m o tives b e sid e s f a m il ia l soli d a r i t y There is p rob
.

a b l y S om e e c on omi c b a ckgr oun d . Th e Sla wifiski s a s well a s

th e P u ch a lski s h op e tha t th e b r o the r s w h o a re in Am e ri c a

will sen d m on e y for th e c hil dren a n d keep in g t h e l a tte r m a y

,

thu s p rove a g ood b usin ess P erha p s a l s o P u c h a l ski hop e s

.

t o w in in th is w a y t h e fa vor of h is b r o th e r s— in —
la w a n d g e t
a ship — ticke t from them for him self B u t th ese c on sid er a
.

tion s a re evi den tl y too u n c erta in a n d would h a rdl y be a

su ffi c ien t m o tive t o exp l a in th e wh ol e S i tu a t ion Th e .

fun d a m en ta l rea son (b esid es in t he c a se of th e P u ch a lski s

, ,

som e rea l a ff ec tion a n d pit y ) is t he c on sidera tion of p u b li c

Op in i on . Th e comm un it y wi ll c erta in l y p r a is e t h e c ou p le
whic h Shows it s feelin g s of f a m ilia l soli da rit y by keep in g t h e
chi ldren a n d it wil l n o le ss c erta in l y b la m e th e oth e r
,

c oup l e An d we mu s t a dd tha t th e pop ul a r feelin g a lwa y s

.

a pp r e c ia t iv e of fa m ilia l s olid a ri t y is p a rtic ul a rl y s tron g

,

where orpha n s a re c on c ern ed .

 SE RCZY NS KI S E RIES I 65

THE FAM ILY S ER CZY NS KI

Tw o brothers S erczy ri ski in Am eri ca

’

a deu sz ( Ta dzro)

Ery la an
the ir brothers
M a rya n n a ( M a n i a )
An n a ( An dzia ) the ir s isters
J a n in a
Fra n ciszek Pucha lski An n a
’
s husba n d
Sla wifiski M a ry a n n a
, s h usba n d

6 — B R O THE R S S E R CZY NS KI I N AM ERI CA ,

3 9 7 2 , To THE
FR O M F AMI LY ME MB E R S I N P OLAND — ,

Novembe r 6 [1 9 1 3]
P ra ised be Jesus Chris tus .

An d n ow I wri te to y ou dea r bro th e r s a bout ou r con di tion a n d

, , ,

I beg y ou t o ha ve pity up on u s a n d I beg y ou t o sen d m e [m on ey]

,

for clo thes beca use we ha ve n o thin g to p u t up on u s a n d n o thin g t o

,

ea t. They ha ve sold ou r bed s a n d we ha ve n othin g to S leep up on ;

w e m u s t sl eep up on t he bed Of An dzia [A p a rt of] ou r beddin g is
.

with S la winska I ha v e been th ere m ore tha n on ce a ski n g her t o

.

give m e t his be ddin g ba ck But Ma nia told m e t o go to service in

.

S lup ca ; bu t I told her Ha ve y ou ever been goin g a roun d from

,

se rvice t o se rvice ? I won t go t o se rvice An d she sa id tha t sh e

’
.

won t give m e th e beddin g SO a dvise m e dea r bro thers wha t sha ll

’
.
, ,

I do wh e ther I ha ve t o go to service or n ot I beg you ve ry m u ch

,
.
,

d ea r brothe rs don t f orge t a bout u s the o rp ha n s a n d sen d u S [ m on ey]

,
’
, ,

for cl o thes beca u se th ey a re worn ou t Th e m oney whi ch y ou sen t

.
,

S la wi nska t ook i t a n d re fu ses t o give it ba ck She told m e tha t t h e r e .

is n o m on ey a t a ll a n d m oreover S he bea t m e
,
I cried so m uch tha t .

I cou ld n o t wa lk An d tha t le tter which An dzia wrote tha t y ou did

.
,

n o t a n s w e r a t a ll sh e wep t ve ry m u ch [sic]
,
An d n ow d ea r brot he r s .
, ,

I ha ve n o thi n g more to write bu t I g ree t y ou ,

.

Your S iste r ,

JAN I NA [a bout I 4 yea rs old]

'

Februa ry 1 6 1 9 1 4 CI AZEN, ,

D E AR ES T B RO TH ER S I sha ll describe to y ou n ow
t he p a in of m y hea rt wh ich wa s ca u se d by y ou d ea r brothe rs I , .

see t o d a y th a t I a m d ese rte d by y ou bu t I a m n ot a st oni shed beca u se

, ,
1 66 P RI M AR Y GR OU P
-
OR GAN IZ ATI ON

I guess tha t w e a re sla n dered by S la w iri ska a n d y ou beli eve d h er fa l se ’

word s But I ca ll God t o be m y wi t n ess tha t I ha ve bee n a n Op en

.

h ea rt ed S i st e r t o y ou a n d toda y I rem a i n with t h e sa m e h ea rt t o wa rd

,

t he y o u n ge r ch ildren a s I ha v e ha d t owa rd y ou When S la w iri ska sa id .

tha t th ese sm a ll children ou gh t t o be given a wa y t o service m y h ea rt

p a i n e d m e a n d I too k the m t o m e I f eed t hem a n d c l oth e t h e m ,
.

Y ou sen t som e roubl es t o S l a wi nska I d on t k n o w e v en h o w m u ch

’
.
,

Sa y d ea r b rothers h ow u n g ra tefully y ou re wa rd m e ! I wro t e a

, ,

l e tter t o y ou t o wh i ch I ha d n o a n swer a t a ll D o y ou rem em be r

,
.
,

d ea r b ro th ers h ow I wa n ted y ou t o be a ble t o ge t t o Am e ri ca ; a n d

,

n ow I a m n ot w o rth y t o receiv e a le tte r from y ou I a sk ed y ou a s .

,

m y d ea r b ro th e r s t o give u s your a dvice be ca u se m y h u sba n d in ten d s

,

t o go t o Am e ri ca I did n ot a sk y ou to sen d him a sh ip ticke t b eca u se

.
-
,

he wo uld go on his ow n m on ey ; h e wa n te d on ly t o com e t o y ou .

But y ou a re so cold tha t y ou d on t even d eign t o g ive u s a dv i ce ’

.

Oh be l ie ve m e d ea r bro th e rs m y hea rt p a in s m e h ea vily beca u se for

, , , ,

m y sis te rly l ove y ou r ep a y m e so u n gra t efu lly We i n f o r m y o u .

,

dea r bro th e rs tha t we a re m ovin g to K on i n I wa n t to p la ce th ese

,
.
,

ou r li ttle br o th e r s beca u se if I le t th em go fr om u n d e r m y ca r e a
,

grea t m i se ry a wa its th em s i n ce t he fa mily is so ca rel ess , If I .

took th ree children t o m e if I f eed them a n d cl o th e them o ugh t , ,

they n ot t o ha ve bed s on whi ch to sleep ? But t h e be d s a re w ith

S la w iri ska a n d w e a re c rowd e d But th e fa m ily d oes n o t ca re how
’

.
,

t h e ch ildre n sl eep S o I f oresee tha t if I le t th em go from u n d e r m y

.

ca r e m i se ry a wa it s t he rri SO d ea r bro the r s I w o uld be v ery sa ti s

.
, ,

fied if y ou co uld ta k e Ta d e usz t he soon es t p ossibl e t o y ou We .

p la n n e d so th a t if y ou sen t a ti c ke t t o Ta dz io a n d if y ou a dvi se m y
, ,

h usba n d t o com e the y would j ourn ey t oge th e r , B ut y ou d ea r .

,

b ro the rs y ou a re so in cit ed by S la wiri ska a n d so li ed t o b he r t ha t

’

,
y
v ou d on t da re e ven t o se n d a l e tte r But I a m a s ton ish e d tha t
’
.

’
y ou d on t d eign t o in ves ti ga te it You could sen d a le tt e r t o so m e .

s tra n ge p e r son then y ou w ould lea rn on which side is th e tru th

, .

B el ieve m e dea r bro thers y ou will lea rn y et on which side th e f a lse

beca u se m y h u sba n d will y et com e t o Ame rica —
, ,

n ess i s , o n ly n o t

u n til he p la ces the children well An d when y ou ge t a cqua in te d with .

m y h u sba n d I hop e t ha t y ou w ill r esp ect h im othe rwise tha n yo ur

firs t bro the r in la w beca use m y husba n d ca res for t he chi ldren
- -
,

be tter t ha n th e ir own fa th er did .

FRA NCI S ZEK [a n d] AN NA P UCH ALS K I

1 68 PRI M AR Y GR OUP
-
OR GAN IZ ATI ON

is showin g wi th those children He though t tha t y ou wo uld sen d

Ofi .

him 50 roubles every m on th [for them ] .

Your l ovin g Sis te r ,

M AR YAN NA

Ap ril 2 6, 1 91 4

D E AR E S TB R OTH ER S : I n th e n a me of God I sp ea k to y ou wi th
”
these godly word s P ra ise d be Jesus Ch ristu s !
,
“

I a m in good hea lth tha n ks to God on ly I ha ve ha rd work , , ,

beca u se I a m a n a pp ren tice wi t h a ba ker S mi gielski S O I m u s t work , ,

ha rd a n d without p a y .

I a m obliged t o d escribe to you ou r situa tion Aft er t he d ea th .

of ou r d ea r fa th er w e rem a in e d o rp ha n s f o re ve r on ly ou r b ro th e r ,

in la w P u cha l ski a n d n o on e else ca red for u s

-
,
Th e g ua rdi a n s ren te d
,
.

ou r l a n d sold e v erythin g in th e h ou se ev en th e fur s [sh eep ski n s]

, , ,

a fte r ou r fa th e r s d ea th a n d w e we r e le ft w i th o ut a n y s upp ort

’
,
SO .

th e fa m il y wa n t e d t o give u s in t o se rvice bu t b ro th er in la w P u cha lsk i ,

- -
'

p re ven ted i t a n d beca m e ou r fa th er He is ce rta in ly a s goo d a s a .

fa the r beca use he foun d this a pp ren ticeship for m e ; he cl oth e d m e ;

,

wh en win ter ca m e h e ha d his own sheep ski n coa t m a de ov e r for m e

,
.

He feed s a n d cloth es t h e sma ll e r children a n d so w e ca n f eel g ra t i tud e ,

towa rd him for bein g ou r true g ua rdia n a n d fa th e r If he is fa lsely .

sl a n d e r e d a n d y ou bel ieve i t y ou will fin d i t ou t la t e r

,
S urely we .

sha ll see on e a n o t h e r in Am erica soon a n d y ou wi ll l ea rn t h a t h e i s ,

n ot lik e S la w iri ski

'
.

An d n ow d ea r bro ther s I s en d y ou m y b ro th erly tha n k s for the

, ,

1 5 ro ub l es which y ou sen t u s An d a ia a ssis te d in ge ttin g th is m on ey

.

from t h e p ost We bough t a suit for m e which cost 6 rouble s a dress

.
,

for Ja n in a wh ich cos t 4 roubl e s a dress for M a rya n 3 ro ubl e s ; 2 roubl es

, ,

were left bu t we a re with out shoes so bro th e r in la w P uch a l ski a dd s

, ,
- -

from his m on ey a n d will ha v e sh oes m a d e for u s a ll Th ey will cost .

I O r o u bl es or m or e b eca u se S h oes a re v e ry ex en sive h e re

, p Wh en .

Ja ni n a wen t to firs t con fession brother in la w P ucha lski sp e n t m ore ,

- -

tha n 1 2 roubles for her dress Did the fa m ily ta ke a n y in te re s t

.

in buyin g a n ythin g P Y ou sen t on e tim e som e r oubles to th e a ddress

of S la w insk a bu t we h a ve n o t been cl oth ed from this m on ey
, I am .

toda y in a n a pp ren tic eship bu t they [ th e a p p oin ted g ua rdi a n s] do n t

,
’

thin k a bout clothin g m e on ly d ea r brother in la w P ucha l ski com es to

,
- -

see m e ev ery w eek a n d ca r es fo r m e .

 SE R CZY NSKI SERI E S 1 69

N ow I h ea r , ll receive a ship ticke t from

d ea r broth e rs tha t I
,
S ha -

y ou .Oh wha t a ha p p in ess for m e tha t I Sh a ll be a ble to see y ou !

, ,

Oh I see dea r b ro th er s tha t your brotherly l o v e is n ot e xt in guish e d

, , , ,

sin ce y ou in t en d t o sen d m e a ship t icke t I beg y ou hea rtily for it

-
. .

But it wil l be di fficul t for m e t o go a lon e B roth er in la w wro te in .

- -

his fo rm er l e tte r to y ou tha t h e in ten d s t o go t o Am eri ca bu t y ou did ,

n o t a n sw e r a n yth in g d ea r b r o th e rs
,
How a gr eea bl e a n d p lea sa n t i t
.

wo uld be if I could go wi th broth er in la w S ure ly dea r

- -
,

broth er s if y ou k n ew P u cha l ski

, y ou w ould try t o ha v e him
in Am e rica ; bu t y ou beli e v e fa lse le tt ers a n d y ou thin k him t o be a
bea st D ea r bro thers when you a n swer m e sen d the le tter t o
S lup ca t o t he n a m e of Sm igielski beca u se bro th e r in —
.
, ,

, ,
la w is m ovin g -

t o K onin in o rd e r t o sen d t he y oun ger chi ldren t o school .

TADE u sz SE R CZYNS R I

The l tter is evide tly l rgely in sp ired o

e n a r di c t ted by Puch
a a l sk i .
 TE R LE CKI S ER I ES

The fa m ili a l situ a tion is ra the r p lic a te d Th e fa the r

c om .

of t h e f a m il y wen t m a n y y ea r s a g o t o Am e ri c a a n d t ook l a t e r

his son M ic ha l t o whom th ese l e tt er s a re wr i tten

,
Then .

h e d ie d . His wif e Ap ol on ia m a rr ie d D ob r ow olski

, ,
H er .

O lde s t d a u ghter fr o m t h e firs t m a rria ge Z ofia ,

m a rrie d ,

M icha l S krz yp ek ; th e y l ive wi th t h e hu sb a n d s p a r en t s

’
.

Th e se con d da ughte r S ta sia m a rrie d Fija lkow ski a n d wen t

, ,

wi th h is p a ren ts a n d h er son An to s t o Am eric a Th e third

’

.
,
.

Aur elia s ta y s with h er m othe r

,
. Th e la tte r r en t s a m a n oria l
ga rden on t he esta te of th e Godlew skis Th e fa mi li a l rel a .

tion s of other m em b er s ( R 6zia Al eksa n dra e t c ) c a n n ot be

, ,
.

e x a c tl y d e t e r mi n e d
.

Th e di sin tegra tion of th e fa mi l y is t h e m ost c om p l e t e

which w e fin d in t h e p resen t c oll ec tion The re is n ot a sin gle
.

m em b e r of t h e fa mi l y w h o d oes n o t qua rr el wi th som e o th e r

m em b er This disin tegra tion c a n n ot be c om p l ete l y ex
.

p la in e d by th e em ig ra tion a n d subse quen t dea th of th e

fa ther h ea d of t h e f a m il y ; w e ha ve seen o ther series in
,

which the d ea th of th e p a ren ts d e s tro y s in d eed pa rtl y th e

fa m ilia l u n it y b ut n o t th e reciproc a l a ff ec tion O f t he m em b er s
,

a n d a c e rt a in sol id a ri t y a m on g th e m Th e m o the r s se c on d
.
’

m a rria ge e viden tl y b r ou ght a n ew f a c t or of d isin te g ra tion ,

bu t a ga in it d oes n o t su ffic e t o e xp l a in th e a c tu a l si tu a tion .

We shou ld ha ve e xpe c ted in de ed the m oth er s c om p l et e ’

isola tion a s a ga in s t a r ela tivel y s tr on ger s olid a rit y O f t h e

children from th e fir s t m a rria ge a s in o ther sim ila r c a se s ;
,

b ut t he tie s of a ff e c tion be tween t h e m o ther a n d th e c h il

dren a re s till perha ps t h e stron g est ties rem a in in g M ore .

ove r ,
a d issolution of t h e fa m ilia l l if e i s m a rke d a l s o in

c olla te ra l b ra n ches of t h e fa m il y ( Al eksa n dra ; R 6zia ) We .

I 72 PRI MAR Y —
GROUP OR G AN IZATI ON

Fij alkowski S ta sia s h usba n d

,
’

H is p ar en ts
An tos son of St a s ia a n d Fi j a lkowski
,

R é zia
Aleks an dra
M a ury cy
rela tives
Al eksa n d er

373
On ly don t Show it
’
to R om a n !
LUB LI N , Ap ril I , 1 91 1

D EAR BR ONI S I A AN D MI CHAL : We inf orm y ou th a t w e a re in goo d

h e a l th We di d n ot lon g a tim e
wri te t o y ou for so bec a use
t o te ll th e truth we ha d n o tim e , B eca use sin ce we bo ugh t .

th e li n en p ress we ha v e n eve r ha d ti m e a n d when th e re is n o tim e

-
, , ,

the re is n o hea d t o think a bout a n ythin g el se An d n ow we so ld it .

,

beca u se we did n ot get on well even wi th it ; a lthou gh w e e a rn e d a

fe w z lo ty a n d som e tim es a few ro ubl es a ll this mea n s n o t hi n g when
,

lodgi n g is exp en siv e a n d livi n g is a l so very exp en siv e h e r e .

An d fa ther [ Skr zyp ek] works in a s ta rch fa ct ory He e a rn s -

.

2 0 r o u bl es a m on th a n d t his ca n h a rdly su m
,
ce t o live e v en v ery ,

m o destly We hea rd from m o th e r tha t R oma n is g e tting on

ve ry well tha t he ea rn s en ough a n d on the other ha n d we h ea rd tha t
, , ,

h e is tem p te d a n d in ten ds t o l ea ve hi s e m p loymen t beca u se h e wi ll get

a n o th e r h e re in th e cem en t fa c to ry H e ough t n ot t o be tem p te d t o
-
.

—
com e ba ck t o the old m ise ry wh e n h e is ge t tin g on be tt e r He S hou ld .

ra th er ta ke his wife a n d children the re beca use in ou r co u n try li fe ,

is ve ry ha rd for p oor p eop l e mo t fo r those belly go d s wh om th e -

d ev il s won t ta ke If we kn ew th a t it would be ea sier t o l ive there

’
.
,

we sh ould a lso risk goin g ourselves But we a re a fra id t o do a s w e

.

o n ce di d a lrea dy wh en we w en t b ey on d Wa r sa w a n d l ost som e h u n dre d

r oubl es a n d n ow it is a s difficult t o l ive a s a fter a fire ; w e m u s t ea rn

,

ba ck [ wha t we lost ] It is ea sy to lose bu t too d ifficul t t o com e ba ck

.

t o t he los t fortune D ea r Bron isia a n d Micha l you wri t e t o ha ve

.
,

your m o the r lea rn a bout the in he ri ta n ce a fte r your fa the r B ut it is .

in va in beca u se h ow ca n moth e r le a rn i t
, She won t l e a r n i t he re
’
,

e v id en tly bu t sh e m u s t go t h e re [ to the vill a e from which th e fa t h e r

, g
ca m e] a n d t his old m a n [ step fa t h e r] will give her n o m on e y a n d y o ur
, ,

m othe r ha s n o mon ey of her own If S he ha d she could go a ga in st hi s

.
 TERLEC KI SERI ES 1 73

will If y ou S a w how your m oth e r n ow lives I a m sure tha t y ou would

.

be ve ry m uch p a in e d .If y ou sa w the l odgin g whe re S he lives ! On ly

p ol es wi th which the ceilin g is supp orte d keep it fr om fa lli n g up on
their hea ds ; o therwise th ey would n ot kn ow where a n d when to fly .

Lola is goin g to a la u n dry bu t it does n ot go on v e ry well beca use her

,

ey e hi n d e rs he r S ta sia s h usba n d in t en d s t o go to Am e rica bu t t he

’
.
,

whol e misfortun e is tha t he ha s n o m on ey for the j ourn ey Wha teve r .

he e a r n s h e sp en d s on drin kin g a n d if n o t on d rinkin g th en on girl s

, ,
.

Therefore wha t he ea rn s is n ot en ough for him a n d he is du g [sun k] ,

in to d eb ts u p t o his ea rs Fij a lkowski is such a n o rde rly m a n tha t

.

when he lea ves the fa c to ry a fte r his wo rk a t 6 o clock in th e even in g ’

he d oes n ot even go hom e t o wa sh him self S he sees him som e times .

t h e n e xt m orn in g a t 2 o r 3 a fte r m id n igh t a n d if n o t th en a t 7 o c l oc k

’
, ,

in t h e m o rni n g when h e is goin g t o the fa c t ory His com p a n ion wen t .

to Am erica la s t y ea r ; n ow h e i s wr i tin g l e tters t o him a ski n g him t o

sen d a ship t ick e t
-
. Th en h e wo uld go .

S i s te r [p roba bly co u sin ] Ale ksa n dra whose h u sba n d is in Am e rica

—her fa ther [or fa th er in la w ca n n ot m a n a ge her a t a ll He
,

- -
.

bea t s h er a s if she we re m u d bu t a ll th is is of n o a va il
, Sh e beca m e .

a cqu a in t e d wi t h a m a rrie d m a n w h o h a d l ive d a lre a dy 1 6 y ea r s wi th

his wife . He l e ft his wif e she le ft her fa ther a n d those t wo children

,

whom she ha d with her hu sba n d She s tole 30 roubles from her fa the r
.

a n d fle d with t his p ea sa n t .

[ MI CHAL a n d ZOFI A S KR ZYPEK]

D ea r Bron isia a nd M icha l
I sh a ll write for m yself tha t I got
,
n ow ,

m a rr ie d which y ou k n ow a lre a dy
,
The m a rria ge wa s ce lebra te d on
.

Augu s t I 5 Up to th e p resen t we a re wi th [ m y h usba n d s] m o ther

’
.
,

so it is som ewha t ea sie r bu t I d on t kn ow h ow lon g i t will be so

’
.
,

M ea n whil e I won t wri te y ou m ore beca u se I ha ve n ot hin g p a rtic ula r

’
,

on ly I beg y ou t o a n swe r u s soon Then in a n other le tter I wi ll.

a ddress m yself t o y ou wi th a re quest I don t k n ow whe ther y ou ’

.

will refuse m e or n ot I a m n o t sure of m yself [ha rdly da re t o a sk]

,
.

[ STAS I A]

374 [N o d a t e ]
D E AR BR ON I S IA AN D M I CHA L : If y ou believe tha t it would be
ea sie r for u s to li ve the re tha n in ou r co u n t ry a n d we sh ould not be a

burd e n t o y ou we should be gl a d to com e n ea re r to y ou

,
But we .

s ho uld l ike t o com e a ll of u s P erha p s we co uld ha ve the re som e

.
 I 74 PRI M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR GANIZATI ON

occ up a tion in a fa c tory m yself fa ther a n d m o ther We k ep t tha t

, ,
.

lin en p re ss ; i t wa s ha rd for u s
-
M o the r then bough t 3 p igs wh i ch .

w e kep t for 6 m on th s Wh en they g rew u p on e di e d a n d we h a v e

.
, ,

kep t the o th er 2 sin ce October Up t o the p resen t they cos t 3 4 .

ro ubles a n d they wi ll give m e a t the fa ir 40 roubles [An othe r p a ge

a bo ut th e p igs p ig—
.
,

keep in g bein g n ow a ba d busin ess ] M r D O

,
.

browolski [ t he s tep fa the r] sa id this tha t if h e wa n ts t o h e ca n , ,

sp oil e ve rythin g th a t is left a fte r y o ur f a th e r He ca n write th a t his .

wife is from Wa rsa w a n d born in Wa rsa w beca use y ou trea t hi m in ,

yo ur l e tte rs a s if h e were som e m a n o r se rva n t a n d ra sca l You d on t -

.
’

kn ow who h e is He is n ot a firs t bes t m a n beca use he wa s born in

.
,

Wa rsa w a n d ba p tiz ed in t h e ca the dra l of Wa rsa w If he does n o t .

wa n t y ou t o get a n yth i n g y ou w on t ge t a n ythi n g ! ’

The old Fija lkow ski s a re t ryi n g by a ll m ea n s to se ll their h ou se

a n d t o go t o Am e rica i n th e a utu m n .

M I CHA L S KRZ YP E K

375 S ep te m be r I 6, 1 91 1

D E AR CHI LDR EN : With your a p p roa chin g n a m e da y dea r so n -

,

a n d d a u gh t e r in la w I sen d y ou wish es I do n t kn o w w h y ’
- -
,

y ou do n o t wri te whe ther y ou a re off en de d beca u se I don t in f o rm

’
,

y ou a bo ut this p rop e rty I h a v e been m ore th a n on ce in t he la wy e r s ’

.

o fii ce bu t I di d n o t fin d h im
,
B u t e vid en tly th e f o rtu n e is bes t
.

which we ea rn o urselves An d th e refo re dea r son p ra y t o God th a t

.
, ,

y ou m a y e a rn a f o rtun e yo urse lf I p ra y for y ou a t every m a ss .

.

An d n ow cl ea r ch ildren I in form y ou tha t S ta sia with t h e O ld

, , ,

F ija lkowskis is com in g to y ou in sp ite of m y good a dvice S h e

, , .

won t listen t o m e a n d p erha p s S he will regre t it a s y ou do I beg

’
, , .

y ou ve ry m u ch wh en she com es to y ou trea t her in a bro th e rl y m a n n e r .

An d n ow wi th u s there is n o n ews Th e c rop s w e re a b u n d a n t bu t .

,

p rices a re goin g u p Brea d is I cop eck a p ou n d dea re r m ea t costs

.
,

1 5 cop eck s for a p ou n d of be ef a n d h o s ha ve

g got m uch chea p e r so
, ,

t ha t it is n ot wo rth keep in g them beca u se p o ta toes cost 2 roubl es a ,

kor zec [a bout 4 bu sh el s] a n d in a utu m n th ey wi ll go u

p p erha p s u p
t o 3 ro u bl es As to m yse lf this y ea r m y ga rd en fa il ed a n d e v e ry
.
, ,

thi n g get s on ba dly wi th m e I d on t k n ow wha t t o begin w ith .

’

,
’
beca use I d on t k n ow whe the r I sha ll rem a in lon g in th is a rd en we
g ;
live worse tha n dogs in a ken n el An d n ow I ha ve n o th in g
in te r estin g to wri te y ou AS t o ROzia sh e is n o t wo r th t he p en a n d
.
,
1 76 PRI M AR Y G RO U P
-
OR GANI ZATI ON

dropp ed to ta lly [ rela tion s] with the S krzyp eks [ da ugh ter a n d son in -

la w] sin ce S ta sia left ; p roba bly th ey won t s ta n d behin d m y th r esh old

’

a n y m or e An d n ow d ea r ch ildren I ha ve n o th in g i m p or ta n t t o
.
, ,

write y ou excep t th a t t h e wi n te r opp ressed u s ea rly a n d th e old

,

Godl ewski [esta te own e r] d ied on D ecem ber 2 I ca n n ot give y ou

-
.

m o re in fo rm a tion beca u se I could n ot tea r m yself a wa y from h o m e

,

for th e fu n era l a l though th e fun e ra l wa s on D e cembe r 6

,
.

Your lovin g m oth e r ,

D OB R O W OL S KA

377 M a rch 2 5, 1 91 2

D E AR CH I LDR E N : I rece ived your le tter for which I a m gra teful

t o y ou a n d I th a n k y ou for y o ur m e m ory a n d wishes ; on ly I d on t
’

like y ou t o write m e so little up o n p ostca rd s beca use I d on t even

, ,
’

kn ow wh om I ha ve t o th a n k beca use n ob ody s n a m e w a s si gn ed

,
’
.

D ea r son I beg y ou on ly in t h e n a m e of e ve ry thin g to a d v ise m e

, , ,

how to do tha t it m a y be w ell besid es c riticizin g Y ou k n ow tha t

,
.

eve ry t h i n g ca n n ot be p e rf ec t a t on ce I n th e begin n i n g y ou yo ur self

.

did n o t ge t on S O well a s y ou do n ow An d m oreove r n obody k n o ws

.

wh a t will ha p p en in ou r co un try beca use p eop l e m ur m ur sec re tly , ,

a n d a ro u n d Lu bl in k e ttl es a re built [ m e t a p ho r] a n d p eop l e sa y th a t

th e e xp l os i o n will h a pp en soon a n d p e rh a p s w e sha ll a l so p e ri sh

,
But .

y ou k n ow m o re tha n w e do [ Allu si on s to th e p rep a ra ti on for a n

.

Au s tro R u ssia n wa r a n d for a P oli sh i n surrec ti on in 1 9 1 2 ]

-
,

D ea r E ro n ia I a d dr ess m y self a s a l o v in g m o th e r t o y ou a n d
, ,

I beg y ou if An tos [ S ta sia s son ] is w ith y ou ta ke ca re of him

,
’
, .

Alth ough M i ch a l sa y s t ha t An tos w a s edu ca t ed in a f ores t y et he ,

h i m self wh il e born in t he sa m e Lubl in h a d m ore d ef ec t s e ven in his

, , ,

l a ter yea rs th a n An tos ha s bu t he does n o t rem ember th em An d

, , .

n ow h e [ M i cha l ] did n o t k n ow th a t this cr iti ci s m would b e

p a i n ful t o
’
his [An tos ] gra n d m othe r [ to m e] beca u se th i s is m y m os t bel ov ed,

gra n d son Alth ough th e oth er s a re equa lly d ea r t o m e y e t th ey did

.
,

n o t wo rk w ith m e a s h e did duri n , g his wh ol e d a ys .

[ AP OLON I A D O B RO W O L S KA]

To m y t r
written up on this S id e [Of the shee t] D ea r
S is e it is .

S ta sia I beg y ou ve ry m u ch to write m e a few w ord s your self b e ca u se

,
,

I kn ow n o t hin g a bout y ou excep t throu gh th e ha n ds of o ther p eop l e .

I n S p ite of yo ur p rom ises th a t y ou w ould wr ite y ou d on t k ee y o ur ’

p
 TERLECKI SERI ES 1 77

wo rd ybody beca u se e ven M r Czep inski ca m e to m e in th e ga r

to a n ,
.

den in ord er t o l ea rn th e t ruth wh e th er y ou a rrive d beca u se d iff eren t

, ,

rum ors ha ve been sp rea d Your thi ck a u n t sa id tha t y ou were sen t

.

ba ck a n d th a t y ou l ive in R ury in a f a r m er s h ou se M a u ry cy ca m e ’
.

t o th e ga rd en to l ea rn [ th e truth] beca u se S tep n ia k sa id th a t Al ek

sa n d e r w a s drown e d Th erefo re I beg y ou write a t lea st to Czep iri ski
’

.
,

a n d sa t isfy hi s c u riosi ty I d on t f ee l a n g ry a n d don t cla im a n y ’ ’

.

thin g a lth ough y ou p rom ised m e t o write a n d diff eren t other th i n gs

, ,
.

I kn ow th a t p roba bly y ou lon g th ere for u s a s w e lon g for y ou Wh en .

y ou g a th er m u ch m on ey a n d th er e is p ea ce in ou r coun try th en com e ,

ba ck
AU RE LIA TE RLE CKA [ ]
.

378 [1 91 2]
D E AR B R OTH ER AN D S I S TER I N LAW : [ U sua l begin n in g hea lth - -
,

a n d wish e s ] D ea r b ro th e r y ou wri te m e tha t y ou wo uld ta k e m e

,

t o y ou bu t n o t so tha t I S hould su ff e r misery

,
But ha ve I a deligh t .

ful l ife in m y cou n try ? I suff e r p erha p s a wor se m i sery beca u se I

m u st wo rk h ea v ily a n d I r ece iv e n o good w ord a n d I h ea r rep roa ches ,

fo r ev ery bi t of br ea d wh i ch I ea t B elieve m e d ea r M icha l I would.

, ,

fly I d on t kn ow where Altho ugh th i s is m y n a tive coun try I h a ve

’
.

n o n ea r p erson s in th is co u n try ex ce t m o th e r An d ev en m o ther is

p .

ve ry O ften ha rsh to m e a n d a ll th i s th rough th e in stiga tion of ou r

,

s t ep fa th er from wh om I n e ve r h a ve a good word

, H e p our s curses .

up on m e wha tever on es ex is t in tha t world of God so tha t m y tea rs

, ,

n e ve r w a i t Form erly a t lea st S ta sia w a s h ere ; I ha d somebody t o

.

whom I could go comp la in com fort m yself bu t n ow I h a ve n obody

, , ,

to go t o I won t go to Zosia beca u se she sa id tha t if I ca m e to her

.
’
,

sh e would dr ive m e a wa y wi th a br oom An d still l ess wi ll I go to .

my a u n t S i n ce sh e d a red to sa y t o m y eye s th a t m o th er a n d I w ill soon

,

sit befo r e th e ch urch [ beg] But p erh a p s God the Highest won t let ’
.

this come a n d her ugly eyes won t see it

,
’
.

An d n ow d ea r broth e r y ou o rd er m e t o lea rn
, Lea rn in g is good
, . .

Above a ll n ot e verybody ca n be a l ike beca u se if everybody w a n ted

, ,

t o wo rk ea sily w h o w o uld be l eft for the h ea vy work ?

D ea r brother p ity ou r p oor m o th er a n d d on t a fll ict her p oor hea rt
,
’
,

l essen h er tea rs beca u se p oor m oth er w eep s con tin ua lly a n d exp ects
,

e ve ry da y a l e tt e r fr om y ou I beg y ou on ce m ore a n swer u s a s soon

.
,

a s p ossibl e An d wh en y ou wri t e t o m e wr it e up on a sep a ra te Shee t

.
, ,

tha t it m a y n ot be toge the r AU RE LI A TE RLE CKA [ ]

.
I 78 P RI M AR Y G ROU P
-
OR GANI ZATI ON

379 O c to b e r 22 ,
1 91 2

D E AR CH I LDRE N : I received your le tte r whi ch ca u sed m e

a g rea t p l ea sur e bu t a t t h e sa m e t im e a g r ea t wou n d i n m y h ea rt
,
.

B eca use if y ou belie ved su ch a lie I will n eve r beli eve [a n yth in g] a n d
, ,
’
I imp lore y ou a n d a djure y ou by th e a sh es of your dea d f a th er d on t ,

be lie ve it Al th ough i t d oes n o t m a tt er m u ch to m e y e t I wa n t t o

.
,

kn ow wh o ca rri ed such a f a l se tal e t o y ou beca use I w a n t t o kn ow th e ,

tru th Al l the children a re good [dea r] a lik e t o a m oth e r I n th e

.
.

sa m e w a y I h a v e w ep t for m a n y d a y s for y ou p a rti c ul a rly w h en I ,

l ea rn ed tha t y ou wa n te d t o re turn from the fron tier I n th e sa m e .

wa y I weep n ow for h er a n d I sh a ll n o t be comforte d so on I n th e .

sa m e w a y a s y ou did n o t wa n t t o lis t en t o m e wh en I a d v ise d y ou n o t

t o l ea ve so did sh e a l so
,
AS a lwa y s a good m o th e r wou ld l ik e t o
.
,

p r ess a ll the ch il dren to h e r bo som bu t n ot a ll of th em w ill l is t en

,
.

I n d eed a s y ou sa y in th e secon d a n d th ird yea rs I coul d p ossibly n o t

, ,

h a ve r eceived a ll your l e tt ers be ca u s e m y a ddr ess w a s n o t fix e d

,
.

From the m a n or I receive d som e le tte rs op en ed so a n y thi n g cou ld ,

ha p p en tha t I di d n ot receive th ose l e tte rs But it w a s n o t a s y ou .

w rite th a t S ta s i a w oul d h a ve ta k en to rn a n d burn e d th ose l e tte r s

, , , ,

beca u se they w er e of n o con sequ en ce t o h e r Sh e got wh a t sh e w a s .

t o g e t bu t y ou w o uld n o t h a ve got i t beca u se she rece iv e d [ a l eg a c y]

, ,

from her godm o th er After th e d ea th of the la tte r h er godf a th e r

.

p u t I oo ro ub l e s in th e ba nk If I h a d l ea rn ed tha t y ou w e re in so
.

c ri ti ca l a p osi tion I w ould h a v e ea t en n o b r e a d for a m on th a n d g iv en

n on e t o th e o th er ch ildr en b u t sa ve d y ou ,
But I kn ew th a t y ou w en t .

t o y o ur fa the r [ in Am e ri ca ] a n d th a t h e w ou ld n o t let y ou be wron g e d .

[ Th e fa th e r h a d di ed in th e m ea n ti m e ] But y ou a re a fte r a ll a m a n
a n d y ou o ugh t t o h a ve m o r e s tr en g th a n d en e rgy a n d sh e is a w om a n ,
.

I don t require from y ou d ea r son t o spen d m on ey on h er a n d t o

’
, ,

m a k e exp en ses for yo urse lf On ly if sh e n ee d s it h elp h e r wi th y our

.
,

a dvice a s a n o ld e r bro th e r a n d a m a n w h o h a s l iv e d th e r e for a l on e r

, g
tim e . As t o th e Skrzyp eks y ou a re fr ee n ot t o wr it e a t a ll
, ,

beca use S in ce S ta sia l eft I h a ve dropp ed a ll rel a tion s w it h th e m ,

to ta lly beca u se they stoo d like a bon e in m y th roa t [ Prover b Th ey

, .

a n n oye d m e t oo m u ch ] S he com p l a in ed a l so a bout y ou th a t sh e

.

wro te two le tters a n d y ou d id n t a n swe r th a t if she se n t y ou 1 0 or

’
,

1 5 ro u bl es th e n
y ou w o uld a n sw e r An d p e rh a p s y ou sen t t o t h e ir
.

a ddre ss th a t l e tt e r wh e re
y ou com p l a i n e d th a t y ou w e re in su ch a
difli cu lt p osition
 R ACZ K OW S KI S E R I E S

The se le tters S how in a ver y de ta il e d a n d va ried m a n n er

, ,

t h e infl u en c e of em igr a tion up on f a m il y l if e We see th a t.

e ve r y in di vidu a l u n d er g oes a diff e r en t e v ol u tion b ut th a t ,

there a re a lwa ys fa c tor s e xp l a ini n g th ese diff eren c es .

I n g en e ra l em igra tion a s sh oul d b e e xp e c t ed by isol a t

, , ,

in g th e in divi du a l from t h e fa m il y a n d fr om th e c omm uni t y ,

p rovokes in dividu a liza tion a n d wea ken s the c on trol of th e

p rim a ry group ; w e ha ve foun d it a lrea d y in som e O f t h e
p rec e din g series B u t t h e degr ees a n d va rie tie s O f in di
.

v idu a liz a t ion a re n u m er ou s .

Fir s t of a ll a s w e h a ve m en tion ed in th e I n tr odu c tion

, ,

t h e n a ture of in di vi du a li z a tion d ep en d s u p on t h e w a y in
whic h t he in dividu a l a da p t s him self t o t he n ew c on di tion s .

I n this r esp e c t w e fin d he r e s u c h in s tru c tive diff eren c e s a s

those b e tw een Ada m R a c zkow ski Ludwik Wol ski H el en a , ,

Bry lska a n d Al eksa n d e r Wol ski

,
Th e fir s t a da p te d him s elf
.

ra pidl y t o Am eric a n l ife a n d su cc ee de d wi th out di ffi c ult y in

a tt a in in g a m a t e r ia l p osi ti on whic h wh e n m e a sur e d by t h e
, ,

p ea sa n t sta n da rd m u st ha ve seem ed t o h im a lm o s t b rill ia n t

,
.

H e gr a dua ll y c ea ses t o c on si d er i t h is dut y t o h elp hi s

fa mil y b ut he does n o t b r ea k the f a m ilia l tie s a n d occ a sion
, ,

a ll y
—pa rtl y from gen ero si t y p a rtl y from th e de sire t o
,

m a n i fe s t hi s p er son a l im p ort a n ce resp on ds t o t h e a pp ea l s

b

of othe r m em b er s L udwik Wol ski w h o w a s fin a ll y a l s o

.
,

su cc essful b ut m u s t h a ve p a ssed throu gh a ra th er diffi c ult

e xp e r ie n c e b efor e h e go t his p osi t ion ( t he c on di tion s in
R u ssia b ein g u n fa vor a b l e for t h e a dv a n c e of th e l ow e r
c la sse s) f eel s the f a m ilia l ties a s a h ea vy b urd en a n d p rofit s
,

fr om t he first opportu n it y to b rea k them com p l e te l y .

P r ob a b l y h e h a s n ot r ea c he d t h e s ta n dp oin t th a t fa m ilia l
1 80
 RACZKOWS KI SERI E S 1 81

a ffe c tion m a y ex is t without a n ob liga tion of help a n d th e ,

f a m ilia l rel a tion s till seem s t o h im in dissolub l y c on n ec ted

wi th ec on om ic solida rity so he sa c rifices t h e fir s t t o ge t rid
,

of t h e se c on d .An d th e sa crifice w a s n ot diffic ult b ec a u s e of ,

o th e r f a c t o r s He len a Bry lska w a s n ot pa rtic ula rl y su cc ess

.

ful in her a d a p ta tion App a r en tl y S h e a da p ted her self

.

ra pidly t o a c erta in n a rrow c ir c l e of Am eric a n life cha n ged ,

h er a ttitud es ju s t en ou gh t o fit thi s cir c l e a n d for t h e r es t

, ,

rem a in ed s ta tion a r y Certa inl y in im porta n t fa m ili a l p rob

.

l em s h er a ttitudes rem a in tra di tion a l a n d it seem s p roba b le

,

tha t h er estra n g em en t from h er c hildren is du e n ot t o a n ,

e x ten sive c ha n ge i n h er a tti tud es b ut t o a n elem en t of

,

a sp e ri t y in h er t em p e r a n d t h e difii cu lt Am e ric a n c on d i tion s

whic h m a de it im possib le for h er t o p reven t h er boys from

followin g th e n a tura l im pu l se t o va ga b on da ge ( See n o te .

to N o . As t o Al eks a n d er e xc ep t for his ra the r in

,

sig n ifi c a n t ec on omi c su cc e ss h e r e m a in s c om p le t el y m i s

a da p te d ,
a n d hi s f a mi lia l a tti tud es do n ot c ha n ge a t a ll

dur in g t he y ea r c overed by his l e tters They m a y of .

c our se c ha n ge l a te r .

Th e fa cili t y a n d r a n ge of a d a p ta tion d ep en d n ot on l y ,

up on th e c on di tion s which th e in divi dua l fin ds in his n ew

en vir on m en t b ut a lso upon th e in di vi du a l him self—upon
,

( I ) his p ra c ti c a l a b ilit y a n d in tellig en c e a n d ( 2 ) his h a b its

a n d tr a di tion s We ha ve a n a l y zed the fir s t poin t in the
.

in trodu c tion t o t h e Ka n iku la se r ies a n d on t he sec on d w e

,

fin d d a ta in th e p re sen t s eries Gen er a ll y sp e a ki n g th e

.
,

y oun ger th e in dividu a l the m or e ra pidl y he a da p t s him self .

Children a d a p t them selves v ery r a p idl y b ut n ot a lwa ys ,

f ortu n a t el y a s w e see in the c a se of the c hildren of Hel en a

, .

Fra n ciszek Ol6w wh o c a m e t o Am e rica a s a n eld erl y m a n

, ,

fa ther of tw o grown d a ughters w a s u n a b le t o a da p t him self

,

a t a ll. B u t in a dd ition t o a g e a n d it s d ec r ea sin g p la s ticit y

th e ques tion of th e tra dition s in wh ic h t h e in dividu a l g rew
1 82 PR I M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

up
—h ow u m erou s a n d p owerful th e y w erc is cert a in l y
n h

ve ry im p orta n t Th e rel a tive l y ea s y a da p t a tion of Ad a m

.

R a c zkow ski a n d Teofil W ol ski is evi d en tl y du e t o t h e

fa c t tha t th eir f a mi li es h a d n e ve r b een ve ry un i t e d .

’
R a czkow ski s m othe r w a s d ea d his f a th er did n o t li ve wi th
,

h is secon d wife h is old e r b ro th e r a n d sis ter we r e in Am e ric a

,
.

AS t o Wol ski hi s p a r en t s we r e p r ob a b l y d ea d l on g a go hi s
, ,

b rother s sep a ra ted M o reover b o th Ad a m a n d Teofil

.
,

h a d serve d in t h e a rm y b e for e c om in g t o Am e ric a a n d thu s ,

t h e in fl u en c e of a ll th e s oc ia l tr a d ition s w a s m ore or l e ss
wea ken ed M ea n whi l e Al eksa n der Wol ski h a d a lwa y s li ve d
.
,

in t h e sa m e villa g e wi th hi s p a r en t s a n d so a ll t h e tra d ition a l

,

a tti tud e s w e r e s tr on gl y im p l a n te d in him .

This serie s p a rtic ul a rl y th e c a se of Ad a m ill u s tr a te s

, ,

a l so t he e ffe c t of econ om i c c on di tion s on t h e exp a n sion a n d

d evelopm en t O f the p erson a li t y E c on omi c s u cc ess is on e

.

of t h e m a in so ur c es of t h e f ee lin g O f p e r son a l im p o rta n c e a n d ,

therefore this fe elin g is foun d a lm o s t uni ve rsa ll y a m on g

Am e ric a n imm i gr a n ts I t d evel ops a l s o in P ol a n d un d e r
.

t h e sa m e in fl u en c e ( I n t h e a u tob iog ra p h y whi c h fo rm s

.

t h e third volu m e of this w o rk w e see th e u ps a n d down s O f t h e

f eelin g of p erson a l im p ort a n c e a s a fu n c tion of t h e e c on omi c
c on di tion O f th e wri ter a t a gi ven m om en t ) B u t gen e ra ll y.
,

sp e a kin g , t h e f eeli n g o f p e r son a l im p orta n c e ca n n ev e r

de velop so ra pidl y a n d t o su c h a deg ree un de r t h e in flu en c e

o f a m e r e l y e c on om ic p r og r e ss in P ol a n d a s i t d oe s in

Am eric a ; it is h in d ere d by m a n y soc ia l tra d it ion s Th e .

socia l sta n din g of t he p ea sa n t wi th in t h e c omm u ni t y c a n n o t

rise very m u ch through his ec on omi c p rogress if his fa m il y

d oes n ot p rog re ss econ o m ic a ll y a t t h e sa m e tim e Thi s .

lim ita tion pa rtl y disa pp e a r s wi th t he dissolution of t h e Old

f a mil y b ut a n other tra dition is in c om p a ra b l y m ore difli cu l t
,

for a n in dividua l to rid h im self oi —th e old h ier a r c h

y
of c l a s se s
.
Thi s is m ore a n d m ore s uppl a n te d by t h e n ew
1 84 PRI M AR Y G R OUP
-
OR GAN IZ ATI ON

th e socia l c on dition s whi ch m a ke the P oles rea c t differen tl y

t o th ese f a c t or s To be sur e th e p r ob l em is h ow fa r t h e
.
, ,

pa ren ts wi ll be a b le t o Opp o se their a u tho ri t y t o th e disin

t egra t in g infl u en c es O f th e en viron m en t a n d thi s d ep en d s ,

u p on t h e a d a p t a tion of t h e m ea n s O f c on tr ol t o t h e c i r c u m

s ta n c es I n P olish p ea sa n t li fe thi s a d a p t a tion is su fi ci en t

.
-
.

We h a ve se en in th e I n trodu c tion tha t th e p a ren ta l a uthor

i ty fin d s th e re it s fou n d a tion in t h e wh ol e orga n i za tion of
t h e fa m il y a n d in th e so c ia l op ini on O f t h e c omm u n it y ; t he
fa m il y a n d t he c omm un i t y ha ve a su fii cien t p o wer O f
sa n c tion t o p r e ven t a n y r e v olt of t h e chi ld a n d a t t h e sa m e

tim e t o h old t h e p a ren t s r esp on sib le for a n y a b u s e The .

pa ren ta l a u thori t y in t he e y es of th e c hild seem s n o t on l y

sa c r e d a n d a ll p owe rful
-
b ut a l so ju s t a n d ra ised a b ove
, ,

in div idua l c a p ric e .

I f w e c on tr a st n ow th e c on d iti on s a t hom e wi th th os e
which th e em igra n ts m ee t in Am eric a w e see tha t a l oss of ,

c on trol over the chil d is in ev i ta b l e if t h e p a ren ts do n o t

develop n ew m ea n s a s s ub s titutes for the old on es Fir s t .
,

there is in Am eric a n o fa m il y in t he tra di tion a l sen se ;

t h e m a rrie d c o up l e a n d t h e c hil dr en a re a l m os t c om p l e tel y
isola ted a n d t h e p a r en t a l a uthori t y h a s n o b a ckg r ou n d
, .

( I n a few c a ses where m a n y m em b er s of t h e fa mil y ha ve

,

settled in th e sa m e l oc a lit y the c on trol is m u c h s tron ger )

, .

Aga in if th ere is som ethin g e quiva l en t t o t h e c omm u ni t y of

,

th e old c o un tr y i e th e p a rish it is m u c h l ess c l os e d a n d

,
. .
, ,

c on c en tra te d a n d ca n h a rdl y h a ve t he sa m e in fl uen c e I ts .

c om p osition is n ew a cc id en ta l a n d c h a n gin g ; m oreover

, , ,

i t is c om p os ed of va rio u s e lem en t s in fl u en c e d ea c h s ep a
,

r a t ely a n d e a c h som ewh a t d iff er en tl y by t h e n ew en v i r on

m en t a n d h a s c on se qu en tl y a ra th er p oor s tock of c om m on
,

tra d ition s Furth er t h e m em b er s of th e n e w gen e ra tion

.
, ,

b rought up in this n ew e n viron m en t a re m ore likel y to ,

S h ow a sol i d a r it
y with on e a n o th e r a s a g a in s t th e p a r en t s
 R ACZKOWS KI S ERI E S I 85

tha n solida rit y with t he p a ren t s a s a ga in s t the y oun ger

a

m emb er s of th e f a mi l y .Fin a ll y e con om ic in d ep en d en c e

,

c om es m u ch ea rlier tha n in the old c oun tr y a n d m a ke s a

revolt a lwa y s m a teria ll y ea sy On t h e other ha n d t he
.
,

’
pa ren t s a uthorit y c ea ses a l so t o be c on troll ed exc ep t by ,

t h e s t a t e in th e r e l a tivel y r a re c a ses of a fa r g oin g a b u se

-
.

The tra d ition a l m ea sur e of it s e x ertion is los t ; th e pa re n t s

ha ve n o s ta n da rd of edu c a tion Sin c e t h e old soc ia l s ta n da rd
,

is n o lon ge r v a lid a n d n o n ew on e h a s b een a pp r op ria ted .

Th e n a tur a l r esul t is a free p la y gi ven t o in di vidu a l c a p ric e ,

e xc essiv e in dulg en c e a ltern a tin g wi th u n r e a son a b l e se v e r i t y .

Thu s t h e m ora l c ha ra c ter of p a ren ta l a uth orit y in t h e e y es

of t h e c hi ldr en i s l os t .

Th e immi g ra n t ca n therefor e c on trol his c hildren on l y

if h e is a b le t o su bs titute in d ividu a l a u thorit y for socia l
a uthori t y ,t o b a s e h is in fl u en c e n o t up on his p o s it ion
,

a s r ep resen t a tive of t h e g r oup b ut u p on h is p e r son a l sup e ri

,

orit y . B u t this of c our se r e qu ir es a hi gher d egr ee of

, ,

in d ividua l c ultur e in telle c tu a l a n d m ora l tha n m os t of t h e

, ,

im m igr a n ts ca n m u s ter .Th e c on tra r y c a se is m ore i re

qu en t where t h e c hildren a ss um e a r ea l or im a gin e d
,

superiorit y t o t h e pa ren t s on a cc oun t of their higher in st ru c

tion the ir be tte r a c qu a in ta n c e wi th Am eric a n wa ys e t c
, ,
.

Th e s a m e p rob l em s c on fron t c ou n tr y peop le m ovin g t o a

P olish town ; ther e how eve r t h e b r ea k in th e s ocia l c on tr ol
, ,

of fa mi l y l ife is n e i th e r S O r a p id n or so c om p le t e t h e c h a n ge
,

O f t h e y o u n g gen e r a tion is n ot so r a d ic a l a n d th e r e a re often

,

tim e a n d Opp ortun it y en ough t o subs titute a suffic ien t

a m ou n t of in di vi du a l a uth or it y for t he l os t pa rt of s oc ia l

a uth o r i ty .
1 86 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

THE FAM IL Y R ACZ KO W S KI

R a czko wski , a ret ired fa rm er

Wa wrzon kowa ,
his secon d wife
Fra nciszek
h is son s
Ada m
Hel en a
Teofila
d a ug h te rs
hi s

Fra n ciszek s wif e

’

Her mo ther
Helcia
St a n isl a wa
Wla dzia
Fra n c isz ek
’
s ch ildren
J a n el
Kost u sia
ZOfia , Ada m wife ’
s

Wla dek Bry lski ( de cea s ed) Helen a s firs t hu sba n d ,

’

R yka czewski his cou sin ,

Sta s ( S ta ch)
'

J6zi ek ( Jé zef)
'

Helen a s son s by Bry lski ’

M a n iek (M a ry a n )
J6zef D abrowski Helen a s second h usba n d
’
,

Their chi ldren

An ton i Wol ski Teo fil a s husba n d
’

Olesie k ( Aleksa n d er)

J ulek
'

his ch ildren
An i ela
Teofil Wol ski
An ton i s brothers
’

Ludwik Wol ski

M a lgorza ta Lu dwik s wife
,
’

Bron is l a wa An ton i s s i ster

’
,

Fra n ciszek 0 l6w , a cou S I n of t he R a cz kow skis

.
1 88 PRI MAR Y- G ROUP OR GANI ZATI ON

ap igsty , from h un ge r S u ch food a p ot of g ru el u n d e r his bed,

.
— —
which p eop l e th rew a wa y a fte r his d ea th ! A goo d d a ugh t e r ! Wh en
f a th er wo rked a n d ga ve a wa y e ve rythi n g h e ha d th en he wa s good .

Wi thout a p riest a n d a lon e h e di e d in a p igsty ! Let her e xp ec t the

sa m e ~ t o die in a i s ty An d le t her children in th e h o use n o t com e
p g .

t o h er .
I

D ea r brother if y ou ha ve n o m on ey for t he j ourn ey borrow

, ,

from a n ybody a n d I wi ll sen d it ba ck to him wi th tha n ks Wri te

,
.

to me from wh om you bo rrow e d .

When fa th er wro t e t o m e a s h e ha d n o thin g t o ea t I sen t , ,

[m on ey ] t o h im He len a Brylska lives two ve rs t s a wa y from m e I

.
,

gi ve h er e ve ry le tt e r .

I ha ve n o th in g mo re t o wri te I wish you hea lth a n d goo d success ,

.

Wi th resp ec t ,

B O TH R Aczx owsxrs [ FR AN CI S ZE K a n d WIFE ]

F ebru a ry 1 5 [ 1 90 4]
B R OTHER ADAM AND ALS O DE AR SI S TE R AN D
D EAR ,

B ROTHE R I N LAW AN D YOUR CH I LDREN : We a re in good h ea l th

- -
,

tha nks t o o ur Lo rd Go d a n d w e wish t o y ou th e sa m e ,

.

N ow d ea r bro the r I think we ll [ in ten tion s a re good ] a bo u t y ou

, , .

If work we re good y ou would a lrea dy be in Am erica I ha ve ha d n o .

work for f o ur m on th s n ow a n d I wa it for be tte r con di t ion s I f , .

th e con di tion s don t im p rove by Ea s ter we wi l l go ba ck t o ou r

’
,

cou n t ry a n d if they im p rove a n d I ge t w ork I wi ll imm e dia t e ly sen d

, ,

you a sh ip ticke t a n d y ou wi ll com e

-
There will p rob a bly be ha rd
, .

tim es in Am erica this yea r beca use in the a utumn they wi ll el ect
the p resi d en t If the sa m e r ema in s who is n ow then a ll will be
.
,

well bu t if they elect a dem oc ra t then the re will be h a rd times

, ,

in Ama ica a n d those wh o ha ve m on ey en ough will go ba ck to th eir

,

in tima cy is p o sible betw e two i div id l so lon g a th y rem a in i t gra te mem

s e n n ua s s e n e

bers of th s m e fa mil y ; t h f a m il y r l ti sh ip dem a n d a certa in d eg r e o f in ti

e a e e a on s e

ma cy ; it d eterm i es the rela tion Bu t in i ol a tion th ir rel a tion b com es merel y

n . s e e

pe rsona l d a dmi ts of
an y gra da tion p ssible betw an i dividua l o ee n n s .

1
Th f ther lived with Teofil a W l ka
e a Th is f lse rep ort a bou t his dea th o s . a

wa s se t by his secon d w ife t h e writ r

n t p mother W wr on kow ( f letters of
, e
’
s s e ,
a z a c .

Helen B y lska ) who e id tl y ha te T ofil a

a r , Pr b bly t he rea s
v en o f th is ha te
s e . o a on

is tha t th e ol d m a n left h a d we t t o live with h i d u gh te r

er n n s a .
 RA CZ KOWS KI SER I E S 1 89

co u n try You wil l lea rn [a ll ] in a n o th e r le tter Hold ou t a li ttl e

.
1
.
,

un til I brin g y ou to m e or un til I com e m yself to y ou a n d then we Sha ll ,

su fl e r toge th e r In form m e a bout yo ur h ea lth a n d success a n d

.
,

wh a t kin d of wi n te r y ou h a ve beca use we ha ve grea t cold a n d sn ow s ,

.

I h a ve n othin g m ore t o write I sen d m y good wish es a n d low bows t o ,

br other a n d t o th e Wolskis Wi th resp ect .

,

Yo ur brother ,

R ACZKO W S KI [ FR AN CI S ZE K ]

Helen a B ry lska is work in g a n d ea rn in g well I beg y ou don t .

,
’

re fu se m e bu t inform yourself y ou Wolskis or you Ada m wha t is , , ,

t h e n e ws a bo ut m y wi f e s m o the r a n d h ow she is beca u se I don t

’ ’
,

k n ow wha t i t m ea n s We wro te th ree le tte rs a n d we ha v e a n a n swe r

.

t o n on e I re que s t y ou le t som ebody go to m other a n d tell h er tha t

.
,

h er d a ugh te r begged y ou to get i n form a t ion a s to how m o th e r is a n d ,

te ll m e a bout m other a n d wha t is the n ews in ou r coun try

,
.

WI LMI N GTO N ,
D EL .
,
Jun e 25 [ 1 90 4]
D E AR [ U sua l g ree tin g to sis te r a n d b ro the r in la w ;
SI S TER : - -

gen e ra li ties a bo ut hea lth a n d success ] I a m a lrea dy with m y

bro th e r th a n k s t o God a n d t o G od s M oth e r As to work I d on t
’ ’
.
, ,

hop e to wo rk soon e r th a n a utum n be ca u se bro ther a l so ha s n o wo rk ,

s in ce Ch ri s tm a s a n d ca n n o t g e t wo rk b eca u se a ll fa c t o r ies a re s t opp ed ,

a n d the re i s n o wo rk u n t il t h e y e le c t th e p r esid e n t in a utu m n Then .

p e rh a p s w e sha ll ge t w ork An d a t p resen t b ro the r ha s n o p lea sure

.

in life eithe r beca u se the re a re fiv e of th em a n d I m a k e t he S ix th a n d

, ,

a ll this m ea n s sp en din g m on e y An d y ou k n ow th a t wh en I l eft .

v ou I ha d n ei th er cl o th es n or shi rt s ; so when I ca m e t o t h em sis t er

, ,

1 n la w a n d b ro t h er ga v e m e a t on ce clo th es of th eir s a n d we a ll th ree

-

wen t to th e city a n d bough t c lo th es on e suit for workin g d a ys a n d ,

a n o t he r for h o li d a y s a n d e v e ryt h in g in t h e wa y of cl o th e s
, SO .

y ou ca n u n d e rs ta n d th a t wh en w e bo ugh t e verythin g it cos t them ,

a b o ut 8 0 ro u bl es Th e wa t ch a n d t he sui t for ch urch cos t a l on e

.

60 roubles I ha ve n o thin g m ore to write on ly I bid y ou goodbye

.
2
, ,

Th is con n e c ti on of r tim
ha d es it
w h de m oc r tic
a go vr e n m en t is a dogma
a m on g t he P o li sh im m g ir t an s .

3
Fra n c i Helen a B ry lska ha ve div i ded between them selves t he
szek R . a nd

exp en se bu rden o f brin g i n g Ada m t o Am eri ca Helen a p a i d for t h e sh ip ticket . -

,

Fra n ciszek su p p orts Ada m u n til h e ge ts work Th is is still fa m il ia l sol ida rity .
.
1 90 PRI M AR Y GRO UP
-
O R GANIZATI ON

dea r t r a n d bro th er in la w When I get work I won t fo rge t y ou

S is e - -
.
’
.

R em a i n wi th God B o th Ra czkowskis w ith th e ir ch ildren sen d a l so

.

th eir bo ws I beg y ou a n swe r t he soon est p ossible

.
, .

[ADAM RACZK O W S KI ]

3 83 A ug u s t 1 5, 1 90 4

D E AR SI S TER : I write to y ou a secon d l e tte r

An d n ow ,

beca u se wh en I ca m e t o Am e ri ca I wro t e y ou a l e tte r b u t I h a v e

n o tidi n g s from y ou I don t kn ow wha t it m ea n s wh e th e r y ou did
’
.
,

n ot writ e or m y l e tter did n ot r ea ch y ou ; so p le a se sis t e r a n sw e r , ,

m e a n d p l ea se sis te r t ell m e wh a t i s th e n ew s in ou r co u n try a n d

, , , ,

wh e ther th ey ha ve ca lled m e to mi lita ry servi ce or n o t An d p lea se .

,

S i s t e r te ll m e wh a t is th e n ew s a bout w a r i n o u r co un try
, As t o th e .

work w e a re n o t wo rkin g y et beca u se n ow th ey a re ga th erin g vo tes

, ,

for th e n ew p res id en t so a ll fa c tori es a re cl osed a n d d on t wo rk a t

’
,

a ll t ill t h e p r esid en t i s el ec t ed S O wh en I wo rk I will n o t fo rge t y ou

.
,

sis te r d e a r a n d b ro th e r in la w An d a s t o Wla dkowa [ H e l en a B ]

- -
. .

sh e is ea r n in g w ell a n d th e f a c to ry wh e r e sh e w ork s is go in g w e ll .

Wla dkowa got m a rrie d [secon d m a rria ge] on Augu s t 1 7 S h e m a rrie d .

a Po l e An d I re qu est y ou s i s te r in form m e h ow is th e w ea th e r
.
, , ,

in o u r co u n try a n d h ow a re th e crop s how a re y ou ge ttin g on ?

, ,

Here a t th e en d of July a n d in th e beg i n n in g o f Aug us t w e ha d terribl e

,

h ea t a n d r a in a n d th un de rs tor m s
, An d I re qu es t y ou sis t e r g r ee t
.
, ,

th e K a lisz eskis a n d th ei r da ugh t e r from m e An d te ll m e wh o re a d s .

yo ur l e tte rs to y ou a n d a n swers [ th em ] An d I beg y ou v ery p olitely .

,

be so kin d a n d go to I m n ielski L e t h im give y ou th e a ddr ess of his

.

da ugh te r Weron ika wh o is in Wa rsa w a n d sen d m e this a ddr ess

, , ,

beca u se I wa n t t o wr ite h er a l e tte r An d I beg v e ry p ol i te ly M r a n d

. .

M rs I m n ielski t o giv e m e the a ddr ess of the ir d a ugh te r We ron ik a

.
.

I ha ve n o thin g m ore to write on ly I sen d lowes t bow s to y ou S iste r, ,

a n d b r o th e r in la w a n d I sa lute a l so M r a n d M rs I m n ielski a n d
- -
, . .

their da ugh ters R em a i n with God

. .

R esp e ct fully ,

ADAM R ACZK O W S KI

3 84 S ep tem ber 23, 1 90 4

D E AR S I S TER I received yo ur le tter a n d I tha n k y ou
h ea rt ily for a n sw erin g m e As to wha t y ou writ e s i s ter th a t I m a v
.
, ,

gree t B ry lska for y ou w ell I wro te h er th ree l e tt e r s a n d S h e wro t e

, ,
 1 92 PRI MAR Y G R O UP
-
OR GANI ZATI ON

t r Y ou will excuse m e yo urself ; I did n o t wo rk for fiv e m on th s

sis e .
,

so I ow e d for livin g a l on e $ 7 0 0 0 a n d for th e S hip ti ck e t $ 50 0 0 a n d .

-
.

for th e cl o th es I borrow e d $ 4 5 0 0 I s till h a v e $ 1 0 9 of d eb t b u t . .

,

I hop e in God tha t by Jun e I sha ll ge t rid of m y d eb t I reques t y o u .

sis t e r in for m m e wh o m a rr ie d a m on g th e y o u n g p eop le which girl s

, ,

go t h u sba n d s a n d which boy s go t w iv es a n d p l ea se inf orm m e a bout ,

Wa wrzonkow a .

I ha ve n o thin g m ore t o wr ite on ly I bid fa rewell to y ou S ister a n d ,

brother in la w a n d I l ea ve y ou wi th resp e c t a n d I sa lute y ou

- -
, , ,

M r Te a ch e r a n d M rs your wif e a n d I lea ve y ou wi th r esp ec t

.
, , ,

AD A M R ACZK O W S KI

3 86 Jun e 2 7 1 90 6 ,

D E AR SI S TE R I receiv ed your le tte r on Jun e 2 6 a n d I

a n swe r e d y ou direc tly on Ju n e 2 7 a n d I a sk y o u wh e th er
y ou r ec eive d ,

th e m on ey tha t I sen t y ou or n o t be ca use th ey sen t m e a r e ceip t fro m ,

th e p os t ofli ce th a t y ou rece iv e d th e m on ey on M a rch 2 6 a n d y ou

-
,

did n o t sa y in your l e tte r th a t y ou receive d th e m on ey S O I r e qu es t .

y ou to te ll m e wh i ch m on th y ou r e ceiv ed t he m on ey An d a s t o th e .

work I a m workin g in the sa m e fa c tory a n d bro th e r a l so is worki n g in

, ,

t he sa m e f a ctory wher e h e wa s w orki n g f o rm e rly

, An d a s t o our .

co u n try b ro th er sa ys h e will n o t r e tur n beca u s e th e r e is n o t hin

, g to ,

re turn for H e ha s n o p rop e rty th ere a n d it is be tter for h im in

.
;

Am e rica beca use in ou r co un try h e could n o t e v en ea rn en o u gh

,

for a loa f of brea d An d I a l so do n ot kn ow wh e the r I sh a ll r e tur n

.

or n ot If I ca n return then p e rha p s I sha ll re turn som e da y or

.

o the r a n d if n o t I don t m in d beca u se I do t en tim es be tte r in

’
, ,

Am e rica tha n in ou r cou n try I do bette r toda y tha n broth er .

,

beca use I a m a lon e AS to B orkowia nka I don t k n ow w he t he r

.
,
’

S he ca m e t o Am erica or n ot beca u se I sen t h er n e i t h e r a shi — t i k t

p , c e

n or m on ey S o I beg y ou sis t e r be so k in d a n d l ea rn from t h e

.
, ,

Borkowskis whe ther she th in k s of com in g or n o t beca u se if she d oes ,

n o t com e th en I w ill m a rry in th e a utu mn or durin

g ca rn iva l As x
.

t o wh a t y ou writ e to m e a bo ut th e p ho t og ra p h I w ill sen d

y ou m y ,

p ho togra p h in Augu st a n d bro th e r w ith th e wh ol e fa m ily [ a l so]

, .

There is n o q u estion o f l ove There h a s been m e n t i on of Weron ika and r

p b o
.
,

ably u d r t h i flue ce f hi si st r he i thi ki

n e e n n o s e s n n g of B orkowia n ka .
~
He s i mp l y
w n t to m rry i ge er l
a s Cf
a s im il a r s itu ti o
n n a . . a a n t
in t h e B u ko wsk i s ri
e es .
 R ACZKO W S KI S ERI E S 1 93

An d a s to th e m on e yI wi ll sen d
it to y ou toge the r with the p h o to
g ra p h . An d a bo ut Bry lska I do n ot kn ow a n yth in g ; sh e wro te t o
me at Ea s t e r , a n d S in ce th en I
tidin gs wha te ver h a ve no .

An d n ow S ister in la w a n d brother a re sp ea kin g to y ou : B e

,
- -

so kin d a n d l ea rn w he r e is th e m oth e r of sis t er ln la w a n d wi t h - -

wh om sh e l ives An swer u s a n d I wi ll tell y ou m ore in a n oth er l etter

.
,
.

[ U sua l g ree tin gs ]

AD AM R ACZK OW S KI

387 Au gu s t 6 , 1 90 6

[ P ri n t ed g ree ti n gs ]
An d n ow I inform y ou , d ea r brother
[ usin in la w] Teofil th a t co - -
, ,

I in ten d ed t o sen d y ou a ship - t icke t , bu t

I wrote to a n a gen t a n d the
a gen t a n swe r ed m e th a t n ow i t is t oo la te t o sen d a ship t icke t -
,

beca u se a sh i p ticke t ta ke s a t l ea st 5 weeks or 6 w eeks t o get to ou r

-

cou n try a nd n ow from S ep t e m ber 1 5 th ey in ten d t o a d m i t n o m o re

.
, ,

e m i g ra n t s t o Am erica S o if I sen t y ou a ticke t p e rha p s y ou would

.

n ot get t o th e wa ter soon en ough M ea n while a le tte r ta k es a t .

,

m ost 1 5 d a y s to go to ou r co un try so if y ou wi sh to com e to Am e rica , ,

a s soon a s y our r eceive th is l e tt er get rea dy a t on ce ta ke m on ey , ,

a n d lea ve s o y ou w ill p e rh a p s la n d befo r e S ep temb e r 1 5

,
Within .

this l etter y ou ha ve a n orde r for a ll stea m ship lin es en closed y ou ca n -

,

bu y a ticket for a n y ship y ou wi sh beca use th is o rd er wa s sen t t o m e ,

by t he a gen t An d d on t thin k d ea r bro the r T eofil tha t p erha p s

’
,
.
,

I d on t wish t o sen d y ou [a ship ticke t] I wish y ou to come to

’
-
.

Am erica d ea r brothe r beca u se u p to the p resen t I a m doin g ve ry w ell

, ,

h e re a n d I ha ve n o in ten tion of goin g to ou r co un t ry beca u se in ou r

, ,

cou n t ry I exp erience d on ly m isery a n d p ov e rty a n d n ow I l ive be tt e r ,

tha n a lord in ou r coun try I work my 9 ho urs a n d I ha ve p ea ce ; I

.

h a ve en ough to dr in k a n d to dress well a n d I h a ve m on e y I W ish , .

y ou a l so to c om e ; a n d on t he wa y to Am erica e xp l a in th a t y ou a re
goin g t o a co usin [ exa c tly z b ro ther son of a n u n cl e] If th ey a sk ,
.

y ou how lon g I ha ve been in Am e rica sa y 1 0 ye a rs a n d m a rrie d

‘
, ,

a n d b ri n g so m u ch m o n ey th a t a fte r l a n d in g y ou w ill h a ve a t l ea s t

a n d durin g the voya ge r em embe r n ot t o sp en d m o n e y From .

C a stl e Ga rd en sen d m e a te l eg ra m Then if th ey won t a d m it y ou .

,
’
,

I will get y ou ou t from Ca stle Ga rd en ; even if it should cost m e $ 1 0 0

Th is a pp l esi t o t he o de l r broth r e .
I 94 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

I would n ot a llow th em t o sen d y ou ba ck I h a ve n o th in g m ore .

I
to

write on ly I l ea ve y ou with resp ec t M a y God g ra n t it Am en

,
. . .

ADAM R ACZ K O W S KI

388 Ja n ua ry 2 8, 1 90 7

D E AR SI S TER w ork I work bu t v ery littl e beca u se AS t o , , ,

th e fa c to ry wh e re w e w o rk e d w i th br o th e r w a s burn e d o n S a turd a y ,

J a n ua ry 1 9 a t 7 O cl ock in th e even in g a n d bro the r s ca rp en ter s

,
’
,
’ ’

tool s were a ll b urn ed He lo s t An d n ow I in for m y ou a bout

.

m y old M iss B orkow ska wh om n obo dy wa n ts I d on t ca re a n y ’

th i n g a bout h er—such a n old m a id ! I wro te to h er on ly in j es t

.
,

be ca u se I h a v e in Am e ri ca g irl s en ough a n d m u ch be tt e r th a n Sh e ,

a n d e v en t o th em I d on t p a y com p li m en t s I ca re a s m u ch for h er ’
.

a s for a n ol d t or n sh oe Toda y I don t n ee d th e f a vo r of a n ybody .

’

ex cep t God M a y God con ti n u e t o give m e su ch h ea lth a s h e gives

.

m e u p to th e p resen t da y I d on t w a n t the f a vors of a n ybo dy excep t ’

.

God As to Teofil I d on t kn ow wh a t h e m e a n s a n d why h e w ill

’
.
, ,

ta ke to him self su ch a S hep h e rd s bitch Th ere is n o p la ce in Am eri ca ’

.

for h er beca u se in Am erica th ey d on t k eep sh eep D oes h e w a n t to ’

.
,

keep S heep a n d t o breed ra m s a n d t o becom e a shep h erd ? The

, ,

s tup id wh e r e is his r ea son S in ce in Am e rica th e r e a re

g irl s en o ugh
2
, , .

As t o m on ey I w on t sen d y ou a n y n ow beca u se w e ha v e
’
, ,

e xp en s es our selv es bu t I w ill sen d y ou for th e h olid a y s som e m o r e

,

ro ubl es ; y ou m a y exp ec t it Y ou a sk sister a bout th e ch ildren .

, , .

W ill y ou in f orm m e whe re is tha t you n ges t on e M a rya n a n d with , ,

1
f m ili l f li g d rt i l y p r l tta chm t th is m ch of
B e s de s a i a a ee n an ce a n e son a a en , e re u

h owi g ff i Ad m h lp i g Teofil t d i th i s wh l lett r h e is p r d

’
s n o n m a s e n o co e, a n n o e e ou

of b i g bl t b
e n be f t
a Th i i
e o f t h t yp ic l ttit d s
e a ne a c ors m d by . s s on e o e a a u e as u e

th p e s
e t wh u d r t h i fl
a an f g r w i g i ola ti
en , n f m th old soci l
e e n u e n ce o a o n s on ro e a

gro p t h
u l im f lid rity p t f w rd by th f m ily o the com m n ity
s, e c a s o so a
e , u or a e a r u , c ea s

to b id r d
e con s t l d t lly ti fi d
e e a s n a u ra an n a u ra sa s e .

Th i b se is vid tly t h ff t f r s tm t p rtic l rly th g irl s m s t o

2
sa u e en ee ec o e en en ,
a u a as e ee

h ve h w
a p ref re c
s o f T fil
n ( B kow k is
a e th r a m e f t he
n e or eo . or s a ano e n or

B o k wi k wh m h h p r io ly m ti
r o an a d ) B t it hows m i l y t h d re
o e as ev us en on e u s a n e e
g e
.

of s lf e it which t h m h l dy r h d The f li g f p ers a l im p

-
con ce e an a s a re a ea c e . ee n o on or

ta c d lta tio b sed

n e an exa mi ss i h r m i
n, d with f li g f i d
a on econ o c su c ce , s e e xe a ee n o n e

pe d n who
en c e ,ou rc li e p b bly i t h p gr si
se s libera ti n fr m t he bo d
e s ro a n e ro es ve o o n s
of s i l tr diti i l di g f mi ly d tr diti l a ttitud s t w rd m rri g
oc a a on , nc u n a an a on a e o a a a e,

p w r f th
o e mm o ity a d p r b bly lso p w r f th t te wh ich h h d
e co un , n o a a o e o e s a , e a
e p ri e
x ed d ri g m ilita y e vi c
n ce C f 39 n te
u n r s r e . . 1 ,
o .
1 96 PRI MAR Y —
GROU P OR GANI ZATI ON

r eceiv e thi s on e I will write a lso to Teofil in Phila d elp h ia I n fo rm

. .

m e wh eth er y ou h a ve t h e sa m e h orses a s wh en I w a s th e re or o th e r ,

on es ; t e ll m e this An d sen d m e th e a ddress of sis te r beca use sh e

.
,

d oes n ot write to me a n d I h a ve n o t her a ddress I h a ve n othin g .

m ore to write on ly I bid y ou goodbye m yself a n d broth er w i t h his

, ,

wi fe a n d children An d b rother s da ugh ter w h o ca m e in to the world

’
.
,

M a y 2 1 sa lut es y ou I sen d low bows t o th e I mn i elskis a n d to th ei r

,
.

da ugh ters In form m e wh e ther We ron ika I mn ielski s da ugh ter go t

.
,
’
,

ma rrie d I n fo rm me h ow a re th e crop s in ou r cou n try a n d wh a t

.
, ,

su ccess an d wh o got m a rrie d a m on g the yo un g p eop le a n d wh e th e r

, ,

m y com p a n ion s ca me ba c k fr om th e a rm y or n ot I l ea ve you wi th .

resp ec t a n d beg for a Sp ee dy a n swer .

I

AD AM R ACZKOW S K I

Ja n ua ry 24, 1 90 7 [ 1 9 0 8]
D E AR SI S TE R [p rin te d in troduc tion ] : We a re in good hea lth
tha n k s to ou r Lord God an d we wish th e sa m e t o y ou hea l th a n d ,
— ,

good su ccess a n d everythin g th a t y ou wish for your se lf from ou r L o rd

'

God An d n ow I i n fo rm y ou a bout work

. Work is n ow very ba d . .

S in ce Ch ris tm a s I ha ve worked onl y th ree da ys in th e week a n d ,

p erh a p s they w ill sen d m e a wa y en tirely Brothe r still works bu t .

he exp ec ts every da y to be sen t a w a y S om e wor ks ha v e s t opp e d .

en ti re ly a n d s om e p eop le h a ve n oth in g m o r e t o l ive o n a n d th e ,

ci ty i s f ee di n g som e p e op l e a lrea dy AS t o sis t er I don t kn o w ’

.
,

a n yth in g beca u se Sh e d oesn t writ e t o m e a n d I d on t wr it e t o h er

’ ’
,
’
a n d w e d on t k n ow a n y thi n g a bout ea ch ot he r I d on t kn ow h ow s h e
’
,

lives a n d Sh e doesn t kn o w how I li ve An d a s to the cold we ha ven t

’ ’

h a d a n y cold y e t —
.
,

bu t it often ra in s .

An d now I beg y ou m y sis ter m y self a n d br o th e r w ith his wif e

t o be so gra c i ou s a n d in f o r m u s wh e re is th e m othe r of ou r S is te r—
, , ,

in
la w whe th er in P rza sn y sz or in Ba rt u l ty
, If y ou see her a sk h er .
,

p l e a se wh e th er she rece ived 2 0 r oubl es or n ot

, Let h er writ e t o u s . .

An d in f orm m e wh o ha s m a rried a m on g th e you n g p eop l e a n d wh e th e r ,

th e da ugh te rs of I mn ielski h a ve ma rried or n o t D ea r sister I wi ll .

,

1
The whole l tt r show t rta in low i g of t h f lin g of p er a l
on e of th e e e s a ce er n e ee son

imp rt n ce t o b exp la i d p roba bly by ( r) wor econ om i co ditio ( ) a

o a ,
e ne se c n n s, 2

cert in reviva l
a f ld memori wh ich is hown by the in terest m a n ifested i the
o o es , s n

p ers s a n d con ditio s of th e old coun tr y an d wh i h brings t he m a n ba ck t o his

“ ”
on n , c

ea rli r a ttitude
e .
 R ACZKOWS KI S ERIES 1 97

t ell y ou a bout m yself how I a m doin g in Am erica I h a ve n ot ye t

,
.

’
e xp e r ien ce d p overty in Am erica ; on t h e con tra ry I a m my br o th er s ,

s up p ort But I a m tired of wa lkin g a bo ut un m a rried Alth ough

. .

I could give m y w ife en ough t o l ive s till I fea r l es t p overty should ,

l ook m e in th e eyes Were it n ot for the mon ey I h a ve p u t in my

.

b ro th e r s hou se which h e bough t I co uld do n o th in g durin g a yea r

’
, ,

a n d l ive wi th m y w if e li ke a l ord B ut n ow I p ostp on e it for a lon ge r

.

tim e You wr ite to m e tha t I don t a n swer y ou I a n swer eve ry

.
’
.

l e tter I sen t y ou a l e tte r on Ch ris tm a s on the sa m e da y y ou sen t

.
,

m e on e a n d I d on t kn ow wh e ther y ou received it or n ot
’
.
,

I ha ve n othin g more to write on ly I sen d y ou low bows a n d I ,

r em a i n resp ectfully ,

ADAM R A CZKOW S KI

An d I a sk y ou dy a n swer
for a sp ee .

Ma y God a llow u s t o l ive till Ea s te r a n d a fter Ea s te r I will wri te ,

t o y ou wh a t g irl I sha ll m a rry a n d I will sen d y ou a p h o tog ra p h a s

My g irl is a cousin of m y sister in —

’
,

soon a s I le a v e th e a lta r . la w ; -

h er m o th er a n d m y sister in la w a re born sister s -

They a re p er
-
.

su a din g m e to m a rry h er bu t I s t ill d o ub t wh e th e r it w ill be so

,
.

ADAM R AK OS KI [si c]

M a rch 2 ,
1 90 8

D EAR SI S TER As t o Teofil I do n ot k n ow whe re h e is ,

be ca u se h e w a s wi th m e befo re Ch ris tm a s a n d w a s ou t of work then ,

a n d h e in t en d e d to g o to th e m i n es S o I d on t k n ow wh ether h e
’
.

w en t or n ot beca u se in min es i t is this wa y : On e goes th ere a n d

,

fin d s m on ey a n oth er dea th He wa n ted to go to the min es so

, ,
.
,

p roba bly h e wen t beca use h e ha s n o t wr i tten to m e

, As t o work I .
,

h a ven t wo rk e d for four week s

’
Th e re is n o work Brother s till
. .

work s bu t is n ot doin g well beca use a l m ost a ll f a c tories a re closed

, .

Tim es a re so good in Am eri ca tha t p eop le a re goin g beggin g AS t o .

sis t e r I d on t k n ow a n y th in g a bout h er beca u se she d oes n ot wr it e t o

’
, ,

m e a n d I do n o t wri te t o h er e ith e r
, I n th a t [ fo r m e r] l e tte r we .

a sk ed y ou t o in f or m u s whe re is th e m oth e r of ou r sis t er in la w a n d - -

,

whether she received 2 0 roubl es Le t u s kn ow p lea se where sh e is .

, , ,

why S he d oe s n ot write t o them .

You a dvise m e t o m a rry Ksiei a ké w n a B esid es Ksiei a ké wn a .

I ha ve oth ers [h ere] even m ore s ta tely a n d I do n ot bes tir myself ve ry

1 98 PRI M AR Y G RO UP
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

m u ch a bo ut th e m .
I
As to I mn ielscz a n ka [ da ugh t er of I m n ielski] ,
sen d h er t o m e a n d I will m a rry h er a n d sen d y ou t he m on ey for t he
,

sh i p t ick e t ba ck N ow is n ot a v e ry good ti m e t o m a rry beca u se

-
2
,
.

work is ba d a n d b a d ti m es a re com i n g n ow .

Tell u s a bout your succe ss h ow y ou a re ge ttin g on Ha ve y o u ,

.

s till a d eb t or did y ou p a y i t off An d p l e a se wri t e your l e tt e r s

,

m ore d is tin c tly beca u se I ca n n o t r ea d wh a t y ou writ e

,
All t h e .

l etters a re cove red wi th in k ; it is im p ossibl e t o m a ke ou t wh a t those

le tters a re [ U sua l en din g ] .

ADAM R ACZKOW S K I

M a rch 8 [ P roba bly 1 90 8]

D ea r
i t r y ou write m e tha t for a yea r y ou receive d
s s e ,

n o l e tte r fr om m e But I sen t y ou th ree (3 ) l e tters a n d I received n o

.

a n sw e r till I sen t y o u a fo urth l e tt e r a n d on ly th en I r ece iv ed a n ,

a n swe r An d a bout Teofil I d on t k n ow a n yth i n g I t is a y ea r

’
. .

sin ce h e ca ll e d on m e a n d th en h e i n t en d e d t o go t o t h e m in es for ,

work I d on t kn ow whe ther h e w en t th ere or n o t beca u se som e

.
’
,

three m on th s a fter h e ha d i n ten d ed to go there those m i n es f ell in

comp l e t e ly a n d n ot a s i n gl e m a n g o t o u t a l ive
,
An d m o re over the r e .

w ere fire a n d wa te r wh ich took th e rest So I ca n n o t tell y ou whe th e r .

h e wo rk ed th e re or n ot be ca use if h e w o rk ed th e r e u n d e r t h e su rf a ce ,

then p roba bly h e is a l so lyi n g th e re in th e ruin s An d a s t o s i ste r .

,

I don t kn ow h ow sh e is do in g b eca u se Sh e doesn t write t o m e a n d

’
,
’

I d on t write t o he r ; I d on t k n o w wh ere sh e is S is ter d ea r y ou

’ ’
.
,

write m e Sh a ll w e ever see ea ch oth er a ga in ?

,
Y ou kn ow yo ur se lf
”

tha t I w ill n ot go t o ou r cou n try beca u se I fea r the R u ssia n 3 a n d ,

A 1
rio e a m p le f
cu tt itu de r m i i g p rfi i lly th s m wh il t h
us x o an a e a n n su e c a e a e e e

soc ai l b kgrou d i m pl t ly cha ged A l g th boy i m re m m b r f

ac n s co e e n . s on as e s o a e e o

f m ily t he fa m ili l dig ity r q ir s him t t S h w t m h g r

rt hip —
a a , a i his
n e u e no o o oo uc ea e n ess n

cou t h e it te re lly
s op p r tl y t ma k hi
s a h i e slowly
, d fr m
a or a a en , o e s c o c an o

a m g m y g irl
on Whe t h i dividua l i i l t d w sh ld e p ct
an s .
ea i r
n e n s so a e , e ou x e an s e

an d m r r p id d c i i
o e d moa p la ce fo p r ea l p ref rs on a n A d rm lly re r e son e en ces . n no a

th i is s B t h er t he fe li g f p r o l im p rt ce t k t h p l
s o . u e f th e e n o e s na o an a es e a ce o

d m a d of f m ili l dig i t y
e n s d t h old b h vi r is k p t u p wh i l it s p y ho
a a n ,
an e e a o e e s c

l gi l f ct a e q it n w
o ca a ors r u e e .

C m p r th
3
o rel ad p r t ti e w y i e ca w h i h h sp ea ks bou t t h
ess a n o ec ve a n c e a e

g i l h r w ith t h h m ilit y
r e e d th r y a r b f r i ki g t h I m i lski f th
e u u se ee e s e o e n as n e n e s or e

a dd s of th ir d
res gh ter ( N e au o .

H w ld be co id
3 e d oud rt r b c u h d id ot g wh th r s rv s
ns e re a ese e e a se e n o en e e e e

w r e e call d d ri g t he J p
e wa u n a a n ese r .
200 PR I MAR Y G R O UP
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

c ity from wh i ch it wa s sen t It ca n n o t be l ost wh en sen t th ro ugh

.

t h e p o st An d if y ou rece ive it a n swe r m e a t on ce wh e th e r y ou did

‘

r eceive it or n ot .

AS to sis t er I d on t wr i te t o y ou beca u se I h a ve n o wo rd fr om h er
’
,

a t a ll S in ce th e t im e wh en y ou sen t m e th a t l e tt e r a n d a sk e d m e t o

sen d i t t o sis t e r S in ce th a t ti m e wh en I sen t th a t l e tt e r I h a v e

.
, ,

ha d n o word fr om h er a t a ll An d a s t o work durin g th e wh o l e

.
,

m on th of Ja n u a ry work is su ch tha t we h a rdly e a rn en o ugh t o l i ve .

An d a s t o wha t y ou wrote m e tha t I m igh t se n d y ou a bout 3 0 r o ubl e s

,

for h o r se s w e ca n sp ea k a bout tha t l a te r

,
I ca n n ot refu se it t o y o u . .

Af ter E a s te r I wi ll sen d y ou m ore bu t n ow I ca n n ot beca u se I , ,

in ten d ed to m a rry durin g th e ca rn iva l a n d I S p en t som e m on ey a bo ut ,

on a ccou n t of t h e w e ddi n g a n d I ga v e this u p beca u se I did

,

n o t li k e t he girl Tell m e w h o ha s been m a rrie d a m on g the you n g

.

p eop l e beca u se on e girl wro te two l e tt er s t o m e a n d I h a v e th e wi sh

,

t o b rin g h er t o m e Sh e l ives n ea r the m a n o r

. .

A R . .

395 Jun e 1 , 1 90 9
D E AR S I S TE R An d n ow ,p l ea se , in fo rm m e how do y o u do .

As t o wo rk I a m wo rkin g s till
, ,
bu t it is h a rdly en ou gh to l ive on All .

th e iron f o un dr ies a re cl ose d Poverty in Am e ri ca is ge ttin g w o r se

.

tha n in ou r coun try livin g is d ea r a n d g en e ra lly every th in g ge t s

, ,

de a re r P lea se sis ter a dvise m e a bout wh a t I a sk beca u se I h a d

.
, , ,

in t en d ed t o m a rry in Jun e bu t I in ten d n ow t o go to ou r cou n try

, .

I thin k tha t I sh a ll n ot be p un ished severe ly for go i n g to Am e rica I .

did n o t ru n a wa y from the regim en t ; th e y ju s t sen t m e ba ck t o

recove r S o I wen t hom e bu t n e ith er fa ther n or m o ther wa s a live a n d
.
,

I h a d n o p rop e rty t o live on in ou r cou n try I h a d a bro th er in .

Am e rica who h a d been the re 1 0 yea rs

, I wro te t o him he sen t m e a .
,

S h ip ti ck e t a n d I wen t to Am e r ica
-
, I thin k th a t for a n yth in g l ik e .

th is I should n o t be p un ish ed m uch .

I h a ve n o thin g m ore to write on ly I bid y ou goodbye a n d a sk ,

for a Sp ee dy a n swer
ADAM R ACZKO W S KI
.

396 July 1 7 1 9 0 9 ,

D E AR S I S TE R We re ceived yo ur le tt e r for which w e th a n k ,

y ou h ea rtily An d n ow we in f orm y ou a bout o u r h ea lth a n d su cc ess

.
.

S a d is ou r su ccess d ea r sis te r a n d broth e r in la w ; we sha ll n o t f o r e t -

g
-
 RACZ KOW S KI SERI E S 20 1

this sorrow u p to the gra ve Ou r L ord God ga ve u s a d a ugh t er .

,

S t a n isl a wa who rej oiced ou r whol e h ou sehold a n d ou r L o rd God

, ,

took h er to Him We buried h er on July 1 Toda y in ou r h ome we

. .

h a ve room en ou gh bu t w ith o ut h er e verywh e re it is emp ty

,
Wh en .

e v e r w e l ook a t h er cloth es every dres s we w e t w i th t ea r s S he c a m e

,
.

t o u s a s if on a v isi t rej oice d u s a n d w en t a wa y,

S h e w a s t wo y ea r s ,
.

old . S is t er d ea r if w e should t ell y ou a bout h er a wh ol e n ew sp a p e r

w ould n o t be su fi cien t—how g ra ceful a n d cl ever she wa s S is te r
, ,

d ea r excu se m e for n ot writin g y ou a l e tter for so lon g a tim e After

,
.

h er d ea th I wish e d to writ e a l e tt er bu t I could n ot from so rrow ,

.

[To this p oin t wri tten by Ad a m bu t e viden tly dic ta te d by th e old e r ,

bro th e r f a th e r of th e gi rl ]
, .

As t o wo rk w e both h a ve n o wo rk S i n ce July 1
,
As to O l6w .
,

y ou p ra ise d him a s a ca rp en t er a n d a s l on g a s h e wa s w ith bro th e r h e ,

wo rked bu t wh en they sen t h im a l on e in to a ca r to work h e s tood a s

, ,

s tup id a s a n a ss a n d y e t h e w a s a n g ry a n d sw o r e wh en w e t a u gh t
,

him how t o wo rk He got $ 2 50 a da y . Th en h e w en t a wa y from u s . .

a n d got work on July 1 5 in a n iron fo u n dry He c a rts ea rth w ith a -

.

wheelba rrow He ge ts $ 1 50 a da y a n d work s l ik e a n ox in Am erica

. .
I

I a m work in g in a ga bba rn ia I ge t a w ee k a n d w o rk on ly

5% d a ys in a week As to m y m a rri a ge I will m a rry in Augu s t

. I ,
.

h a ve a girl fr om P lock ; she ca m e from ou r cou n try n ot l on g a go S he .

is a p oor girl beca u se she ha s still a bout

, of d eb t t h a t I mu s t

p a y ba ck for h er As t o wh a t y ou sa y a bo ut m on ey I will sen d y ou

.
,

so m e bu t n o t n ow
,
beca u se broth e r sp en t a ll his for this fun e ra l
,

a n d i t cos t m e a l so som e or I n a n oth er l e tt er I w ill

tell y ou m ore ADAM R ACZK OW S KI

397 D ecember 1 8, 1 90 9

D E AR S I S TER I received your le tte r on D ece mber 1 5 a n d ,

I a n swer this l e tte r tha n kin g y ou h ea rtily for a n sw erin g m e As to

,
.

wo rk I h a ve ha d n o work for 2 m on ths sin ce they ha d a s trike It

, ,
.

m e a n s th a t th ey do n ot wa n t to wo rk for th e sa m e mon ey bu t th ey ,

w a n t m ore wa ge s P erha p s I Sha ll begin t o work in F ebru a ry As

. .

t o the S hip t icke t I w ould h a ve sen t it t o h er if S h e h a d n o t m a rri ed

-
, ,

Ol6w is si of Ad m
a cou lder d m rried He w a t first d cil w i g
n a ,
o an a . as o e, o n

t hi u f mil i ity w ith Am eri c

o s n a ar b t l t r e e ted th h w f s p riorit y o a , u a e r s n e s o o u e n

t h p ar t f Ad m p rtic la rly a s m a i ed m e
e o a , a r a ccu t med t o a cert i
u defer rr n a e s o a n

en ce from th un m a rri de e .
20 2 PRI M AR Y G R O UP OR G AN I ZATI O N

bu t n ow I don t wa n t t o h ea r a n yth in g a bout it Y ou a sk m e sis te r

’
.
, ,

t o se n d y ou m on ey I h a ve som e d oll a rs with m e bu t n ow I ha ve n o

.
,

wo rk a n d I a m a l so look in g a roun d m e [ I a m ca reful ] beca u se I do

,

n o t kn ow w h a t will b e com e of m e duri n g th e ca r n iv a l P e rh a p s I .

sh a ll m a r ry a n d th en I sh a ll n ee d m on e y m y se lf
,
As t o th ose sev e ra l .

h un dred d oll a r s tha t I h a v e wi th b ro th e r on th a t ho u se wh ich h e ,

bo ugh t h e will n ot giv e th em ba ck a t o n ce beca u s e h e ha s n o m on ey

,

n ow An d a s t o th e m on ey tha t y ou ga v e t o Ol6w h e did n ot t e ll

.
,

m e a n y th i n g a bout it Le t m e k n ow h ow m u ch m on ey h e go t fr om
.

y ou beca u se Try c wro te t o h im a l so a bo ut m on ey a skin g him t o

, ,

sen d ba ck wh a t h e b orrow e d from Try c You write sis t e r th a t .

, ,

p eop l e r ep a y y ou with wron g for yo ur good n ess a n d th a t the r ef or e

y ou will be rui n e d If y ou [ thin k tha t y ou ] go t ru in ed th ro ugh m e
.
,

th ro ugh wh a t I h a v e ta k en from y ou th en ca l cul a te how m u ch I ,

ow e y ou a n d for wh a t a n d I will sen d i t t o y ou ,

e ven if i t is t w o ,

h u n dred d oll a r s bu t d on t b l a m e m e AS t o the p ho togra p h I w ill

’ I
,
.
,

sen d i t t o y ou a ft e r th e N ew Y ea r An d a s t o sis t er sh e d oes n o t .

,

wri te t o m e a n d I do n ot write t o h er e i th e r ; I do n ot e ven kn ow

whe re sh e is An d n ow y ou write sis te r th a t O lesiek [Al ek sa n d e r]
.
, ,

i n ten d s to com e to Am e rica in the sp rin g Well y ou ca n sen d him .

,

if h e is a good ca rp en te r or bl a ck sm ith or h a n dwo rk er of a n y k in d .

Th en h e ca n fin d w ork a n d good m on ey But if h e kn ow s on ly fa rm .

l a bo r th en let him w ork on h is f a rm ; h e wi ll be be tter Off Y ou

,
.

h a v e a lrea dy sen t u s on e a n d w e ha v e t oo m u ch of this on e w ell

tra i n ed ca rp en te r D on t be a n gry with m e d ea r S ister for a n sw e r
”
.
’
, ,

in g y ou wi th th ose w ord s bu t p eop l e com e from ou r l a n d t o Am e r ica

,

a n d sa y t ha t y ou a re n ot in su ch mi se ry a s y ou wr i t e t o m e I d on t ’
.

forge t y ou y e t I w ill sen d y ou som e d olla r s som e da y o r othe r .

An sw e r m e did We ron ik a I m n ielscza n ka m a rry or n o t ? I w a n t t o

,

k n ow i t ADAM R A CZK O W S KI

Febru a ry 2 5 1 9 1 0 ,

D E AR S I S TE R : I received your l e tter on Ch ristm a s ,

bu t I did n o t a n sw e r y ou a t on ce beca u se I in t en d e d t o m a rry a n d , ,

the refore I w a ited w ith th e l e tter even t oo l on g Exc u se m e d ea r , .

,

1
Th r i tr dit i l fe r f bl m e p i lly fr m p
e e s a a on a a wro g d co
o a ,
es ec a o a erson n e , n

ne ct ed o o h d w ith t h d p e d
n ne an f t h i di idu l p o s ci a l p i io
e e n en ce o e n v a u n o o n n , on

the o ther ha d w ith t h ide f h rm f l m g i l i fl c i word exp r i g

n e a o a a u a ca n u en e n s es s n

ill w ill
-
At t h
. m tim e w h a ve here l
e sa e t h f eli g of p er o a l im p rt
e c a so e e n s n o an e as

b ckgrou d f g
a ro ity
n o en e s .
20 4 PRI M AR Y G RO UP
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

w ork] bu t n ot so in ou r coun try As t o th e work I h a ve work

,
.
, ,

beca u se this fa c tory wh e r e I a m workin g w ill n o t s top a t a ll durin g

this yea r bu t I will s top work n ow a t lea st for a m on th beca use I
, ,

a m t ir e d of work As t o bro th e r in t h e beg i n n i n g h e did n o t do

.
,

ve ry w ell bu t n ow eve ry thin g is goin g v ery well wi th him Hi s w if e

,
.

k eep s 8 p e rson s boa rdin g in h er h ome a n d h e ea rn s $ 2 50 a da y He . .

d oes p i ece work I n th e a utum n I sh a ll ta ke him with m e a n d le t

-
.
,

him l e a rn the sa m e wo rk I a m d oin g a n d h e w ill a l so ea rn w e ll As ,

.

t o th e w ea th er u p t o t h e p resen t i t i s very good w i th u s the r e

, ,

a re fr e qu en t sh owe r s a n d th u n d er st orm s Th e h ea t is n ot v e ry .

g re a t .

An d n ow I on ly n a m e [ en u m e ra te] m y fa m ily : M y O ld es t [ da u gh
t er] H elcia Wla dz ia M a n ia J a n ek a n d Kost u sia m y yo un ge st
, , , , ,
.

[ U su a l en din g ]
FRAN CI S ZE K R ACZK OW S KI

May 6 ,
1 91 2

D E AR SI S TER We received your l e tt e r which , a flli c t ed u s

ve ry m u ch . We lea rn ed
ut the m i sfo rtun e tha t bef ell y ou a n d
a bo , ,

we sen d y ou t wo l e tt e r s toge the r on e reg is tere d a n d t h e o th e r a n ,

ord in a ry on e For t w o y ea rs w e did n o t r ec e ive a n y le tt e r fr om y ou

.
,

a n d only n ow w e ha ve r ece iv e d on e t h r o u gh H el en a a n d w e l ea r n e d

a bo ut y o ur tr ou bl e We d on t k n ow for wh a t rea son y ou did n o t writ e

.
’

to u s .It seem s to u s tha t w e did n ot do y ou a n y wron g Wh y did .

y ou n o t wri te t o u s for so l on g a tim e ? Wh y did y ou n o t ev e n

in f orm u s when bro th e r in la w w a s sick ? We sp ok e e v e ry da y a bo ut
- -

y ou bo th Wh y do y ou n o t wri te to u s ? We wrot e t o y ou m o re th a n
.

a doz en l e tt er s a n d did n o t r ece ive a n

y a n sw e r It wa s p e rha p s tha t .

h u m p ba ck ed fell ow who sl a n d e red u s t o y ou If so it is n o t ou r .

,

fa ult S is te r tha t y ou l is ten ed t o his word s a n d don t write If w e

, ,
’
.

beh a v e so sis te r a n d if w e l is t en to such scoun dr el s d ea th w ill t a ke

, , ,

u s a ll a n d w e Sh a ll n ot kn ow a n yth in
g a bo ut on e a n o th e r Wh en I .

m a rr ie d m y wif e ha d a b ro th e r a scou n dre l l ike OlOw Wh en m a rry , .

in g I p a id to th a t bro th e r for h er for her ship ticke t ; l a t e r ,

-

on I p a id him m ore I ga ve him ba ck fo r h e r sh ip

.

ti cke t a n d he cla im ed $3 5 0 0 m ore sa yi n g th a t I ow ed it t o him

, .

, .

We h a d a la w suit which God h elp ed m e t o w in a n d t od a y he n ee d s

, ,

m y f a vo rs n o t I h is, N o w I le t wife s m o th e r com e fr om t he old

.
’

co u n try ; sh e is w i th m e a n d t od a y h er w hol e fa m ily ca ll s on m

, e and
 RACZKOW S KI S ERI ES 20 5

[ g] y
b e s m f a vo r x
As to h ea lth , bro the r, wi th his wife a n d childr en , is
.

in good h ea lth en ough a n d is wo rkin g, a n d I , with my wife an d ch ild ,

’
am in goo d en ough h ea l th , a n d I h a ve good: success, bu t I don t
kn ow how God will help m e fu rther As to our meetin g , if y ou . wish ,

t r to see u s y ou ca n N either m yself n or brother will go to ou r

sis e , , .

cou n t ry bu t y ou ca n com e
, An d when y ou a n swe r u s th en we will .

tell y ou m ore .

Your brothe rs lovin g you , ,

ADA M a n d FRANCI SZE K R ACZKOW S KI

May 6, 1 9 1 2 3

I n th e first word s of ou r le tte r w e sp ea k to y ou dea r sis ter ,

[ U s ua l g ree tin gs a nd wishes ] We rece ived a le tte r from y ou on

M a y 5 beca u se of which we wr un g ou r h a n ds tha t such a misfortun e
,

ha p p en ed to you Your wri te s i s te r tha t we don t wri te le tters to ’

.
, ,

y ou . We wro te to y ou som e le tt e rs bu t to n on e we received a n y ,

a n sw e r When Olé w w en t hom e bro th e r sen t you a t on ce his p hoto

.
,

g ra p h w ith his wh ol e f a m ily a n d a l e tt er a n d we receive d from y ou

, ,

n o a n sw e r Did y ou r eceive t h e p ho togra p h a n d th e le tt er or n ot ?

.
,

Wh y sh ould we writ e to y ou sin ce y ou d on t a nswer ? ,

’

Y ou wrot e t o u s sist er th a t O l6w w a s comin g to Am erica t o u s

, , ,

th a t we should mee t h im a s ou r b ro th er We did it a t your request ; .

w e ga ve him wha t a brothe r co uld exp ect from a bro th e r An d how .

did he p a y u s ba ck for ou r goo d n ess I a sked him to com e to my

weddin g he did not com e Broth er in vi ted him to a ch ris ten in g
,
. .

He did n ot com e th en eith e r 4 H e w en t a wa y to our coun try a n d he .

,

did n o t even com e to bid u s fa re we ll When he in ten d e d to go to ou r .

co u n try b ro th e r a sked h im t o co m e a n d bid us fa rew ell a n d sa id h e ,

wo uld give him a gift for ou r sis ter ; a n d brother bough t a gold
Pride i th is situ a tio wo ld b for i gn t o the pea sa n t i the ld
n n u try
e e n o cou n .

Th e ret h y oun g exp ect h elp fr m t h

e ld fo a tim e The elem t of p rid h r
o e o r . en e e e

e pr
x ess ed is a n other fa ctor i th e w i i g f t he dowry in Ameri ca
n a v n o .

2
Th l tter is ve ry cold f
e e l tt r f o dolen ce The c ld s i p rtly
or a e e o c n . o n es s a

an i ten i a l rea ctio to the f ct th t th sist r did n ot write for so lo g tim e

n t on n a a e e n a

an d th s lm ost broke the fa m ili l r l ti

u a a e a on .

3Th is is the letter referr d t o i the las t a s sen t on the sa m e d t

e n a e.

4Th i glect is in itself a gr t fl

s ne t fa milia l a n d in di i dua l h
ea or b t
o e n se o v on , u

i a dd iti on the m
n who a i t
,
t w ddi g or a christen i g i tra di t ion ll y
an ss s s a a e n n s a

blig d t o c n tribu te t o t he c ll ti d n t t o come is a p r of of ti g i ess

“ ”
o e o o ec on , an o o s n n

or h o tili ty
s .
 20 6 PR I M AR Y G R O UP
-
O R GANIZ ATI ON

r in gfor y ou a n d i n t en d e d t o h a n d i t ov e r t o h im th a t h e m i gh t g iv e
it t o y ou wh en h e a rrive d in ou r co u n try But he w en t a w a y , a n d .

we did n ot ven k n ow wh en ; he on ly sa id t o p eop le th a t h e ca m e t o u s

e

t o ge t som e m on ey th a t w e o w e d h im ! S i s ter wh en h e t ell s y ou

a bo ut u s d on t bel iev e h im beca u se h e i s a firs t r a t e li a r—this P ru s
,
’
-
,

s i a n goosem a n ! I n ou r h om e som ebo dy r ecogn iz ed h im a s th e sa m e

m a n w ith wh om h e h a d dr iv en geese t o P russia Th e n h e w a s so .

a n g ry th a t h e seiz e d a whip bu t t h e o th e r s till sa id th a t i t w a s tru e

,
.

Write t o u s sis t er did y ou receive th e p ho togra p h of bro th e r or

, ,

n o t be ca u se if y ou did n o t r eceive i t w e wi ll sen d y ou a n o th e r

,
An d .

y ou ca n wr it e l e tte r s t o u s a s often a s ev e ry w eek ; we will a n sw er

e ve ry l e tt e r We sen d y ou two le tter s [ on e] regi ste red so if y ou do
.
,

n o t r ece iv e th i s l e tt e r y ou will re ce iv e th e reg i s te r e d on e

,
An d .

d escribe t o u s h ow l on g h e wa s S ick a n d wha t he died of a n d h ow did , ,

h e sa f egu a rd y ou w ith tha t p rop erty a n d te ll u s h ow old a re y our ,

o ld es t a n d yo ur y ou n ge st D o y ou i n ten d to f a rm y o ur se lf o r t o
.

ren t ? We request y ou a n swer u s a bout eve ryth in g An swe r u S th e

, .

soon es t p ossibl e .

[ADAM a n d FR AN CI S ZE K R AC ZKO W S KI ]

N ovem be r 28 [1 91 2]
D EAR SI S TE R : You wri te to u s a n d a sk u s t o sen d y ou a
sh ip t ick e t for y o ur boy
-
We a dvi se y ou t o le t him wa it u n til sp ri n g
.
,

beca u se it is n o t ce rta i n h ow w ork wi ll be in the sp rin g for n ow th e y

h a ve el e c t ed a dem ocra t p re sid en t a n d wh en a d em ocra t is p resid en t
e ve rybody e xp e ct s mise ry t o com e L et him wa it u n til M a r ch .
,

beca u se on ly fr om M a r ch on th i s p r esid en t w ill beg i n t o go v e rn a n d ,

w e sha ll se e h ow w o rk goes wh en h e go ve rn s wh e th e r w ell or ill , .

N ow wo rk is ba d Bro th e r w orked for 9 y ea rs in the sa m e f a c t o ry

.
,

a n d this y ea r h e h a s n o t w ork e d S in ce S p r in g be ca u se wo rk is s t op p in g , .

We n eith e r a dvise y ou n or d issu a d e S is t er in t en d s t o se n d him a .

ship ti ck e t If h e suffers m i sery h e w ill n o t comp la in a bout u s

-
‘
. .

we a l so wo uld sen d him a S hip ticke t v ery gla dly bu t w e ha ve a l so -

h a rd t im es Bro th e r h a s w ork bu t it is n ot e ven su fli cien t for him

.

t o live on a n d a s t o m y se lf m y h ea lt h is c om p l e t ely bro k e n

, , D urin g .

N ov em ber I a m n o t w ork in g a t a ll bec a u se I a m si ck a n d s it a t h om e , .

Th p r
i
e l f li g
e son a f w me ee vr n m p let ly sub d i ted t o t h
s o o n a re n e e so co e or na e

form f oci l lid rity

s o s a th se f t h m a d t h di i t gr tio f
so a a s a re o o e en ,
n on e s n e a n o a

f m ily th i di id l ffe ti f w m i l ss lik l y t disa pp e r th t he gr p

a e n v ua a c on o o en s e e o a an ou

sol id rity
a f t he m
o en .
20 8 P RI MAR Y -
G RO UP OR G AN IZATI ON

40 4 Jun e 7, 1 90 3

I your sis te r H Bry lska write t o y ou de a r sis te r [ U sua l

N ow ,
.
, ,
.

g ree ti n gs a n d wishes p rin te d ] ,

An d n ow d ea r S is t e r I h a v e been in f orm e d a bo ut t h e d ea th of ou r
, ,

bel o ve d f a the r tha t h e en d e d h is t emp ora l l ife a n d th a t h e h a d su ch

, ,

n ur sin g tha t he e ven h a d n o p la ce with y ou d [ ea r] S i s te r in your

, ,

h o u se bu t y ou tur n ed him ou t in to the p igs ty a n d th e r e ou r be l ove d

, ,

f a th er en d ed his lif e w i thout con f essi on a n d w i th o ut th e H oly Sa cra

m en t s S o h a ve y ou p a i d him [ d ea r] s i st er for th e bl oody sw ea t th a t
.
,

h e sh ed ca rin g for u s th a t w e migh t n o t s uff e r h un ge r a n d th a t

,

ve rm i n m igh t n o t ea t u s An d y ou did n o t e ven k n ow d [ea r] sis ter .

, ,

whe n fa th er en de d his tem p o ra l lif e Y ou cursed m e d [ea r] S i ste r .

, ,

beca u se f a the r a sk e d m e for a l e tter a n d I did n o t g e t a n y l e tte r ,

[ from h im ] I wro t e 3 le tte rs [ t o him ] a n d h a d n o a n sw e r S O n ow

. .

p e rh a p s I w ill n o t re turn a ga in t o ou r coun try beca u se I h a v e n obody ,

t o r e turn t o I sen t 2 p hotog ra p hs on e for m o th er a n d th e o th er

.
,

if y ou w ill a n d h a v e th e wish y ou ca n ta k e it An d I inf o rm y ou ,

.
,

d [ea r] sister th a t I sen d m on ey for t he h oly m a ss t o th e m em ory of

,

f a th er a n d m oth er a n d of m y h u sba n d a n d th e re m a in in g m on ey for

m y children s dre sses
’
.

I ha ve n o thin g m ore t o write on ly I sa lute y ou a n d g ree t y ou ,

kin dly a n d hea rtily Ma y Go d g ra n t it Am en . . .

Yo ur sin cerely we ll wish i n g S is ter -

,

H B R YLS KA .

I a sk for a n a n sw er .
I

l tt r p r ctic ll y bre k ofl t h ela tio b c

1
Th is e e f T ofil
a pp a d a s e r n e a u se o e
’
a s su ose

b h vi r t w rd th ir f th Tw p i t ti l i th i r p t H l ’
e a o o a e a er . o o n s a re essen a n s es ec : e en a s

s yi g th t h h d
a n l gr y
a st t r t i t h ld
e a try d th
no on e an on e o re u n o n e o cou n ,
an e

m r i which sh p ts t h qu ti f th p hot gr p h Th form of t h b gi

anne n e u e es on o e o a . e e e n

i g a d di g i i striki g t t with the ea l co te t f th l tt r Th

n n n en n s n n con ra s r n n o e e e . e

g r lly m der t tyle i p rh p s p rtly d to the f t th t H l s ch il dr

en e a o a e s s e a a ue ac a e en a
’
en

a re with h i t r d h f rs t m k h t o gry b t t t he s m tim it is

er s s e an s e ea o a e er o an ,
u a a e e

tr ditio a l W ha ve ot i gl r lly vi l t l tt r i
a n . e w h le ll ction of
n a s n e ea o en e e n ou r o co e

f m ily l tter whil m g t h l tt rs writt t the p p er p a rti l ly i

a -
e s, e a on e e e en o a s, cu a r n

Am ric th r
e a m y
,
ively vi l t
e e a re A di g r l h a rd w ri g
an ex c e ss o en on es . n n en e a , s ea n

an d i le t e p r
v o i n m h m s ld m f
x d m g th p
e ss on s a re t th uc ore e o ou n a on e ea s a n s an

a m g t h l w er ity l
on e Th i f t s m d
o t th p rtic l rly tr g
c c a sses . s ac ee s ue o e a u a s on

an d fi d f li g f t h v l
re ne f w rd w hi h w fi d m
ee n g p s ts
o d w h ic h
e a ue o o s c e n a on ea an ,
an

r sults id tly from t h fi d cha r t r f p r i i ll t h s cia l el ti

e ev en e xe ac e o ex ess on s n a o e so r a on s

whi h c org i d by tr ditio W ith i

a re h
a n zefi d p h il olog ic l y t m th a n . n su c a xe a s s e e

slighte t h di g f
s sp re i i im m di t ly f lt
a n d r o ted p ; th r is
a n ex ss on s e a e e an ea c u on e e
 R ACZKOWS KI S ERI ES 20 9

July 8, 1 90 3

D E AR S I S TER AN D B R OTHER I N LAw : I in form y ou tha t I - -

received your l e tte r on July 6 wh i ch f oun d m e in good h ea lth a n d for , ,

w hich I tha n k y ou ve ry m uch N ow d ea r siste r I a m very m uch a s .

, ,

t on ish ed a t y our wr i tin g th a t I do n o t wri te l e tt e r s t o y o u I do write .

l e tters I h a ve a lwa y s wri tten to y ou a ll a n d I a l so wro te two l e tters

, ,

t o y ou d ea r sis t e r a n d n ow y ou tell m e tha t I d on t wr i te l e tte r s to

’
, ,

y ou D ea r siste r y ou write to m e t ha t y ou wep t over tha t le tter wh i ch

.
,

I wro te t o y ou bu t I ha d t o write so beca u se I w ep t m yself a l so h ea rtily

, ,

wh en I rece ived su ch a le tter [from st ep m o th er] beca u se m y h ea rt ,

p a in e d m e ve ry m u ch It is n ot true tha t I bel ieve m o ther in e v e ry

.

thin g ; I un ders ta n d eve ryth in g m y self ; y ou d on t n ee d t o write m e ’

this ; I h a ve som e sen se m yself But why do y ou [p lura l] g rieve .

m e wi th such l e tte r s ? I n stea d of r ej oicin g a fte r receiv in g a l e tte r ,

on e m u s t g r ieve .

An d n ow d ea r si s te r I h ea rd from N ied zwieck i of Prz a sm y sz

, ,

th a t this la n d left by R yka czew ski is lyi n g fa ll ow I beg y ou ge t .

,

a dvice from th e la wy e r Cybul ski wh a t t o do w i th it w h e th e r t o r en t ,

it beca u se if it l ie s so for som e tim e the gove r n m en t w ill ta k e i t for

,

ta xes a n d y ou will h a ve n othin g from it

Yo ur w ell w ishin g sis ter w ith resp ect -
, ,

HE LE N A BR YL S KA

July 1 3, 1 90 3

l r sister I beg your p a rdon don t be a ngry

An d n ow , c ea , , ,
’

w i th m e for writi n g y ou such a le tter It is n ot m y fa ult if I receiv ed

, .
,

a l e tte r from ou r co u n try a n d very ba d th in g s w e re writt en in it .

Th en ou t of imp a tien ce a n d sorrow I wrote t o y ou d ea r sis te r a l ette r , ,

which wa s a l so ba d An d a bo ut th e p ho tog ra p h I wro te beca u se of

.

n o t sen di n g i t t o y ou bu t I wro te a l so th a t if y ou wish ed y ou

,

cou ld ta ke on e You wri te d ea r S ist er th a t y ou did n o t see th e

.
, ,

n o n ece ss ity of ui s ng s tro ng wo ds r . Th i s l i

e xp a n s , for exa mp e , l t he a pp a en r tly
tri fl i n g c a u se s o f man y offe
lightest i d m n se s a n d enm iti es . Th e s n n u en o ea n s v ry e

m uch wh t h fe li g of m
en er i e p r ion i tra diti lly d v lop ed W
e n ea su e n x ess s on a e e . e

m t ls t ke i to co sidera tio the g e r l dep de

us a o a n n f th ght d f li g n ne a en n ce o ou an ee n

u p onword whi h h be
s, m en ti
c d l wh r Th p r p rtio i l t c m
as en on e e se e e . e o o n s os o

p l t ly wh
e e ver th p e t g ts i t
en e w e t f i t re ts d ttit des wh
a sa n e n o a ne se o n e s an a u ose

ex p r sio h s
es t b n d te mi ed fo him tra diti a lly
a no een Cf V l I I trodu tio
e r n r on . . o .
,
n c n

t t h P a sa t L tt r
o e e n e e .
210 PR I M AR Y G R OUP
-
OR GANI ZATI ON

w a y bef o r e y ou this so rrow I believe y ou d ea r sis te r beca u se

ou t of .
, ,

I suff ered t he sa m e when I received th a t le tte r from ou r cou n t ry .

I

S o I bel iev e y ou d ea r sis t e r bu t I ca n do n o th i n g

, ,
I a m n o t g uilty .

P a rd on m e a ll th i s I wi ll n o t w ri t e y ou su ch l e tte r s a n y m o re
,
For .

ge t d ea r sis te r a bout a ll th a t h a s h a p p en e d ; le t u s forge t a b o ut i t

, ,

a n d l iv e a s w e l ive d .

An d I beg y ou d ea r sis te r t a k e ca re of m y chil dren a n d in f or m

, ,

m e a bo ut e v erythin g I w ill r em em ber y ou a l so

. .
2

Yo ur S in cerely w ell wi shin g s i s te r -

,

HE LE N A B R YI S KA
I n a n othe r l e tter I will t e ll y ou m ore .

40 7 M a rch 3 [ 1 9 0 4]
[D E AR B R O TH ER ADAM] I receive d from y ou th e l e tter in
wh i ch y ou wro te a bout th e sh ip ticke t so I ga ve m on ey t o b ro the r -
,

a n d a sk e d him t o sen d y ou [ t h e t ick e t] beca u se I w a s ill a n d I co uld ,

n ot . If bro th er did n o t sen d it t o y ou th en p erha p s si s te r wil l giv e

y ou m on ey for t he j ourn ey If sh e does n ot th en wa it a littl e ; p er
.

h a p s b ro th e r will sen d y ou t h e t ick e t ; beca u se I ga v e h im m on ey

t o sen d [ it] t o y ou An d wh en y ou l ea v e go to bro th e r in An con a
a n d wh en y o u tr a vel sa y e v e ry wh e r e th e sa m & —
.
,

tha t y ou a re g oin g
t o yo ur b ro th e r On th e w a y t o I llowo wea r cl o th es which y ou ca n
.

th row a wa y wh en th ey di s i n f e c t them a n d ta ke good cl o th es in a ,

va lise beca u se th ey do n o t di sin f ec t clea n cloth es To l iv e on t a k e

, .
,

som e sm ok e d m e a t a n d dry ch eese a n d try h a rd t o cr os s th e fr on ti e r

, ,

b eca u se if th ey ca t ch y ou th ey will con sider y ou a s a d ese rte r a n d

w ill ta k e y ou d irectly to th e w a r ; for w e h a ve ba d tid in gs w e rece ive ,

n e w sp a p e r s e very da y wh i ch sa y th e r e is a
gr ea t w a r a n d m a n y p eop l e
p e rish o n th e w a ter beca u se ship s a re w r ecke d
, At th e en d of .

Ap ril a n d th e begi nn i n g of M a y the re will be a gr ea t w a r beca u se

Wa rsa w colle c ted m ore th a n a d oz en m illion s for w a r An d w i th u s .

it is a l so ba d We h a ve n o w o rk for there is n on e a n yw here

.
, .

An d n ow I write to y ou d ea r sist e r t ha t I h a v e sen t y ou 2 0

, ,

roubl es B uy for t he ch ildre n wh a t y ou thin k n ecessa ry Are

. .

y ou a n g ry w ith m e th a t y ou d o n t wr ite ? I h a ve wr i tten a n d

’
,

Sh m t
e see si d r h
s o con w p i ki d f
e er o m p s ti
n f
a n as a t h p a in n o a co en a on or e

w hi h h c
c s e d v
a u se if t he fi rst w
,
e en t br g ht p h by th
a s no m p r ou u on er e sa e e son .

(S l p r di g l tt r ) Th i is v y f eq t ttit d d p r b bly p rely

ee a so ece n e e . s a er r u en a u e an o a u

na iv e,b t p ssi bl y in fl e
u o d by t h Ch ri ti
u n ce id f s ff i g s obj ecti el y
e s an ea o u er n a v

v lua ble d p rop iti ti g

a an a n .

R em m ber e a lly m s u su
s d m oney ea n en .
2I 2 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR G ANI ZATI ON

[N o d a te]
D E AR S I S TE R d y ou m on ey I a n swer
: Y ou a sk m e to sen .
,

th a t n ow I ca n sen d n on e beca u se t h e fa c tori es a re goi n g b a n krup t ;,

it m e a n s th ey a re s topp i n g w o rk S o I f e a r tha t if I sen d m on ey .

h om e a n d t h e f a c t or ies s top I sh a ll rem a i n wi th out wo rk a n d with o ut

m o n ey I sha ll see l a t er on ; p e rh a p s I sha ll sen d y ou so m e wh en
.

work ge ts be tter I work in th e sa m e fa c to ry An d n ow I sa lute

. .

y ou d ea r bro the r a n d I r e qu e s t y ou n o t t o sen d yo ur p h otogra p h

, ,
.

I k n o w y ou w ell a n d w h y sh o uld y o u sp en d m on ey ?
,
B uy your
se lf r a th e r som e th in g e l se An d n ow y ou writ e m e tha t y ou r ece iv e .

few l e tter s from m e ; bu t I wri t e l e tter s t o y ou ve ry o ften An d .

n ow I beg y ou dea r sis ter a n d bro ther in la w sen d m y chi ldren t o

,
- -
,

sch oo l a n d l e t th e ir ey es h e ru bb e d
I
.
,

HE LE N A B R YL S KA

N o v e m b e r 5, 1 90 4

D E AR SI S TER : This is t he fif th l e tter tha t I a m writi n g

a n d I h a ve n o wo rd I don t kn ow wh a t it m ea n s whe th e r y ou a re ’
,
.

a n g ry or wha t e l se ?
,
For m e i t is so difli cu lt t o wr i te l e tte r s a n d ,

I h a ve n o tim e a n d s till I wri te to y ou a n d y ou who ha ve m ore tim e

, , ,

do y o u fin d it so d iffi c ult t o wr it e a n a n sw er ? I beg y ou v e ry m u ch ,

a n swe r m e wh e th e r good or ba d
,
I beg yo ur p a rdon p erh a p s y ou .
,

will be offen ded by this th a t I write bu t dea r sister a n d bro th e r in , ,

-

la w d on t won d e r beca use I e xp ec t wi th im p a tien ce a l e tt e r fr om

’
, ,

y ou e ve ry da y .

An d p l ea se inf o r m m e a bo ut m y Childr en how a re th ey ?

,
I ,

sho uld l ik e t o br in g th e old es t b oy t o m e so p l ea se a n sw e r m e , , ,

wh e th er I m a y bri n g h im t o m e I beg y ou d ea r S i ster a n d bro th er .

in —
,

la w a n sw er m e th e soon es t p ossibl e in ord e r th a t I m a y k n o w

, ,

wha t course to ta ke
HELE N A B R YLS KA
I A a fter sleep th t th y m y
s l rly
,
so Th i i a v ry g d p r i
a e a see c ea . s s e oo ex ess on

o f th p e t w m s ttit d t w rd l r i g whe thi i pp r ci tive I

ea sa n o an
’
a u e o a ea n n ,
n s s a e a . n

str uc ti i g d b c s it m k s brigh t r i ge er l w y t b ca u e it m k
on s oo e au e a e e n a n a a ,
no e s a es

m or fi t f
e y p r tic l p p
or a n I t i p rh p t h con q
ac a of t h f ct th t
u r ose . s e a s e se u en ce e a a

t h a pp r ci tio
e fw m
e ai i g r l m r bj e tiv be ri g th p son lity
n o o en s n en e a o e su c e, a n on e er a ,

ra th r t h bj e tiv bea ri g w k At th a m e tim th p

e an o c e, n t m ft on or . e s e e ea s a n an o en

sh a resth m ttit de whi h w i de d

e sa e a uw f m r ttit d t w rd
, c a s, n e ,
ou r o n or e a u e o a

d mi lt r t h p lish d m g irl fi i hi g
“ ” “ " ’ “
a ca e c cu u e, a d th e o h ool e an , n e s n s n sc .
 RACZKOWS KI S ERI ES 21 3

D ecem ber 20 [ 1 90 4
D E AR S I S TER I receive d a le tter d ea r S ister from y ou , , ,

a n d a sca p ula ry a l i ttl e cross a n d a

, [sa cred] p ic ture I tha n k y ou .

very m u ch for these tok en s N ow d ea r sister I sen t y ou 2 0 roubl es .

, ,

for m y children for c l o th es You a sk ed m e t o sen d a ship tick e t for

.
-

them a n d sa id y ou would brin g th em S o we sen d a ship ticke t

, .
-

for t he t wo [ old e r] boy s a n d y ou will brin g th em Mea n while

,
.
,

dea r si s te r I sen d y ou this l e tte r [sa yi n g] tha t I sen t som e m on ey for

,

t h e ch ildre n You wi ll h a ve th e ship ticke t soon

. S om e da y s a fte r -
.

th i s le tte r y ou will receive a n oth er l ette r [ sa yin g] for wh a t ship t h e

ship t ick e t i s sen t
-
P rep a r e them a s bes t y ou ca n a n d ca re for th e m
.

a s for y o ur ow n ch ildr en Wh en y ou write m e a le tter I will sen d

.
,

m ore m on ey for th em Add th e re m a in d er wha t y ou thin k n ecessa ry

.
, ,

a n d I w ill g ive y ou ba ck e ve rythin g beca u se I did n ot ex ec t th a t a ll

p ,

this would ha p p en so soon P l ea se brin g m e a la rge sha wl I ha ve . .

n o thin g more t o wr i te I sen d low bows I n a n o the r le tter I will

. .

tell y ou e verythin g h ow it ough t to be a n d how y ou ough t to

,

beha ve on th e wa y bu t n ow I on ly in for m y ou th a t th e ship t icke t s

,
-

a re sen t .

P l ea se a n sw e r m e how y ou thin k [ a bout it ] ,

.

With resp ec t ,

HE LE N A BR YLS KA

D ece mbe r 3 1 [ 1 90 4
D E AR S I S TER I
lrea dy sen t sh ip ticke ts for J6zio h a ve a -

a n d S ta s Le t th e p e r son who com es w ith th em bu y a t icke t for

.

herself on th e sa m e ship for which this tic ke t is sen t She ca n sa y .

tha t sh e m u s t ta ke ca re of t he childre n a n d go w i th th em on t h e
sa m e ship .

Th e ship t ick e t is p a id-

from I llow o up t o m y ho se ; u n o n ee d to

pa y ythin g a n ywh ere for m y children D ea r brother in la w

an .
- -
,

when y ou lea ve if y ou ha ve a n y ba gga ge I m ea n a n y l a rge trun k or ,

la rge ba g y ou ca n give it u p bu t d on t give it in to a n ybody s ha n d s

, ,
’ ’

witho ut a receip t If y ou h a v e a receip t th e ba gga ge will n ot be l os t

. .

U n til y ou ta ke the s tea m er th e re w ill be a receip t for ba gga ge w ith the

S hip t ick e t o r wr i tt en on th e sh ip ti ck e t
-
a n d wh e n y ou l ea ve the -
,

s t ea m e r th ey will t a ke th ose r e ce ip t s a n d giv e iron on es W ithout .

a n ir on r ece ip t d on t g iv e u p yo ur ba gga ge beca u se i t would be l os t

’
, ,
2 I 4 PRI MAR Y G R O UP
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

and th a t w oul d be p ity , a s wh en m i n e w a s l os t

a . An d giv e ev ery
wh e re th e sa m e n a m e s, th a t th e r e m a y n o t be a n y tr oubl e a b o ut

n a m es . P l ea se , if y ou com e , b ri n g m e a la rge sh a wl , a n d brin g a

t
s on e a ga in s t h e r n ia Try t o bu y i t som ewh ere in a p h a rm a cy or
.

t o ge t i t from som ebo dy beca u se h er e

d oes n ot exis t a t
,
s u ch t
a s on e

a ll ,
a n d i t is a l m os t a s n ecessa ry a s th e ey e in t h e h ea d If t h e .

p e r son wh o bri n gs t h e ch ildren Sp en d s so m e m o re m on ey on th e m ,

le t h er tell m e or wr ite t o m e on a rriva l ; I will a t on ce give or sen d

e v e ryth in g ba ck with m y th a n k s
,
P r ep a r e th em a s w ell a s y ou c a n .
,

a s y our ow n th a t everythin g m a y be w ell

,
.

HE LE N A BR YL S KA

Ja n ua ry 23, 1 90 5

B R O THE R I N LAW : We receive d your

D E AR SI S TER AN D - -

l e tter th i s m on th a n d we a n sw er y ou a t on ce a n d w e a n sw e r ,

your reques t You a sk for a sh i p tick e t for broth er in la w Wol ski

.
- - -

a n d for t h e ch ildr en But I ca n n ot sa tisfy a ll this I wi sh with

. .

m y whol e h ea rt a n d so ul I co uld bri n g m y ch ildr en t o m e bu t n o th i n g ,

is t o be d on e I could econ o m ize for [ th e tick e t of] th e children b u t

.
,

so m u ch I ca n n o t We w r o te t o y ou in ou r la s t l e tt er tha t w e sen t a
.

ship ti ck e t for th e ch ildr en b u t i t w a s a m i s t a ke b e ca u se a S hip t ick e t

-
, ,
-

ca n n o t be s en t for ch ildren a lon e ; it is n e cessa ry t o sen d on e for a n

old e r p e r son a l so An d so I ca n n o t
. This m on ey which w a s in ten d e d .

for t he sh i p ticke t w a s sen t in t he n a m e of bro th er in la w W ol sk i ;

- - -

th ere a re 7 8 roubl es This [ is t o be u sed ] if it is p ossibl e t o sen d th e

.

ch ildr en with som ebody An d if it is im p ossibl e then p e rh a p s l a t e r

.
,

on ,
if ou r L o rd God h el p s u S w e will sen d m o re e ith e r m on ey or a , ,

S h i p ti ck e t for b ro th e r in la w
-
for n ow w e c a n n o t-
An d furth e r
-
, .
,

y ou a sk a b out bro th e r Ad a m I d on t kn ow m uch a bout him b eca u se ’

.

I did n ot see him a t a ll with m y eye s ; h e w en t t o ou r old er bro th e r

Fra n c i szek a n d they a re th ere togeth er An d a bout m e for m y .
,

g ood n ess [ in sen d in g him a ti ck e t ] he d oes n o t m i n d m u ch beca u se ,

wh en he wro te m e a le tter I w ep t He th a n ked m e for m y go od n ess ,

.

by n o t ca ll in g m e S iste r bu t m a da m An d h ow is h e d oi n g I d on t
,
.
,
’

k n ow [ U sua l en dirg with g ree tin gs for a ll re l a tives a n d a cqu a in t

.
,

a u ces w ith o ut
HE LE N A a n d JOZE F D AB R OW S R I x

I f th r i rli r m ti f H l co d m rri g t h lett t i

1 ’
e e s a n ea e en on o
c e en a s se n a a e e er on a n

i g it i m i i g f m
n s ss n seri ro ou r es .
2I 6 PRI MAR Y -
G R OU P O R GANI ZATI ON

wro te y ou those ra th er di sa greea bl e wo rds But m y sister y ou ough t .

, ,

t o p a rd on me beca u se a s y o ur soul p a i n s y ou for your children so d o es

, ,

m in e I wa n t to see th e m I d on t k n ow [ca n t exp ress] h ow m uch

.
,
’ ’
,

beca u se my soul a ch es for th em Y ou p roba bly go t a n g ry wi th m e a s

.
,

I h a ve n o le tter from y ou Well I ca n do n o thin g ; when it p a sses

.
, ,

th en a n swer m e d ea r sis te r ,
.

Ca n th ey com e to m e th i s yea r or n o t ? B eca u se if th ey d on t

’

c om e this yea r I m u s t b u y a wh ole ship ticke t for S ta s beca u se wh en

,
-
,

h e is 1 1 yea rs old a wh ole ship ticke t i s n ecessa ry a n d h e ca n tr a vel -

a l on e .

I ha ven t wri tten a n y l e tter to m o th er a n d m o th er is a ngry th a t

’
,

I don t sen d them m on ey a n d they m u s t keep m y children Wh eth e r

’
.

I sen d m on ey or n ot m y ch ildren m us t wo rk wi th un cle Le t th em .

sen d the ch ildren t o m e ; I d on t w a n t an yth in g e l se Wi th m e it is

’
.

a l so h a rd I a m n ot w orkin g m yself a n d in America i t is n o t a s i t

.
,

wa s .If they believe th a t th ey a re wron ge d let th em sen d th e children

t o m e a n d I will ta k e th em An d I d on t wish to ta k e th e ch ildren a t
’
.

th eir exp en se bu t a t m i n e,
I will n o t p a y m on ey in a dd ition to the
.

work of my children I kn ow [eve rythin g a bout them] beca u se

.
,

m a n y p eop le wi th whom I a m a cqu a in te d com e h e re a n d ju s t n ow ,

Ka lisz ewia k ca m e t o Am eri ca a n d ca ll e d on m e a n d t old m e a bout

everythin g I ha ve n oth i n g m ore to write on ly I sen d y ou my l ow es t
.
,

bow s a n d wish es for eve ry go od .

B O TH HE LE N A a n d JOS EPH D ABR OW S KI

Octobe r 1 2, 1 90 6
D EAR SI S TER Fur th e r w e ha ve hea rd tha t bro the r ,

Teofil w ishes to com e t o Am e rica H e wro te a bout it t o Ad a m a n d .

th e l a tter wro te t o m e If it is true then a n swer a n d we will sen d

.
, ,

him a ship ticke t Le t him com e a n d brin g m y ch ildren be ca u se

-
.
,

broth e r Ad a m wro te tha t he ca n n ot sen d a S hip ticke t t o him beca u se -

a ll th e m on ey he ha d h e len t t o ou r o ld e r br o th er for his h ou se He .

ca n n ot sen d a ship t icke t a n d h e re qu es t e d m e to t a ke u

p this qu es
-

tion .

S o we h a ve n o thin g m o re t o wr ite on ly we beg y our p a rd on , .

D on t be a n gry with u s B e good a n d kin d We sen d y ou low bow s

’

Your w ell—
. .

a n d good wish es w ishin g sister w ith h usba n d a n d l ittl e son

.
,

HELENA JOZEF a n d FRAN CI S ZE K D ABR OWS KI , , ,

Wi th resp ect foreve r

 R ACZKOWS KI SERI E S 2 1 7

Ap ril 1 9 [ 1 90 7
write d ea r sister th a t J6ziek is ill with his eyes It
Y ou , ,
.

w ould be t erribly p a in ful for m e if y ou sho uld n o t sen d him d ea r ,

si s te r An d [ the ir s t ep ] fa the r w ould be te rri bly a n g ry a n d te rribly

.

g rie ve d if th ey a ll m a y n o t co m e H e sa y s I strive a n d s triv e a n d “

, .
,

wish tha t th ey m a y com e to u s Although I a m n o t th eir own f a the r .

I ca re for th em a s for m y own [ ch ildren ] a n d Go d will n ot p un ish m e ,

a s [h e w ou ld do] if I did n ot wish t o h a v e a n ythin g t o do w i th th em

”
.

So I beg y ou v ery m u ch S is ter d ea r sen d him beca u se I h a ve h ea rd , , ,

a n d sh a ll h a ve to h ea r fr om m y m a n Why sho uld y ou n ot ha ve them ,

“

a ll w ith y ou ? La ter on a n y of them could sa y to h i m self tha t th rough

h is step fa th e r he be ca m e a n orp h a n a n d d oes n o t see his m o th er .

S o sen d him If he is so terribly ill they will sen d him ba ck from

.

I llowo bu t I do n ot th i n k th a t th ey w ill sen d him ba ck

, Th ey a re on .

ship t ick e t a n d h e goe s t o h is m o th e r so I do n o t thin k tha t i t will be

-
,

so . On ly sen d h im d ea r siste r a n d they will sure ly le t h im th rough

, ,
.

I beg y ou M r Wisn iew ski very m u ch don t be a n xious a n d a fra id

, .
, ,
’

tha t you w ill ha ve m a n y d ifficulties An d a t the fron tier if y ou s trike .

a ba rga in w i th a sm u ggl e r h e ca n ge t t en p e rson s th rou gh t h e fron ti e r .

An d I will rewa rd y ou for this If h e d oes n o t co m e it will be a .

Th 1
t p f ther m tive i ha vi g t h childr bro ght i t a fl cti f
e s e a
’
s o n n e en u s no e on or

th e c h i ldr wh m h d en , t k ow d iso m th i g m r th
e tt hm e t
oes n o n ,
an so e n o e an a ac n

t hi wif
o s W ha v h re i fa ct
e .
g d i igh t i t th e a t re f t he f li g
e e e ,
n ,
a oo ns n o n u o ee n

of m r l blig ti
o a i the p
o t I t is fir t th relig i fea f G d; eco d t h
a on n ea sa n .
, s , e ou s r o o s n , e

f r f p ibl bla me a d r pr h Of t h wr ged p r o

ea o a o ss e I f th r i t h
n e oa c e on e s n s. e e s e

u su a l f r f p blic op i i it i ot e p re s d d rt i l y t v y tro g i
ea o u n on , s n x s e an ce a n no er s n ,
s n ce

th m e li s lmost com p l t ly is la t d fr m hi m m ity while i

an ve a rm l
e e o e o s co un ,
n no a

p ea sa nt lif th i fe f p blic p i io i iv lly c

e s ar o t d with th f li g f
u o n n s un e rs a on n e c e e ee n o

m o l blig ti
ra o W h v h r g dp
a on . f th t t h risi br u ght by m igr ti
e a e e e a oo roo a e c s o e a on

or a n y di i t gr ti f
s n emm l lif d a t l ad c
on o s ril y t a d i i tegr ti on
co u na e oes n o e n e es a o s n a

o f m r lity o a Th pl ti f t h v i us re u lts br ght by t h di i ti n f

. e ex a na on o e ar o s ou e ssoc a o o

t he mm co ity ( f m ily) i th is p t i p roba bly to be f d i t he f t th t

un or a n res ec , s ou n n ac a

soc a i l a pp r cia t io is ot t h lye ti f t h p ea sa n t b t i i di l bl y

n n e on sa n c on or e u s n sso u

va rio p rop rtio s with lf—pp r i ti

,

con n e ct d i e ,
n us di ert i o diti n ,
se a ec a on , an n c a n con on s

a d f
n c rt i
or i dividua ls th i elem e t f s lf pp r i ti m y d v lop stron gly
e a n n s n o e -
a ec a on a e e

en ou gh t b tit t itself
o su mple tely fo t h
s ci l
u e pp r ci ti Th co w r e so a a e a on . u s, a s e

h v a e seeni Ad m R c k wski self p p r ci a ti n i t h form of a f li g of p e

n a a z o ,
-
a e o n e ee n r

sona l im p rt c by sub tit ti g its lf f fa mili l solid ity h g ltru i m

o a n e, s u n e or a ar , c an es a s

fr m du ty i to exp re io of t he p rs lity Here lf pp r ci tio a m s

o a n an ss n e on a . se -
a e a n ssu e

t h f m f t he f li g f ig h t
e or o b f r G d
ee nd m oThe r of t h eou sn e ss e o e o an an . sou rce e

f r f t h bl m f th p r w ged i t t h m th t of th f r f ci l
ea o e a e o e e son ron s no e sa e as a e ea o so a

bl m ; i t h fi st
a e nm g i l b kg r e d i r till oticea ble whil othi g like
a a ca ac ou n s s n , e n n

this c b d t cted in t he seco d

an e e e n .
2I 8 PRI MAR Y G R OU P
-
OR G ANI ZATI ON

terribl e sorrow a n d tria l for u s a n d a la rge e xp en se beca u se th ey will , ,

n o t g ive u s th e m on ey for t h i s S hip t ick e t ba ck ; a n d I S h a ll e v e r -

h ea r a grie f in m y h ea rt th a t I en dea vo r e d t o h a ve th i s ch ild a n d

,

h a v e i t n ot R em embe r d ea r sis ter sen d h im t o m e I b eg y o u for

.
, , ,

th e l ove [ of God An d n ow y ou w ro t e tha t y ou will sen d m e a

sh a wl bu t d on t m a k e a n y tr ou bl e a bout i t for your self a n d for t h e
’
,

[ m a n ] who com es M a y on ly a ll m y ch ildren com e ; I d on t wi sh

’
.

a n y thi n g m o r e AS y ou g ri e ve a bout your ch ildren so I g ri ev e a bo ut

.
,

m in e An d I beg y ou on ce m ore sen d m e a ll t h e chi ldren beca u se

.
, ,

th e shi p t ick e t s a re sen t for a ll of them in o rd e r th a t th ey m a y a ll

-

com e We sa lute y ou a ll a n d w e wi sh y ou every good B o th of u s beg

. .

for a ll th e ch ildren We will re wa rd y ou for i t M r W i sn iew ski if

. . .
,

t h ey a sk y ou duri n g th e j o urn e y a bout a n y th i n g sa y on l y this th a t , ,

y o u bri n g chi ldren t o t h ei r p a ren t s Th a t is a ll ; y ou don t n eed a n y .

’

o th e r e xp la n a ti on s An d n ow a ga in if God l e a d s y ou h a pp ily th rough

.
,

th e w a t e r p e rha p s th ey will re quire som ebo dy m o th er or f a th e r t o , ,

com e a n d m ee t y ou i n N ew Y ork ; th en they w ill a sk I s it your “

,

f a th er or m other ? Let th em [ th e children ] sa y It is ou r m o th e r

”
,

or f a th e r An d sa y M r W i sn iew ski is m y bro th er Th en a ll will be

”
. . .

we ll on ly d on t g ive a n y o th e r e xp la n a tion th a n su ch a s w e r equ es t

,
’

y ou t o giv e An d n ow d ea r s i s t er y ou wri te th a t p e rh a p s th ey w ill

.
, ,

sen d h im ba ck fr om I llow o Well th en n o th i n g ca n be don e It

.
, .

would be the will of God ; h e would be a n orp h a n u n til his dea th a n d

w ould n ever m ore see h is m o th er 0 m y God wh a t a so rrow for m e ! .
,

B ut p erh a p s God will gra n t him t o be let th ro ugh P rep a re th em a ll .

[ for th e j o urn ey] dea r S is te r I h op e tha t h e will ge t th ro u gh

, , .

Your w ell w ishin g a n d l ovi n g -

,

D AB R O W S KI S

Jun e 6 [ 1 90 8
D E AR S I S TER written to y ou for a l on g I ha ve n ot

tim e so th a t I feel a lon gin g I s it true d e a r sister th a t y ou a re

,
.
, ,

a n g ry w i th m c I d on t kn ow for wha t rea son D ea r S ister le t u s

’
b
.
,

f o rgive ea ch o th er beca u se ou r Lord God ord er s u s t o forgive on e

,

a n o the r a n d w e so fa r a w a y in t h e w orld Sh o uld w e n o t f o r iv e ?

, ,
g ,

O u r L o rd Go d su flered m o re wi thout guilt a n d fo rga ve u s S in n e r s

;
sh o uld w e n o t f orgiv e ea ch o th e r ? L e t u s f orgive ea ch o th er a ll
g rief s d ea r s i s te r
, Write m e a le tte r a bout y our h ea l th a n d su ccess
.
.

It is true tha t I did n o t write y ou a n y l e tter for a l on g ti m e bu t y ou ,

2 20 PRI MAR Y G R O UP
-
OR G ANI ZATI ON

Sa luta ti on s from u s bo th a n d from ou r ch ildren to y ou s i s te r a n d ,

b ro th e r in law , - -
a n d t o y our ch ildren We a sk for a n a n sw e r . .

We re m a in w ell wish i n g ,
-
,

H J D AB R O W S KI S . .

Ja n u a ry 1 0 [ 1 90 9 1 9 1 0 or 1 9 1 1 ] , ,

D EAR S I S TE R I receive d th e l e tte r with th e w a f e r

a n d I th a n k y ou for thin k in g of m e d ea r sis t e r N ow d ea r s i st e r
a n d b r oth e r in —
.
, ,

la w d on t be a n g ry if I d on t writ e t o y ou v e ry oft en
’ ’
-
, ,

b u t I d on t k n ow how t o write m y self a n d bef or e I a sk som ebody

’

t o writ e t im e p a sses a w a y bu t I try t o a n sw e r y ou s om e tim es a t ,

l ea st Y ou a sk m e how m u ch m y boys a n d m y m a n ea rn M y m a n
. .

works in a n iron f oun dry h e ea rn s 9 1 0 1 2 ro ubl es [ doll a rs] som e

-
, , ,

ti m es a n d t he boys ea rn 4 or 5 roubl es M y d ea r in Am e rica it is

,
.
,

n o be tt e r th a n in ou r co u n try : wh oe ve r d oe s w e ll h e d oes a n d wh o , ,

e ve r d oe s p oorly suffe r s m ise ry e ve rywh e r e,

I do n ot su fl er m isery .
,

tha nks to God bu t I do n o t h a ve m u ch p lea sure eith er M a n y p eop l e

,
.

in ou r co un try thin k th a t in Am eri ca e ve rybody h a s m u ch p l ea sur e .

N o it is ju s t a s in ou r cou n try a n d th e ch ur ch e s a re l ik e our s a n d in

, , ,

g en e ra l e very th in g is a l ike I wish to kn ow with wh i ch son g ra n d .

m o th e r is Write m e An d wh o is fa rmin g o n th a t l a n d a fte r

. .

R yk a czew sk i ? Perh a p s w e sha ll y e t m ee t so m e da y or o th e r d ea r ,

sis t e r I S h ould l ik e t o see y ou a n d m y n a tiv e co u n try

. I h a ve , .

n o thin g m o r e to w ri te I ki ss y ou both a n d y o ur childr en ,. I w ish y ou .

a h a pp y a n d m e rry a n d good N e w Yea r M a y this N ew Ye a r b rin g .

y ou th e g rea t est h a pp i n ess p ossibl e We wish it t o y ou from ou r h ea rt . .

The children kiss a un tie a n d u n cl e a n d th e ir co u sin s .

We re m a i n w ell wishin g ,
-
,

H J D AB R OW S KI S . .

M y children tha n k s t o God a re n o t t h e wors t n ow

, , .
I

is s till a rea l li nk it
w h h er old life . Th is p roves ho w m u ch a t t h e sam e tim e

r
st on ge r t he old s r wt
en tim t en a l h a bit s a re a s com p a ed i h th e n e w on es , a n d h ow
m h m e diffi cu lt i th e
uc or iti s t ada p ta ti on t o n e w con d on s for a w om a n h a n for a
m an C m p r h b th
. o a e er ro e rs .

I Th p r f ed p t ti betw
ocess om th r d ch ildr
rea b g i s bu t it
a a on een o e an en e n ,

w ill v r b c mpl t th m oth r c

ne e e t g t id f h ld d sire f a uth rity
o e e: e e ann o e r o er o e o o
an d t d y t c mpl t u ity f f m ili l lif w h il th e ch ildre a fte their
en en c o a o e e n o a a e, e n ,
r

p eri d f w il d
o o ith r c m b k t t h tr diti l f m ili l ttit d s f
n ess , ca n n e e o e ac o e a on a a a a u e o
t h old c
e try y t develop a
ou n w rga i a ti
n or of th ir fam ili l lif i
e wh i h ne o n z on e a e n c
i di idua lism a d soli da rity w ld b h m o i usly un ifi d
n v n ou e ar n o e .
 RACZKOWS KI SERI E S 221

If p erha p s y ou ha v e so m e n ew [ qu esti on ] , write th e soon est

p ossibl e ; p erh a p s som e thin g a bo ut tha t p rop erty [ S a lut a ti on s ] .

D ea r siste r somebody write s your letters ve ry i n d istin ctly

, .

Yo ur boy kn ow s how t o write ; h e ca n a lwa ys write your

l e tters .

I would a sk y ou for som e th in g which I n eed v e ry m uch ; p l ea se

sen d i t t o m e th e soon es t p ossibl e It is t h e bir th cer t ifica tes of m y
.
-

boy s wh ich I n ee d Get th e m from th e p ri est for 5 cop ecks a n d sen d

.

th em to m e I sh a ll be very gra teful t o y ou for it a n d la ter on I will

, ,

tell y ou a ll w hy I n eed th em But I beg y ou ve ry m uch sen d t h e

,
.
,

soon es t p ossibl e th e birth cert ifica t e of S ta ch -

I w ish t o kn ow how .

o l d h e is P e rha p s he wi ll s till be a m a n
. I will g i ve him to t h e .

s ch oo l p e rh a p s h e wi ll do be tt e r a ft e rw a rd wh e n h e l ea rn s t o be som e
, ,

ki n d Of cra ftsm a n La ter on h e ca n do be tter But I wa n t his

. .

b irth certifica t e
-
P l ea se sen d m e on e for 5 cop ec k s
. .

Ap r il 5 [1 91 0 or 1 91 1 ]
D E AR I received yo ur l e tter from
SI S TER
Sh e sa id : M rs [ Wol ska ] your sis ter t old m e som e th i n g
“
B rodowska . .
, , ,

bu t I d on t re m em ber wh a t it w a s S h e sa id a n d sh e ga ve m e t h e
’ ”
,

l e tte r I sen d y o u hea rty tha n k s for rem emberi n g m e for your bein g
.
,

so goo d a n d g r a ci ou s a n d re m e m be r in g a bout u s a n d ou r a ff a ir s .

M a y God help y ou dea r sis te r in e ve rythin g ; God will h elp y ou fo r

‘

, ,

y our good a n d true hea rt N ow d ea r Sis ter a s to th a t p rop erty

.
, , ,

w e b eg y ou v ery m uch d ea r sis t e r go t o t h e n o ta ry a n d a sk th e

, ,

n o t a ry t o exp la i n t o y ou ex a c tly h ow i t is a n d wh a t con se qu en ces

ca n com e from i t T ry to set a side the d ecision a n d s trive dea r sister

.
, ,

th a t th ey m a y do n othin g Th ey took f a ther 5 [ my first h u sba n d s]

.
’

l if e a wa y from him let them do p en a n ce for it I h a v e suff ered m isery

,
.

en o u gh with m y children w ith out a fa th e r le t th em su f f e r n ow w ith ,

this the ir p rop e rty If they were good th ey would com e t o y ou a n d

.

sa y : Wh y sh ould we des troy on e a n othe r en dl essly M a da m ? Le t ,

u s r econ cil e o ur selves con sc i en t iou sly with on e a n o th er Write t o .

your sister a n d w e w ill be recon ciled a n d then p erh a p s God will ,

p a rdon u s Th ey could sa y We will give wha t w e ca n be it m ore

.
”
,
“
,

or l ess b u t le t th er e be a h oly con cord

,
Th ey don t w ish t o do it .
’
.

D O yo ur bes t d ea r sis ter a n d br oth er in la w le t th e m be a bl e t o do

,
- -
,

n o th in g le t i t be so till th e m i n o r s com e t o t hei r m a j o r i ty l et it be

, ,
222 PRI MAR Y GR O UP O R GANI ZATI ON -

for th e glory of God, a n d le t th em h a ve n o thin g of i t I D ea r S is t e r , .

if the n ota ry sa y s th a t y ou h a v e n o righ t t o m a ke a cl a im beca u se

y ou ha ve p ower of a ttorn ey , th en w e will sen d y ou a p a p er whi ch
no

w ill be va lid , if y ou n eed it N o w , d ea r S is te r , I wish ve ry m uch t o.

go t o ou r coun try , bu t i t is t oo di ffi c ult for m e , beca u se th e children

a re li ttle . Pe rha p s I
ll com e som e da y or o th er a t l ea st to see
sha ,

y ou if God sen d s u s hea lth a n d l on g life

,
N ow d ea r sis ter a n d .
,

b ro th er in la w if y ou m a n a ge t h a t t h ey sha ll n ot wa s te i t [ the p rop

- -
,

erty ] when ou r chi ldren com e of a ge w e ca n sen d y ou a p ow er of

,

a tto rne y a n d y ou ca n ge t [a p a rt of i t ] for y o ur trou ble a n d toi l .

Off e r [a p a rt] for the glory of Go d a n d give [th e rem a in in g] t o th em ,

[ t o m y children ] If n ot you rse lf then your children ca n li ve lon g

.
,

en ou gh a n d ta ke i t bu t g ive n o t hi n g t o them [ th e a dve r se p a rty ]

,
.

They ha ve m u ch t o lose a n d [s till] they do n ot wish t o m a ke p ea ce

in a godly ma n n e r If the y wish e d i t th e y would m a ke p ea ce in a
.

go dly m a n n er bu t they do n o t wi sh i t ; so d on t le t th em ch ea t y ou
’
,

ou t of a n y thin g on a n y p re text [ tech n ica li ty] Tell m e everythin g .

,

h ow a n d wha t t he n ota ry Sp ea k s E ven if we should com e n ow to ou r .

c ou n try it would n ot p a y u s t o go wi th sm a ll childr en for t hi s p iece of

la n d Perha p s we sha ll com e la te r on a fter som e yea rs when t h e

.
, ,

chi ldren grow l a rge r a n d I ca n t a k e th em t o ou r coun try with m e .

As to the children t wo of th em a re v e ry good chi ldren

, On e is work .

in g a n d gives his m on ey [ t o m e] t h e o th er is goin g t o sch ool a n d l ea rn s , ,

well bu t th e third is n ot a t h om e a t a ll S ta ch ha s been ba d is ba d

,
.
, ,

a n d will be ba d S o lon g a s h e w a s sm a ll er h e rem a in e d m ore a t

.
,

h om e I begge d him S ta ch rem a in a t hom e wi th you r m othe r

.
,
“
, .
”

N o he run s a wa y a n d l oa f s a bo ut
, We ll le t him ru n I ha d his . .

e yes wip e d [h a d him in stru c te d ] a s w ell a s I could ; he ca n rea d wri te

, ,

a n d sp ea k En glish qu ite lik e a

gen tle m a n B ea t “ ”
, Y ou sa y In .
, .

America y ou a re n ot a llowe d to bea t ; they ca n p u t y ou in to a p rison

Give them to ea t a n d don t bea t—such is the la w in Am e rica
.

’
, .

N othin g ca n be d on e a n d y ou a dv ise t o bea t ! Noth in g ca n be d on e ;

,

if h e is n ot good of h imself h e is l os t ,
.

1
Typ ica l
ttit a r f Hele s husba n d s fa m ily who sue h
u de . The m em be s o na
’ ’
er

h ve by t he f ct of th i su it t k
a a th t dp i t of stra gers a n d e em i s d
s a en e s an o n n n e , an
m rit not t he slighte st reg rd w hil if t h y h d tried to settl e the m a tter i
e a , e e a n a

con cili a tory w y th y would h v p t th m selves in the sa me fa m ilia l gr p

a , e a e u e ou ,

a d th us t he fa m ily s lid
n ity w u ld ha ve b me p ri cip le of t he divisio of t h
o ar o eco a n n e

p rope rty By the la wsu it ll ties f g r p olida rity a re broken a t lea t f

. a o ou -s
, s or
the time .
2 24 PRI MAR Y -
G RO UP OR G AN I ZATI ON

they will n ot le t him go un til h is twen ty fir st yea r I ga ve h im a wa y - .

,

d ea r siste r beca use he wo uld n ot go to sch ool a n d lis ten I ha ve

,
.

a lwa ys h a d tro ubl e wi th h im I ha d to sen d hi m th e re a n d p erha p s .

,

he wi ll becom e a [ good] m a n They tea ch rea din g a n d writin g a n d .

difleren t kin d s of work When h e is old er h e wi ll n ot suff er m ise ry

.
.

I ca ll on him fre que n tly He feels we ll If h e suflered mi sery there. .

I would n ot a llow thi s Th e old est is n ot with m e th e secon d is n o t

.
,

with m e I fea red this on e would ru n a wa y from m e a n d I ga ve him

, ,

a wa y He will the soon e r lea rn to be re a son a ble a n d he ca n becom e

. ,

a ma n .

H J . . D AB Rowsxrs

42 2 D ecembe r 1 8, 1 91 1

D EAR S I S TE R AND B R OTHER I N LAW : I rece ived your le tte r - -

wi th the Chr is tma s token s for which I tha nk y ou ve ry h ea rti ly We .

divi de the wa fe r a m on g ourse lves we wish y ou a Me rry Christm a s ,

.

M a y God gra n t u s t o li ve u n til t he n ext yea r I beg your p a rdon .

if m y le tte r a rrives t oo la te for Ch ristm a s ; i t wa s written t oo l a te m y ,

d ea r I don t kn ow myself how to wri te so I ca n n ot wri te when I

.
’
,

wish bu t wh en tha t p ers on wh o w ri tes m y l e tt ers h a s tim e t o sp a r e

,
.

N ow m y dea r S is ter a n d b ro th e r in la w y ou a sk m y a dvi ce a bout th e

,
- -
,

boy . It wo uld be ve ry we ll t o give h im t he sch oo l [in struc tion ] ,

beca u se th e school is a g rea t fortu n e bu t will it n ot be t oo burd ensom e ,

for y ou ? D o wha t you c on sid e r righ t m y d ea r If h e l ea rn s w ell ,

.

a n d is willi n g try t o give h im t h e sch oo l

, It is n ot n ecessa ry for hi m .

t o becom e a p ri est ; h e ca n be som ethin g e lse Th e duties of a p ries t .

a re ha rd a n d difli cu l t a n d i t is bett e r t o be a goo d

, p ea sa n t tha n a
ba d p riest D o wha t y ou con sider righ t a n d w ha t y our s tren g th
.
I

su fli ces for m y dea r N ow y ou wi ll sen d your old es t son to America

,
.
, .

He is a li ttle t oo youn g a n d in America work is ha rd a n d n ow th e

,

times a re ba d I n Am erica the re a re diffe ren t kin ds of work hea vy

.
,

a n d ligh t bu t a ma n from ou r cou n try ca n n o t e t th e li h t on e beca u se

, g g ,

he d oes n ot k n ow the l a n gua ge A li gh t h ea de d p e r son ca n soon be .

-

corrup ted in America esp ecia lly a y ou n g m a n I d on t writ e it a bout ’

, .

your son God forbid ! Pe rha p s yo ur children a re n ot so ba d We ll

, .
,

m y sis ter a n d brothe r in la w if y ou wish sen d him t o Am e rica

- -
, We , .

will try to fin d work for him we will ca re a bout him if he listen s , ,

Thi s efl ction show t h i fl uen ce of Am erica n dem r tism

r e s e Perha p s it
n oc a .

does not c m f om Hele a h er elf bu t from h

o e r hu sba n d
n s , er .
 RA CZ KOW S KI S ERI ES 225

to us . I wo uld
re for hi m a s for m y own child If h e wishes le t
ca .
,

him com e D o wh a t is t he bes t for y ou

. M y chi ldren a re som e tim es .

good a n d som e tim es n o t good As t o tha t p rop e rty a bo ut whi ch .

y ou wri te le t i t be quie t for som e tim e ; I will see la te r on

,
N ow .
,

m y d ea r I e xp ec t a w oma n s ill n ess I d on t kn ow h ow God will

,
’
,
’

d elive r m e If I a m in good h ea lth I will write y ou som e thi n g

.

m o re .

I ki ss y ou li ttle sis te r a n d your m a n a n d chi ldren I wish y ou

, ,
.

goo d su cce ss Yo ur boy wro te the le tte r well en ough He ca n a t

. .

lea st wri te him self From ou r bro th ers I ha ve som e tim es a le tte r
. .

We rem a in well wishi n g ,

-
,

D AB R O W S KI S

I a sk for a n a ns we r . Y ou weep m ore t ha n on ce , dea r S is e t r ,

a nd

I a lso weep m o re tha n on c e .

Ma y 6, 1 91 2

I received from you

D E ARE S T S I S TE R , WI TH CH I LDR E N :
a l e tte r b u t wh a t a l e tt e r !
, Wi th a grea t regre t a n d sorrow a nd woe !
I shed tea rs a n d I could n o t ca lm m yself from the grief a n d w oe a n d
s orr ow which ca m e u p on y ou d ea r siste r 0 m y God m y God wha t ,
.
, ,

a misfortu n e h a s be fa ll en y ou ! At so you n g a n a ge your h u sba n d

left y ou a wid ow a lon ely orp ha n wi th your chi ldren ! 0 m y dea r
, , ,

when eve r I thi n k of it I shed tea rs I grieve bu t h ow ca n I help y ou ? , ,

—
I ca n n o t help y ou I kn ow wha t a so rrow a n d mi se ry it is beca use
.
,

I wa s a wi do w m yself Oh tha t is a burd en a n in describa ble woe

.
, .

But m y dea r sister I beg y ou d on t grie ve There is n othin g to do

, , ,
’
. .

It is Go d s will God go ve rn s u s n o t ourselves God took from y ou

’
, ,
.

a h u sba n d a fr ien d a g u id e a n d th e f a th e r of your children

, , Co n
, .

form yourself to t he will of God a djust yourself the best y ou ca n , ,

p ra y for your fa th er a n d y ou sis t e r for your h u sba n d a n d God wi ll

, , , ,

l ove y ou a n d bl ess you if y ou con form yo urself to the will of God

, .

S o I re qu es t y ou d on t gr ieve d on t d esp a ir I beg y ou v e ry m u ch

’ ’
, , , .

Could I h el p a n d com fort y ou I wo uld ha s ten a t the sa m e m om en t to

do it bu t I ca n n o t
,
I g rieve on ly a bo ut yo ur ba d fortun e
. .

Y ou children I re que s t y ou resp ec t your m o the r a n d li s ten to

, , ,

her beca u se God l eft vou on ly a m o th e r a s gu id e a n d took your fa th er

,

t o H im Listen t o yo ur m othe r resp ec t her a n d beha v e yo urselves

.
,

well Esp ecia lly y ou old est son listen to your m othe r a n d resp ect
.
, ,
 226 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

h er .forbid tha t you sh o uld ca use h er a n y so rrow I yo ur

God .
,

a u n ti e beg y ou ch ildren v e ry m u ch t o do i t I wro te d irec tly I

.
, , ,

a le tter to ou r bro thers a n d I re quested th em t o wri te a le tte r

t o y ou .

d ea r s i ster I wa lk a little a lrea dy M y h ea l th is wea k

M yself , ,
.
,

bu t I o ugh t t o tha n k God th e M er ciful for th i s g rea t g ra ce tha t I a m

still a li ve for t h e sa k e of m y o rp h a n s But I sh a ll n everm ore be so .

well a s before From Chris tm a s till Ea ste r I did n ot lea ve m y bed

.

a n d I could n o t turn m yse lf i n bed N ow I a m wa lk in g a ga in bu t .

,

feebly I a sk y ou for a n a n s w e r a s to h ow y ou a re ge ttin g on a fte r

.

t he d ea th of your h u sba n d a n d whe t her y ou r ece ive d a l e tt e r from ,

o u r b ro t h e rs I ha sten to co m fo rt y ou a t lea s t wi th a le tte r R em em

. .

ber d on t grieve
,
I ki ss y ou a n d your childr en
’
. Live y ou o rp h a n s .
, ,

wi th God God bless y ou . .

I rem a in in sorrow for y ou d ea r sis ter , ,

H J D AB R O W S KI S . .

I a sk y ou for a n a n swe r .

Jun e 1 2 [ 1 9 1 2 P]
D EAR S I S TER Y ou a sk me wh e th er I sh a ll com e

to un try a n d when M y d ea r I will n o t com e t o ou r co un try

ou r co .
, ,

beca u se I ha v e n o thin g to com e for I wro te y ou wha t a m isfo rtun e .

I h a d with m y illn ess M y ill n ess a n d the fu n e ra l [of t h e child ] cos t

.

m e m u ch a n d in Am erica e ve rythin g is e xp e n siv e

,
M i n e [m y m a n ] .

did n o t work for a l on g tim e wh en I wa s ill so I exh a u sted a ll m y ,

m on e y M y illn ess a n d [illegible word ] a n d m y children ruin e d

.
,

me They could ea rn n ow bu t they wen t a wa y from m e I s it n ot

.
,
.

a so rrow I brough t them he re a n d a ll th i s cos t m e y ou k n ow how

m u ch Well I will n o t te ll y ou m uch beca u se it is ha rd for m e
.
, , .

An d y ou wro te m e d ea r S is t e r t o l e n d y ou [ m on ey] But ha ve I

, , .

m on ey I f I ha d ce rta i nl y I w o uld l en d it t o y o u from m y soul bu t

, , ,

I ca n n ot Y ou ha ve p rop erty y ou ca n fin d som e wa y a n d m yself

.
, ,
,

wha t I d on t ea rn h ere I ha v e n o t An d y ou m y dea r vou ca n fin d

’
.
, ,

r m thi d t h p r di g l tt r it i vid t th t H l k p u h g d
1
F s an e ece n e e s e en a

f li d rity—
o e en a ee s nc an e

t h f m ili l ttit d b th i m tt r
e a a a l d c id i g t t k h
u e, o
p h ew
n a e s o so a n e n o a e er n e ,

an d i th i n r ym p thy h p r
e s n ce e sw ith h it d i m tt ra f th s e ex esses er s s er -
an n a e s o au or

it y w h
,
h e d m d b for h d th t h
en s ep h w sh ll list
an t h s wh e he e an a er n e e a en o er en

h t ll t h si t r h il d t li t t th ir m th er ft r
’
c m
o d wh
es , a n h en S e ex or s a e s e s c ren o s en o e o a e

th ir f th r d th
e a e
’
s ea .
228 PR I MAR Y GR O UP
-
OR GAN IZATI ON

[ST ] . P E TE R S B U R G , O c tobe r 7 , 1 90 5

P ra ised be Jesus Ch ris tu s !

”
[e t c ] .

D EAR B R O TH ER [AN TO N I ] : [ Gen era li ties a bout hea lth ] I receive d .

yo ur le tter bu t I could n ot a n swe r beca use I ha d n o ti m e Th e

, ,
.

yo un g la dy [d a ugh te r of a R u ssia n a ri s tocra t wh om h e is se rvin g]

ca m e a n d r em a in e d for som e w e e k s a n d I don t k n o w h ow t o wri t e
’
,

P o li sh m y self AS t o Te ofil I S p ok e to him wh en h e wa s wi th m e

.
I
,
.

I to ld hi m som ethi n g quite diff e ren t I a dvise d him t o go t o P russ i a .

,

t o ea rn som e m on ey there a n d on ly th en t o go t o Am e ri ca n o t so
, ,

[a s he in ten d s] He ha s got a cc u s t om ed t o tra vel in tra in s a n d would

.

like to tra vel m ore bu t on wh ose m on ey ? I ha d som e m on ey bu t

, ,

I w en t to t he coun try then t o Wa rsa w I h a d to f ee d him a n d m yself

,
.

for som e tim e Wh en ce ca n I ge t so m uch m on ey ? M y m on ey is

.

e xh a u s te d I ha ve been wi th o ut m on ey m yself p a rticul a rly duri n g

.
,

t hi s yea r when I ha ve S p en t som e h un dred rou bl es in tra vel a lon e .

An d wha t a bout li vin g a n d c l o th es I m u s t bu y eve rythin g for m y

o w n m on ey M y lord a n d la dy a re n ot here They d on t give m e
. .
’

m o n ey [for I n Pe t e rsb urg m on ey is ea sily sp en t ; it is n ot

lik e t he coun try We ha ve n o thi n g m ore to wri te w e sen d h ea rty
.
,

wish es t o y ou bro the r s i ster ln la w Teofil a n d chi ldren

, ,
- -
, ,
.

Your well wish in g b ro ther a n d sister in la w

- - -
,

L WO LS KI S .

Y ou co uld write a l e tte r t o Am e ri ca to yo ur fa mil y in o rd e r tha t , ,

th ey m a y sen d h im a ship tick e t He would be be tte r con side re d

-
.

th en There is a m a n here w ith whom I a m a cqua in t ed who sa id

.

tha t this wo uld do very w el l—be tter tha n m on ey He would be

, ,

m o re resp ec te d a n d would ge t w o rk m ore ea sily .

LUD WI K WO LS KI
Gree tin gs t o sister Bron isla w a I n fo rm m e h ow she is ge ttin g on .
,

beca u se y ou n eve r wri te m e a b o ut h e r .

42 7 Februa ry 1 3 1 9 1 2 ,

D E AR B R O THE R : I receive d yo ur le tter bu t I ha d n o tim e to ,

a n swe r a n d t h e t im e p a sses so y ou d o n t n o t ice i t I a m v erv m uch ’

, .

grieve d tha t y ou feel so sick Y ou a sk m e t o com e bu t n o t wi th

.
,

This sh ows
th t he eith a er e m ig r t d t R
a e o i
u ss a as a y ou n g boy or , mo r
e

p roba bl y st y d th er
,
a ft r hi
e e a e s m il it ry arvice se .
 R ACZKOWS KI S ER I ES 229

t
s an d in g a ll m y w ishes I ca n n ot n ow beca use I a m in service If ,
.

Go d gra n ts y ou to live till su mm e r th en p e rh a p s bu t e v en so I ca n n o t , ,

sa y ce r ta in ly beca u se I d on t k n o w wh a t w ill be I should lik e very

’
.

m u ch t o see y ou y ou k n ow it bu t n o t hin g ca n be d on e ; I d on t
’
, ,

dep en d up on m y self [ bu t on m y m a s te r] I a m n o t in very good .

h ea lth eithe r I liv e a s I li ve d n o thin g n ew I ha d a le tter from

.
,
.

Te ofil ; he is in good h ea lth tha nk s to God a n d is d oin g we ll ; n othi n g

, ,

n e w o r p a rti c ula r .

We ha ve ha d ve ry cold wea th er durin g this whole tim e for th ree

m on th s I wish y ou t o bea r a t lea s t your illn ess ea sily It is meces
. .

sa ry t o a g ree wi t h t h e will of God We sha ll a ll be in t ha t o the r .

world soon er or la ter ; e ven th e rich ca n not buy him self ofl from
.

s i ck n ess a n d dea th a n d so i t i s n e cessa ry t o a g ree w i th God s will

’
.
,

Pe rha p s Go d will still a llow u s to se on e a n o ther bu t i t wo uld be va in

e
,

t o thi nk of i t beforeha n d beca u se t hin gs n e ve r go on a s y ou wish

,

them I wish y ou e ve ry good ; I d on t fin d words to reli eve you

.
’
.

We sen d to e ve rybody gree tin gs a n d ou r best wishes D ea r brother .

,

we don t ha ve a n y a n ge r a ga in s t y ou ho w ca n y ou thi n k it ! I ki ss
’
,

a n d emb ra ce y ou m os t h ea rt ily dea r bro th e r ,

.

We re m a in your lovin g a n d well wishin g

,
-
,

B R OTH ER LUD WI K a n d SI S TE R I N LAw M ALGORZATA WO LS KI - -

42 8 Ap ril 8 , 1 91 2

D E AR B ROTHE R AN D SI S TER I N LAW : We received your le tter a n d - -

we a re v ery m uch grie v e d tha t y ou ha d to sp en d s u ch sa d holi da ys ,

bu t it is n ecessa ry to su bm i t t o e verythin g It is t he wi ll of God . .

We sha ll a ll di e ; n o thin g ca n be d on e a ga in st i t No t withsta n din g .

a ll m y d esires a n d wish e s I ca n n o t com e If m y l e tter still fin d s

bro th e r a li ve p l ea se sis te r—
.
,

,
ih la w e xp la in t o him tha t I ca n n o t lea ve
,
-
,

m y p l a ce t o go I should n o t help hi m in doin g it ; dea th will com e in

.

a n y ca se a s it is d e st in ed To u s it is v e ry hard a n d p a in ful a n d we
.

feel it very m uch bu t we ca n be of n o help We ki ss him a n d bid

,
.

him fa rewell beca u se p roba bly w e sha ll se e him n o m o re

,
Y ou write .

a n d desp a ir sis ter in la w t ha t y ou wi ll be left wi th y o ur children

,
- -
, .

B ut the ch ildren a re big a n d they ca n work them selves a n d y ou ha ve ,

a fa r m . O th er wid ows r em a in a n d n o t a cop eck is l eft a ft e r t heir

h usba n d s a n d still th ey fin d som e wa y ; a n d you ha v e a fa rm
, Y ou .

n eed on ly t o wo rk a n d n o t t o be la zy ; t h er e will be en ough t o li ve on .

 2 30 PRI M AR Y G R OU P
-
O R G AN I ZATI ON

Your son Alek sa n de r writes th a t h e d oes n ot kn ow wh a t t o do wh en

his fa th e r die s a n d a sk s m e t o a dvi se him ,
But I do n o t k n o w wh a t .

sort of a f a r m y ou h a v e how m a n y ca ttl e a n d e ve rythi n g I could

,
.

iv e ou a dv ice o n ly if I k n e w h o w y ou su ccee d [ in yo ur fa rm in g]
g y .

An d wh en y ou writ e a l e tte r S ist er ih la w re qu e s t som e body t o wri t e ,

- -
,

i t beca u se i t is i m p ossible t o u n d e r s ta n d wh a t is written ; i t is with o ut

,

sen se a n d on e a n d t h e sa m e I wro te in t h e o th e r l e tter th a t I will .

n ot com e a n d n ow y ou r ep ea t t h e sa m e thi n gs t o m e P l ea se t e ll .

bro th e r th a t I a n d m y wife ha ve n o t a n y grie va n ce a ga in s t h im ; le t

him re st ea sy We sen d t o y ou a ll ou r good wishe s on occa si on of
.

t he p a s t h ol id a ys S u bmi t t o t he wi ll of Go d . An d I wa n t t o k n ow .

whe ther y ou ha ve bee n a wa y sis ter in la w beca use a s l on g a s bro the r ,

- -
,

w a s in g ood hea lth y ou ga v e n o wo rd of yourself a n d n ow a fte r f o ur ,

yea rs y ou h a ve sp oken I receive d le tte rs from bro th er a n d from

,
.

hi s Chi ldren bu t y ou we re a s if y ou ha d n ev e r been

,
It is very dis .

a g reea b le t o m e P roba bly y ou a ct ed ju st so w i th bro th e r ; y ou coul d

.

n o t ta k e ca r e t o l en g t h en his lif e AS t o m y comi n g I ca n n o t com e

“

.
,

n ow Wh en I a m fre e I will com e ; on ly I don t k n ow wh en a n d

.
’
,

wh ether duri n g this yea r With u s eve ryth i n g is a s of old We a re . .

S ic k a li ttl e bu t for t h e t im e bei n g i t is n oth i n g

,
I rem in d y ou on ce .

m o re re qu es t som ebo dy to writ e y our l e tt e r s a n d l on ge r [ on e s]

,
It ,
.

is n ot n ecessa ry t o reg i ster them l e tte rs a rriv e so We wa i t for y our ,

.

a n swe r a n d w e sen d g r ee t in gs t o ev ery body

I
.

We rem a in well wi shin g ,

-
,

Y OU R B R OTH E R LU D WI K a n d Y OU R S I S TE R I N LAw WO LS K I - -

Th i l tt r i
1
pl i
s e d v r t g t id f
e s a y f m ili l l im
a n t is l t
en ea o o e r o an a a c a s, o o a e

h im lf m p l t ly fr m t h f m ili l g r p
se co e e W h il L dwik d
o t d r t br k
e a a ou . e u oes n o a e o ea

m p l t l y t h r l ti
co e e w ith hi br th
e i d ivid lly h d li c m p l t ly a n y
e a on s o er n ua ,
e ec n es o e e

f t p ti ip ti i t h lif f t h b th r wif d ch ildr

u u re ar c a on n e Hi i t r i l w
e o e ro e
’
s e an en . s s s e -
n- a

d hi
an ph w s ne c di g t o t h tr diti
e ,
w
a t him t b m ra lly t h gu rdi
cor n e a on , an o e o e a an

ft r A t i s d th H d li bs l t l y t p t th i rol
’
a e n on ea . eAt th e am
ec n es a o u e o a cce s e . s e

t im lly b ki g t h w m
e , c ru e re d t yi g t p l
u n t he b l m o h e
p t di g
o an , an r n o a ce a e n eh re en n

th t th ra f hi c ld
e ea son o i t h f t th t he h d ot w ritt
s o t him f
n ess f r s e ac a s a n en o or ou

y wh il
ea rs , s w fr m oth r ri it is suffi ci t f
e, a e se e m m b r f th
o e se es , en or on e e e o e

f m ily t writ i d r t k p th f m ili l r l ti b tw t h gro p d the

a o e n or e o ee e a a e a on e een e u an

b a t i divid l Th i i i f t t h ly mp le w h v f t h com plet a d

se n n ua . s s, n ac ,
e on ex a e a e o e e n

o c i
n sc ou s v ri g f f m il i l r l ti
se e n j stifi d by a y q rr l Th
o a a ly e a on s un u e n ua e . e on

pl ibl p l ti i t h i fl c f R i lif W h d t m k th sa m
aus e ex ana on s e n u en e o u ss a n e . e a o a e e e

pp iti
su osi tt m p ti g t p l i t h r p id di i teg ti
on n a e n f t h B rs o exw ki a n e a s n ra on o e a zcz e s

f m ily I L dwik th i fl
a . n i
u till m re m rk d b e h e h s p r b bl y
n u enc e s s o a e eca u se a o a

liv d f m y y r i i l ti m g th R i
e or an ea s B id s t h l k f f m ili l
n so a on a on e u ss a n s es e e

it y i R u i lif th r m y b l o ther fa ct —t h l te t m if t h
. ac o a a

un n ss a n e, e e a e a s o ors e a n or an es os
232 PRI MAR Y G R O UP
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

O d ea r m o th e r ,
I grieve m ore tha n y ou O ften I weep secretly a n d .
,

n o t a n h o ur p a sses wi th out m y th i n kin g a bo ut h om e N othin g .

rej oices m e in Am erica M a y ou r L ord God give m e hea lth tha t I .

m a y get ou r a fla irs in ord e r a n d re turn t o o u r cou n try th e soon es t

p ossibl e I p a y a un t on ly for boa rd for n o thin g m ore

. a ,

week beca u se li vin g is very exp en sive Au n t ga ve

,
for thi s .

h o u se S h e bo rrowe d $ 7 0 0
. An d t hose boy s wh om a u n tie b ro u gh t .

from ou r co un try th ey did h a rm U n cl e bo ugh t th em eve ry

,
.

thin g th a t th ey wa n ted a n d th ey did n ot wa n t t o work a lth ough , ,

they co uld a lrea dy An d then they simp ly wen t a wa y S ta siek

. .
I

wen t a wa y t wo yea rs a go a n d Jé zef w en t a wa y a fte r S ta sia k a n d , ,

sin ce the n u n cl e a n d a u n tie h a v e n o t seen th e m I did n ot see th em .

e ith e r b u t th e y a re n ot fa r a wa y ; by s tree t ca r fr om Wa te rb u ry i t
,
-

cos t s on ly 1 0 c en t s An d a u n tie ga v e Ma n iek a wa y t o a fa rm schoo l ;

.
-

i t is so ca lle d It is a sort of a p rison wh ere they l ea rn a n d w ork

. .

An d those wh o a re there a re n o t a ll owed t o sp ea k t o on e a n o th er .

H e ha s a lrea dy been the re for 2 yea r s If a un t wish es h e will rem a in .

th ere till his twen ty first yea r S o I ha ve n ot seen hi m eith e r -

.
,

beca u se [ t h e fa re] t o him cos ts ha lf a d olla r I i n fo rm y ou dea r .

,

m o ther h ow m a n y hours a da y I work a n d h ow m u c h a week I ea r n

,
.

I work in a n iron foun dry 1 0 ho urs a da y N ow in th e begin nin g I

-
.
, ,

h a ve ligh t w ork I choose d iff eren t iron s ou t [cla ssify] whi ch a re

.
,

goo d a n d wh ich n ot beca u se n ow it is terribly h o t ,

La te r on I S ha ll .

try othe r w o rk [En d missin g ] ALE KS A ND E R WO LS KI [ ]

.

July 28 [ 1 9 1 3]
[ U su a l g ree tin gs
wish es ] a nd

N ow I wri te t o y ou m oth er a bout th e a ddress of u n c l e in Am e rica ;

, ,

I would ha v e written it from m em o ry bu t I do n ot k n o w the n umbe r , .

i r c i p r b bly d t
d ffe en e s o m b r f f ct r
a ( ) H l a s b ys ca m e t
ue o a nu e o a o s I e en
’
o o

Am ric wh il t ill h ildr

e a d th
e s t h fa m i li l ttit d w s ot d vel op ed a d
c en , a n us e a a u e a n e n

t h i di id li i g i fl
e n v uac h d
z n fr fi ld; ( ) H l h d m a rri d f th
n u en es a a ee e 2 e en a a e or e

s co d tim
e n d th is h i d ed t h d v lop m t f
e an y r l fa m il i l
n er lid rit y e e e en o an ea a so a

betwe he endh h ild

r an; ( 3 ) Al ksa n d r i t h h ir of hi f th e
er c ren fa rm a d e e s e e s a r s
’
,
n

l d i t h e c m ic l s
an s e on o d w h i h t h fa m il y w l d
n uc eu m i gr p d i a rou n c e ou re a n ou e n

thi t l
s ca e , a
s t u n til th m m t f it divisi
ea s e o en o s on .

Th boy i w f his c i beha vi r is vide tly i fl c d by his t

’ ’
e s v e o ou s n s o e n n u en e a un .

At t h m tim h f lly sh r s hi t s st dp i t f p p cia ti wh ich i ’

e sa e e e u a e s aun an o n o a re on , s

th t f f m il i l s lid rity Th e i
a o a a o co tr di cti o
a s w sh ll s e betw
.
r er s no n a n , a e a e , ee n

thi l tt r d N o 43 5 wh r he ta k s the side of hi cou si

s e e an .
, e e e s n s.
 RA CZ KOWS KI S ERI ES 2 33

N ow m o th e r , y ou wa n t m e to wri te l e tt e r s m or e often Wh a t S ha ll .

I wri t e ? I will on ly a n swe r ev e ry on e of y our a n swers Thi s cos ts .

y ou en o ugh a n d i t cos t s m e do ubly wh en I sen d [ th e l e tter] a n d wh e n

, ,

on e com es D ea r m o ther in f o rm m e p lea se whe th e r t h e w ea the r

.
I
, ,

du rin g th e ha rv es t is good or n o t wh e th e r a ll the crop s w ere good , ,

wha t o thers ca m e t o Am e rica a fter m e Pl ea se d esc ribe a ll thi s t o .

me . An d n ow I in fo rm y ou tha t I h a ve a t e rribl e lon gin g a n d n e v e r

ca n I fo rge t ou r co u n try Wh a t help ca n y o u gi ve m e ? As soon a s .

I r eca ll [ou r cou n try] tea rs com e t o m y eyes e very ti m e a n d a l so , ,

beca u se I ha v e n o frien d Au n t a l so is n ot v e ry good Wh en I . .

com e from t h e sh op in t h e e v en in g if on ly I do n ot h elp h er in a n ythi n g ,

sh e ge t s di r ec tly a n g ry a n d so sh e scold s a n d ca ll s God s wra t h d own

’
,

on h er h u sba n d a n d m e for e v ery trifl e I h a ve n ever h ea rd this a t .

I n t h e begi n n i n g S h e sa id I h a d t o w o rk ba ck for ha lf th e
”
h om e .
2 “

d eb t [for th e shi p tick e t] bu t n ow she sa ys for the whole Fo ur week s

-
,
.

m o re a n d I sha ll work i t ba ck Ma y God on ly give me hea lth a n d .

,

I wi ll n eve r forge t y ou a n d I wi ll furthe r try t o beha ve th e bes t I ca n .

I don t sm oke I d on t drin k There a re t wo boa rdi n g with a un t

’
,
’
. .

They h a ve been in Am erica ten yea rs a re un m a rried a n d work every ,

da y a n d th ey ha ve n ot a cen t in the ir p ock e t

,
I will n ot do a s th ey .

do so tha t I m a y ea rn m on ey a n d re turn h om e 3 Le t Bron i sla w

,
.

Tka czy k com e if h e wishes ; difl e ren t work s a re goin g well ev e ry wh e re .

Wh en th e da y s get cool er I will try ha rde r work ; n ow it is t oo ho t .

I will do s uch w ork a s un cle d oes I a m n ea rly a s [stron g a s] un cle . .

An d y ou Jul e k wri te t o m e whe th e r they [ th e boys] bea t y ou

, , ,

th ere in m y a bsen ce Wh en I wa s the re m a n y fea red m e Fo r . .

m y self I d on t s uffe r m isery h er e in Am erica bu t y ou do th e re in ou r

’
, ,

coun try I h a ve n othi n g m ore t o wri te I sen d onl y a n d we a l l

. .
,

I As in Ru ssia letters a re often lost th e Polish p ea sa n ts u su a lly sen d them

, ,

w ith ou t sta mp s beca u se dou ble p osta ge is th en collec te d from th e rece ive r a n d
, ,

the gove men t s a fegu a ds t he le tte r w i th form a lities wh ich a re e qu iva le t t o

rn r n

registra tion R egistra tion is sa fer bu t in a ddition t o drea d of the forma lity the
.
, ,

p ea sa n t doe s ot like t o go t o n y oj it
n a e .

Hel e a s ch a ra cter m a y h a ve becom e em bittered th rou gh he exp e ri en ces

2 ’
n r

wi th h e chi ldren bu t p roba bl y sh e h a s a lwa ys been m ore de spotic a n d qu a rrelsom

r ,
e

tha n her ra ther m eek sister .

H is tem p era n ce is n ot t he resu lt of m o a l con s idera tions b t sim p ly th a t o f

3 r , u

the seriou sn ess of his a ttitude towa d li fe a n d his e stim a ti o of the ta sk wh ich h e r n

ha s t o a ccom p li sh Th is is p erfectly typ ica l I n sp ite o f th e effort s of t he cle g y

. . r

ther i s eve a n y m ora l rea cti on tow a rd i tem pe ra n ce a s t owa rd som eth in g ba d
e n r n

in i t self bu t m erel y a s towa rd a n obsta cle in ten din g t o som e en d

,
.
2 34 P RI M AR Y—
G R OU P OR G AN I ZATI ON

sen d ,
h ea rty g ree tin gs t o y ou a nd t o ou r a c qua i n ta n ces . M a y Go d
g ra n t th i s Am en
. .

An d tha t rdeon I brough t wi th m e is n ot S p oiled

a cco a t a ll . On
S un da ys I a m u se m y self a n d it p la y s like a n ew on e ,
.

[ ALE K SA N DER WO L S KI ]

S ep tember I [ 1 9 1 3]
N ow , d ea r m o th e r , I write y ou on ce m o re . S en d m e ,
p lea se , th e a ddress of m y u n c le [Teofil] in Am e rica D ea r m o th e r , I .

h a v e a lr ea dy wo rk ed ba c k for t h e shi p tick e t , n ow I wi ll wo rk for -

y ou d y ou m on ey] for di gg i n g th e p ota toes in t he a utum n

[t o se n ,
.

We a re bo th wo rki n g with Ososki from B a rtn iki ; w e do th e sa m e wo rk

o n e n ea r a n o th e r H e g ree t s h is bro th e r in L esz n o
. We bo th lon g .

terribly for ou r coun try He left his wif e a n d chi ldren on his fa rm .
,

a n d w e sa y t o ea ch o th e r How th ey a re su fierin g th er e a lon e

“ ”
.
,

When he ca m e from ou r cou n try 2 m on th s a go h e go t a t firs t good ,

work in a n o the r c ity in N a get From U ni on City t o Na get is on e ,

.

vers t But tha t fa ctory stop p ed for a m on th so n ow w e a re worki n g

.
,

toge ther When it s ta rts if it goes w ell we sha ll both go the re t o

.
, ,

work We sa y t o ea ch o th er tha t when we ea rn som e mon ey w e will

.

soon re tur n t o ou r cou n try beca u se n o w i t is t e rr ibly h a rd in Am e r ica ; ,

e ve ryth in g is d ea r a n d i t i s diffi c ult t o

ge t w o rk
, S o I work a s ha rd .

a s I ca n i n o rde r t o r e tur n soon t o ou r co u n try I lon g terribly for .

m y co un try ; n o thin g giv es m e p l ea sure in Am e rica We m u s t be .

very a tten tive in ou r wo rk ev ery hour beca use if a n yth i n g is ba d we , ,

a re w ith out w ork W e w en t on ce wi th a u n t ie t o Wa terbury t o h er

.
I

boys t o th ose fa rm s wh e r e they a re bu t w e co uld n ot see th e m ; on

, ,

S u n da y w e wa lk e d a bout for h a lf a da y a ski n g for them bu t w e ,

co uld n o t fin d ou t wh e r e t h e y a re I n Au gu s t t e rr ibl e ra in s f e ll a n d .
,

t h e m orn in gs a re cold n o w .

[ ALE KS AN D ER ]
1
ith t ig ific c t h t h m ti w rki g co diti
I t is n ot w ou s n im m an e a e en on s o n n on s e

di t ly fter p ki g f hi l g i g f h m
a e a s ea n Th a dj tm t t h ir d f ct ry
o s on n or o e . e us en o e a o

w rk i
o e f t h m o t di ffi c lt wh i h t h i m m ig
s on o e t h t m k I th i
s u c e ra n as o a e . n s ca se

th b y i
e o t i d by th e p ct ti f
s su s a n e a d rt h m b ti c s
e x e a on o su cce ss n a e u rn o e, u n a se

wh th
ere h ildr f i m m ig r t
e c en o m p ll d t h d t th ir p r t th ir t t l
a n s a re c o e e o an o e a en s e o a

i gs ( wh i h i t h
e a rn n l p r ti e) th y fr q tly d li t b p r m t d t
c s e u su a ac c ,
e e u en ec ne o e o o e o

w rk p yi g m
o a N f t y w rk is stim l ti g
n ore . d w odj tm t is
a c or -
o u a n ,
an a ne a us en

f lt a
e e t
s an b rd x ra u en .
2 36 PRI M AR Y G RO UP
-
OR G ANI ZATI ON

for i t , for forcin g m e t o lea rn It ca n n o t a t a ll be descri bed how .

I

we ll it is in the world wh en y ou kn o w h ow t o rea d a n d t o wri te your

se lf a n d y ou ca n w ri ted own e ve rythin g tha t y ou th ink .

Aun t k eep s som e n ice du ck s a n d h en s a n d she ha s som e p igeon s ,

left by her boys Th ere we re 50 duck s Sh e keep s 7 for breedi n g

. .
,

a n d sh e h a s 8 0 h en s Th ey a re doin g well a n d she h a s 1 0 p igeon s

.
, ,

bu t in com p a rison wi th o urs they a re ugly Y ou Jul ek a n d An iela .

, ,

r em em ber well a bout min e C lose th e op enin g a t ni gh t so tha t .

som e thi n g ma y n o t de vo ur t h em Y ou ca n sell som e you n g on es .

,

Julek bu t lea ve a p a ir of the youn g on es beca use o th erwise th ey

, ,

wo uld be p la ye d ou t if a n y of th e old on es w ere lost Wri te to m e

,
.

whe th er the O ld p a irs a re bo th doin g well a n d d on t se ll t he old on es ’

t o a n ybody An d wri te m e whe the r J oz ef S obira j fi n ish e d bein g

.
,

sic k [ go t well] o r n ot a n d does h e work wit h hi s m o th e r or is h e hi re d

,

som e wh e r e If he w ould com e t o Am e rica in the sp rin g th ey would

.

ge t on be tte r I ha ve n o thin g m ore to wri te [ U sua l g ree tin gs ]

. .

[ALE K SAN DE R]

D ecem be r 8, 1 91 3

I i n f o rm
tha t I ha ve sen t 6 5 roubles I wo uld sen d
N ow .

m o re m o th er bu t w e ha ve a S la ck in Am e rica ; m a n y p eop le a re
, ,

e ve ryw h ere wi th o ut w o rk O u r fa c t ory ha s work e d 5 w eek s for .

5 d a ys a week We don t work on Sa turda ys a n d on som e da ys w e

.
’
,

don t work durin g som e ho urs This Ososki from B a rtn iki bro ther
’
.
,

of th a t on e in Leszn o wh o w o rke d w i th m e wa s
p a i d ofl from on e
, ,

fa ctory a n d ha s n ot worked for a w ee k He wen t eve rywh ere bu t .

,

he could n ot fin d work I a m work in g in the sa m e p l a ce whe re I.

bega n Afte r N ew Yea r p e rh a p s it will ge t be tter

. I sha ll n ot see .

un cle soon beca use I m ust keep terribly close t o m y w ork a n d it is

, ,

fa r ; t h e j ourn ey t o h im a n d ba ck will cos t a n d t h e ci ty is l a r e

g
a n d i t will be v e ry difi cu lt t o fin d h im Tha t le tte r rej oiced m e .

Ha n ds , ttitu d f sup eriority

beca use she did so by bea ti ng h im . The a e o

w h ich t h b y m
e h r t w rd h i y
o a ssu g r b th r d i te r is
es oth r ig
e e o a s ou n e ro e an s s an e s n

th t h c sid r h im lf t h h d f t he f m ily Wh h t lls th m t li t t

a e on e s se e ea o a . en e e e o s en o

th ir m th r his p r i i
e o e , ctl y t he s m a exth t f f th r We h v he
ess on s e xa a e s a o a a e . a e re

on e p f mor tha t th old f m ili l olid ity l d

roo e yth i g lik p ti ul r
e a a s ar e xc u es a n n e a ar c a

s li d
o ity of t h you ger g r ti ga i t t h ld r bu t is ki d f h i r hic l
ar e n en e a on a ns e o e , a n o e a rc a

solid y rga i tion p rti l ly wh th r is m t ri l b is of t he ist ce

ar o n za , a cu a r en e e a a e a as ex en

of th gr p wh i h c ll f r m a a g r
e ou c a s o a n e .
 R ACZKOWS KI SERI ES 237

aw fully ; it is a s if I ha d seen y ou An d y ou Jule k [ I tha nk] for .

,

wri tin g m e a bo ut eve rythin g You wrote th i s l e tte r very d is tin c tly . .

I a m tryin g t o m a n a ge so tha t we m a y a ll be toge ther soon An d .

p lea se wri t e m e a bo ut t his Ziela zcza k wh e th er h e h e lp s [ y ou ] or n ot

, , ,

a n d w h e the r h e doe s som e th in g ba d for t he r e w a s n ot hi n g wr i tt en ,

a bout h im P lea se writ e m e w hich boy s w en t t o the a rm y which

.
,

o th e r s ca m e t o Am e r ica whe the r J6zef Sobira j got rid of hi s S ickn ess

,

or n o t a n d a bout th ose n eighbor s wh o li ve n ea r t o u s which of th em

, ,

a n n oy s y ou P l ea se m o the r wri te m e d esc ribe t o m e w ha t is of

.
, , ,

in te res t Here it ha s ra in ed durin g th e whole a utum n On All Sa in ts

. .

D a y we ha d a frost which cov ered the w in d o ws bu t n ow n o m ore ,

fros t on ly ra in s a re fa llin g An d a bout a un t I ha ve n o thin g t o write

,
.
,

n o n e ws Th ey ha ve th ree chi ldren [by secon d h usba n d ] Two a re

. .

goin g to th e sch ool I go n owh e re m yself ; we rem a in toge the r in t he

.

e ven in g we ta lk a n d la ugh a ll toge the r [A m a n ] from u n cl e s

’
.
,

co u n try is a l so boa rd in g wi t h a u n t H e is 3 0 yea r s old a n d u n ma rried . .

If I wa n t to bu y some thin g he lea d s m e everywh e re I ha ve n o thin g .

m o re to wri te I sen d y ou on ly h ea rty sa luta tion s a n d wi sh y ou a

,

M e rry Ch ris tm a s M a y God g ra n t it Am en . . .

[ALEK S AN DER ]

Ja n ua ry 1 I , 1 91 4

An d n ow I in form y ou tha t on Ch ris tm a s I sa w J6zef

[ son of Helen a ] . He ca m e t o u s fr om t h e fa rm for th e fir s t tim e I .

sa w him at hom e , at din n er . If i t ha d n ot been at hom e , I S ho uld

not h a ve
recogn ized hi m He ha s grown ta ll a li ttle ta ll er tha n I a m
.
, ,

a n d t e rribly t hin a n d l ea n H is voice ha s a l so cha n ged . He sa id .

a l so h e wo uld no t ha ve recogniz e d m e We we re te rribly gla d bo th .

,

of u s H e wa s two d a ys with u s a n d we both wen t e ve rywh ere

.
, .

Th e c h urch is n ea r so we we re both in th e ch urch , He rel a ted .

e ve ryt hin g t o m e a n d I eve ryt hi n g t o him

, H e l eft his m o the r
,
.

t w o ye a r s a go a n d ha d n ot seen h e r S in ce He reg re tted m y fa ther .

ve ry m u ch He did n ot k n ow tha t h e wa s dea d ; he will see hi s u n cle

.

[ the wri te r s fa ther] n o m ore He t old m e how his u n c le a ccom

’
.

p a n ied him to t he fron tie r ,a n d h ow he him self wa n ted n eithe r t o go

a wa y fr om his u n cl e n or t o rem a in a n ywh e re e l se ; a n d t ea r s
g ushed
from his eyes He wa s v e ry sorry for y ou wo rkin g th ere a lon e a n d
.
,

n obo dy wi th y ou a t h om e He sa id tha t h e l ov e d h is un cl e a n d a u n tie

.

’
[ th e w ri te r s p a ren t s] bett e r tha n his own m othe r beca use when he ,
 2 38 PRI MAR Y G R OUP
-
OR G AN IZATI ON

ca m e t o h is m o he t r
th er looked a t him n or kn e w him H e
S h e n ei .

wep t a n d I a lso sh ed tea rs His m other would ha ve n o th i n g t o do

,
.

wi th him H e sa id th a t if a n ybody ga ve him m on e y h e wo uld a t

.

on ce go t o h is a u n ti e t o ou r cou n try a n d h elp hi s a u n ti e ; if n o t h e

, , ,

w ill go wi th m e to ou r cou n try in th e sp rin g a fter n ex t a n d will ,

rem a in with u s u n til t h e ca ll for m ili ta ry servi ce ; a n d a fte r t h e

se rvi ce if Go d l e t s h im liv e h e will ta k e th a t l a n d ba ck
, ,
H e sa ys .

th ere a re few of u s in ou r cou n try so w e will work Wh en he w en t ,

.
I

a wa y fr om u s a n d sa i d good bye t o h is m o th e r h is m o th e r w ould n o t ,

tell h im good bye So h e w en t a wa y bu t n ea rly fa in ted from sorrow

I w en t with him t o the s tree t—
.
, ,

a n d I wep t a s n ev e r [ be fo r e] . ca r .

We w en t beyon d the c ity th e s tre e t ca r ca m e a n d h e ba d e m e

,
-
,

f a re well He w ep t a bout m e a n d I wep t a bout him a s n ever y e t I

.
,

wep t N e v er h a d I s u ch a sorrow a s th en Wh en I re turn ed h om e

. .

I co uld n ot w a lk from sorrow I n ou r coun try on e does n ot rea l iz e .

wh a t f a mi ly is bu t in th e wo rld wh en on e see s som ebody it ca n be

, , ,

n e i th e r d esc ri be d n or t old I w ep t from din n e r u n t il ev en i n g a n d

.
,

wh en they a sked m e a t h om e why I w ep t I could n ot sp ea k from ,

so rr o w till I got a h ea d a che I lon g terribly b eca u se I ha ve n o

,
.
,

fri en d wi th wh om I m a y rej oice Boja rski from Gu st kow o h a s been .

in th i s C ity a bo ut 2 0 y ea r s M a rik a Lelen iew ia n ka from Gu st kow o

,

ca m e t o him a t t h e en d o f ca r n iva l It w ill be tw o y ea rs sin ce sh e .

ca m e S om e ti m es on S a turd a ys I go t o th em
. I h a v e n ot h i n g m o r e .

t o wri te on ly I sen d y ou h ea rty sa lut a t ion s a n d a sk y ou for a n a n sw e r

,
.

[ALE K S AND ER ]
1
J6zef reta in s t he old ttit it
in sp e o f t he e o u t on he ha s u n de g on e in
a u des vl i r
ri t
t
Am e ca , a n d h ou gh h ese old a ttit r
u de s we e n ot e xc u s e en ou gh t o a ow him l iv ll
r i it
t o em a n w h his m o h e t r y i ti
I t is a ca se of p s ch o og ca d ssoc a on or st ra tifica
. l i l i
ti r tr i ly
on ; t h e n e w ch a a c e s a re s m p ri
su p e m p ose d on t h e old on es w hou m od it t ify
t
in g he m essen a ti lly f t f
Th e sa m e ea u re is ou n d in p erson s o f p ea sa n o g n who
. t ri i
v i ll i tr t
h a e h a d Am e r ca n co ege n s u c i on t r l li
The cu l u a r
fe is he e con n e c e d w h
. t it
i l ri ir t i
t h e E n gl sh a n gu a ge a n d t h e Am e ca n e n v on m en , wh le t h e P ol sh a n gu a ge i l
li
a n d t h e P o sh en vi t
ron m en t r ly
su g ges me e i ti i
t he a ssoc a on s w h ch a re n c osed i l
it i r
w h n t h e sp h e e o f t h e p ea sa n ti r t tr iti
n t e es s a n d ad on s Th ese t wo s a a do . tr t
i t rf r it
n ot n e e e w h ea ch ot h er a n d t h e sa m e p e rson is a t on e m om e n a cu v a ed t lti t
i i t r t i
Am e r ca n , wh en sp ea kin g En gl sh , a t a n o h e m om en a Pol sh p ea sa n , w h en t
i li
sp ea k n g P o sh i tly t i it ti
E v den .
,
i l y
h s s u a on is p o ss b e on l beca u se t h e p e a sa n t
i ir t l t
mm g a n s we re a mos com p e e l t ly fr
cu t o f i r lt r
o m t h e h g h e cu u e in P o la n d In .

r t i i ti
t h e p e sen ca se t he d ssoc a on is p roba b ly du e t o t he la ck o f a n y s o n g l n k tr i
ti
c on n e c n g t h e p er vi lif it
ou s ly li
e w h t h e n e w on e ; t h e on n k is t h e m o h e I t is t r .

v ry r
e t t
p oba ble h a J6 ze f h a d liv ri t y r it
e d du n g t h e p a s t wo ea s w h ou m u c h reflec t
ti t r t l
on on t h e p a s , a bso bed in t h e a c u a con diti t t ly
on s , a n d ha o n t h e m ee n g w h ti it
i tl l tt r t
h is co us n a n d t he a k o f t he a e brou gh t h e old a ttit u des t o con sc ou sn ess i
a ga in .
2 40 PRI MAR Y G R O UP
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

k n ow wha t da y a n d in wh ich m on th D ea r bro th er a n d sis te r

on .

ln la w I e xp ec ted a l e tte r fr om y ou beca u se I wro te t o y ou bu t I d on t

’
-
, , ,

kn ow wh a t h a s becom e of y ou I wa n t a t l ea s t to rece ive on e l e tte r .

from y ou to sp ea k [com m un i ca te] with y ou bef ore m y dea th b eca u se

, ,

I d on t kn ow th e wi ll of God w h eth er ou r L o rd Jes u s w ill a ll ow m e t o

’
,

re turn or n ot ; I d on t kn ow it An d n ow I beg y ou d ea r bro th er a n d ’

s i s t e r in —
.
,

la w be so gra c i o u s a n d a n swe r m e I don t kn ow wh e th e r ’

-
.
,
’

y ou a re a n g ry wi th m e beca u se I wro te y ou a l e tte r a n d I h a v e n o ,

a n sw e r I exp ec t your le tter every da y a n d e ve ry h o ur a n d e ve ry

.

m in ut e in va i n a n d m y h ea rt is a n xio u s beca use I sh ou ld be gl a d

, ,

t o sp e a k w ith y ou a t l ea s t by l e tte rs befo re m y p a rt in g [h a lf a p a ge

, ,

m o re a bout exp e c tin g l e tte r s a n d a skin g for l e tte r s] D e a r b r o th e r

a n d d ea r si s te r in —
.

la w I b eg yo ur p a rd on p e rha p s I did y ou som e tim e

-
, ,

som e wr on g so I a sk for y our p a rd on

, Forgive m e beca u se I go so .
,

fa r a w a y a s t o d e a th , B ut I do n ot lose m y h op e in God beca u se .

,

ou r L o rd J esu s r em embe r s u s be tt e r th a n w e r e m e m ber ou r L o rd

God a n d th er efo r e I p ra y ou r L ord God a n d th i s God s M o th e r of

,
’

Cz es tochowa M a y ou r L ord Jesus a ll ow m e t o r e turn a n d God s

.
,
’

M o ther of Cz estochowa I off er m yself to [ rely on ] th e will of God .

a n d le t it be a s ou r L ord Je su s a n d th i s Go d s M o th e r of Cz es toch o wa
’

wi ll turn m e [ d ecide a bo ut m e] I a m S a tisfi ed with every thi n g .

,

beca u se ou r L ord Jesu s sen d s m e su ch fortun e a n d n oth in g ca n be ,

don e a ga in s t it An d n ow I bid y ou fa rewell d ea r bro th er I kiss y ou

.
, ,

nn u m era ble tim es a n d I bid y ou f a rew ell dea r sis t er in la w a n d I

, ,
- -
,

kiss y ou Le t ou r L ord J esu s help y ou for m y p ra yer An d I bid y ou

. .

fa rewe ll l ittle bro th er Al ek sa n d er a n d y ou Wla dysla w a n d y ou

, , , , ,

sis t e r a n d t h e wh o l e h o u seh old ?

,

I your truly lovi n g bro th er , ,

TE OFI L WOLS KI
Th l tt r h th p r ly tr diti
e e e l f rm of f r w ll bef r d th ; it is
as e u e a on a o a a e e o e ea a

s bstit te f f r well At the m tim e it show th p ticul a r ki d

u u a p k or s o en a e . sa e s e ar n

of f t li m of t h
a a s P oli h p t wh i h is losely
e ect d w ith t h
s m g ica l
ea sa n , c c c on n e e a

r ligi s sy tem S i c i m g ic th re i
e ou s . ti ity betw ca e d eff ct
n e n a e s n o con nu een us an e ,

th i e bilit y t c lc la te with c rt i ty t h
na o a ffect u f d t h a lm s t e a n e e s o a c a u se an e o

u lim it d r
n
ge f p o sibl ev t i a g i
an e o it ti p s w i de fi ld f
e fa ta lism
en s n v en S ua on o en a e or .

M h ld d wh t h k ow w ith
an s ou o t i ty to be righ t i t hi it ti
a e n d the
s cer a n n s S ua on ,
an n

co mm it him lf t t h w il l f G d b t with t
se o y e t i ty f t h r lts b o oe u ou an c er a n o e e su , e ca u s

h e ne v r c ld h v do e ythi g ces ry
e ou a e n ever n ne sa .

There w p la e f r f ta li sm i t h
a s no ld tu r li ti r ligi
c o d t h fa t listi
a n e o na a s c e on ,
an e a c
a ttitud b c m es m re d m r f rm l wh m gic l s it i fl c a d t he
e e o o an o e o a en a o es s n u en e n

m ode p r ctica l a ttit d b s d up o th

rn a ti u ity of cu e, d ff ect t k s
a e n e con n a u se a n e , a e

its p l ce a Th e p asa t wh
. st ti g pl
e sti ll dd som e word
n , bout t h will
en a n a an , a s s a e
 RACZKOWS KI S ERI ES 2 41

43 8 N ov em be r 1 [ 1 90 4]
I n th efirs t wo rds of my le tter I sa y : P ra i sed be J C a n d I . .

info rm y ou d ea r b roth er a n d sis t e r in la w th a t I r eceiv ed y o ur l e tt e r

,
- -
,

on N ov embe r 1 a n d I w a s very gl a d wh en I l ea rn e d th a t y ou a re in
,

good h ea lth th a nk s t o th e h igh e s t fa vor of ou r L o rd Go d

,
For m y se lf .
,

u p t o th e p r esen t I a m s ti ll a l ive a n d in h ea lth th a n k s t o L ord God ,

th e high es t a n d t o Go d s M o th e r An d a s t o m y su ccess a n d how I

’
.

a m l ivin g I info r m y ou th a t u p t o th e p r esen t t h a n k s t o God a ll is

, , ,

w ell We h a ve h a d n o h un ge r y et u p to th e p resen t a n d we h a v en t
.
’

n ow on ly n ow i t is a lr ea dy a l i ttl e cold ; l i ttl e m or n in g fros t s h a pp en

,

a lr ea dy b u t this is n o m i sery y e t
,
M a y on ly Go d a n d God s M o th er .
’

g ra n t th a t it does n ot becom e w o r se .

An d a s to the wa r I should h a ve m u ch t o d esc ribe b u t I c a n n ot

, ,

w rite y ou m u ch a bout it I in form y ou on ly tha t w e h a ve been in .

ba ttle for fo ur d a y s a n d n ow we a re in ca m p for som e d a y s

, Wha t .

wi ll be fur th e r God a lon e k n o w s wh en a n d wha t wi ll be th e en d of a ll

, ,

thi s . It d oesn t seem a t a ll th a t it will en d soon on the on e or on

’
,

th e o th e r side Ou r L ord God a l on e kn ow s wh a t en d will r esult from

.

it . It is God s will AS God Alm igh ty gra n ts so w ill it be Let

’
.
,
.

u s on ly b eg ou r L o rd God a n d th e mi ra culou s M o th e r of God t o g ive

u s h ea lth a n d t o gu a rd u s fr om e ve ry mi sfortun e a n d comm i t ev ery ,

th in g t o t he wi ll of God .

I in f orm Brodowski th a t his son is a lso a live a n d h ea l th y tha n ks ,

t o ou r L ord God I will t ry to in form him a s soon a s p ossible a n d t o

.

rep ea t to him those few word s which y ou h a ve wr itten to him , .

I sa w them n o t lon g a go B rodowski a n d a lso R yka cz ew ski They ,

.

a re a l so in goo d h ea lth th a n ks t o God th e Al migh ty , [ B ow s for the .

whole f a mi ly a n d wi sh es for good h ea l th ] TE OFI L WOLS KI .

Ja n ua ry I , 1 90 5

I inform y ou th a t n ow we sta n d in ca mp We d igge d

An d .

p i ts for ou r selves a s w e do in P ol a n d for p o ta toes a n d w e a re sitti n g

, ,

in sid e We ha ve n o grea t fi gh tin g n ow on ly skirm ish e s h a p p en ;

.
,

of ility
God, t h e wea kn ess o f m a n , e t c , bu t m a n l a s a m a n fes a on o f h um . i y i t ti .

r f rt t
Th e e seems t o be a ha lf~con sciou s e a ha i f he does n ot do , God m a y p u n shi it
ti tr y l
him for his p resu m p on , by des o in g h is p a n s tt r t
B u t in th e m a e s of d ea h .

a d si k e
n c wh i h r m a i th la t r fu ge of m a g ic a d om tim e i m tt r of
n ss , c e n e s e , n s e s n a e s

m a rri g wher
a e, ls m gi a l p r ti s p er i t ve
e a o a hi gh er l vel f c lture
c ac ce s s e n on a e o u ,

fa ta lis m is still p owerf l b use p reci sely i those li es th on ti u ity of s

u ,
eca n n e c n ca u e

an d effect i th e m o t difli c l t of p revi si on

s s u .
242 PR I MAR Y -
G R OUP OR GAN IZATI O N

th ey a re firi n g on e a ga i n st a n o th er eve ry da y bu t n o t m u ch B ut ,
.

p r esen tly w e exp ec t a gre a t figh t a n d n obody k n o w s wh a t God will ,

sen d .Th e a ir [ w ea th e r] h e r e u p t o th e p resen t is v ery go od ; n o

sn ow a s y e t b u t fr os t bega n a l m os t t w o m on th s a g o a n d w e h a v e
, ,

frost eve ry da y n o t g rea t 1 0 or m ore [R éa u m ur] som e ti m e s it

, ,
°
,

rea ches Y es m y d e a r br o th er a n d sis te r in la w u p t o t h e

,
- -
,

p r esen t tha n k s t o ou r L o rd God th e Hi ghes t a n d t o G od s M o th e r

’
, ,

w e h a v e n ot y e t s uff e re d g r ea t m i se ry a l th o ugh y ou k n ow yo ur self ,

th a t it is n o p l ea sure ; bu t in the p os ition in which w e fin d ourselves ,

u p t o t h e p r esen t w e h a ve bu t l i ttle t o com p l a i n of .

N ow it is goin g ba dl y w ith y ou a l so a s y ou w rit e to m e d e a r , ,

b ro th er th a t th ey a re ca lli n g th e re se rvi s ts
,
God forbid th em t o .

ta k e y ou a l so I a d vise y ou d ea r b ro ther if y ou f eel a n yth i n g ba d

.
, , ,

[ a pp reh en sion ] d on t ta rry lon g b u t d ire c t yourse lf a ccord in g t o your

’
,

th ough ts lflYl TE OFI L WOL S KI

A S O LD I E R O N W AR I

Af te r a l on g a n d d a rk n igh t a t l a s t it bega n t o d a wn Th e da y s
’
.
,

a p p a ri t ion w a s so sa d th a t t h e h ea rt bega n t o w eep .

Th e su n a r is i n g from beh i n d th e m oun ta i n s th r ew t o u s sa d

, ,

ra ys ; a n d w e re m a i n ed in in tren chm en ts w a tchin g th e sh a d ow s of ,

t h e en em y .

We rem a i n e d there a n d w e turn ed ou r eyes t o h ea ven a pp ea l in g ,

for h elp from th e re a ft e r so m a n y d a y s sp en t in h u n ge r a n d so m a n y

,

te di ous n igh ts w ith out Sl eep .

E verybody sen d s a p ra y e r to God M a y He h el p u s t o c ru mbl e

.

th e en em y a n d t o r e tur n h ea lth y a fte r so l on g a n d h ea vy suff erin gs

S udd en ly a c ra sh in terr up te d t he sep ul ch ra l S ilen c&—
.

th e c ra sh
o f t h e en em y s sh r a p n e l w h i ch b ur s t in ou r in tr en ch m en t n ot missin g
’
,

i t s m a rk .

I sa w befo re m e a colum n of d a rk sm oke ri sin g u p to th e cl oud s .

Oh wha t a m a rk i t l eft a n d wh a t a bl ow it ca s t up on u s !
,

I sa w before m e my com p a n ion s lyi n g w ith o ut h a n d s or f ee t a n d , ,

o th e r s in t h e m om en t s p r ece d in g th e ir d ea th ga v e s a d a n d t e rri bl e ,

g r oa n s .

There a surgeon bin d s u p th e w ou n d s of th e in jured o th er s ta ke ,

them to the hosp ita l a n d so com p a n ion s he lp in g the ir com p a n ion

, , ,

sa v e a t l a s t his l if e .

Poetry with ou t rh ythm b t wi th

1
,
m rh ym e D bt f l wh th r w itte
u so e . ou u e e r n

by h im lf o a other s ldi r
se r n o e .
2 44 PRI M AR Y -
G R OU P OR G ANI ZATI ON

a ll t h e Ca th ol ics . Up to th e p r esen t , th a nk s t o ou r
L ord God a n d
t o G od s M o th er a ll i s w e ll with u s
I ha ve n o thin g
’
,
As t o th e w a r , .

t o wr i t e y ou beca u se y ou k n ow eve rythin g th ere

, Wh a t y ou sa y .
,

h a v in g lea rn ed from p a p e r s a n d l e tte r s so i t is a n d I ca n wri te y o u , ,

n o th i n g e l se If God giv es m e h ea lth a n d a ll ow s m e ha pp ily t o re turn

.
,

I S ha ll h a ve m u ch to rel a te bu t it is i m p ossible t o write a ll this Th e ,

.

figh t th a t la sted for 1 2 d a ys n ea r M ukden wa s terrible a n d obs tin a te ;

w e fo ugh t in it from th e begin n i n g t o t h e en d An d th e en d w a s th a t .

w e h a d t o re tire beca u se a l i ttl e m ore a n d w e sh oul d ha ve n o wh e re t o

,

fly ; the Ja p a n ese en circl ed u s so th a t on ly a n a rrow p a ssa ge r em a in e d

th rough which w e fled a n d th e Ja p a n ese fire d up on u s wi th g un s .

You k n ow , wh en w e fled th u s i t cou ld n ot be without l osse s ; th e r e

rem a in e d m uch of eve ry th in g for th e Ja p a n ese M yself th a n k s .
,

t o ou r L o rd God I go t ou t sa f e a n d h e a lth y a n d I did n ot th row a w a y

, ,

m y effe c ts which I n ee d , .

Y ou wro te tha t w e ca n n o t dre a m a bout a tta cki n g be ca u se a s ,

soon a s w e a tta ck w e fl y s till f a s te r Tha t we fly is true bu t n o t so .

,

fa s t a s y ou sa y We bea t th em a s we l ike bu t th ey a re s tubbo rn

.
,

a n d w ill n o t give w a y ; so w h en w e a re bo r e d w i th bea tin g th em th e n ,

we fly But p erh a p s w e sh a ll fly n o m ore beca u se we h ea r tha t the

.
,

Ja p a n ese h a ve cu t u s off from Ha rbin a n d we a re n ot so s tup id a s ,

t o fl y t o Ja p a n .
I

N ow I in form y ou th a t I r e ce ive d on Ap ril 2 1 a l e tte r a n d a p a ck

a ge fro m b ro th e r [Ludwik] of P e t e r sburg I n this p a ck e t w e re sh oes .
,

s ug a r t oba cco a n d a sh i rt
, I ha ve n othin g m ore to wri te
,
. .

TE OF I L W OLS KI

Jun e 28, 1
90 5
Wi th u s n ow it is ca lm . We h a ve be en ca mp in g for so m e

w ee k s at th e sa m e
p la ce
dy d is turbs u s ; we wa lk a bout a ll a n d n obo

t h e m ou n ta in s wh e r ev e r w e l ike a n d we a re occ u ied w i th l ea r n in

, p g , .

We lea rn h ow t o a tta ck th e Ja p a n ese We do a l so som e gy m n a s tics .

in o rd e r to m a ke ou r bon es fle x ibl e which a re stiff en ed from sl ee in

p g ,

on t h e n a k e d grou n d We go t som e fu n a n d tra in in g from th ese occu

.

p a tion s so tha t n ow w e d on t f ea r m u ch e v en th e Ja p a n ese [i ron y ]

’
, .

1
A e rm us m
n no t f s tir d v lop ed a m g th R si a n d P lish
o a ou n o a e e e on e us an o

soldi e d ri g t h J p a nes w a With t he R u si s it wa a p r ssio f th ir

rs u n e a e r . s an s n ex e n o e
h a b it f s tir i i g their wn
o a ti p a rtic l rly in m tter c ected wi th t he
z n o na on , u a a s on n

sta t
e o f gover m e t With t h Pole
n i th is
n it w th xp r s i
.
f e s, a s n c a se , as e e e s on o a

l t t a d p e h stility t Russia
a en n o n o o .
 R ACZKOWSKI S ERI E S 2 45

We ha v e no trueld iers sa y —y ou hea r

ws
ne a t a ll ; wh a t the so

e v ery m om en t som e thin g n ew I t is im p ossible t o m a ke a n ythin g .

ou t of ou r M a n ch ur ia n p a p e rs which we r ea d ev e ry da y From th e .

n ew s of th e se p a p e r s a n d from th e sold ie r s t a l es [on e would th in k

’

tha t] in on e hour th e wa r wil l en d a n d th en a ga in the figh t is begin ,

n in g a n d th e wa r goin g on S o w e ca n n o t believ e wha t we h ea r ; w e

.

hop e in ou r L o rd God tha t t he w a r will en d soon bu t u p t o t he p r esen t ,

we ha ve n o [ ce rta in ] tid in gs Wh a t i s th e n ew s wi th y ou a bout the .

wa r P l ea se infor m m e I a m v ery curiou s [M ore a bo ut t he

,
.

un ce rta in n ew s a n d a bout w ea the r ] ,

.

AS t o y our h un t s a bout which y ou write m e I h ea rd a l so som e

, ,

th i n g a n d tha t the big ga m e is cha sed a n d will fa ll in to n e t s a n d with

, ,

t h e big ga m e th e sm a ll will sure ly h a v e to s uff er beca u se when t h e ,

h u n te r is cha sin g ha res a n d m ee t s p a rtrid ges h e surely will n ot let ,

them go If God g ra n ts th a t the wa r is over a n d help s m e to get

.
x

ou t of this sl a ve ry I don t k n ow w h e re t o turn my self

’
M y a tta ch .

m en t a n d w ishes a ttra ct m e to m y fa mily bu t a s it seem s w ith y ou , , ,

it is n o wor se [ n o be tte r] th a n wi th u s
TE OFI L WOLS K I

P H I LADELP H I A, PA .
,
Ap ril 8 , 1 90 7

D E AR WALCI A : An d n ow I write y ou my dea r a n a n swer , ,

t o y ou r l e tt e r Som e thin gs in th is l e tter a re good a n d som e th in gs

.
,

of l i ttl e w orth be ca u se of this : If y ou com e to yo ur b ro th e r I w ill

, “ ,

com e a n d ge t y ou a n d w e could m a r ry rem a in for som e y ea r s a n d ,

re turn with som e thin g [som e m on ey] to ou r co un try so tha t la ter we ,

migh t n o t be obli ge d to ea rn [ a s h ire d l a bor e r s] If I sho uld re turn .

in th e a utu mn I sho uld n ot ha v e m u ch It w a s on ly durin g th e holi .

d a ys tha t I sen t ba ck the m on ey for th e sh ip ti cke t a n d by a utu m n I -

,

sh a ll h a v e a bout 2 0 0 rou bl es Th e j o ur n ey 1 0 0 the rem a in de r for .

,

t h e w edd in g a n d wh a t th en ? ,
Go a ga in to Am e rica ? Th a t is n o
b u sin e ss for m e t o wo rk a n d to th row to th e win d s
,
Th eref ore I .

write t o y ou the exa ct tru th : If y ou don t com e a n d d on t wa it for ’ ’

m e l on ge r it m ea n s th a t y ou w ill n ot be m in e be ca u se I won t re turn

’
,

soon e r t ha n p erh a p s on th e n e xt h ol id a y of Ea s t er ; by n o m ea n s
ca n I soon e r An d y ou wr it e tha t y ou w ill wa it on ly t ill a utum n a n d
.
,

so t h e on e d isa g r ee s w ith th e o the r The refore I request y ou .

, ,

a n swe r m e wh a t will becom e of u s wh e th e r y ou w ill com e or n o t

, , ,

All si t o t h e r vol u tio The hu ter R ssia a uth ritie a n d

ists— th co tr ry
e th
1
u on e n . n s ar e u n o s

th g m th e r v lu ti
e a e e o on or e n a .
2 46 PR I M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR G AN IZATI ON

or p e rha p s y ou w ill w a i t a y ea r s till An d n ow I will write y o u .

furth er tha t y ou h a ve don e a s tup id th in g by sen di n g th a t l e tt e r t o

K owa l ski He is a brute n o t a m a n h e wa s n o t even wo rth receivin g

.
, ,

th a t le tter a n d n ot w orth wh a t I h a v e p a id for t w o l e tters from h im

,

wh ich I received beca use h e wro te t o m e n ow a n d wa s qua rreli n g a n d

,

blu s te rin g a s if a n ybody w e re a fra id of h im a n d a ll th is b eca u se o f

, ,

y ou Y ou o ugh t n o t t o w ea r y o ur c l oa k on bo th sh o uld e r s [p r a c ti ce
.

dup li city] I sen t [ tha t le tter] t o y ou in ord er tha t y ou migh t kn ow

.
,

a n d y ou sen t it ba ck to h im N ow h e wri te s silly th in gs t o m e I . .

d on t p ra ise this in y ou But n ow n o m a tte r ; it is d on e a n d ca n n o t

’
.

be un don e so I bid y ou goodby e ,

I embra ce y ou a n d k iss y ou . .

E m bra ce eve rybody in m y n a m e N ow good bye ?

.

Lovin g y ou ,

TE OFI L WOLS K I

44 4 D ecembe r 1 2 ,
1 90 9

MY B R OTHER AN D S I S TE R I N LAW :
DE AR E S T I d on t k n o w - -
’

wh a t it m ea n s th a t y ou f orgo t so soon a bo ut m e o rp ha n [ th a t I a m ] , .

H ow ca n I ca ll m y se lf I f n o t a n orp h a n Y ou k n ow from yo ur ow n
exp e ri en ce t h a t e ve rybody a m on g y ou i s in h is ow n co u n try a n d on h is

ow n p i ece of l a n d a n d d ef en d s him se lf a ga i n s t his p ov e rty with G od s

’

h el p But wha t do y ou thin k a bout m e Wh a t p lea sure h a v e I ?

.

AS soon a s God h el p e d m e t o g row a littl e th ey t ook m e in t ha t fa r

w orld a n d wh a t I suff ered th ere I h a ve rel a ted t o y ou a lrea dy [w h en
,

I sa w y ou ] a n d I w ill n o t write a bout it beca u se n o wri te r co uld

, ,

d escribe a ll m y u p s a n d down s Th en I ca m e h ere to th i s Am e rica .

.

1
l tt r is v ry g od m p l f t h e t yp i l r l t i b tw l v d
Th e e e a e o ex a e o ca e a on e een o e an

eco mi no id r ti c con s W th f t r q ilibr t d m

e a on s . l with t
e see ese ac o s e u a e ore o r ess ou

th b rdi ti
e su o f ith r f th m
na Th l v i tr g
on o e
gh t m k t h m
e o e . e o e s s on en ou o a e e an

w it i d fi it ly f
a n t h gi l
e n d e t to c id r d wry b t c id ra ti
or e r f th
an no on s e o , u on s e on s o e

f t r
u m i sit t i
u e econ o p t d t rm i d lim it t o t h
c ua cri fi c wh ic h h i rea dy
on u a e e ne e sa e e s

t m k
o a Th i q ilibr ti
e . i v ri s e p rop rti
u i f u d i m o t f t he m
a on n a ou s o on s s o n n s o ar

i g
r a i P l d
es nB t i tho an ld try m rri g i
. u diti n d by s i l f tor
e o cou n ,
a a e s con on e oc a ac s
m th by i di id a l o id r ti s d t h rel ti b tw t h c m i
o re an n v u c ns e a on ,
an e a on e een e e on o c

an d th tim ta l m ti is v r s p l i d is l t d it i h r T fil is
e sen en o v es ne e o a n an o a e as s e e . eo ,

at t h tim wh e
e th is lett i writt
e lm t c m p l t l y ut i d of h i f m il y
n er s en , a os

tive s ia l vir m t—m r s tha hi usi Ad m R k w ki

o e e o s e s a

an d hi s na , oc en on en o e o n s co n a a cz o s ,

be f hi l g
ca u se o m ilit ry rvi s hi p rti ci p ti
on er i th w ad his olit d
se ce , s a a on n e a r, a n s u e
i Am i Th r f s ci l id ti pl y y d term i i g p a rt
d t h i d ivid l f ct r —
n e r ca . e e o re t o a con s e ra on s c e a se o a an e n n
i his ttit d t w rd m a rri a g
n

p er
a u e o

l p r f r ce r m i l to determ i e his ch ic
son a e e en
a
— e
e om i c w lf

a n a on e
ee, a n
d e n

n
ua a

o
o s

e .
con e ar an
2 48 PR I M AR Y GR O U P
-
OR G ANI ZATI ON

I h a d m on ey ugh I would re turn t o m y co un try bu t for th e tim e

en o ,

bei n g i t i s d iffi c ult to ga th er so m u ch m on ey a n d th e refor e I m u s t ,

s uff e r p ov e rty for som e tim e Go d on ly kn ows h ow lon g this wi ll l a s t

. .

We kn ow on ly th a t wh en th is m a n w h o n ow S i n ce th e 4 th of M a rch , ,

is on th e th r on e beca m e p resid en t w e a ll w e r e gl a d tha t th er e would

, ,

be wo rk en o u gh M ea n wh ile it turn s ou t o th e rwise be ca u se for

.
,

p oor p eop l e th e t im es a re g e tti n g w or se th a n befo re All th e p rice s .

in crea se a n d w o rk is p a id l ess th a n f or m erly a n d m o reov e r this w ork ,

ca n n o t be g o t An d then in ou r p a p e r s it is wri tten tha t the re in ou r

.

cou n t ry som e m e a n a gen t s a re g o i n g a r ou n d a n d cl a i mi n g th a t in

Am er ica n ow work is be tt e r tha n e v e r before Th ese a gen ts p ersua de .

th e p eop l e t o go a n d e ve rybo dy l ea ves his l a s t p ossibil i ty of ea rn in g

his l ife som e tim es ev en r o bs his f a mily a n d com es h e re bu t wh y h e
, , ,

d oes n o t k n ow him self P erha p s h e seeks his own h un ger d ea th a s

.
-
,

m a n y ca ses h a pp en wh e re in t h e m orn in g co rp ses a re f ou n d l y in g in

t he s tr ee t s a n d a ft e r c uttin g th e m op en [p h ysicia n s] com e t o th e con
clu sion t h a t th ey d ie d from h u n ge r S o d on t l is t en t o th ese ca t ch
’
.

p eop l e .Th ey a re sen t by th e S hip com p a n i es a n d a re w ell p a id t o

-
,

ga th er p a ssen ger s wh o will p a y s uch h i gh ra t es for th e tick e t s You .

m u st kn ow th a t a tick e t n ow cos ts a bo ut $ 60 i e 1 20 roubl es ,

. .
, .

Those a gen ts k n ow tha t p eop le en ough wen t t o Am erica bu t they do ,

n ot kn ow h ow [ o th e rw is e] t o t a k e th is h a rd ea rn e d m on ey a wa y from -

those p oor p eop l e a n d the refore th ey u se such m ea n s Le t n obody .

l isten t o a n ybody bu t on ly t o his rela tives whom he ha s h ere in this ,

gold en Am e rica .

N ow I re qu es t y ou t o in for m m e wha t is t h e n ew s in yo ur co un try .

How is t he win te r the re With u s i t is ve ry ligh t An d wha t a bout .

t he yo u n g m en a n d girl s who go t m a rri e d Wh o is de a d wh o lives ,

Wh en I re ceive a l e tt e r from y ou I will sen d y ou m y p hotogra p h .

N ow w e sa y g ood bye to y ou d ea r b roth er a n d sis te r in la w a n d w e

,
- -
,

e mbr a ce a n d k iss m ill ion s of t im es y o ur se lves a n d yo ur childr en .

Yo ur bro the r lovin g to the g ra v e , ,

T WOLS KI a n d S TEFAN KU CZB OR SKI

.
1

1
A fi r en d, w ho s ign s as a m ea n s of
“
i
se n d n g his rega rd s .
 R EM BI ENS K A S E RI E S

We ha v e h ere a c a se of fa m ili a l a ttitud es qui te Un t ou che d

by em igra tion Th e writer seem s t o rep resen t a s p e rfec tl y
.

a s p o ss ib l e t h e idea l of a p ea sa n t girl a cc ord in g t o t h e

tra dition a l n orm s There is sc a rcel y a n y thin g in h er

.

b eha vi or tha t c oul d be bl a m e d from t h e tra di tion a l sta n d

p oin t b ut a l so ha rdl y a n y ten d en cy t o go b ey on d this
,

tra dition a l s ta n dp oin t Com pa re h er in this re spec t with

.

t h e m or e s elf c on sc iou s Fra n ia O sm ska

-

THE FAMILY R E M BI E NS K I

R em bienski
His wife
Al eksa n dra
hi s d a ugh t ers
S ta si a
J u lka S i ster of R em bienski s wife
’
,

K u ba rz h er husba n d
,

Ol e i a th e ir da ughter
,

K a rolska s ister of R e m bie nski ( or of h is

,

He r h usba n d
M a ri ka a cousin of Al eksa n dra
,

44 6—48 , AL E K S AN D RA RE MB IE NS KA , I N A ME R I CA, To
FAMI LY- ME MB E R S IN P OLAND

44 6 B R O OKL YN N Y , . .
, Oc to be r 1 4 [1 91 1 ]
MY DE AR FAMI LY In th e firs t w o rd s
“
P r a ise d be Jesus
C h ris tu s
”
.

An d d ea r p a ren ts I in f orm y ou th a t I a m in good hea lth

n ow , , ,

th a n k s t o God which I wish y ou a lso w ith my truest hea rt An d n ow

, .

I a m on duty [a m a id se rva n t] a n d I do w ell I ha ve fin e f ood on ly I , ,

m u st work from 6 o cl o ck in th e m o r n i n g to 1 0 o cl ock a t n igh t a n d l

’ ’ '

1
The u se of t h e wo d fa mily i tea d f p e ts
r “
ns o ar n m a y be either a p o r

vi n cia lism or a n i divi du a l exp r i b t erta i ly it h s

n ess on , u c n a no p a rti cu la r m a n i g
e n

it r
w h ega rd t o th co cep ti
e n f th f m il y
on o e a .
2 50 PR I M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

h a v e $ 1 3 a m on th An d n ow , d ea r p a r en t s , I i mp l o re y ou d on t
’
.

g ri e v e a bo ut m e , thin k in g th a t I a m w i tho ut m on ey Wh e n I rea d

those le tt ers—beca use th e re ca m e f our l e tter s in a s i n gle w e ek 2 fro m
.

A u ti K l k a fr m d a r a r en t s on t h e sa m e d a
— S O wh en
n e a ro s 2 o y o u e p , y ,

I r ea d th ose l e tte r s I b eca m e ve ry sa d th a t th ere in o u r cou n try is ,

tro ubl e b etween y ou m y p a ren ts a n d th e K a rolskis Wh y do y ou, ,

.

m i n d wha t I sa y t o h e r ? S h e urged m e t o sen d m on ey t o h er a n d ,

n ot t o y ou a n d so I sen t i t t o h e r bu t n o t m y l a s t m on ey on ly th a t , ,

wh i ch I sen t I h a d s till som e 1 0 or 2 0 ro ubl es bu t I wro t e i n ten tion

.
,

a lly t o a u n t ie [ tha t th e m on ey I sen t wa s m y l a s t] An d y ou tho ugh t .

,

d ea r p a ren ts th a t I sen t m y la s t m on ey a w a y But y ou kn ow yo ur ?

selv es th a t I ca n n o t r e m a i n wit h out a cen t beca u se I a m in th e ,

w orld [a m on g s tra n ge rs] I a l m o s t la ugh e d a bo ut yo ur sorrow As . .

i t is I ha ve S p en t m o re th a n 50 ro u bl es on m y se lf for th e co m in g w in t e r ,

a n d n e v e rth e l ess I a m n ot so b ea utifully dr essed a s a ll t h e o th e r s .

O n ly I r egre t t o Sp en d m on ey I p refe r t o p u t it a wa y r a th e r th a n t o ,

bu y lux uri ou s dresses l ik e Olcia Ku ba cz 6w n a wh o b uy s h e r self a ,

n ew dr ess every w ee k a n d d oesn t l ook a t m on ey a n d d oe sn t th i nk

’ ’

wh a t ca n ha pp en Sh e thin k s on ly h ow to dress a n d sa ys Sh e d oes

.

n o t n eed t o thin k a bo ut a n y t h i n g m o r e B ut I a m n o t of t h e sa m e .

O p i n i on ; I thin k a bout m y h om e I h a v e b ro t h e r s a n d S i s t e r s a n d I .

in ten d t o h elp th e m a ll t o com e t o Am e r ica Fir s t I will ta ke S ta si a ?

,

le t h er h op e t o co m e in t h e ea rly S p rin g a bo ut Ea ster a n d le t h er b e , ,

1
S he ha d t o sen d the m on e y to her a un t a n d u n cle fir t s beca u s e sh e ha d
bor r
ow e d it fr om th em t o p a y for h e r j ou rn e y . The d if r e en ce in h er beh a v i ro

t w rd h
o a t wh m h t ll th t h
er a u n ,
t d o s b e s it is he
e s a s e ca n n o sen an y m r o e eca u e r

l t m y d t w rd h p r t w hom h ks ot t b
as on e ,
an o a i s b ca s
er a en s, s e as n o e a n x ou e u e

s h h e till littl m y l ft S hows v ry w ll th diff t d gr

as s a e on e f e r s i e e e ere n e ees o n ea n e s n

t h f m ili l
e a l ti W s th
a re a g r ss with w h i h t h e g i l d ir
on . e eeth g od e ea e ne c r es es e o

r l tio b tw h p r t d h
e a ns e een t d l t b e t bli h d d w
er a en s a n er a u n an u nc e o e r -
es a s e ,
an e

fi d l t r th t h
n a e fl ti t w dh
a er a t is v ry l A d f th t he f t
ec on o ar er a u n e rea . n ur er , ac

th t t h p t h
a e q a r l d with th
a ren s t b
a ve th y th i k th t th ei
u r e e e aun e ca u se e n a r

d ug h t h ged h er elf t o f l fil h t d sir is p f th t th fa m ili l ’

a w er as ron a s u er un s e e, a roo a e a

a ff ctie f p on t t h ildr i l
o a ren s th th t b tw br th r d i t
o c en s c ose r an a e een o e s an s s e rs .

Th i i t h t r diti
s s l it ti
e a O ly r e tl y w fin d
on a s t ry se ( Ci
ua on . n ec n e con ra ca s . .
,

for exa m p le Kru p i ) O t he th r h d if th girl h d glect d h

,
a se r es . n o e an ,
e a ne e er

f m ili l d ti t w rd h
a a u est the p r t w uld rt i ly ha v i d d w ith t h
o a er a u n ,
a en s o ce a n e s e e

a un t ; thi i lso tr diti l d we fi d l

s s a ly
a tly s on a lt of ther
, an n a so on recen , a a resu ano

pr f v l ti
ocess o the em plet isol ti o
o u on ,f t h m rria g g co
p a g i st t h e a n o e a e- rou as a n e

res t f t h f m ily
o e a .

A i t r tiv
1
n t st Th
ns uc i Olei is lr dy p rtl y Am ri i d
e con ra . e cou s n a a ea a e ca n ze .

H p r ts h v lived fo a lo g tim i Br okl y a d ow

er a en a e h ouse ther
r n e n o n n n a e .
 2 52 PR I MAR Y G ROUP
-
OR GAN IZ ATI ON

An tek La da He is p re tty tha t is tru e Wa i t a little ; for Ch ris t

.
, .

m a s w e w ill sen d y ou a p h o togra p h ; th en y ou w ill see h im As t o .

wh a t I wro te a bout yo ur p h o tog ra p h y ou n eed n o t sen d it beca use , ,

it will be v e ry e xp en sive An d n ow d ea r p a re n t s I beg y ou S O v e ry .

, ,

m u ch le t n obody lea rn th a t I a m goin g to be m a rrie d a n d th a t I h a ve

,

a y ou n g m a n Le t on ly m y f a m ily [yo ur se lves] kn ow ev eryth i n g n o

.
,

oth e r p eop l e n ei th e r b ro th e r s n or si s t er s
,
I beg y ou let n obody .
,

kn ow wha t I wro te in this l e tter S a y on ly S h e wrote n o th in g ; .

a ll s w e ll a n d le t th a t be a ll D on t sa y a n y thin g a bout th i s
’ ” ’
.
,

m a tter An d wh en I sen d t h e p ho togr a p h hid e it a l so p l ea se so

.
, , ,

tha t n obo dy m a y see it ?

An d n ow I h a ve n o th i n g m or e t o wr it e a n d I bow t o y ou d ea r , ,

fa m ily a n d I wish y ou ev e ry good M a y God g ra n t tha t this l e tte r

, .

fin d s y ou in good h ea lth a n d I a sk y ou for a qui ck a n swe r ,

.

ALE K S AN DRA R E M BI E NS K A

I request y ou d ea r p a ren ts sen d le tte rs w i th s ta mp s beca use

An d , , ,

I ha v e g rea t difli cu lties A l e tter with a sta mp a rrives soon e r . .

44 7
O DE AR FAMI LY [PAR E N TS ] I writ e th is l e tte r to y ou on N ovember ,

20 a n d I go t yo ur l e tt e r on N ovembe r 2 0
,
a n d I begin th is l e tt e r ,

with th e word s [ u sua l g ree tin g] An d n ow cl ea r fa m ily I i n f orm .

, ,

y ou th a t I a m in good h ea l th tha n k s t o ou r L ord God a n d I w ish , ,

t o y ou a l so h a p p in ess h ea lth a n d good s u cc ess An d n ow d ea r

, , .
,

f a m ily I le t y ou kn ow th a t in Oc tober I did n o t wo rk for two w eek s

,

beca u se I did n ot like t o w ork for n o th in g a n d I l eft this p l a c e beca u se ,

H wh l a ttit d i th is m tt r f m a r i g show sli gh t m odifi tio f

1
er o e u e n a e o r a e s a ca n o

t h tr diti
e a bu t j st t t h d g r
on , ssit t d by t he ch
u o
g ed e d iti e f lifee n e ce a e an con on s o e .

p r ts dvi ce t t h tim e wh e h sh ld m rry

’ ”
Sh k fo h
"
e as s r er a en a d as o e n s e ou a ,
an

e p res es h
x s r di t er om p l y w ith their wi sh b t sh e does it with
ea n ess o c m co , u so e n

scio f h r i dep e de c a d
u sn e s o
s e s m tha t t he p r ts will t bj ct t h
n n n e n as u es a en no o e o er

m rryi g
a nn S he wi sh
a s soo As t h ch i e vi d tly h p re ts
as es t k owi g
. o er o c , e en er a n ,
no n n

th m e t o trol it p erso ll y d she d

a n , ca n n o c n t sk th m lit ra ll y fo
p e m is
na ,
an oes n o a e e r r

sio t m rry th i m a ; bu t sh e tri

n o a t j stify h
s h i
n nd pp ls t th e p i ion es o u er c o ce a a ea o o n

o fh le d t who d r th ir m st es e b tt r rep r s ta tive f th

er u n c an a un ,
un e e c cu a nc ar e e e en s o e

w ill f t h f m il y th a t h p r t
o e a H wish t k ep t h e n
ga g m e t
e a r t is
en s . er o e en e n sec e

j ustifi d by t he ha g d co diti of rtship Wh il e i t he ld un t y t h

e c n e n on s cou . n o co r e
wh l p r c
o e f ou rti g is
o ess o c ss il y p blic ff ir d l d t
c n ne e rt i d gr e ar a u a a an ea s o a ce a n e e

of soci a l bl ig ti t ke p th
o a g g m t he
on th i p r c i goi g
o e lm t
e en a e en , re s o e ss s n on a os

p riv tel y t h
a g g m t m a y b brok
,
e en a t a y m om en t w ith ou t im
a e en
p rt t e en n o an con

se q a d th r for t h
u en ces , n g irl doe ot lik t o h ve it k
e e e w b f r ha d
e s n e a no n e o e n .
 REMBIE NSKA S ERI E S 2 55

th ey wouldn t p a y m e m ore th a n $ 1 2 An d n ow I a m in a n oth er

’
.

p l a ce on ly fa r a w a y from u n cl e for it is n ecessa ry t o tra v el a n h our

, ,

t o u n cl e ; bu t u n cl e com es t o m ee t m e e ve ry secon d S u n d a y I .

a m w e ll en ou gh I r ece iv e n ow $ 1 6 for this m on th I don t feel lon e ’

.
,

so m e,
beca u se th er e a re t w o O f u s girl s in this h ou seh old The .

m a s t er a n d m istr ess a re P ol ish We a re n ea r a ch urch a n d th ey sen d

.

u s e very S u n d a y a t 6 O cl ock in th e m o rn in g t o t h e m a ss
’
We .

h a v e eve ry da y 1 8 r oom s to cl ea n a n d t o cook a n d t o w a sh li n en It

,
.

is m y self who wa sh ev e ry we ek a bo ut 3 0 0 p ieces of l in en a n d iron it ,

.

But I ha ve ea sy wa sh i n g beca u se I d on t wa sh wi th m y ha n d s ; th e ’

m a chin e wa sh es a l on e I on ly co ve r th e lin en w i th soa p a n d p u t 5 p ie ces

,

in t o th e m a chin e a t on ce Afte r I 5 m in ut es I ta k e th em ou t a n d p u t
.

in n ew on es a n d so by n oon I wa sh a ll th e 3 0 0 p i eces
,
I iron 4 da ys .
,

from 6 to 8 P M I do n o th i n g bu t iron for those 4 d a ys D ea r

. . .

p a r en ts y ou a d m on i sh m e so se v er ely to be on m y gu a rd
,
But .

I ca n n o t a n d do n ot wa lk a bout the city I ca n n o t even go ou t before .

th e h ou se for a whil e I a m in Am e rica a n d I do n ot even k n ow

.

whe th er it is Am erica on ly it seem s t o m e a s if the re were on ly a

,

s in g l e h ou se in t h e wh ol e w o rld a n d n o thin g m or e on ly wa ll s a n d ,

v ery few p eop le N ow y ou a sk a bo ut this youn g m a n a bout whom

.

I wro te whe th er h e is a Ca tholi c Well he ha s been boa rdi n g w ith th e

,
.
,

Fe likses for p roba bly 2 ye a r s a n d wh en I wa s w ith th em I h a ve seen

,
.

H e sa y s his p ra y e r a n d wea r s a cross on his br ea s t I hop e I a m n ot .

y e t so s tup id a s n ot t o k n ow w ith whom I ha v e t o sp ea k He is .

e v en from a co u n try n ot fa r a wa y from o ur s gov e r n m en t a n d d is tr ic t ,

of L om za An d n ow cl ea r [ S is te r] S ta sia d on t th i n k tha t I will

’
.
, ,

h urry a n d h a ve th e w e dd in g th e soon es t p ossibl e ; p e rha p s the re will

be n o we dd in g a t a ll D on t f o rge t to ge t rea dy a n d com e It
’
. .

w ill be m o re l ively when we a re bo th toge the r You a sk for m y .

p h o togra p h I h a ve n on e rea dy I will sen d y ou on e in D ecember

. . .

I w ill go soon to a p hotogra p h er An d n ow cl ea r p a ren t s d on t thin k

.
, ,
’

th a t I a m with n obody t o ca re a bout m e I h a ve a good un cl e a n d .

a u n t ie ; I did n ot exp e c t th ey w ould b e S O good They ca re a bout .

m e a s a bout their own ch ild ; th ey will a ll ow n obody t o do m e a n y

wron g Wh en I go to them I a m a s bold a n d gra teful a s in m y ow n
.
,

p a ren ta l hom e bu t s till m o r e so If y ou d on t believe m e th en ’

.
, , ,

d ea r fa m ily p l ea se a sk un cl e a n d a u n tie They w ill t ell y ou tha t

, .

i t i s tru e .

An d n ow d ea r fa mily I h a ve n o th in g m or e to wri te bu t on ly I
, , ,

sen d y ou low b ow s a n d wish y ou e ve ry good .

2 54 PR I M AR Y GR O UP
-
O R G ANI ZATI ON

I h a ve receive d th e p h otog ra p h for which I th a n k y ou v e ry ,

h ea rtily a n d I will sen d y ou soon a n Am e ri ca n on e with th i s y o un g

, ,

man . An d n ow I h a ve n o thin g t o write on ly I gr ee t y ou p a r en t s a n d , , ,

b ro th e r s a n d si s te r s a n d I wish y ou a ll h ea lth a n d h a p p i n e ss
,
I .

gr ee t a l so Aun t Ka rolska a n d a sk a n d beg h er p a rd on L e t h er n o t .

be a n g ry with m e bu t I h a d n o t im e t o write a n o th e r l e tte r p a r t icu

,

la rly t o a u n ti e B e so g ood a un ti e a n d a ccep t from m y p a r en t s th i s

.
, ,

sa m e l e tt e r b eca u se I sh ould wri t e t o y ou t h e sa m e a s t o m y p a r e n t s

,
.

I h a ve n o thin g m ore t o write on ly I a sk y ou a un ti e for a sp eedy , , ,

a n swe r a n d I beg y ou on ce m or e a u n t ie le t n ob ody k n o w fr om th e se

, , ,

l ette rs a bout the youn g m a n I re ques t y ou d ea r p a ren t s give th is

.
, ,

whol e le tter to a un tie to rea d .

[ ALE K S AN DR A R E MBI E NS KA]

44 8 Yea r 1 91 2

O DE AR I receive d your le tter on F ebrua ry 2 0 a n d I

AU N TI E :
write y ou on Februa ry 2 5 D ea r a un tie y ou wro te 3 l e tter s a n d I
.
,

k n ow n o thin g a bout them ; I received on ly th i s on e 0 cl ea r a un tie .

,

y ou wri te t o m e th a t I e i t h er d o n t w ish t o wr ite or th a t I h a v e for

’
_

go tt en [y ou ] 0 cl ea r a u n ti e I will n ot fo rge t un til m y d e a th

.
,
I .

write le tters on e to a un ti e a n d th e oth er t o m y p a ren t s P erh a p s

, .

so m ebo dy h a s in te r ce p t ed th ose l e tt e r s a t t h e p os t office a n d d oe s n o t -

g ive th e m t o y ou N ow dea r a u n ti e I i n for m y ou tha t I a m in good

.
, ,

h ea l th th a n k s t o ou r L ord God wh ich I w ish a l so to y ou d ea r a un t ie

, , , .

M a y God h elp y ou th e bes t ; m a y I a lwa y s he a r tha t y ou a re d o i n g

w ell ; I sha ll be very gl a d th en An d n ow cl ea r a u n tie I in f orm y ou .
,

tha t I a m in the sa m e p la ce in servi ce with a n En gli sh [ sp ea ki n g] -

m a s t er a n d mis tress wh o d on t k n ow a w ord of Pol ish a n d I d on t

’ ’

kn ow E n gli sh ; so we c om m u n i ca te w ith ges tures a n d I k n ow wh a t t o

do th a t s a ll I k n ow th e wo rk a n d the refore I don t m i n d m u ch a bout
’ ’
.
,

t h e l a n gu a ge But d ea r a u n tie I w en t in ten tion a lly in to a n En gl ish

.
, ,

ho u seh old in ord e r th a t I m a y l ea rn to sp e a k En gl ish beca u se it is ,

n e ce ssa ry in Am er ica a s th e E n gl ish l a n g u a ge r ei n s I a m in good

, , g .

h ea lth on ly I a m a l ittl e ill w i th m y f ee t I d on t k n ow wh a t it is

’
, , ,

w he the r rh eum a tism or som e th i n g el se I wa lk v ery m uch be ca u se .

,

from 6 o clock in t he m orn i n g till 1 0 o cl ock in the e ven i n g I h a ve

’ ’

work a n d I rece ive $ 2 2 a m on t h a n d I ha ve 7 p erson s a n d 1 6 roo m s , ,

t o Cl ea n a n d I cook ; everythin g is on m y h ea d
, An d n ow d ea r .
,

a u n t ie y ou wro t e t o m e a bout S t a s Filin a k th a t h e w i sh e d t o k n o w

,
 B U T KOWS KI SER I ES

We ha ve here the r e x a m pl e of tra di tion a l a tti tudes

ano

a lm ost p e rfe c tl y p r eserve d in e m ig r a tion

—thi s tim e in a
y oun g m a n I n thi s c a se a s in tha t of R em bienska t he
.
, ,

f a mi lia l relation s a t h om e were p a rtic ul a rl y s tron g a n d t his ,

is e vid en tl y th e m a in r ea son wh y t h e di s solution c om e s so

slowl y ( Cf in trodu c tion t o the R a c zkowski series ) We
. . .

n otic e a l s o tha t t h e f a mi lia l fee lin gs see m a li ttl e w ea ke r

in An ton i tha n in Kon s t a n t y As w e h a ve n o further d a ta .

a s t o th eir p a s t w e m a y c on j e c ture tha t t h e diffe r en c e is

on e of in divi du a l c h a r a c t e r .

449 6 1 , B U TK O W S KI ,
K O N S TA N I Y AND AN TONI
’ ‘
IN
-

AME RI CA , TO THE IR P ARE N TS , I N P O LAN D

449 S OU TH CH I CAGO , D ecember 6 , 1 90 1

D E AR PARE N TS : I sen d
lowest bow a s to a fa th er a n d
y ou m y ,

m o the r a n d I g ree t y ou a n d m y bro the r s wi th th ese w ord s : P r a ised

“
,

be Jes us Ch ris tu s a n d I h op e in God th a t y ou will a n swer m e

” “
, For ,

c en tur ies of cen tur ie s

”
Am en . .

An d n ow I w ish y ou dea rest p a ren t s a n d y ou a l so d ea res t

, , ,

bro th er to m ee t th e Ch ristm a s ev e a n d m e rry h ol id a y s in good hea lth

,

a n d ha pp in ess . M a y God h elp y ou in yo ur i n ten tion s Be m e rry al l .

,

of y ou t oge th e r [ H ea l th a n d su ccess ; l e tte r receive d ] I could n ot

.

a n sw er y ou a t on ce for y ou k n ow tha t wh en on e com e s fr om w o rk h e

,

h a s n o w ish t o occ up y h i m self with wr i tin g [ p a rti c ul a rly ] a s I wor k

a lwa y s a t n i gh t . I sen t y ou m on ey 1 0 0 ro ubl es on N ovembe r 3 0
, , .

I could n ot sen d m ore n ow for y ou k n ow tha t w in ter is comin g a n d I

,

m u s t bu y cl o th es I in fo rm y ou th a t M a rta ha s n o w ork y et Sh e
.
.

will get w ork a fter th e h ol id a ys a n d it m a y h a p p en th a t sh e w ill

,

m a rry . I in fo rm y ou a bout Ja siek m y b ro the r th a t h e wro te , ,

m e a l e tte r from P ru ssi a a sk in g m e to ta k e h im t o Am er ica bu t he ,

is still t oo youn g I n fo rm m e a bout An ton i how his hea lth is for

.
, ,

in th e sp rin g I will b ri n g h im t o m e I will sen d h im a ship ticke t if

.
-
,

God gra n t s m e h ea lth [ Gree tin gs for f a m ily a n d rela t iv es ]

.

[ KON S TAN TY B U TKO W S KI ]

 B UTKOW SKI SERI ES 2 57

4 50 Ja n ua ry I 1 90 2

D E AR P ARE N TS : I sen d y ou , m y d ea r p a r en ts , my p h o to
g ra p h s , 5 cop ies . So p l ea se , giv e m y a u n t Klem en sowa tha t on e in
which I a m with M a rta , a n d le a ve th e
th e r w ith yourself From o .

these 3 [ wh ere I a m a lon e] give on e to th e B u tkowski s [ un cle] th e ’

,

o th er t o wh om y ou w ish a n d keep th e third For p erh a p s we sh a ll

,
.

s e e on e a n o th e r soon a n d p e rh a p s n o t SO y o u w i ll h a ve m e a t l ea s t
,

up on th is d ea d p a p er But p l ea se don t griev e a bout m e ; p erha p s I

.

h a ve sa dd en e d y our h ea rt with th is l e tter [ th e p re ce d in g sen ten ce] bu t , ,

th a n ks t o God w e a re s ti ll a live I beg y ou fa th er a n d mother .

, ,

give [ m on ey] for a h oly m a ss for a s y ou kn ow in Am erica everythin g , , ,

i s h yp ocri tica l [ the p ries ts a n d th eir p ra ye rs] As t o th e a pp a ri tion .

,

a bout wh ich y ou wr o te th a t in Am er ica ou r L o rd J esu s m a n ife s te d ,

H im se lf don t believe in it Wh oever tell s y ou it y ou m a y sp it in to

,
’
.

his eyes [a s a l ia r] It is n o t tru e Those im a ge s which a re rep ro

du ced in your coun try—
. .

don t ca re for th em for it s n ot true S o ’

,
’
.

d on t beli eve in it beca use it is n ot va li d i t is in ven ted by p eop le

’
, ,
.

Why w e in Am erica would kn ow it be tter tha n th ey kn ow the re in

,

o u r cou n t ry It ha pp en e d on ly th us th a t in on e town in a ch urch

.
, , ,

up on a n i m a ge a bove the a lta r dew a p p ea red This im a ge wa s p a in te d .

re d so p eop l e w h o ca m e t o th e ch ur ch ea rly in th e m orn in g sa id th a t

,

it wa s blood while i t wa s n o t bl ood on ly dew

, ,
?

K ON S TAN TY B U TK OW S KI

F ebrua ry 1 7 1 90 2 ,

D E ARE S T PARE NTS I in form y ou th a t I h a ve sen t a ship

tick e t for An ton i . Exp ec t t o receiv e i t soon An d .

rem em ber An ton i don , ,

’
t show your p a p ers t o a n ybody excep t in ,

1
very religi ( cf l tt r N 454 wher he a k f s a p u la ries
The m a n is ou s . e e o .
,
e s s or c ,

rosa ri t ) d hi b li f wi th r g rd t th e a ll g d m ir le i t th resul t
es , e c . an s un e e e a o e e ac s no e

o f a y c i t ic l ttitu de t w rd m ir a cl
n r a a i ge ra l bu t m rel y th e
o a ga tion of es n ne ,
e ne a

p rti l
a f t w h i h m i gh t h a ve h a p p e ed el ewh re t s m e other m m t
cu a r ac c Th n s e a o o en . e

ba ckgrou d f th i ega tio

n is clea rl y th e idea th t
o s n such m ira cl n h pp e in a no e ca n a n

Am rica wh r
e v ryt h i g i h yp critica l F th e s m r
e e e e n h a k f
s o .
”
or a e ea son e s s or a

m ss t b sa i d i P l d
a o e t i Am eri n The u derl yi n g a ssum p ti
o an , no is th t t h
n ca . n on a e

e ffi ci cy of r ligi
en v l dep e ds p the m r l p erf ti of the m who
e ous a u es n u on o a ec on en

m an ip l t th m This ttitud corresp o ds t th m r l r ligiou ystem a s

u a e e . a e n o e o a -
e s s

ga i st the m gi l ( Cf I tr d ct io R ligi d M a g i l Attit d s )

“ ”
a n a ca on e . . n o u n : e ou s a n ca u e

I t is t h ttit d wh ich ma kes p ossible the whole Za a n ie m v m e t t o b

e a u e
“
r o e n ,
”
e

tre ted i V l I V
a n o . .
 2 58 P R I M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR G AN IZATI ON

p l a ce s wh ere y ou m u s t Sh ow them An d if y ou rece iv e th e

.

ticke t soon don t wa i t bu t com e a t on ce An d if y ou rece ive it a

,
’
,
.

w eek or so before Ea s te r th en don t lea ve un til a fter th e h olid a y s

,
’
.

But a fter th e h ol ida ys d on t wa it ; com e a t on ce ’

An d sen d .

m e a t el egra m from th e C a s tl e G a rd en Y o u w on t p a y m u ch a n d I
’
.
,

sh a ll k n ow a n d wi ll go t o th e ra ilw a y s t a ti on Ta k e 1 5 roubl es wi th
-
.

y ou i t will be en o ugh a n d cha n ge th em a t on ce for P ru ssia n m on ey

, ,
.

As t o t he c lo th es t a k e th e wo r st wh i ch y ou h a ve so m e th ree O ld
, ,

shirt s th a t y ou m a y h a v e a ch a n ge on th e wa t e r
,
An d wh en y ou .

co m e a cross t h e w a t e r h a p p ily then th row a wa y a ll these ra gs

,
.

Brin g n othin g wi th y ou e x cep t wh a t y ou h a ve up on yourself An d .

don t bri n g a n y good Sh oes ei ther bu t everythin g th e w ors t As to

’
,
.

l ivin g ta ke som e dry b rea d a n d m uch suga r a n d a bout h a lf a qu a rt

, ,

of sp irit s a n d som e dry m ea t Y ou m a y ta k e som e on i on s bu t d on t

’
.
, ,

ta k e a n y ch eese An d be ca reful in e v e ry p l a ce a bout m on ey .

D on t ta lk to a n y girl s on th e w a t er L ea rn in B zory wh en
’
.

Wojt ek will com e for h e com e s to the sa m e p la ce wh e re I a m so y ou

, ,

wo uld ha ve a comp a n ion An d a bout Ja n P l on k a if h e wa n ts to

.
,

com e h e is n ot t o com p la in a bo ut [ r ep roa ch ] m e for in Am e ri ca th e re

,

a re n e i th e r S u n d a y s n or h o l id a y s ; h e m u s t gO a n d w ork I i n f or m .

[ him ] tha t I sh a ll receiv e him a s m y bro th e r If h e wish es h e m a y .

com e
[ K ON S TAN TY B U TK OW S K I ]
.

N ov embe r 1 1 [ 1 90 2 ]
D E AR E S T PARE N TS N ow I in form y ou a bout An ton i th a t ,

h e is wo rkin g in Ch ica go ; it cost s 1 5 cen t s to go t o h im He is boa rd .

in g a s well a s M a rta w ith a c qua i n ta n ces w i th M a l ew sk i

, , He ha s , .

a n ea sy a n d cl e a n w o rk b u t h e ea rn s on ly en o u h t o l iv e for h e is
, g ,

un a b l e to do h ea vy wo rk I see th em a lm os t e very even in g I go t o

.
.

th em An d M a rta wo rks in a ta ilor shop bu t Sh e refu ses to l is ten

.
-
,

t o m e el se sh e wo uld h a v e been m a rried lon g a go

, S o I in f o rm y ou .

tha t I loved h er a s m y own sis te r bu t n ow I w on t ta lk to h er a n y ,

’

m o r e for sh e refu ses t o li s ten

, Fa m ily rem a in s f a mily on ly in th e
.

firs t ti m e a fte r com in g from h om e a n d l a te r th ey fo rge t a n d d on t

,
’

wish a n y m ore to a ck n owl edge the fa m ili a l rela ti on s ; th e Am erica n

m ea t in fla tes th e m .

I ha ve n o thin g m ore t o write excep t tha t w e a re a ll in good h ea l th

, .

Mo r eover I d ecla re a bo ut yo ur l e tters give th em to som ebody el se

, ,

t o wri te for n e ithe r w ise n or f ool ca n r ea d s u ch wr i tin If u ch

, g s .
2 60 PRI M AR Y GRO UP
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

a ge and ut eve rythin g wh i ch con cern s h er I don t n ee d t o

a bo .
’

en u m e ra t e ; y ou k n ow y o ur se lv e s d ea r p a ren t s For to sen d a S hip ,

.

ti cke t it is n ot the sa m e a s t o sen d a l e tte r wh i ch cos ts a n ick e l ; wh a t

is d on e ca n n ot be u n don e S O I beg y ou on ce m o re a s m y l o vi n g .
,

p a ren ts go i n to th i s m a tte r a n d do it w ell t h a t th e r e m a y be n o

, ,

ch e a tin g I sha ll wa i t for your le tter with g rea t imp a tien ce ,

tha t I m a y kn ow wha t to do K ON S TAN TY B U TK O W S KI

1

P l ea se in f o rm m e , wh ich on e is t o com e w h e th er th e Old er or th e ,

yo un ger on e ,
whe ther Al ek sa n dra or S ta n isl a wa In f orm m e exa c tly . .

4 54 Februa ry 1 4 1 90 3 ,

D E AR E S T P ARE N TS : As to th e S a d ow sk is I wro t e th e m a ,

l e tter a n d I in form y ou tha t I sha ll sen d h er a ship ticke t for th ey

,
-
,

w ro t e m e a l e tte r a n d a ll th i s p l ea sed m e ve ry m u ch S o in M a r ch .

I will sen d h er a ship tick e t bu t I will wa i t un til y ou a n swe r this l ette r

-
, ,

m y p a ren ts I will sen d the tick e t to h er a ddress AS t o th e m on ey

. .

for th e j ourn ey th ey co uld give it to h er a n d if n o t I w ill sen d i t

, , ,

for h er bu t t o your a ddr ess

, AS t o Ja sie k I inf orm y ou le t him n ot .
, ,

risk com i n g for he is still t oo yo un g He re in Ch i ca go wo rk is very

, .

h a rd E v en An ton i sca r cely ea rn s for his l iv i n g a n d y ou wri te ,

m e t o t a k e th a t on e L e t h im w a it a t l ea s t 2 y ea r s for An t on i h a s
.
,

n o t wo rk e d duri n g th e wh o l e w in t er He wo uld wo rk for 3 da y s a n d .

sit for a m on th For y ou k n ow th a t he re in Am er ica on e m u s t a lwa y s

.

wo rk ; th ere is n o res t He ha s tim e en o ugh . .

An d n ow I in form y ou tha t if sh e com es t o m e le t h er b rin g a be lt

con secr a te d t o S t Fra n cisc u s on e sca p ula ry con secra ted to the
.
,

Im m a cul a te Con cep tion of M a ry a n d t w o con secra te d to Go d s ’

M o the r of S orrows a n d on e koron ka [ a rra n gem en t of p r a y e r s di ff e r

,

in g from th e ro sa ry] con sec ra t ed t o the I mm a c ul a te Con c ep ti on An d .

le t h er brin g a l so on e of th ose bookl e t s wi th flow er p a tte rn s for -

e mb roi de ry
K ON S TAN TY B U TK W
.

O S KI

1
ite of t h f ct th t the p re t
In sp e at el t t h girl th m a rri ge is he
a a n s a re o s ec e , e a re
no l g r the f mili l m tt r it w s tr diti lly I t a im i her p rel y i di idu al
on e a a a e a a on a . s s e u n v .

Th p r t
e eq i
a en s a re r dt l t i i w of th ir o s p r l h pp in ess n d t he
u re o se ec n v e e s n
’
e son a a ,
a

g irl w h by mi gr ti g will b i l t d fr m h
, o e a n f m il y i t k i t con sider tio
e so a e o er a , s a en n o a n
ra ther i di i d l t h
as an n v f mily m m ber We fi d h r th in t rm edi y
ua an as a a -
e . n e e e e ar
typ betwee fa milia l d p p erly i di i du l m ria ge ; th form r m a i f m ilia l
e n an ro n v a ar e e ns a
b t t h c t t is lrea dy i dividu l isti
u e on en a I lecti g tr s is p u t u p o t h
n a c . n se n a s e s n e
fa m il y from wh ich the girl m s not bec us t h a lli e with th is fa m ily is m re
co e , a e e a nc o
o l ss d sir d bu t m a i l y be
r e e e , u se t h a t re f t he f m il y form s a b si fo co
n ca e n u o a a s r n
cl sio s a s t o th
u n cha ra ct r of the in di i du l
e e v a .
 BUTKOWSKI S E RI E S 2 61

4 55 M a r ch 2 8, 1 90 3

D E AR PAR E NTS I sen t th e Ship tick e t on M a rch 2 6 a n d -

,

I sen t t o y ou fa th er 2 0 roubles of m on ey so y ou m a y give her som e

, , ,

for th e j ourn ey S o I comm i t m y se lf to y ou f a the r a n d m othe r

.
, ,

for I don t kn ow her I i n form y ou d ea r p a ren t s th a t n o t on e bu t

’
.
, , ,

th ou sa n d s of g irl s com e here to Am erica get m a rri ed l ive a m on th , ,

or a y ea r or t w o a n d t h en som e sco u n dre l p e r s u a d es h er a n d sh e

,

run s a wa y wi th him in to the w orld Thousa n d s of such ca ses h a pp en . .

S o m y d ea r es t p a ren ts I commit m y se lf t o y ou I embra ce y ou a n d

,
.

kiss your ha n d s a n d I beg your p a rdon dea r p a ren ts a n d y ou d ea rest , , ,

bro th e r s a n d m y whol e fa m ily for h a z a rdin g m y self in su ch a n

,

un d ertakin g I d on t kn ow h ow God a n d th e Holies t M o th er w ill

.
’

h elp m e for it is n eith er for a yea r n or for two bu t for m y whol e

, ,

l if e D on t thin k f a ther a n d m other tha t wh en I m a rry I sh a ll

.
’
, , ,

f orge t y ou Oh n o ! Wh en ever I ca n I will a lwa ys h elp y ou in a n y

.

ca se .

As to S a dow ska , I ha ve d escribed in my le tter to her h ow sh e

sho uld a rra n ge e veryth in g An d if th e y a sk h er t o wh om sh e

is goin g le t h er a n sw er t o h er bro th er
, , Kon st a n ty Butkowski .

[ S im ila r a dvice to his bro th er ]

K ON S TAN TY B U TKOW S KI

4 56 Jun e 1 3 [ 1 90 2 ]
D E AR E S T PARE N TS w ork s in th e sa m e f a c tory
Kon st a n ty
a s bef o r e a n d ea rn s $ 2 a da y I h a ve y et n o w ork bu t d on t be a n xious ’
.
,

a bo ut m e d ea r p a ren t s
, for I ca m e t o a bro th er a n d u n cl e ,

n ot t o s tr a n ger s If ou r Lord God gives m e hea l th I Sh a ll w ork

.
,

e n ough in Am e rica [N ews a bout frien d s a n d rela tives ] N ow I

.

i n form y ou d ea r p a ren ts a bout Wla dy sla wa B u tkowska [cousin ]

, , .

S h e l ive s n ea r u s we see ea ch o th e r ev e ry da y
, Sh e is a d oc tor s .
’

se rva n t .An d th is docto r h a s l eft his w if e in Ch i ca go a n d ca m e t o

S ou th Ch ica go Sh e cook s for him a n d she is a l on e in hi s h ou se so
.
, ,

p eop le ta lk a bo ut her th a t sh e d oes n ot beha v e w e ll , He p a y s h er .

$ 5 a we ek I d on t k n ow wh e th er it is true or n ot bu t p eop l e t a lk
’
.
,

thu s beca use he ha s l eft his w if e .

1

[AN TON I B U TK OW S KI ]
1
l d th girl w ld
I n Po an e ou n ot ven tur e t o a ket or keep u
s ch a p l a ce in the f a ce

o f p u bli c op i n io n.
2 62 PRI M AR Y GR O UP
-
OR GANI ZATI ON

4 57 CH I CAGO , D e ce m b e r 3 1 ,
1 90 2

D E AR PARE N TS : wro te y ou t o sen d h im a If K on st a n t y

g irl a n sw e r h im th a t h e m a y se n d a sh i p ti ck e t e ith e r t o t h e on e fr om
-

P op 6 w or t o th e on e from Gr a j e w o Le t th e on e co m e wh i ch is .

sm a rt e r for h e d oes n o t k n ow e ith e r of th em so sen d t h e on e wh ich

, ,

p l ea se s y ou b e tte r For in Am e ri ca i t is so : Le t h er on ly k n ow h ow
.

t o p rep a re for th e t a bl e a n d b e bea ut iful For in Am e rica th e re is ,

.

n o n e e d of a girl wh o k n ow s h ow t o sp i n a n d t o w ea v e If she k n ow s .

how t o sew i t is w ell For if h e d oe s n o t m a rry h e w ill n e v e r m a ke a

,
. .

f ortun e a n d will n eve r ha ve a n yth in g ; he wa stes h is wo rk a n d ha s

n o thin g An d if h e m a rries h e w ill soon er p u t som e thin g a sid e
. For .

h e won t c om e ba c k a n y m o re I n Am eri ca i t is so : Wh oev e r d oes

’
.

n o t i n t en d t o re turn t o his co u n try i t i s bes t for him t o m a rry yo u n g ; ,

then h e w ill soon er ha ve som e thin g for a ba chel or in Am erica w ill ,

n e ve r h a ve a n ythin g u n l ess h e is p a rt icul a rly se lf con troll e d [ Gree t - 1

.
,

in gs wi sh e s e tc ]
, ,
.

AN TON I B U TK O W S KI

4 58 S OU TH CH I CA GO , Ap ri l 21 ,
1 90 3

N ow I , An ton i ,your son m y d ea rest p a ren ts a n d m y u n cle a n d , ,

t h e wh ol e fa m ily w e in form y ou th a t y o ur son Kon s ta n t y is n o l on ge r

,

a l iv e H e wa s k ill ed in t h e fo u n dry [s t ee l mills]

. N ow I in form y ou -
.
,

dea r p a ren ts th a t he wa s in sured in a n a ssocia ti on for

, His
fun era l will cos t $3 0 0 An d th e rest wh ich rem a in s we ha v e th e .
,

Th em p ha i by A to i f t h b si
1
e s s ide f m rri ge i p r b bl yn n o e u n e ss S o a a s o a an

i di i d a l f t re Ko st ty d s t m ti t h c om i ide t ll
n v u ea u . n an oe no en on e e on c s a a .

Th im m di t p
1
e g from t h e w f d a th to b i
a e ms t
a ssa h w e e ne s o e u s n e ss see o S o a

p rtic l r old e s i t h br th r
a u a c nB t it i p r ba bly r th r l k f t ct i le tte
s n e o e . u s o a e a ac o a n r

writi g d n t his y
,
th Th l tt er i writt
ue o th ou d d y fter Ko st a t y
. e e s en on e secon a a n n
’
s

d thea d th i d y w
,
an p b bl y m i ly d v t d t b i e
s a fe
as ce f th
ro a a n e o e o us n ss con re n s o e

f m ily ;
a th b i so p r bl m e p t fi t At
u s n ess y r t it is t a p r f ofo e s a re u rs . an a e, no oo

g ti m
e o si A t ih ,
s n ce p rs l b fi t t e p ct F th er w fi d h r i
n on a s no e on a en e o x e . ur , e n e e n

a n exa gg t d f rm typ i l p
era e t ttit d N grief h w v r gr a t i t r
o a ca ea sa n a u e . o , o e e e , n e

fr f
e es l g tim with t h p
or a on t p r tic l ctivity Th is i
e o q c e ea sa n
’
s ac a a . s a c n se u en e

o f t h f t tha t
e acw h v t d m r th o c th p s t s p sych l gy i
as e a e no e o e an n e, e ea an
’
o o s

essen ti lly p r ct c l ; r fle ti
a a time t l broodi g lw ys r quires p rticula r
i a e c on or sen n a n a a e a a

e f rt o d p rti l rly f vor bl

an a t r l cir m st s a d the f i wha t ver
cu a a a e ex e n a cu a n ce , n re o re , n e

s it ti it i t h p r ctic l sid t he p i t fr m wh ich tivit y c n st rt whi ch

ua on , s e a a e, o n o ac a a ,

t r ll y t d t o u p y t h fi t p l
na u a en s Fi lly th re i fo t he p e
o cc t oth i ge rs a ce . na ,
e s r a sa n n n

m ea n or low i om i c q u sti s i
n econ m p ri o w ith th r d h ig her i t r ts e on n co a s n o e an n e es .

Cf O i n ki s ri s l tter
. s s f B r owski
e e ,
e s o a an .
2 64 PRI M AR Y -
G R O UP OR GANI ZATI O N

burie d bea utifully fun e ra l cost $ 2 2 5 the ca ske t $60 N ow

. His ,
.

wh en we win som e [m on ey] by la w from t h e com p a n y w e will bu y ,

a p la ce a n d tra n sf e r him tha t h e m a y li e qu ie tly w e wi ll surr o u n d h im ,

wi th a fen ce a n d p u t a cross ston e or iron up on his g ra ve This w ill

, ,
.

cos t som e $ 1 50 For hi s wo rk le t him a t l ea s t lie qu ie tly in h is o w n

.
,

p la ce It
. is so d e a r p a r en
,
t s : P e rha p s w e sh a ll re cei ve fr om t h e

[in sura n ce] socie ty a n d fr om the com p a n y we d on t kn ow h ow

’

m u ch p e rh a p s
, p erh a p s a n d p e rh a p s

Wha te ve r we re ceive a fte r p a yi n g a ll the exp en ses I wi ll sen d y ou

,

t he r es t d ea r p a ren ts a n d I wi ll com e m y s elf t o m y co un try

, ,

An d le t Al e ksa n dra n ot com e n ow let h er sen d th e sh ip tick e t ba c k ,

-

’
a n d w e wi ll se n d h er t h e m on e y whi ch h e p romi sed h er An d d on t .

’
giv e h e r these 2 0 ro ubl es On ce m ore I t ell y ou d ea r p a ren ts d on t
.
, ,

lis ten t o a n ybody t o a n y le tte rs whi ch a n yb ody will wri t e t o y ou

, ,

bu t lis t en t o m e your son ,

I ca n no t close the d oor m yself befo re
.

la wye rs S om e a dvi se well othe rs still be tte r bu t I ha ve a wise

.
, ,

ma n . An d n ow I tell y ou d ea r p a ren ts rea d th is n ote whi ch is cu t

, , ,

ou t of a p a p er ; y ou will kn ow wh o is gui lty O f h is d ea th But n o thin g .

ca n be don e dea r p a ren ts D on t weep for y ou won t ra ise him ’ ’

,
.
,

a n y m o re For if y ou h a d lo ok ed up on hi m I d on t kn o w w h a t
’
,
.

would ha ve becom e of y ou .
1

AN TONI B U TKO W S K I

Ma y 20 [ 1 90 3 ]
D E ARE S T PAR E N TS AND B R OTHE R S : I received yo ur l e tte r
on M a y 1 8 for whi ch I tha n k y ou k in dly a n d hea r tily for I l ea r n e d
, ,

a t l e a s t a bout yo ur h ea l th tha t y ou a re a ll in good hea lth Fo r

,
.

when I rece ived tha t l e tte r by tel egra m I g riev e d m uch when y ou ,

wro te tha t y ou were losin g your rea son But I beg y ou dea r p a ren ts .
, ,

d on t g rieve a n d d on t weep for y ou won t ra ise him a n y m ore W e

’ ’
,
’
.

regre t him a n d grieve still m ore for we ha ve looked a t him durin g 3 ,

d a ys a n d n ow still a t wha teve r we look tha t w a s left a fter h im o u r

, ,

h ea rt fill s with g rief About h is fu n era l I ca n n ot d escribe eve ryth in g

.
,

bu t h e w a s burie d bea utifully N ow I in fo rm y o u d ea r p a ren ts th a t

.
, ,

S tefa n Za l wen t ba ck t o ou r cou n try

. Wh en he comes the re try .

t o m ee t h im a n d h e will re la t e t o y ou e ve ryt h in g for K on st a n t y

, ,

1
th i l tt r t h disp r p rti
In s e e e o o on t
be w een t he tim ta l d t he b i ss
sen en an us n e

p a rt i ots n gr t s i th e p rec di
so ea a n e n g on e ; the recu rri g id i r sig ti n t o th
n ea s e na o e

f ct w hi h
a ot be ch a ged a n d c
c ca n n n a nn o tb e an y ba i f p r tic l cti v it y
s s o ac a a .
 B UTKOWSKI S ERI ES 2 65

ha d boa rd ed w ith him for a m on th . An d if God gives m e h ea lth ,

p e rha p s in th e a utum n I sha ll com e t o ou r cou n try a n d t ell y ou ev ery

th in g As t o the comp a n y in wh ich Kon sta n ty worked , w e

d on t kn ow how it will be If they give u s
’
by good wi ll , w e
.

will r we in ten d
la wsui t But I won t wa it for t he ’
a g ee , bu t if n ot , a

en d of th e s u i t for in Am e rica a su i t m a y la s t 5 or 7 y ea r s
,
An d for a .

kille d m a n th e c om p a n y ca n n o t be sue d for m o re tha n Then

t he la wye r wi ll ta k e on e ha lf a n d w ill give t he o th e r ha lf t o u s for
, ,

su ch a re t h e la w s in Am erica

An d a bo ut S a dowska le t her n ot com e for wh en sh e com es t o

, ,

N ew York th ey will sen d her ba c k For n ow i t is so tha t wh en a n y

.
,

body com es t o N ew York he m u s t sen d a tel eg ra m t o t he p er son t o

whom he is goin g An d n ow wh en he is dea d they won t a dmit h er
.
, ,
’
.

Th ey kn ow a lrea dy tha t he is d ea d for we ha ve been in tha t ship ,

a gen t s offi ce wa n tin g to re turn t he tick e t But it wa s a lrea dy

’
.
,

delive red The a gen t told u s tha t S he sho uld n o t com e If sh e

. .

wa n ts it a bso lutely let her com e ; bu t it will be in va in for she will

, ,

be sen t ba ck An d if she d oes n ot com e let h er sen d t he ship tick e t

.
,
-

ba ck t o u s .

AN TON I B U TK OW S KI

July 23 [ 1 90 3 ]
D E AR E S T P ARE N TS B R OTHER S AN D I in f orm y ou tha t we
ha v e receive d a lrea dy the m on ey from the a ssocia tion on July 2 2 a n d ,

on the sa m e da y we sen t y ou 8 0 0 ro u bl es As to the res t we ha d t o .

,

give th e la wye r $ 1 0 0 a n d u n cle t ook $3 0 0 for the fune ra l a n d th e

, ,

res t rema in ed wi th m e I in fo rm y ou dea r p a ren ts th a t they did

.
, ,

n ot wa n t t o p a y th e m on e y on ly we h a d t o ta k e a l a wye r
, As t o .

th e comp a n y w e ga ve th e a ff a i r u p to a la wye r for we could n ot

, ,

com e t o a n u n d e r s t a n din g Th ey Offere d u s on ly $3 0 0 by good will

.
,

whil e by la w th ey m ust p a y som e th ousa n d s But I won t .

’

wa i t ; I think tha t on August 2 5 I sha ll be a t hom e

AN TON I B U TKOW S KI
 R AD WANS KI SER I E S

this serie s th e p roc ess of in dividu a li za tion goes on

In
ra pidl y in Ja n ek R a dw a nski m u c h m ore sl owl y in hi s ,

b r other An t on i a n d p rob a b l y d oes n ot to u c h t h e thi rd

,

b r other wh o c on tra r y t o th e b eh a v ior of so m a n y o ther s

, ,

( Cf for e x a m p l e M ic h a l Osinski) r eturn s h om e a fter a

.
, , ,

S h ort tim e t o do his m ili t a r y s erv i c e O th er w ise h e c o uld .

n e ve r r eturn a n d t h e a ttr a c tion of t h e ol d c ou n tr y fa m il y

, , ,

a n d c om m un i t y p r oves s tr on ge r th a n t h e f e a r O f mi l i t a r y

se rvi c e a n d t h e h op e Of a c a r eer in Am e r i c a .

4 6 2
—68 , AN TO NI RA D W ANS K I , I N A ME R I CA , TO H I S
P ARE N TS , I N P O LAN D

[ Se con d p a rt l e tte r D a t e ca n n o t b e
of a .

d e termin ed p roba bly en d O f ,

An d furth e r ,
d ea r p a ren ts w e a n sw er your p a ren ta l request wh e re , ,

y ou a sk u s t o sen d y ou m on ey All r igh t d ea r p a ren t s w e a re gl a d .

, ,

t o fulfil y o ur r e qu es t a t e ve ry m om en t a n d a t e v e ry h o ur e ve ry thin g
.
,

th a t y ou a sk u s for beca u se y ou ha ve brough t u s u p from childh ood

, ,

a n d w e h a ve l ea n e d u on y our f a v or Th e exa m p l e y ou ga v e u s in
p .

ou r yo u n ge r y ea r s w e k eep in ou r old e r y ea r s a s God o rd e r e d D ea r , .

e s t p a r en t s t o wh om sh a ll y ou a p p ea l for h e lp if n o t fir s t t o God t h e
, ,

Highest a n d t o God s M o th e r of Cz es toch owa ! u een of h ea v en a n d

’
,

e a rth a ski n g for h e a l th for y ou a n d y our lo vi n g childr e n a n d t h en t o

, ,

u s for h e lp ? W e will h elp y ou a t a n y t im e if on ly God h e l s u s a n d th e

p ,

Holy Virg i n M a ry S O w e sen d y ou m on ey 40 3 roubles fo ur ?

, ,

Th m 1
l cha r t f th i f mi li l ttit de i lrea dy S ign f b gi i g
e ora a c er o s a a a u s a a o a e nn n

di i teg r ti
s n f t h f m ili l gr p
a on o I d d th r is
e a qu e tio f m l blig
a ou . n ee ,
e e no s n o ora o a

ti
on a n d v littl e i e f t h ttit d i t h r lly p rim itiv f mil ia l
en e con sc ou sn ss o e a u e n e ea e a

so l id ity ; t h r l ti
ar f t h i divi d l t t h gr up i
e e a on o t m r l bu t
e n soci l ua o e o s no a o a a a

r l ti
e a cc p t d
on ,
a m tter f f t
e e Th r la t i
as a a um a m ora l f rm wh
o ac . e e on ss es a o en

it i t t h ly
s no p ychol g i lly p ssible
e on on e d th s m ber d o ri ty of
ca o , an e nu an va e

poss ible r l ti s gr w tog th r wi th t h p r gr

e a on o f i di i d li tio
,
e e Thus e o e ss o n v ua za n .
,

th m r l
e rm a pp rs a u b tit t f th im m di t solid rity whe t he
o a no ea as s s u e or e e a e a n

2 66
2 68 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

goo d work I would like m a r ry , d on t k n o w ’

n ow and to a n d n ow I
wh a t to do ?

An d d ea r p a ren ts Bron ek a sk s wha t is th e d a te of h is ca ll

n ow , ,

t o m il i ta ry service He i s curi ous a n d wa n t s t o k n ow wh e th e r it w a s

.

in th e p a s t a utum n or in t h e n ext or a ft e r th e n ex t H e th i n k s ,
.

of goin g ba ck t o ou r cou n try on ly does n o t y e t kn ow wh en He a n d

,
.

Ja n ek work togethe r in on e p la n t a n d I wo rk in a n o th er [ U su a l .

en d in g ]
AN TONI R ADW ANS KI

Jun e 2 5, 1 91 3

An d n ow w e in fo rm y ou tha t Cz esla wa [ Cz esia ]

Ja n k o w s k a
from K a rwa cz ca m e a n d r ela ted to u s a bout your su ccess a n d hea lth ,

a n d we w e r e v e ry g l a d th a t y ou a re a ll in good h ea lth Sh e ga ve u s the .

g ift tha t y ou sen t u s 3 ch eeses So we wi ll sen d y ou a l so a g ift bu t

,
.
,

don t kn ow wha t k in d of a g ift y ou wish from u s N ow furth e r d ea r

’
.
,

p a ren ts y ou a sked u s for ou r p ho tog ra p h s ; so I An tosiek sen d y ou

, , ,

m y p ho togra p h a n d som e othe r tim e we wi ll sen d y ou p erh a p s a ll

,

thr e e beca u se we co uld n ot n ow Ja n ek w en t t o a n o th er city a n d '

.
, ,

Bron ck sa ys y ou sa w him n o t lon g a go D ea r p a ren ts could y ou .

,

sen d m e your p h o tog ra p h I wo uld sen d y ou m on ey a s soon a s y ou ,

wri te On ly dea r p a ren ts Czesia Ja n kow ska told m e th a t y ou d on t

.
, ,
’

a ll ow m e t o m a rry bu t [ a sk m e] t o r e tur n h om e S o I in ten d t o .

r e turn hom e bu t I do n ot kn ow when beca u se n ow I ha ve good w ork

‘

, ,

a n d w a ges $ 5 a m on th
7 , Th erefore I will s till wo rk [ U su a l sa lu
.
?

t a t ion s a n d en din g ]

[AN TO NI ]

4 66 D ecember 2 , 1 91 3

[ U su a l gre e tin gs a n d Ch ristm a s w ishes ; l e tte r

from p a ren ts
r ece ived ; tha n k s ] An d a n oth er le tter I received
from B ro th e r
Bron i sla w in which h e wri tes m e to com e ba ck to ou r cou n try B ut
, .

I do n o t in ten d to com e ba ck to ou r co un try a t on ce bu t on ly in th e ,

sp rin g be ca u se u p t o th e p r esen t m y h ea lt h is f a vo ra bl e so I thin k

,

1
Ackn ow edgm en l t t l th rity b t thi b com s m r a d m re
of t h e p a ren a au o , u s e e o e n o
form l a ,
as w s
e i t h f ll wi g l tt r
ee n e o o n e e s .

1
The wil l f t h p a r ts p r v s u ltim tel y in fi ci t t i fl
o e en o e h im bu t a su en o n u e n ce ,

there i s no t y t e c sci
a a tt m p t to get id f t h con trol
on ou s e f th p a re ts Up t r o e o e n . o
t he p re e s n t th wh le p r ce s of em ncip a tion s em s t o ha ve on on u co sc iousl y
e o o s a e
g e n n .
 RAD WANSKI SERI ES 2 69

I sh a ll rem a in lon gerwha t y ou write m e d ea r p a ren ts tha t

. An d , ,

if I do n ot com e th e p un ish m en t of p rison threa ten s m e I do n o t

, ,

m in d it a n d I do n o t f ea r it ? An d n ow I in for m y ou d ea r p a ren t s , ,

a bo ut siste r a n d wh a t y ou wro t e a bout wi sh i n g t o sen d h er t o a dre s s

,

m a ke r Y ou c a n do i t ; le t h er l ea rn An d a s t o t he h elp d on t be
’
. .
,

a nx io u s If on ly ou r Lord God gives m e hea lth I will h elp y ou a t

.

e ve ry m om en t An d n ow I a sk a bo ut B ro th er Bron i sl a w Af t e r -
. .

his a rriv a l in ou r coun try we r ece ived a l e tte r [ from him ] a n d h e ,

wro te m e th a t h e will be free from m ili ta ry service so I request y ou , ,

d ea rest p a ren ts if y ou receive this l e tter a n swer m e directly beca u se

, , ,

I a m curious a bout it a n d I S ha ll a wa it it with grea t im p a tien ce An d

, .

n ow I in f or m y ou d ea r p a ren ts a bout Ja n ek tha t we a re toge th e r

, , , ,

on ly h e a sk s y ou for yo ur b l essin g b eca u se h e in ten d s t o m a rry a ,

g irl from P rza sn ysz d a ugh te r of M r a n d M rs L esn ie w sk i who l iv e

,
. .
,

in P ia ski I p en t o y ou in this le tte r wh a teve r I ca n rem ember

?
.

But I ha ve n o thin g m ore t o write on ly I re comm en d m yself to yo ur ,

kin d m emo ry a n d I beg y ou for a sp eedy a n sw er With high resp ec t .

,

AN TON I R ADW ANS K I

I Sha ke your h a n ds . Goodbye 3 .

4 67 [ Ja n u a ry ,
1 9 1 41

[ B egin n in g of l e tter m issin g ] Now a bout your request wha t ,

y ou a sk We ca n n o t h elp y ou d ea r p a ren t s in this beca u se a s to m e

.
, , , ,

d ea r p a ren ts I a m som ewha t [ illegible w ord ] a n d a bo ut Ja n ek it is

, ,

n ot n ecessa ry to exp la in to y ou beca u se h e is n ow in ten din g t o m a rry .

Th e secon d ba n n s of his m a rria ge w er e on Ja n ua ry 4 so h e n ee d s ,

m on ey I l en t him m yself $ 50 for his wedd in g a n d I do n ot ta ke

.
,

m on ey from t he ba n k beca u se I r egr e t to t ou ch it Th en d ea r ,

.
,

p a r en t s m a n a ge it a s y ou ca n your self
,
I will sen d y ou [ m on ey] .

l a ter if ou r L ord God gives m e h ea lth But dea r p a ren ts I thin k

,
.
, ,

th a t y ou a re n o t wron ged by m e a ll th e sa m e I help y ou in th e .

m ea sure of m y a bil ity N o t l on g a go I sen t y ou 50 r oubl es for your

.

i tc s i
1
F rs b t stil l o l y sligh t brea k i ob die c
on c ou s , u n ,
n e n e .

J ek is th m t m a cip a ted f th br ther ; h se d the le st mo y

1
an e os e n o e o s e n s a ne

h m o d decides t m a rry w ith ou t co

e, a n lti g hi p r ts
o n su n s a en .

S h ki g h d i
3 a r th di p tf l f rm f gre ti g th p r t ; t he
n an s s a a er sres ec u o o e n e a en s

norm l f rm i ki in g t h h d O of th c m p la i t f ld f shion d p a re t
a o s ss e an s . ne e o n s o o -
a e n s

abo t t h b d i fl u en c
u f migr ti
e a i tha t th e hil dren beg i t o sha k h a n d
n e o e a on s c n e s
i t a d f ki s i g
ns e o s n .
2 70 PR I M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

n ee d s a l though w e w ere a ll th re e in Am e rica S o d e a res t p a ren ts I

,
.
, ,

beg v ery p ol i t ely y our p a rd on D on t be a n g ry for wh a t I writ e y ou

’
. .

I d on t remin d y ou of it beca use it ough t t o be so ; it is a duty t o

’
,

resp ect a n d h elp on e s p a ren ts un til t h e l a s t m o m en t of d ea th ’

[ lif e] be ca u se so sa y s ou r L o rd Jes u s a n d th e H oli e s t M o th er Virg i n

,

M a ry : D o n o t a ba n d on t h y p a ren t s a n d re m e m be r a b o ut th e m
“
,

a n d I will n o t fo rg e t a bo ut th ee I wea r th is in m y h ea rt a n d I ”
.

rem ember On ly d ea r p a ren ts y o u d em a n d too m u ch ? Y ou

.
, ,

a sk for h e lp be ca u se y ou a re a lrea dy in old a ge a n d y ou ca n n o t do

h e a v y wo rk ; s i s te r [ a sk s] a l so the b ro th e r s a l so so m y wo rk d oe s
‘

, ,

n o t s uffi ce fo r a ll th i s I reques te d B ro th e r Bron isl a w ve ry ki n dly .

B romus l ittle bro the r I beg y ou rem a i n with u s for som e tim e th en
, , , ,

w e will go ba ck t oge th e r I imp l ore d him a s a bro th er bu t h e did .

,

n o t lis ten t o m y re qu es t a n d did n ot h eed i t N ow h e lon gs a n d .

regre ts ; p roba bly h e regre ts tha t for which I begge d him so An d h e .

i s l on gin g n ow h im self a n d t o m e h e ca u se s p a in beca u se I wep t ov er , ,

th a t le tte r wh en I rea d i t He ca used regre ts to hi m self a n d t o m e .

a l so beca u se a fte r his d ep a rture I th ough t tha t m y h e a rt w ould

,

burs t op en An d I re qu e s t y ou sen d m e h is a ddre ss wh e r e h e is in

.
, ,

se rvice N ow d ea r p a r en t s I g ri e v e d ov e r this l e tt e r wh ich y ou

.
, ,

se n t t o m e r ecen tly tha t n ot ev en m on ey [bribe ry ] ca n help b u t , ,

His ttit de s m s p rf ct l y correct bj e tiv ly

1
a u d sti ll it is q it diff r t
ee e e o c e , an u e e en

fr m t h t ditio lly sa ctio d o e H r g i t h m or l t t m t of t h

o e ra na n ne n . e e a a n e a s a e en e

s it ti is S ig of t h dissol tio f t h ld im m edi y of cia l ttitu d

ua on a n e I u n o e o ac so a es . n

t h old f m ily gr p th r C b ti lly p p iti b tw e t h

’
e a ss -
ou e e s d an e e en a no o os on e e n e son an

t h p re t m i c i ter sts Th p r p erty is f m il ia l ; th e e i qu estio

’
e ecoa n s no n e . e o a r s no n

of a y j u stic o i j
n tice oblig ti e ta g i m
r i g
n us l f ym l ,
a on , a n on s ,
or , n en er a , O an ora or

imm r l rel tio i eco om ic m tt r betwee y t w m em b r f t h f m ily

o a a n n n a e s n an o e s o e a as

p rso liti s
e Th p r t d
na e t wr
.
g the s i r q iri g ll hi
e a en s r i g t b o no on on n e u n a s ea n n s o e

g ive t th m ; t h old r br th
n o e d ot w r g hi yo e ger br t h r
e ist r o er oes n on s un o e s or s e s

i ta ki g t h li sh a r f t h i h rit c i f it i h e wh t k t h e f rm ; t h e
’
n n e on s e O e n e an e s o a es a

ch il dr do ot wr g t h p r ts wh
en n fter eti m e t of t he la tt r th y ref s
on e a en en , a r re n e ,
e u e

t th m t h righ t t
o e w yth i g p r o lly a d k wledg ly th ir righ t t
e o o n an n e s na n ac no e on e o

b sup p t d ; t
e I ll th e ca
or e t h e rel ti
e c i th t b tw
. n a t h p rt a d t h es ses a on s a e een e a n e

wh l t th t b tw
o e, no i dep d t b t c a ctede titi een B t th e th r
n en en u on n e en es . u ,
on o e

h d wh
an i di id l i t h p se t s i h lf em ip ted there i still
, en a n n v ua ,
as n e re n ca e, s a a nc a , s

no r l ti b tw i di id l bu t betw t h i divid l o sid d th e

e a on e een n v u a s, e en e n ua on ne e an

g ro u
p t h oth r on d h i ri gh t from
e diff r t p oi t of ie w
e ,
an ea c The p re t s a e en n v . a n s

a re right h r i a ski g c ti a lly fo m ey if w ta ke t h st dp i t of t he

e e n n on nu r on , e e an o n

gro p ; t h u o i i gh t i r f i g t
e s n d m r th
s r h w i he if w t ke th
n e us n o sen o e an e s s, e a e

st dp i t f t h i dividu l
an o n oB t i th ye f t he i divid l wh se fe li g f
e n a . u n e e s o n ua o e n o

f m ili l u ity h di lved t h it ti a s m es t he form of a r la ti bet w

a a n as sso , e s ua on s u e on een

i divi d l t b r g l t d by j ti e
n ua s, o e e u a e us c .
2 72 PRI M AR Y
-
G RO UP OR GAN I ZATI ON

t a lke d a bo utdea r p a ren ts a n d we ha ve t he wi sh [t o ma rry]

it , ,
.

Czesia is a good girl a n d wise , S he ha s i n fo rm e d m e a b ou t e ve ry

.

If on ly we could m a rry beca u se w e kn ow tha t w e a re cou sin s

,
.

We a re curio u s wh a t U n cle a n d Aun t Ja nkowski sa y beca u se th e y

,

wro te a l e tte r a n d I rea d it bu t they wro te u s n othin g a bout it

, ,
.

S o we beg y ou v e ry m u ch sp ea k a mon g yourse lves a n d t o u n cl e

,

a n d a u n tie a l so We a sk for a sp eedy a n swe r [ En d m issin g ]

. .

[AN TON I ]
 D OBI EC KI S ER I E S

Th e rel a tion b etween lder a n d a y oun ger m em b er of a

an o

f a mil y is b roken b ec a u se of the m ore ra pid e volution of t h e

la tter The un c le here a ssum e s with reg a rd t o his n eph ew
.
,

w h o c a me l a t er t o Am eric a t h e a tti tud e of fa mili a l a uthority

,

u sua ll y a ssum e d by th e fa ther The un c le eviden tl y ca m e .

t o thi s c oun try wh en a lr ea d y a m a ture m a n a n d h a s p re

s erved a l m os t wholl y the tra dition a l s ta n dpoin t His .

b eha vi or a s rela ted by h im self a n d by his n ep hew sh ows a

, ,

t en den cy t o de sp otism Th e boy b rou ght a l so en ou gh of

.

fa mili a l S piri t a s his fir s t le tter show s ; b ut his ema n cipa

tion h a s b een r el a ti vel y ea sy ( Cf th e a ttitude Of Al ek . .

sa n der Wolski in a n a n a logous S itua tion ) .

—
4 69 7 3 , AN TO N I (AN TE K) DOB I E CKI , I N AME RI CA, To FAMI LY

MEMBER S , I N POLAND , AN D ONE LETTER (4 7 2 ) FR OM

THE UN CLE OF ANTON I ~

4 69 PHI LLIP S , PA .
, July 1 6, 1 91 0

[ U sua l gr ee tin g a nd gen era l i ties ; le tte r r eceive d] : Now, mo the r ,

y ou write m e tha t y ou grie ve beca use y ou ca n n ot p a y yo ur deb ts a n d
y ou did n ot pay th e mon e y ba ck to bro the r-in la w -
. So I sen d you
a no th er 1 0 0 ro ubles Give ba ck t o everybody wh a t y ou owe m a y
.
,

n obody look a n g rily a t y ou beca u se of your owin g a n ybody m on ey ;

ge t rid of a ll your d eb t s Now I in form you th a t I sen t y ou 1 0 0

.

ro ubles on July 1 3 An swe r m e dis tin ctly w ith whom y o u a re l iving

. .

N ow I h a v e n o th in g to write y ou on ly I sen d y ou low bow s d ea r

, ,

p a ren ts .We se n d a lso low bows to bro ther a n d sister in la w I - -

.

i n form you dea r brothe r tha t y ou m an a ge you r hou sehold ba dly

, ,

if y ou ca n n o t giv e ou r p a ren t s en ough to live w ith you a n d ,

e v en two p eop l e h a ve n o p la ce in y our h ome It is you r wife .

who w a lks in t h e breech es n ot y ou ; y our wife govern s not you

, , .

2 73
2 74 PRIMAR Y- GROU P OR G AN I ZATI ON

Thin gs a re ba d in a h ou sehold wh ere t h e cow sh o ws th e w a y t o

th e ox ? [P roverb]
N ow I ha ve n othin g m o re to wri te y ou on ly I sen d y ou low bow s
a n d I sen d a l so low bow s t o sis t e r a n d bro th er in —
, ,

la w wi th th eir -
,
’
ch il dren An d I in form y ou furth e r d ea r p a ren ts d on t be a nx io u s
.
, ,

a b out th e r en t I will sen d y ou m on ey a n d n obody w ill look a n g rily

.

a t y ou .

[AN TON I D OB I E C KI ]

S ep t em ber 26

An d n ow I
info rm y ou th a t in Am erica th in gs a r e v ery
ba d Wo rk i s ba d a n d livin g is ve ry dea r We are workin g 5 da ys
. .

in a week We ea rn ha rdl y m ore th a n en ough t o live You wri te

. .

m e t o sen d y ou a p ho togra p h I will sen d y ou a p ho togra p h , bu t

.

on ly wh en I ha ve mon ey ; th en I will sen d y ou m on ey a n d th e p h o to

g ra p h tog e th er beca u se if I sen t y ou th e p hotogra p h a n d n o m on ey
, , ,

p eop le wo uld l a ugh a t m e [ Sa luta t ion s for the whole f a mi ly ]

.

[AN TON I ]

S ep t em b e r 2 5

D EAR FATHER AND M OTH E R : I p en y ou som e wo rd s .

Firs t I a sk a bout your hea lth a n d success An d a s to m y s uccess .

,

I a m in goo d hea lth a n d m y success is a s eve r I work a s be fo re

,
. .

An d n ow d ea r fa th er a n d m o th e r w hy is it th a t y ou d on t a n sw r
’ >
.
, ,

I sen t to y ou 2 0 roubl es a n d y ou don t a n sw er whe th e r y ou rece ived ’

the m or n ot An d n ow cl ea r f a th e r a n d mother I wri te t o y ou th a t

.
, ,

I a m n o m ore w ith un cle bu t with stra n ge p eop le beca u se h e w a n te d

, ,

m e t o ge t u p ev ery da y a t t w o or ha lf p a s t tw o o cl ock a ft e r m id n igh t -

’

a n d t o g o w ith him t o w ork I a m workin g ha rd en ough m y self

?
,

a n d I w a n t t o r es t durin g th e n i gh t ; 1 1 h our s is wo rk en ou gh I .

h a ve wo rk e d w ith him m a n y t im es a n d en ough Then he sa id h e .

1
Wh en r t ife r husba n d liv w ith the you g cou p l it i s a ll y
th e p a en s of w o e n e s u u

th e wom en wh oqu rr l
a it is the Ole of t he men t keep harmo y N t t h
e , a nd r o n . o e e

c on tra st b e twee th is sha rp p a ssa ge a d t he p receding a n d followi g r m ia l

n n n ce e on

on es .

1
P roba bly the un cl e ha d a shOp o f h is own a n d wa n ted his nep hew t o help him
some time s .
2 76 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
O R GAN I ZATION

co un try I ca red for him a s a fa th er for h is son I bo ugh t h im on e

, ,
.

s uit of c lo th es for m y m on e y a n d ga ve him a n o th er of m y ow n [ En d

1
.

m i ssin g ]
[ U N C LE O F AN TO N I ]

47 3 O ctobe r 22 ,
1 91 2

D E AR PARE N TS : Wh a t
I cea se to help
y ou write m e , th a t
y ou is n o t tru e beca u se I thin k of y ou a n d r em embe r a n d w ill n o t
, ,

cea se t o r em embe r y ou I w o uld h a ve sen t y ou som e ro ubl es lon g

.

a go ,
bu t I ha d n o n ew s a bout the o th e r s wh e th e r y ou r eceive d ,

them or n ot S in ce I ha v e l ea rn e d th a t y ou receiv ed th em I sen d

.
,

y ou n ow 1 2 0 roubl es 2 0 r o u bl es for your exp en ses a nd 1 0 0 roubl es

, ,

p l ea se l en d a t i n t e res t An d if y ou ha v e n ot en ough with th ose 2 0

.

roub l es wri te to m e a n d I will sen d y ou m ore bu t le t th ese 1 0 0

, , ,

roubl es rem a in un tou ched [ S a luta tion s ] .

AN TON I
1
r b bly a ll th fa cts rela t d by b th of th m
P o a e tru The cl h s
e o e a re e . un e a

cert i l y tr
a n t ed hiseap h w i t h e tr ditio a l wa y p l y i g th e p a rt of
ne e n a f ther
n , a n a a ,

ma ki g him w rk b ti g h im bu t a lso h lp i g him

n o , ea n d rin g for his fu t r
e n an ca u e.
 K ON S TAN CY A WALER YCH S ERI E S

V er y ra pid em a n cip a tion of a girl in Am eric a is sh own

in the s e l e tter s I n l e ss tha n ha lf a y ea r S he is m a rrie d
.

’
wi thout a skin g for h er p a ren ts p ermi ssion P rob a b l y t he .

fa mil ia l b on d s were n ot p a rtic ul a rl y s tron g a n d th ere is ,

a n in s tru c tive in fl u en c e of th e n ew en vir on m en t Th e .

’
girl c om e s t o h er sis te r s hom e a n d fin d s there t he fa m il ia l
a tti tude ver y we a k a n d thi s e x a m p l e a c t s m or e d e s tru c tivel y
,

tha n soli tude up on h er own fa m ilia l Spirit .

—
4 74 7 6 ,
K O N S TAN CY A W ALE RYCH , I N AME R I CA , TO HE R
P A RE N TS IN P O LAND

47 4 GR EE N B UR G ,
PA .
,
D e cem be r 8 , 1 91 3

D E AR E S T PARE NTS : To yo ur word s Pra ise d be Jesu s Ch ris tu s , ,

I a n swe r For cen turies of cen turi es Am en

,
“
. .
”

D ea re s t p a r en t s I in fo rm y ou tha t I received the l e tte r sen t

,

by y ou from which I got i nform a t ion a bout your hea lth a n d s u ccess
a l so. As t o m y self tha n k s to God th e Highes t I a m in good h ea lth
, , ,

which I wish a l so t o y ou from a ll m y h ea rt AS to my success it is .

,

n ot v e ry good beca u se I h a v e d on e h o u se work a n d h a ve b een p a id ,

$ 1 0 for this m on th bu t I h a d t oo hea vy work ; I wa s obliged t o work

,

t oo l on g N ow dea res t p a ren ts I in f orm y ou t ha t I ha v e a t pr esen t

.
, ,

n o wo rk a n d I d on t k n ow wh a t wi ll b e furth e r
’
.

D ea res t p a ren t s y ou a sk t o be i nform e d w h e re I ha ve been b oa rd

,

in g a ft e r com in g t o Am e rica I w a s w i th m y S is ter a n d n ow I a m

.

with m y S iste r D ea rest p a ren ts don t b e a n g ry with m e for n ot

.
,
’

sen d in g y ou a n y t hin g u p t o the p resen t b u t I i n fo rm y o u th a t I ,

co uld n o t beca u se wh en I tr a ve l e d t o Am e r ica I r em a in e d for a w ee k

,

in An twe rp a n d when I ca m e to Am e rica I ha d n o work for th r ee

,

w eeks a n d y ou k n ow w ell d ea rest p a ren ts tha t I did n o t com e t o

, , ,

p a ren t s h ere ; in Am erica n o thin g is t o be ha d w ith out p a y in g ?

1
Al l si
u on f t th t he sister
t o t he ac a r a nd r th r i la w ta ke m y for boa rd
b o e -
h -
on e .

I n t he old c oun t y th ey w o ld ha ve give

r u n h er h sp it lity t lea st for som w eks
o a a e e ,
2 78 PRI M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

D ea r est p a r en t s , I in fo rm y ou tha t I sen d y ou m ea n while th irty

ro ubl es for Ch ri s tm a s, a n d by m y soul I ca n n o t sen d y ou m o re a t
p r ese n t , b eca u se I do n o t w o rk a n d I n ee d i t m y se lf I h a v e n o th i n g .

m o re t o wri t e y ou , on ly I g r ee t y ou a n d sen d y ou low sa luta tion s , a n d

I w ish y ou a M e rry Ch ris tm a s , a n d m a y th e G o dly Ch ild h a v e y ou
in H is ca r e God gra n t i t . Am en . .

Your lovin g da ugh ter ,

K ON S TAN CYA WALER YCH

N ow , d ea res t
r t 1 yo ur da ugh ter Fra n kow ska sa lute y ou
p a en s, , , ,

a n d g r ee t y ou h ea rt ily a n d I in fo rm y ou th a t I w a s ill a n d h a d t w o

boy s bor n bu t th ey w e r e bo th d ea d
,
N ow I [ son in la w ] gr ee t y ou .
- -

a n d sa lut e y ou a n d a ll ou r chil dr en bow t o y ou a n d ki ss y ou

,
.

B R ONI S LAw FR AN K O W S KI

D ea r Zosia [youn ge r
t r] I sa lute y op a n d write t o y ou th a t
S is e ,

y o u m u s t go t o sch ool a n d l ea r n well a n d n ex t yea r y ou will com e t o ,

Am e ri ca a n d th en y ou will wri te l e tt er s
,
.

K ON S TAN CYA WALE R YCH

Ja n u a ry 1 7, 1 91 4

D EAR P ARE N TS : I in f o rm y ou th a t I m a rrie d a

m a n fr om G a l ic i a Ou r m a rria ge o ccurr ed on th e 1 2 th of J a n u a ry ;
.

m y h u sba n d is n a m ed Ja n Cza r n e cki N ow d ea r p a ren t s I beg y ou .

, ,

h ea rtily d on t be a n gry wi th m e for m a rryi n g so h a s tily a n d a m a n

’
,

from so fa r a coun try a n d for n o t even wri tin g to y o u a bout it ? I

in fo rm y o u d ea r p a r en t s th a t I took a h u sba n d from so fa r a cou n try
, ,

for th i s r ea son th a t a s y ou k n ow th e gi rl s w ho m a rri ed with u s a n d

, , ,

took h u sba n d s from th e sa m e villa ge w ere m os t un h a pp y a fterw a rd ,

?

if n ot m o n hs t . Th e Am eri ca n c on di ti on s a n d cus om s a re con s t ide ed r a ju st ifica

ti on fo r f lfill i g t h d ty f h sp it lity Th m i r
n ot u n e uf th h g is
o o a . e a n ea son o e c an e

t he f t th t h r f d h t b b ght i st d f bei g p od d d th
ac a e e oo as o e ou n ea o n r u ce , an us

t he m i i t d f th
econ o c i l p i t f i w i p p li d t t h q ti
n s ea o e soc a f livi g o n o v e s a e o e ues on o n .

I tr d ti m i L if
“ ”
Cf . n o E uc on : con o c e .

1
Th e ly ca e i on ll ti o wh r girl m i w ith t fi rst ki g
s n ou r co ec n e e a a rr e s ou as n

h er p r ts
a en Of c e it i
. a m p l t br k f t diti
ou rs ( f I t d ctio
s co e e ea o ra on c . n ro u n :

a nd a i i sh k ws d d r t d th tr diti l
con sc ou s on e , S n ce e no an un e s an s e a on a

no rm s .

1
The j stifi ti
u f t h e bre h f th i
ca on o ac o s cu s om t is i t r ti
n e es ng, beca u se ba sed
u p on co n si de a ti f u tility a d p rso a l h
r on o n e n i
a p p n ess .
2 80 PRI M AR Y GR O UP
-
OR G AN IZ ATI ON

m u ch , bu t be ca l m beca u se ou r L ord God gives his f ortun e t o ev ery

,

m a n a n d w e m a rrie d in con f o rm ity w ith G o d s will

’
.
,

N ow I i n for m y ou a bo ut m y p a ren ts B ot h m y p a ren ts a re still

.

l ivin g a n d they dw ell in Ga l i c i a di strict R op czy ce villa ge Cz a rn a

,
‘

, ,

p ost sta ti on S edziszow Fa th er s n a m e is Fil ip m o ther s D oro ta

’ ’
-

W e a re n in e bro th ers—four of u s a re in Am erica fiv e in ou r co un try

. .
, ,

a n d t wo sis te r s
.

We ha ve n o thin g m ore t o wri t e [ U su a l gree tin gs ]

.

Your lovin g ch ildren ,

JAN and K ON S TAN CYA CZAR N E CKI

 FELI K S P . S ERI E S

Th e l e tte r s a fford good e x a m p l e of a c on flic t b e tween th e

a

solid a r i t y of t h e old f a m il ia l t y p e ( u n c l e a n d n ep h ew) a n d

c on ju ga l solida rit y Th e c on flic t is b o th sen tim en ta l a n d

.

e c on om i c We h a ve un fortun a t el y on ly on e side of it
.
, ,

p r esen t ed b ut it seem s th a t t he fa mi li a l soli da rit y is h ere

,

s tron ger tha n th e c on ju ga l .

—
4 7 7 80 ,
FR O M FELI K S P .
,
IN AME RI CA , TO A FR IE ND
IN P O LAN D

47 7 CH I CA GO , July 31 ,
1 90 8
D E AR COMP AN I ON WACLAW : I ha ve n ot written to y ou for so lon g a
tim e because I h a d n o rea son t o boa s t a bout m y lo t My un cle is ve ry
,
.

ill a n d wi th his w if e or ra th e r th a t m a d wom a n

, ,
I ca n do n o thin g . .

Work is a lso diffi cult to ge t h e re If m y u n cl e w e re in good h ea lth

.
,

th en a t lea st I co uld ha v e a job w ith him bu t h e m u s t g ive this bu si ,

n ess in to o th er h a n d s be ca u se of his illn ess

,
I ha ve sea rched for .

work 2 da ys a ll in va in An d w ith m y a un t or ma d wom a n i t is

,
.
, ,

n e cessa ry t o m a k e ord er in su ch a wa y a s if sh e w e re n ot a h u m a n

bein g [ by bea tin g h er] M y u n cle h a d a m o tor cy cle which he bough t

.

jus t bef ore his ill n ess He l ies in the hosp ita l I ca lled on him for
. .

the fir s t tim e ; a fter som e con ve r sa tion h e told m e to ta k e th e m o to r

cy cl e a n d to u se i t D o y o u k n ow w ha t this sn a k e did ? Sh e sold it
.
,

a n d sh e t old him th a t som e bo dy h a d s t ol en it S u ch [ troubl e] I h a ve .

w ith this wom a n Wh ere I live th ere a re n o Pol es a t a ll ; th ey a ll liv e

.

on t h e oth er sid e of t h e ci ty I d on t k n ow when I sh a ll go t o your

’
.

bro th e r for m y h ea d is to ta lly b rok en [ w ith troubl e]

,
I ca n on ly w a it .

un til m y un cle recovers ; th en eve rythin g will be in o rder If n ot I w ill .

,

ta k e th e wom a n by the hea d the m on ey in m y p ock e t a n d ru n a wa y

,

hom e .Wh a t e lse ca n I do h e re if he di es ? FE LI K S P

47 8 Augu s t I I , 1 90 8
D E AR WACLAW I a m w ith out occup a tion u p to th e
p resen t bu t th e br o th er of m y un cl e s w if e is try in g t o ge t
’
,

m e in to th e Wes t P ull m a n sh op I l on g m uch for y ou .

,
2 82 P RI MAR Y G R O UP
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

bu t I hop etha t w e sha ll y e t b e h ere in Am erica toge ther He re in .

Ch ica go w hen I l ook e d a bo ut I w a s n o t v e ry m u ch p l ea sed with t h e

, ,

n a ture of th e p l a ce bu t a s t o di s tra c t ion a n d soc i e ty t h e occa sion s

, ,

a re in n u m e ra b l e N a tur a lly I h a ve n o t be en so m e rry u p t o t h e

.

p resen t For th a t it is n e cessa ry t o sh a ke your p ock e t ou t

. .

FELI K S P .

47 9 O c t obe r I O, 1 90 8

D E AR CO MP AN I O N I ha ve som e w ork bu t on ly a ki n d ,

from wh i ch I ca n ea rn a ba re l ivin g All this [l a ck of w ork] is th ro ugh .

t h e fa ult Of m y u n cl e for h e l i ves in a p l a c e wh e r e t h e re is n ot a bi t

,

of a f a c tory a n d h e wa n t s m e t o w ork n ea r h im th a t I m a y liv e in h i s

,

h o u se a n d b e with h im u n til h e r e cov er s But I th i nk of m a ki n g it .

sh ort a n d sea r ch i n g for s t ea dy a n d w ell p a id w o rk for w i th him i e -

, ,
. .
,

with m y un cl e on e ca n liv e a s w ith a m a n bu t wh en h e is ill h e ca n n o t

, ,

gov e rn [his h ou seh old] a s h e did bef ore bu t h is ch ol e r a [ wif e]

“ ”
,

m a n a ges e ve ry thin g But y ou un de rsta n d I trea t h er sh ortly

.

[ seve re ly] I in ten ded befo re this t o driv e h er a wa y t o th e four w in d s

.
,

bu t wi th a w om a n it is a lwa y s d iffi cult H e i e m y u n cl e is ill O f .

,
. .
, ,

a sick n e ss wh ich n e ed s a l on g c ure a n d e ve n th en i t is n o t ce rt a in ,

w he th er h e will recover S O this wom a n th i n k s so t o h erself th a t if

.
,

h e is cured a ft e r a l on g ti m e a ll t he m on ey w ill be sp en t for it cos t ,

them a lrea dy $ 560 for 4 m on th s An d if h e dies n everthel ess sh e .

will h a ve n o th in g l eft S O sh e w a n ts h im t o die a s soon a s p ossibl e

.

su ch a ch ol e ra An d h e i e m y un cl e h a s h e r e n obody of his
“ ”
. . .
, , ,

own f a m ily e x cep t m e S O I h a v e ca re d for him u p t o th e p r esen t

.
,

bu t if this l a s t s l on ger I m u s t l ea v e th e m for I ge t v ery n ervo u s ,

through qua rrel in g a n d this is ba d for m e FE LI K S P .

48 0 D ece m be r 1 6, 1 90 8
D W
E AR I a n swer y ou a t on ce bu t un ha p p ily th e
AC LAW
‘

a n sw e r is un fa v ora bl e for I h a v e n o wo rk I wo rked for 5 w eeks

, .

on ly a n d I co uld on ly bu y wh a t I n ee d e d for th e wi n te r
, It is true .

’
tha t I d on t p a y boa rd bu t th en I ha ve been workin g for on ly p a rt
,

of the da y I would n o t sit h ere so lon g bu t th ere is n ow l ittl e hop e

.
,

for m y un cl e At a n y m o m en t w e exp ec t his d ea th a n d th en ev i

.

, ,

de n t ly I ha v e a ce rta in job
, D on t be a n g ry wi th m e As .
’
.

soon a s I b egin t o w ork I m u s t

p a y y ou ba c k a t on ce for I ow e n obody ,

e l se
FELI KS P .
2 84 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR GAN IZATI ON

I will go t o th e c ity and Ith en I wi ll sen d t he m on e y ,

be ca u se n ow

do n ot h a ve ti m e to go t o th e c ity I a m doin g ca rp en te r s wo rk ’
.
,

I h a ve 7 5 dolla rs a m on th Th ere a re n o P ol es h ere bu t u s t w o I . .

h a ve a n Opp ortun ity to m a rry bu t sh e is n o t a P oli sh gi rl a n d th e r e , ,

f ore it is likely th a t I sh a ll n ot I in ten d to go t o the Old co un try .

for a visi t a n d whoeve r in th e old cou n try w ish e s m e well I will e xten d
,

m y h a n d t o him a n d whoe ver W ish es m e ill th en h e will le a rn wh o is

,

S tefa n [ wri ter s n a me] I in form y ou th a t I ha ve good w ork I

’ 1
. .

work on ly from 8 in th e m orn in g t o 5 in th e e ven in g a n d a fterwa rd

we go t o l ea rn a n d to figh t a n d to l ea p a n d t o w eep a s th ey s a y in th e ,

O ld co u n try .

I bow to m o ther a n d t o sister I a sk for a quick rep ly D ea r . .

m oth e r [fin d] for m e a n i ce g irl in t he Old coun try n ice a n d h a n d som e , ,

wh om I gree t fon dl y I bow to O soski t o P a wlin ow a n d t o a ll .

,

a c qu a in t a n ces M y a ddr ess S TE VE sic WI NK OW S K I [ ]

.

IR ONW O OD M I CH Sep tember 2 9 1 9 0 8 ,

.
, ,

D E AR M OTHER : I d ecided t o wri te t o y ou a few wo rd s a n d I

gree t y ou wi th God s word s [ P ra ise d b e D on t be a n gry
’ “ ’
,

wi th m e for n ot wri tin g y ou a l e tte r for su ch a lon g tim e B eca u se .

I ca n n o t describe to y ou m y lot wh ere I wa s It is likely th a t if m y .

a cqu a in t a n ces kn e w i t th ey wou ld n e ve r b e lieve i t Wh a t a n a tion a l .

i ty th er e is in Am erica ! If su ch a m a n w e r e br o ugh t to your vill a ge

th en a ll the p eop le would ru n a wa y from f ea r [a lludin g to th e n egroes] .

An d I a m toil in g h e re a secon d y ea r I h a ve p re tty g ood wo rk I . .

work a s a butcher I h a ve a p a y da y [pei de] of 7 5 d olla r s a m on th

.
2
,

a n d I h a ve a furth e r in co m e of 60 dolla rs a n d m y br oth er a n d B ol esla w ,

K owa leski a re work in g in the iron mi n e [m a in i e] I wi ll h a v e a .

b ut ch er shop [ bucerm c] Of m y o wn
'
-
.

N ow I inform d ea r m o ther a bout m y gr ea t tro ubl e [ tru bel]

, I , .

h a ve a g rea t burd en up on my h ea rt on a ccoun t of on e girl I h a ve .

been a c qua in ted wi th h er for ove r 1 0 m on th s S h e is ve ry bea utiful .

a n d [ th e d a ugh te r] of a ri ch f a r m er Sh e is n ot Poli sh Wh en I . .

A lf
1
serti r lti g fr m hi f lin g f his own im p o ta n d velop d
-
a sse on esu n o s ee o r ce , e e

by s cc
u Thi
ess rm l ttitud here t kes a r gh form bec s f the m s
. s no a a e a ou au e o an
’

low d gr e fm r l
ee o lt r Cf t he c se of Ad m i the R a czkowski series
o a cu u e. . a a , n .

For bu tch er he u se b a d im ila rl y P lo i s u mb r f w rds

s u cera n s o n ze a n e o o

as i di ted i br ckets These word will ot be derst od t h om d

n ca n a s n un o a e an a re a

f rm of h wi g—
.

o s off h rm
o i i g wi th his l yi g bou t his i come
n , a on z n n a n .
 WI N KOWSKI SERI ES 2 85

ha ve butc her shop [bucerm e] of m y own , th en I will ge t m a rrie d

'

a -
.

I dr essed this girl in silk a n d gold We m ee t On ce a week Wh en I . .

write to y ou n ext tim e th en I will sen d the m on ey , beca use n ow I a m

in gre a t trou bl e [tru blu ] .

STE VE WI N K OW S KI

483 D ecember 8, 1 90 9

I in form y ou belove d m o the r a n d y ou belo ve d sister Bron isla wa

, , , ,

tha t by the f a vor of God I a m w ell a n d the sa m e I wish t o y ou I .

beg mothe r a n d you sis te r t o bl ess m e a n d m y M iss Bron i sl a w a

, ,

D ron skow ska wi th wh om I sh a ll be ma r ried a fter Ch ri s tm a s

[ Kri smu si e] I a sk y ou to m y we ddin g Sh e is n o t Polish Her
. . .

f a th ers com e from u n der G erm a n [ rul e] Th ey h a ve lived in Am e rica .

a l on g tim e a lr e a dy Their gra n dfa th er a n d gra n d gra n dfa ther [ w ere]

.
-

in Am e rica They a re Ca tholics ju st a s we a n d she gree ts y ou

.
,

a l so
‘
.

S TE VE WI N KOW S KI

48 4 Ja n ua ry 5, 1 91 0

I in form b el oved m o th er a n d f a th er a n d y ou sis ter th a t by the , , ,

f a vor of God I a m well a n d th e sa m e I wi sh t o y ou I receive d y our .

l e tter I beg you r p a rdon don t be a n g ry a t m e for n ot wr itin g O ften

.
,
’

t o y ou I will a lwa ys wri te t o y ou tha t I a m well Now I wri te to

. .

y ou a bou t m y su ccess M y success is p re tty g ood I w ork a lwa y s

. . .

I ha ve good work I ha ve worked in the store [storze] lon g yea rs I

. .

a m very lon esom e I do n o t h ea r th e Polish l a n g u a ge a t a ll H e re 2

.
,

a re P ole s w h o h a ve been in Am erica for m a n y y ea r s a n d there fore ,

th ey do n ot ca r e for th e Polish l a n g ua ge Th i s girl whom I a m goin g .

t o m a rry th e y sa y sh e is Po lish bu t I did n o t h ea r Pol ish la n g u a ge

,

from her .

I greet y ou f on dly a n d sin cere ly m other fa the r a n d sis ter Au n t , , ,

Grica n ow ska a n d un cl e a n d yo ur children .

S TAN L Y [sic] WI N K OW S KY
1
He still k
l i i it as s fo ri f t t irl
b ess n g , n v es t o his wedd n g , a n d in orm s h a t he g
a

t li
is C a h o c tr iti rit ly f r
I n so fa r t he a d on p e s s s , bu t on
. l ft ul
it s o m is e , for he wo d
r t rf r
n o t ca e a t a ll if his m o he i
o ba de th e m a rr a ge .

2
S m tra ces of homesickn ess r m i n
o e Hi sp eci l lo gi g f th P oli sh e a . s a n n or e

l g g ma y b c
an ua e t d with the f ct th t h f ls his isola ti
e onn ec e a cco t a a e ee on on un

of h is p r E glish
oo n .
2 86 PRI MAR Y -
GR O UP OR G AN I ZATI ON

48 5 Ma y 30 , 1 91 1

D E AR SI S TER B R O THE R — I N LA W : I in f o r m y ou th a t I a m we ll
AN D -

a n d th e sa m e I wi sh t o y ou I g r ee t your childr en . .

P l ea se a n swer w h o di e d a n d wh o got m a rrie d .

Yo ur bro ther ,

S . W .

48 6 Jun e 1 9, 1 91 1

D E AR M OTHE R PA THE R , ,
I AND S I S TE R : I
in f or m y ou th a t by th e
f a vo r Of God I a m w ell a n d the sa m e I wish t o y ou M y success is .

ve ry ve ry good My a d dr ess
,
.

S A . . WI N K OW S KI

48 7 Da y IO

D E AR M OTHE R SI S TE R , AND
FATH E R : I inf orm y ou tha t I receive d
,

your l e tter You write to m e th a t I ob ta in ed g rea t wea lth a fter [ th e

.

d ea th of] m y bro ther bu t wha t is th is wea l th I wr o te to y ou th a t

,

h e l eft 3 0 0 dolla rs so y ou m a y wr i t e t o K u zeri ski a n d e v en t o Go d

’ '

him self th en h e will t ell y ou th a t I t ook 3 0 0 d oll a r s

, Th e fu n e ra l .

cos t m e 2 0 0 d olla r s t h e h osp i t a l 3 8 d oll a r s ca rr ia ge s a t th e fun er a l 2 6

, , ,

holy m a ss 1 6 d olla rs th e bee r for tr ea tin g 58 d oll a r s th e coffi n for

, ,

h im 2 8 t he p r ies t too k 3 5 d olla r s th e clo th for th e d ecea sed 3 5

, , ,

la wyer so dolla rs ; K u ze ri ski in wh ose hou se h e wa s took I O doll a rs , , .

N ow I e rec te d a m on u m en t a t m y e xp en se ; i t cos t m e 3 8 d oll a r s .

2

I sen t 7 5 doll a rs to th e Ch ieleri skis beca u se h e w a s her [ Mrs C s]

'
’
, .

rea l b ro th er I cou ld n o t get a n y th in g beca u se h e w a s n ot ou r

.

broth e r [ on ly ha lf br o th e r] I n th e co urt th ey w e r e sa y in g tha t if

-
.

y ou wa n t to get his w ea l th then co m e ove r h e r e Th e j ourn ey w ill .

n o t cos t y ou m u ch [ iron y] Y ou k n o w h ow m u ch th e trip cos t m e .

.

O n ly b ri n g a big ba g [ t o h old t h e m on ey] beca u se I do n o t wa n t a n y ,

body s m on ey I h a ve en ough O f m y own S o lon g a s God gra n ts

’
. .

Hi m ther w s p rob bly m rri d

1
s o s co d ti m ;
a h e t he
a dditio f a e a e n e en c a n o

f th ra e .
"

J dg i g from t h g er l v lg r ste t ti
3
u n d p r v ric ti
e en a f th m a u a o n a on a n e a a on O e n

w a
e c nnot c p t th i ac e u t um er ti f p se b t t h m a
s a s a n a cc i
ra e e n a on o ex en s, u e n ev

d t ly did o form t t h f m f t he l d f m ili l ttit de by r

en c n o e or
gi g o lbrt o a a a u a ra n n an e a o a e

f r l f m m b f t h f m ily Th is i f da m e t l p r i f t he li
un e a or a e er o e a . s a un n a ex e ss on o so

d rity f t h f m il y n d
a o si g
e f it a oc i l sta di g
a d W i k w ki doe it
a n o s s a n n , an n o s s ,

a lt h gh hi f m ily f li g
ou s lm t d d
a ee n s a re a os ea .
I N D I VI D UAL LE TTE R S AN D FR AGM EN T S OF
LE TTE R S S H OWI N G THE D I SSOLUTI ON
OF FAM I LI AL SOLI D ARI TY

Th e diss olution fa m i lia l solida ri t y is n ot a lwa y s du e

of

e xc lu sivel y t o t h e m em b er w h o h a s em i gr a t e d ; it m a y a l so

h a pp en th a t t h e g roup c ea ses a fter a tim e t o be in teres te d

in it s a bs en t m em b er Or i t m a y h a pp en tha t t h e gr oup
.

lea rn s O f som e r ea l or im a gin a ry b rea k of s olid a rit y on t he

p a rt O f the a b sen t m em b e r a n d rep u di a te s h im I n thi s .

re spe c t w e sh ould rem em b er tha t som e tim es t h e a c t O f

em ig r a tion a n d a lwa y s a t oo p r ol on g e d s t a y a b roa d con
, ,

st it u t e in th em se lv es a b r ea k of soli d a ri t y Often th e rea c .

tion O f th e g roup ( or O f som e of it s m em b e rs) is a rou se d by a

fa lse rep ort a b o ut the a bsen t m em b e r sen t by som eon e fr om
a b r oa d . Gossip whi ch Often for ces th e in dividua l t o rem a in
,

a soli d a ry m e m b er of t h e g r oup m a y b e c om e a f a c t or of
,

dissolution wh en it is fa l se Fin a ll y it ha pp en s a l so th a t
.
,

t he emi g r a tion O f a m em b e r O f th e f a m il y g roup l ea d s t o a -

b rea kdown of fa m ilia l a ttitud e s in a n o th er m em b er w ho s t a y s

a t h om e a n d wh os e si tu a tion in c on se qu en c e of t h e em ig ra
, ,

tion O f t he first b ec om e s a b n orm a l Thu s for e x a m p l e

,
.
, ,

a wif e l e ft a l on e by h er hu sb a n d a c h ild l eft wi th out t h e

,

c on trol of th e fa ther b ec om e m ore ea sil y d em ora liz ed

, .

Ca s es of th e se va riou s ki n d s a re given in th e f ollowin g .

—
4 9 98 ,
8 I S O LATE D LE TTE R S OR FR AGME N TS OF LE TTER S

489
[Th e roup rep udia tes
g t he m e m be r ,
bu t t h e la tter ha s n ot l os t h is
feelin g of solida rit y ]
D E TROI T M I CH October 1 0 1 9 0 0 , ,

D E AR B R O THE R : Pra ise d be Jesus Ch ristus .

I in fo rm y ou dea r brother tha t I receive d your l e tter for w hich I

, ,

tha n k y ou from m y soul a n d m y h ea rt M a y God help you the best

.

2 88
 I N DI VID UAL LETTER S AN D FRAG MENTS 2 89

p ossible An d n ow I in f or m y ou tha t I a m in good h ea lth , tha nks to

.

God, a n d I wish y ou th e sa m e An d n ow I a d m on ish y ou , a s m y

wro te to m e—tha t y ou will go volun ta rily
.

brother , a bo ut wh a t y ou
where y ou m a y be sho t or h un g R em em ber ra ther th e m ercy of .

Jesus Ch rist a n d wh en this id ea [of suicide] visits y ou sigh to our ,

Lord God a n d it wi ll be be tter for y ou Th e sa m e ill luck p resses

, .
I

h ea vil y up on m e a lso ; I su fler p overty a n d h a rd word s a n d I d on t ,

’

kn ow wha t will becom e of m e wh e the r I sha ll ever see y ou a ga in ,

.

As to th e m a tte r whi ch I m en tion ed t o y ou a bout my bu sin ess le t , ,

t he cl ea r l igh tn in g s tr ike h er befor e sh e be com es m y wi fe It would .

be be tter for m e to brea k ha n d a n d leg tha n to ma rry h er I wri te .

y ou so d ea r b roth e r a n d y ou ca n beli e ve m e it will be so

, , I h a ve , .

o th er ma tt ers in my he a d th a n su ch a c roo ke d s t ick An d n ow d ea r .

,

brothe r y ou wri te m e th a t p a tern a l a n d ma ter na l u n cl es fa the r a n d

, ,

m o ther bro th e rs a n d sis ter s rep ud ia te m e I don t mi n d m yself ; ’

, .

y ou ca n rep ud ia te m e beca u se I a m a n e x ile a n d a p ilgrim fa r a wa y

, ,

from y ou from m y f a t her s la n d a n d my fa mi ly a n d th erefore y ou

,
’
,

rep udia te m e Le t God rep a y y ou a ll this good for evil ; let it be m y

.
,

wron g a n d n o t yours I beg y ou d ea r broth er sa lute in m y n a m e

.
, ,

m y p a r en ts a n d th a n k th em th a t they d eign e d to rep ud ia t e m e ; bu t

m y con scien ce d oes n o t a llow m e t o do i t [ rep udia te th e m ] a n d Go d ,

would p un ish m e h ea vily for it I beg y ou for th e secon d tim e write .

,

a l e tt e r t o our p a r en t s in y our own h a n d in m y n a m e a n d tha n k th e m ,

for everythin g I w on t forge t y ou on ly be p a tien t I beg y ou

2 ’
.
, , .

An d n ow I in for m y ou tha t I Sh a ll sen d y ou for Chr is t ma s a bout

2 0 rou b les a n d t o S ta siu lek I sha ll sen d a l so for Ch ris t ma s I O rou bl es

a n d tha t w ill be a ll An d n ow p a rdon m e dea r br othe r for wr it in g so

.
, ,

p oorly bu t I ha ve on this a ccoun t [ th e ba d n ews] drown e d t he wor m

,

p re tty well for I r e ce ive d your l e tte r p recisely on p a y da y a n d I a m

, ,

writin g this l e tter to y ou a t I % o clock in the n igh t 3 An d I bid y ou ’

.

1
Th i li a tio t o
e nc n icide i ve y fr quen tly exp
n sud by the p a sa t is r e re sse e n n

m om e t of di scou ra gem e t a d th e
n s ly e o p reven ti g icide from b i g
n ,
n on r as n n su e n

p a rticul rly freque t is th e r ligi s f r f d m

a n tio in ce th f a r of de th
e ou ea o a na n, s e e a

itself s w h ve se is ot very str g

,
a e a en , n on .

3
Th m kn ess m i f st d is
e ee t ir ic l a d is i te ded to p ro oke a t e c
an e e no on a ,
n n n v a

tio f mp si
n o co dr m r e
as on a n e o s .

3Th f eli g of grief i com p red t o t he g a win g of a w rm a d drown i g

e e n s a n o , n
“
n

t he w rm o is the su a l p op ula r pr i for dri ki g i d r t f rget gri f

u ex ess on n n n or e o o e .

S i ll y th r i
oc a ly e form f n orma l in to i ca tio tha t wh i h ta k pla ce durin g
e e s on on o x n , c es

r m i s f y ki d wh r th p urp Of dri ki g is to ma i t i a certa in

ce e on e o an n , e e e ose n n n a n

i te sity of c mm o fe lin gs B t i dividu lly drinkin g ha s a other f n cti

n n o n e . u n a n u on ,
2 90 PR I M AR Y -
G R O UP OR GANIZ ATI ON

f a rew ell d ea r [bro ther] R em a i n wi th the L ord God An d I beg

,
. .

y ou wri te l e tter s t o a u n tie a n d t o ou r p a ren t s from your self for I w ill

, ,

n ot wr i te u n le ss I r eceive a n a n swe r b eca u se for 2 m on th s a lre a dy I ,

h a ve h a d n o l e tte r Goodbye I rem a in . .

,

Yo ur lovin g b ro th er ,

A R E ME INS K I
.

My
ddress is such the foll owin g on e
a Fin is Gu t n aj ,
. .

[good n igh t] .

An d I beg y ou a n swe r th e soon est p ossib le a n d wr ite m y bro th e r , ,

n ew s fr om [ ill eg ibl e n a m e] a n d th e n eighborh ood

I
.

A R E MB
. .

[ D em oral iza tion of a la tter

w ife in t h e a bsen ce o f h er h usb a n d . Th e ,

in sp ite of h is e m ig ra tion shows m ore fa m ili a l f eelin g e ven w ith rega rd t o

, ,

t h e children t ha n t h e wife Th e l ette r t en d s t o es ta blish a soli da ry rel a tion

,
.

between t he husba n d a n d t h e r est of t he fa m il y a s a g a in s t t he wife ]

L e tte r written th e 1
3 th
P ra ised be
Jesu s Ch ris tus .

An d n ow dea r fa the r wh a t d oes a ll this m e a n th a t y ou w r i te m e

, ,

Why d oes m y w ife n ot wish to com e t o Am e rica a n d wri tes m e su ch ,

s tup id th in gs th a t I a m [ ill eg ib l e wo rd ] with h er ? I ha ve sen t h er a ship

ticke t for a ll a n d sh e writes m e such S il ly thin g s a n d is n o t a sh a m e d
,

of it When I sen t th e t icke t I sen t for a ll a n d n ot for h er a lon e

.
, .

C ould I lea ve th e children ? M y h ea rt does n o t a ll ow m e t o l ea v e m y

own childr en Then dea r f a the r if sh e does n o t wish to lis ten it will
.
, ,

en d ba dly for h er D ea r f a th er bow to her [iron ica lly] a n d ta k e th e

.
,

chi ldr en t o your se lf a n d I w ill sen d y ou d ir ec tly t w o h u n dr e d ro ubl e s

,

for th e ch ildren a n d le t h er do a s sh e p l ea ses , An d if n ot th en giv e .

,

it b om s b titu te fo ti wh v r a t g f li g is r d d fo som
ec e a su s r ac on en e e s ron ee n a ou se an r e

r o c
ea s n t fid imm di te e p io i ctivity F th m i n tl y
a nn o n an e a x ress n n a . or e e ne

p ti l t r f t h p
ra c ca t f li g whi h d s ot le d t cti b c m s
na u e o e ea sa n a ee n c oe n a o a on e o e

un b r bl
ea d he i
a t t m d t fi d li f i
e, a n theti lif i m r
s no a c cu s o e o n re e n a es c e or n a o e or

l l g p r c of th reti re fl cti wh i h p de o bstit t its lf f

ess on o ess eo c e on c rece s r su u es e or

a cti oni i t ll ctu l p p l

n n e e a eo e .

Th ch r te of hi writi g hows tha t he i b com i n g m r

1
e a ac r d mo i t i
s n s s e o e an re n ox

t d
ca e H dd . m m i gl s a n d c rrup t d E gli h
e a s so d Germ
e w ds b t
ea n n e s o e n s an an or a ou

writi g letter
"
n s .
2 92 PRI MAR Y GR O UP
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

[ Fra gm en t of a letter sh o win g t he in fluen ce of goss p i . Auth o r

un kn own ]
I wrote y ou 2 l etter s a n d y ou did n ot a n swer m e An d n ow y ou
,
.

write m e to sen d y ou m on ey so I ca n sen d y ou a few roubles O n e ,

.

w om a n will go t o ou r coun try so y ou will receive a gift in a m on th ,

.

Y ou a sk m e wh e th er I will com e h om e Well d ea r wi fe w e sh a ll m ee t .

, ,

soon P u t ou t of yo ur h ea d [ th e id ea ] tha t I h a v e a m i s tress h e r e ;

.

I did n ot kn ow tha t y ou a re still so s tup id Wh en I wa s in Am erica .

t he fir st tim e I w a s youn ge r a n d did n ot com m i t this f olly ; sh o uld

, ,

I commit it n ow ? I sh ould soon e r ha ve exp ecte d dea th tha n t o h ea r

this In form m e wh o told y ou a bout it
. .

493

[ Fra gm en t of a letter showi n g t he in fluen ce of go ssip a n d t he dem ora li

z a t ion of ch ildren in t he a b sen ce o f t h e fa th er ]

Jun e 4 1 9 1 4 ,

D E AR WIF E : I in form y ou th a t I a m in goo d h ea l th , tha t I l eft m y

old p l a ce , beca u se there w a s n o w ork I ca m e th en to Tole do a n d I
.

h a ve work I sen t y ou 2 0 ro uble s on Jun e 2 beca u se I ha d n o m o re

.
,
.

Y ou k n ow tha t in th e world it i s in d isp en sa bl e t o ha v e som e m on e y

w ith y ou If God help s m e I w ill sen d you m o re He re in Am e rica
.
,
.

i t begin s n ow t o be so th a t on e d oes n ot work m o re th a n h e wo rks .

Tho usa n d s of p eop le go a bout w i thout work An d a s to our chi ldren .

,

I ca n n o t h ea r a n y more a bo ut i t Give them som e O f th e broom s ti ck .

a n d ch a se th em a wa y on th e s tr ee t beca u se th ey a re so ba d An d ,
.

y ou I a sk d on t wr ite su ch l e tt e r s t o m e a n y m o r e be ca u se oth erw ise

’
, ,

I will s top writ in g t o y ou a t a ll Tell the m a n wh o told y ou a ll this .

1

th a t I w ill sen d h im som e ro ub l e s for bee r in re wa rd for it Le t h im .

ge t drun k [ a ga in ] .

l y th is p r s i f p r v ti h s m h ist y d th i i t t he
P r
oba b ex e s on O o oca on a so e or ,
an s s no

fi t m p l i t of the wif a bo t t h h ildr b t w fi d fr q t p rot ts of th i

rs co a n e u e c en , u e n e u en es s

ki d fr m p a ts bo t t h m m i tio f dis greea bl f cts Th ey y

n o ea s n ,
a u e co u n ca n o a e a . sa

th y d t w t t b m d d ( C f N
e o no an o R efl cti
e is p i fu l t o t h
a e sa . . o . e on a n e

pe t sp ci lly whe he h
a sa n ,
e pe ibility of a ctio
a d by
n ort f p a si
as no oss n ,
an a s o s ve

h d isti c electi
e on h d m d t b p a r d dis gr ea bl
s on eew O he m a y res rt
e an s o e s e a e e n s . r o

t p ositive h d
o istic electio e g dri k Cf No 48 9 n ot 3
e on s n ,
. .
, n . . .
, e .
 I NDI VI D UAL LETTER S AN D FRAGMEN T S 2 93

494
[ Fra gm en t of a letter win g
sho h ow fa m ilia l so lida rit y is s tron ger tha n
g ossi p ]

D EAR WIFE : Proba bly y ou ha ve rece ive d the ship — ticke t a lrea dy ;
so y ou ca n p rep a re t o l ea v e You kn o w tha t p eop l e ha ve told m e
.

ba d thin gs a bout your beha vi or bu t t o m e it seem s othe rwi se

,
I will .

f orgive y ou a ll your wron gdoin g I on ly h op e ou r l ife together ma y

.

be good in th e future The bed furn ishi n gs wha te ve r y ou ha ve

.
-
, ,

b r in g wi th y ou be ca u se h e re th ey a re very e xp en siv e
, An d brin g .

a l so y our be tte r dre sse s w ith y ou ; th e rema in de r ca n be left for the

p r esen t . P u t it in to a trunk a n d le t i t lie the r e for som e tim e Con .

cea l a l s o m y a r m y cer tifica t e

-
I will n ot sen d y ou m on ey ; m a na ge
.

a s y ou ca n u n til y ou com e t o m e Th e a gen t sa id y ou will h a ve n o

trouble a bout a n y thin g Ta ke with y ou a loa f of bla ck brea d—it
.

i s the bes t—
.

a n d a l so som e a p p l es I w ro te y ou al rea dy how y ou m a y

.

e xp la in .

49 5
[ Fra gm en t of ale tter showin g som e coldn ess between husba n d a n d wife
a s t he resul t of em i gra ti on ]

Jun e 1 6
D E AR WI FE : Why
do y ou ma k e such ba d a llu sion s t o m e ? D O
y ou kn o w from wha t f a mily I come P Did y ou n ot k n ow whom y ou
took I ha ve n ot worked for 7 m on th s, a n d n ow tim es a re so ba d
tha t in Am e rica it gets wo rse a n d wor se . A lot of p eop le com e from
ou r coun t ry , a n d h e re in Ame r ica the r e is no work for th em , a n d th o u
sa n d s wa lk ut wi thout w ork But the p eop le in ou r coun try
a bo .

im a g in e th a t wh en som ebody com es t o Am erica h e doe s n o th in g bu t

m a ke m on ey But here in Am erica on e m ust wo rk for 3 h orses a n d
.
,

y e t this work is sca r ce Wi th this le tt e r I sen d y ou som e few zlo ty

.

[a l ittle m on ey] I sen d thirty roubl es which y ou wi ll ha ve for your

.

e xp en ses About th e hol id a y of God s M o th e r [p a tron ] of seed—

tim e’
.

I will sen d y ou p erha p s a ship ticke t a n d then y ou wi ll com e to m e

-
.

As soon a s y ou receive this l e tte r a n d the m on ey writ e m e how m a n y

geese a n d youn g c a ttl e a n d p igs y ou ha ve a lrea dy Why is it so .

ha rd t o p er sua d e y ou to wr it e l e tt er s ? I s it so ha rd for y ou to
wri te P
2 94 PRI M AR Y -
G R OU P O R G AN I ZATI ON

49 6 Jun e 7 1 9 1 4 ,

[ Fra gm en t showin g t h e i n trodu cti on of a out side r i n to fa m il y q ua rrel s ] n

I i n form y ou S ir a bo ut m y h ea lth I a m in good hea l th M r M

, ,
.
,
. .
,

a n d I wi sh y ou th e sa m e Th i s S m olin ia k w en t a wa y w ith a n o ther

.

m a n t o N ew Bri ta in a n d th ey wro te a bo ut u s th a t w e r obbe d th em

,

a n d th e ir sist e r s S O if y ou e ver wr ite [ t o th em ] a s a m a n k n ow in g

.
,

ou r s itu a t ion be so k in d a n d a b u se them

,
An d p l ea se wri te the m .

th e truth wha t p rofit w e h a d of th em

,
When he wa s ill wi th his .

h a n d I h a d his stov e h ea ted for 3 we ek s a n d duri n g th e wh ol e t im e

, ,

wh en h e did n o t wo rk he did n ot p a y his [ full] boa rd bu t on ly

$ 2 for his f ood M a rika [his S i s t e r] a s y ou kn ow rem a in e d [wi th
.
, ,

him ] for d a y s a n d e ven week s a n d we a sk e d n o th i n g for it on ly wh a t , ,

w e l en t h er As t o th eir edu ca tion y ou kn ow th e be st a bout i t

. Th e ,
.

big S obieski s topp ed m e in th e s tr ee t a n d a ske d m e whe th e r h e wa s

m y co usin a n d sa id th a t p roba b ly h e wa s e du ca ted a m on g ca ttl e
,
.

P l ea se t e ll him som e da y or o th e r a bo ut i t .

49 7
[ Th e writer of t h e t w o foll ow in g letters is t he m a n referred t o in t h e
R a czkowski se ri e s in con n ection w ith a q ua rre l w it h Ada m R a cz kowski
, .

He ca m e t o Am eri ca a t a m a ture a g e a n d e m i gra tion p roduce d h a rdl y a n y

ch a n g e in h is a ttitudes Th e p re sen t l ett ers a re in t erestin g be ca use O f t he
.

fa m ili a l s itua tion M a rria ge w ith a R ussia n is of course forbidden by t he

.
, ,

com m un it y on a ccou n t o f both n a ti on a l a n d of reli g i ou s con s id e ra ti on s a n d ,

t h e f a m li y sha res t he st a n dp o in t of t h e com m un it y I n di sown in g th e .

d a ught e r Ol6w con form s t o the exp ecta tion of t h e com m un it y a n d a s hea d
, ,

o f t h e fa m il y ord e rs his w ife t o do t h e sa m e

, I t is true tha t in writi n g t o .

h is co us in s t he Wolskis h e is a ski n g for i n fo rm a tion bu t h e wa n t s th em

, , , ,

a s fa m il y m e mb ers t o kn ow of t h e s itua ti on a n d h e exp ect s t h e m t o sh a re

-
, ,

h is p ositio a n d i n vites th e ir i n tru s i on ]

n ,

[N ove mbe r 1 9 0 9 ] ,

M Y DE AR WI FE : I rece ive d a le tte r from y ou whi ch g r ie v e d me

v ery m uch But I beg y ou don t g rie ve beca u se this g rie vin g will
.
,
’
,

n o t h e lp u s If ou r da u gh ter fo rsa kes y ou d ea r wife a s a good

.
, ,

m o the r a n d her fa the r who wa n d e r s a bo ut th e world for h e r ha p i

, ,
p
n ess a n d if sh e desp ises a ll this
, then n o th i n g ca n be d on e An d , .

when she com es from her wedd in g from the R u ssia n ch urch le t her , ,

imm e d ia tely go a wa y ju st a s she s ta n d s An d y ou d ea r wife I beg .

, ,

y ou l iv e wh ere y ou a re l ivin g beca u se I do n ot e ven kn ow wh e r e t o

, ,
 CORRE SP OND EN CE BE TWEEN H US B AND S
AND WI VE S
thi s c on n ec tion w e fin d a grea t v a rie t y of p r ob l em s
In ,

b ut t he c omm on p rob l em in a ll th e serie s of l e tter s is th a t of

”
t h e c on s ti tution Of wh a t m a y be t e rm e d a n a tur a l
“
fa mil y
,

i e a fa mil y b a s ed n ot up on s ocia l tra di tion a l a ttitud e s

. .
, , ,

b ut onl y up on th e a c tu a l r ela tion s b e tween it s m em b er s ,

a n d ther ef or e p r a c tic a ll y limi te d t o a m a rr ie d c ou p le wi th

th ei r chi ldren ; it is the fa mi l y a s elem en t a r y soc ia l g rou p

of th e cl a s si c a l soc iologic a l theor y I t p roves h ere t o be th e
.

re sult of a rela tivel y la te socia l evolution As the olde r .

form of fa m ili a l un it y in whi ch th e fa m il y em b r a c ed rel a tive s

,

u p t o th e fourth or fifth de gr ee (wi thout ve r y c lea rl y d e te r

min ed lim i ts) de comp os es u n d er th e infl u en c e of n ew con
,

di t ion s it s p a rt s en ter in t o th e c om p osition of difleren t

,

te rritoria l p rofe ssion a l som et ini es n a tion a l a n d reli giou s

, ,

groups a n d thu s their fo rm er con n ec tion is loos en ed

,
.

S im ul ta n eou sl y a n e volution g oe s on wi thin ea c h of th es e

p a rt s—ea c h elem en ta r y grou p of m a rried cou p le + children ;
t h e r ecip r oc a l r ela t ion s of i t s m em b er s u n d e r go a c h a n g e
.

Thi s m a y p erh a ps be be s t e xp re ssed in th e followin g w a y :

As l on g a s th e fa mi lia l gr oup w a s c on s t itut ed by a ll the r ela
t iv e s on th e sid es of b o th hu sb a n d a n d wif e th e fun d a m en t a l
,
“ ”
c on ju ga l n orm w a s th a t of resp ec t b eca u se th e m a rrie d
,

p a ir wa s n ot a n isola ted c ou p l e rel a ted onl y a s in dividu a l s ,

b ut in th em a n d throu gh them th eir re spe c ti ve fa m ili e s

were un i ted a n d the dign it y of th ese fa m ilie s w a s in volve d
,

in th e c on ju g a l r el a tion Wh en thi s l a r ge fa m ily is dis

.

socia t ed t h e fu n da m en t a l c on ju ga l n orm b e c om es tha t o f

,

l ove a n d re cip roc a l c onfiden ce b ec a u se t he rel a tion is a

,

p urel y p er son a l on e I n t he la rger fa mi l y t he c hildren

.

2 96
 CORRES POND EN CE BETWEEN HU SBAN D S AN D WI VES 2 97

we re n ot m erel y chil dren of t he given c o up l e b ut in a sen se ,

b el on g ed t o t he fa mi l y a s a whole a n d t he p a ren t s p a r
, ,

t icu l a rly t h e f a th e r rep r esen t e d th e t o t a l g r oup with r eg a rd

,

t o th em a n d w a s t o som e e x ten t r esp on sib l e for the m

,

b e fore th e g roup Hen c e th e rel a tion b e tween p a ren ts a n d

.

chi ldren w a s on e O f a uthority a n d O b edi en c e a n d b ore a t ,

th e s a m e tim e a c e rt a in im p e r son a l c h a r a c t e r p re c i sel y ,

b ec a u s e it la cke d ex clu siven e ss for t he c hildren a s m em b er s

,

O f t h e l a r g e r g r oup h a d a qu a li t y whic h p ut th em p a rtl y

out sid e of t he sm a ll e r g r oup Th e isola tion Of th e la tter

.

’
b rou ght n ew form s of in t erior li fe ; th e p a ren t s a uthorit y
’
a n d t h e c hildr en s ob e dien c e b e c a m e p er s on a l n ot s o c ia l , ,

a tti tude s a n d t h e in d ivi du a liza t ion c a ll e d for a n ew n orm

,

th a t Of rec ip roca l p e rson a l a ff ec tion .

Th e Polish p ea s a n t is n ow on th e w a y from t h e O ld e r
fo rm of fa mili a l life t o the n ew on e a n d w e fin d in t h e ,

p re sen t volum e t h e t wo f orm s mi x ed in va riou s p rop ortion s .

B u t sin c e in t h e n ew form in d ivi du a l fa c tor s p la y a m u c h

m Ore im p orta n t p a rt th a n in t h e old on e the s tr en g th a n d ,

h a rm on y of fa m ili a l life b egin t o d epen d in a m u c h l a rger

m ea sure up on s u c h fa c tor s a s cha ra c ter in t ell ec tu a l d ev elop ,

m en t s en tim en ta l r efin em en t e t c
, ,
Thu s w e fin d e x a m p l es
.

O f a s tr on ge r or w e a ke r c on n ec tion b e tween th e m em b e r s of

t h e n e w m a rria g e gr oup of a m o r e or l e ss p e rfec t h a rm on y

-
,

in t h e li fe of this g r oup of it s m o re or le ss soli d a ry b eha vior

,

with reg a rd t o t he ex tern a l world e t c ,

.

I n a rra n gin g th e m a ter ia l s w e p la c e fir s t th os e in whic h

t h e m a rria g e gr ou p is sh own a s b ein g m e re l y a p a rt O f t h e
-

“
fa m il y a n d l a ter those in whic h th e n a tura l fa mi l y is
,

defin i tel y c on s titut ed .

 P AWLAK S ERI E S

Th e c on ju ga l r el a tion is he re ve r y im p e r son a l The re .

a re on l y a few ra th e r in significa n t e xp r e ssion s of a ffe c tion ;

b u sin ess n ews a b out chil dren a n d rel a tiv es c on s titute t h e

,

c on ten t of th e le tter s Th e deta ile d a cc oun t whi c h th e w if e

.

give s of a ll e xp en s e s a n d o th er m a tt er s of b u sin ess is sig

nifica n t . I n these m a tter s sh e ta ke s onl y p r ovision a ll y t h e
p l a c e O f h er hu sb a n d a s m a n a ge r of th e p rop ert y whi c h is
t h e b a sis of the l ivin g of the fa m il y a n d in t hi s r e sp e c t h er
,

p osition is s ettl e d ; n othin g ca n be c ha n g e d I n s trikin g .

con tra s t with this b eha vior sta n d s t he fa c t tha t she h a s

e vi d en tl y b ou ght a h o u s e in h er own n a m e wi th m on e y sen t
, ,

h er by t he hu sb a n d . Here a tra dition a l a ttitude h a s n o t

y e t b een su ffi cien tl y e s ta bli she d w ith r ega rd t o t he n e w
p rop ert y a n d th e m on ey for whi ch it w a s b ought for th e
m on e y w a s ea rn e d in a n ew w a y —by em igr a tion
,

Of c our se .

t h e sim p le s t c on c lu sion would be th a t th e rOle of t he wo m a n

S h ould r em a in t h e s a m e b e c a u se the n e w p r ob l em is a n
,

e c on om ic p r ob l em l ike t he O ld on es B u t w e kn ow th a t t h e
.

p ea sa n t sees qua li ta tive differen c e s wh e re the ec on om i s t

fin ds m ere qu a n ti tie s a n d these qu a li ta tive d iff e ren ces in
,

t h e p r esen t c a se a re grea t en ou gh t o lea d t o a n ew a ttitud e .

—
4 99 50 5 , J OZE P A P AW LAK , I N P O LAN D , To HE R
H U S B AND , IN AM ERI CA

B U DZI WOJ ,
Augu st 1 5, 1 91 2

D EAR HU S BAND : I received your l e tter from which I ,

l ea rn e d a bout your d ear hea l th a n d su ccess We a re a ll in good

.

hea lth. The ch ildre n l on g a wfu lly for y ou Wh en you wen t a wa y

.

I could n o t ca l m th em ; th ey cried so tha t they a l m ost beca me sick .

JOZ u s a sks a lwa y s where is fa th e r a n d whe th e r he won t co m e ’

.

2 98
 30 0 PR I M AR Y -
G R OU P OR GANI ZATI ON

th e cow For sh e is so h old th a t

I ca n n o t m a n a ge h er Sh e run s a wa y .

wh en e ver sh e wa n t s t o a n d goe s wh ere ve r she will a n d d oes d a m a ge ,

t o o th e r p eop l e a n d I m u s t p a y,
I would sell h er a n d bu y som e .

O lde r on e ; p erh a p s sh e wo ul d b e gen tl e r N ow I h a ve n o t y et sown .

,

t h e ry e for it h a s ra in ed d u r in g t he wh ol e m on th a n d n ot hin g cou ld

,

be don e . I h a ve n othin g m o re t o wr ite on ly I g ree t y ou kin dly a n d ,

h ea rtily in n u m era bl e tim es M a y I see y ou soon a ga in ! F ra n u s

.
,

An ielcia JOZ iO a n d Wla dzio k iss the ha n d s of th eir d ea r fa th e r

, ,
.

JOZE EA P AWLAK

Ja n ua ry 6 [ 1 9 1 3 ]
N ow d ea r h u sba n d I received 2 5O crown s from y ou on
, ,

Ja n ua ry 2 for which I tha n k y ou hea rtily I ga ve ba ck to t he

,
.

K u st ra s the su m wi th in te re s t They took 1 2 ren ski of in teres t I . .

h a ve th resh ed th e g ra in ; Woj ciech Kr e t thr eshe d for m e I got 4 % .

korce [ 1 8 bush el s] of ry e a n d 4 of ba rl ey The th reshin g cost m e 7 .

ren ski a n d 2 0 cen ts [kr e uz e r] I ha ve groun d in th e mi ll 2 kor ce of

.

ry e a n d of ba rl ey For th re sh e d ba rley I ga v e m o the r th ose 5 c rown s

.

which y ou orde re d a n d I in vi te d her for Chris tm a s eve bu t sh e di d n o t

, ,

com e ; sh e would h a ve com e bu t M a gdu sia did n ot wi sh i t , I .

ha v e ba d tim es n ow for I ha ve n o fir ewood I ha ve burn ed a ll a n d it is .

,

fa r t o the fores t diffi cult to dri ve a n d I h a ve l i ttl e m on ey l eft

, , .

[JOZE FA]

Ma y 1 8, 1 91 3

D E AR HU S B AND : I receive d your le tte r a n d 1 7 5 ren ski .

I ga ve m o th e r 5 crown s a n d 2 2 % ren ski [4 5 crown s] w e re l eft for m e

, .

I ha ve sp en t it a ll for I bough t dun g a t 60 cen ts ; I cou ld ge t it

,

ch ea p er n owh e re I h a d 1 0 wa gon s of my own a n d I bough t

10 Now d ea r h u sba n d I wro t e y ou for a dvi ce wha t to do
, , ,

wi th this hou se which is for sa le a n d y ou a n swe red m e n eithe r so ,

n or o th e rwise N ow p eop l e give [ offe r] for it 53 O ren ski

. It seem s t o .

m e too exp en sive bu t if y ou ord e r d ea r h u sba n d I sh a ll bu y i t for

, , ,

this m on ey beca u se it would be good for u s But if y ou d on t ord er

,
.
’
,

I w on t bu y But the re a re p eop l e who will bu y it for th er e a re

’
.
.

buy er s en ough N ow d ea r h u sba n d up on m y l a n d I p l a n t e d p o ta to es

.
, ,

a n d I l eft on e be d for ca bba g e I ga ve on e bed to mo th er a n d I .

,

ren ted tw o fro m La so ta a n d Pa sek As to th e crop s th ey a re ve ry .

,
 PAWL AK SE RI ES 30 1

n i ce ; we h a v e a sol bea utif ul

l ve r ry e a n d wh ea t and ba rley a nd c o .

N ow I in f orm y ou th a t th e cow s ta n d s in th e s ta ble for they d on t le t

’
,

h er go up on the m a n ori a l p a sture a n d I d on t k n ow wh a t will be ’

,

h ow I sh a ll k eep h er un til th e h a rvest for I h a ve n owh ere t o p a s tur e ,

h er .Mo reover I ha ve got a ca lf a n d n ow i t is imp ossibl e to ge t

x
,
-

ev en a h a n dful of g ra ss from t h e ma noria l l a n d for they g ua rd it da y ,

a n d n i gh t
0
2
I

OZE FA PAWLAK J

50 3 N ovem be r 23 , 1 91 3
D EAR HU SBAN D I h a ve a lrea dy bough t th a t house I .

a g r ee d a t 53 0 a n d I ga ve t h em 40 0 Th e con tra c t is se ttled I . .

p a id 1 3 ren ski a n d 3 0 cen t s for the s ta m p s a n d I m us t s till give 1 3 0

, ,

r en ski S O sen d th em t o m e
. Y ou order ed m e t o borrow 2 0 0 ren ski .

from m oth e r bu t she did n o t give them t o m e for sh e h a d n on e

, She ,
.

h a d len t to Kon dra tka for y ou did n ot m en ti on a n ythin g in your le tte r ,

t o h er a n d she did n ot k n ow [ En u m e ra t es h ou se e xp en ses] You

—
.

orde r e d m e t o bo rro w a m a chin e for s tra w ch opp in g bu t I did n o t ,

ta ke i t for I h a ve n o m on ey Th e p ig k eep s w ell en o ugh b u t ,

I w on t drive it [ t o t he f a ir] un til S t Pa ul s D a y [Jun e

’
Th e cow .
’

a n d ca lf k eep w e ll a l so P a se k w ill sell t w o m orgs [of l a n d ] qu ite .

n ea r th is h ou se wh ich we bough t If we could bu y a t l ea st ha lf a .

m org th en e v en if a h en ra n a bout the r e S he w ould be up on ou r own

,

la n d Pitera is ve ry a n gry with m e for ha vin g bough t this h ou se

.

a n d th r ea ten s m e v ery m u ch 3
OZEFA PA W LAK J
Th e p e rm ission t o sen d ca ttle t o t he ma n d
1
ria l p a stu re , when n ot a ri gh t of

com m on , is some tim e s gra n te d p e rson a lly by t h e m a n or owner a s a re wa rd for -

ri
som e se v ce or a s h elp S om tim es t he a ra gem t is t cit bu t a ft r som tim
. e r n en a , e e e

t h f ct b com s c t m
e a e d is cla im d s righ t
e us oA ch a ge of m an r ow ers o e a a . n ano -
n r

o fi i ls O ft
c a l d t i s tr bl s
en ea s o se r ou ou e .

C tti g f m u ri l gr nf th ow rryin g f d y w d f m t h m ri l
a no a a ss or e co , ca O r oo ro e a no a

fo ests g th ri g f m u h m b ri
r ,
a e n t is t
o id r d i s yroo s, er es , n u s , no con s e e as n an c a se

re pr h ibl Bu t little r p ehe si is a tta ched t o such a t

e ens e . tti g f w
e d r n on c s a s cu n o oo ,

ste li g fr it
a r veget ble
n uletti g t he ca ttl da m a ge t h c op s et c whe ever t h
o a s, n e e r , .
,
r e

d m g i done t o a ma or ow r ot t o a eighb r p s t
a a e s Cf I trod cti
n -
ne ,
n n o -
ea an . . n u on

E co m i L if no c e .

Th p e3 t i Ga licia a re mo e tt hed t la d d m r willin g t o

e a sa n s n r a ac o n an o e un

m ov fr m th e un try t o t he town s th
o e co i y th r p a rt of Pola d Perh p s an n an o e n . a

t he slight d el p me t f i du try i
ev o of t h sn Owi g t o em igr tio
o n s s on e e ca u se . n a n

ther is r l tively m r r dy m y th p ur h bl la d S o th p i c of
e e a o e ea on e an c a sa e n . e r e

l d is
an m a d th en orriva l y b tw bu yers ss m e t he e tr va ga t form s
ou s , n e r e een a u s x a n

exem p li fi d in th i letter e s .
 30 2 PRI M AR Y -
G R O UP OR G AN I ZATI ON

50 4 Ma rch I , 1 914

DE AR HU S B AN D : I n the firs t wo rd s Of m y l e tte r I sp ea k t o y ou ,

d ea res t h u sba n d wi th th ese wo rd s : P ra i se d be Jesu s Ch ri stu s a n d

,
“

t he H oli es t Vi rgin M a ry g l o rio u s th rough t he wh ole world

,
Ma y .
”

Sh e be with y ou d ea res t h u sba n d,

.

[ Gen e ra lities a bout h ea lth a n d s ucce ss] I received 3 2 0 cro wn s ,

from which I ga ve 2 0 crown s to m o th e r a n d 2 60 crown s I m us t give

t o Pa sek for t h i s l a n d a n d h ou se which w e bough t ; 4 0 c rown s wi ll be
l eft for m e I bough t 1 k orzec Of ry e for 2 0 crown s a n d I h a d t o
.
,

giv e 1 2 cro w n s 2 0 h ell e r on a cco u n t of th a t l a n d which w e ha d bou gh t

,

before from D a l a Th e n o ta ry w ith whom we m a d e th e con tr a c t

.

is dea d a n d they did som ewh er e som e ch ea tin g

,
The su ccessor s ha ve .

n ow divid e d th e l a n d a n d for t he e xp en se of this division I h a d t o

give these 1 2 c row n s N ow y ou a sk in whose n a m e I m a d e th is

.

con tra c t a bout thi s h ou se Well I ha ve writt en y ou so m a n y l e tt er s

.
,

a skin g y ou wh e th er I sh o uld bu y it or n ot w h y did y ou n ot wri t e m e ,

in whose n a m e to do it ? [ Fa rmi n g de ta il s ] N ow d ea r h u sba n d , ,

y ou wri te m e t o m ove i n to th is h ou se But I won t m ove un til y ou ’

.

com e for I a m a fra id l est som ebody s hould do m e som e h a r m for i t

, ,

is n ea r th e roa d I a dmi tted a s lodger Jozef Pieski ewicz th e ta ilor

.
, .

He wi ll p a y m e 40 crown s a yea r I sha ll p lu ck the fruit from the .

or ch a rd ,
a n d h e ca n p l a n t p o ta toes for him se lf in t he be d s w h ich

a re t h e r e .

JO ZEFA PAW LAK

50 5 Ap ril 1 7, 1 91 4
D EAR HU S BAND : Y ou writ e m e tha t your leg bi tes [ a ch es]

y o u. W ell I ca n n ot h el p y ou
,
for if y ou w e re a t h om e w e w o uld
,

fin d som e h elp for it On ly I a dvi se y ou th a t the re a re doct ors so

.
,

d on t grudge m on ey bu t go t o a d octor ; p erha p s h e will h elp y ou

’
.

An d d on t p u t on l eeches l e s t som e thin g ba d should ha p p en w i th

’

y o ur leg [.F a rm w ork cr op s e t c ]

-
, ,
.

Ou r ch ildren l ea rn well the y don t eve r omi t t he cl a sse s

’
,

é zu s w ill go t o ch ur ch in t h e su m m er wh en i t i s wa r m for if I to ok
J ,

h im in win te r h e would ca t ch cold Wla dzio ca n no t y e t cross h im self

.

bu t tries a lre a dy t o do it [ Fa rm work ; m a rria ges a n d dea th s]-

.

JOZEFA PAW LAK

30 4 PRI MARY -
GR OU P OR GAN I ZATI ON

Of a tt a c hm en t a s p resc rib ed by t he o rg a n iz a tion of t h e

f a m il y Of c our se th e se x u a l f a c tor m u s t e x ert a p owerful
.

if un c on sc iou s in fl uen ce up on t h e c on ju ga l r ela tion b ut ,

it is n o t c on sciousl y a llow e d t o in te rfe re wi th t h e soc ia l a n d

m ora l side of thi s re la tion .

Th e resp ec tiv e rOles of hu sb a n d a n d w ife c ha n ge a s w e ,

sha ll see a s soon a s m a rria ge b ecom e s a n in di vidua l m a tte r

,
.

Th ere is n o c on tra dic tion b etween t h e l a ck of f a m ilia l

solida rit y in th e m a rrie d wom a n a n d th e solida rit y whic h
an un m a rried girl show s t owa rd her p a ren t s b ro th ers , ,

sis te r s a n d r el a t iv es
,
Th e un m a rried girl h a s n o pa rtic u l a r .

fa m ilia l fu n c tion t o p erform a n d hen c e h er p er son a l a fl ec

tion t o in divi du a l m em b ers O f the f a m il y ca n stil l ea sil y
fit in t o t h e fa m ili a l orga n iza tion .

50
—
6 9 , J AN K UK I ELK A, I N AME RI CA , TO H I S W I FE , I N PO LAN D

50 6 Aug us t 9 , 1 91 I

[ A p a ge a nd a ha lf
usua l gree tin gs w ishe s a n d gen era l ities of th e , ,

a bout h ea lth ] N ow I in form y ou d ea res t l i ttl e wife a bout wh a t

.
, ,

y ou a sk whe the r M a rika sha ll go to Wa rsa w a ltho ugh sh e i s th e

, ,

da ugh ter of a fa rm er Well I a n swer y ou th a t she is n o t to go .

‘

, ,

beca u se I do n ot a llow this N ow a s t o ou r son An t on i with h im it s ‘ ’

.
, ,

i t W r wm
3
Go n g g i g t o erv a sa h m a id The fa th r forbids
ea n s o n o s e as a ou se . e

it tr ry t t h p l i dig it y f f rm e
a s con a o e g i st l
ec u dl s p
ar t We n o a a r as a a n a an es e a sa n .

fi d th
n m a er i
e sa t a y h ir d work f
e v wive
s on Th is o i i w ke dn e or s . a v e rs on s ea ne ,

w ith o t di a pp ri g wh e t h
u s h il d t h wi f h
ea n t g
, ot t P lish st t e
n e c or e e as o o, n o a o e a or

c ity bu t br d—t o G m y t Am rica S di g hildr t o hir d w rk i the

,
a oa er an or o e . en n c en e o n

cou n try is t it bl f f m er w h h s m
no su a m g
e f l d wh il
or a l y rich
ar o a so e IO or s O an , e on

f rm r w i g t 3 m gs
a e s, o n n si d it b l w th ir dig ity t o e d th ir ch il
20 o 0 or ,
con er e o e n s n e

dr t G rm
en oy Evid tly t h r
e an f thi differ
. i th t t h e w rk a broa d
en e ea son o s en ce s a o

h s m e ch r ter of
a so v lty whi h m ke the p p li ti O f tr dition l in h ibitio s
a ac s no e c a a ca on a a n

to it le s t r l d imm di t F rth t h i h ibiti i ot str g w ith

s na u a an e a e . u er , e n on s n so on

reg rd t boys s t gi l
a o t str g w ith
a g d t o g irl a s t wiv s a n d i t h e
o r s, n o so on re ar s o e , n

r
p oc s f i du tri l v l ti
e s o t h fir t h
n s lm ost di pp e r d Bu t it ms sti ll
a e o u on e s as a sa a e . see

t b i ti cti ely h ld w ith reg rd t t h

o e ns n v ld st e m r c tly t th a o e o e son or , o e e xa , o e son

w h i t t k hi fa th r s f rm
o s o a I t is
e rt i ly eith r by m e
s e
’
tim t o by
a . ce a n n e re sen en n r

r tio l c l l ti n th t t h s wh is d sti ed t ta ke t he f rm i m r u w illi gly

a na a cu a o a e on o e n o a s o e n n

a llow d t g t h ired work th

e o other s ns
o o The a versio t o h ired w rk c an o . n o er
 KUKI ELKA S ERI ES 30 5

goin g v e ry ba dly , a n d in this wa y , tha t he d oes n ot keep his work , a n d

i s w ith o ut a cen t a t a ll , a n d if a n ybody sa y s a n yth in g t o him , he d oes
n ot l is ten rea dy t o figh t Wha t ca n be don e w ith such
a t a ll , bu t is .

a boy ? Y ou ca n u n d e r s ta n d d ea re s t l ittl e wife t ha t it would be , ,

quite un s uita ble for m e to g ive him m on ey beca u se y ou kn ow yourself ,

tha t I m ust think of y ou a ll a n d it would be t oo m uch if I ha d still t o ,

ha ve difli cu lt ies w ith him or to be c on ce rn ed w ith his difi cu lt ies .

When I som e ti mes p redic ted to him [ the ba d con sequen ces of his
beh a vior] h e took p a in s n ot t o me et m e a t a ll Wha t m ore ca n I do P .

I in fo rm y ou however th a t h e is in good h ea l th ; tha t is a ll th a t I

c a n te ll y ou dea re s t l ittle w ife I in form you a lso dea rest l ittle w ife I
, .
, ,

th a t I will sen d y ou a bout 1 0 0 roubles a fter som e da ys So don t .

’

a n swe r this le tte r beca use a fter som e da ys a n oth e r w ill com e a n d
, ,

t hen y o u will a n swe r bo th N ow I wa n t to sa y this a l so m y dea r .

,

little wife tha t I a m very m uch p lea sed with your doin g good f a rmin g
,

for m e a n d keep in g the boa rs sows a n d p igs a n d wi th your ha vin g

, , , ,

h a rves te d th e c rop s I a m very m uch p lea sed with th i s le tte r .

,

d ea res t l ittle w ife N ow I in form y ou a bout my work I work in a

.
2
.

t a in ly goes ba c kt o y from th fa m il i l fa rm wa s ma i ly
t he tim e when t he wo k a wa r e a n

s r e vag w rk ; b t th i s i h rdly s fli i t by its lf t o xp la i t h fa ct

e o u s a W mu t u c en e e n e s . e s

ta k i t e ider ti th di ti ti p i ted t el ewhere betwee fa rm i com

n o con s a on e s nc on , o n ou s , n -
n e

a nd i c m from h ir d l b r th l tt r bei g dditio a l a n d de ti ed p rim a ri ly

n o e e a o ,
e a e n a n s n

t o cov r s ch i th e p s t co om y a e rela tively ew wh ile t h e

’
ep u ex en se s a s n ea a n s e n r n ,

fa m i c m is the ess ti l b si of livi g of t he whole fa mily All the e fa ct

r -
n o e en a a s n s s a re

r m m b th t eco omic orga n i a tion is dete m ined by f m ili l

.

e xp l i ed if w
a n e e e er a n z r a a

o rga n iza ti o Th ess ti lly fa m ili l p rop erty is t he h eredita y fa rm

n . e en a d g a i st a r , an a n

t h is t he m o ey a ed ou ts id rep rese ts t h
n e m or i dividu a l f m f p r p rty
rn e n e e n or o o e .

W g s bein g a rela tively recen t p h enom o

a e , ot b s mp le t ly s bordi ted en n , ca n n ea co e u na

t o t h fa m ili l t
e dp oi t l n d d l d in c m ev if th ir s b rdi a tio is
a s an n as a an an -
o e, en e u o n n

m a if t ed by the dem a n d th t e m ed m ey b t r d o r t t h fa m ily Ther

n es a a on e u ne ve o e . e

f r h i d work is felt s p a rticu la rl y u u ita bl f r th

o e, re wh a co ecti on w ith ns e o ose ose nn

t he m a i fa mil i l grou p i p rticu la rly clo e whi le a ce t i r l

n a sti of t h i hibi
a s , r a n e a xa on e n

ti i a t r l f t h m mb rs who will sooner o la t r st blish

on s n u a or e e w b a n ch of
e r e e a a ne r

t h e fa m ily .

P rticu la rly ra p id em ip a tio f t he boy The fa ther thority is ot

I ’
a anc n o . s au n

s ffi ie t wh
u c notn upport d by th whole fa m ily group d comm un ity
en s e e -
an .

Th f m w rk don e by t h e wif is p r se ted h re a s merit rio s a n d a s if it

3
e ar -
o e e n e o u

wer do e f e th hu sba n d
n d deserved his p rti la r gr tit de
or e Thi an ttitude a cu a u . s a

s eem co tr ry t o th
s f milia l p rin ciple a ccordi g to wh ich th r is o divisio
n a e a , n e e n n

o f p rop ert y b twee h b d a n d wif bec s th e i

e n
p riva te p r p rty
us an e au e er s no o e .

Ku kielka is a lso e ide tly con s rv tiv a d it is imp roba bl t h t he w ld oc u p y

v n e a e n e a ou c

a n i di i dua listi c
n t dpoin t Th exp la n a tio i co ected with t he situa tion
v s an . e n s nn
30 6 P R I M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR G AN IZATI ON

brick-f a c to ry r very good m on ey tha t is $ 2 7 0 for 1 3 h ours

a n d ea n , ,
. .

The work i s ve ry h ea vy bu t I d on t m in d it ; le t it be h ea vy bu t m a y
’
, ,

it la st with out i n terrup tion Th e brick fa c tori es a re goin g a ll righ t

.
-

durin g the summ e r bu t in w in te r th ey s top a n d I a m a fra id of it ,

.

But let it be a s ou r L ord God sen d s i t Wh en th a t da y com es som e .

,

wa y wi ll be fo un d N ow I h a ve n o thin g m ore t o wri te onl y I m a y a dd

.
,

th a t in Am e rica th e re h a ve been en orm ou s f eve rs for som e d a y s ,

th ousa n d s [ En d of the le tte r m issin g ] AN K U KI ELKA [J ]

50 7 Ja n ua ry 6, 1 91 2

[ Two p a ge s of g re e tin gs ,
wishes rep roa ch es a n d justifica tion s , ,

a bout wr i tin g or n ot w r i t in g
l e tte rs ] Now dea res t l i t t le wif e a s ,

t o wh a t y ou wri t e a bo ut sen di n g a shi p tic ke t for [ ou r d a ugh t e r] -

M a rika it is so : AS t o th e shi p —
,
t icke t it d oes n ot m a tte r m u ch bu t I , ,

mi n d m os t th i s : If I t a ke M a ri k a wh a t wil l y ou do th ere d ea res t l i ttl e

, ,

w if e You k n ow yourself th a t she is of g rea t h elp t o y ou Th a t is .

on e thin g An d secon dly I min d tha t th e girl w ill be v ery sa d a n d

.

will suff er m ise ry Here in Am erica it is n ot th e sa m e a s in ou r

.

co un try Wh a t if sh e d oes com e to m e ? Sh e ca n n o t r em a i n w i th

.

m e bu t m u st go in to se rvi ce a n d in th e service it is n ecessa ry to l ea rn

, ,

th e En gl ish l a n gua ge a n d e ven t o l ea rn wa shin g a n d cookin g

,
Th en .

th ere w ill be m ise ry a n d weep in g beca use som ebody sp ea k s a n d ,

y ou ca n on ly l oo k a t h im If y ou wa n t it ex ceed ing ly I will sen d [ the

.

tick e t] bu t th en d on t bla m e m e N ow I in f o rm y ou a l so d ea res t

,
’
.
,

l i ttl e w ife th a t a fter th is le tter I will sen d y ou som e roubl es so

, ,

wa it som e d a ys before y ou a n sw er .

The l o vin g fa ther Of ou r children ,

I

[JAN K U KI E LKA ]

D ecem be r 3 0 , 1 91 3
dea r wife a n d da ugh te rs write to me wh en
An d n ow , , ,

do y ou th in k i t best for m e t o r e turn h om e ? On E a s te r or a t som e

o th er t im e ? An d n ow I g reet y ou d ea r wife a n d d a ugh ter s a n d I , ,

ou tli d i t he first n ote this lett r The hu b d s em igra ti an d the h ir d

ne n on e . s an
’
on e

w rk he is d i g
o v if o n ,
it t d by t he sit tio
e en n ecess stil l form a lly
a e d pa r ua n , a re a e

tu re from his fa mil i a l du ty whi h would obli ge h im t o r m a i o th fa rm Th

, c e n n e . e

w ife by doi g h i work p erfo rm s hi d t y n d is th er f r titl d t o gra titud

Th eir rr g m e t is p er on a l v if it s obj ect— work—
fa rm —
n s s u a e o e en e e .

a an e n s i f m ilia l
e en s a .

Cu i s e p ressi
r ou f t he f m ilia l a ttit d
x on o a u e .
30 8 P RI M AR Y GR OU P
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

wif e , tha t tha t le tte r did n o t p l ea se m e a t a ll beca use I a sked y ou t o ,

wri t e m e wh en I should com e a n d y ou did n o t a n swe r m e a s if y ou we re

, ,

n ot m y own wif e bu t a coo k or som e o th e r h ire d wom a n An d n ow I

info rm y ou th a t y ou wro te tw ice for m e t o sen d y ou m y p ho tog ra p h
, ,

y ou ga ve m e n o p ea ce To t ell th e tru th I did n ot even wi sh it bu t

.
, ,

when y ou wro te on ce a n d th en on ce m ore I wa s obl iged t o sen d y ou ,

the p ho tog ra p h But it wa s e xp en sive for m e a lon e so I a ske d

.
,

m y com p a n ion a n d this cos t u s chea p er

,
M y comp a n i on sen t on e .

a t on ce t o ou r coun t ry a n d th e y a n swere d him a n d th a nk e d hi m ve ry

,

m u ch bu t when I sen t i t I did n ot even ge t a n a n swe r

,
S u ch is .

th e g ra t i tud e I go t I ha d though t tha t I l eft a good wife a t hom e

.
,

bu t I w a s d isa pp oin ted ; t h e h u sba n d is fa r a wa y I wrote l e tte rs .

a s t o a w if e bu t I did n o t r ece ive a n y good a n sw e r s for th em

,
Wh e n .

I wa s a l ittl e boy wi th m y p a ren ts I wa s gla d a n d ha pp y I h a d wha t ,

e ve r I w ish ed a n d n ow I h a ve a wif e w h o d oes n ot e ven w rit e t o m e

,

a bo ut m y da ugh te r s S uch is th e rewa rd for on e s goodn ess

’
. .

An d n ow dea r wife y ou w r i te m e tha t J6zef you r br o th e r wri te s

, , , ,

a bo ut th ose fe w ro ub les a s k in g for the m , S o I write y o u de a r wif e .

, ,

y ou m a y wri te to him tha t I w ill sen d him th ose few ro ubl es b u t ,

on ly wh en I a m a t h om e N ow I will n ot sen d m on ey h om e be ca u se
.

I n ee d it for my j o urn ey a n d wha t is left I wi ll give ba ck An d n ow

,
.

y ou wri te tha t y ou ha ve n o m ilk

, D O y ou thin k th a t I ha ve i t ? .

You ha ve ry e for brea d 1 0 korcy a n d I m u st bu y brea d ; y ou h a v e

, ,

a h ou se a n d I m u s t p a y r en t 7 ro ubles a m on th a n d so m y wo rk
, , ,

goes on An d n ow dea r wif e y ou wri te th a t y ou ha ve a fa t p ig

.
, ,

[ rea dy] to be killed so I a dvise y ou if they p a y y ou we ll y ou ca n se ll

, , ,

him if p igs a re cl ea r ; bu t if they a re chea p d on t sell

’
, [ En d missin g ] , .

[ JAN K U KI E LKA]
 JAN KOS KI S ER I E S
A t yp ic a l c on jug a l r el a tion upon t h e f a m ilia l b a sis is
s hown in this se ries Th e wi fe is a sub stitute for the.

hu sb a n d p erformin g e c on om ic fun c tion s ; th ere is a la ck

,
’ ’
o f p e r s on a l in te r e s t s ; t h e hu sb a n d s f a th er a n d wi f e s sis t e r

a re in sol id a r y co op er a tion wi th t h e m a rria ge g r ou p

- -
.

SI C
— I I ,
FR O M S ZYMO N J AN K O S K I ,
IN AME RI CA , TO
HI S W I FE , IN POLAN D

P E R TH AMB O Y , N .
J Augu s t
.
,
1 1 , 1 91 3

[ Usua l gree tin gs w ish es] An d n ow d ea r wife I in form you

and , ,

a bo ut m y s u ccess th a t m y su ccess is good en ough beca use I ha ve

,

w o rk a n d I work eve ry da y D ea r wife if y ou fin d a n Opp ortun ity to

.
,

b u y [ a fa r m ] som ewhe re for a bout 7 0 0 roubl es th en bu y i t I re ques t , ,

y ou d ea r wife a n d d ea r fa th e r for th e m on ey tha t is in the ba n k

, ,

th e re a n d if som e m ore is n eed ed write to me D ea r wife a n d d ea r

, , .

fa the r if y ou ha ve the opp ortun ity to bu y som ewhere n ea r a m a n or

, ,

t h en bu y i t eithe r in Choj n ow o or in Obr ebie c or in Czern ice beca use

,
'

i t is a lwa ys be tter to bu y n ea r a m a n or tha n somewh ere fa r a wa y ,

a s the re is the p ossibil ity of e a rn in g som e thin g An d n ow dea r .

,

w ife a n d dea r fa ther wha t y ou write a bout m on ey tha t I m igh t sen d

, ,

y ou so d ep rive yourselves of it for som e tim e y e t cl ea r w ife a n d

, ,

d ea r fa the r beca u se n ow I sha ll sen d y ou n on e a s it is n o t worth sen d

, ,

in g so m e cen ts I h a ve m on ey bu t I a m n o t w ill in g to sen d these few

.

c e n ts .I wi ll sen d y ou la ter a n d m ore a t on ce then y ou wi ll kn ow tha t ,

y ou ha v e received [ som e thin g] a n d I sha ll kn ow tha t I ha ve sen t th e

m on ey An d so I will sen d y ou l a ter bu t th en a bout 2 0 0 roubl es
.
,
.

Now d ea r wife I re ques t y ou to go to Obr ebiec t o ca ll on th e Ad a m skis

, , ,

a n d t o a sk th em the a ddr ess of th ei r son a n d sen d m e t his a ddr ess t o ,

Am erica N ow I ha v e n oth in g m or e to wr ite bu t to g r ee t y ou d ea r

.
,

wif e lovin gly a n d hea rtily I g ree t S ta siek a n d Au tos a n d I g ree t dea r
, .
,

f a th e r [ Gree tin gs from som e frien ds]

.

[ SZ YMON JAN KO SK I]
3 I o P RI MAR Y G R O UP
-
OR G ANI ZATI ON

I request y ou d ea r r ea der if y ou ca n n o t rea d wha t I wrote

N ow , ,

h er e do n ot a n swer beca u se I di d n ot l ea rn in a sch ool bu t in a ba rn ;

, , ,

so wr i t e m e d ea r rea d e r did y ou rea d i t or n ot

I
.
, ,

Ma y 1 3, 1 91 4

I gr ee t y ou d ea r wife a n d y ou my d ea r children
An d n ow , , ,

I gree t y ou a ll w ith those go dly words P ra ised be [et c] An d n ow ,

“ ”
.

I in form y ou th a t I receive d th e le tte r from y ou for wh i ch I th a n k

y ou ve ry k in dly dea r w if e a n d y ou d ea r children
,
An d n ow I , ,
.

in fo rm y ou d ea r wif e tha t I sen t you 2 0 ro ubl es on t h e sth of M a y

, ,
.

I wo uld ha ve sen t y ou m o re bu t m y fin ger wa s woun ded For th ree .

weeks I ha ve n o t been a bl e to wo rk a n d I d on t kn ow how it wi ll be ,

’

furth er N ow tha n ks to God a n d t o Go d s M o ther this fin ge r d oes

.
,
’
,

not p a in m e so m u ch .

An d n ow y ou a sk m e d ea r wife h ow m u ch m on ey Wa lerka , ,

[p roba bly wife s siste r] e a rn s in Am e ri ca Well do y ou k n o w

’
, ,
.
,

dea r wife tha t I sp en t for h er m ore th a n $ 60 a n d from h er wa ges I

, ,

h a v e n ot a cen t She serv e d wi th a ce rta in m a ster a n d mi s tress for

.

a m on th a n d th ey did n ot g ive h er a cen t for a ll th is wo rk O f h e rs a n d ,

so $ 1 4 w a s l os t An d n ow I th a n k y o u dea r w ife for buyin g thi s

.
, ,

l a n d a n d I reques t y ou d ea r w if e t o d escribe to m e how did y ou

, , ,

su cceed wi th t h a t b u sin ess a n d wh a t a bout th a t a n n u i ty ? I s it

,

a lrea dy fi n ish ed or n ot ? I re ques t y ou describe a ll this You write , .

dea r wife a bout tha t S t a siek whether you m a y ta ke him or n ot

,
.

, .

I l ea v e it to yo ur choice If y ou a re a tta ch ed to him ta k e [ a d op t

.

h im An d n ow I infor m y ou d ea r wif e th a t I will sen d y ou p resen tly

.
, ,

the a ttorn ey s p ower An d n ow I th a n k y ou d ea r son tha t y ou

’
.
, ,

don t w ish t o com e t o Am erica beca use n ow in Am erica the r e is

’
,

terrible p overty It [ wo rk] g oes ba dly I ha ve n o thin g m ore t o

. .

wr i te I on ly wish y ou a ll h ea lth ha p p in ess a n d good success ; wha t

, ,

y ou wi sh for y our self fro m ou r Lord God a n d G od s M o th e r a n d I

’
,

a sk y ou for a sp eedy a n sw e r Got u aj [good n igh t] .

.

SZYMON JAN K O S KI
Th is is a rh yme i n t he o g ri i a l
n , a nd is p roverbia l .
3I 2 PR I M AR Y G RO U P
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

I d on t sp en d a sin gl e g rosz in va in It seem s t o y ou th a t y ou h a ve

’
.

sen t m e m u ch m on ey But I h a ve p a id so m a n y d ebts I ha ve on ly. .

tro ubl e with these ch ildren for th ey don t a sk wh e ther I ha ve m on ey ,

’

or n o t bu t re quire m e t o g iv e th em
, I kn o w m yself tha t y ou a re .

wo rki n g h a rd y ou don t n ee d to a d m on ish [ re min d m e for I di d

,
’
,

n o t bu y a n ythin g for m y self [ Food p rices ; n ews a bout p ig s a n d .

cow ] N ow d ea r h u sba n d I wi sh y ou a M erry Ch ris tma s

,
It wou ld ,
.

be be tte r if w e w ere toge th e r ; i t would re j oice u s m ore In

goin g t o be d a n d in risin g rem e mbe r u s a lwa ys clea r h u sba n d
I
.
,

Your m os t lovi n g wife ,

M AR YAN N A LAZOW S KA

Ja n ua ry 2 9, 1 91 4

D E AR [ B ROTHER] B OLE K : I in fo rm y ou a bout my g rief .

When y ou wr ote a le tt e r a n d a ske d how m a n y there a re of ou r fa mil y ,

sh e sp oke a n d a sked u s t o wri te a bout h er a l so Sh e fell sick wi th 2

.

m ea sl es th en she go t i n fla mm a tion of th e lun gs

, There w ere d oc to rs .
,

bu t th ey could n o t sa ve h er S h e wa s a wfully c l eve r i t is difli cu lt t o .

,

r el a te I a m te rribly p a in e d If it we re by la n d I woul d
.
3
.
,

go a f oo t t o Am er ica Gra n dfa th er d esp a irs con ti n ua lly a fte r

Hen ka s d ea th a n d h e ca n n ot forge t her c le vern ess His h ea l th
’
.

ha s go t ve ry ba d ; h e ca n n o t work a n d sa y s th a t he will die soon .

Th i s r q est te d sc i usl y t s i m il a t th f mili l d th li gi s

I
e u n s u n con o o a s e e a a an e re ou

a ttitud s Th m om ts ft r t h d d bef r th begin i g f the da ily w rk

e . e en a e e en an o e e n n o o

ar e vide tl y t h o s m t f vor bl t
e n e n di t rb d
ne d p rel y
os tim t a l
a a e o an u s u e an u se n en

r m em br
e fh m G di
a n ce o workm s life At t h s m ti me the p ri dic l
o e or o n a an
’
. e a e e o a

c h r ter of th i r m m br
a ac w uld t d t m a ke f it bot h
s e e h bit a d du t y
a n ce o en o o a a n a .

W d r t d b tt r t hem
e un e s an i g f th i r q st if w r m m b r th t t h
e e o m l
ea n n o s e ue e e e e a e n r a

life f t h p a t i f lly p ctic l d lw y d term i d by th ct l itu t i on

O e ea s n s u ra a an a a s e ne e a ua s a .

R fl ti o
e ec d r m m br n an q ir i him p rtic l flort d
e e a n ce lm o t
re u e n a a u ar e an an a s

a bs l t fr d m f m i d
o u e d body
ee o Th r f re h
o refu lly l ct t h time n d
n an . e e o e ca se e s e a

pl c a f r fl ti
e o r m m br c
e ec d m k s f
on or th se ts a lf co i u
e e an e an a e or e ac se -
n sc o s,

i t ti l d m tim ri di l u ly c em i l p r p ra ti
n en on a ,
an so e es
( S e V ol I I I )
cu o s er on a e a on . e . .

As i l tter w iti g efl cti

n e -
d r m m b a ce
r n re c m bie d t h sa m e
on a n re is e e r n ar o ne , e ca

sh w o in t he p rep a r ti o fo it
n a n r .

Th m 2
i g i th t her i ty ot t be om itt d i th e u m ra ti o f
e ea n n s a anx e n o e n e n e on

t h m mb rs of t he f m il y w
e e e a f r bodi g of h ad a th as o e n er e .

N o ma l id a li a tio
3 r ft r d th I hil dr it i u lly i t llige ce w hich
e z n a e ea . n c en s su a n e n

i th
s id li d i gr w p p er
us ea ze h r ct r
, n Pe rh p th i i dea liza ti
o n -u in son s , c a a e . a s s on

ge r l ine a o i a ttem p t to j stify in divid l gri f whe it g es b yo d

s a n u n c n sc ou s u ua e n o e n

t he li m i t ssign ed by th a oci a l regu la tio f t he ttitu de tow rd d th

e s At a n y n o a a ea .

r a t it is a n a ttemp t t o g iv ob
e j ti rea o s for s bj ective gri f e ec ve s n u e .
 LAZOWS KA SERI ES 31 3

As t o th e a ir [ wea the r] ,
up t o th e p esen r t we h a d frost , bu t n ow it
d oes freeze a n y m ore
n ot .

We sa lute a n d g ree t y ou toge th er wi th y our wife a n d ch ildren .

Sh e d ied on Ja n ua ry 1 9 a n d w a s bur ied on Ja n ua ry 2 0 ,

.

MAR YAN NA LAZOW S KA

Ma rch 20 , 1 914

D E AR UN CLE : Wh a t does
th a t we h a ve n o le tte r i t m ea n
We ha ve ha d n o le tter sin ce D ecem ber 5 Wha t d oes it m ea n ? Are .

they [ the f a ther a n d oldest sister] dea d or wh a t ? We wrote 3 le tte rs ,

a n d we h a d n o a n swe r t o a n y of th e m When Henka died we wro te .

a l ett er bu t th e re wa s n o a n sw er S o p l ease un cl e writ e a l ette r a t

ou r cost— we will p a y for it—
.
, , ,

a n d d es cr ibe k in dly wha t is goin g on ,

for w e d on t kn ow beca u se w e h a ve n o l e tte r

’
, We beg y ou for God s .
’

sa ke t e ll u s h ow it is
,
If som ebody is S ick th ere d escribe e very th in g
.
, .

Wha t ha pp en ed wi th ou r fa th e r tha t he d oes n o t de ign to write a ,

l e tter ? When Gen ia [ the old est sis ter] wa s lea vi n g m othe r a d m on ,

ished h er n ot to f orge t a bout l e tte rs An d she d oes n ot even d eign .

t o wr it e a l e tt e r We won d er h ow ca n a da ugh te r be so m ea n
. So .
1

p l ea se un cl e rea d the m this le tte r

, , But p erha p s th ey a re n o m ore .

a l ive Then p lea se d esc ribe to u s kin dly eve rythin g On ly we

.
, ,
.

beg y ou for a sp ee dy a n swe r We bow to y ou un cle a n d a un t ie .

, ,

a n d t o a ll ou r a c qua in ta n ces We wish y ou a m e rry Ea ster Alle . .

tu ta hl Th e en d.
’
[LAzowsxA s CHI LDR EN ]

Ap r il 10 ,
1 91 4

D E AR HU S B AN D AN D D AU GH TER : We received your l e tte r ,

for which we th a n k y ou h ea rtily a n d th e mon ey a l so D ea r h u sba n d , .

,

Hen ka is d ea d Sh e fell si ck on Ja n ua ry 5
.
2
Th ere wa s on e
d oc tor a n d a no ther a n d they tried t o sa ve her a n d she wa n ted to l ive , .

Everythin g wha t ev e r the doc tor p rescribed she took eve rythin g
, , .

She ha d 40 cupp i n g gla sses a pp l ied I n th e l a st m om en t d ea r

-
.
,

d a ugh ter she kissed your p ho togra p h a n d kissed m e on the fa ce

, , ,

Th d ghter e i de tl y h
1
e au t m ch devel p ed fa m ili l f li g
v n a s no
pe a u -
o a ee n , or r

h a p t he f t th t h i i Am ri
s ac awith h e fa ther
s e s d l coun t fo her
n e ca r an u nc e a c s r

l k of lo gin g f h m
ac n or o e .

He fi rst l tt r w ith
1
r w s of t h d th w s vid tly
e e t r eived by the
ne e ea a e en no ec

h u ba d wh o hea rd of it th rou gh the l tter to t h e broth r i l w

s n ,
e e -
n- a .
3 4
I PRI M AR Y G ROU P
-
OR G AN IZATI ON

ra ised her eyes on high a n d d ied S he fin ished h er wa n d erin g h e re .

a n d w en t t o e t er n ity t o t h e M o the r a n d t o h er L ord

,
But for m e it .

is a te rrible burd en for I l o v ed her a n d sh e l o ve d m e

,
Wh en I en te r .

i n to the house it is a s sa d for m e a s in a den We g rieve d beca use we

,
.

h a d n o l e tter we th o ugh t th a t y ou w e re d ea d
,
As t o th e wea th e r in .

ou r co un t ry it is so w e t th a t on e could drown dog s

,
I n g a rd en s .

wa ter sta n ds it is im p ossible t o sow or t o p la n t M a n y p eop l e d ie d

,
.

this yea r D ea r h usba n d a n d dea r d a ugh ter we ha ve sa d h oli

.
,

d a ys this yea r it is difli cu lt even to d escribe t o you m y sa d exp erien ce

,

O f t his yea r I wa s in M la wa t o bu y seed s ; I Sp en t 50 ro u bles

.
,

Gra n dfa ther is a lso im p a ired in hea lth a n d ca n n ot work I tha n k .

y ou h ea rtily for th e d olla r R em embe r d ea r h u sba n d n o t to f orge t

.
, ,

a bout l e tte rs Gra n d m o ther a l so g rie ves tha t u n cle does n ot

wri te M ARYANNA LAzowsxA [ ]
.

D ea r f a th e r wha t S ha ll m o th er do wi th m e for I sha ll go t o t h e

, ,

s chool on ly till va ca t ion a n d m o ther d oes n ot k n ow wh e re t o give m e

,

[ in a pp ren ticeship ] .

M o ther is very a n g ry w ith y ou [ Gen ia ] for n o t even sen d in g a

bow t o t he M ora w ia n kis fo r when t he l e tt e r com es th ey a lwa y s a sk
,

wh ether y ou sen d gree tin gs for them WACE K [ ]

.

Ap r il 2 3, 1 91 4
H U S B AND : We a re in goo d hea lth on ly g ra n dfa th e r
D E AR ,

i s s ick . He m a d e a will for h e is in d a n ge r of l ife He h a s will ed m e

, .

ev erythin g This ha pp en e d on Ap ril 2 2 I a m t o p a y 1 0 0 roubl es t o

. .

S o I beg y ou d ea r h u sba n d sen d m e m on ey for it

’
th e B S .
, , ,

cos t m e a lrea dy som e 1 5 ro u bles An d I a m wr i tin g a lrea dy th e .

sixth l e tt er a n d I h a v e a n a n sw e r t o n on e
, Y ou see d ea r h u sba n d .
, ,

wha t diffi culties a n d e xp en ses I ha ve ; a s soon a s on e is fin ishe d ,

a n o th er com es S o I beg y ou sen d m e th is deb t for th ey m a y m a k e

.
, ,

a comp l a in t a ga in s t m e p a rt icula rly sh e D ea r h u sba n d n o th in g

, .
,

rej oices m e [n ot even this will ] for I h a ve n ot my d ea r da ugh te r , .

Wh ereve r I go I a m sa d At e very m om en t I thin k a bout her a n d .

a bout y ou .

As t o th e a ir it is wa rm There is wo rk to be don e a n d n obody

,
.
,

t o w ork for gra n dfa th e r is ill

,
Fen ces m us t be rep a ired a n d p o ta toe s
.

p l a n te d The p r ices a re v e ry high in ou r coun try

.
a n d w o rk

is difi cu lt to ge t ; on ly cra ft sm en ca n ea rn
 OL S ZAK S ER I E S

Th e solida ri t y O f th e fa m il y group h a s n o t y e t b een

O ld -

s up erse ded b ut the re is a m a rked b egin nin g of t he isola tion

,

O f th e m a rria g e g ro u p R ea l p er s on a l love is exp re ss e d in

-
.

t h e l ett er s of t h e wi f e Th e c on n e c tion b e tw een t h e .

m a rria g e gr oup a n d t h e re s t of th e fa m i ly is r el a tiv e l y

-

’
l oosen ed pa rtic ul a rl y in t h e c a se Of t he wif e s fa m il y B u t
,
.

h ere a ga in i t is th e hu sba n d who is m ore c on se rva tive in h is

f a milia l a ttitudes I t is h e who trie s t o re es ta b lish a
.
-

c l oser c on n ec tion b e twe en his wife a n d h er p a r en ts a n d

sis te r s Though h e m a y be m ove d in this c a se m or e
.

p a rtic ul a rl y by the de sire t o help his wi fe t hi s I S c erta in l y ,

n ot his r ea son for a skin g his c ou sin n ot onl y t o h elp b ut a l so

t o c on tr ol h er .

51 8—21 ,
To P I O TR O L S ZAK , I N AME RI CA , FR O M WI PE
AN D F AM I LY - ME MBERS , I N P O LAN D

N ov e mber 1 2, 1 91 3

D E AR HU S B AN D : [ Hea lth a n d s uccess ] I n m y fie ld

[ co usin ] Ja kOb worked 2 % d a y s wi th a sin gle horse a n d then on e da y
with t wo horses He ha s n o t been p a id a t a ll a n d h e will wa i t till
.

y ou sen d h im som e thin g be ca u se I borrow ed 2 5 [g uld en ] of m on ey

,

a n d bo ugh t a ca lf I bo rrowed this m on ey from KOIu p a An d

. .

Ja ké b bou gh t m e a p ig for I I gulden I ha ve du g th e p ota toes ou t .

a n d h a ve sown 7 m ea s ure s of wh ea t a n d I m ea sure of ba rley a n d 7

m ea sures of ry e I ha ve d u n ged a n d sow n th e field whe re th e oa ts

.

w ere I borrowed I % b ush el s from Fra n ek Ba t u ch He wa n ts

. .

m on ey [ in t e rest] for it a s m u ch a s he p a ys h imself for borrowi n g from

,

Tom a sia k But don t w o rry I sha ll m a n a ge e ve ryth in g S in ce

.
1 ’
, .

y ou wen t a w a y n ei the r f a th e r n or m o the r ha s been h ere ye t on ly ,

1
Sh m e ti on s th f ct beca
e n it i ot ccordi g t tr ditio t t k m ey
e a u se s n a n o a n o a e on

f l di g of g ra i
or en n T a dition a lly ith r oth i g
n . r a little g ra in h ld be ta ke
e e n n or s ou n

a s i t r t
n e es .
 OLSZAK SERI E S 31 7

M a ryn a ; and R é zia l

week I wen t to th em a n d a ske d th em
a s o , for a .

t o g ive m e thei r da ugh t er [ t o h e lp ] She wa s h e r e for a week a n d .

c r ie d eve ry e v en in g a n d on ce sh e wen t h om e a n d did n ot com e a n y

,

m or e The k n ife whi ch y ou m a d e h a s n o t been f oun d n or t he

.
1
,

bru sh When I w en t w i th y ou t o S acz Fra n ek took th e brush from

.
,

th e sh elf in th e lo bby for Ma ryn a a n d S widza k sa w it But I don t ’

.
,

sa y a n ythin g be ca u se there wou ld be tr ou ble fo r u s

,
I drea m
a bout y ou e ve ry n igh t Som e t im es I dr ea m th a t y ou com e ba ck.

a n g ry a n d som e t im es good a n d I l on g v ery m u ch Th e da y p a sses , .

in workin g bu t in the even in g I l on g m u ch a n d a t n igh t I ca n n o t

sl eep .

Sa mek did n ot th resh beca use I w a n te d him to th resh

in th e a utum n b u t h e wa s a n g ry [ sa yin g] tha t if h e did he co uld n o t
, ,

go t o Hunga ry th ro ugh m y f a ult I n the field n obody d oes y o u a n y 2

.

da ma ge n or d oes a n ybody d a ma ge the hedge P eop le sa y a bout

, .

y ou tha t y ou d on t n eed tha t Am erica bu t n obody a sked how y ou

’
,

would p a y the d eb ts of wh ich we ha ve so m a n y N obody believed .

u p t o th e en d t ha t y ou w ould go Th e Ga zda s a re very curiou s .

whe th er y ou w ill write to th em Fra n ek com es here a n d look s .

som e tim e s a n d wh en h e h a s p a sse d by i t ca n a lwa y s be n ot iced for

, ,

when he sees a n ythin g h e does n ot omit th e o cca sion [ to ta ke it] .

About [ your b ro th e r] Wa lek I drea m a l so He h a s n ot wr itten .

t o m e ; I did n ot rece iv e a n y le tt er fro m him Weddings a re .

nu m erous in ou r v illa ge bu t y ou will lea rn a bout them O ur boy s,

.
.

re member y ou They a sk Wh ere is fa ther ? Why does he n ot

.
,
“

com e ? N ow I h a v e n o thin g m o r e of in te rest t o wr ite bu t I gree t ,

y ou a h un dr e d thou sa n d time s k in dly a n d hea rtily dea r h usba n d , ,

a n d I th a n k y ou for t h a t l e tte r for wh ich I h a ve l ooke d for so l on g a

ti m e Be hea l th y Let u s see ea ch o th er Am en I gree t y ou

. . . .

[e n u me ra tion of a ll th e rela tives in Am erica ] An d if I don t do a n y

’
.

thin g quite well d on t be a n gry w ith m e An d it is well th a t you l ike

,
’
.

it the re beca u se I h a ve gr ieve d e n ough thin k in g tha t y ou d on t l ike

, ,
’

i t th e re An d Piotrek wen t w i th S a m ek t o Hun ga ry t o work .

An d the Ty rkiels wh en they both w en t to th e fa ir sl ipp ed in to a

, ,

Sh sp ks h ere f h own f m ily

1
t fh h sb n d s The willi g ss
’
‘

e ea o er a ,
no o er u a . un n ne

o fh si t r t
er h elp h
s e s n d t h i diff r
o t ttitu d of he fa ther (se No 5 )
er a e n e en a e r e . 20

show th t m ri ed a up le ma y becom e i ola ted ot by th ir ow fa ult bu t by

a ar co s ,
n e n ,

th fe lt f th f mily in whi h the solida rity i w k d

au o e a c s ea en e .

Fo e s w rk Th m igr ti t H g ry is rega rded by t he G licia

1
r s a on - o . e e a on o un a a n

p ea s t s s p a rtic la rly dem ora li i g

an a u z n .
3I 8 PRI MARY -
G R OU P OR GANIZATI ON

ta v e rn th ere a figh t bega n When Wa ligé ra from Brzegi

,
a nd .

s m a sh ed with a gla ss up on the ta bl e h er [ Ty rkiel s w if e s] f or eh ea d

’ ’
,

wa s cu t in t wo sp o ts .
1

An swer a t on ce
E OL S ZAK
.

Ma y 23, 1 91 4
DE AR HU S BAND You wr i t e tha t y ou a re worse bu t ,

y ou did n ot wr ite wh a t bef e ll y ou for Wojtek Ja ku bOw wr o t e th a t ,

your leg p a in s y ou bu t he did n ot write wha t h a pp en ed to y ou a n d I ,

a m so a n xious b eca u se I d on t kn ow But did y ou go in sea rch of ’

.

mi sfortu n e th er e ? [ To thin k tha t y ou foun d m isf ortun e the re !] I

d o n t kn ow wh a t is goin g on Onl y this I ca n sa y Wojtu s m y de a r
’
.
, ,

h ea rt tha t when a n yth in g ba d befa ll s y ou a p a rt of my h ea rt is cu t

, , ,

from lon gin g for y ou If y ou on ly kn ow th a t the work won t g o or .

’

if y ou ca n n o t work get a l i ttle of tha t m on ey a n d com e a n d if y ou

, ,

h a ve n on e p erha p s Ja siek K uz a k wi ll l en d i t t o y ou An d wh en y ou .

com e ba ck if God the Holiest g ra n ts y ou t o co m e ba ck w e could g ive

, ,

ba ck e i th e r the fi e ld bough t from Tyrkiel or th e o th er p a rt .

Th e re is n o rea son to keep it Why do y o u n ee d it p a rticul a rly if .

,

y ou h a ve n o hea lth ? An d so i t s eem s t o m e When e ver I thin k .

a bout y ou my hea rt is cu t , An d this buyin g of la n d from th is .

Ty rkiel is so u sel ess be ca u se y ou m u s t wo rk a n d p a y th is in te rest

, ,

while they l ive l ike lord s a n d y ou ca n n o t sa y a n ythin g to them If .

2

it w ere n ot beca u se of this d eb t y ou woul d n ot ha ve gon e t o Am erica

a n d wo ul d n o t s u ff e r m isery th e r e But if y ou a re to suffer there a n d .

I here it is better if y ou ca n to com e ba ck From them [ the p a ren ts]

, , .

a l so [ th e r e is n o g rea t h elp s u ch a s w a s p romi se d ] S om e t im es on e , .

[ sis te r] some tim es the o the r com es bu t wh en th ey a re mos t n ecessa ry

, ,

there is n on e When I go a n ywhere I ta ke the children I ta k e them

.
, ,

t o Pop a rdz in a [ a n d] I close t h e h ou se I sha ll ha ve en ough gra in .

,

Th r is m is h i v
1
e e j y i th i descri p tio r su lti g fr m th wom a n s
a c e ou s o n s n , e n o e
’

an im ity t w rd t h Ty ki l Th r
os o a of t h
e im ity is ta ted i th f l
r e s . e ea son e an os s n e o

lowi g l tt r
n e e .

The re o of th e w m
1
as n s im osity t wa rd t he Ty kiel is here p l i d ;
o an
’
an o r s ex a ne

it is e vy be au e by ellin g their l d th t f m ily fou d itself i a bett r p ositi

n , c s , s an , a a n n e on

tha th b y r Ther is p eculi r a n d m i d ttitud i the e m tters The

n e u e . e a a xe a e n s a .

p ri ce o f la d i t f p roportio t a n y p sible i
n s ou o m fr m it d w h ile t h n o os n co e o ,
an e

p sa t
ea n d r the i fl
,
un c f t he tr diti
e l l n d h ger still b ys t h l d a d
n u en e o a on a a -
un , u e an n

p y s t h p rice he bea rs gr dge a ga i t the seller wh o m a de him p y m r tha n t he

a e ,
a u ns a o e

l d is eco omica lly w rth

an n o .
3 20 PR I M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR G ANI ZATI ON

us with your l e tte r a n d I did e very th in g in the field for h er a n d I ha v e

,

sown a n d F ra n ek k eep s it [ P] w e ll
,
Th ey ha v e n ot d ivid ed it y e t . .

An d n ow I write y ou th a t I ga ve t o Ty rkiel th ose 1 0 g uld en

You a sk whe the r p eop l e from Ciecew in a [ P] [ the wife s f a m ily] ca ll
’

up on her The girl s do com e bu t n obody el se An d n ow y ou a sk

.
,
.

how your s m a n a ge s S O u p to t he p resen t sh e m a n a ges we ll en o ugh

.
, ,

a n d h ow it will be furth e r I don t kn o w S he bo ugh t a ca lf

’ 1
,

for 50 crown s a n d k eep s it a n d n ow sh e i n ten d s to bu y a l so a p ig a n d

, ,

a sks m e t o l en d h er m on ey so I w ill l en d h er som e ,

An d n ow I .

write y ou a bo ut this fi eld th a t I p ersua d e d her t o ren t it from Fra n ck

, ,

beca use Fra n ek told m e tha t he wo uld le t it be r en t ed a n d th a t h e ,

ha d [p rosp ec tive] t en a n t s Wojt ek C iula a n d J6zek J u n cza k a n d

, , ,

Fra n ek S a m ek S o it is be tte r if yo ur w if e ta kes it in s tea d of h a vin g

.

troubl e with th em [p roba bly beca use O f a t oo n ea r n eighbo rship ] S o .

yo ur wife took on e m org of this field .

lJAK é B ]
1
Exa mp l
u ba d c tr lli g his wife thr gh his frie d I
e of a h s n on o n ou n s . n sp ite of
t he co j u g l a ffection t h i di i d li tio
n a f t h m rri g gr up is till i
e n v ua za n o e a a e- o s n co m p lete ,

s i ce
n th r members of t h f m ily
o e m mu ity r
e a t ly ll w d b
or co n a e no on a o e u t a sked

t i t rfere
o n e .
 STAR K I EWI CZ S ERI E S

S t a rkiewi cz is fa rm er b ut ha d p rob a b l y worke d in

n ot a ,

a m a n or a n d wh en h e wen t t o Am e r ic a his wi f e liv ed wi th h er

,
’
rel a tive s This a cc oun t s for the wom a n s l a ck O f ec on omi c
.

in te r es t . I n their situ a tion it is r ea lly n ot ver y imp orta n t

wh eth er th ey h a ve m or e or less m on ey for m on e y a ssum es ,

a r ea l socia l im p orta n c e on l y wh en it ca n be u se d to b u y
l a n d or ca n in a n y w a y b ec om e a b a sis Of a n in dep en d en t
e x i s ten c e An d S t a rkiew icz ca n ha rdly hop e t o ea rn en oug h
.

m on e y t o b u y a fa rm .

Th e m a rria ge gr oup is m or e isola ted fr om t h e res t of t h e

-

fa m il y tha n in th e c a se of t he Olsza ks ; p rob a bl y their

s i tu a tion a s m a n o r se rva n t s h a s h elp e d t o p r odu c e thi s
-

isola tion .S til l t h e fa m ili a l rel a t ion s a re ra th er c los e sin c e ,

t h e wif e ca n s t a y with h er r el a tive s C on jug a l a fiect ion h a s

.

e v id en tl y c on sid er a b l y tr a n sc en d e d t he tr a d i t ion a l lim it s .

52 2
—2 8 ,
FRO M ZO FI A S TAR KI E W I CZ ,
I N P O LAN D , TO HE R

HU S B AND , I N AMERI C A

USCI MOW , Ap r il 1 6, 1 91 4
P ra ise d be , [ e t c] .

D E AR HU S B AND : I a m very gla d th a t I receive d your letter bu t ,

this k ills m e tha t y ou don t write m e exa ctly wha t is goin g on with
,
’

y ou . He re p a p ers write t ha t the re is w a r in New York tha t houses ,

a re de s troyed w ith bom bs th a t ship s a re s topp ed [ do n ot

,

brin g em igra n ts t o Am erica ] a n d tha t they sa y there : We won t “ ’

a d mi t th e s tra n ge rs a n y m o r e wh o ca m e t o sp oil our la n d of m on ey ,

”
they ha ve ta ken en ough of ou r mon ey from ou r la n d An d you .

d on t wri te m e wha t is goin g on with y ou P l ea se m y d ea r wha t

’
.
, ,

beca m e of S t a siek Olesiu k ? Alrea dy 1 5 weeks h a v e p a ssed a n d h e

d oes n ot write a n y le tte r to her I s h e n o lon ger a live or wha t e l se
.
,

beca me of him ? For she grieves ve ry m u ch D on t y ou kn ow a n y thi n g

’
.

321
32 2 P RI M AR Y GR O U P
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

a bo ut h im ? I
d ea r h usba n d y ou h a ve en ough of th is
beg y ou , m y ,

e a r n in g ; com e ba ck t o u s
It wi ll be su fli cien t for y ou You ha ve . .

m o r e th a n 3 0 0 ro u bl es a n d y ou ca n ea rn th e res t h e re Y ou w on t
’
.
,

ta ke th e m on ey wi th y ou wh en y ou die a n d h ere y ou ca n a lso ea rn , ,

if God th e M er ciful gra n ts y ou h ea lth a n d a llo w s y ou t o l ive In stea d .

of w orki n g th e re a n d w a s t in g y o ur s tren g th y ou ca n h a ve h ere b r ea d

en o ugh If y ou don t wa n t t o se rve [in a m a n or] go to Lu bl in a n d

’
.
,

th ere y ou ca n live You d on t wa n t t o h a ve m ost [m on ey] a m on g .

’

oth e r m en If it is difli cu lt t o re turn n ow if it is true tha t there a re

.
,

su ch troubl es th en com e a bo ut a utu mn a n d if p erh a p s y ou h a ve se n t

, ,

m e a ll your m on ey wri te m e a n d I will sen d y ou for th e j ourn ey ,

In .

our coun try n ow i t is w a r m tr ees a re d eve lop in g th e i r l ea ves p eop l e , ,

a re sowi n g oa t s a n d ba rle y a n d p l a n t in g p o t a toes .

I inform y ou d ea r h usba n d tha t somebody s tole 1 0 0 roubles from

,
‘

s tep m o th e r f a th e r s w ife fro m h er ches t

,
We a ll w en t t o th e p ries t
’
, .
,

fa th e r a n d step m oth er a n d sis ter WiSni ewska a n d Woj ciech a n d , ,

Hel en a a n d I S tep m oth e r w a s a bsolutely d e te rm in ed t o h a ve

,
.

fa ther testify un der oa th Th en fa th er would sa y th a t his childr en .

ha d s tolen the m on ey B ut the p riest fo rba de him t o ma ke th e .

oa th
1
.

[ZOEI A S TARKI EW I CZ]

52 3 Jun e 2, 1 91 4

D E AR HU S BAND : I inform y ou tha t I received th e m on ey 1 0 1 ,

roubl es a n d 5 cop ecks a n d I tha nk you hea rti ly m y d ea r h u sba n d for , , ,

r em emberin g m e Now I in form y ou th a t I w ill do n o thin g with this

.

m on ey a n d I won t len d it t o a n ybody for I a m a fra id I w ill p u t

’
, .

it in to th e ba n k Jus t n ow your godfa the r Ku n a k ca m e to m e.

1
th is con id ed a p rfectly s fli cie t p ro f ven if it i f l se ; t he
The oa s er e u n o e s a

resp ibility f r it s tr thf l

on s f ll clu iv ly p t h p rso wh m a kes it
o u u n e ss a s ex s e u on e e n o ,

a d it is a ge
n ra l beli f th t gr t l mitie d ev d th e t h su lt of
ne e a ea ca a s an en ea ar e re a

fa lse a th (The res lt is co c iv d p rtly a s divin p i hme t p a rtly s im me

o . u n e e a e un s n , a

di a te m g i ca l seq e
a e of th e sa cril ge )
con I th is c se t he uth r belie es th t
u nc e . n a a o v a

t h step m ther s a cc s ti g i th step h ildre is e ithe r tru e ot tr e

’

t t h p ri st s r f s l t a cc p t th oa th—
u a on a a ns er
e o I c n or n u . n

t h e fi rst c sa ti sf ti th o l y
’
h a se er ac on a e e e u a o
—
e e e n

p s
os i bl e p r f sh ws tha t he d es
oo t co sid r th r bbi g of t h
o t p m th r
s o no n e e o n e s e o e

a b d a t I f sh e d es ot believ it is tru
ac . th S he th i k h
o fa ther either
n e e, en n s er

c p bl
a a f f l e o th
e o h p ecked th t h w ul d believ a n y th in th
a a s a or so tep
en a e o e
g e s

m th r sa y a d in e ith r
o e b lutel y stra ged fr m hi w
s, n h ildren
e I t ha t
ca se a so e n o so n c . n

c se w h a v a sit a ti o
a e resem bli g tha t in t h Wroblewski series
e u n n e .
3 24 PRI M AR Y -
GR OU P OR GAN I ZATI ON

h ea l th , th en w e sha ll l ive . Wh ether y ou

dy will a dd r
ea n or ose , n obo l
or ta k e a wa y a n ythin g from y ou I h a ve a h og They off e re d m e . .

4 5 r o u bles ; I wa n t 50 N ow I won t sell it u n t il y ou com e

. Th e n ’
.

we sh o uld ha ve 3 1 3 roubles a n d if w e sold th e cow the re wo uld be ,

a bo ut 40 0 We would p u t it in to t he ba n k in Lu bl in a n d w e sh o uld
.
,

l ive m uch be tter tha n n ow .

ZO P IA S TARKI E WI CZ

52 5 Aug us t 9 , 1 91 4

firs t word s Of m y l e tte r d ea r h usba n d I in form y ou a bout

I n th e , ,

m y hea lth a n d su ccess Up to th e p resen t we a re st ill in good h ea lth

.
,

bu t we don t kn ow h ow it will be fur ther I sen t y ou a lrea dy on e

’
.

le tte r in which I ba de y ou fa rewell l ik e goin g to dea th bu t s till wa r , ,

is in som e wa y held u p for 2 week s on ly th ron gs of sold ier s a re p a ssin g ,

by u s a foot a n d on h or ses ; we see n o en d of th em God forbid wha t .

,

is goin g on with e v e ryon e of u s ! How m uch c ry in g h ow m u ch ,

sorrow ! E ve rybody is so griev ed if y o u looke d to da y up on a n ybo dy ,

y ou wo uld n ot kn ow him 0 m y Go d wh a t we ha v e l ived t o s ee !

.
,

M a y Go d gua rd everybody a ga in s t i t ! N ow n o th in g e lse bu t e very

body p ra ys a n d p rep a res him self for d ea th Th e p ries t s l is ten t o con .

fession a n d p eop l e com e durin g wh ol e d a y s a n d confe ss the m se lves

,
.

An d n obody k n ows wha t will ha p p en whe th er w e sha ll be se n t a wa y ,

from here or n ot Rich p eop le go to fa r R u ssia ; the re is n o wa r there

.
,

while h ere is the wors t fire We a re a ll so a fra id tha t we don t kn ow .

’

how to l ive in the world The rese rvists ha ve been sen t a wa y

.

e ven th ose a re t a ken wh o a re 4 8 y ea r s old An d n obody kn ow s .

wha t w ill be [The p a p ers] write a lwa ys tha t it is a E urop ea n wa r

.
,

bu t w e don t k n ow I beg y ou a n swer th is le tte r a s soon a s

’
,

p ossibl e An d p erha p s w e sha ll n o lon ge r be a l ive wh e n your l e tt er

.

com es
1

An d I beg y ou d ea r h u sba n d a n d Jozefka S ta siek s wife we

n ow , , ,
’
,

begged y ou in som e l e tters to wr ite u s a bout him bu t y ou did n o t ,

a n sw e r this We h ea rd from the T s tha t S t a siek h a s a swe e thea rt

. .
’

a n d won t com e ba ck a n y m o re for he ha s a sw e e th ea rt a n d w il l

’
,

rema in in Am erica His mo th er weep s very m uch a n d his w ife a lso

.
, .

An swe r m e whe th er it is tru e bu t a n swe r m e th e truth

,
Th e n we , .

1
Th i s whole p a ra gra p h is a good ill tra ti
us on of t s f li g of i m
t he p ea san
’
ee n n co

p rehen ios n a nd imp te o n ce w hit r g rd t e a o th e p he om e a f t h

n ia l world ts ide
n o e soc ou

com m un ity C f I tr d ti S oci l E vi on m en t ”

of his own . . n o uc on : a n r .
 STAR KI EWI CZ SERI ES 325

sha ll tell it to them Write u s th e a ddress of S ta siek Onl y tell the

. .

truth wha t is goin g on We believe tha t it is true for p erha p s he ha d

,
.
,

a v e ry ba d l if e a n d b e a t ta ch e d h im self to a sw ee th ea rt .

Your truly lovin g w ife ,

ZOFI A S TAR KI E WI CZ

N o vem ber I , 1 91 4

D E AR HU S BAN D : I in form y ou th a t I a m in good hea lth

a n d ou r son is a l so in good h ea l th a n d we w ish y ou the sa m e
,
D ea r .

h u sba n d I ha ve sen t y ou 3 l e tter s this is th e fo urth a n d I h a ve n o

, , ,

a n swe r Are y ou n o lon ge r a live ? I d on t kn ow m y self wha t it

’
.

m ea n s . It is n ot en ough tha t I ha ve grief here ; I don t kn o w a n y ’

th i n g a bo ut y ou I will write y ou on e l e tter a fte r a n other p erh a p s

.
,

on e O f th em wi ll rea ch y ou for I sha ll n o t l iv e th rough thi s grief

'

, ,

th i n kin g a bout y ou An d p erha p s you a re n o t the re so whoeve r

.
,

op en s th is l e tter p lea se a n sw e r m e a t l ea s t a few wo rd s wh e th e r h e

, ,

is a l ive or is n o m ore th er e I give m y a ddress

. .

ZOFI A S TARKI E WI CZ

52 7 N o vem be r 7 , 1 91 4

D EAR HU SBAND : I receive d your letter [ H ea l th ; wi shes] Yo ur .

son sen ds y ou bows a n d kisses y our ha n d s sa y in g th a t h e is w orrie d ,

w ith out his p a p a Yes d ea r h usba n d our son is a lrea dy big en ough
.
, ,

a n d in t ell igen t he a lwa y s r e m e mber s

,
M a mm a whe re is p a p a ? I s it ,

fa r Wh en sha ll we go to him ? Perha p s tom orrow ? Co m e ,

J6zefka tha n ks y ou h ea rtily for the

”
m a m m a le t u s go !
,

a ddress which y ou sen t h er a n d I tha n k y ou a l so for ha vin g wr i tt en

,

a fe w word s a bout S t a siek We a re st ill curiou s to kn ow wha t

.

woma n si ts th ere with him wha t is her n a m e Write m e Wha t ,

. .

d oes it m a tter t o y ou if I kn ow who she is

As to the wa r there is n ow n o ba ttl e n ea r u s
, Th e n ea r es t on e .

w a s a bo ut Lubl in 3 v er s t s a w a y
,
Tra wn iki is burn ed Ja n 6w
.
,

destroyed of Tom a szé w on ly sky a n d ea r th a re left There wa s

, .

s u ch a g roa n from sho t s h er e tha t the ea r th trem bl ed N ow th e ba t tl e .

is goin g on beyon d th e Vis tula towa rd Cz es tochowa , R a dom is .

des troyed bu t n ot to ta lly P ula wy d estroye d villa ges destroyed

, , , .

There wa s such a roa r a t n igh t tha t it wa s im p ossibl e to sleep Now .

326 PRI MARY —
G R OUP OR GANI ZATI ON

no m or e sho t s a re t o be hea rd
Germ a n h a s been driven a wa y
, for th e .

On l y th er e is g rea t mi sery in ou r co u n try every thin g e xp en sive,

.

Few p eop l e a re left on ly w om en for m en ha ve been t a k en som e t o the

, , ,

wa r o th ers t o diggin g tren ch es o th e rs to tra n sp o rt s ; ho rses a n d

, ,

ca rt s a re a ll t a k en .

Your l ovin g w ife ,

ZOF I A S TARKI E WI CZ

N ovem be r 2 6, 1 91 4

D E AR HU SBAN D Ou r son is h ea lthy a n d ra th er

big ; he wa lks a lrea dy in trou sers When I a sk : Wha t is fa th er “

doin g in Am erica ? h e a n swe rs : H e cuts wood

”
I h a v e a g re a t .

distra ction wi th him ; h e a lwa ys ta lks t o m e Were it n ot for the .

child I S h o ul d p erh a p s n o t li ve th r o ugh th is sorr ow D ea r h usba n d I .

,

in fo rm y ou th a t I hire d m yse lf a s a m ilk wom a n for both brother s -

,

in la w a re a t the wa r
-
I ha ve n owh e re to live a n d it is difli cul t t o li ve
.
,

in t he vill a ge An d thu s th ey wi ll g ive m e lodgin g a n d fuel 1 cow

.
,

t o k eep in th e ma n oria l s ta bl e 3 b u sh el s gra in e ve ry qu a rte r a n d 1 0 0

,

rood s of field [for p ota toes] I ta k e it is true a duty up on m y h ea d

.
, , ,

for I m u s t be th ere a t eve ry ca ll bu t a t l ea s t I sh a n t h a ve to work

’
,

durin g the whole summ er [for som e n eighbor] For th e keep in g Of on e .

cow a n d for a few rood s of fi e ld I h a d t o work dur in g th e w h ol e su m

m er whil e n ow I sha ll ha ve p ea ce with it

, Wha tever I ea rn [outs id e
.

t h e mi lkin g hours] wil l be m in e a n d they will give m e a l so 4 ro ubl es

,

a y ea r . Y es dea r h u sba n d it i s p a in ful for m e for I did n ot e xp ec t

, , ,

th a t I sho uld ha ve t o se rve .

Now I in form y ou tha t Jé z efka S ta siek s [ w ife ] wen t a s a m a id

’
, ,

t o a pop [ R u ssia n p riest] t o K ole ch ow icz e For th e p ri ces of e v ery

.

thin g a re n ow very high ; it is difli cu lt to live in the villa ge when on e ,

ca n n o t ea r n som ewh ere Firs t sh e h a d wa ited for a l e tter from h er

.

h u sba n d bu t it is a yea r si n ce she h a s ha d n o l e tte r fr om him ; wha t

,

sh o uld sh e e xp ec t from him a n y m ore She wen t a wa y on N o vem

ber 1 5 . When she wa s lea vin g she cried very m u ch ; sh e sim p ly could
n ot sa y a w ord S he is so grie v ed beca u se sh e h a s a h u sba n d a n d
.
,

m u s t se rve whil e h e works for som e whore a n d liv es wi th her

, She .

i s v e ry m u ch p a ined she ca n ha rdly bea r it

, Y es my h u sba n d p oor .
, ,

is h er lot . I w ep t m yself a bout her lo t

[ D escribes who wen t to w a r a n d p erished ] Brother in la w ba d e - -

u s f a r e well by l e tte r a n d begge d e very body to f or iv e his sin s

g .
 KLU CH S ERI E S

P a rtia l i sola tion of t he m a rria ge group ,

re sul tin g n o t -
,

fr om a p a rtic ul a rl y c l ose rela tion b e tween hu sb a n d a n d wi f e ,

b ut from a di sin tegra tion of th e fa mi ly a pp ea r s in thi s ,

se r ie s Of l e tter s Alr ea dy on e b ra n c h Of t h e fa m il y h a s b een

.

sp a cia ll y isol a te d fr om t h e r es t We fin d n o m en tion O f .

a n y o th er m em b e r l iv in g in L u b lin e xc ep t t h e f a th e r wi th

h is wi f e a n d t h e t w o d a u ghter s wi th their hu sb a n d s An d .

’
e ve n th is sm a ll gr oup i s di ssolve d by t h e f a the r s s e c on d

m a rria g e Con se quen tl y there rem a in on l y thr ee m a rria ge

.

gr oup s p a rtl y solid a ry p a rtl y Opp ose d t o on e a n o th er

, ,
.

An d a ga in we fin d t h e m en m ore c on serva tive wil li n g t o ,

keep a t l ea s t in a c erta in m ea sur e t h e O ld g roup c on n e c tion -

.

52 9
—
32 ,
TO 8 . K LU CH , I N AMERI CA , FR O M HI S W IF E AN D
F A M I LY - ME MB E R S , I N P OLA N D ; AND ON E LE TTE R FR O M
THE S I S TE R - I N - LAW OF K LU CH To HER H U S B AN D , IN

AME RI CA

52 9 [ LUB LI N] M a y ,
21 , 1 91 4

D E AR S ON -
I N - LAw : You a sk describe
u ccess of
m e to t o y ou th e s

yo ur w if e bu t I ca n wri te y ou n o n ew s a t a ll for I h a ve n ev e r a n y
, ,

oc ca sion t o ca ll up on h er a l tho ugh sh e i s m y child

, How ca n I ca ll .

up on h er sin ce she drove m e a wa y from her An d secon dly when I ,

go sh e a vo id s m e a s if I ha d don e h er som e evil She m ove d from h e re .

t o Wesola S tree t th e re th ey l ive n ea r e a ch o th er she a n d Pa wlo w a

, ,

[ Pa wel s w ife the other da ugh ter] I sen d y ou on ly th e n e w s tha t

’
.
,

ku m a S ta Skowa [ S ta siek s wif e] wen t t o borro w m on ey from h e r a n d

’
,

sh e sa id tha t she ha d n ot a p en n y ; so p roba b ly th er e is m ise ry .

An d n ow d ea r son in la w I beg y ou v ery m u ch wr it e l e tte r s t o

,
- -
, ,

m e Often er for i t is m y on ly comf ort wh en y ou sen d m e a l e tt e r

, , For .

I h a ve n o comfort a t a ll from my da ugh ters I resp ect y ou m o re .

,

both m y son s in la w tha n m y own children

- -
, My old er son in la w .
- -
 KL U CH S ERI ES 32 9

wrote whether I wa s n ot a n g ry N ow p roba bly he

t o m e a skin g m e .

is a n g ry wi th m e beca u se I ha ve n o n ew s from him a t a ll a n d

I d on t k n ow wha t ha s becom e of him An d n ow I a ddress m yself
’

t o y ou dea r son in —
.

,
la w S ta n isla w Y ou a sk m e wh e th e r I a m n ot
-
.

a fra id tha t y ou w on t give m e th e m on ey ba ck I a m n ot a fra id a t

’
.

a ll for I un d e r s ta n d wha t work m ea n s a n d wh a t it m ea n s t o be w ith

,

ou t w ork [ Con di tion s a t hom e a re ba d] Wri te le tters to m e

.
,

O ften e r then I w ill a l so sen d y ou m or e in ter es t in g n ews for i t is m y

, ,

on ly d iver sion when y ou sen d m e a l e tter It is sa d a n d p a in ful to .

m e th a t m y d a ugh t er s a void m e l ike som e en e m y [in re tu r n ] for m y

edu ca t ion [ of t hem ] for my goodn ess for my h a vi n g fed them for
, ,

som e t im e wh en y ou w en t a wa y
1
.

M a rch 2 2, 1 91 4

[ U su a l gr ee tin gs ; le tter a n d p ho togra p h s received ]

D ea r h u s
ba n d you wrot e m e to try t o ge t Kocieba s a ddress , so I
wen t t o his
’
,

wife But she did n o t wa n t t o give it a t a ll Sh e sa id : Perha p s he

. .

”
will go t o him I sa id : I d on t know . Then she sa id : He ha s “ ’
.
“

ha d n o work h im self for t w o m on th s An d n ow d ea r h usba n d y ou

”2
.
, ,

wro te m e t o sa y to ku m Pa wel tha t you di d n ot work for 4 m on ths .

But ku m did n ot believe it a t a ll ; he sa id tha t it wa s imp ossible tha t ,

y ou w ere n ot wi thout work for so l on g a tim e D ea r h usba n d p eop le .

,

d on t bel ie ve th a t there is mise ry in America ; th ey wa n t to go without

’

reflectin g K u m d oes n ot ea rn ba dly where he is n ow ; he did n ot

.

tell i t bu t ku ma [hi s wife] told m e tha t h e ea rn ed u p to 2 0 roubl es

,

e ve ry t wo weeks Perha p s e ven in Am e r ica h e wo uld n o t ea rn m or e

.
,

for p eop l e thin k tha t in Am e rica everybody is fil led wi th ca k es [ by

the e mp l oye rs] whi l e a s w e see even i n Ame rica i t is n ot so , ,

swee t .

M K LU CH
1
The tr
s en g th of th e fa milia l ttitu de i een in the fa ct tha t the old m
a s sks a n see

in his son s-in - la w a pp ort whe the r l tio with his da ugh te s is b ok of

fo hi secon d m rria ge a d his son —

su n e a n r r en .

He n eeds a sa n cti o n r s in la w
a a bstitu te fo n s -
a re su r

hi s da u gh t ers .

N ot p rofession a l j ea lou sy s th i s develop ed on ly a m o g cra ftsm en a n d t he

1
,
a n

person s h ere a from t h p ea sa n t cl s The u willi gn e s sh own her i therefore

re e as . n n s e s

t h e S ig f p a rtia l di
n o a l ti f th old solid ity d h p it lity m g p ea t
sso u on o e ar an os a a on sa n s .

Th f li g f obli g ti
e ee n o
c ot b sh ke ofl b t t h d t y
a on em b
a nn d n som a d
e a n ,
u e u se s ur e e n

un p l a n t bec s
e sa , lo ger a da p ted t the ge era l c ditio s of moder life
au e no n o n on n n .

C f N o 4 74
. . .
330 PRI MAR Y G ROUP
-
OR GANIZ ATI ON

S ep te mbe r 4 , 1 91 4

l r h usba n d y ou a sk m e how m u ch m on ey I
An d n ow , c ea ,

h a ve I ha ve n o t S O m uch I n the ba n k I ha d on ly 50 ro ubl es a n d

. .

I ha d l eft onl y a few ro ubl es for m yself t o l ive up on a n d then y ou sen t ,

1 00 .S o th e r e would ha ve been 1 50 ro ubl es in t h e ba n k bu t I did ,

n ot p u t th e m in t h e ba n k for a s y ou k n o w n obody a ccep t s m on e y , , ,

a n d n obody gives i t ba ck [beca u se of wa r] Those 1 0 0 ro ubl es which .

I ha d to p a y t o my fa ther I did n ot p a y them ei ther for m y sis ter , ,

h a d a l so a few roubl es a t h om e which sh e p u t in th e ba n k a n d n ow ,

th e ba n k r efu ses t o p a y th em She ca n n o t e vid en tly die from h u n ge r .

, ,

t og e th e r w ith h er ch ildren [ so I l en t her m on ey] The Old m a n I .

,

kn o w is n o t w ith out m on ey a n d a s soon a s everythin g s ta rts a ga in

, ,

ou r b r oth e r in la w will sen d [ m on ey to m y sis t er] a n d I will give [ t h e

- -

m on ey] ba ck to the old m a n An d n ow d ea r h u sba n d p e rha p s I .

, ,

h a ve sp en t som ewha t too m uch m on ey so don t be a n g ry with m e for

’

I wa s—I d on t m ea n t o rep roa ch God w ith it—in Cz es toch owa a n d I

, ,

bough t a few thin gs for m yself a n d for the childr en so th e m on ey w a s ,

sp en t An d n ow y ou wro te w hy did I n ot in form y ou th a t I w a s in

.
,

C z estoch owa H ow could I ha ve inf or med y ou sin ce y ou fo r ba d e

.

m e t o wri te a t a ll so I wa i te d un til a ll this is cha n ge d a n d I did n ot

, ,

kn ow wh a t wa s the m a tter But y ou l is ten e d t o th e a bsurd iti es

of t h e old m a n [ m y fa ther ] a n d th e old on e a ven ges h im self on m e a s ,

m u ch a s h e ca n S urely h e is so a n gry beca u se I don t sa y m o ther

’ ”
.

t o his l in en p ress [ wife] B ut y ou don t kn ow th e old on e y e t The ’

-
. .

O ld on e p roba bly is try in g t o ge t u s sep a ra t ed As lon g a s I wo rk e d .

I wa s good [ in his op in ion ] a n d a lth ough he got m a rried he wa n te d m e ,

t o w a sh t o do e verythin g wh il e his l in en p ress w o uld lie a n d dri n k

, ,
-

m ilk in s tea d of wa te r He would l ike his children t o be wa s t ed l ike

.
1

sa lt up on b o il in g wa te r a s h e a lwa y s sa id t o ou r bro th e r in la w
,
- -
,
“
Well y ou will be wa ste d l ike sa lt up on boil in g wa te r
,
.
”

D on t bel ieve the old on e wha tever he writes y ou a bout m e for he

’
, ,

f r hi seco d m rri ge t h f th r ha d liv d wi th his d u gh ter a d hi

1
Be o e s n a a e a e e a n s

cla i m s t o up p rt a d servi ce w ere co si dered ri gh tfu l

s o n ( Cf Ja blkow k seri ) n . . s a es .

B t a fter his sec d m rri g

u ll h i righ ts di a p p ea red
on a He h d
a t
e a ly t p y s s . a no on o a

d his wi f li i g b t hi wif h d to sha re t h hou ework w ith his

’
f hi w
or s o n an e s v n ,
u s e a e s

d gh t r He com pl i f his d gh t r in gra titud bu t clea rl y h is a pp a l i

’
au e . a ns o au e s e, e s

m a d r th r i t h na m of
e a e a bstr ct m r lit y th
n e of
e p r cti ll y a kn o wl dge d
an a o a an a a ca c e

soci l a blig ti o Th is is a f t h cl rest

on . mpl f f m ili l d iss i ti n
on e o e ea e xa es o a a oc a o

r lti g fr m
esu n d m rri g through t he difli cu l t y of a ssim il tin g th e
o a sec on a a we a ne

fa m ily member -
.
 S TR U C I NS KI S ER I E S

Th e c a se is in t ere s tin g on a volution whi c h

cc ou n t Of th e e

g oes on in t h e c on ju g a l rela tion I n t he b egin n in g thi s h a s

.

ev id en tl y a f a m ilia l c h a r a c t er whic h i t g ra du a ll y dr op s ,

l ea vi n g on l y som e c omm un ity O f in t ere s t p e rson a l a ff e c tion , ,

a n d s ex u a l im p ul se This cha n ge is p rob a b l y du e t o t h e

.

e m ig r a tion of t h e m a n a n d n ot a l on e t o h is s ep a ra tion fr om
,

t h e fa mil y gr oup b ut a l so t o th e t en d en cy t o e c on omi c

-
,

a dv a n c e whic h is e xp r esse d in t h e e m i gr a tion We h a v e .

seen th a t thi s ten d en cy a lwa ys a c t s m o r e or l ess de st ru c

t iv ely up on th e f a m il ia l f orm Of ec on om ic l if e ; a t th e sa m e
tim e i t crea te s a n ew a n d e xclu sive lin k wi thin the m a rria ge
gr oup sin c e it a ffec ts of c ourse thi s g roup a s a wh ole We
, , , .

sha ll see thi s ve ry well il lu s tra ted in a n other ( Ja blkowska )

se ries Bu t in t he p re sen t c a se t h e in flu en c e of em ig ra tion
.

d oes n ot exp ress it self in this wa y The p er son a l c on ju ga l .

c on n e c tion is n ot stron g en ough t o su bsis t when it s fa m il ia l

b a sis ha s b een dissolve d a n d witho ut t h e h el p of th e a tt a c h
m en t b rou ght by comm on life Gr a du a ll y the r e for e t h e
.
, ,

rel a tion s b e tween hu sb a n d a n d wife b ec om e c ooler a n d s eem

t o ten d t o a d efin i te b re a k .

—
53 3 4 6 ,
FR O M AD A M S TR U CINS K I , I N AME RI CA TO
,

HI S W I FE , I N PO LAN D

53 3 GLAS SP ORT , PA .
,
Jun e 9 , 1 91 0

I n th e firs t wo rd s of m y le tter Pra ised be Jesus Christu s

, .

An d n ow I in for m y ou bel ov ed w if e tha t by the fa vor Of Go d I a m

, ,

w ell a n d the sa m e I wish to y ou a n d the whol e fa m ily An d n ow I

, .

a sk whe ther y ou r eceived th e m on ey be ca u se on A ril 1 8 I sen t t o

p ,
y ou
1 9 r oubl es a n d 4 3 cop ecks a n d I h a v e n o in f orm a tion a bout it for
,

7 weeks Now I sen d 2 5 roubl es a ga in so when y ou receive it th en

.
, ,

33 2
 STRU CI NSKI SERI ES 3 33

w r ite t o m e , be ca u se I very
troubl ed I do n ot kn ow wha t
am m u ch .

h a p p en e d An d n ow I do n ot h a ve a n ythin g m ore t o wri te on ly I

.
,

would a sk y ou t o sen d t o m e th ree l ittle crosses a n d on e little m eda l ,

l ion beca use I n ee d on ly on e l ittle cross bu t I shou ld l ike to give it to

, ,

m y collea g u e a n d fur th er more I would a sk y ou to p u t in a bout 6 hog

,

bristles b eca u se wh en som e tim e m y shoe is torn then I do n ot h a v e

,

a n y m ea n s t o m en d it a n d if I wa n t to bu y [ bris tl es] th en y ou ca n no t
,

fin d a s tore th a t ha s hog bris tl es Give this le tte r to m y p a ren ts

-
.
,

or sen d i t by m a il for ma ybe y ou do n o t g o th e re

, An d n ow I .

k iss you .
1

AD AM S TRU CI NS KI

July 1 3, 1 91 0

I inform y ou beloved wife a bout m y dea r hea lth

An d n ow , ,

a n d su ccess Tha n k s to God I a m well a n d th e sa m e I wish to y ou

. .

I received your le tte r July 4 for wh ich I tha n k y ou h ea rtily a n d I , ,

rep ly to y ou a t on ce July 9 I sen t y ou 50 roubl es so tha t when y ou

.
,

receive it the n a n swe r m e .

An d n ow be l ove d w ife y ou we re wr itin g tha t y ou wa n t to com e

, ,

t o Am e ri ca so n ow I do n ot a dvise y ou to com e
, It is be tter if I .

sen d y ou a fe w ro u bles for yo ur u se a n d if y ou s ta y for t h e el ec tion of ,

p residen t w ill be soon a n d i t m a y e ven be th a t I w ill com e ba ck to th e

O ld cou n t ry An d if a fter th e e lec tion s in Am er ica tim es a re good
1
.
, ,

t hen I ca n sen d y ou a s tea m ship ticke t a n d if they a re ba d then it -

, ,

m a y be tha t n ext fa ll I wi ll com e ba ck to th e old cou n try m yself I .

p ra y God t o h elp y ou jus t a s I p ra y Him to help m e in America So .

when I s ta y in America un til n ext fa ll a n d th en com e ba ck to th e old

cou n t ry w e sh a ll h a ve good l ivi n g ju s t th e sa m e
, When y ou rep ly to .

m e wr ite m e wh e th e r y ou r ece ived th ose 1 9 ro ubl es 4 3 cop ecks I , .

bow to y ou bel ove d wife a n d to th e Whole fa m ily

,
I wish hea lth
, .
,

h a pp in ess a n d good su ccess

,
.

ADAM S TR U CI NS KI

1
The letter is m u ch m ore business lik a n d less p erso l tha th f llowi g e ;
- e na n e o n on s

t hereq u es t t o give it t o t he p a ren ts p oves tha t it i me t t be a p r ly fa milia l

r s an o u e

letter .

1
Pr oba b ly p r t t f
a e ex or n ot b ri gi
n ng he r to Ame ric a ; p oss b i ly h e wa s m s ii n

r
fo m ed a bou t d te of lectio
a e ns .
3 34 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
O R G ANI ZATI O N

53 5 N o ve mber I ,
1 91 0

D E AR WI FE : I g ree t y ou a t l ea st th rough this d ea d p a p e r , a n d I

kiss y ou m y love , ,
a n d I i nfor m y ou t h a t I r e ce ive d a l e tte r from y ou

from which I lea rn ed a bout your dea r h ea lth a n d a l so yo ur su ccess a n d ,

therefore I a m ve ry gla d m y beloved Bron cia An d I a l so in fo rm y o u .

a bout m y h e a lth a n d su ccess By th e fa vor of God I a m well a n d t he .

s a m e I w ish t o y ou m y love An d m y su ccess is p re tty good on ly

,
.
,

this tha t I a m lon esom e w ithout y ou for wha t is t h e u se of t his w ork

, ,

a n d m on e y if I do n o t h a ve a n d do n o t see y o u S O I a sk y ou .
, ,

bel ove d a n ge l t o sen d m e yo ur l i ttl e fa ce tha t is a p h o togra p h ju s t

, , ,

a s I sen d [ on e] t o y ou Althou gh we a re on t h e i n a n im a te p a p e r
.
,

n e verth eless w e sh a ll see [ e a ch o ther] a n d i n ou r so ul s w e sh a ll h a v e

o u r ten de r k isses m y d ea r l o ve B eloved Bron cia I sen d y ou m y

, .
,

p h o togra p h tog e th e r w ith tha t of m y cousi n wh o m I w a n t t o en ga g e

wi th Wikt ory a D o brzy rrska a n d I a sk y ou bel o ve d wif e to ta k e ’

, , ,

y our p icture together wi th Wich ta [ Wiktory a ] a n d t o sen d it t o m e ,

beca u se if y ou will n o t ta k e it t oge th er wi th h er then I will be v e ry ,

a n g ry with y ou beca u se h e [ t h e co u s i n ] sen d s on e of h is for h e is v e r

, y ,

m u ch p lea sed wi th m y d escrip t ion a n d the re for e h e d esires i t [ th e ,

p ic ture] a n d w e w ill com e ba c k t oge th er N ow I wr i te to y ou th a t

1
, .

w ith a secon d le tter I w ill sen d t o y ou 60 roubles I do n ot ha ve .

a n ythin g m or e t o writ e b u t t o sen d a bow t o yo ur be l o ve d m o th e r

la w brothe r a n d sis ter in —

S is te r s bro th e r s ln —
,

,
-
la w in gen era l t o t he
, ,
-
,

wh ole fa mi ly a n d I sen d hea rty w ishes Le t God g ra n t t he m e ve ry

, .

thin g th e best An d I bid y ou fa rewell belove d B ron cia embra ce

.
, ,

y ou a n d k iss y ou I your S in cerely l ovin g h usba n d

, , ,

AD AM S TRU CINS K I

Youwill give on e p ho togra p h t o my p a ren ts The re will be 5 .

a ltogethe r 4 m in e a n d on e of m y co u sin
, .

I a sk y ou for a quick rep ly a n d the p hotogra p hs Ha ve p ho to .

g ra p h s ta k en of both of y ou a t on ce a n d sen d th em t o m e I sha ll , .

wa it with im p a t ien ce .

1
The whole s o t ry of t he tchma ki g i thi
ma d t h e foll wi g l tt rs i
n n s an o n e e s

perf ctly typ ica l The

e . un derl y g a ttit d s
in e e ctly i
u cc rda c
e wit h t h
ar xa n a o n e e

tr diti
a ly t h m a
on , on e e ns a e r w be ne se of t hca ue w situ ti Th i ty p e of e n a on . s

m tch m ki g is m r
a a o n o e c n ser a tiv th
v t he o
e wh ich w fin d i t he B tk wski
an ne e n u o

ser e i s .
33 6 P RI MAR Y G RO UP
-
OR GANI ZATI ON

m a rry som eon e e se ds his low bow s to Wich ta a n d t o h er

l . Al so h e sen

m o th e r a n d f a th e r a n d to th e wh ol e fa m ily a n d he a sk s for Wich ta s

’
,

ha n d I do n ot h a ve a n y thin g m ore t o d escribe a n d I a sk y ou

.
,

d ea rest wife wh ether y ou received those 60 ro ubles wh ich I sen t ; so

,

wri te m e a bout tha t An d I bid you fa re well belove d Bron cia I

.
,
.

sen d y ou m y h ea rties t h u sba n d s fe elin gs a n d s in ce re w ish es a n d bow s

’
.
,

I gree t y ou a flect ion a t ely a n d kiss you my l i ttle dove I you r h u s .

,

ba n d sin cerely lovin g y ou un til t h e gra ve boa rd

,
-
.

ADAM S TR U CI NS KI

An d I sen d bows h ea rty

wishes t o m other s is ter bro th er
a nd

in la w Wich ta S ta sia a n d t o th e wh ol e h om e t o broth er sister in —

, ,

-
, , ,
la w , ,
-
,

a n d t o t h e w h ole h om e An d I con gra tul a te y ou for th e N ew Yea r

.

a n d n ew ha pp in ess a n d God g ra n t m y wish es ,

I p l ea sa n tly recollect .
,

in g y ou a n d w ishin g y ou w e ll
, .

ADAM S TR U CINS KI

Februa ry 1 2, 1 91 1

D E AR WI FE : I in fo rm you th a t I received your l e tte r ,

from which I lea rn ed a bout yo ur h ea lth a s a l so a bout s uccess a n d th a t ,

rej oice d m e very m uch D ea r wife y ou write to m e if [ th a t y ou wish ]

.
,

t his yea r w ould p a ss in on e m o m en t a n d I a l so sho uld be g la d on ly , ,

I do n ot kn ow how it wi ll be furthe r beca use I shoul d l ik e t o sa ve the ,

m os t m on ey I ca n then it wo uld be be tt er for m e th a n everythin g

, ,

beca u se if I ha d a grea t d ea l of m on ey then I sho uld kn ow how t o

s t a rt f a r ming S O I think of s ta yi n g some two or th r ee y ea rs beca u se
.
,

I sh ould l ike u s to ha ve a tho u sa n d roubles Well I do n ot kn ow how .

1

it w ill be on a cco un t of p re sen t t im es beca u se it is t he fifth m on th ,

sin ce we h a ve wo rk ed on ly h a lf da y s a n d t h ey d on t e ve n a lwa y s
’
,

a ll ow u s t o w ork a s m u ch a s ha lf a da y N ow i t is v ery ba d in Am e rica .

.

On ly in a x shop s th e work is goin g be tte r

-
.

At N ew Yea r we did n ot work for t wo w e ek s a n d n o w we receiv e ,

sm a ll w o rkin g p a y m en t s An d in rega rd to win ter it is n eithe r win te r

.

n or w a rm in a w ord sca bby w ith u s a l so

, Th e 9 t h of Ja n ua ry t he re
, , .

wa s a t errible th u n de r a n d ha il f e ll a l m os t l ik e p o ta to es
, I do n ot .

ha v e a n ythin g m ore to wr it e bu t to sen d y ou be lov ed wif e bows a n d, , ,

m y d ea r gree t in gs a n d hea rty wi shes a n d I bid y ou fa re we ll belov e d

, , ,

1
The desire t o a dv a n ce is he r e exp l ci itly limit ed t o t he ma rria ge g -
rou , a n d
p
no t hi ng is left of t h fa milia l a ttit
e u de .
 STR UCI NSKI S ERI E S 33 7

wife . I embra ce y ou and kiss y ou , I yo ur h usba n d lovin g you un til

,

t he g ra ve boa rd
-
.

ADAM S TRU CINS KI

[ Gree tin gs who le fa mily ] An d I a sk y ou kin dly to sen d

for the
m e your exa ct n a me a n d a ddr ess beca use wh en I sen d m on ey th en , ,

I will sen d in bro ther s ha n d s [ n a m e] beca use it is more con ven ien t
’
,

for brothe r th a n for wife on this a ccoun t tha t the re a re m ista kes
,
I .

a sk for a qu ick rep ly .

53 8 Ap ril 1 7 [1 91 1 ]
D E AR WI FE You wr ite m e t o com e on your a ccou n t .

S o wh en th e wo rk goes worse then it m a y be tha t I will com e bu t , ,

I will work a s lon g a s we ha ve n ot a thou sa n d roubles I will l ive .

in th e m os t econ om ica l wa y a n d y ou a l so do a s y ou ca n beca u se

, ,

it would n ot p a y m e to com e [ here] for on e yea r

.
I ca me in o rde r .

t o ea rn som e th in g Wri te to m e whe the r y ou receive d 8 0 roubles

.

th a t I sen t t o y ou I a m very lon eso m e w ithout y ou I k iss y ou

. .
,

I your h usba n d
, .

AD AM S TRU CINS KI

53 9 Ma y 21 ,
1 91 1

D E AR WI FE You wr ite me to come Well I would com e .

, ,

bu t I ca n n o t com e beca use the work is goin g ve ry wea kly a n d , ,

secon dly I sen d y ou the m on ey a n d n ow it is difli cu lt t o ea rn

, ,
I will .

see l a t er. When I a m a ble t o ea rn a t l ea st for a sh ip tick e t then a ft er -

All S a in ts D a y I will com e ba ck It is true my dea r wife tha t y ou.

, ,

m us t worry bu t I a l so wo rry s till m ore tha n y ou a n d I ha ve more

, ,

troubles beca use I ha ve to thin k a bout m yself a n d a bout y ou bu t it

, ,

is difli cu lt if God ma na ges u s in this wa y tha t we ca n n o t l ive in ,

a bu n d a n ce If it we re n ot for tha t th en we wo uld n ot sep a ra te even

.

for on e m in ute bu t for the p iece Of brea d it is n ecessa ry to bid fa rewell

,

t o the fa mi ly S o let Go d h elp m e t o ea rn a n d to com e ba ck h a pp ily

.

t o m y n a t ive coun try S o I p ra y God a n d do you p ra y a lso to

.
,

this Crea tor a n d t he holiest Mothe r tha t we m a y be un ite d ,

toge the r a n d l ive toge ther un til d ea th I do n ot ha ve a n ythin g .

e l se t o w r i te .

ADAM S TRU CINS KI

338 PRI M AR Y GR OUP
-
OR GANI ZATI ON

Augu st 21 [1 91 1 ]

[ Greetin gs ; h ea l th ; l e tte rs ]
write I f I w o uld com e a n d You , ,

I th i n k m yself [ it wo uld be best] if I could com e th e soon est p ossibl e

t o m y fa m ily for I did n o t com e t o Am e ri ca t o d rink a n d l ea d a m e rry
,

l ife beca u se I h a ve a f a mily in the old coun try Wh en I reca ll it

,
.

th en t h e tea rs ru n But I w ill work a s I a m a ble a n d when n o thin g

.
,

is l eft for m e [in Am e rica ] th en I w il l com e ba ck I in f orm y ou th a t

,
.

th e 1 5 of Augu s t I s en t 3 p h o tog ra p hs a n d t h e 1 9 1 0 0 ro ubl es ,

.

Writ e wh e th e r y ou received it I sen t a ha n dk erchief on your n a m e .

da y a n d beca u se I do n ot kn ow wh e th er it will r ea ch y ou or n ot wr i t e
, ,

to m e I sen t t wo le tte rs together on e wi th th e h a n dkerchief a n d

.
, ,

a n o th er w i th out a h a n dk e rch ie f .

I do n ot h a ve a n y thin g el se to write .

[ AD AM S TRU CI NS KI ]

54 1 N ov em ber 2 6, 1 91 1

D EAR WI FE : I in f orm y ou tha t I receive d yo ur t wo l e tte rs a n d ,

in bo th of th em I h ea rd n o thin g el se bu t if I wo uld com e ba ck You .

see m y d ea r tr ea sure a lth ou gh y O

,
u w r i t e t o m e th a t I l ove th e m on e y
,

be tt e r tha n y ou n ev erth e l ess y ou see tha t I l ov e y ou a n d th e m on ey

, ,

beca u se if without m on ey then I should n o t l ik e y ou ei ther a n d wh en ,

I h a ve a grea t d ea l of m on ey then y ou a l so will l ike m e still be tte r

th a n w ithout m on ey beca use when we ha ve a g rea t d ea l of m on ey
,

th en when we fill ourselves u p by ea tin g a n d drin kin g a n d w hen we ,

dress u p th en it will be p lea sa n t to look a t ea ch o th er ; then w e wi ll

,

love ea ch o th er still be tter a n d w e will p u t lip s on l ip s a n d the h ea rt ,

wil l bea t a n d th en the l ove will be be tter tha n it wa s when w e we re

,

h un g ry a n d ra gged beca use wh en a m a n is h u n g ry then he does n o t

,

l ike to l ove S O y ou see I wa n t to work for som e t im e y et beca use

.
1
,

t h e wo rk is goin g n o t th e wo rs t a n d I m a y ea rn a s I did n o t bef ore , .

S O I will sta y som e coup l e of weeks a n d y ou m y d ea r p ra y God for , , ,

h ea l th a n d this t im e w ill fl y a wa y for m e a n d for y ou a s on e m om en t

, .

S O I sen d y ou 2 5 r oubl es for th e hol id a y s O u t of th is m on ey g iv e .

2 % r ou bl es to ea ch m oth e r a n d w i t h 2 0 r ou bl es
p rocur e w h a t is
,

n ece ssa ry for y ou a n d do n ot w a lk h u n g ry a n d cold

, beca u se I ,

a tt em p t t o p rovid e so th a t the r e w ill n ot b e a n y h a rd ship Wh e n .

1
Th i s hedon isti c a ttit r
u de , ra e a mon g t he p ea sa n t s , sh o ws a rela tiv ly e fa r
go i ng i divi d a li ti
n u za on .
3 40 PRI MAR Y -
G R O UP OR GANIZATI ON

s beca u se from [ ea tin g] rib p iece s, p o ta toes, a n d ca bba ge th e

tron g ,

m a n is h ea vy , an d if the bed we re wea k then it could brea k down .

On ly do n ot ta ke this tri c k ba dly [ do n ot be a n gry a t my j k e ] o

1
.

N ow in r ega rd t o this ma n a bout whom I wrote , I though t tha t h e

w en t t o th e [ Old] coun try a n d h e is still here beca use in the sp rin g
, , ,

wh en there wa s a s trike in ou r fa c tory a n d he cou ld n ot ge t work in the

sa m e city h e wen t to a n other ci ty An d n ow he wrote a l e tt er t o m e .

a n d he wa s a sk in g a bout Wich t a wh e th e r sh e got m a rried An d he ,

.

sen d s bows to h er a n d h e wr o t e tha t h e w i ll soon come t o Gla ssp o rt

, ,

a n d we in ten d t o go toge the r t o the old coun t ry S o let Wich ta wri te .

so m e t hin g a n d I w ill sen d [ it ] t o him

, I do n ot ha ve a n ythi n g .

m o re to wri te on ly I sen d m y bows to bro the r a n d sister in la w t o

,
- -
,

b ro th ers in la w a n d sis ters in la w ; a n d hea rty wi sh es a n d a low bo w

- -
,
- -

t o Wich ta s moth e r a n d t o th e wh ole fa m il y a n d esp ecia l ly a bow

’
,

a n d h ear ty wish es to y ou belo ve d wi f e R em a in with God

,
I your . .
,

h u sban d ,

ADAM S I RU CINS KI
I a sk for a quick rep ly . Gu t baj .

5 44 October 28, 1 91 2

D E AR WI FE I wa s a lrea dy sta rtin g t o go t o the old coun

try bu t I de ta in ed myself in o rde r to ea rn som e 1 0 0 rou bles m ore a n d
, ,

beca u se the wa r is goin g to be so tha t if t h ey sh ou l d h a ve to ta ke m e

,

in to th e a rmy then it i s be t ter to be in Ame rica Wh en there is p ea ce .

then I will come a t once beca use I ha ve worked en ough An swe r m e

, .

wh e th e r th e reservist s a re ta ken a lrea dy beca use we rea d th e p a p e rs ,

a n d we kn ow t ha t R ussia sen t a n a rm y of t o th e fron tie r of

As ia You see beloved wif e I a m a fra id of bein g ta ken
.
, N ow I
, .

wri te y ou th a t in t wo weeks a fter th e l e tter I w ill sen d y ou the mon ey

for cel ebra tion B eloved Bron cia when th ere is p ea ce then w e
.
,

sha ll soon see ea ch other I do n ot ha ve a n y thin g m ore to wri te

. .

ADAM STRU CINS KI

F ebrua ry 1 8 1 9 1 3 ,

D EAR WI FE : I inform y ou tha t I received your l e tte r a n d

I a m a n swerin g y ou a t on ce a n d I in fo rm you tha t we sha ll n o t see
ea ch o the r before my broth e r An drz ej com es t o m e I sh ould be .

S xua l a llusi on s a re compl tel y a v ided a l n g a s ma rria ge is a fa m ili l

1
e e o s o a

m tt r
a H re we fin d on l y a vestige f th e f m il i l a tti tude in his a ski ng p rdon
e . e o a a a

fo h is j oke
r .
 STR U CI NSKI SE RI E S 34 1

g on e a lrea dy , bu t I received a l e tte r from m y brothe r to sen d him a

s hip t icke t , a n d he
-
a sk s a bout th a t H e sa y s tha t he ha s t o work .

very h ea vily a n d a p p a ren tly h e does n ot h a ve a n y p ossibil ity of

,

hel p in g ou r p a ren ts I sen t him the refore a ship ticke t a n d I e xp ec t

.
-

him t o com e t o m e in t h e h ol ida ys a n d so wh en h e com es then I will ,

be goin g ba ck t o m y cou n try a t on ce D ea r w ife y ou m a k e yourself .

,

so m ourn ful th a t y ou m u s t s uffe r I suffe r m ore beca use I m us t work .

,

l ike a m ule a n d I do n ot ha ve a n y comf ort eithe r S o it is n ot a s

, .

we w a n t on ly it m us t be a s w e ca n
,
It is true tha t I p rom ise d y ou .

t oo m uch a bout m y comin g bu t wha t co uld I do if it did n ot com e ou t

,

a s I th o ugh t But I hop e tha t in Ma y I sha ll be in m y hom e if n ot

.
,

soon e r I beg your p a rd on dea r Bron cia D o n ot be a n g ry w ith

.
, .

m e fo rgive m e a n d when I com e th en we will re con cil e

, ,
I am .

e n d in g I sen d to y ou m y k iss a n d em bra ce Will it do ? B ows

. .

t o the whole fa mily I rema in sin cerely your h u sba n d brother

.
, ,

b roth e r in la w - -
,

An AM S TR U CI N S KI

54 6 [ N 0 d a t e]
D E AR WI FE : [ Gree t in gs ; hea lth
a n d su ccess good ] D on t wo rry ’

a bo ut m e beca u se w h en I w o rk then I do n ot wa n t to br in g y ou to
,

Am e r ica beca u se h e re in Am e rica it is ve ry d iffi cult for a p ea sa n t

,

[ m a n ] beca u se a s lon g a s he is well th en he a lwa ys wo rks l ike a m ule

, ,

a n d th e r efore h e h a s so m e thin g bu t if h e becom es sick then i t is a ,

trouble beca use eve rybody is l ookin g on ly for m on ey in o rder to get

,

som e of i t a n d durin g the sickn ess the m os t w ill be sp en t a n d in old

, ,

a g e wh en on e h a s n o t h ea lth or m on ey the n th e r e is troubl e a g a in

, ,
.

S o wh en I h a ve m on ey tod a y then if som ethin g ba d ha pp en s I ta k e a

, ,

tra in a n d go a hea d th e re wh ere I ca m e from bu t it is n ot so with a ,

wo m a n Now th e wo rk w ill go 2 mon ths a t m ost beca use the re a re

.
,

e l ec t ion s of th e p resid en t As is kn own the re will be very h a rd

.
,

tim es a n d wa n t The figh t is seen a lrea dy a mon g those who ru n for

.

p resid en t of the R ep u bl ica n sid e I will n ot s ta y a n d I will ru n a wa y

.

for t he win te r to y ou un d er the fea th e r bed I ha ve th e m on ey so .

,

t ha t I sha ll n ot worry a bo ut a n y thin g a n d a s t o wha t y ou wri te a bout ,

wha t y ou th in k I do n ot kn ow So do n ot write me tha t a t a ll

, .
,

un le ss y ou thin k of doin g a s y ou did when I wa s in Pru ssia But a lso .

a bo ut P ru ssia do n ot wr it e a n ythin g nor a bo ut m y p a ren t s ei th e r for ,

when I received yo ur l e tte r a n d I did n ot ha ve a collea g ue who w ould

,
34 2 PRI M AR Y G RO U P
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

wri te m e a le tte r then I a n swe red m yself th ough with p en cil a n d

—
, , ,

y o u th in k God k n ow s wh a t An d if y ou wa n t m on ey th en I will .

sen d y ou a few ro u bl es beca u se n ot l on g a go y o u w er e sa y in g tha t y ou

,

h a d [ m on e y] N ow y ou sa y th a t y ou ha v e n on e
. Wri te m e h ow .

m u ch m on ey y ou ha ve An d I did n ot sen d to y ou for su ch a l on g

.

tim e beca u se I wa n te d t o sa ve som e thin g I do n ot h a ve a n y thin g .

m o re to wri te .
1

[AD AM S TR U CINS KI ]

1
l st letters
Th e a fill d with c s s d d l y Th m a p p r tly
a re e ex u e an e a s . e an a en

likes t o be i Am ri nd pr f t b th re l
ca a n W t t e e rs m y o e e e a on e . e a re n o o a ssu e an

defi it i ter st i
n e n th r w m b t p s ibly h is se lly dem r li d I t i
e n a no e o an ,
u o s e xu a o a ze . s

no t th ch r ct r f t h p
e a a t to p r p r b k wi th hi wif d l d gr du ll y
e o e ea sa n e a e a rea s e an ea a a

u p t it
o t d ,
iv h
or od a t th
ece m tim w i t
e fl cti
er a n t ly D rtio e sa e e r e a e on a e . e se ns

o f wiv i P ol d by hu ba d i Am i ca r
es n an ot i fr q
s t P rh p
n s n ll y er a e n n e u en . e a s u su a ,

as i th is c s t h e d sertio (if it
n a e, m s t th t) i e ot p l n d b t th m m t co e o a s n a nne ,
u e o en

d t com wh e t h stim l ti
oe s n o e t o go is stro ger th a
n e t he tim u l a t i
u a t o sta y
on n n s on .
3 44 PRI MARY -
GR OU P OR GAN I ZATI ON

Th ere is a l so n othin g tha t c ould t a ke t h e p la c e Of t h e

c om m un it y which w e fin d in th e c ou n tr y or in sm a ll t own s .

TO be sur e e v e r y on e h a s a cir c l e of a c qua in ta n c e s w i thi n

,

—
which there is gossip a p oor imi ta t ion of socia l O p in ion
b ut there is n othin g like t h e c on tin u ou s r ela tion ship b e tween
t h e in h a b it a n t s of a v ill a g e a n d n o p e riodic a l m e e tin gs
,
.

S ocia l opini on h a s th e re for e li ttle p ower c on si s t en cy or , ,

v i t a l i ty
.

Cl ea rly in the se c on di tion s m a rria ge b e com e s a m er e

in divi du a l m a tte r ; it s s ocia l side is lim i ted t o th e r eligiou s
sa n c tion ,
t o th e few u n c o m p li c a t e d r el a tion s b e tw een t h e

m a rr ia ge gr oup a n d t h e l oos e socia l en vi ronm en t a n d t o a n

-
,

e xc ep tion a l in t erven tion O f this en vir on m en t a n d O f t h e

s ta te in t h e r a r e c a ses O f c rim in a l b eh a vi or Wi th in th e .

l a rge lim it s m a rked by th e se few soc ia l f orm s th e re is p l a c e

en ou gh for a ll t h e v a ri e ties whic h t h e r el a tion b e tw een t w o

in div idua ls of diff er en t sex m a y a ss um e The n a tur e of .

this rel a tion will of c our se dep en d upon th e p e r son a lities

, ,

of t h e m em b e r s a n d t h e sp h er e O f th eir c omm on in te r e s t s .

I n t h e a c tu a l c a se wh e r e t h e p e r son a lities Of hu s b a n d a n d
,

wi fe a re p oor in tra dit ion s a n d p oor in culture th eir con ,

n ect ion m u s t be ra ther w ea k Wh en t he fir s t sen sua l

.

a ttr a c t ion h a s di s a pp ea r ed h a b it a n d t h e c om m on in t e r e s t s
,

O f ev e r y d a y l ife a re t h e on l y l in ks B u t t h e em ig r a tion O f
.

the hu sb a n d in t errup t e d b o th of th e s e a n d a g r a du a l dis ,

solut ion of t h e c on j u ga l b on d b e c a m e a p sy c h olog ic a l

n e c essi t y .

We do n ot kn ow th e evolution through wh ic h th e
hu sb a n d ha s p a ssed b ut w e ca n e a sil y gu e ss it fr om th e
,

He e vid en tl y fou n d a n ew sp h e r e Of
’
w om a n s l ett e r s .

in t eres t s in Am eric a ; b ein g a rel a tiv el y in tell igen t a lth ou gh ,

n ot e du c a te d m a n ,
h e a d a p ted him self su cc e ssfully t o th e
,

n ew c on d ition s a n d his li f e in Wa r s a w wh er e h e did t h e

, ,

sa m e w ork b ut ea rn ed l e ss a n d h a d less Opp ortu n i t y t o

 B OR KOWS KI S ERI ES 34 5

e xp ress him self m u s t h a ve a pp ea re d t o hi m ra ther n a rrow

,

m u ch m or e so in d eed tha n in t h e c a s e O f a p ea s a n t with

, , ,

t h e v a rie t y O f w ork a n d t h e m a n y c on c r e t e soc ia l in t e r e s t s

which villa ge life ca n give Further h e seem s t o ha v e f elt

.
,

rejuven a t ed in Am eric a a wa y from his wif e w h o w a s

, ,

p rob a b l y O lder tha n he (c f N O .He dress es b e tte r

.
,

sha v es h is b ea rd a n d a s hi s w ife exp r es se s it

, ,
looks t en ,

y ea r s y ou n ger . P rob a b ly a lm os t c erta in l y h e h a s h e r e a

, ,

rela tion with a n othe r wom a n Hen c e a fter a c erta in tim e

.

th ere is n othin g m ore left of th e Old a ffec tion towa rd h is

wi fe a n d though for a lm os t twen t y y ea r s he write s from
,

tim e t o t im e a n d sen d s som e m on e y h e d oe s it p a rtl y fr om ,

pit y p a rtl y from a f eelin g of m ora l O b liga tion He d oe s

,
.

n ot m a ke a n y gr ea t s a c rifi c e ; durin g t h e whole tim e h e

h a s sen t h er less th a n fiv e hun dr e d d oll a r s i e l es s tha n ,
. .
,

twen t y fiv e dolla r s a y ea r B u t w e m u st r em em b e r th a t
-
.

h e la cks a n y r ea ll y s tr on g m o tive t o help h er for t h e fe elin g ,

of O b lig a tion n ot b a c ke d by t h e sa n c t ion of soc ia l Op in ion

, ,

c a n n ot be s tron g in a m a n on this l evel of c ulture An d h e .

feel s m or e a n d m ore tha t his wif e is a u sel ess b urden t o him

—n ot on l y on a cc o u n t of m on e y b ut a l s o a s t h e on l y l in k
,

wi th a p a s t life whic h he evi den tl y wa n t s t o f or ge t a n d ,

p erha ps a l so a s a hin dra n c e t o m a rr y in g som eon e el se .

As t o t h e in flu en c e O f soc ia l opin ion th e re is a n in te r e s t ,

in g di fleren ce b e tween h is b eh a vior a n d th a t Of a p e a sa n t ,

e xp r e ss e d by t h e fa c t th a t for so l on g a tim e h e kee p s u p his

rela tion s with Old frien d s of him self a n d hi s wife a n d s till

d oes n ot help her en ou gh t o p reven t her b ec om in g a pa u p e r .

M a n ife s tl y he doe s n ot c a r e m u ch for t he opin ion O f t h e

people a t hom e th e dem a n d s of th is Opin ion on hi m a r e
,

n ei th er s tr on g n or c on sis t en t ( c f N O a n d h e d oe s n o t
. .

a t a ll i d en tif y t h e soc ia l p o si tion of his w if e w i th h is ow n .

N ow a p ea sa n t would eith e r s en d h is wife m on e y en oug h

,

t o sa tis fy t h e Op ini on O f t h e c omm un it y a n d t o en a b l e h er

3 46 P RI M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

t o m a in t a in cia l p o sition in a cc ord with h is own or

a so ,

w ould b rea k O ff a ll r el a tion s wi th h er wi th h is frien ds a n d , ,

with h is fa m il y in ord e r t o a void a ll tou c h with th e Opin ion

a n d c on d e m n a tion o f h is c om m u n i t y .

Th e le tter s give u s a ve r y good in sight in to t h e ev olution

of t h e wom a n Witho ut t h e b a c kin g Of a fa m il y gr o u p
.
-

’
sh e n ev e r f ee l s th a t sh e h a s a r ig ht t o c l a im h er hu sb a n d s

fid elit y help a n d p r o t e c tion

, ,
Th e high er m or a l V iew wi th
.

rega rd t o th e c on ju ga l r el a tion is c le a rl y n ot m ore s tron g l y

d ev elope d in her tha n in h er hu sb a n d a n d c a n n ot be a
su bs ti tute for t he a b se n t s o cia l n o rm s I n th e b egin ni n g .
,

sh e a ssu m es im p l ic i tl y th a t h e will c a r e for h er a ft e r h i s

em ig r a tion sin c e h e c a r e d for h er a t h om e

,
L a t e r wh en .
,

sh e r ea liz es tha t thin gs h a v e c ha n g e d sh e a pp ea l s n o t t o , ,

his c on jug a l dut y b ut t o h is p rom ise t o h elp her a n d t o h is

,

g en ero sit y S till l a ter a pp ea l s t o pit y b ecom e h er on l y

.
,

r esourc e a n d wh en ev en this p ro ves in sufficien t she u se s

, ,

a ddi t ion a l a r g um en t s
—p rom ises Of God s rewa rd thr ea ts ’
,

of su ic id e et c ,
Love is a t n o tim e a pp ea l e d t o
. Th e .

n a tur e O f h e r c l a im s c h a n ges a l so Fir s t sh e w a n t s a n d

.
,

e xp ec t s h er hu sb a n d t o c om e b a c k r a th er tha n t o t a ke h e r

t o Am er ic a ; l a t er sh e w o uld be g l a d if h e le t h er g o t o h im
, ,
’
un d er som eon e s c a re (h er a ff ec tion is n ot stron g en ou gh t o
ov e r c om e h er f ea r O f t h e j o urn e y ) ; s t ill l a t er sh e c ea se s t o ,

e xp ec t t o l ive with h im a n d h op es on l y t o see him on c e

m or e ; fin a ll y it is en ou gh for h e r t o ha v e fr om t im e t o tim e
,

h is l e tte r s a n d m on e y .

An oth e r in teres tin g p oin t is h er rela tion t o h er en vir on

m en t . As S h e h a s n o s oc ia l s ta n d in g a s a m em b er O f a
fa m il y g roup he r soc ia l position is b a sed e xc lu sivel y on h er
-

m a rr ia ge i e up on th e p osition of h er hu sb a n d up on h is
,
. .
, ,

a tt i tud e t ow a rd h er u p on th eir h a v in g a h om e
, etc As , .

s oon a s her hu sba n d lea ves her p o sition is imm edia t el y ,

l owered ; she ha s n o hom e a n d sh e doe s n o t rep r esen t m u c h

34 8 PRI MAR Y G R OU P
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

—
54 7 86 ,
TO W LADY S LAW B ORK O W S K I , IN AME RI CA , FR O M
H I S W I FE , I N P O LA ND , AN D S O ME LE TTE RS ( 57 8 8 6)
FR O M A C ! U AI N TA N CE S

54 7 WAR S AW July , 21 ,
1 8 93

HU SB AN D : I receive d your l e tte r on July 4 wh i ch f ou n d

D E AR ,

m e in u sua l h ea lth U p t o th e p r esen t I l iv e wi th th e R y bickis

. I .

a m n ot v e ry w e ll sa t isfi e d p erh a p s beca u se I w a s a ccu s tom e d t o l ive ,

for so m a n y yea r s qu ie tly with y ou a l on e An d toda y y ou a re a t, .

1

on e en d of th e wo rld a n d I a t th e o th e r SO wh en I l ook a t s tr a n g e ,

corn e r s [ s urrou n din g s] I don t kn ow wh a t to do from lon gin g a n d ’

,

regre t I comfort m yself on ly tha t y ou won t fo rge t m e tha t y ou

.
’
,

wil l rem a in n obl e [gen erou s] a s y ou h a v e been Y ou wa n te d m e t o go .

t o th e B orkow skis [h is broth e r] I wa s there If th ey h a d on ly . .

a sk e d a bo ut y ou th e m selv es ! But n obody sa id a word on ly I ,

rel a ted S ta sia k .

1
a sk ed bu t n obody e l se B orkow ski s wif e , .
’

sa id th a t y ou took 2 7 ro ubl es for th e w a rdr obe a n d 1 5 ro ubl es for th e

ch es t of dra we r s a n d sh e r efu sed t o a dd a n y th in g

, S h e sa id t o .

S ta n isl a w th a t y ou h a d ta k en en ough Th e sm a ll a l ta r a n d th e cl ock .

were ta ken by F il ip from P ra ga a n d h e ga ve 2 0 roub l es I h a ve .

n othin g m ore t o wr i te on ly I beg y ou m y d ea r wr i t e t o m e a s oft en

, , ,

a s y ou ca n a bout y our se lf w he th e r y ou a re in goo d h e a lth a n d h ow ,

y ou succeed for th is is m y on ly p l ea sure ; I ha v e n o o th e r

, I ha ve .

on ly the sort of frien d s wh o th in k th a t I own th ou sa n d s a n d from

tim e to tim e som eon e com es t o m e a sk in g m e to l en d h er a d ozen "

roubles An d e ve ryon e w ould bo rrow for e te rn i ty ; I k n ow

th em a lrea dy
An d n ow I bid y ou good by e a n d w ish y ou he a lth a n d eve ry goo d .

Only d on t forge t m e
’

Your sin ce r ely w ell w ishin g w if e

.
-
,

[TE OFI LA B OR K OW S KA ]
I la tion h s b
1
so m h bit l a d d sire d
eco W do e t fi d th i in t he
a ua an e . e no n s

p e s t fa mil y
a an Of r m p riv cy i a lwa y ou gh t by th m rria g g r up
. cou se so e a s s s e a e- o ,

b t u ly fo m tt rs whi h lik t h s a l r la tio a m r

on r a e c le e rv d by
, e e e xu e n, re o e or ss r se e

tr diti a s bey d th r h f th p eop le s i tru i

a on on e ea cA d t he m u t o fo o er
’
n s on . n a o n

p iv y cl im d by t h m r i a ge gr up fr m t h f mil y is m h m al ler th
r ac a e e a r th t o o e a
-
uc s an a

whi h it req ir s from t h

c u mm u ity
e I h rt p riva y f r t h p a sa n t i
e co th i gn . n s o , c o e e s no n

b t u erta i
a c s ia lly n ti d lim it ti of t he s cia l ch r t r of in dividua l
oc sa n c on e a on o a ac e

life H o t h o tr y it be m
. ere , n e c n v l t ry i dividu l clu sion fr m t he
ar ,
co es a o un a n a se o

soci l life in g
a rl en e a .

The disi tegr tio

1
f t he fa m il y is cert i l y rea l ev
n a n o if i t h giv a a n , en n e en c se

t h writer p u ts p rti l em p h si s u p o t h e i d iff re ce of h ’

e a a cu a r hu b d s a n n e n er s an

rel tiv a in a ccord

es , with her ten den cy t o keep him e clusivel y f r herself
a n ce x o .
 BORKOWS K I S ERIE S 3 49

54 8 Ap ril 1 2 ,
1 8 94

D E AR H U S B AN D : I rece ived your l e tter on Ap ril 2 which f oun d ,

m e in th e bes t Of h ea lt h a n d I wish y ou t h e sa m e w ith m y wh ol e ,

h ea rt U p to the p r esen t I th ou gh t a n d r ej oice d tha t y ou wo uld st ill

.

com e ba ck t o Wa r sa w bu t s in ce
y ou wr ite th a t y ou w on t com e I
’
, ,

co mp ly w i th the w ill O f Go d a n d w i th y our w ill I sh a ll n ow count .

t he d a y s a n d w eek s [ u n t il y ou ta ke m e t o Am e rica ] M a y ou r L ord .

God gra n t it t o ha p p en a s soon a s p ossibl e for I a m terr ibly w o rr ie d ,

.

S u ch a sa d l ife ! I go a l m ost to n obody for a s l on g a s y ou w er e in ,

Wa rsa w e very thin g wa s difleren t Fo rm erly w e h a d frien d s a n d .

,

e v e ry body w a s gl a d t o see u s w h il e n ow if I g o t o a n ybody th ey a re , , ,

a fr a id I n ee d som e th in g from them a n d they S h ow m e be fo reh a n d a n

in d iffe ren t fa c e They a ll do it even th ose wh o were so good ,

f orm erly N ow th ey Sh ow them selves a s they a re You write m e

.
,
.
1

t o t ry t o e a rn som e th in g w i th Wla dz ia B ut I ha ve n ot ea rn ed y e t .

a g r osz from h er Sh e sa ys tha t p eop l e beg her to giv e them w ork for
.

livi n g a lon e whil e I m us t p a y 2 roubles for lodgin g besid es boa rd

, ,
.
1

S o m y d ea r I beg y ou d escr ibe t o m e eve ry thin g in d e ta il wh a t I

, , , ,

ca n ta k e with m e w h a t cl o th es wh e th e r it is worth ta k in g th e fur

, , ,

t h e [p h o t og ra p h s in ] fra m es a n d o t he r trifles I w ill ta ke the ima ge .

a n d th e c r oss bu t I h a v e h ea rd th a t it w a s f o rbidd en t o t a k e th e
,

ch e s t S o p l ea se d escr ibe eve rythin g to m e ex a c tly

. Y ou wr ite .

t o th e Luk a s tha t I wr it e so se ld om bu t a lwa y s wh en th e Luk a s ,

wr ite I a sk them to write som e th in g from m e Eviden tly they .

d on t do it’
.

Your lovin g wif e ,

TE OFI LA B OR KO W S KA
1
As we h a v t ted
e s a in t he i tr
n odu c ti on , Teofila ,
n ot be i ng a m em be r of a

fa m l i y gro -
u p , ca n ha ve
ther s ci l r cogn itio th th t wh i h r lt from
no o o a e n an a c es u s

h u sb d s p ositi H h sb d b i g w y t he r g iti
’
h w
er o h n or er an on . er u an e n a a ,
eco n on

w h ich she h d s hi w if is red ced t

a a lm t th i g s i sh w by th b h vi r
s e u o a os no n a s o n e e a o

o f h e e vir m e t
r n d f wh ich sh c m p l i s
on n The rean stil l t w
o ch es f e o a n a re o anc or

h sb d s fid lit y— di g
.

t keep a t lea s t s m soc i l st di g

’
h er o O i h o e a an n ne s er u an e sen n

y w riti g f letters et c —i a word proofs th t h rem a i s solid y with

.

o fm on e ,
n o , . n ,
a e n ar

h i sp ite of t h sep r ti
er n d t h t th ep r ti o
e is o ly t m p or ry tha t h
a a on a n a e s a a n n e a ,
e

w ill ithe m ba ck o t ke h t o Am e ic Th d h c i t o cq i e a
‘
e r co e r a er r a . e secon c an e s a u r

p er l p iti o by h
son a w w k
os n er o n or .

Wla d ia is c si who h a s m illi ery o d essma ki g shop i wh ich

1
z a ou n a n r r n ,
n

B rkowski wa n ts hi w if t o work a a
o a m tres s e s se s s .
3 50 PRI M AR Y G RO UP
-
OR G ANI ZATI ON

54 9 Au gu s t 8 , 1 89 5

D E AR H U S B AN D Y ou w on t bel ie ve how m u ch I suffe r e d

’

wh en y ou did n o t write for som e m on th s I tho ugh t tha t I sh o uld .

n ot liv e l on g en o u gh t o r ea d y o ur l e tte r b u t wh e n I r e ce iv ed t h e l e tt e r
,

from y ou I w ep t wi th joy B ut a fter rea din g it sa d n ess o verwh elm e d

.

m e a ga in I tho ugh t tha t y ou h a d f o rgo tten a n d would n ot wr it e

.

your a ddress B ut th a n ks t o God it seem s t o m e tha t m y h ea v y

.
, ,

sorr ow a n d m y t e rr ibl e w a n t a re o v e r Th ere is n o wo rk this yea r .

with D obska a t a ll so I don t sew there a t a ll I ea rn som e tim es a few

,
’
.

z l o ty bu t wh a t d o es i t m ea n wh en I m u s t p a y 3 r o u bl es ren t a m on t h
,

[ in a room w ith th ree or f our o th e rs] I n on e p l a ce I h a d n o m on ey t o

.

p a y for t he l od g i n g a n d the y took m y be d

, N ow I sl eep up on a .

bo rr owed bed M oreove r th e y h a v e le vied h osp ita l ta xes in Wa r sa w

.
, ,

1 ro u bl e for a
p e rson y ea rly so I m u st p a y for if y ou do n o t p a y y ou
, ,

m u st p a y l a te r 4 roub l es of fin e .

B ef ore I receive d your le tte r I wen t t o th e con sul m ore tha n on ce

, ,

beggin g him t o fin d y ou wh a t is g oin g on with y ou ,

But h e did n o t .

wa n t to sea rch for y ou un til I p a id him 5 roubl es But I did n ot ha v e .

th em a n d I h a d to rem a in in sa d n ess M y dea r y ou a sk for m y .

,

p ho togra p h bu t I ca n se n d it on ly wh en y ou se n d m e a fe w ro ubl e s
, .

But I beg y ou sen d m e yours a s soon a s p ossibl e

, .

[ TE O FI LA]

55 0 Oc t ober 2 ,
1 895
D E ARHU S B AN D : To th e l a s t l e tter which y ou wro t e on July I 3 ,

I a n swered a t on ce w ith grea t joy for I tho ugh t th a t a fter so m a n v

,

m on th s O f m y sorrow a n d c ryin g a n d d iff e ren t o the r tro ub l es th e su n

sh on e for m e But I see tha t it on ly j oked tha t I m u st suffe r so u p
.
,

t o m y d ea th U p t o th e p resen t I h a v e n ev er a n n oye d y ou [a bo ut
.

m on ey] for I k n ew t ha t when y ou co uld y ou w ould sen d m e a fe w

, ,

ro ubles So I beg y o u if y ou ca n sen d m e a few roubles a s soon a s

.
, ,

p ossibl e for I a m in a si tua ti on w itho ut issu e

, .

Your lovin g w if e ,

TE OFI LA B OR KOW S KA
55 1 Ja n ua ry 2 8, 1 8 96

D EAR H U S B AND Y ou rep roa ch m e for n o t a n sw e rin g y ou

a t on ce My d ea r I e vid en tly did n ot do it th ro u gh n egl igen ce for
.
, ,

y ou w on t bel ieve I ha ve n o t w o rd s en ou gh t o tell y ou h ow m u c h

’
, ,
3 52 PRI M AR Y-G RO U P OR G ANI Z ATI ON

be for m e t o t rt quite a lon e on su ch a fa r j ourn ey You kn ow tha t

s a .

I a m n ot very bold n or very ta lk a tive ei the r so it would be ve ry

, ,

difli cu l t for m e t o fin d m y w a y a lon e For a s t o R a f a l sk i h e w on t 1 ’

.
,

go n ow ; h is p la n s a re cha n ge d H e is off en d ed with y ou for h a v in g .

written him a bout l a n d in s tea d O f writin g how m u ch y ou ea rn a n d

wha t work is there He sa ys : D oes he do a n y f a vor to m e H e “

will sen d m e a ship —

.

ticke t wh en I sen d him 2 0 ro ubl es But if I wi sh .

I ca n bu y a t icke t m yself M y d ea r y ou a sk m e why do I not wr i te .

”
,

y ou a bo ut K a rol a n d his wif e I ha ve n oth i n g to write a bout them .

,

for I k n ow n o th i n g Th ey don t com e t o m e a t a ll they a re a fra id

.
’
,

I migh t wa n t som ethin g from them so I don t go to th em eith e r ,

’
.

S in ce y ou l eft th ey ha v e n o t i n v it ed m e t o a n y h ol ida ys or l ittl e

p a rties wh i ch th ey a rra n ge Often You k n ow Wla dek I p ra y to Go d .
, ,

con t in u a lly th a t He m a y i n sp ir e y ou wi th t he w ish t o com e ba c k t o

Wa rsa w Afte r t he crown in g th ere will be a m n es ty so y ou ca n com e

.
,

ba ck a n d y ou would ce rta in ly h a ve work for in th e fa c tory th ey a re

, ,

workin g on h olida ys a n d n igh ts a n d everybo dy sa ys th a t it will ,

la s t for som e yea rs s till So m y dea r p erha p s y ou will cha n ge yo ur .

, ,

min d a n d lon g for your n a t ive cou n try I h ea rd th a t y ou p rom ise d it .

t o R a fa l s k i I would wa it p a tien tly ; I ha v e suffe red for 3 yea rs I

.
,

would hea r it for on e yea r m ore I h a v e k ep t the box the .

,

im a ge of God s M other a n d th e p h o togra p h s a s t ok en s I did n o t se ll

’ '

, .

your fur coa t eithe r ; I k eep it for I th i n k tha t y ou w ill p e rha p s wa lk ,

in it a bout Wa rsa w Altho ugh I wa s a lr ea dy in a h a rd n ee d I did

.
,
.

n o t sell i t
1
.

My d ea r don t forge t wha t I a sk ed y ou for beca u se I n eed i t

,
’
,

v e ry m uch a n d very soon TEOFI LA [ ]

.

5 53 July 10 ,
1 8 96

D E AR WL ADEK :
I d on t kn ow wha t it m ea n s tha t y ou ’

don t a n swe r the le tt er in which I tha n ked y ou for the p h otog ra p h s

’

a n d th e m on ey which y ou sen t m e 1 0 1 1 a n d 1 2 rou bl es th e la s t , , , ,

H h elp le s ss i c tr st with the e ergy f cou try g irls wh un d ta k

1
er s ne ,
n on a n o n o er e
t he j r ey t Am rica v t m rry k wn m (c f B u tkowski series) i
ou n o e e en o a un no en . s

p rh p p rtl y
e a s tit ti l
a con s u on a .

l he wom a s desire t h u b d b ck i W r w r th r th
' ’
1
h n o se e
t go t er s an a n a sa a e an o o
Am rie is p r b bl y
ca ditio d by th r fa ct rs th
o a con h fea f tr v li g lo ne o e o an er r o a e n a ne .

She ca i m g i n futur h pp i
a nely i t h a m fa m ili r diti n s d vi o
e a n e ss on n e s e a con o an en r n
m e t i wh i h he h d l iv d h pp il y be for
n n c s P erh p s th r is l o
a e m e de ire t a e . a e e a s so s o

g t re titu ti
e sf ll th h m il i tion whi ch h h s t
on or a fi et h ve t h
u m a s s e a o su er , o a e sa e

p eople who w gl t he b t he w it e e of he tri mp h

no ne ec r e n ss s r u .
 BOR KOWS K I S ERI E S 3 53

before E a s t er I sen t y ou a le tter on M a y 1 3 a lm ost beggin g for a

.
,

few rou bl es for I sp en t th ese on m e d icin e s a n d the doctor bu t no t

, ,

o n ly y ou did n ot se n d m e a n ythin g y ou did n o t e v en a n sw er so I , ,

don t kn ow wh a t it m ea n s wh ethe r y ou a re off en d ed with m e for

’
,

ha v in g a sked y ou for th ese few rou bl es But y ou ha ve written your .

se lf t ha t y ou w ill se n d m e [ mon ey] e ve ry m on th a n d th e r ef o re I w a s ,

m ore hold in a skin g y ou for i t S o p l e a se a n sw e r m e whe ther

.
x

y ou rece iv ed th a t l e tte r a n d t he book s which I sen t y ou befo re .

The l e tte r wa s regis t ere d so it m u s t ha ve re a ch ed y ou a n d if it did

, ,

n o t r ea ch y ou write m e a n d I w ill ta ke a comp la in t to th e

—
p os t ofii ce .

Yo ur a lwa y s lovin g wife ,

TE OFI LA BORKOWS KA

554 D ecem ber 2 1 8 9 6 ,

D E AR HU S B AN D : I in form y ou tha t I ha v e a lrea dy l eft th e h osp i

'

t a l a n d I a m h ea l th y e n ou gh a n d I w ish y o u t he sa m e ,
I received .

in the hosp i ta l th e l e tter wh ich y ou wro te on Aug us t 3 1 I rej oiced .

very m u ch for eve ry le tter from y ou is a da y of joy for m e a n d I

, ,

h a v e n o o the r joy n ow On ly I a m very m u ch p a in ed tha t y ou

.

rep roa ch m e for writin g on ly a bo ut m yself a n d n othin g a bout a n y

rela tives or a cqua in ta n ces But wha t ca n I write a bout them sin ce
.
,

they a re a ll pa fistwo [origin a lly lo rd a n d la dy then in genera l

”
gen tl e p eop l e or rich p eop l e
“ “
” “
, ,
a s comp a re d w i th m e while I a m
,

quite a lon e w ithout h usba n d w i thout hom e When I left the

, , .

hosp ita l I did n ot kn ow wha t to do w i th m yself w ithout mon ey a n d ,

a l m os t w i th out r oof for I did n o t k n ow w ha t t o do a n d wh a t t o p a y

,

for th e lodg in g wi th I rema in ed for 2 m on ths in th e h osp ita l a nd

.

h a d to p a y 6 rou bl es of ren t S he re m itted on e rou bl e 5 were l eft

.
, .

S o I begged h er a n d p rom ised I wou ld p a y her wh en y ou sen d so m e

,

m on ey .B ut n obody ca res for m e n obody h elp s m e for th ey know , ,

tha t I ha ve n o cha n ce to p a y th em ba ck An d y ou rep roa ch m e for .

n ot in f orm in g y ou a bout them Why he is your own broth er he .

, ,

could a sk som e t im es wh a t is goin g on wi th y ou on ce a t l ea s t sen d , ,

o n e of th e children t o m e o r wr i t e to y ou An d my f a m ily is the sa m e ; .

they a re a fra id I will a sk them for som e th in g Cza b ca me to m e . .

on ce t o the h osp i t a l a n d I kn ow t h a t they a re a ll in good hea lth

, , .

i r it h u sba n d s duty t o m in t in t
’
S he does n ot con s de he r a a her, as a p ea sa n
wom a n wou d do , l bu t a pp ea ls m r l y t o his p romise
e e .
3 54 PRI MAR Y G R O UP
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

M y Wla dz io don t be a n g ry th a t I sen d regis tered l e tters bu t y ou see

,
’
,

y ou write so seldom I sho uld thin k tha t m y l e tter did n o t rea ch y ou

a n d I could n o t l ea rn whil e so I a m certa in th a t y ou r e ce ive d it a n d
,

I l ive a t l ea st w ith som e h op e th a t y ou w ill a n swer m e An d n ow I .

a m w a i t in g for a n a n sw e r t o th a t l e tt e r which I wro t e y ou wh en I

wa s in t he h osp ita l a n d I k n ow th a t it r ea ch ed y ou for it w a s regis

,

t ered . E vid en tly d ea r Wla dek y ou a r e so a n gry w i th m e tha t y ou

, ,

h a v e n o t written for som e m on th s whil e I sen t y ou a l m os t n o t a ,

l e tter bu t a p e tition S o don t be a n g ry w ith m e m y d ea r h usba n d

.
’
, ,

for to wh om sha ll I a pp ea l ? An d y ou m a d e m e h old y o ur self for ,

y ou p r om ised m e t o sen d m e a l ittl e a n d I don t a sk m u ch a n ythin g

’
, ,

[ a l ittl e] a t lea st An d I beg your p a rdon on ce m o re Wla dek don t

’
.
, ,

be a n g ry with m e b u t a n swe r m e a s soon a s p ossibl e

, As t o t h e .

p h o tog ra p h p e rh a p s I sh a ll ea rn a littl e bu t on ly in th e sp r in g ; th en
, ,

I would sen d y ou on e for n ow I ha ve n o m on ey t o go t o th e p hotog

,

ra p h er [ ]
I

[TE OFI LA B ORK O W S KA ]

.

555 May 1 9 , 1 897

D E AR HU S B AN D I received your l e tter toge the r wi th the

m on ey i e w ith 1 2 roubl es
,
. .
,
for wh i ch I th a nk y ou h e a rtily ,

d ea r Wla dek Af ter receivin g t hose 2 0 roubl es wh i ch y ou sen t m e

.
,

la st yea r I wro te y ou 3 le tters t wo reg i s tered the l a st w i th a sin gle

, , ,

s t a m p so I beg y ou m u ch a n sw e r m e w h e th e r y ou r ece iv e d th e m a ll
, , ,

p a rti cul a rly tha t n on regis te re d on e for i t see m s t o m e th a t l e tte r s

~
,

oft en d on t r ea ch y ou N ow d e a r Wla dek y ou wr i t e m e th a t y ou

’
.
, ,

a re n ot sure wh e th e r I re ce ive y o ur m on ey b eca u se I d on t wr it e

’
,

m y self [with m y own h a n d] on ly M rs S liwinska [ t h e wo m a n from ,

.

whom sh e ren ts] does But y ou ca n be a s sure a s if I wrote with my

.

ow n h a n d S h e g ive s m e ev ery l e tte r a s soon a s sh e r e ceiv es it from

.

t h e p os t whe the r w i t h m on ey or n o t a n d a ddress th e m a s a lwa y s

, , ,

beca u se they a re sur e p eop l e I in ten tion a lly begged somebody .

e l se t o wr it e this l e tt er in o rd e r th a t y ou m igh t be l ie v e th a t I r ece iv e

yo ur l e tter s a n d m on ey I beg y ou d ea r Wla dek wri te t o m e m ore .

, ,

oft en for n ow y ou ha v e n ot wr i tt en for so l on g a t im e

, M y d ea r .
,

write m e whe the r y ou i n ten d eve r t o com e ba ck to Wa rsa w I often

h ea r tha t som e h u sba n d com es ba ck t o his f a m ily a n d ev en wh o l e ,

f a m il ies return When I h ea r it m y hea rt a lm os t bursts op e n beca u se

.
,

Th bs l t d p a i f l d p de ce of t he w if o ld h a rdl y b bett r
i
e a o u e an n u e en n e c u e e
ill tra ted tha by thi s l tt r
us n e e .
 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

be ry w ith m e for writi n g t o y ou so d ecid edl y bu t I ha ve a l most

a ng ,

n obody ex cep t y ou Alth o u gh I ha v e m a n y re l a t ives it is a s if I h a d

.

n on e for y ou re m em b e r a l so wh a t y ou g o t from y o ur r el a ti v e s wh en
,

y ou w er e in n eed Altho ugh y ou were on ly a ch ild . .

An d n ow I bid y ou go odbye d ea r h u sba n d B e h ea lthy a n d ,

.
,

d on t forge t m e
’
.

Yo ur lovin g wife ,

TE OFI LA BOR KOWS KA

5 57 Ma y 2 4, 1 898

D E AR WLADE K : I receive d your le tt er on May 1 ,

i . e .
,
1 5 ro ubl es
of m on ey Th ey h a d sea rched for m e for som e w eek s a n d cou ld n o t
. .

fin d m e beca u se y ou a l m os t n eve r a ddr ess to Ja n S liwiri ski b u t t o

'

, ,

Teofila Borkow ska I sh o uld n o t ha ve receive d th is m on ey

.

on ly S liw iri ska won d e r e d w hy y ou ha d n ot written for a l m os t a y ea r

'
.

S h e fo u n d th e p ostm a n a n d a ske d him wh e th er h e h a d n eve r h a d a

l e tter from Am erica to B orko wska a n d h e sa id tha t he ha d on e som e ,

week s a go bu t co uld n ot fin d [ the p erson ] a n d ga ve it ba ck to th e

,

p os t oth ee
-
There w e re t w o m on ey orde rs on e of 1 5 roubl es for
.
-
,

Teofila Borkowska a n d th e o th e r of 2 5 r oubl es for Teofil a B a rtow sk a

,

[ misa ddressed] They refu sed to g ive m e t h e secon d sa yin g th a t it

.
,

w a s n ot for m e a n d k ep t i t a t t h e offi ce ,
An d a s y ou sen t n o l e tt e r .
,

I don t kn ow m y self whe th e r th ese 2 5 ro ubl es a re for m e or n ot S o

’
.

I beg y ou d ea r Wla dek a n swe r m e the soon est p ossibl e wheth er y o u

, ,

sen t m e th e se 2 5 ro ub l es a n d if y ou did y ou m u s t corr e c t th e n a m e , ,

yourself P e rh a p s I s u sp ec t y ou d ea r h u sba n d a n d g ri e v e
.
, ,

th a t y ou h a ve f orgo tten m e while it is p erha p s un just Yo u h a v e , .

written p erha p s bu t n o t t o t he a ddress of t he Sliwifiskis bu t to m in e

, , ,

a n d th e l e tt er did n ot r ea ch m e I tha n k y ou d ea r Wla dek for your .

, ,

rem em bra n ce a n d for th ese 1 5 roubl es wi th wh ich y ou ha ve sa ve d m e

from a grea t m isery M a y ou r Lord God in rewa rd help y ou in a ll
i l l—
.

wou d l f ll a a t on c e t o th e owes l
t of wy bm k t d gr e ee in the soc a sca e t o th a a ro
'

h vi g o h m a d wo ki g by th e d y
a n n o e Th e o
n he d en d them lv s t o
r n a . e rfr t y f
e e se e

th e la st ga in st p l i p h y ic l wo k a d ft
a p r f r p a p ri m
a n Th l ss o f
s a r ,
n o en e e u e s . e c a

city p a u p r r cr its itself ma i ly if t e cl sively fr m these p ple Th

e s e u n , no x u , o eo . e

p s t p rtic l rly th f rm er d p ises h

ea an , a u a til y th i cla ss of pe ple v if
e a , es ea r s o , e en

en vyi g m etimes th ir few t rn l refi m t of dr ss d m a rs B t

n so e ex e a ne en s e an nne . u

thi l f p eop le by r l cu lt
s c a ss o h rdly s p eri or t o the cou try p e a
,
ea t fo get u re a u n sa n , r s

eve ry p r p os es i a d work a s h a rd a s p ossibl wh

e s s on i Ameri ca
n s e en n .
 BO RKOWS KI S ERI ES 3 57

your in ten t ion s . I p ra y to Him e very da y for y ou . I g r ee t

y ou hea rt ily .

Your a lwa ys lovin g w ife ,

TE OFI LA BOR KOWS KA

Good by [i n En gl ish ; imi ta t e d from his l e tte r] .

5 58 S ep t em be r 1 2 , 1 898

D E AR HU S B AN D : F irst I m u s t tha nk y ou hea rtily for h a vin g

he lp e d m e so m u ch I did n ot e xp ec t it a t a ll on ly I a lwa ys though t
.
,

tha t p e rha p s y ou ha d n o m on ey yourself a n d y ou co uld sen d m e n on e .

I on ly p ra yed to ou r L ord God to giv e y ou hea lth a n d t o bl ess y ou in

a ll yo ur in ten t ion s for I k n ew tha t y ou w ould n o t d e sert m e
, An d .

so it h a pp en ed for which I tha n k y ou h ea rt ily on ce m o re a n d m a y

, ,

o u r L ord God h elp y o u fur th e r in e very th in g .

Firs t I received th e 1 5 roubles a bout which I wro te y ou Then I .

received 2 5 roubl es wh en y ou co rrec ted the n a m e An d n ow I

, .

received 2 8 ro ubles th rough th e Comm ercia l B a nk for which I m a de ,

som e p urch a se s beca u se for a l on g t im e I ha d bo ugh t n o thin g [ n o

,

c l othes et c ] for m y self

,
. I a m very ha p p y th rough a ll this bu t I
.
,

sh ould be s t ill m or e ha pp y if we could see ea ch o th e r som e da y a n d ,

if it w e re in Wa rsa w .

You a sk m e wha t is th e n ews in Wa r sa w You wo uld n ot recog

n iz e Wa r sa w—
.

s u ch m o v em en t a n d w o rk h u n dre d s of big n ew h ou ses , .

On M a rsza lkowska S tr ee t a score of v ery sp l en d id ho u ses a n d a v ery ,

bea ut iful ch ur ch on D z ie l n a S tree t a n d in th e n e ighborhood of the ,

Jesus Hosp ita l th ey begin to build a church a n d on Czern ia kowska ,

S tree t a ch urch a n d a p olitechn ica l school is op en e d in Wa rsa w su ch

, ,

a s u p t o t h e p resen t h a v e been on ly a broa d Theref ore there is .

m o vem en t a n d in fa c t o ries ev e rywh e r e m u ch wo rk Th ey built a .

n ew ra ilwa y t o Wil a n ow a n o the r is bein g bu ilt t o Gr ojec m a n y n ice

, ,

sm a ll p ar k s a re a dd e d befo re the All S a in t s C h urch a n d the S t

,
-
.

Al exa n d er Ch urch Wh ere the Uj a zd ow ski p la ce wa s the re is n ow

.

a ve ry bea ut iful p a rk On Kra kow skie P rze d miescie will s ta n d a

.

m on um en t of M ick iewi cz ; there w ill be a con secra t ion on Ch ristma s

e v e a n en o rm ou s m ee t in g ; a ll the w in dow s a re a lr ea dy hire d
, On ly .

y ou won t be he re ! An d p erha p s y ou w ill s t ill com e ba ck to Wa r sa w

’

so me da y ? M a y God g ra n t it All m y bro the rs c a m e here som e

.
I
,

By th e de scr p i ti on of Wa rsa w sh e e v iden tly wishes t o a ttr ct a him hom e .

At t he sa m e ti me w e ha ve a ma n ifesta tio n of tt ch m e t t
a a t he city
n o .
3 58 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR G AN IZATI ON

of th em to Wa rsa w t o wo rk a t the ra ilwa y work s o th e rs in Wola

,
-
, ,

o th e r s in Brudn o Th e B orkow skis a re n o l on ge r h er e

. Th ey .

ren ted a buff e t a t a ra ilwa y s ta ti on [ In d iff eren t n ew s a bo ut frien d s ]-

.

TE O FI LA B OR K OW S KA

55 9 May 1 2 ,
1 8 99

HU S B AN D : I receive d your l e tter

D E AR wi th 2 0 r oubl es
a n d th r ee p h ot og r a p h s on Ap r il 4 for wh ich I sen d y ou a h ea rty ,

God r ewa rd I bea r it a lwa y s in m y h ea rt a n d tho ugh t a n d I

“ ”
.

a lw a y s r ep ea t it t o e v erybo dy t h a t y ou w e r e goo d a n d g en e r o u s a n d ,

y ou a re so u p t o th e p r esen t I ca n be p roud bef o re eve rybody tha t .

y ou d on t f orge t m e for which on ce m or e m a y ou r L o rd God rew a rd

’ I

y ou .I beg on ly ou r Lord God th a t we m a y y e t see ea ch o th er on ce

m o re Write m e d ea r Wla dek ca n I hop e i t ? When I sa w y ou in
.
, ,

a cy cl is t dr ess in t h e p h o tog r a p h I could h a rdly r ecogn iz e y ou y ou , ,

h a ve got a bout I O y ea rs yo un ge r p a rticula rly beca u se y ou h a d yo ur ,

bea rd sha ved B ut did y ou n ot reg re t your bea rd P K a wecki

.

th a n k s y ou m uch for the p ho tog ra p h a n d will sen d y ou h is own soon ,

toge th er with his wif e s Th ey even wish to give y ou a surp r ise a n d ’

.

t o se n d y ou a g rou p of a ll [ th e m em be rs] of t h e fr a te rn i ty [ a h a lf ~

re lig iou s fra te rn ity to wh i ch h e belon ge d ; see Ka wecki le tters] .

An d a s to m e if God com f ort s m e s till on yo ur beha lf [ if y ou s t ill

,

sen d m e m on ey ] I w ill sen d y ou a l so m y p ho togra p h D on t be ’

, .

a n g ry d ea r Wla dek for m y co u n t in g u p on y ou a l on e

, , P e rh a p s n ow .

yo ur con diti on is still diffi cult bu t I beg ou r L ord God in e v e ry p ra y er ,

tha t He m a y help y ou in a ll yo ur in ten tion s a n d I a lwa ys f eel a ,

com f o rt a n d h op e th a t y ou a re v e ry h a pp y a n d in a v e ry
, g oo d con d i
tion .
’
An d I thin k th a t if ou r L ord God h elp s y ou for m e it ,

w ill a l so be be tter .

Your lovin g wif e ,

TE OFI LA B OR K O W S KA
I
We i l sta din g depe ds e cl ively p o her h ba d s
see ho w h e r soc a n n x us u n us n
’

g d wi ll t w rd h
oo S h doe o ot ucceed i
a getti g p ositi
er .
p rso ll y h a rdl y
e s n s n n on e na ,

ev tri b t cli gs d sp r t ly t the ly threa d wh i h ke p s he fr m f lli g

en es , u n e e a e o on c e r o a n

d fi it l y i t t h
e n e l s of p p rs d utca t
n o e c as au e an o s s .

We fi d he
2
p r of tha t p r yi g t o God f
n re a t h e sa ke f oy ne i t a n or o an o s no a

m r l y f rm l xp e i
e e o of gr tit d
a b t th t t h p r y r a s w ll a t h bl ssi g
e r ss on a u e, u a e a e , e s e e n ,

i s pp
s u d t b r lly e f
ose fi i t d a re l
o wa rd f r
e ea be e fi t e iv d The
c en an a re o a n re c e .

existen ce of b gg rs is b d u p o this id e Cf W roblewski

a ri s N o 3
a se n ea . . se e , . 1 ,

no te .
3 60 PRI M AR Y —
G R OU P OR GAN I ZATI O N

wa n ted wh eedl e m e ou t of th e m on ey which y ou h a d sen t m e

to .

An d a s I could n o t g ive it to th em th ey d on t sp ea k t o m e a n y m o re
’
.

I don t k n ow wh ether i t is p o ssibl e bu t wh en h e goes t o Am e ri ca

’
, ,

h e wa n t s t o m a rry there his s w ee th ea rt w ith wh om h e lives a n d h a s

5 c hi ldr en S o d.ea r h u sba n d
,
if i t i s p ossibl e wh en h e t a kes h er
, , ,

p e rh a p s I co uld go with th em t o y ou I desire it very m u ch e ven .

,

on ly t o see y ou m y d ea r ! If it is p ossible write t o h im yourself for

, , ,

he is l ike a wa sp t o m e n ow beca u se of m y n o t h a vin g given th em th i s

m on ey . I tha n k y ou on ce m ore hea rtily for th e m on ey a n d I beg
‘

y ou m y d ea r a lthough w i th a g r ea t ti mid ity d on t f orge t a bo ut m e

’
, , ,

a n d sen d m e soon a l ittl e a t l ea s t fo r i t i s a lr ea dy difi cu l t for m e t o

,

ea rn a n ythin g They require n ow m a ch in e sewin g M oreove r m y

.
-
.

e ye s a ch e from c ryi n g a n d fro m w ork in th ese sm a ll co r n e rs in t h e ,

kitchen wh ere I live beca u se for 3 roubles n obody would receive m e

,

in to a dwell in g room An d e v en th ese 3 ro ubl es I ca n sc a rcely p a y

-
.
,

a n d oft en I su fier h u n ge r sin ce t h e r en t m u s t be p a i d

,
.

Your a lwa ys l ovin g wife ,

TE OF IL A BOR KO W S KA

M a r ch 2 7, 1 90 3

D E AR HU S BAN D : Mr R u p m ski ca lled up on m e on M a rch 1 1 a n d

.
,

l eft m e 40 ro ubles for which m a y ou r Lord God rewa rd y o u I

,
.

wa n te d t o a n swe r y ou a t on ce bu t I h a d y e t to see M r R before h is . .

dep a rture M ea n wh ile he p roba bly ha d som e busin ess a n d could

.
“

n o t see m e for durin g a wh ol e w ee k I wen t e v e ry da y t o t h e K a r ol s

,

t o see him for they a lwa y s told m e th a t he wa s n ot y e t l ea v in g

,
.

An d p erh a p s they sim p ly d e ce ive d m e for t hey h a v e a p l ea s ur e in

’

a n n oyin g m e in a n y wa y N ow d ea r Wla dek M r R sa id th a t y ou

.
, ,
. .

would p roba bly com e ba ck to Wa rsa w 0 cl ea r Wla dek a n ew l if e .

, ,

en t e r e d i n t o m e t he wh ol e w o rld a p p ea re d t o m e m ore g a y
, N ow I .

sh a ll p ra y t o ou r L ord God t o sh orten th ese m on t h s for y ou w on t

’
,

bel ie ve h ow h a p p y I a m n ow I sha ll l ive with this id ea th a t I m a y

.
,

see y ou y e t b e fo r e dy in g N ow d ea r Wla dek I w ill try to fin d th e

.
, ,

m a n who bough t th e a lta r for h e sa id th a t if w e wa n t it h e w ill giv e

,

it ba ck a t a n y m om en t D ea r h u sba n d p erha p s y ou w ill sen d m e a n

.
,

a uthor iza t ion t o g e t ba ck from S ta n isl a w th e r es t of th e m on ey w hich

he owes y ou
TEOFI LA BOR KO WS KA
1
Com p r th i whole story with th le tters of S ta i sla w R
a e s e n .
 BO RK OWS KI SER I E S 36 I

5 63 Ap r il 23, 1 90 4
D E AR HU S BAND : I received y our le tte r with 60 rou bl es It
rej oice d m e on th e on e ha n d bu t on the o th er ha n d g rieve d m e very ,

m u ch B el ie ve m e d ea r Wla dek tha t I ha d su ch a forebodin g

.
, ,
.

Wh en I d ivi de d the [ Ea st er] egg with a n ybody I wep t for I im a gin e d , ,

a lwa y s th a t y ou a re so fa r a wa y a l on e w i th out fa m ilv a n d m o re , , ,

tha n on ce y ou m u s t f eel ve ry sa d a s I do a n d p erha p s e ven sick a n d , , ,

th er e is n obody to ca re for y ou of your ow n p eop l e An d so it seem ed .

t o m e con t in ua lly a n d sudd en ly Sliw iri ska b rin gs m e a l e tte r R ea lly

’

.
, ,

m y f o rebo din g p ro v ed tru e B el ieve m e d ea r Wla dek th a t I even .

, ,

w a s n ot so gla d t o receiv e this m on ey a s g rie ve d in l ea rn in g tha t y ou

a re sick You a re often sick th ere p roba bly th e cl im a t e is ba d for
.
,

y ou . But I p ra y a n d beg ou r L ord God ev e ry da y to g ive y ou hea lth

a n d t o m a k e y ou s till h a pp y in y our l ife Y ou a re s t ill youn g a n d .
,

u p t o th e p re sen t y ou h a ve n o t y et exp e r ien ce d a n y good in your l if e .

S o m a y ou r L ord God g ive y ou every good wh a teve r y o u wish from ,

Him for your good hea rt

, God rewa rd y ou for the m on ey wh i ch y ou
.
I

sen t m e ! B esid es y ou I h a d still a n o th er sorrow for m y bro th er

, ,

Ign a cy is d ea d I don t kn ow e ven whether y ou rem em ber

.
’

him . S o p eop l e of my fa m ily begin t o die .

TE OFILA BOR KO W S KA

564 Augu s t 8 , 1 90 4
D E AR HU S B AN D : For God s sa ke a n sw e r wha t is goin g on with ’
,

y ou . Th is is th e fourth le tte r wh ich I sen d y ou beggin g y ou for a n ,

a n sw e r a n d y ou d on t a n sw e r m e e ven a w ord I bel ieve d ea r

’
,
.
,

h u sba n d tha t p e rha p s y ou a re tire d a lr ea dy wi th wr it in g a lwa ys a n d

,

sen d in g m on e y But p erha p s ou r Lord God will m a ke y ou fr ee soon

. .

I wi sh it m yself for I a m a l so tired with w orryin g m yself so in th is

,

w orld a n d wo rryin g y ou besides Al th ough y ou do n ot le t m e f eel .

it be ca u se y ou a re good y e t I feel it m yself a n d wh en eve r I r eceiv e

, , ,

m on ey from y ou I weep for I a m a burd en t o y ou a n d I ca n r ep a y y ou

,

wi th n othin g ex cep t by p ra yin g God for your hea lth a n d for ha p p in ess
in yo ur ife .
Your sin cerely lovin g wife ,

Good by . TE OFI LA BORKOW S KA

Th is is pp r tly resi g tio t th i dea of a p erpe t l p r ti
a a en a naa d n o e ua se a a on n

p erh p s t t h p ossibility f hi b i g h p p y with a n other w m

a o e o s e n a o an .

He convictio is m re o tsp oke tha n i th e p r cedi g letter A few word

3
r n o u n n e n . s

from tim t ti me a d little money t en a bl h t o co ti ue t live is a ll sh

e o n a o e er n n o e

c an cl im a .
3 62 PRI M AR Y -
G R OUP OR G AN I ZATI ON

56 5 O c tobe r 1 6, 1 90 5

D E AR H U S B AN D : I wro te y ou a le tte r on Augu s t 1 0 a sk in g ,

y ou t o a n sw e r with a t l e a s t a fe w w o rd s wh e th er y ou a re in g ood ,

h ea lth a n d whe the r y o u r ece ive d m y l e tte r w i th tha n k s for th e m on ey .

B ut u p t o t he p resen t I h a ve n o a n swer It is true d ea r Wla dek th a t .

, ,

y ou h a v e n o t so m uch t im e bu t m y d ea r wri t e m e som e ti m e s a few

, , ,

wo rd s ; y ou will ca use m e a grea t co m fo rt For I rea d your l e tter .

like a p ra yer beca u se for m e d ea r Wla dek ou r Lord God is th e first

, , ,

a n d y ou th e secon d D on t be a n gry if p e rha p s I bor e y ou w i th m y

’
.
,

l e tters bu t it is for m e a grea t com fort to be a ble to sp ea k w i th y ou a t

,

l ea s t th rough this p a p er Write rn e Wla dek wh e th e r y ou w ill com e

.
, ,

som e da y t o Wa r sa w Good by M a y ou r Lo rd God k eep y ou in

. .

H is ca re
Your lov 1 n g W i fe
.

TE OFI LA BOR K OW S K A

56 6 Februa ry 1 2 ,
1 90 6

D E AR HU S BAND D on t be a n gry w ith m e for writ in g t o

’

y ou in s u ch a n i m p o rtu n a t e w a y a n d a sk in g a lw a y s for m on ey bu t ,

wh a t ca n I do p oo r wom a n when I h a v e n o o ther wa y excep t t o

, ,

stre t ch ou t m y h a n d on t h e s tr eet a n d b eg It is qu ite d iffi cult for .

m e t o ea rn en ough for m y whol e liv in g beca u se n o t e ve rybody wa n ts ,

[ clo th es] sewn by h a n d bu t on ly som e p oo r se rva n t m a id w ho p a y s ,

then very l ittle S o my dea r h usba n d sen d m e wha t y ou ca n for

.
, , ,

I ha v e n oth i n g t o live on I even m a d e d eb t s for m y ren t a n d a few

.

roubl es which I borrow ed from Sliw iri ska on a ccoun t of the m on ey

'

wh i ch y ou will sen d m e I wrote y ou som e l ette rs begg in g y ou

so m u ch t o a n sw e r m e a few w ord s wh e t h e r y ou a re in good h ea lth , ,

bu t y ou wrote m e n o l e tte r e x cep t tha t on e w ith m on ey .

TEOFI LA BOR K O W S K A

56 7 N ovem be r 2 5, 1 90 6
D E AR H U SBAN D : F irs t m a y God th e Grea t rewa rd y ou for your
,

good h ea rt a n d yo ur ca r e for m e for truly it is n o th in g e l se bu t th e

,

D iv in e P rovid en ce w h ich th ro ugh y o ur p er son g u a rd s m e I ha d .

n o t a w h ol e r ou bl e l eft a n d m o reove r I go t so sick tha t I w a s t a k en

,

un con sc iou s t o th e hosp ita l ; n obody ev en a m on g m y a cqu a in ta n ces

kn ew it On ly w h en I ca m e ba ck a l ittl e t o hea lth I a sk ed t he n u n t o
.

tel ep h on e to S liwiri ska a n d th e l a tte r w h en com in g t o me m e t t he

’

,
3 64 P RI M AR Y GR O U P OR G AN I ZATI ON

h is br o th e r Hoza S tree t so I go th ere v ery often a n d a sk bu t the r e

’

on , ,

is n eve r a n y l e tte r S o d e a r Wla dek d on t b e a n gry for m y r eg i s t e r

’
.
, ,

in g th i s l e tte r bu t from sorrow I don t k n o w wha t t o do D ea r

’
.
,

h u sba n d if y ou sen d m on ey sen d i t a s be for e t o th e a ddre ss of

, ,

M rs Sliw ifiska An d I beg y o u d ea r h u sba n d d on t be a n gry

’
. .
, , ,

b u t I beg y ou sen d a s soon a s p ossi b l e w h a t y ou ca n

,
D ea r Wla dek ,
.
,

I kn ow tha t y ou a re w or th som e tho u sa n d s for M r K told m e so ,

. . .

Y ou co uld th e ref o re do t o y our se lf a n d to m e a n d t o a ll your fri en d s

th i s p lea sure a n d com e a t l ea s t on a visit t o Wa rsa w N ow in
,
.

Wa rsa w i t is very quie t .

Good by d ea r h u sba n d a n d m a y Go d give y ou ev eryth in g the

, ,

Yo ur l ovi n g w ife ,

TE OFI LA B OR K O W S KA

Ja n ua ry 20 ,
1 91 0

D E AR H U S B AN D MY BE LOV E D WLAD E K : I d on t kn ow why y ou

,
’

do n o t wa n t to wr ite t o m e E v id en tly y ou don t w a n t t o for I

’
.
,

ha v e sen t y ou 4 l e tter s a n d begged a n d im p l o re d y ou t o wr i te a t l ea s t

a few wo rd s bu t y ou d on t wr it e a t a ll N eve r y e t dur in g so m a n y
’
.
, ,

yea rs ha s it been so N ow towa rd th e en d of m y lif e for a yea r a n d

,
.
, ,

8 m on th s y ou h a v e n o t wri tten a l e tt er Wh y y ou could fin d a l ittl e .

,

tim e to write a fe w word s ! You sen t m on ey a yea r a n d t wo m on th s

a go a n d e v en th en y ou did n ot wr i te a w o rd E v id en tly y ou d on t
’
.

wish to ca re for m e a n y m ore An d wh a t ca n I do n ow un ha pp y .

,

wom a n sin ce I ca n n o t ea rn en ough for m y l ivin g He re th ou sa n d s

,
.

of y ou n g p eop l e wa lk w i t h out w ork a n d for m e in m y a dva n ced a g e , , ,

i t is s till m o re diffi cult S o I d on t k n ow wh a t I sha ll do wi th m y self

’
.
,

m i se ra bl e wom a n if y ou cea se to ca re fo r m e a n d d on t sen d m e

,
’

m on ey a n y m or e N o thin g m o re is l eft for m e e x cep t to s tr e t ch ou t

.

m y ha n d a n d beg on th e s tre e t or t o t a k e m y l ife a wa y But I , .

,

m i sera bl e w om a n h a v e n o t co ura ge en o ugh t o do e i th e r th e on e or

'

t he o th e r on ly I w orry a n d s u ff e r h u n ge r for I l a ck a bi t of bre a d

, , .

So h a ve p ity d ea r h u sba n d ! Y ou ha ve ca red for m e so m a n y yea rs

, ,

don t a ba n don m e in the la s t y ea rs of m y l if e Sen d m e a l ittl e m on ey

’

a n d p e rh a p s ou r L ord God w ill l is t en t o m y p ra y e r—

.

a n d i n c r ea se

your fortu n e your ha pp in ess a n d your h ea lth

,
I , .

TE OFI LA B O R KO W S K A
1
A i m p rt t l tter f ll w f m whi h it is evid t th t he s t h s m e
n un o an e o o s ro c en a en er o

m on e y b fo e thi lett r re ch d him

e r s e a e .
 BORKOWS K I SE RI ES 3 65

Au gu s t 6, 1 91 0

D E AR HU S B AN D : I wr ite to y ou with grea t tim idity bu t d esp a ir ,

obli ges m e t o writ e so op en ly I beg y ou d ea r Wla dek I beg y ou for

.
, ,

God s sa ke h a ve p i ty a n d sen d m e a littl e m on ey for I ca n fin d n o

’
, ,

wa y ou t I trie d t o ge t from th e Phila n th rop ic Associa ti on a t lea st

.

a fe w t ick e t s for a few p ou n d s of br ea d a n d a few p in t s of g ru e l

m on th ly bu t th ey refu sed m e for they l ea r n e d tha t I ha ve a h u sba n d

, ,
.

They sa y th a t it is for th em a ll th e sa m e wh e th er this h usba n d is in

Wa r sa w or in Am e rica bu t I ha ve a h usba n d S o I don t k n ow wha t
, .
’

to do with m y self I ha ve n o w ork for n ow e ven a p oor serva n t m a id

.
,

wa n ts [her dresses] t o be sewn on a m a chin e with d iffe ren t a dorn

m en ts for su ch is th e f a sh i on
,
An d to te ll th e truth I begin t o l ose
.
, ,

m y eyes w ith se win g a n d cryin g S o I on ly i m p l ore fir s t ou r Lo rd

.

God th en y ou for m er cy up on m e
,
Ha ve p ity dea r h usba n d sen d .
, ,

m e [ m on ey] a s soon a s p ossibl e beca u se I ow e for r en t I owe t o , ,

S liw iri ska a n d I h a ve n o p ossibil i ty of p a y in g t he m wh il e e very da y

'

, ,

I m u s t n ourish m yself a n d I ha ve n oth i n g Although I econ omize

,
.

e ve ry g r osz from y ou a n d n ouri sh m y self w i th a n yth in g in ord e r on ly

t o l iv e th rou gh t h e da y y e t e v e rythin g is so e xp en siv e p a rt icula rly

, ,

ren t I live in a ba sem en t m y bed in a corn er a box a n d a sm a ll

.
, ,

ta ble before th e bed a n d I p a y for it 3 roubl es a n d 2 zlo ty [3 ro ubl es

, ,

3 0 ] a m on th a n d th ey h a rdl y p er m it m e so m e t im es t o cook a l ittl e

,

w ith m y own fuel a n d so it is e ve rywhe re ,

TE OFI LA BOR K OW S KA
D ea r h u sba n d write m e wh e the r y ou w ill com e som e da y to
,

Wa rsa w ? It is tru e tha t y ou h a ve p u t a sid e som e m on ey bu t on ,

t h e o th e r h a n d y ou a re fa r a wa y fr om y o ur fa m ily a n d fr om y o ur

l a n d An d a fte r so m a n y yea rs y ou w ould ha ve ha d be tter con

.

dition s e ve n he r e a n d m o r e tha n on e p a in wo uld be sp a re d t o y ou

,
.

For it see m s to m e th a t som e t im e s i t is n o t v ery p l ea sa n t for y ou

there a n d m ore th a n on ce p erh a p s y ou l on g for your p eop le Write
,
.

m e d ea r Wla dek ; le t m e a t l ea s t ha v e som e illusion th a t I sha ll still

,

see y ou .

Oc t ober 1 3, 1 91 0

HU S B AN D : A few weeks a go I sen t y ou a le tter or ra the r

D E AR ,

a su p p li ca t ion a ski n g y ou t o h a v e p ity a n d t o sen d m e som e m on ey

,
.

But y ou Wla dek did n ot a n swe r me a wo rd I don t kn ow wha t to

, ,
.
’
3 66 PRI M AR Y G R OUP
-
OR GAN IZATI ON

th i n k I th in k th a t y ou a re tired p erh a p s wi th h a vi n g ca red for m e

.

for so l on g a tim e B ut ha ve p ity a n d sen d m e som e th in g a n d d on t ’

.

f orge t m e P erh a p s soon th in gs w ill com e to a n en d wi th m e

.

a n d I Sh a ll go a sid e fr om your w a y Wri te m e d ea r Wla dek .

, ,

wha t is the n ews with y ou Perha p s y ou a re s i ck a n d th eref or e

.

d on t a n sw er An sw er m y bel oved m y dea r ben efa ctor a n d sen d m e

’
.
, , ,

som e m on ey .

TE OFI LA B OR K OW S KA

57 3 N o v em be r I r 1 91 0

D E AR HU S B AN D : Y ou write th a t I ha ve n o t a n swe re d a ft e r “

receivin g your m on ey But I sen t y ou a t on ce a l e tter w ith th a nk s

wh en I rece ived 7 5 ro ubl es from the p os t—
.

ofii ce Y ou sen t this

m on ey a ye a r a go in N o vem ber whil e I r eceiv ed i t on ly in F eb rua ry
, ,

1 91 0 Of th e m on ey which y ou h a v e sen t m e n o t a p en n y w a s
e v e r l os t If we see ea ch o ther som e da y—a n d I p ra y a lw a y s t o ou r
.

L ord God for it a n d I h op e tha t it will com c I sh a ll sh ow y ou a ll

,
h

your le tters a n d o rd ers for I keep them like holy thin gs

, D ea r
Wla dek y ou m a ke rep roa ch es for m y ca llin g on y ou for m on ey
, .

L ook th rough the le tters [y ou will see] th a t I beg y ou a n d im p lo re

y ou wi th g rea t t im idity a n d on ly beca u se gr ea t n eed f o rc es m e
, .

D ea r Wla dek y ou won t believe how I beg ou r Lo rd God th a t I m a y

,
’

see y ou s till bef ore m y dea th M y d ea r writ e m e wh e th er i t will

.
,

e ve r h a pp en An d writ e m e m y d ea r whe the r y ou k n ow t h e r e

.
, ,

e v eryth i n g which ha pp en ed here up on Ja sn a Gora [ Czestoch ow a ;

,

a m onk kill e d h is cou sin a n d robbed t h e Cl o is t e r] .

TE O FI LA B OR K O W S K A

57 4 D ece m be r 1 8, 1 91 0

D E AR HU S B AN D : I received yo ur l e tter a n d 3 8 roubles [ D e ta il s .

a n d th a n k s ]

D ea r Wla dek a re y ou a n gry wh en I wr ite y ou a n d a sk y ou t o

,

wri te m e a few w ords whe ther y ou w ill ever com e to Wa r sa w ? Fo r

,

y ou n ever a n swe r m y beggin g An sw er a t l ea s t a fe w word s t o m y

.

b eggm g my d ea r !
,
TE OFI LA B OR K O W S K A

57 5 Ap ri l 20 , 1 91 1

HU S BAN D : I wro te y ou fo ur letters a n d in every on e I

D E AR
im p lored y ou t o writ e m e a t l ea st a few word s a n d I ca n n o t p re va il ,

up on you So my dea r h usba n d ha ve p ity up on me I imp lore y o u

.
, , , ,
3 68 P RI M AR Y G R OU P
-
O R G ANI ZATI ON

57 8 S ep tem be r 5 , 1 91 2

R E S P E CTED S I R : Your wif e is si ck sh e l ies in th e S t R och s ,

.
’

H osp i ta l s i n ce Aug u s t 2 0 Sh e rece iv e d th e m on ey which y ou

.

sen t 2 0 rou bl es in Aug u st ; sh e w s a lre a dy so sick th a t she sca r ce ly

, , a
dra gge d herself t o th e p os t office S h e is n ot so d a n ger o u sly
-
.

S ick bu t suff er in g v e ry m u ch
,
a n d in g en era l t h e wh ole org a n

ism is ve ry wea k beca u se of ba d n utri tion a n d con tin uo u s so rrow .

She i s so a l on e a n d d eserte d a l most by e v erybody for th e fa mi ly ,

n eve r com es t o see h er E ven to the h osp ita l n obody goes ex cep t
.

m e who go to h er on ce in a we ek
,
E ven the Cz s do n o t a lth ou gh . .
,

I i n form ed them I n the hosp ita l she ha s a t lea st som e ca re whil e a t

.
,

h om e sh e rem a i n ed qu it e a l on e for the p eop l e wi th wh om sh e l ive d

,

l eft for som e weeks The d oc tor a dvised sen di n g her to the hosp i ta l
.

tha t she migh t ha ve a t lea st a l ittle comf o rt a n d ca re S o p lea se .

w ri te t o h er a t on ce You will th us comfo rt h er a littl e for she l on gs

.
,

con t in ua lly for y ou a n d yo ur l e tt ers I sh a ll a n swer y ou a t on ce how .

,

S h e is in h er h ea lth An d p lea se be so good a n d sen d h er a fe w ro ub l es

.

when she lea ves the h osp ita l for of those 2 0 roubl es onl y a fe w zl o ty
,

a re le ft a n d sh e m u s t p a y the r en t for th e t im e dur in g whi ch S h e

,

rem a in s in the hosp ita l An d p l ea se be so kin d sen d h er [ m on e y]

.
, ,

regul a rly every m on th or every 2 m on th s for your wif e is horrib ly ,

torm en ted by this la ck of a few zl oty a n d of a le tte r from y ou when ,

y ou don t wri te for so l on g a t im e An d p l ea se wri t e a l ittle m ore

’
.
,

a ffec tion a te ly On ly do it soon for it will be the best m e dicin e for

.
,

your w ife a t l ea s t for her hea rt

,
.

ALE K S AN D R A S LI WI NS KA

S ep te mbe r r 8 93

P ra ised be
Jes us Christus .

R E S P E CTE D M R B OR KOW S KI : I ha ve rece ive d yo ur l e tte r for

.
,

which I sen d y ou the m os t hea rty God rewa rd I w a s very gl a d ”

‘

tha t y ou deig n ed t o describe the cus to m s of th a t cou n try a n d t ha t

y ou a re in good hea lth for which infi n i te p ra ise be t o God wh o
,

deign s to keep y ou in His om n ip oten t g ua rd ia n ship on yo ur lon g

j o urn ey An d n ow R esp Sir in Wa rsa w there is n o n e ws Food
.
,
.
, .

ha s go t ch ea p er e xcep t suga r a n d m ea t
,
For in s ta n ce 2 lbs of .
, .

brea d cos t n ow 6 cop eck s a k orzec [ 2 50 lbs ] of p ota toes 1 rou bl e

, .
,

a n d so on .
 BO RK OWS K I SERI ES 3 69

AS to those a re there who were there durin g your

ou r sin gin g , a ll

p resen ce We h a ve n ot l ea rn ed a n y n ew son g excep t th is on e which

.

we sen d y ou I m y children a n d a ll ou r brothers a n d sisters from

.
, ,

th e ch oir of th e Holy R osa ry a re in good h ea lth by the f a vo r of ou r , ,

Lord God a n d w e wish y ou the sa me wi th ou r soul a n d h ea rt

'
,
We .

sen d u p a p rofou n d a n d sin cere sigh t o th e Grea t L ord of Host s tha t ,

He m a y bless y ou in th a t fa r a n d rem ote co un try I sen d y ou m y .

p ho tog ra p h a n d tha t of th e p riest S fo r r em em bra n ce All your .

,
.

a c qu a in ta n ce s g ree t y ou su ch a s [ en um er a t ion ] ,
.

An d n ow R esp M r B orkowsk i ,
n othin g r e ma in s e xc ep t
. .
,

to k i ss y o u m y kin des t frien d h ea rtily,

I g ree t you a n d bid y ou ,
.

goo d bye i n th e n a m e of the Holy Trin ity from wh ose ca re m a y y ou ,

n eve r be re m ove d An d I exhort y ou to w orship this Holy Tr in ity

.

cea sel essly a n d be s ure tha t y ou w on t be deceived An d a c tin g

’
.
,

th u s w e ca n se cure for our se lves ou r so ul s sa lva tion I wish it to ’

.
,

y ou m y k in des t frien d a n d bro the r in Ch ris t a n d t o m yself w ith a ll

, ,

m y h ea r t .
’

P KA W E C KI
.

Novem ber 2 4, 1 8 96

R E S P E CTE D MR
I received you r
. WLADYS LAW B OR KO W S KI :
p h o tog ra p h for wh ich I sen d y ou m ost h ea rty th a n ks
,
I took it to .

the ch urch a n d showe d i t t o a ll yo ur frien d s wh o we re ve ry m uch ,

sa t isfi ed a n d p a rt icula rly my self for i t i s m a d e very origin a lly

,
I ,
.

m a rried M rs J6zefa P l a s t yea r a n d n ow God ha s given u s a third

. .
,

da ugh ter [ t wo from the fir s t m a rria ge] We a re in good hea lth by the .
,

fa vor of ou r Lo rd God a n d we wish y ou th e sa m e Here in Wa rsa w ,

.

e ve ry thin g i s th e sa me e x cep t [ n ew s a bo ut p r ies ts who d ie d or w ere ,

tra n sferred] As to the R osa ry choir n obody a mon g t he p riests ca res

.
-
,

for u s on ly I t ea ch [ the m e mbe rs] to sin g a s best I ca n

, From ou r ,
.

R osa ry circle d ie d [ en u m era tion ]

-
Your wife l on gs very m uch for .

y ou she would l ike to see y ou a s soon a s p ossibl e

, From this grief .

1
The r ligi
fr te ities t o o e of wh i h t h w it r a d Bork w ki b lo ged
e ou s a rn n c e r e n o s e n

a e v ry old i
r e Wa rsa w Th y h d v lop ed n a rti fi ci l ki d of de otio
n . d e a ve e e a a n v n an

a relig ious j rg f wh ich t h fi rst l tt r f K w cki i a g od

a on o m pl O tside e e e o a e s o exa e . u

o f t h e t diti l tm spher of thes circl s th is w y f ddr i g frie d by a

ra on a a o e e e ,
a o a ess n a n

m an w o ld b h rdly p o sible i Pola d e c p t p rh p s

u e a m e v ry i m p rt t
s n n ,
x e e a on so e o an

occ io i grea t o r w t Th r ligiosity i moreov r h rdly n t d

as n s, n s r o ,
e c . e e s, e , a co ne c e

w ith a h igh r m r lity ; K wecki h im self b

e m la t r ha bit l dru ka rd On
o a a eco es e a ua n .

t h fr t r iti
e i ge r l cf Osi i ski e i e N
a e n es 7 8 notn ne a ,
. r s r s, o .
,
e .
3 70 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

sh e wa s ve ry sick a n d wa s obl ige d to go to th e h osp i ta l bu t n ow she

, ,

is a lre a dy in good h ea l th a n d im p lores y ou for p ity s sa k e t o com e ba ck

’
,

t o Wa r sa w [ a n d im p lo res a dd e d l a t e r] An d n ow
“
.

I com m en d your p erson t o th e P rovid e n ce of Go d M a y He g ua rd .

y ou a ga in st a n y ba d a ccid en ts a n d gra n t y ou the bes t h ea lth a n d e ve ry

good .
[ Ch ris tm a s wishes a n d g ree tin gs from frien d s ]
P KAWE CKI
.

Nove m ber 2 5, 1 8 94

P ra ised be [ et c ] .

D E AR FR I E ND : [ N ews
ut the d ea th of the tsa r Al exa n der III
a bo ,

descrip tion of the fun era l cerem on ies e tc ; n ew s a bout frien ds ]

-
,
.

I n th e i ron fa c tories a n d on th e ra ilw a y s th ere is en or m ou s w ork

-
In .

S osn owi ec l ives on e of your frien d s I forge t hi s n a m e He sa ys

,
.

a lwa y s tha t y ou S h o uld com e th a t th e re i s a s ure p l a ce for y ou on th e

,

ra ilwa y So co m e ba ck to Wa rsa w n ow B eca use of hi s a scen di n g

. .

the th ron e t he em p eror ha s re d u ced th e p un ishm en t of p rison e rs a n d

ofien ders so there wi ll be a m n es ty for y ou
, An d y ou wi ll rev ive your .

wi fe a ga in from th is sorrow for she torm en ts h erself con tin ua lly

,
.

Tha t which y ou l ost y ou will ea rn a ga in w ith th e help of o u r Lord

God An d a s to the sha m e th row it a wa y from y ou a n d le t it be
.
,

en de d For p eop l e do wor se th i n gs a n d th ey com e off ea sily So I

. .

I a m p ersua de d tha t y ouwill com e ba ck soon a n d I beg y ou t o a n swer ,

whe th er y ou w ill com e ba ck An d I a ssure y ou wi th a ll m y hea rt

.

tha t y ou won t be d eceive d a t a ll

’

Your l ovin g a n d sin ce re frien d ,

EMI LI AN L .

Oc tobe r 2 8, 1 90 0

D EAR WLAD YS LAW B ORKOWS KI : Pra ise d be God You p ra ise .

God a n d I p ra ise him a l so But y ou did n o t keep th e w ord wh ich

.

y ou ga v e m e a n d y ou did n ot wr ite m e wh ere y ou a re to be f ou n d .

On ly a fter m u ch beggin g I receive d your a ddress [from yo ur wife] a n d ,

there m us t be som e j ea lo usy for your wife begge d m e very m uch n o t

,

1
We do n ot k n ow h is offe nse . i l y som
Poss b e s ma ll p e ul ti
c a on .
 P RI M AR Y GR O U P
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

58 3 Ap r il 6 , 1 90 2

D E AR C OMP AN I O N '
My
work is very ba d You wro te m e .

t o com e a n d th en I h a d s t ill som e m on ey bu t n ow I h a ve n on e

, ,
.

’
But I would go t o y ou a t on ce if y ou sen t m e a sh i p t icke t Onl y I -
.

h a ve n ow a l a rge fa m ily a n ot he r wife [ illega l ] wh o is wo rth y of re sp ec t

,
.

S o w e a re t wo a n d 5 ch ildre n the old est I 5 the yo un ges t 2 yea r s old

, , ,
.

At th e sa m e tim e your w ife a ssures m e tha t if I go sh e will go with m e ,

bu t with n obody e l se R eflec t whethe r y ou m a y h elp m e for I

.
,

sh ould ri sk e ve rythin g Wa rsa w is bu ild in g u p ra p idl y bu t a m on g

.
,

the m iddl e [ rea lly l ower] cl a ss t he misery is a wful If I sell my tools .

I ca n ge t a bout 40 0 roubles N ow dea r comp a n ion you r wife su flers

.
, ,

terribly wi thout m on ey for she ca n n ot ea rn m uch Th e m on ey

,
.

wh ich y ou sen t is sp en t lon g a go a n d it is ve ry difli cu l t for h er t o ea rn

,
.

Sh e wr ote to y ou l on g a g o for som e h el p for sh e ha s n o thin g to l iv e ,

on a n d t o p a y th e r en t This l e tter is written in the p resen ce of yo ur

.

wife [ News a bout frien d s ] P Ka wecki is in the cus tom s offi ce a s

. .
-
,

form erly He drin ks ve ry m uch

. .

Your truly well w ishin g -

,

S TANI S LAW R .

58 4 Ma y 1 4, 1 90 2

D E AR C OMPAN I ON WLAD YS LAW :

I d on t kn ow wha t is ’

goin g on w ith y ou why do y ou n ot give a n y n ew s a bout yo ur self

,
.

Th is is the 4 th le tter which I sen d y ou a n d ha ve n o a n swer .

I n m y la s t l e tter I a sk e d y ou for a ship tick e t for m y self a n d your wife -

,

for yo ur wife ha s a bsolutely n o thin g to l ive on a n d t o p a y for her

l odgin g Those 50 roubles which y ou sen t so lon g a go a re S p en t for
.
,

m o re th a n a yea r ha s p a ssed S in ce y ou sen t t h e m S O I d on t

’

kn o w wh ether y ou d on t receive m y letters or d on t w ish to a n swer

’ ’

yo ur coun trym a n from Wa rsa w a Pole a n d a com p a n ion D ea r , .

Wl a dysla w my com p a n ion p e rha p s y ou h a ve rea d in my le tte rs tha t

, ,

I wa n t to go to y ou a t a n y mom en t for in Wa rsa w even if I worke d , ,

m y h a n d s a wa y I could ea rn on ly for m y l iv in g a n d som e c l o thes

, ,

while it does n ot su fli ce for the school in g of my children M a n y .

p eop l e h er e in Wa rsa w w a lk w itho ut wo rk As to m y cha r a cter .

a n d m y d isp osi t ion y ou k now we ll t ha t I h a v e n eve r chea te d a n y

,

body for a grosz I n t he sa m e wa y I would give y ou ba ck w ith tha n k s

.

th e m on ey for th e S hip tick e t -

.
 BORK OWS KI S E RI ES 3 73

I ha ve offen ded y ou in som e wa y in m y le tters a n d t here

P e rha p s
f ore y ou don t a n swer m e Pa rdon m e for I ha ve l oved y ou m uch
’
.
,

beca u se of your d e vo t ion .

Your wife com es eve ry da y t o m e a n d a sks wh e ther y ou ha ve n ot

g iven a n y n ew s a bout yo urse lf S h e won de rs wh eth er p e rha p s som e
.

body ha s wri tten som e fa l se l e tters t o you [ sl a n d er in g h er] a n d there

f ore y ou rem em ber h er so l ittl e For it is difli cu lt for her to l ive
. .

Sh e sa ys with g rea t c ry in g th a t n ow w ere it n ot for t he sea sh e would

, ,

go a foo t to y ou S o she begs y ou a l so to sen d her a ship ticke t -

. .

S TANI S LAW R .

58 5 M a y 30 ,
1 90 2

D E AR C OMP AN I O N WI AD YS LAW : I received your le tte r on Ma y 2 9,

and I rejoiced m uch a t your good a dvice I a m th erefore sellin g my .

whole busin ess a n d wa iti n g for yo ur a n swe r a n d th e sh ip t icke t which -

y ou p rom ised m e for I bel iev e tha t it w ill be che a p er

,
D ea r Wla dz io .
,

coul d y ou n o t sen d a t ick e t for m e a n d for m y olde s t son I 5 yea rs ,

ol d for h e w ould p e rh a p s becom e a l oa f er dur in g th i s yea r of m y

,

a bsen ce An d if y o u th i n k tha t i t is difli cu lt so I beg y ou t o sen d a

.
,

ticke t for m e a lon e I will ta ke m ore m on ey with m e tha n 50 roubles

.

[ require d from every im m ig ra n t] I should l ike t o work togethe r

.

with y ou a s lon g a s I s till h a ve som e hea l th by the fa vor of God ,

Yo ur wi fe receive d the m on ey 6 0 roubles a n d 1 cop eck Now I

,
.

in f orm y ou t ha t in Wa rsa w h a n dwork ers a re very ba dly situa ted .

Wh en I see y ou I will tell y ou eve rythin g S o dea r comp a n ion

,
.
, ,

sen d m e a ship ticke t -

I should p refer a m ore exp en sive on e for I
.
,

sho uld n o t l ik e t o go so l on g t h rough th e wa t e r With your a dvice .

a n d h e lp God will help me a l so

,
.

S TAN I S LAW R .

58 6 F ebru a ry 8, 1 90 3

D E AR C O MP AN I O N WLAD Y S LAW received your ship I

tick e t l a st yea r a n d I a m n o t sur e wh e th e r it will b e v a lid for

this yea r I a ske d a n d wa s in f orm ed tha t it wa s va l id bu t I don t

.
’

k n o w wh e ther y ou did n o t with dra w it so I beg y ou in f orm me a bout

, ,

it. This yea r I a m goin g t o see y ou a n d to gree t y ou l ike a brother

a n d com p a n i on Pol a n d is a co un try wh ich ge ts p oore r a n d p oore r
. .

N ow I in f orm y ou why I co ul d n o t go l a s t y ea r I coun ted tha t I .

3 74 PRI M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR G AN I ZAT I ON

sh o uld fin ish in ti m e a wo rk for wh i ch 2 7 5 roubl es w ere du e t o m e ,

bu t t h e b ron z e m a k er did n ot m a k e th e br on ze s [for furn i ture] in

-

ti m e M oreover I ha d a n a p p ren tice boy for wh ose l ea rn in g t h e

.
,
-
,

p a r en t s ha d p a id S o a ll this h in d e re d m y goin g
. D ea r com p a n ion .
,

a n sw e r m e wh a t h a pp en e d w i th th a t S h ip ti ck e t ? I reg re t h a vin g -

wa sted this yea r in Wa rsa w If m y ship tick et is va l id this yea r it

.
-

would be a grea t help to m e beca use I would ta ke m y w ife a n d chil

,

dren ; I should ha ve m on ey en ough Th en we would l ive m e rrily .

,

for m y w ife l ov es m e t oo m u ch a n d d oes n o t wa n t t o le t m e go a l on e .

D ea r Wla dz io help m e in wh a tev e r y ou thin k it a dv isa bl e

, Ja n K . .

ca m e h er e fr om Am e ri ca a n d told m e t h a t i t w a s t h e bes t t o go

toge ther with on e s wife tha t th ere su ch good housewives a re la ck in g

’
, ,

beca u se t he w om en d on t wa n t t o wo rk N ow d ea r com p a n ion I

’
.
, ,

ha v e ve ry good children , w h o would l ov e y ou m u ch Ja n K sa id . .

th a t a wom a n who wa n ts t o work a n d cooks or ba kes w ell ge ts on

p re tty w ell An d I ca n boa s t th a t I h a v e a wif e w h o is good in this
work a n d la boriou s a n d a ffection a te in th e ca sc God f orbid —of
.

h
, ,

a s ickn ess .Wi th m y ch ildren y ou would ha ve a di s tra c t ion for ,

e v e ry body en vies m e beca u se of th em th ey a re so p re tty a n d a tt a ch ed

,
.

An d n ow d ea r com p a n i on I should lik e to in f orm y ou a bout your

, ,

wif e bu t I don t kn ow wh a t is goi n g on with her for she d oes n o t ca ll

,
’
,

up on u s a n y m ore L a s t yea r she ca m e a l m os t every da y I d on t

. .
’

sa y it a s a r ep roa ch [ boa s t] b u t I a lwa y s a sk e d h er t o sh a r e ou r d in n e r

,

a n d in v i te d h er t o s t a y o ve r t h e sup e r I don t kn ow w h y [sh e d oes ’

p .

n ot com e] p e rh a p s beca u se sh e is a n g ry with m e for y o ur h a v in

, g sen t
m e the ship t ick e t for I h e a rd so
-
,
I writ e y ou the truth I in form
. .

y ou on ly tha t I d on t k n o w wh ere sh e l iv es n ow for K lim ek s w if e

’ ’
,

[ wi th whom sh e l ived] told m e tha t n obody wa n ts t o lod ge h er beca u se ,

sh e is a wfully bor esom e a n d a lr ea dy g r a y h ea d e d l ik e a m u sh room

,
-

[ u su a l comp a rison ] .

S TAN I S LAW R .
3 76 P R I M AR Y G R OUP OR GANI ZATI ON
-

r el a tion with h er hu sb a n d or with h er socia l en viron m en t .

An d m oreov e r sh e is a n eu ra e st h eni c
, ,
I n sh ort i t see m s .
,

th a t th e histor y of this m a rria g e grou p sh ou ld be a r ep e t ition

-

O f th a t O f t h e B orkow ski s a n d of m a n y o th er s from a m on g

,

t h e l ow e r c it y cl a ss B u t i t is n ot so owin g t o t h e c h ildr en
.
,
.

Th e c hildr en a re fir st O f a ll O bj e c ts O f c om m on c a re a n d
, , ,

thu s th e S ph ere of in te r es t of hu sb a n d a n d wif e r em a in s

p a rtl y t h e sa m e in spite of their sep a ra t on Fu rt h er t h e .
,

c omm on ob liga tion towa rd th e c hildren forc es t he p a ren t s

t o keep th eir ob l iga tion s tow a rd ea c h o th er Con se qu en tly .
,

t h e si tu a t ion of t h e wife is qui t e d iff e r en t fr om th a t in t h e

B orkow ski c a s e Sh e is n o t a n isol a t ed a n d p a ssive in d ivid
.

u a l t o wa rd wh om a n y a tti tu d e is p o ssib l e fr om t h e hu sb a n d ,

b ut a n a c tiv e m em b er of a l a rg er group t o which h er hu sb a n d

b el on gs ; S he p erform s a fu n c tion whic h n obod y el se c ould
p e rf orm a n d h er hu sb a n d m ust be in teres ted in h er if
, , ‘

n ot p er son a ll y a t lea s t a s in a m em b e r of t h e m a rr ia ge
,

g roup The children them s elve s grow in to a c tive m em b e r s

.

of t h e m a rr ia g e— group a n d e x ert a c on sciou s infl u en c e on

their p a ren ts S ee pa rtic ul a rl y th e l e tters of R om ek
. .

With rega rd t o th e socia l en viron m en t the situ a tion ,

of t h e w om a n is h er e a l so qu it e diff e r en t fr om th a t in t h e

p rec e din g c a se We see th a t she h a s som e tim e s e c on om ic

.

diffic ulties b ut there is n o t a sin gle c om pl a in t a b o ut a n y

,

hu m ilia tion Th e wom a n is a n d will a lwa ys be trea te d by

.

t h e en vir on m en t with som e c on sid er a tion a s a m em b e r a n d

p rovision a l hea d of th e sm a ll group even if her per son a lit y ,

sh ould n o t c omm a n d re sp e c t S y m p a thy with t he c h ildren

.
,

e xp e c t a t ion th a t t h e c h ildr en w ill g r ow up a n d p o ss ib l

y
b ec om e im p orta n t m em b e r s of t h e c omm un it y c e rt a in t y ,

th a t t h e hu sb a n d even if a b sen t will n ever c om p l e t ely

, ,

b rea k t h e rela tion of solid a r it y b ec a u se t he t ie s wh ic h u n ite

,

h im with t h e res t of t h e m a rria ge g r oup a re t oo s tr on g -

a ll th ese c on sid e r a tion s t o wh ic h m a y be a dd e d t h e f a c t th a t

,
 PORZYC KI SERI ES 377

sh e ha sp rofe ssion keep t h e soc ia l sta n din g of P orzy cka

a ,

from ever f a llin g even a pp ro x im a tel y so low a s th a t of

B orkow ska C e rta inl y h er soc ia l s ta n din g s till d ep en d s
.

’
upon h er hu sb a n d s su cc e ss a n d h is fid el it y t o her b ut n ot ,

a bsolut ely a s in t h e p r e c e din g c a se

,
.

Th e P orzy ckis a re thu s a n e x a m pl e of a r el a tiv el y s olid a r y

f a m il y g roup of t h e m odern typ e in whic h t h e solid a rit y
-
,

does n o t re sult a l on e from tra dition a n d p ressur e of s oc ia l

op in ion b ut from rela tion s b etween in divi dua ls a s de ter
,

m in ed by m er e n a tu ra l b on d s However t he group is n eith er .

,

p erfec tl y solid a ry n or ver y h a rm on iou s C omm on in teres t s .

h a ve t o fight a ga in s t in di vidua l in teres t s a n d there a re ,

frequ en t m isun der s ta n din gs a n d qua rrel s I n c om p a rin g .

thi s c a se wi th t he p ea sa n t f a m il ies we see wha t a p owerful ,

fa c tor of h a rm on y is th e tra dition a l f a m il ia l orga n iza tion .

—
58 7 6 2 9 , To S TAN I S LAW P ORZYCK I , I N A ME R I CA, FR O M H I S
W I F E AN D C H I LD RE N , I N P O LAND TH E LA S T LE TTE R I S .

H I S RE P LY To A RE ! UE S T FOR FUR THER D E TAI L S AB O U T

H I S F AMI LY

58 7 utum n 1 9 1 0 ] [ MLAW A ,
a ,

D E AR F ATH E R : I in f or m y ou th a t w e a re a ll in good hea l th tha n k s ,

to ou r L o rd God D on t be l iev e in th ose drea m s for th ey on ly

’
.
,

d ece ive eve rybody Mo th e r m u st a lwa y s cry som e t im es eve n

.
,

b e s i ck for wh en H el a m erit s a p u n ish m en t a n d m o th er bea t s h er

, ,

g ra n d m o the r a t on ce ta kes h er p a rt a n d they both gossip [ o utsid e] ,

a bout m o t h e r Th is [con tem p tibl e] Hela n ow goes to the tea chin g in

.

t h e ch ur ch a n d in st ea d of be in g b e tt e r sh e is s t ill w or se
,
1
P l e a se .
,

fa the r a dvise u s a t l ea s t in a l e tte r wha t t o do w ith this H ela for

, , , ,

m o th e r ca n n o l on ge r hold ou t w i th h er 2

R OMU ALD [ R O ME K] P .

Ins tr tir c f i
uc on be fo e on ess on .

I t i t h e fa m ili a l du ty f t h s
3
s t t k t h p rt of t he m oth r ga i st the
o e on o a e e a e a n

da gh t r b t i the whole e ie t h
u e ,
u n tt chm t f the o t the m ther a d of
, s r s e a a en o s n o o n

t h d ugh t r t o th f th r i
e a e om k d t s gg t t h Fr u di
e a e the ry Perha p
s s ar e as o u es e e an o . s

th ttit d f p r t t r f t h f mil y
e a u e o m d by t he boy i t he a b e ce of t h e
o ec o o e a a s su e n s n

f th is h r
a er s i m y of th followi g l tt r m rely
e e, a n an bj tive dc i s
e n e e s, e an o ec an on sc ou

form i w hi h t h s bc scio s p r f r
n c e f t h m the fi d it s e p r sion
u on u e e en c e or e o r n s x es .
3 78 P RI MAR Y G RO UP
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

58 8 N ov em be r 3 [1 91 0 ]
D E AR HU S B AN D : I n th e firs t word s of my l e tter Pra i sed be ,

Jesu s Ch ri stu s .

I rece ived th e m on ey 50 ro ubles for wh i ch I th a n k y ou h ea rtily , , ,

for I wa s a l m os t in d esp a ir D urin g t he wh ol e of O c tobe r I ea r n e d .

n o thin g a n d th e r e w e re a lw a y s ex p en ses
,
We re it n o t for th e R z ap s .
,

w ho l en t u s a few r oubles I d on t k n ow h ow w e sh ould ha v e liv e d

’
.
,

Tha n k s to God tha t a t l ea s t th ey a re ou r frien d s for it w ould be h a rd

These 50 rou bles which y ou sen t w ill be Sp en t a t on ce —
.
,

~
I 5

ro ubles t o P a wl ow sk a I O to th e R z ap s S hoes for u s a ll a fe w

, ,

wa gon s of turf p o ta toes B el ieve m e m y d ea r I Sh ould p ref er t o

,
.
, ,

ha v e y ou ra th e r tha n th i s m on ey for I h a d n o t so m u ch tro u bl e wh en ,

y ou w ere h er e N ow y ou wr i t e t ha t y ou won t com e ba ck un t il y o u

’
.

p a y y our d eb t B ut it w ill soon be a yea r a n d there is a l m os t n o thin g

.

p a id of it I inform y ou a bout R om ek tha t he is ge ttin g a wfu llv

.
,

sp oil e d ; h e d oe s n o t li st en a t a ll h e is wo r se a n d wo rse P l ea se sen d ,

.

him a n a d m on ition bu t so a s if y ou wro te of yourself for h e d oes n o t

, ,

even wa n t t o go t o ch ur ch P a wlow ski wr i tes t o h is f a m ily th a t h e 2

.

will com e ba ck will sell his p rop e rty a n d w ill ta ke them a ll t o Ame rica
, ,

for it is so w ell th e re I ha ve n o thin g m ore t o write on ly I wi sh y ou

.
, ,

d ea rest love good hea l th a n d s uccess a n d m a y the L ord God h elp y ou

, ,

to p a v th a t d eb t ba ck .

Yo ur l ovin g wife a n d ch ildren

W LADY S LAW A P OR ZY CK A
On ly , I beg y ou , write m ore o ften .

Ja n ua ry 7 1 9 1 1 ,

An d a l th ou gh w e ca n n o t be toge th er y e t we ca n be un it ed in ou r ,

he a rts a n d th o ugh ts [ p roba bly quo ta t ion from his le tt e r] It is .

true d ea r h u sba n d tha t we a re un ited in ou r hea rt s a n d though ts bu t

, , ,

tell m e why d oes this un ity of th o ugh ts n o t su fli ce for m e Te ll m e ,

why does m y h ea rt a lth ough un ited l on g for y ours ? Oh it is t er

, , ,

Th ly lett r wh ich b gi s i th typ i l p s t w y with t h greeti g

e on e e n n e ca ea a n a , e n ,

Pra is d b t he followi g l ette th gr eti g is dr pp d p r b bl y i

"
e t I e, e c . n n rs e e n o e , o a n

im it tio of th h sb d lette
a n The om i si
e u is it lf a sig of th l s n in g f
an
’
s rs . s on se n e oo e o

old tr diti
a s on .

I t i i te sti g t
s nt th t t he hildr r p idly tgr w th e h ildi h
re n o no e a c en a ou o es c s

at titu des ughti ss di b di

,
na t c ; t h c m mo
ne diffi lti s t h e
,
so mm e en ce , e . e o n cu e , co on

fight wi th p verty etc m k f th m r th r t he sso i t s of t he m th

o ,
.
,
a e o e a e a c a e o er .
3 80 P RI MAR Y G R OU P
-
OR GANI ZATI ON

y ou h ea rty th a n k s . We re ceive d y our l e tte r wi th the wa f e r on

D ece mbe r I 7
Yo ur l ovin g l on gin g , ,
a nd tru e -
to -
d ea th wif e with
,
ch i ldren ,

WLADY S LAW A P ORZY CKA

Feb rua ry I I ,
1 91 1

D E AR FATHER : I in form y ou th a t I received your le tter wi th

wishes a n d 3 roubl es for m y n a m e da y on m y n a m e da y it self I - -
.

tha n k y ou very m uch fa th e r for the wish es a n d for th ese 3 roubl es

, , ,

which ca m e in the w ors t t im e for m o ther h a d n o m on ey a t a ll so I

, ,

took h a lf a roubl e for m yself a n d ga ve 2 % to m o th er M other sca rcely .

sa v es ou r lif e We p a id P a wlow ska for th e l a s t qua rte r [ ren t] a n d

.
,

n o t y e t for th is qu a rt e r D ea r fa th er ta ke eith e r a ll of u s th ere or a t

.
,

l ea s t m e a lon e Th en we could bo th ea rn m ore th a n y ou a lon e

. .

D ea r f a the r I wa n t t o go t o sch ool on ly th is y ea r a n d then t o be com e

, ,

a ta il or s a pp re n t ice for ta il o r s w ork p l e a ses m e m os t beca u se of t h e

’ ’
, ,

wa ges a n d beca use th e w o rk is n o t ha rd to l ea rn I ha ve n o thin g .

m o re t o wr i te on ly I w ish y ou good h ea lth a n d s u ccess

, .

Your truly l ovin g son ,

R OM U ALD P .

M a rch 1 5 ,
1 91 1

D E AR FATH ER : I in f o rm y ou tha t we a re in good h ea l th .

P a wlow ska ren t ed ou r l o dgin g for som ebo dy ga v e h er 7 0 ro ubl es a n d

, ,

w e h a v e n o t y e t r en te d a n o the r An d R zez u ski wen t t o Am e r ica in

.

t h e a utu m n se t u p a S hoem a k e r s shop a n d is ge tti n g on p re tty w ell

’
, .

H e h a s n ow ta k en h er [h is w if e] a n d they l eft their children w i th th e

g ra n d m o th e r You wro te th a t Osieck i is to com e ba ck
. S o I w ould .

beg y ou t o sen d m e t hr ough him a few book s a n d if y ou h a ve som e old ,

su i t sen d it t o m e M o th e r w ill h a ve it cu t d own a n d I sha ll ha ve

.

som e thin g t o wa lk in I f y o u w en t t o Pa wlow sk i y ou w ould p e rha p s

.

h a ve be tte r work for P a wlow sk i sen t

, ro ubles in a ll You .

wro te u s tha t he p e rha p s bo rrow ed them bu t h e a n swe red tha t he did ,

n ot borr ow a p en n y He h a s p a id a lrea dy 2 0 0 ro ubl es t o M r T a nsk i

. . .

D ea r f a th e r we s t ill ow e P a wl ow sk a for h a lf a y ea r
, .
1

R O MU ALD P .

The l tt r is p roba bly p a tl y dicta t

e e r ed t r
by t h e mo h e .
 PORZYC KI S ERI ES 38 1

Ap r il 2 9, 1 91 r

D E AR FATH E R : F irs t I in fo rm y ou tha t I a m in good hea l th ,by

t h e g ra ce of L ord God a n d I wi sh y ou t he sa m e w i th m y whol e h ea rt
,
.

An d a s t o th e sch ool w e a re goin g on M a y I a n d th e sum m er va ca tion

, ,

w ill begin on Jun e I An d we h a ve n o l odgin g a s y et for a ll a re ren ted

.
, ,

so w e m u s t p e rha p s ta k e th is on e a fte r t h e K irsz en ba u m s But it is .

8 0 r ou bl es D o y ou a ll ow u s to ta k e i t or n ot ?
.

If M r Osiecki ha s n ot l eft y et p lea se f a th er sen d m e th rough him

.
, ,

a n a ccord eon w i th b e ll s .

Wishes for n a m e da y : I w ish y ou fa th er hea lth ha pp in ess

-
, , , ,

S u c cess lon g l if e a n d t o see on e a n o th e r soon

, ,
.

Your truly lovin g son ,

R OMU ALD POR ZYCK I

D E AR FATH ER : If M r . Osieck i com es ba ck , a n d if y ou ca n , sen d me

th rough him a ba ll in a n et .
[Add s w ish es for n a m e - da y , cop ied

from a boOk ] .

HELEN A P .

593 Ma y 3, 1 91 1

D EAR HU S B AN D : First I beg your p a rdon S ta s d ea r th a t I ha ve , ,

so n egl ected [ wr i t in g] bu t bel ie v e m e n ot from p l ea sur e

, ,
It seem s ,
.

to y o u th a t I did n o t wr ite for a l on g ti m e We ll bu t sa y yourself .

, ,

wha t could I write so often If I ha d a n y m erry n e w s surely I would

h a s ten w ith th e good t id in gs bu t th i s m on o ton ou s u n ifor mity is ,

a lw a ys h e re N ow I ha v e a littl e m o r e n o t m e rry bu t n a tura l n ew s

.
, ,
.

My d ea r h u sba n d I r e ceived the fir s t 2 5 roubles in th e la s t week befor e

,

Ea s ter a n d t h e secon d 1 0 roubl es on ly tod a y

,
M a y God
rewa rd y ou But I m ust describe t o y ou wha t I sp en t this m on ey on
.
,
.

Well I bough t a su it for R om ek a n d sh oes This co st m e 1 0 roubles

, ,
. .

For H el a I bou gh t a dress shoes a n d a ha t for y ou kn ow tha t her , , ,

n a tur e a lr ea dy cl a im s it s ow n ; so I S p en t for h er 1 1 r ou bl es I ga ve .

8 r o ubl es t o P a wlowsk a a n d wha t is l eft ? M or eov e r I p a id som e

—sa d a n d
, ,

o th e r sm a ll d eb t s so we did not h a v e v e ry m er ry h ol id a y s
,

m od es t .If w e w ere toge ther a t l ea s t a n d sha red ou r good or ba d ,

f o rtun e surely it would be m errie r But n ow m y d ea r y ou a re th ere

,
.
, ,

a n d I a m h er e ba d f ortu n e sep a ra t ed u s
,
But le t u s h op e in God tha t .

w e sh a ll on ce m or e l iv e tog e th e r Y ou a sk m y a dvi ce d ea r S ta ch .
, ,

wh a t y ou Sh a ll do w ith your p erson com e ba ck or n o t Oh if it w ere ,

.
,
382 PRI M AR Y—
G R OU P O R GANI ZATI ON

in m y p owe r , I would a dd win gs tha t y ou m igh t r e turn to u s But .

sa y , d ea r , wha t a wa i t s u s h e r e ? M y d ea r h usba n d , I d on t a dv ise

’

y ou eith er so or so , for y ou kn ow be tt e r yo ur self w h a t t o do You .

k n ow wha t w e ha d in ou r coun try a n d y ou kn ow wh a t y ou h a ve th ere ,

.

D o a s your r ea son a dv ises y ou a n d I a gr ee p erf ec tly As t o this

,
.

d eb t it w ill be a s y ou do it If y ou sen d it p a rtly I will p a y it ba ck ;

,
.
,

if y ou p u t m on ey a sid e [ a n d sen d t h e wh ol e a t on ce] i t will be well ,

a l so . You a sk m e how m u ch I ca n sp en d m on th ly I th i n k y ou .

kn ow yourself for we a re n ot m o re a n d n o t l ess n ow [ th a n fo rm erly]

, ,

a n d w e d on t sp en d m on ey for a n y luxur ies I Sha ll h a v e a s m uch a s

’
.

y ou sen d .

S o dea r h u sba n d y ou d eceive d m e y ou le t m e w a i t 2 m on th s

, , ,
.

I wa ited obedien tly till a t la s t y ou wrote m e tha t y ou could n o t ta ke

me . Th ereby I h a ve n o lodgin g n ow ; the lodgin g we ha d is ren te d
lon g a go I don t kn ow how it will en d
.
’
M y h ea lth is v e ry .

ba d m y s tren g th is l ea v in g m e
,
For a yea r I h a ve in ten d ed t o go t o a
.

p h ysicia n bu t a lwa y s som e thin g is l a ck in g ei the r ti m e or m on ey

, , .

An d n ow d ea r S ta s I in ten d t o in sur e m yself for I a m a fra id

, , ,

for m y life a n d th e ref or e I in ten d t o in sur e m y self for som e h u n dr e d

,

roubles You d on t exp ec t to be there l on g a n d ca n n o t a n d h ere we

.
’
, ,

sh a ll n ot be a b l e to p u t m on e y a s id e a n d if a bl a c k h o ur com e s

or if I die wh a t w ill b e t h e futur e of m y childre n ?

, S o a dvise m e ,

d ea r S ta s wha t sh ould I do I n m y op in i on i t would be th e best if

,
.

y ou took u s to y ou You write t h a t y ou a re a n xiou s a bout th e ch il

.

dren lest they becom e Ameri ca n [ ill egibl e wo rd] But e ven in Am er
, .

ica it ca n n o t be worse tha n in this a ccur sed M l a wa Y ou k n o w .

yourself tha t I ha v e n obody he re I a m a lon e a n o rp ha n in t he w orld , , .

I d on t go to P io tr [her bro ther] a t a ll for y ou k n ow yourself how good

’
,

h e is I w en t on ce t o him a n d he wa s qu a rrelin g with h er I could

—w hy does he swea r so ? Wh en h e
.
, .

n o t bea r i t a n d s a id a few word s

bega n to ba rk a ga in st m e a n d y ou I th ou gh t tha t I sh oul d die from ,

a ll this Th e m a tt e r w a s p a rti cul a rly a bout y ou B ut don t write ’

. .

him a n ythin g .

D ea r S ta s bel ieve m e tha t a s the fish thirs ts for fresh wa te r so

, ,

w e thir s t t o be u n ited w ith y ou bu t n o t h er e on ly in Am e r ica , I , .

sh ould p r ef er t o wo rk h ea v ily a n d to ge t a w a y from th is h e ll

Ca l cul a te on ly wha t a ll th i s cost s—l ivin g l od gin g fu el dress

, .

S ur e ly , , , .

we could l ive th er e toge the r M y su ccess is ba d for t w o m o r e .

,

m idwives ca m e h e r e a n d the re is a l mos t n o th in g t o do

, S o I beg y ou .
,
384 P RI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR G ANI ZATI ON

less bette r I d on t wish t o s uffe r a n y m o re a s I do ; I ha ve los t m y

.
’

h ea lth a lrea dy An swe r a t on ce wha t y ou in ten d for e ve ry da y is

.
, ,

im p orta n t to m e .

Well wi shi n g
- I
,

WLAD YS LAWA P .

59 5 Aug u s t I 7, 1 91 1

D EAR FATHE R : I in f orm y ou t h a t t he va ca tion is en din g .

On S ep tem be r I w e go to school a n d m oth e r d oes n o t ea rn a n y ,

m on ey n ow so when we go to school w e n eed for book s a n d for fees

,
.

S o I beg y ou fa the r sen d a few roubles a t lea s t for m e a n d for R om u s

, , ,

so p erha p s m oth e r will get som ewh e r e [ m on ey for o t h e r exp en se s] .

As to these 3 5 roubl es which y ou sen t m othe r did n ot even see t hem ,

well M o the r owed I 2 roubles t o Pa wlow ska from the othe r qua rter
.

a n d ga v e h e r 4 ro ubl e s for this qua rt er a n d som e lesse r d eb t s An d .

m other owes 1 0 rou bles to the Osieckis D e a r fa the r if y ou .

2

ha d m uch m on ey it would be be tte r t o com e ba ck t o ou r coun try

, ,

for h ere it is a lso we ll for on e who ha s m uch m on ey It is ba d on ly .

for u s for we ha v e n othin g

,
Wri te u s is it tru e tha t i t is so hot in
.
,

Am erica for M a n ia M rs Pa w lowska s da ugh t er write s th a t i t i s so

’
.
, , ,

hot tha t p eop le fa ll d own up on t he s tre e t s .

Your lovin g d a ugh te r ,

H ELE N A

59 6 S ep tem be r 23, 1 91 1

DE AR FATHE R : I in form y ou tha t we received your l e tte rs a n d

2 0 ro ubles You wro te m othe r to p a y m y fee fro m th is m on ey
.

bu t h ere is a m ore n ecessa ry deb t tha t of P a wl owska ; sh e is the firs t , .

I sha ll p roba bly n o t go t o school a n y m ore dea r fa the r for it is too , ,

difi cu lt for m othe r I m ust help m othe r a t home Fo rmerly a t

. .

l ea st gra n d mother wa s in h er bed a n d it wa s p ossible t o lea ve the ,

hou se bu t n ow [ sin ce gra n d m other is dea d ] if m other goes some whe re

,

t o a sick wom a n she shuts the ho use a n d ta kes the key wit h he r a n d ,

when we com e from the school we m ust som e times sit outsid e ti ll ,

Well wi h i g ( do bly
- der s r d) i t d f You r l vi g d tr
n u un sco e ,
n s ea o
“
o n an ue

wife, s pr
a i sly I o tra st with t h humbl d pl di g l tt rs of T ofil
e v ou . n c n e e an ea n e e e a

B k wsk P o y ck d m d t b
or o a , it d w ith h husb d her i ght d thi
rz a e an s o e un e er an as r , an s
right i b ed the fa ct th t they ha v chi ldren d com mo d ties t wa rd them
s as on a e ,
an n u o .

2
E m r ti nu f e pe ses p r b bly dict ted by th m the
e a on o x n o a a e o r .
 PORZY CKI SERI E S 385

even in g R om u s pa ssed in to the fifth division [gra de] bu t on the

.
,

con di tion th a t h e will ta ke p riva te lesson s for three m on th s a t 3

roubles a m on th He is a ba d comf ort to u s for he is sickly a n d looks

.
,

very ba d Mo ther grieves for it will p roba bly be con sum p tion
.
,
.

U p to th e p resen t h e did n ot cough bu t n ow he coughes te rribly ,

.

Mo th e r in ten d s t o go to the doc tor wi th him M other a lso looks ba d ; .

som e t im es she g roa n s durin g the whole n i gh t I a lon e a m in good .

hea l th a n d even I wa s ill for m ore tha n a week P roba bly y ou won t
’
.
,

fin d u s a ll he re when y ou com e But p erha p s I write le tters t oo often ;

.

if y ou min d the cos t I won t wri t e l e tte rs so often But th ese

’
.
,

lette rs d on t cos t m e for I won t he p a p er a t a lottery durin g the

’
,

e xh ibit ion I tha nk y ou hea rtily for yo ur wishes bu t y ou were

.
,

m ista ken for m y n a m e da y is on M a rch 2 or on Ma y 2 2

,
-
, .

But even so 1 t 1 5 well .

Your lovin da u h te r g g ,

HELE N A
We a n d un cle sen t togethe r a le tte r to t he o th er un cle in Am e rica .

Perha p s it did n ot a rrive so p lea se in form him a bout gra n d m othe r [ s

’
,

d ea th] .

59 7 October 3 0 , 1 91 1

D E AR HU S BAN D : First I in form y ou tha t we a re in good hea lth .

M icha lin a T m a rried a S u dzie ri ski coop e r from M la wa

’

.
,

They ca m e to live wi th u s bu t they won t p a y a n y mon ey ; they sa y ’

tha t it will be on a ccoun t of the deb t D ea r S ta s I ha ve ea rn e d ,

n o thin g for 5 weeks a lrea dy a n d h ere y ou t ell m e t o dr in k milk

,
.

But a qua rt costs 1 2 grosz a n d th e re a re so ma n y o th er

e xp en ses . Helcia tha nks t o God is be tte r a n d is goin g to

, , ,

school for thi s is a ll h er d ow ry so it is im p ossible t o keep her a t hom e

, ,
.

S he l ea rn s well be tter tha n R om ek

,
I chose for him such a p rofession .

[of ba rbe r] I think th a t it is t he bes t for him n ot ve ry ha rd a n d

, , ,

hea lthy for h e is a l wa y s in m ovem en t I don t kn ow how y ou t hi n k ’

. .
,

He likes it for it is n ot h ea vy a n d is we ll p a id a n d he will be a ble to

, ,

do it . Ra koski [ the em p loye r] p ra ises him .

Your sin ce rely l ovin g wife ,

WLADYS LAWA P .

D E AR FATHE R I in fo rm you tha t a fte r the lesson s I go t o

t he ba rbe r a n d lea rn ba rbe r s w o rk You wro te t o sen d y ou a p ho to
’
.

gra p h bu t I ha ve n o [ S un da y] c lo thes
,
S o p lea se fa the r sen d m e .
, ,
3 86 P RI M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR G AN IZ ATI ON

m on ey for the l c oth es D ea r fa the r I ca n n o t die for I m u s t

.
, ,

keep y ou a n d fee d y ou in y our old da ys a n d if I di e d wh o w ould f ee d ,

D on t grieve a bout m e I a m h ea lth y be tte r tha n before

’
y ou ? , ,

this ill n ess .

R OMU ALD P .

59 8 N o vem be r 3 [1 91 1 ]
D E AR HU S B AND : First I in form y ou tha t I received your le tter
on All S oul s D a y
-
I tha nk y ou for it hea rtily I a m ve ry m uch
. .

p a in e d th a t y ou g riev e so We a re tha n k s to God in good hea lth

.
, , ,

a n d R om ek look s m u ch be tt e r I n th e su m m e r he ba th e d too often

.

a n d t hi s m u s t h a ve don e h im h a rm N ow I trea t h im m yself with .

m e di ca l he rbs a n d h e is qui te w e ll a lrea dy on ly he re quires v ery good

, ,

livin g a n d I ha ve n ot en ough for a ll this I d on t kn ow m yself wha t

,
.
’

t o do ; m y p ra c tice ha s cea sed to ta lly I a ccep ted these S u dzie ri skis .

on th e con di tion th a t I wa s t o r eceive a fe w ro uble s bu t the Ta ri s ki s ,

a rra n ged tha t thi s m on ey m igh t go on a cco u n t of th e deb t They .

a g ree d up on 3 0 roubles O d ea r S ta s m a y God un i te u s a s soon a s

.
, ,

p ossibl e for ou r who le life is onl y a torture

,
We a re a lwa y s sep a ra ted .
,

th e on e h e re the o th e r th ere a n d a lwa ys in th is l on gin g

, Y ou thi nk
, .

a b out u s a n d we a bout y ou
,
D ea r S ta s y ou wro te in your l a st le tte r
.
,

tha t I ough t t o p ull a wa y from m y hea d this l on gin g a n d t o occup y

m yself wi th m y duties a n d wi th p ra ye r 0 clea r S ta s we re it n ot .
, ,

for th e p ra ye r a n d the hop e in God I d on t kn ow how I should bea r

’
,

a ll this . I hop e tha t ou r Lord God will cha n ge it i n to a be tte r ha p

p in ess bu t m ea n whil e w e m u s t su ffer for such is the wi ll of God
, , .

D ea r S ta s I beg y ou don t g rieve bu t ha ve con fid en ce in God a n d

, ,
’
, ,

God w ill comfort u s in ev e rythin g .

Yo ur truly lovin g wife with ch ildren , ,

WLAD YS LAWA P .

59 9 N ov em be r 20 [1 91 I ]
D E AR HU S BAN D Yo u write a bout R om ek tha t if ou
y ,

w ere here every thin g w ould be be tter Tha t is true bu t e ven I O .

,

fa thers ca n n ot ta k e the p la ce of on e m ot he r p a rtic ula rly with ou r ,

R om ek .He is so de lica te a n d exa c tin g in h is c on stitution tha t i t is

n ot on ly n ece ssa ry bu t in d isp en sa bl e t o h a v e a lwa y s som e th in
g goo d
for h im for he won t ta k e in to his m outh a n yth in g n o t p e rfec t
’
, He .

ca n n ot ea t a t a ll h e is so t ire d w ith lea rni n g

, He m u st sit till m id .
3 88 PRI M AR Y G R OUP
-
OR GANI ZATI ON

got till worse a fter rea din g thi s le tter I n a few da ys the h oli da ys
s .

will com e bu t these h olid a ys in s t ea d of b rin gin g u s joy ca u se u s a

, , ,

s t ill grea te r p a in when w e look up on thi s ga y wo rld Eve rybody is .

m erry onl y we m us t cry ,

D urin g t h e whol e of Len t w e ha ve fa ste d .

truly a n d durin g Ea ster we sha ll fa st still be tte r for p erha p s we

, ,

sha n t ha v e e ve n a bit of dry b rea d Y ou tell u s t o borrow m on ey

’
.

from somebody But why d on t y ou borrow there from som ebody ?.

’

P erha p s som ebody the re will soon er l en d y ou for he re w e a re so in ,

d ebt We ha ve ta ken so m uch on c redit in a ll the sh op s tha t n obody

.

wa n ts either t o len d u s or t o give u s c redi t a n y m ore bu t eve rybody ,

a sks u s t o p a y ou r d eb ts Y ou told u s n ot t o r en t a n a p a rtm en t a n d

.
,

w e did n ot ren t a n y ; a n d n ow they driv e u s a wa y from he re for w e ,

did n ot p a y t he ren t for ha lf a yea r Y ou tra vel from to w n t o town .

a n d en j oy p lea sure s whil e w e di e from h u n ge r It would be bette r

, .

if y ou sen t u s the m on ey which y ou sp en d on tra ve lin g or if y ou p u t ,

it a sid e P a wl owski wen t to C hica go a n d he s ta ys th ere a n d sen ds

.

her m on ey though sh e does n ot n eed it a s we do for t o whom e ve r

, ,

sh e goes a m on g h er ten a n t s e ve ry bo dy m u s t give h er D ea r fa the r .

,

for the holida y s e ven a begga r c l o thes hi s chi ldren whi le we a re lik e ,

t he p oo res t o rp ha n s ; we a re e v en a sha m e d to go ou t up on t he s tree t ,

for ev erybo dy la ughs a t u s If y ou could ima gin e how we look toda y .

,

a s if we h a d a rise n from t h e t om b a n d a ll t hi s fr om sorrow N o thi n g , .

g rieves m e so m u ch ev en if I w ere dyin g from h u nger a s th e p a in a n d

, ,

sorrow of m y mo th er up on which I m u s t look a n d a lr ea dy i n y o ut h, ,

p oison m y life As l on g a s I l ive I d on t re m em ber such a sa d tim e

’
.
,

a s t hese ho li da y s wh ich a pp roa ch for u s I ha ve n o thin g m o re t o .

write on ly I wish you hea lth a n d m erry holid a ys

, .

Yo ur l o vin g son ,

R OMU ALD POR Z YC KI

Don t be a n gry with m e for ha vin g described

’
so m uch m isery ,
bu t you thin k p erha p s tha t w e a re well ofl here .
I

l tter i e cep tio lly h rd A p

The e t boy w uld v r d r to w it
s x na a . ea sa n o ne e a e r e

t h i fa th r i th i w y H w ld h v c rt i right f co t l ov r his fa th r ’
o s e n s a . e ou a e a e a n o n ro e e s

beh vi b t o ly i m tt r wh i ch co sti t t d a d ir t br ch f t h e fa m ili l

a or, u n n a e s n u e ec ea o a

so lid rity d to th t t p oporti t t th i sp tiv im p rta

a an e e x en i th r on a e o e r re ec e o n ce n e

f m ily g p A the f the i the a ct l wh il t he o ly th p r sp tive h d

a -
rou . s a r s ua ,
e s n on e o ec , ea

o f t h f m ily th is righ t of
e a trol c ld ly fi d it p i i m h m bl
,
c on ou on n s ex re ss on n so e u e

r q t ddre s d by th
e u es a t t h f th I e t ordi ry
s e the son co ld o e a er . n x ra na ca se s e son u

app l t t h re t f t he f m il y w ho w l d th
ea o e s e ert o ctiv t l B th r
a ,
ou en x an a e con ro . u e e

th i t ti is difl t The m ri g g p i isol ted d th r sp ecti

e s ua on eren . ar a e- ro u s a an e e ve

p ositio s of its m m bers

n e lo g r determ i d by c ia l tra ditio bu t by th
e ar no n e ne so n,
e
 PORZYC KI S ER I E S 3 89

U n ha pp y the hour weddin g ! I p ity these orp ha n s for I

of my ,

a m rea dy t o t a k e m y li fe a wa y I ca nn o t ove rcom e a ll this a n y .

m ore ! Could m y tea rs tor m en t y ou a s m uch a s t he p a in which y ou

c a u se m e ! How ha ve y ou ha d the con scien ce to sen d such a le tte r !
Your sorrowful wife

Ap ril 24, 1 91 2

D EAR HU S B AN D : First I in form y ou tha t I receive d the l e tte r with

m on ey m o re th a n a week a go I ca n n ot [ wri te furthe r ] ,
.

D ea r fa the r I a n n oun ce to you very sa d n e ws : R om u s is severely

,

sick .Th ree illn esses ca m e up on him a t on ce H is hea rt is ba d his .

,

lun g s a n d s tom a ch ha ve ca ugh t cold ; we d on t k n ow how it will turn ’

ou t . O n e d oc tor sa id tha t he m ust go t o Wa rsa w a n d Dr K orzybsk i ,

.

tells u s t o ta ke him to the coun try But first i t is difli cu lt for u s .

, ,

a n d t hen he ha s t erribl e f ever a n d vomi ts M o the r ha s a lm ost los t .

h e r sen ses She bega n t o write thi s le tte r bu t sh e ca n n o t do i t from

.
,

gri ef I f y ou co uld a p p ea r tod a y in ou r home a n d comfort u s ! For

.

it is w orse h er e toda y tha n in a tomb We though t tha t we sh ould .

soon go t o Am e rica a n d R om u s rej oi ced th a t h e w ould v isi t su ch a

,

fa r wo rld a n d then sudden ly it ha p p en ed so

,
N ow h e sa y s tha t e v en .

if ou r Lo rd God gives him his h ea lth ba ck h e won t go Write a t ’

.

l ea st l e tters m ore often to u s dea r fa th e r N ow h elp is n eeded a n d ,

.
,

he r e we ha ve n o m on e y P lea se wr ite u s fa the r whethe r y ou ha d

.
, ,

forebod in g of ou r grie f D ea r fa ther Mr K orzybski sa id tha t .

, .

R om ek n eed ed this c ure l on g a go bu t a s l on g a s h e could wa lk w e ,

did n ot n oti ce it for h e sa id n o th in g to m o the r ; on ly n ow when he

, ,

cou ld wa lk n o m ore [ h e sp oke] We Should lik e n o t t o g rie ve y ou .

,

f a ther bu t we ha ve grieved a lrea dy for som e d a ys If this le tter

,
.

could co m e to y ou th e soon e st p ossibl e ! I ha ve n o th in g more to

write on ly we w ish y ou h ea lth a n d good s uccess
,
.

Your lov in g d a ugh ter ,

HE LE N A P .

On ly d on t g rieve fa ther p erha p s ou r Lord God w ill gra n t h im

’
, ,

t o re cove r P ra y fa th er ou r Lord God for his h e a lth

.
, ,
.

i divid l
n r t ri ti f t h m m b rs th m lve The fa th r s a u thori ty i
ua cha a c e s cs o e e e e se s . e
’
s

ba s d p
e his p h y ica l m r l
u on d i t ll t l u p e i o ity
s , d p t h fa c t th t
o a , an n e ec u a s r r an u on e a

h is t h s ppo t f t h f m il y ; it d r
e e u r o th f ct rs d cr a se I th
e a ec ea ses a s e se a o e e . n e

pr t
esen it is p e i ely his m r l s p i ity d hi w illi g ss to p p rt t he
ca se r c s o a u e r or an s n ne su o

f m ily whi h e i q ti
a c P rob bly t h m th r t lk h s i fl ue ced t h b y
ar n u es on . a e o e
’
s a a n n e o

a d
n d rm i ed t he f ther s a u tho ity
un e n a
’
r .
3 90 P R I M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR GAN IZATI ON

60 3 Ma y 1 3, 1 91 2

D E AR HU SBAND : F irs t I in form y ou th a t we a re in good h ea l th ,

a n d R om ek tha n k s t o God w a lk s a lrea dy b u t h e is s t ill f eeb l e

, ,
He ,
.

la y m or e t ha n 2 w ee k s a n d wa s se ve rely ill h e h a d typ hoid a n d h is ,

h ea rt w a s ba d We d ou b te d wh e th e r he wo uld l ive bu t Go d t he
.
,

M er ciful comforted us I did n o t kn ow a n y m or e wha t to do wi th

.

a ll this ; for 2 week s I n e ith e r S l ep t n or a t e for h e h a d g r ea t f e ve r a n d ,

I ha d a lwa ys t o sit with him a n d there wa s n obody here to t a ke m y

,

p la ce in a n y thin g It cos t m e m uch the drugs a l on e som e roubles

.
, , .

N on e of the d oc t ors a ccep te d a n y mon ey from m e D ea r S ta s I .

,

in for m y ou th a t I receive d t w o l e tte rs a n d 2 5 roubles for which I ,

th a n k y ou hea rtily D on t turn your h ea d a bout [ don t troubl e

.
’ ’

yourself a bout] ta kin g u s t o Am erica a n d l ea d in g yourself in to s till ,

worse d ebt s If y ou ha v e good w ork s ta y t he re un til y ou p a y the

.
,

debt a n d com e ba ck .

Your lovin wife g ,

WLADYS LAWA P .

60 4 Ma y 1 4, 1 91 2

D EAR FATHE R : I inform y ou tha t I a m be tter a lrea dy th a n ks t o ,

ou r L ord God I ha ve n ot y e t com e to m y full s tren g th bu t I wa lk

.
,

a lr ea dy I don t go t o th e school for th e d octo r forba d e m e to

’
,

go . D ea r f a th er w e in fo r m y ou tha t th e bish op wa s h ere a n d m y self

,

a n d H el a w ere a t con fir m a t ion on M a y 1 0 D ea r f a th er d on t turn

’
.
,

yo ur h ea d a bout ta kin g u s t o Am erica ra th er p a y th e d eb t a n d then ,

co m e h e re . It w ill be bette r for Laczy fiski d o ubts whe ther we sha ll

,

p a y him D ea r fa the r I w ish t o go t o school n ext yea r bu t I

, ,

h a v e n o m on ey It is n ot in di sp en sa ble t o p a y 1 0 0 roubles Whoeve r

. .

is p oorer p a y s a s h e ca n 50 or 2 5 S om e go w ith o ut p a yin g

,
. H elp .

m e on ly fo r th e firs t fee l a te r I w ill try to ea r n for m yself w ith l esson s

,

[ help in g th e youn ger s tud en ts] R zap ha s com e a lrea dy from Am e rica
.

a n d b roug h t m a n y difleren t thi n g s for h is w ifc a gold wa t ch a r in h

g , ,

a bra cel e t a n d m a n y o the r t hin g s

,
I ha ve n oth in g more t o write
.
,

on ly I w ish y ou h ea lth a n d to see on e a n oth e r soon i n ou r a therla nd

, f .

Ma y God g ra n t it Am en .

Your truly l ov in son .

g ,

R OMU ALD AN TON I PORZYCKI

D ea r f a ther p lea se p a y first th e d ebt a n d then come ba ck to u s

,

y ourself for n ow I w ill n eve r a n d for n oth in g go to a f oreign cou n try

, .

Here is m y fa therla n d here I wa n t to l ive a n d to die I j oin ed a

, .
392 PRI M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR GAN I ZATI O N

60 6 Jun e 2 4 1 9 1 2 ,

D E AR FATHER : I in form y ou tha t I a m in good hea l th .

I ca n n o t d escribe the joy which y ou ca used m e by yo ur l e tte r a n d ,

I d on t kn ow h ow t o th a n k y ou for your g oodn ess a n d the sa crifi ce

’

whi ch y ou m a ke for m y sa ke D ea r fa the r I will p rep a re m yself

.
,

for th e 3 d cl a ss bu t it is n o t sure wh e th er I sha ll p a ss th e exa m in a tion

,

or n ot B ut I sha ll surely ge t in to th e 2 d When I ha ve a n y ce rta in

. .

n e ws I will in fo r m y ou D ea r fa ther on ly d on t deceive m e ’

.
, , ,

for y ou would then p roba bly ca u se m y ea rly dea th ; I a m so given u p

w i th m y wh ol e l ife t o this l ea rn in g D ea r f a th er do your best for .
, ,

th e tim e i s sh o rt a n d th e ca n d id a te s w ill be ex a min e d on Aug u s t 2 0

,
.

D ea r fa ther th e whole p rep a ra tion will cost 2 4 ro ubles if I l ea rn

, ,

2 h our s a da y a n d 1 4 r oubl es if on e h our a da y

,
How m u ch t h e fee .

will cos t I d on t k n o w y et I will w rite y ou in a secon d le tt er D ea r

’
. .

fa the r we received your le tter a n d 40 roubles for which we tha n k y o u

, ,

h ea rtily .

Your rema in in g in u n ce rta in ty truly lovin g son

, , ,

R OMU ALD P .

60 7 [ S ep tem ber 1 6, 1 91 2 ]
D EAR HU S B AND : I th a n k y ou hea rtily for your kin d f eelin gs
towa rd u s M a y God g ra n t your in ten tion s t o be fulfi lle d m a y
.
,

God g ive u s comfort in o u r ch ildren Th ey bo th j oin e d a tem p era n ce

.

a ssocia tion Th ey don t drin k e ven ordi n a ry bee r R om ek d oes

.
’
.

n ot sm ok e a n y c ig a re tt es a n d d oe s n ot do a n y silly th in g s H e is .

a lwa y s occup ied wi th seriou s th in g s a n d l ea rn in g I n th a t c ir cl e .

th ey ha ve th eir own trea sure a n d l ib ra ry R om ek keep s t he l ibra ry .

,

so h e h a s en o u gh t o rea d a n d a c qu ires ve ry m u ch k n owl e d ge D ea r .

S ta s y ou would h a ve m uch to sp ea k wi th h im ; p roba bly y ou w o uld

,

won der a t his id ea s They ha ve a p riest in the ir a ssocia tion wh o

.

l ea ds th em R om ek a lwa ys goes to him a n d receives difleren t

.

n a tion a l book s a n d t he p riest ha s n o se cr e t s fr om h im t a lks w ith h im

, ,

op en ly a bou t e verythin g [n a tion a l a n d m or a l qu e s t ion s] An d H el a .

is in th e fourth d ivis i on Sh e l ea r n s well a l so

. I sh ould be gla d if .

sh e fi n ish ed a t l e a s t th is school ; in a n y ca se i t w o uld be b e tt e r fo r

h er. D ea r S ta s we ha ve begun bu t I d on t k n ow whe th e r we sha ll

, ,
’

be a ble t o go on for a ll th i s cos t s v e ry m u ch Th e book s a l on e a n d

t he cl othes ta ke m u ch m on ey—
.
,

th e o ve rcoa t of R o m e k a l o n e 1 8
r oubl es a n d t he shoes a n d su m m er cl othes D ea r S ta s from th is
,
.
,
 POR ZY C KI S ERI ES 3 93

m on ey which y ou sen t 50 roubl es m u st be kep t for Rom ek [for the fee] ,

and th e r em a in in g 60 roubl es w ill be sp en t soon [ En u mera tes th e .

exp en se s .
] Your truly lovin g wif e ,

WLADYS LAWA P OR ZY CKA

60 8 S ep tem be r 1 6, 1 91 2

D E AR FATH E R I go to schoo l I a m in th e fo ur th d ivision

,
.

M othe r did n ot wa n t to sen d m e t o sch ool this yea r bu t I w a s ,

s tu bbo rn a n d m o th er a t l a s t a g reed I th a n k y ou a th ousa n d

tim es for rem em berin g m e We don t n eed a n yth in g m ore we l a ck
.
’
,

on ly y ou d ea res t fa ther I in form y ou th a t I j oin ed a circle of

,
.

tem p era n ce It m ea n s n ot to dr in k
. n ot t o p l a y ca rd s a n d n ot

t o s m ok e durin g your wh ol e l ife You a sk a bout R om ek

. He i s .

a d m i tte d t o the secon d cl a ss of t he comm e r cia l school a n d l ea r n s w e ll

en o ugh An d in the n e w l odgin g it is v e ry goo d for u s

. M oth e r h a s .

p a tien ts D i rectly a fter we m oved the n ext da y they did n o t give

.
, ,

mo th e r a n y r es t bu t she wa s ca ll ed t o a p a t ien t
,
All would be w ell .
,

if on ly ou r L ord Go d ga ve u s a ll hea lth

HE LE N A P
.

Ma y 2 2, 1 91 3
D E AR FATHER : I in form y ou tha t w e received your l e tter a n d
50 roubl es From these 50 roubles w e ga ve to M r Ta nski th e .

in te res t N ow moth e r bough t for R ome k sh oes a n d for h erse lf a

.

dress a n d h a ts for mo th er a n d for m e You thin k p erh a p s th a t we

,
.

sp en d m on ey h er e on som e u n n ecessa ry t hi n gs bu t n o de a r f a th e r , , ,

we sp en d on ly on wha t we n eed a bsolutely D ea r fa th er I a m n o .

,

lon ge r so l i ttle a n d m o the r m u st sp en d som e m on ey on m e a l so for

, ,

I ca n n o t wa lk dr essed worse tha n everybody I go to a sin gin g

.

cl a s s a n d e ve ry S u n da y a n d h ol id a y w e sin g in the ch ur ch
,
.

D ea r fa ther R om ek tea ch es four boys a n d ge ts from e very on e of

,

th em 1 ro uble a m on th ; th is mon ey which h e ea rn s goes for his sch oo l

wa n ts R om ek will soon p a ss a n exa m in a tion so he m ust even n ow
.
,

wo rry S om e ti m es when h e comes from th e sch ool h e is quite sw ea t

.

in g Th a n ks to Go d h e recovers h e ca n ea t m ore a n d h a s
, ,

co l or on h is ch eeks He h a s g rown so big th a t h e is a lrea dy som e wha t

.

ta ll er tha n m o th er a n d I a m a l ittle sm a ll er th a n m o ther

,
.

Your sin cerely l ovin g da ugh ter ,

H E LA
3 94 PR I M AR Y G RO UP
-
OR G AN IZATI ON

Jun e 1 6 [ 1 9 1 3 ]
D E AR AN D B ELOVE D HU S B AN D : I don t kn ow wha t it ’

m ea n s t ha t y ou don t receiv e ou r l e tt ers We wr o te y ou 3

’
.

l etters a n d received a n a n swer t o n on e I h a d beg un t o t h i n k tha t .

y ou h a d f o ll ow ed Osieck i in sea rch for p le a sures But excuse m e for .

w itin g y ou such silly thin gs An d a s t o th e m on ey don t wo rry

r .
,
’
.

If y ou sen d it it will com e On ly sen d soon a n d p len ty for we n ee d .

,

I p a id Laczy nski 6 5 ro ubles for h e wa n ts m on ey m ost ; L aczy ri ski

’

it .
,

is sick w i th con sum p tion Y ou wri te th a t y ou w i ll ta k e m e a n d H ela

.

t o Am er ica a n d R om ek ca n be l eft ,
But wh ere ? With hi m it is .

s till w o r se tha n w i th a sm a ll c hild for h e h a s n o h ea lth a n d h a s a very ,

del ica te n a tur e He ca n by n o m ea n s h e l eft a lon e S o if w e a re t o

. .

go we wi ll go a ll toge th er a n d if n o t th en n on e , ,

Your truly l ovin g w if e wi th children ,

W . P OR ZY CKA

D E AR FATHER : You wrote tha t m o ther a n d H ela m igh t go a n d I ,

migh t rem a in he re I a g ree w ith it a n d I ca n rem ai n in th e p en sion

.
, .

But for va ca tion where sha ll I go P erh a p s to y ou for h ere th ey a ll ,

lea ve for va ca tion As t o the m on ey d ea r fa ther d on t trouble

.
, ,
’

yourself whether we sha ll get it whe ther there is n ot som ebody ill ; ,

even if so for a s ick p er so n m on ey is u seful Ou r l esson s en d on 1

.
,

S a t u rda y Ju n e 2 1 a n d on S u n d a y we sh a ll receive the ce rt ifi ca t es

, ,

with p rom otion or n ot S o if I a m p rom o te d t o th e 3 d cla ss I wi ll .

,

in for m y ou .

R OM U ALD

Ju n e 2 5, 1 913

FATHER :
D E AR I ha ve been p rom o ted to the 3 d cla ss ,

witho ut a secon d exa mi na tion D ea r fa ther y ou do ill in p ostp on in g .

,

th e sen d in g of m on ey You wro te t ha t y ou wo uld sen d u s 50 r oub les

.

m on th ly a n d we bel iev ed it
,
S o w e g a ve ou t m os t of th e m on ey .

which y ou ha d sen t before in p a yin g the d ebts The rest w a s sp en t , .

Th re i ir y a t thi s p i t Th f th er h a m d m t pid e cus fo

y—
1
e s on o n t . e a s a e so e s u x e r no

sen di g m n th t t he m o y m i gh t
on e t r h th m oa cc t of t h p rob bl
ne no ea c e n a ou n e a e

w th t if th m ther w ill th re w ld b
a r, a e o t g t o th p o t fli e f
as th e ou e n o on e o o e s -
o c or e

l tt r The r m rk b t va ca ti
e e . bov ie als iro i l I
a m p a ri on w ith
ou on a e s a o n ca . n co s

No 6 . t h m or li i g ttit de of th is
0 1 e d t h f ll w i g lett
a z n i m r
a bj tiv
u an e o o n er s o e o ec e

a nd s p i r Th b y is m r der the i flu ce of the p tri ti s ciety a d of

u er o . e o o e un n en a o c o n

hi rea di g a n d l ss u d r t h i fl e c of his m o th r
s n e n e e n u n e e .
3 96 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR G ANI ZATI ON

som e debts a n d I m u st p ay these first of a ll

,
D ea r S ta s d on t .
,
’

be a n g ry wi th u s if the ch ildr en h a ve describe d t o y ou t oo m u ch of our

m i sery in th a t l a st l e tt er bu t I w a s n ot a t hom e An d y ou k n ow m y
,
.
,

d ea r th a t here if on e h a s n o m on ey he does n ot kn ow wh a t to do for

, ,

i t is ev en diffi cult to borrow beca use h e re e verybody h a s sca rcely ,

en ough t o l ive

D ea rest S ta s write m e h ow do y ou l iv e the re

, Are y ou n o t .

wo rried with this soli ta ry li fe ? For I Wh en I p a ss this tim e in m in d , ,

i t seem s ve ry v e ry lon g Th ree yea rs a n d a ha lf we ha ve led s uch

,
.

a m a rtyr l if e ! For th e re is n o thing w o r se tha n lon gin g An d y ou .

a re so in difier en t y ou don t e v en deign t o sen d u s your p h o togra p h !

’
,

S en d i t I beg y ou a t l ea s t on a p ostca rd ; it wi ll cos t ch ea p e r

, , .

Your truly l ovin g wif e ,

WLADYS LAWA P OR ZY CK A
My con dition is ve ry ba d .

61 4 PM 2 3, 1
91 3
D E AR FATH ER
in form y ou th a t we re ceiv e d 40 r oubl es , I
fr om wh ich w e ga ve 2 5 t o M r Laczy fiski [En um era tes a ll th e . .

e xp en ses ] D e a r fa the r , beli eve n ow e v e rythin g th a t w e wri t e y ou ,

for w e write y ou t he sin cere truth E ven if we wished t o a dd a n y .

thin g we could n o t fo r y ou look a lwa ys a t u s a n d see e ve ryth in g a n d

, , ,

w e c a n hid e n o thin g a t a ll D ea r fa th e r we ha v e y our p ic ture .

, .

Altho ugh y ou did n ot d e ign t o se n d u s yo ur p ho togra p h w e h a d a ,

la rge r cop y m a de of a n old on e D ea r fa the r n ow it is a t lea s t a .

,

li ttl e m ore ga y w e h a v e som e body t o sp ea k t o

, But wha t ! W e .

S p ea k a n d y ou d on t wish t o a n sw e r u s S o i t w ould be t he bes t if

’ 1
.
,

y ou ea rn ed m u ch m on ey a n d ca m e t o ou r co un try or if w e w en t t o ,

y ou .An d if n o t th en ta k e m e t o y ou , I could a t l ea st cook for y o u .

,

a n d y ou w ould n ot h a v e t o p a y m e a n d i t w o uld be be tt e r fo r u s , .

An d R om c io a lwa ys d oes n o thin g bu t go t o t he fores t a n d r ea d

book s He is a lrea dy a h u n dre d tim es fa tte r th a n I a n d a s y ou
.
,

kn ow bigger tha n m o the r

, .

Your truly lovin g da ugh ter with her m oth er a n d

R om ciu ch n o [a ffect ion a te d im in utive of R om u a ld ]

A mpl n f t h p rim itiv

exa ettit d tow d p h t gr p h a n d p i tu res
o e e a u e ar o o a s c .

Th p hotogr p h of t h d r p ers
e a m s fo th p e t s w ll fo the h ild t o
ea on see r e ea sa n a e as r c

m ea n m h m r thuc t s p h i ti
o e t d m to vey m ch m or f lin g f life
an o a o s ca e an , con u e ee o

an d r li t y
ea I ll th s ri
. fp n a t lette th is i m an if t d
e e es o ea sa n rs s es e .
 PORZYCKI SERI ES 39 7

61 5 Au gu s t 1 8, 1 91 3
D E AR FATHER As to tha t Am e rica w e d iscu ssed a n d ,

decided either to go a ll toge th er or to rema in a n d n o t to ta ke up on u s

t he burd en of a n e w d eb t This w ould be still be tte r tha n to go M r
. . .

N owa k ow sk i a sk s y ou whe th e r work i s good a n d whe th e r it is wo rth

whil e to go to Am e rica It is a l so ha rd for th em t o live a n d t h e p ries t
.
,

[a bro the r or u n c le ] ca n n ot suffice for ev ery thin g D ea r f a th e r w h e n I

.
,

w e sa w y our p ho tog ra ph we w ere a wfull y p a i n e d tha t y ou l oo k so ba d ,

bu t la te r we com fo rt e d ourselves tha t t he p ho tog ra p h is ba d .

R O MU ALD

61 6 Aug u s t 1 8, 1 91 3
D E AR FATH ER I received on e ro uble from y ou for wh ich ,

I tha n k you h ea rtily I a m som ewha t p a in ed tha t y ou a lwa ys m a ke

.

a difieren ce be tween u s t wo We a re n eve r e qu a lly trea t ed bu t he

.
,

a wa y s ge t s m o re th a n I do a s if I we r e n o t y our da u gh t e r
,
But .

n o t hin g ca n b e d on e D ea r fa the r if y ou l ove R om e k m o re tha n m e

.
, ,

wha t ca n I do D ea r fa th er I len t this roub le t o m o the r for S he h a d

, ,

n o m on ey bu t soon w e sh a ll go t o sch ool ;

,
th en m o the r will give it
ba ck . I sha ll ha ve i t for t he fee if y ou a re so gra ciou s a s to sen d m e
,

2 rou bl es m or e For book s p e rha p s m o ther will give m e if she e a rn s

.
,
.

HELEN A

61 7 S ep t em be r 10 , 1 91 3
D E AR FATHER I a m in the 3d cla ss a n d a m lea rn in g well
e n ough sa y very we ll
for I ca n n o t To M r Laczy ri ski we owe s till
’

. .
,

1 5 rou bl e s o f th e su m a n d th e in te res t 2 8 rou bles t oge th e r 4 3

, Mr L , ,
. . .

is a ve ry good m a n fo r be coun te d the in t e res t on ly fo r 3 yea rs a t ,

8 p er cen t D ea r fa th er M r Pa wlow sk i ca m e ba ck [ from Am e rica ]

.
,
.
,

bu t he in ten d s soon to go the re a ga i n for he h a s n o thin g to do he re , .

He a c quired a h ighe r c ulture [ iron y ] I sen d y ou m y p hotogra p h .

a n d I beg y ou sen d m e y o ur s bu t a be tt er on e for I wa s on ly

, , , grie ve d ,

in r eceivin g th e fo rm e r on e
R OMU ALD
.

61 8 Oc tobe r
'
20 ,
1 91 3
D E AR FATH E R : I inform y ou tha t R om ek wa s
very ill a n d n ow a l tho u gh he wa lks i t is wi th d iffi culty
, ,

D ea r fa ther he is a ba d com fort for u s for h e is a lwa ys sick

, , , on ly
F the role of a p ri est i th e fa m il y f Rzep kow ki s ries
or n c . s e .
 3 98 PRI MAR Y G R OU P OR G ANI ZATI ON

se ldom a li ttle be tter M o ther grieves te rri bly a n d w eep s con tin ua lly
. .

M o the r weep s from sorrow a n d sin gs a t t he sa m e tim e It would be .

be tter if y ou we re a t hom e [M on ey received ; exp en ses ] D ea r

.

fa th er the re wo uld be n o m ise ry in ou r h om e a n y m o re if on ly R om cio

, ,

we re in good hea lth We in fo rm y ou tha t U n cl e P io tr wro te to Y on

.

kers to U n cle Ja n [bo th m o the r s bro thers] a ski n g him for a ship
,
’

ticke t a n d he in ten d s to go t o Am e rica for his a ff a irs a re ve ry ba d ;

, ,

h e d oes n o t k eep his shop a n y m o re .

HELE N A

61 9 N ov em be r 5, 1 91 3

D E AR H U S B AN D R om e k wa s se ri ou sly ill bu t t ha nk s t o ,

God it p a ss ed a ltho ugh he is n eve r ve ry we ll fo r h is d isea se rem a in s

, , ,

for hi s wh o l e lif e H e suffe r s wi th h ea rt disea se a n d th is ca n n o t be

.
-
,

h ea l ed .H a rd is t he li fe of such a m a n for he is un a ble t o wo rk , ,

e x cep t w i t h his h ea d so l ea rn i n g is in di sp en sa bl e t o h im .

D ea r S ta s I in f orm y ou a bout m y su ccess

,
M y su ccess is so ba d .

tha t I ea rn a lmos t n othin g We live on ly on wha t y ou sen d D ea r

. .

S ta s y ou wri te t ha t y ou will com e on Ch ris tm a s

, Oh how gla d I .
,

sh ould be if th is l on e ly l if e of our s ca m e t o a n en d ! B ut if y ou com e

h ere a n d we ha v e n o t a rou bl e wi th u s h ow sha ll w e liv e sin ce t hi s , ,

yea r e verythin g is so d ea r ? P rices we re n eve r so high D o a s y ou .

th in k best m y d ea r bu t m a y y ou n ot wish t o go for t he fifth ti m e

, ,

[ keep goin g] P io tr ha s fa il ed so utt erly tha t h e d oes n ot e ven k eep

.

his shop H e ha s m a n y d eb ts a n d ev en 50 0 rou b l es m ortga ge

.
, .

Ja n ek refused to sen d him a ship ticke t He ju stified h im self sa yin g

-
.

tha t P i o tr w on t be a dm itted beca u se he la ck s fi n ge rs on on e h a n d

’
, .

N ow h e d oes n o t k n ow him se lf wha t t o begin An d t he ca u se o f a l l .

this is l iquo r .

WLADYS LAW A P .

Ja n ua ry 2 9 1 9 1 4 ,

D EAR FATHER : We don t kn ow n ow w ha t t o do with t his ’

l od gin g whe the r we should rem a in or n o t for it is v e ry sm a ll a n d if

, , ,

y ou com e i t wo uld be t oo crowd e d

,
S o te ll u s p osit iv e ly wh e t h e r.

y ou w ill com e o r n o t Then w e sha ll kn ow wha t to do D ea r fa the r

. .
,

did y ou re ceiv e ou r le tte r for Ch ris tm a s with a wa f e r in wh ich we ,

in form e d y ou a bo ut the d ea th of F L aczy fiski a n d t h e ill n e ss o f .

Pa wlow ski ? D id U n c l e Bogorski from Chica go wr i t e t o y ou ? H e

40 0 PRI MAR Y -
GR O UP OR GAN IZ ATI ON

m o re p a in s th a n y ou , for I a m a wom a n , a n d s t ill—a n d s till I a ccep t

m y lot Yes , d ea r , le t u s sa crific e o urselves for ou r chi ldren , be ca u se
.

we l iv e ly for them We re it n ot for them I sh ould ha ve been wi th

on .

y ou lon g a go D ea r S ta s y ou reflect whe th e r R om ek ca n n o t be le ft

.
,

a l on e .This is to ta lly im p ossibl e He n eed s con tin uou s ca re fo r .

,

he ha s n o hea lth How often it is n ecessa ry to rise a t n i gh t when h e

.

ha s a hea rt a tta ck a n d t o h elp h im H e is we a k like a sma ll ch ild

,
. .

H e is a good boy a n d I lov e h im s tron gly bu t u nh a pp ily the re is n o ,

g rea t hop e for his future H e lea rn s w ell N ow w e m u s t p a y

. .

2 5 r ou b l es for h is secon d qu a rt e r [ U sua l en d in g ] .

WLADYS LAW A P .

62 3 Ap r il 20 , 1 91 4

D E AR FATH E R : [Hea lth ; m on ey a n d l e tte r received ] We we re

v e ry gla d when we received your le tter on Good Frida y p a rticula rly ,

R om ek He o rd e red u s t o go a t on ce be fore th e h olida ys sa yin g

.
, ,

tha t h e wo uld be a lone [for Ea s ter] D ea r fa the r y ou write for m e .

,

a n d m o the r t o com e Oh how gla d we sho uld be to go a t on ce !

.
,

But d ea r fa the r it would be difli cu lt for u s to p a rt w i th ou r sickl y

, ,

f ellow R om ek Although he tro ubl es m e [ tea ses or bea ts a li ttle ]

.

som e t im es y e t I l ove him a n d i t w ould be difli cu l t fo r m e t o

, go a w a y
from h im a n d m o ther a l so ca n n o t recon cile h e rself w i th lea vin g h im
,

a l on e .

Your truly l ovin g da ugh te r ,

HELE N A

62 4 Ap ril 24, 1 91 4

D E AR FATHE R We received toda y yo ur l e tter in wh ich ,

y ou wri t e a bout ha v in g sen t 53 ro u bl es a n d in wh i ch wa s a silk ha n d

k e rchief I tha nk y ou w ith m y whole hea rt for this ha n dkerch ief
.
.

I ha ve n o t e ven w ord s e n ough t o tha nk you E ve rybody wa n te d t o .

ha v e th is ha n dk erchief R om ek a n d even m o the r , R om ek wa n t e d

, .

m e a bso lute ly to give it t o him bu t I would n o t give i t eve n for a ,

th ou sa n d roubles fo r i t is a tok en from m y d ea r belo ved fa th er a n d

, ,

s u ch a token sh ould n o t be g iv e n t o a n ybody e v en t o t he em e ro r

p ,

him se lf D ea r f a the r y ou sen d m e a lwa y s som e th in g a n d w h a t sha ll

.
, ,

I sen d to y ou ? N ow I ca n n o t y e t bu t wh en I g row big I w ill t ry , ,

t o re w a rd y o u p erha p s if on lv w i t h a trifle ,
 PORZY CKI SERI ES 40 1

Ju st n ow we received those 53 rou bl es We tha n k y ou .

,

fa the r for th is m on ey which will be very useful to u s N ow I sha ll

, ,
.

e n u m e ra t e wha t w e sh a ll sp en d it for F irs t we m us t p a y the ren t

.

for a qua rte r in teres t t o Ta ri ski m othe r a n d H ela [ I ] ha v e n o shoes

, , ,

Hela ha s n o overcoa t D on t be a n g ry fa the r for it is obliga tory ;

.
’
, ,

I ha ve n othi n g t o w ea r Oh ! An d I ha v e n o ha t ! S o ca lc ula te
.

p lea se how m u ch I a lon e w ill cos t : shoes a t l ea s t 4 rou bles ove rcoa t
, ,

som e 1 0 ro u b les a h a t a bout 2 rou bles

,
toge ther 1 6 for m e a lon e
,
.

An d m o th e r a n d R om ek ? R ea ll y it is wo rth cryin g tha t y ou ha ve

s u ch sp on ge r s w h o on ly s en d yo ur ea r n in s An d I a m th e wor s t
p g . .

N ow th e y c roa k a ga in st m e a t hom e tha t th ey m us t Sp en d so m u ch

,

fo r m e But judge yourself fa the r ca n I be th e worst [dresse d ] of

.
, ,

a ll ? An d n ow m other is a ga in s t m e for this ha n dke rchief [ sa yin g]

tha t y ou di d n ot sen d a n y thin g t o her [ fa vo rite] child bu t on ly t o yo ur ,

[ fa vori te] child .

H E LE N A

62 5 July 6, 1 91 4
D E AR FATHE R : I ha ve p a ssed to t he 4 th cla ss with a sma ll
secon d exa m in a t ion in G e rm a n bu t it i s n o m a tter for durin g t he
, ,

va ca tion I will lea rn a n d la ter it will be m o re ea sy for m e wi th the

G erm a n D ea r fa the r a un t [P iotr s wife] d ied on Jun e 3 0 a n d
.
,
’
,

a lre a dy p eop le a re r ecomm en din g a n o th e r wi fe t o u n cl e H e l a ha s .

fin ishe d her school a lrea dy bu t we don t kn ow wha t to do wi th her

,
.
’

n ow a n d wh e re t o p la ce h er
,
D ea r fa the r we ha v e n ot ha d ,

a n y l e tt e r fr om y ou for a lon g t im e so w e a re g rieve d for w e d on t

’
, ,

kn o w whe th er y ou a re hea l thy or sick or p e rha p s you ha ve n o work

,
.

We exp ected a le tte r from y ou a t lea st for m other s n a m e da y bu t ’

-
,

y ou did n o t sen d a ny even for t he n a m e da y so we m a k e the supp osi

-
,

t ion tha t som ethi n g ha d ha p p en e d to y ou or p e rha p s y ou forgot a bout

,

us . But thi s la tte r supp osition is imp ossible .

R O MU ALD

62 6 July 2 9, 1 91 4

D E AR FATHE R : F irst I in fo rm y ou tha t we receive d your l e tter

a n d 4 0 rou ble s in ou r n ew a p a rtm en t They were ju s t enough for
.

t h e a p a rtm en t for we ha d t o p a y 40 rou bl e s fo r ha lf a yea r

,
The .

a p a r tm en t is exp en sive bu t w ha t ca n w e do if a ll th e a p a rtm en t s a re

,

n ow exp en si ve We should p e rha p s ha ve fou n d a ch ea p er on e bu t

.
,
40 2 PR I MAR Y—
G R OU P OR GAN I ZATI ON

we l ea rn ed t oo la te tha t Rzezu ska ha d ren t ed [ou r old on e] B ut .

,

n e v e r m in d h e r e we h a v e a t l e a st com f ort a n d e v en if y ou ca m e y ou
, ,

w ould h a ve room en ough t o work a n d m o th e r p erha p s will ha v e ,

be tt e r s uccess tha n th e r e in tha t h ole D ea r fa th e r in form u s wha t

,
.
,

is t h e n ews in Am e rica for h ere a t e rri bl e w a r is p roba bl e

,
The y .

wa n ted t o ta ke R om ek t o p ri son for h e wen t beyon d th e town wi th ,

som e com p a n ion s Th e bo rd e r is n ow op en a n d sold ie rs ke ep g ua rd

.
,

in t he fie ld s E ven t h e f a rm e rs who bri n g t heir c rop s in m u s t ha ve

.

p a p ers from t he m a yo r tha t they ha v e th e righ t t o go Pe rha p s .

w e sh a ll be k illed h er e so p l ea se sen d u s fa the r som e m on ey

, , , ,

roubles a t lea st so we sha ll be a ble to fly som ewhe re befo re this wa r

, ,

for it is im p ossi bl e to rem a in so An d if wi th y ou the re is a lso su ch

.

m ise ry [a s y ou wro te com e ra th er t o u s ; we w ill p u t the se m is e ries

toge the r We liv e on N iborska S tree t fa cin g t he h osp i ta l ; ou r h ou se

.
,

is surro un d ed with a ga rd en R om ek is so hea lth y h e r e tha t we ca n

.

h a rdly give him en ou gh t o ea t a n d we ea t a l so ra th e r w e ll ; a l oa f

,

a n d a h a lf of brea d is u sed e v ery da y whil e f o rm e rly we t ook h a lf a ,

l oa f for two da ys .

H ELE NA

62 7 Au gu s t 1 0 ,
1 91 4

D E AR FATHE R We fin d ourselve s n ow in a ve ry c ri t ica l

si tu a t ion beca u se we a re in t h e m id st of th e g r ea t es t w a r
, M la w a is .

n e a r th e fron t ie r a n d th e r efor e it is m os t d is tur be d We receive d .

your le tte r w ith the ha n dke rch ief a n d 3 roubl es on th e da y before t he

wa r fo r th e n ext da y co m m u n ica tion wa s in te rrup te d a n d tra in s n o
,

l on ge r com e t o M la wa n or lea ve it The te leg ra p hs [wires] a re b rok en .

,

t h e p os t a ba n d on ed t h e [ gov e rn m en ta l ] ba n k a ba n d on ed a ll t h e
, ,

ofli cers a n d a ll th e offi c i a l s ha v e gon e a wa y Th e a rm y ha s been .

m obil ized a n d u n cl e [ Pio tr] wa s a lso ta k en bu t t h en se t free be ca u se

, ,

of h is h a n d Th e R u ssia n a rm y wa s in I llow o a n d D z ia ld ow o a n d
.

trie d to ta ke N yborg bu t wa s check ed for they ha d n o in fa n try

, .

O n t he v ery fir s t da y the P russia n s ta tion in Wolka a n d t he brid ges

w e re blow n u p a n d n ow la rger or sma ller ba ttle s a re fough t a rou n d
,

M la wa Th e R u ssia n a rm y is ca mp in g n ow in M la wa a n d in it s
.

n e igh bo rh ood Ge rm a n a e rop la n es fly every da y a bove ou r M la wa

.
,

a n d ju s t n ow on e of t h em w e n t a wa y ; th ey a re s till shoo tin g a t it

from gu n s Th is m orn in g when a G e rm a n a erop la n e flew o ve r
.
,

M la wa a n d they bega n t o shoot a t it fr om ca n n on s a n d m a chin e

40 4 P RI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR GAN IZATI ON

fa the r y ou ca n ea sily guess tha t there is n ow g rea t m ise ry he re

,

We live on ly on wha t a n ybody l en d s or give s u s S o w e be g

y ou if y ou ca n sen d u s a t l ea s t a few roubles or el se we sha ll die from
, , ,

h u n ge r We sen d th is le tte r th ro ugh Ja p a n bu t whe th e r i t will rea ch

.
,

y ou w e d on t k n o w But a dro wn in g m a n gra sp s even a ra zor

’
. .
,

R OMU ALD PORZYCKI

62 9 Ja n ua ry 5 1 9 1 5 ,

R E S P ECTE D S I R : You a sk for de ta ils con ce rn in g m y fa m ily .

I g ive th em t o y ou My wife is n ow 3 6 yea rs old m y son R om ek 1 7

.
, ,

m y da u gh ter He la 1 5 As t o m y wife y ou a re n ot m ista ken in sa yi n g

.
,

tha t she is very n ervous An y i n success in fl uen ces her m uch sh e

.
,

ge t s S ic k a n d d oes n o t ea t for a da y or two As t o R om ek h e wa s n o t .

,

so S ick wh en a ch ild he ha d n o hea rt d isea se Whil e I wa s -

.

st i ll a t h om e I soo the d a n d so ften e d e ve rythin g

, Wh en I wa s l ea vin g .
,

m y wife a ske d m e to brin g them a s soon a s p ossibl e t o Am e rica Dur .

in g th e firs t a n d se con d yea r I could n ot do it for I ha d n o s t ea dy .

,

w ork ; I coul d sca rcely sen d th em from tim e t o tim e a few rouble s .

I ha d borrowe d m o n ey for m y j ourn ey to Am e rica so the re were m ore ,

tha n 2 0 0 roubles of d ebt l eft Th us m y wife wa s obliged t o p a y th e

.

in te res t a n d from t im e to tim e a few roubles of the su m ou t of m y

sm a ll w a ges Even toda y t he re a re m ore tha n 1 0 0 rou bl es to p a y
.

ba ck Th us durin g th ree yea rs I w a s un a ble t o sen d a ship ticke t

.
,
’
-
.

Afte r 3 yea rs R om ek fin ishe d t he gove rnm en ta l [ town sch ool a n d

wrote m e tha t h e wa n ted m ore in s truction I p e rmitted him ; I .

could n o t re fuse t o t h e child th e p e rm ission to l ea rn But t he exp en ses .

in crea sed a n d i t wa s rea lly a s ba d a s they wro te

, Wi th m y sm a ll .

e a r n in g s I co uld n ot sen d th em m u ch An d th u s Romek seein g his .

,

m o the r a lwa ys c ryin g from l on gin g a n d d esp a ir m igh t ha v e got hi s ,

hea rt ill n ess e ven th rough this for he is v e ry sen t im en ta l l ik e hi s

-
, ,

m o the r whil e H e la ha s m y i ron n a ture

, M y w ife wish ed a t first to .

com e t o Am eric a beca use she would ha v e com e wi th th em bo th

, .

But la te r R om ek did n ot wa n t for a n y thin g in the wo rld t o l ea ve off

lea rn i n g a n d his m o th e r did n o t wa n t to lea ve him a lon e wi th s tra n
,

ge rs for a s S he m en t ion s t o m e h e n eed s c a re like a sm a ll chi ld

, , , .

An d I a greed a n d wa s gla d tha t h e did n o t wa n t t o com e t o Am eri ca ,

on ly wa n t s t o l iv e in h is ow n co u n try for I d on t l ike t h e Am er ica n

’
, .

edu ca ti on of chi ldre n He re t h e child is n o t m o ra ll y educa te d i t

.
,

k n ows n o resp ect fo r its e lde rs It k n ows on ly how t o t h row sn ow or

.
 PORZY CKI SE RI E S 40 5

t
s on es a t r As t o m e I ca n n ot becom e Am erica nized
the p a ssen g e s .
, ,

fo r in th e old cou n try I ha d ea sie r work Th ere I wa s a shoem a ker

.
,

wh ile here I m u s t w ork in a n iron foun dry a n d even this goes on

-
,

feebly For the la s t few m on ths I ha ve worke d sca rcely two or th ree
.

d a ys in a week S o I sit he re a s up on sha rp n a il s a n d wa i t for t he

.

in ciden ts of the wa r in P ola n d I a m lon gin g for m y fa m il y beca use

.
,

I ha ve ha d n o n ew s for m ore tha n two m on th s I don t kn ow whe the r

.
’

th ey a re a live or n o t Wishin g to sa ve m y fa m ily from h u n ge r I sen t

.
,

on Oc tobe r 2 4 8 0 r o u bl es bu t I h a v e n o ce rt i tud e wh e t h e r t hey

, ,

received them P roba bly th ey di d n o t for the gove rn m en ta l p os t

.
,

office in M la wa is a ba n don e d a n d m y f a m ily m a y n o t be th e r e fo r

, ,

M la wa a s it seem s ha s cha n ged h er p rop rie tors 4 tim es a lrea dy

, ,
.

As t o m y ver ses [a h um oris tic p iece p rin ted in t h e Polish

,

p a p e r Zgoda ] I tha nk y ou ve ry m u ch for yo ur p ra ise

,
. I h a ve
n ev er been a ma n of le tter s P e rha p s if I ha d s tud ie d in tha t l in e
.

I shoul d ha ve som e a p titude This on e I comp osed in free m om en ts

.

a n d I dou b ted wh e th e r th e e d i tors wo uld d eign t o p rin t it .

S TAN I S LAW P ORZYCKI

 JAB LK OW S KI S ER I E S

I n th e p r e s en t c a se w e h a v e t h e on l y e x a m p l e of a p er
”
fect ly s olid a r y a n d h a rm on iou s n a tur a l f a m il y , a s the
“

r esult of a n evolution wh ic h h a s su bs tituted in di vi du a l

b on ds b etween t he m em b er s of a m a rria ge g roup for tra di -

t ion a l s ocia l b on d s b e tween th e m em b e r s O f t h e

“
l a rge
”
f a m il y .

We see a l so a n im p orta n t socia l c on sequen c e of this e v olu

t ion —t he p a rtic ula rl y m a rked isola tion of th e m a rria ge
gr oup from th e re s t of th e c omm un i ty even from th e rela ti v e s
,

w h o in th e old or ga ni za tion woul d b e th e m os t im p or

t a n t m em b ers of t he group n a m el y t h e p a ren t s of th e m a n
, ,

a n d t h e w om a n a n d t h e b r oth er s a n d si s te r s O n th e on e
.

ha n d the m a rria ge group p erfec tl y soli da ry wi thi n it self

,
-
, ,

a c t s in e c on om ic a n d s ocia l m a tt er s t ow a rd t h e r e s t o f

t h e c omm u ni t y a s t owa rd s tra n ger s som e tim e s ev en wi th

,

a m a rke d h os til it y ; on t h e o th er h a n d a n y a c tion fr om

,

ou t sid e is r e c eive d a s a ffe c tin g t h e m a rr ia ge g r o up a s a

- -

wh ol e I n this re spec t th e rea c tion s t o e x te rn a l in fl u en c e s

.

ten din g t o disa ggreg a te t h e group—gossip eff ort s t o c om p e l

,

t h e hu sb a n d or t h e wi f e t o a ct in ec on om ic m a tt er s in a p e r

son a l w a y
—a re sign ific a n t These in flu en c es them selves
.
,

t h e m or e or l ess u n frien dl y a c t s of n eig h b or s a c qua in t

a u c es r el a tiv es wh ic h Ja blk ow ska a ttrib ut es t o
, ,
j ea lou sy ,

a re p erh a p s b e tt e r u n der s t ood if w e ta ke in t o c on sid er a tio n

th e ve r y n a tur a l h os til e a ttitud e of t he s oc ia l en v iron m e n t

t owa rd so isol a te d a n d im pen etra bl e a fa m il ia l g roup The .

old t yp e of f a m il y a t l ea s t in P ol a n d h a s n o p l a c e for s u c h
, ,

a n isol a tion . Un de r th ese c on dition s it is ob vi ou s th a t

wh en for a n y r ea son the m a rr ia ge— group ten d s t o sep a r a te
i t s elf sha rp l y fr om t h e fa m il y group t h e l a tter n ot onl y s how s
-

40 6
40 8 PR I M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR GAN I ZATI O N

your le tters for I wa s in very g r ea t sorrow durin g th e wh ole h ol ida ys

, ,

be ca u se I ha d n o l e tte rs I won dered m uch why a n d I though t so

.
, ,

tha t p erha p s y ou were sick from a ll th i s sorro w S o wh en I receive d .

th e l e tte r I c ri e d from joy

,
You wr ite m e n ot t o a n swe r th i s
la s t le tter of yours bu t I do a n swer for som e da ys h a ve p a sse d sin ce
,

I h a ve wr itten y ou a p ostca rd a n d y ou would ha ve n o le tte r from m e

,

for a l on g tim e Wh en I rece ive a n o th er l e tte r from y ou I Sh a ll ha ve

.

a l so som e thin g t o wr i t e for n ow I sh a ll b e a l i ttle ca l m e r a n d I wi ll

,

ca lc ul a t e a ll the m on ey which I sp en t a n d wh a t I sp en t i t for For I .

tell y ou dea r h usba n d I wa s so grieved a fter t he l e tte r whi ch y ou

, ,

wro te m e before tha t I though t I should n ever ca lm m yself An d .

a ft e r th a t I h a d n o l e tt e r for a lm ost 2 wee k s An d m oreo ver I got .

a l e tte r fr om S ta sia k on D ecembe r 2 3 a n d I did n ot sen d him

,

tha t le tter ba ck for y ou told m e n ot t o wr ite le tte rs t o a n ybody

,
.

An swer m e wh eth er y ou sp ea k [a re on sp ea kin g te rms ] w ith S ta sia k ,

for h e wro t e m e th a t h e is n ot g uilty of th e ofl en se a ga in s t m e in

Koi la k s le tter to his wife He ex cu sed h im self th a t h e wr ote wh a t
’
.

e ve r K oZla k to ld hi m t o wr i te [ d ic ta ted] a n d h e sa id th a t it w a s exclu,

siv ely K oZl a k s fa ult ; h e [ S ta sia k] could n o t g o in t o a ce ll a r a n d w r i t e

’

th e l e tter so tha t n obody m igh t see it [ scil som ebo dy h a s rea d or .

,

h ea rd wh a t KoZla k di cta te d a n d th us gossip a rose] He w ro te m a n y .

m o re wo rd s bu t I d on t rep ea t ev ery thin g for it wo uld ta k e too m u ch

’
,

ti m e t o write But h e begge d m y p a rdon very m uch a n d sa id tha t

.

he did n o t [ in ten d t o] oflen d m e in th a t l e tte r in a n y w a y He w ro te .

t ha t h e w a s n o t a tra i tort o y ou a n d n eve r ha d been H e is on ly very .

p a in e d tha t Ja n ek [ th e wri te r s son ] ca lle d hi m in h is l e tter a ra sca l

’

a n d a Ha m [ for h a vi n g oflen de d Ja n ek s m o th e r] a n d h e wro te a

’
,

few wo rd s to Ja n ek sa y in g tha t h e woul d rem em be r it Fin a lly .

h e wr ote th us : I won t write y ou a ny m ore n ews ; y ou wi ll l ea rn

“ ’

from yo ur frien d [h usba n d wh o is a ra sca l towa rd u s An d t o .

”

Ja n ek h e wrote : D on t ever write such le tters to a n ybody for if I

’
,

were rea lly such a ra sca l a s y ou write this le tter woul d h a ve cos t y ou ,

clea r If y ou don t bel ieve m e a sk your fa th er An d h e wish ed u s

’ ”
.
, .

a M e rry Ch r is t m a s a n d N ew Yea r So I beg y ou d ea r h usban d v e ry

.
, ,

m u ch d on t qua rrel wi th th ese sw in e I beg y ou once mo re don t

’ ’
.
, ,

qua rrel Forge t your wron g ; why should y ou wa s te your h ea lth in

.

v a in
MAR CYAN NA JAB LKO WS KA
 JABLKOWS KI SERI ES 40 9

Februa ry 1 7, 1 91 4

M OS T V
FATHE R : I tha n k y ou very n icely for the scra p
BE LO ED

up on which y ou wrote a few wo rds for m e D ea r fa ther y ou tell m e .

,

t o l ea rn t o be a n iron m ould e r But I won t lea rn to be a n iron ’

- .

m ould e r for it is a h a rd sp ec ia l ity

, On e ea r n s a few roubles m o r e bu t .
,

he m u s t work l ike a n ox An d h er e if a m oul d e r is k ep t a n y wh e re he

.
,

is bu t if th ey thr ow him a wa y h e ca n n o t fin d wo rk bu t m u s t work a s

, ,

a S imp l e la borer Thu s it h a p p en ed w ith Hoj n a cki You write m e

. .

tha t a n y p ea sa n t ca n do the work which I do But y ou don t kn ow .

’

y e t wh a t work it is M yka wa n ted to wo rk a t th e l igh t a n d sa id tha t

he ha d wo rked a t the l igh t in th e ce m en t—
.

fa ctory bu t they refused to ,

a dm i t h im for th ey we re a fra id h e would sp oil some th in g I

l ea rn ed for a l mos t ha lf a yea r in help in g a n electro techn icia n a n d -
,

a s h e l ike d m e h e e xp l a in ed t o m e e ve rythin g so tha t n ow if

I got a p la n I could in sta l the l igh t m yself a n d I ca n decom p ose a n d

, ,

recomp ose a dyn a mo ma chin e An d if th e fa ctory s top s I ca n

do lock sm ith s work I ea rn n ow a lmos t 2 5 roubl es a n d la ter
'
’
,

I sha ll h a v e a lmost 3 5 roubles or even m ore N ow dea r fa ther don t , .

, ,
’

troubl e a bout m e I sha ll fin d my wa y a n d even help y ou Now

. .
1
,

dea r fa th e r I n eed a suit for Ea ste r for this on e which I ha ve is quite

, ,

sp oilt a n d I n ee d a l so shoes for t h ese which I h a ve a re t o rn ,

.

B esides this clea r fa ther sen d me som e n eckties ,

a n d if ,

they rea ch m e I sha ll beg y ou to sen d m e p erha p s 2 stiff shirts for I ,

h a ve on ly on e such a n d it is n ot enou gh I must ta ke it to ,

.

t he la u n dry t oo often
AB LKO W S KI J J
.

AN

Februa ry 21 ,
1 91 4
M OS T VED AND D EARE S T HU SB AND : I received your le tte r
B E LO

wr itten on Februa ry 8 As t o l en d in g m on ey y ou m a y ,

be ca l m for I a m n ot so silly a s to len d m on ey or to wa rra n t for a n y

,

body Y ou kn ow tha t I a m n o t ve ry ea ge r t o do su ch th in gs
. I .

won t l en d to m y brothe r e ith er for I kn ow how ea ger he is in p a ying

’
,

ba ck Now y ou a sk a bo ut my ove rcoa t

2
It is a l ittle worn .

ttit d t w rd work— pp r ci ti of skill d

We h v her t he
— w
1
a e e ne a u e o a a e a on an

effi i c en c
y a t ted i t he I t d cti
s s a E m i c Attit d s
n n ro u on :
“
con o u e .
”

A ig of th degree t o w h ich t h
1
s n ld soli da rity i di
e lved I p t life e o s sso . n ea sa n

m ey sh ou ld b len t not
on ly t e r a r la tiv
e ,
b t t ony memb r f t h
o so n m a e e, u o an e o e co

m u ity a d th q e ti
n , n f hi p yin g t h e debt w ld h rdly be ra i s d a s elf
e u s on o s a ou a e s

evid t S t he olid rity betw ee mem b r f t he f m ily i h r w a ker th t he

en . o s a n e s o a s e e e an

t ra diti a l solida rity bet w e

on m em ber f th mm ity e n s o e co un .
 41 0 PR I MAR Y G R O UP
-
OR GAN IZATI ON

on th e fron t sid eut th e p ocke ts a n d sleeves bu t it does n ot l ook

,
a bo ,

so ba d y e t Y ou writ e m e d ea r h u sba n d t o bu y a fur co ll a r bu t

.
, , ,

n ow I d on t w a n t t o bu y a n y for sp ri n g i s n ea r S in ce I did n o t b u y
’
.
,

in th e beg i n n i n g of the win te r I won t bu y n ow for imm e d ia t ely som e

’
,

p er son s would be f oun d r ea dy t o sa y tha t I did n ot bu y it for wi n te r ,

on ly for s u m m e r An d I S ha ll p u t this whol e 1 0 0 roubl es in to

the sa vin g s— ba n k ; I w on t d iv id e it As to the d ebts I ow e 8 ro u bl e s
’
.
,

t o m y fa th e r wh ich I l a cke d t o l ive for I ha ve n o t work e d for a lm os t

, ,

a m on th a n d J a n e k s sa l a ry d oes n o t su fi ce for ou r h ou seh old b eca u se

’
,

I sp en d n ow on eve rythin g on e rouble a da y Yes m y d ea r h usba n d .

,
.

S o I took 7 ro ubl es for l ivin g a n d 1 ro u bl e for your m o th er toge th er ,

8 r o u bl e s I ha ve n ot y et p a id these 2 roubles t o your m oth er wh i ch

.

I owed h er bu t I ga ve her this 1 rouble for sh e wa s a t the weddin g

, ,

of yo ur fos t e r da ugh te r Tom a szew ski ca m e t o i n vite m e a n d

-
.

m o th e r t o th a t we dd in g bu t wha t wa s th e n eed t o them of m y go i n g,

there An d n ow dea r h usba n d I owe still 1 0 roubles to Gelblu m

.
1
, ,

[ Jewish shop keep er] on the booklet [ in which goods ta ken on c re di t

a re in scribe d ] So I write y ou dea r h u sba n d t ha t I sha ll p u t th ese
.
, ,

1 0 0 ro u bl es in to the ba nk a n d I won t p a y th ese d ebt s Fa the r d oes ’ 2

.

n o t n ee d m on ey m u ch so I w ill p a y h i m 1 r ou ble on m y p a y da y a n d

1 r o u bl e on Ja n ek s p a y da y a n d th u s I sha ll p a y it ba ck g ra du a lly
’
.

An d from Gelblu m I won t ta k e n ow on th e bookl e t bu t a s fa r a s

’
,

p oss ibl e for ca sh un til y ou sen d m e m on e y for the ch ildren s c l o th in g ;

’
,

then p erha p s a few roubles w ill rema in fro m th e cloth i n g a n d these I

sh a ll p a y t o Gelblu m For th e ch ildren n eed cl oth es a bsolut e ly
,

. .

Ja n ek m ust ha ve a n othe r s u it for g oin g ou t a n d Oles ha s onl y on e ,

which h a s been rep a ired a lrea dy a n d h e ha s n othin g to p u t on when

h e goes t o ch urch N ow a s to t he J a lozos [h u sba n d s sis te r a n d
’
.
,

bro th er in la w] I Sha ll w r i te y ou wha t a bryn dza [ l ite ra lly sh eep

- -
,
”
sl a n g for ba d con d i tion m isery d isorde rly l if e
“ “ ” “
ch ee se ; or ,

there is n ow on ly in a n o th er le tter for n ow I a m not p a rticula rly

, ,

hea lthy I h a ve too tha ch e a n d m y a rm p a in s m e

. Goodby e ,

m y dea r Kos tu s for I l on g ve ry m u ch w i thout y ou , I kiss y ou .

h ea rtily in n u m e ra bl e t im es
Your W ife .

M ARCYANNA JAB LK O WS KA
N ow I kiss y ou on ce m ore stron gly N ow d ea r h usba n d Ol es w a s .
, ,

a l ittl e a n g ry beca u se you did n o t sen d k isse s for him in your l e tte r
, .

1
An other ttitu de wh ich w ld be q u it e i
a m p r he si bl i p t gr u p ou n co e n e n a e a sa n o .

1
I n rd r t t de troy t h r d m ber A vestig of t h q lit ti e
o e no o s e ou n nu . e e ua a v

ch ra ct r of econom i c q tities Cf I troductio E conom ic Attit des ”

a e uan . . n n : u .
41 2 P RI MAR Y GR O UP
-
OR GAN IZ ATI ON

told h er tha t I wo uld write to y ou bu t sh e does n o t kn ow tha t I w rite ,

rea lly So don t write t o h er a ll this tha t I tell y ou for she a lwa ys sa ys
.
’
,

tha t she will imp rove a n d it would be ve ry p a in ful for h er For she ,
.

is very good a n d obed ien t wh en I sen d h er to do a n y th in g on ly sh e ,

is so ha sty a n d wra th ful Y ou m a y a lwa ys a dmon ish h er in yo ur .

le tter to l ea rn well t o be good n ot t o figh t with boys a t h om e a n d in

, ,

the sch ool [ D e ta il s a bout h ea l th of the fa mi ly ; p a ge a n d a ha lf

.

a bout the cl ock which is ou t of o rder ; t wo p a ges a bo ut floo rs w in do w s , ,

a n d h u m id ity in th e a p a rt m en t ] But p erha p s a ll th is wi ll hold un t il

y ou com e ba ck for I d on t wa n t to occ up y m yself [ wi th rep a ir in g]
’
.
,

I h a ve a lrea dy the whole ho use up on my h ea d for a l though my dea r , ,

h u sba n d y ou k eep a ll ou r h om e in your m em ory y e t it is n ot a s if y ou

, ,

for ir bl f m ili ity t ris ith er b tw t h p r ts b tw t he

a n y un des a e a ar o a e, e e een e a en or e ee n

ch ildr w he t h y gr w p
en I t is th s m p ri cip l w h ich ll ws th c u try
n e o u . e a e n e a o e o n

n oblem a to b m h m r f mi li r t rm s wi th th e p s t
n e on uc th e J e w tha n with
o e a a e ea an or

a yo e f the m iddl
n n o l ss d wh ich giv s th m m b r of th hi ghe t a i tocra tic
e c a ,
an e e e e s e s r s

f m il ie the gr t st f eed m i electin g frie ds Bu t i tow s where soci l

a s ea e r o n s n . n n ,
a

di ti tis nc very m i t a n d there i a o ti u ou p assa ge from t he lowest to

on s a re nu e s c n n s

t h high t l ss t h t sk f k p in g thes disti cti

e es c a ,
e u p i a very difli cu l t o
a o ee e n on s s n e,

th m r e t h l w r th g iv
o e so , cla e a d th
o m or i ig ific t t h b i o f dis
e e en ss n e e ns n an e as s

ti ti
nc A d s t he i tim y of ch ildr
on . n a m y l d to n i tim cy f p r t
ac d en a ea an n a o a en s , a n

th fri dship m d i ch ildh ood m y l st i l t r d ys th e p a re ts

e en a e n ve y a re a a n a e a ,
n a re r c

fu l t s l ct f
o t h ir h ild
e e p l ym t s f t h s m o
or e c f h igh r so i l ta n di g
r en a a e o e a e r o a e c a s n

a d t o k ep th m f
n e fr m a y c e cti with th os of
ar l w r l v l A se d
o n on n e on e a o e e e . c on

fa to a ct h r
c r lso d m p els p r ts t m k t h l cti
s e e a an co I t i t h e i mp r a en o a e e se e on . s o

t a n ceof m rs I th is re p e t t h
anne . try obility r li s p tr diti
n s c e cou n n e e u on a on ,

h eredity d t h ge er l h m
, an tm p h r d i t fra id th t t h ch ildr w ld
e n a o e a os e e an s no a a e en ou

l th eir good m
ose r i p l yi g with p a nne s t ch ildr Th n m do s a t h ld
n ea sa n en . e sa e e no o

i tow p a ticul rl y i t he l wer middle l ss wh re good m

r a n r a o rt i c a e a n n e s a re n a
-
n ns, ,

fi i l
c a d im ita t d p r d t
an d be
e ily lo t Fi lly t he m o a l c ide a
o uc an ca n ea s s . na ,
r on s r

tio p l y i t w s m r im p rta t p rt th i t h
n a s n o n a try town ch ild e e
o e o n a an n e cou n , as -
r n ar

ge er lly m ore sp il d
n a d it i m diffic l t t o a void
o e , de ir bl
an ta t s ore u un s a e con c .

Th re ult of al l th is i th t
e s h ild of lf e p ti g f mi l y c
s, selec t i t s
a no c a se -
r s ec n a an

c mp a i
o wi t h t t h c tr l f it s p a r ts n ot ev
n on s ou i s h ool ; a d p rti l rly
e on o o en , en n c n a cu a

no p la yin g p t h str t i s p rm itt d

u on An d a e ly tho who h a v littl
ee e e . s on se e e or

n oth i g t l s i
n oc i l st
o di g l t th ir ch il dre p l y p
o e n s a the tan t th str et
n e e n a u on s ree , e e

ch ildren co stit t rea lly a da n g rou eleme t f

n u e th thers fr m th m ra l p oi t e s n or e o , o e o n

o f V iew .

vid tly th r is
E i l l bl b t v ry str g i fl ue e of th is wh l
en ,
e e an n ca cu a e u e on n nc o e

sy tem of c
s tr l p th p sychol gy f t h you g ge ra tio I t m u st b t d
on o u on e o o e n ne n. e no e ,

h w ver th t a m vem t of dem oc a ti ti

o e ,
a i t h h ig her class s bega
o om e
en r za on n e e n s 20

or 3 ye rs a g o a d is gr wi g
0 a Th co t l f t h ch ildre i th is
n
p t till o n . e n ro o e n n res ec s

i ts bu t is b sed m or d m e u p o m erely m r l con id ra tion s B t th is

ex s ,
a e an or n o a s e . u

m v me t ha
o e ot y tn a ch d t he lower cla sse
s n wh o em i igid i th i
e re e s, r a n as r n e r

disti cti s s f rm erly

n on a o .
 JABLKOWSKI S ER I ES 41 3

we r e at hom e Ja n ek a n d Oles excha n ged t h ei r wa tches ,

Ol e s
h imself wa n ted to cha n ge .

Now m y d ea r h u sba n d I wa n t to tell y ou a few words a bo ut th e

, ,

Ja lozos K a sia [ th e wife] does n ot com e t o u s ; M icha l ca m e on ce

.
,

bu t I wa s n ot a t h om e [ Your] m other goes som e tim es to them . .

On ce wh en sh e ca m e ba ck She cried so m u ch sa y in g tha t th ey a re

, , ,

in su ch m ise ry Th ey did n ot p a y the ren t a n d a com p la in t a ga in s t

.

th em wa s m a de The p olice wa n ted to levy on th eir furn iture bu t

.
,

t hey ca rried i t t o a n oth e r h ou se a n d ha ve on ly a bed of boa rd s wh il e ,

th e ch ildr en s l eep u p on th e floor An d they qu a rr el a mon g the m .

selves M icha l tell s h er to go to wo rk bu t S h e sa ys tha t she ha d a

.
,

fo rtun e [ dowry] a n d won t go t o work But he sa ys tha t he ha s h er ’

.

fo rtun e in h is buttock [ desp ises it] Wh a t [he sa ys] is a fortun e worth .

wh en she does n ot kn ow how to ma n a ge the h ousehold A wo m a n is

w orth m ore who kn ow s how to ma n a ge eve ry thin g a lthough she is ,

p oor An d m other told him to t ry to get a j a n i tor s job S he [ K a sia ]

1 ’
. .

h a s sen t a boy t wice a lrea dy a skin g m e to l en d th em mon ey bu t le t

‘

her wa it t ill I do it But your moth e r would ca rry everyth in g t o

.

K a sia Your mother is just l ike my fa th er who would ca rry eve ry

—
.
,

th in g to [p roba b ly a n o the r da ugh te r] a n d would n ot sa y You ,

o ugh t not t o give Th ere wa s a l ittle p op p y wh ich they brough t

.

from Wola ; I don t even k n ow when m o th er ca rried it ou t But

’
.

n e ve r min d th e p opp y Sh e a sked m e to give her th e old shoes of

.

M a ni a a n d I ga ve th em
,
I sha ll describe m ore in a nother le tter .
2
.

Goodbye d ea r hu sba n d I kiss y ou hea rtily

, ,
.

Your a lwa ys well wishin g a n d lovin g wife ~

,

M AR CYANNA JABLKOWS KA
I kiss y ou on ce m ore stron gly dea r h usba n d , ,
a nd good by e . Work
h a pp ily with God .

63 4 Ma rch 1 7, 1 914

MOS T B ELO VE D HU S B AND : [ Le tters re ceive d a n d wr itten ; de scrip

t ion of her sickn ess ] worried when I la y
N ow I te ll you , I wa s so

in be d y ou ha ve n o id ea a n d it is imp ossibl e to d escribe beca u se y ou

, , ,

1
A a pp reci tio m ore a da p ted t th
n a on diti n s of t w
n w rkm th to o e c o o n- o en an

th ose o f f rm rs fo i t he first c s fort

a e ,
rha s m e ly
n a dditi l v lue a s a e une re an on a a

co mp d w ith t h sa la y w h il i t h s co d it is bs lutely fu da men ta l for the

a re e r , e n e e n a o n

wh l lif org i a ti on
o e e- an z .

1
I th is conn ectio th older gener tion is simp ly ca rry i g o t the idea s o f
n n e a n u

fa m ilia l solida rity .

41 4 P RI M AR Y G R O UP OR G AN I ZATI ON

were n ot a t h ome . d to m e tha t if y ou sa id t o m e even

For it seem e

a sin gl e word I sh o uld be h ea lth i er M oreove r l e tters a re n ow so .

,

la te from y ou ; they d on t a rrive n orm a lly ’

N ow d ea r h u sba n d .
, ,

a s t o the good h ea rt whe th e r I h a ve a good h ea rt towa rd y ou or n o t

, ,

I tell y ou on ly this th a t a s I love God a n d wa n t m y soul s sa lva tion

,
’

a ft e r m y d ea th I a lwa y s l o ve y ou a n d a lw a y s h a ve a good a n d con

,

s ta n t h ea rt to wa rd y ou Ye s m y d ea r h u sba n d. An d I would ,
.

n eve r wr i te a n y tes ty th in g s in m y l e tte r s b u t yo ur self d ea r h u sba n d , , ,

y ou l ea d [ in ci te] m e t o do it An d I sha ll wr ite y ou m y cl ea r a few

.
, ,

word s from a good h ea rt M y dea r wh en y ou l ea rn a n ythin g a bout

.
,

m e a n d it does n ot p l ea se y ou y ou ough t t o wr i te m e a t on ce , So an d ,

so m y dea r ( or h ow eve r e l se i n yo ur m a nn er ) a n d I h ea r t ha t y ou
, , ,

h a v e been wh e r e I d on t w ish y ou to go F or I ev en a ckn owle d ge

’ ”
.

t ha t y ou a re righ t wh en y ou wr it e th a t it i s n ot a fit co mp a n y for m e ,

a n d I reg re tte d m y se lf th a t I w a s the r e a n d I sa id to m y se lf t ha t I

will n ever m ore go a n ywhe re An d y ou write m e a bout it a fte r a .

yea r a s if y ou ha d wa ite d for som eth i n g m o re t o m a ke a con vic t ion

,

a ga in s t m e Y es m y d ea r h u sba n d I sha ll n eve r be a n gry w ith y ou

.
, , ,

even if y ou wr i t e m e som e thin g l ike this in e very l e tte r a n d if y ou

m a k e a n y rem a rk s t o m e for y ou ha ve th e r igh t a n d y ou ough t t o

,

m a k e rem a rk s to m e wi thout a n y fea r if y ou a re d isp l ea sed w i th ,

a n ythin g a n d I sha ll l is t en t o y ou a t a n y t im e
,
Y e s m y d ea r es t .
,

h u sba n d .

[ Ca lcul a t ion of in come a n d exp en ses ] My d ea r h u sba n d on ce ,

m ore I m a k e this re m a rk for y ou wri te p recisely th a t y ou did n o t

,

in ten d to a n swer m y l e tt e r It wa s very ba d of you to thin k so a n d

.
,

t o ha v e written on ly a ft e r l is ten in g t o the a dv ice of Ku m Wi e rz ba .

M y dea r h u sba n d I wr it e t o y ou wi th a good in ten t ion witho ut a n y

, ,

wra th a n d it seem s t o m e tha t y ou w ill a gree w ith m e An swe r m e

, .

whe ther I d on t write t he truth my dea r h u sba n d th a t y ou ough t t o

’
, ,

a n sw e r w i th out h esit a t ion e v e ry l e tt er g oo d or ba d a n d tha t ,

y ou o ugh t to a ccep t e v e ry thin g from m e wh e th e r it is wr itten g ood ,

or ba d [p ra i se or b l a m e] a n d I m u s t a l so a ccep t from y ou
, good a n d
ba d wr itin g We m u st l ist en t o ea ch o th er in ord er th a t it m a y be
.

well un til we a re un ited w ith ea ch o th er for I w ish ou r l ife to be

, ,

h a pp y a s l on g a s we l i v e up on t he world An d d on t l is ten t o a n y
’
.

Ha m s wh a tever they m a y tell y ou a ga i n s t me or to a n y a p es wha tever , ,

they m a y wri te y ou in th ei r l e tters a bout m e An d if a n ythin g com es .

1 0 y our ea rs a bout m e wr i te m e a t on ce a n d I w ill l is ten t o y o u a n d

,

won t be a n gry a t a ll if y ou m a k e a n y rema rk t o m e For I d on t

’ ’
.
 41 6 PRI M AR Y GRO UP
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

m en d in g shoes wo uld la ugh to see how he m en d s a n d

You
qua rrel s with his gra n dfa th e r For n ow your fa th er is here a n d a lw a ys
.

in terf e re s with Ol es a s h e l ikes t o in terfe re with eve rythin g bu t

, ,

O le S d oes n o t a ll ow him t o te ll him a n yth in g sa yin g H ow m u ch “

, ,

do y ou kn ow a bout it ? I kn ow m yself wha t t o do N ow d e a r

”
.
,

h u sba n d a s to th e ca rbol ic a cid y ou ca n be p erfec tly su re for I h a ve

, , ,

p oure d it ou t a lrea dy I g ive y ou my wo rd of hon or tha t I tell t h e

.

truth ; I used it on ly som e tim es for my teeth [Two p a ges describin g .

h er sickn e ss ; con cern for her h u sba n d s h ea lth ; h ygien ic a dv ice ] S o

’

p l ea se c a r e for yourse lf th a t y ou m a y co m e ba ck in good h ea lth a n d

l ookin g w ell I beg y ou on ce m ore dea r h usba n d ca re for your h ea lth
.
, , ,

for I l ook ha d n ow a l so a fter m y sick n ess a n d th us w e migh t bo th get ,

overwork e d m y d ea r h u sba n d a n d dur in g ou r wo rk t he g ra ve m ig h t

, ,

cover u s a n d w e m igh t n ot rej o ice with ea ch o th er u p on this whi t e

world Yes m y d ea r a n d beloved h usba n d

.
,
.

N ow a s t o R a fa lowa a bout m y goin g the re wi th m y ch ildr en

, .

Wh en I a m there n obody el se is th ere excep t R a fa lowa a n d M a t e usz

a n d th ei r ch ildr en She buys a sm a ll bo ttl e of vodka a n d a bo ttl e
.

of beer w e p u t our m on ey tog e th er [ t o bu y i t ]

, O l es p la ys th e a cco r .

deon a l ittle ; the children da n ce we la ugh a t th em a n d th us a little , ,

tim e p a sses S om etim es th ey come t o m e a l so a lon e But we d on t

.
, .
’

m ee t so oft en ; duri n g t he wh ole su mm er I w a s t he re 3 tim es a n d they

were in m y h ou se 2 ti m es Th ey a re ve ry p ol ite towa rd u s This is
. .

th e onl y def ec t tha t they a re n o t ma rrie d a n d l ive so

,
They in ten d .

t o m a rry bu t they p ostp on e it th u s from da y t o da y

, .

M ARCYAN NA JAB LK OW S KA

63 6 [ Ma rch 22 ,
1 9 1 4]
D E ARE S T AND M OS T BELO V E D
FATHE R : I beg y ou very m uch sen d ,

m e a c rea m white ribbon of th e sa me brea dth a s tha t on e which y ou

-

sen t m e for th e hol ida y s Th en I sha ll ha ve a sca rf for m y dress for

.

th e firs t comm un ion I beg y ou very m uch he so gra ci ous a n d bu y

.
,

i t a n d sen d it to m e a s soon a s p ossibl e a fter y ou r ece ive th is l e tte r .

I beg y ou ve ry m uch a n d I kiss your ha n d s ea ch fin ger a n d ea ch

, , ,

ey e a n d e a ch ea r a n d y our n ose a n d yo ur ch in a n d yo ur chee ks

, , , , ,

a n d y our n eck [ a ll the word s i n d im in ut ive form ] e ve rywh e r e a n d ,

e verywh e r e m y d ia m on d littl e fa ther wh o loves m e

, I a m in good , .

h ea l th tha n k s to God a n d th en goodbye

, Wri tten by yo ur lov in g
, .

d a ugh ter , M ARYS I A JAB LK O W S KA [ 1 0 yea rs old]

 JABLKOWS KI SERI ES 41 7

D E ARE S T FATHER : I a m in good hea l th

AND M OS T B E LO E D V ,

th a n k s to God a n d I wish y ou the sa m e w ith my whole hea rt a n d my

,

whole so ul N ow dea r fa ther I ha ve m en d ed eve ry body s shoes a n d

.
, ,
’
,

a fter ca lc ula tion i t a mo u n t s t o 1 roubl e 50 cop ecks a n d I h a ve ca l , ,

c u la ted every thin g twice chea p e r th a n a shoem a k er would ta ke So .

I beg y ou dea r fa th er sen d m e either in a l e tter 2 doll a r n otes then

, ,
-
,

mother would go t o th e ba n k a n d ch a n ge them give m e 1 rouble ,

50 cop eck s a n d ta k e the res t h e rself ; or when y ou sen d mon ey sen d ,

a l so th ese 1 r 50 c for m e . I hav e n othin g m ore to write on ly

.

I kiss your dea r ha n ds a n d your dea r hea d a n d your dea r fa ce h ea rtily

inn u m e ra bl e t ime s a n d on ce m ore I kiss y ou inn u mera ble tim es
,
.

Goodbye m os t beloved a n d dea res t fa the r Written by your son

,
.
,

l ov in g a n d n eve r fo rge ttin g y ou a n d wa n tin g to see y ou a n d to kiss ,

y o u a s m a n y t im es ,

ALE KS ANDE R [ OLE S] JAB LKO WS K I [ 1 2 or 1 3 yea rs old]

63 7 Ap ril 1 8, 1 91 4
D E AR HU S BAND : [ Lon g a ccou n t of ren ova tion of house a n d furn i
tu re ] As to Ea ster I wa s in R a fa lowa s home on Good S un da y for
.
,
’
,

she sen t a g irl a sk in g u s t o com e On M on da y I s ta yed a t h om e a n d .

slep t th e whole a fte rn oon for n ow th ere a re n o h ol ida ys for m e n oth in g

, ,

r ej o i ces m e a t a ll On T u esda y the R a fa ls ca lled on m e bu t ,

I wa s going to n igh t work a n d they sta yed on ly on e hou r a n d a ha lf

-
.

I brough t 5 bo ttles of bee r a n d tha t wa s a ll N obody el se

com es t o u s a n d I g o n owhe re [ Ca lcula tion of in com e a n d exp en ses ] 1
.

N ow a g a in I m u st bu y shoes for your mother beca use she ha s a lrea dy ,

som e p a tch es up on h ers a n d she beg in s to ta lk th a t sh e won t wa lk n ow

’

a n y m or e in shoes w ith p a tch e s I sh a l l d escribe to y ou some da y .

wha t she sa ys for she does n ot l ike to be w ith u s She wa n ts u s to

, .

g ive her the m on ey ba ck a n d she would ra ther be free Yes my .

,

d ea r h usba n d [ D e ta ils a bout hea l th ] D ea r h usba n d y ou write

. .
,

m e to go som e tim es w ith th e ch ildren to th e h igh m a ss I n w in ter I .

n ev er wen t n e ithe r w ith th em n or a lon e for it wa s t oo cold

, Now , .

i t is wa r m e r bu t I ha ve n ot m uch t o wea r a n d M a ni a ha s n o s ummer

, ,

over coa t a n d n ow th e w ea th er is co ld
, My su mmer overcoa t
is quite worn a n d n ot n ice en ou gh to go to th e chu rch Instea d of .

p uttin g a n ythin g wha teve r on m yself I p refe r to sta y a t hom e for , ,

1
i
E v den tly t h e h u sba n d does n ot like her t o ha ve m y socia l rel tion s
an a . The
ti sm of th
e go e m a rria ge g -
roup a ssert it elf eve
s s n in this m a tter .
 41 8 PR I M AR Y -
G RO UP OR GAN IZATI ON

a t on ce som e p eop l e
would be f oun d who would sa y tha t Ja blkowska
wa lks in such a worn a n d ou t Of fa shion o vercoa t S o I p refer t o - -
.

s ta y a t h om e for w e a re e very wh ere ta lke d a bout th a t bo th t he

, ,

Ja blkowski s a re cle ve r a n d la boriou s p eop le tha t y ou a re workin g in ,

Am e ri ca a n d sen di n g m on ey wh ich we p u t in to th e ba n k tha t I a m ,

worki n g a n d Ja n ek a l so tha t we dress well a n d the childr en a re

, ,

n icely dr esse d Th us they sa y cle ver p eop le do N ow dea r hu s

.
, ,
.
1
,

ba n d I should l ike t o bu y a su m m e r dre ss a n d a n ice Ski rt a n d a n ice

,

ove rcoa t a n d a l so a n ove rcoa t for M a n ia

, N ow I m u s t bu y for .

M a ni a a white dr ess a n d slip p ers for Pen tecost beca use sh e is goin g t o ,

h er fir st con fession My h ea d a ch es w ith a ll th is tha t a lwa ys som e

.
,

thin g i s n eede d S o m y dea r h u sba n d wh en y ou sen d m on ey som e

.
, ,

da y if y ou sen d m e 1 0 0 roubles a n d som e m or e I will bu y som eth i n g

, , ,

bu t if y ou sen d on ly 1 0 0 I won t bu y a n y thin g ; I will S it a t h om e a n d

’
,

p u t th ose 1 0 0 roub les in to th e ba n k beca u se I wa n t y ou to com e ba ck ,

a s soon a s p ossib le for I worry m u ch w ithout y ou Yes m y d ea r

, .
,

h u sba n d .

D ea r h usba n d I a sk y ou wh e th er it is true th a t y ou ha ve kill ed

, ,

in com p a n y w ith Wie rzba a p ig t h a t Wi erzba wr ot e th u s For on ce , , .

Koza k ca m e to m e wh en I wa s in th e fa c to ry a n d a ske d : Ha s Ku m
[ your h u sba n d ] wri tten a l etter n ow ? I sa y : Why do y ou a sk ? ” “

An d h e l a ughs An d wha t does h e wri te ? I sa y

”
He ha s ”
“
.

N othin g in p a rtic ul a r He is in g ood h ea lth th a nks t o God An d

“
.
, .

”
wha t is th e ma tter ? He sa ys : N o thin g on ly m in e [ m y w ife] sa id “
,

tha t Wierzba s wife sa id tha t Wi erzba wro te th a t they k ille d a p ig

’

”
together So I a m curious whe ther i t is true for ev en if y ou did i t
.
, ,

i t is a ll righ t [ U sua l en din g ] .

M AR CYANN A JAB LKO WS KA

63 8 Ma y 8, 1 91 4
D E ARHU S BAND : I receive d your p os tca rd for which I tha n k y ou
hea rt ily N ow d ea r husba n d t o this p os t ca rd I a n swe r y ou by
.
, ,

a l e tte r n o t by a p ost ca rd beca u se I wr o te y ou a

, p ostca rd on Ma y 1 , ,

a n d I ca n no t sen d y ou th u s on e p ost ca rd a fte r a n o th er for i t o u h t

g ,

n ot to be d on e so A p ostca rd ough t to be sen t a fter a l e tt er a n d n ot

.
,

Com p
1
t h h igh oci a l st
a redi g f J blk w ka with th c
e f B kow k
s an n o a o s e a se o or s a .

The comm ity d i slik s a d pp un t h i s l ti a nd g ti m f t h e m rri g

e n o ose s e o a on e o s o a a e

gr p b t m st r sp t
ou u d k wl dg t he
u e p ri ity wh ich
ec lid rity d
an a c no e e su e or so a an

e ffi ci cy g iv t th is g r p
en Th p iti
e o f the l tt r i we ker th th t f th
ou . e os on o a e s a an a o e

l rg fa mily gro p b t i compa a bly stro g th tha t f a isola t d i dividu a l

a e -
u ,
u n r n er an o n e n .
4 20 PRI MAR Y G R OUP
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

a nd he c a nn o t off en d m e in a ny o ther wa y , for I

h a v e m y hon o r a n d
I don t ’
r
versa tion s So h e
ca e a bo ut a n y con . wa s v ery l o ud m o u thed -

a n d sa id tha t I wa s t oo g rea t a la dy th a t s u ch a l a dy o ugh t n ot t o ,

work in such a bla ck fa c to ry room bu t to sit in h er a p a rtm en ts Ye s .

,

m y d ea r h usba n d An d I t ell y ou tha t I wi ll work onl y un til y ou

.

com e for i t is a p i ty for [ m e t o lose] m y h ea lth workin g wi th su ch

,

Ha m s [ Hea l th d e ta il s ] N ow I write y o u a few wo rds m ore a bo ut

.

O l es He fin i shed th e school a n d we o ugh t t o thin k of hi s h a vin g

.

som e occ up a t ion So d ecide p lea se a n d wr i t e m e . wh a t to do , ,

.

He a lwa ys drea m s either a bo ut go i n g to a drug s tore a n d l ea rn in g t o -

be a sa l esma n or t o a p ress t o be a p rin te r

, ,
.

[ M A RCYANN A]

63 9 Ma y 2 6, 1 91 4

D E AR HU S BAN D
I received 1 0 0 ro ubles a n d p u t them in to
th e ba n k so n ow th ere a re 7 0 0 roubles in th e ba n k
,
An d for .

m y e xp en ses I took a l oa n from the ba n k bu t I a m n o t ve ry m uch ,

I

sa t isfie d for I h a ve ta k en th e l oa n a n d h a v e n o t bo ugh t e v e rythin g

wh i ch I n eed ed I on ly go t a ng ry in the worst w a y n othing ,

m ore For if bo th of u s h a d been here we S hould soon e r h a ve g iven

.
,

good a dvi ce t o ea ch o th er wha t t o do S o I took a l oa n of 4 0 rou bles ,

. .

An d th e re w a s m ore tro u bl e th a n m on ey It is h a pp y tha t .

I kn ow h ow t o write a n d it m a kes n o difleren ce to m e beca use I ha d

An d th ose who ca n n o t sign —
,

t o S ign 6 t im es . wha t a sh a m e it
is ! Th e ofli cia l a n d th e d oork eep er la ugh a t h im [En um era tes the .

e xp en ses a n d d escribes th e c lo thin g bo ugh t up on 4 p a ges ; a dds a ,

de ta iled a ccoun t ] N ow d ea r h usba n d this sm a ll bo ttle of vodka a n d , ,

th e za kqs ka [ r el ishes] which y ou fin d written u p on t he sc ra p we dra n k ,

it w ith Sy roka s wife I sha ll d escribe to y ou in wh a t w a y Wh en

’
. .

I h a d n o le tter from y ou for so lon g a tim e I im a gin ed God

1
uld be les tro bl som
I t wo d l ss e p siv t s p d p rt f th s
u e e an e x en e o s en a a o e e

1 00 r ble in ste d f t ki g lo f th e i t r t t e et o l a a mo t to
ou s a o a n a an , or n e es ,
ax s, c .
,
n a o n un

twic m ch a s th i tere t wh i h h e
e as u g t he
e w mo y
n B t th er is
s c s ca n e on r o n ne . u e

ev ide tly r m i d r f th ld disti ctio b tw e p p rty s a f d m tal

n a e a n e o e o n n e e n ro e a un a en ,

no t p r ly u eom ic c t gory d i c m s
econ d exp es Th l
a e i class d ,
an n o e an en s . e oa n s e

w ith t he l a tt r a d ot r la ted t o t h e p r p ty
e , n I t is a e a ct p ra llel with t h
n e o er . n x a e

disti ti o b twee m ortg g

nc n d e di y d bt The la tter i t he p e t
n a e an or nar e .
, n a sa n
’
s

ey s d e ot h rm th p r p rty
e ,
o s n ch a l y t h i om e d
e
pe ys tem
o e a s su , on e nc -
an -
ex n se s .

Th ther p i t h r i th p r dil ct i f
e o o n ro d m h dr d is a n n ti ty
e e s e e e on or a un su
'
a un e e

wh i h w u ld b d m a ged by su btra t i g a yth i g from t

c o e a C f ot p 4 c n n n i . . n e 2 , . 10 .
 JABLKOWS KI SER I ES 42 1

kn ows wha t ! Tha t you were sick or tha t y ou ha d got so in di ff eren t ,

.

An d I wen t to Syroka a n d sa id so : Tell me m y fortun e from ca rd s “

,

ku ma whethe r m y h u sba n d is h ea l th y for I h a v e h a d n o le tte r

, ,

for a l on g tim e An d sh e l a id th e ca rd s a n d sa id : Ku m is h ea lthy

“
.

a n d w orks a n d durin g this w eek y ou will r eceiv e a l e tte r wi th good

,

n ews a n d a big su m of m on ey is on th e wa y so d on t g rieve for on

’
, ,

S un da y y ou w il l go [ to the p os t ofli ce] for m on ey An d I sa id : If “

-
.

your word s p rove true ku ma I will trea t y ou when the mon ey com es
, ,
.

An d th u s it h a pp en ed I received your le tter on Th ursda y a n d the

.

p os t n ot ifica t ion a bout m on ey on M on d a y a n d I h a d to trea t her

-
.
,

S o wh en I re turn ed from th e town wi th M a n ia a n d O les I brough t a ,

sm a ll bo ttl e of sp iri t s a n d za kqska a n d w e w en t t o S y roka a n d dra n k

,

it An d p l ea se a n swer m e wh ether y ou a re a n g ry wi th me or
n ot for h a vin g dr un k this bottl e w ith Sy roka .

D ea r h usba n d I write y ou a few wo rd s a bo ut th is Wierzba s

,
’

m on ey It is so m y dea r h usba n d : I d on t wish Ku m Wierzba t o

.
,
’

sen d m oney to m y a ddress First I don t wish to be a t the service ’

.
,

of Wie rzba S econ d sh e w ill bea r a sa va ge cl a im why Wierzba

.
, ,

sen d s mon ey to my a ddr ess n o t t o h e rs For e ven if I ta lk wi th her

,
.

when ever it is n ecessa ry I sha ll a lwa ys rem embe r th ose words which
,

she t h r e w a ga in s t m e u n ju s tly God is w itness wh e ther she wa s

.

righ t ! An d so to sp ea k I d on t w ish to ca use Wie rzba this p a in for

,
’
,

y ou l ive w ell w ith ea ch o ther a n d it would n ot be s u ita ble t o offen d

him for h e is a ve ry fin e ma n
,
But she is a n a ccom p lished swin e
.
,

a lthough m y ku ma S o wh en this m on ey com es I sha ll dra w it

.
,

from the p os t ofli ce a n d im me dia tely there I sha ll give it to her An d

-
.

I do it for y ou dea r h usba n d a n d for th e law n for h e a sks m e p olitely

—
, , , .

[ C h ur ch goin g ; a sks for p ra yer books ] MARCYAN NA

-

[ ]

640 M a rch 2 8, 1 91 4
D E ARE S T AND MOS T B E LOVED HU S B AN D : [Ea s ter w ishes ; m oney
received a n d sp en t ] N ow dea r h usba n d I write y ou a few words
, ,

a bo ut Lu cek [hu sba n d s bro th er] a n d his w i fe for I w a s w ith th em

’
, ,

just n ow Lucek bega n t o a buse u s sa yin g tha t we la cke d con fiden ce

.
,

in th e m a n d were a fra id t o l en d th em som e mon ey H e wa s oflen ded .

w ith y ou for n o t ha vin g written the l e tter t o him bu t ha vin g sen t it ,

in m y l e tter for I ga ve them this l e tter w ith out the en vel op e beca use
, ,

I did n o t n otice the i n scrip tion To be forwa rd ed to Lu cek a n d ,

“ ”

tore the en velop e I did n ot give them the envel op e therefore bu t

.
,
42 2 PR I MAR Y G RO UP
-
OR GAN IZATI ON

sa i d tha t th e le tter wa s in closed in m in e An d why sh ould we turn .

ou r h ea d s [ trou ble ou r selves] a bo ut th e Lu ceks We h a v e en ough of

ou r own trou bl es We should n e ver com e t o a n en d w ith th em
. .

Lu cek bega n a t on ce to worry m e a skin g m e to l en d h im 1 0 0 roubles ,

n eve rth e l ess e ven wi th out y o ur kn ow in g i t

,
I sa id tha t I p ositive ly .

wo uld n ot l en d wi tho ut yo ur kn owi n g it Luce k bega n t o la ugh a t .

m e sa yin g th a t I wa s a fra id of y ou An d I sa id : Y e s i t is true I

“
.
, , ,

a m a fra id My h u sba n d wr ote m e th a t he con fided every thin g t o

.

m e bu t on th e con d it ion th a t I would n ot l en d m on e y t o a n ybody ,

e i th e r of m y fa m ily or of h is o wn I write to m y h usba n d a bout e very.

rouble which I sp en d I m ust l is ten t o m y h usba n d a n d n obo dy el se

. .
”

I h a d t o fin d a n excuse for h e wo rried m e a bo ut this l oa n H e sa id .

th a t h e will write a le tter to y ou som e da y bu t I don t k n ow wh a t ,

’

a bo ut H e sa id th a t we sh a ll s t ill beg h is fa vor som e da y

. I s he ou r .

fa ther or wha t else S tup id Lu cek !

M AR CYANNA JAB LK OW S K A

Ap r il 7 , 1 9 1 4

B E LOVE D H U S B AN D
AN D D E ARI ha ve a lre a dy bough t
s uit s for t he boys But I fea red t o do it m yself a n d Ja n ek a l so
. .

Ja n e k sa id If som e m a n were w ith u s i t w ould be be tter for he w ould

,
“
,

see h ow th is s u i t l ook s a n d wh e th e r it fit s m e w ell for y ou m o t h e r

, , , ,

won t k n ow it a s well
’
We ha d n obody to a sk to go w ith u s e x cep t
.
”

Ad a m J a blkowski S o we wen t t o him a n d I sa id t o h im a few w ords

.

a n d w e wen t a t on ce t o th e J ew a n d Ja n e k sel ec te d a s u i t w h i ch ,

p l ea sed h im Th e J ew a sked 2 2 rou bl es for th is s u i t ; Ad a m

off ere d h im 1 0 Th e J ew sa id You a re j okin g a n d sa id
“ “
.
21, , ,
"

ro u bles Ada m offered 1 1

. Th e J ew ba rga in ed sa y in g t ha t h e
.
,

could n ot give i t a w a y a t s u ch a p r ice a n d a ske d 2 0 Then Ad a m .

told h im to selec t a n o th er su it for OleS th en we would com e t o a n ,

a g r eem en t on both together S o we sel ec te d a su i t for O l e s from

.

bla ck cl o th It p lea sed Oles a n d is n ice en o ugh Th e Jew .

a sk e d 2 0 ro ubl es for both a n d Ad a m oflered 1 8 I did n ot ba rg a in

'

, .
,

for I did n o t f eel qu ite well on ly Ada m They a greed up on 2 0 roubl es

, .

a n d I p a id 2 0 roubles 1 4 for Ja nek s a n d 6 for O leS s u i t I did n ot ’ ’

, .

exp ec t th a t we sho uld bu y a t su ch a p ri ce for the st u fl is b e tt e r tha n ,

in the old on es a lthough they cost m o re

, [ En u m era tes o th er ex .

p en ses ] N ow d ea r h usba n d when we bough t th e s u i t J a n ek sa id

, , ,

N ow m other let u s ta k e a drin k on th is occa sion

, ,
Though I .
424 PR I M ARY —
G R O UP OR GAN IZATI ON

643 Jun e 7 1 9 1 4 ,

D E AR E S T AND M OS T B E LO VE D H U SBAND : [ L e tter s de la yed ] I

write y ou a few words p recisely a bout thi s ch risten in g in Ada m s ’

hou se . I a m n ot sa tisfied with it a t a ll for I g rudge these 6 ro ubles ,

which we ha ve sp en t for ea ch roubl e is a wfully n ecessa ry t o m e B ut

,
.

i t wa s im p ossible t o a ct o th e rwise for there wo uld be m ore ta lkin g

tha n a ll this is wor th For if he ha d sa id to Ja n ek tha t it w a s a
.

ch ris t en in g w e sho uld n ot h a ve g on e a t a ll But I ca n n o t sa y th a t

they ha ve trea ted u s ba dl y—God f orbid ! They beha ve d ve ry
.

p ol itely for th e ch risten in g wa s on S un da y a n d o n M on d a y popra wi n y

, ,

a n d we r e tur n ed ra th e r l a te on b o th e ven in gs a b out m idn igh t a n d , ,

h e brough t u s hom e in a ca b bo th t im es I wa s th ere a n d Ja n ek a n d .

Ma nia wh ile O le s
,
wa s in th e coun try wi th his comp a n i on .

[ D escribes w i th whom a n d h ow lon g he sta yed ; why she p ermitte d

h im t o go et c ] An d th ese M a je wskis [Ada m s frien d s] a d mir e d
’
.
,

[won dered] tha t I a m s till so youn g a n d ha ve s uch big a n d ha n d som e

a n d g ood children An d they won d ered th a t Ja n ek w a s goin g ou t
.

w ith m e ; th ey sa id that a n o th e r boy would n o t be will in g [ M on ey .

m a tters ; choice of ca reer for O l e s ]

N ow d ea r h u sba n d I wri te y ou a few word s tha t Gola siowa h a s
, , ,

a ske d m y p a rdon for sh e w a s in Cz es toch owa [ on a p ilg r im a ge] a n d

, ,

a fter this sh e ca m e t o m e a n d beg a n t o cry a n d t o beg my p a rd on ,

a n d sh e w a n te d t o k iss m y ha n d bu t I did n ot a llo w h er a n d w e , ,

k issed ea ch other in the f a ce An d she a ske d m e to beg your p a rdon

.
,

tha t y ou m igh t n o t be a n g ry w ith her Now I in fo rm y ou d ea r .

,

h u sba n d wha t a m i sfortun e befell Brzozowsk i

, He wen t a l so .

t o Am e rica a n d his wife d ie d h e re a n d 4 sm a ll childr en

rem a in ed P eop le wrote for him to come On ly don t be imp ressed

. .
’

with it m y d ea r husba n d for we a re in good hea lth tha nks t o God

, , , .

If I a m a l ittl e un well n ever mi n d for I a m n o t very sick eith er ; I

, ,

wa lk I work p erha p s gra dua lly this sickn ess will p a ss I write y ou
, , .

on a sep a ra t e scra p wh a t is th e m a tt e r with m e [The scra p wa s .

p roba bly d es troyed by the sen d e r of the l e tte rs ] An d if I wr it e y ou

tha t sh e is d ea d why y ou don t n eed t o g rieve a bo ut a n ybody e l se
’
, ,

e xcep t your self a n d yo ur fa m ily S o d on t m in d it m u ch I write ’

. .

y ou th is n e w s th a t y ou ma y k n o w for I a m a l so c uriou s when y ou ,

write m e a n ythin g l ike this N ow d ea r h usba n d I write y ou a bout

.
, ,

this sickn ess of mi n e sin ce wha t tim e I ha ve n ot felt w ell My dea r

, .

h u sba n d [ it h a s been ] sin ce y ou wro t e m e d isa g reea bl e l e tters a bo ut

 JABLKOWS KI S ER I ES 42 5

th is whole trou bl e When Wierzba s wife told u s n othin g a n d you

.
’
,

were in su ch a wra th a ga in st m e un justly Onl y don t be a n gry with .

’

m e a ga in for m en tion ing this for I d on t rem ember it a n y m o re [ I

,
’

h a ve forg iven ] But when you a sk m e sin ce wha t tim e I ha ve been

.

un well I write y ou t he p ositive truth If y ou ha d n ot a ske d m e I

, .

would n ot ha ve written a t a ll S o it wa s my dea r h usba n d tha t I.

, ,

c r ie d very m uch a n d could n ot ea t a n d co uld n ot slee

p on ly grieve d ,

tha t y o u ha d so l ittle confi den ce in m e a n d l istened to gossip An d I .

worke d m ore th a n ever [ D escribes her work; writes wha t t he

.

fa c tory do ctor p rescribed ] An d th e d octor told m e th a t if I don t

-
’

f eel be tter I m us t go to a sp ecia list for wom en s disea ses a n d I shoul d

,
’
,

go a n d should n ot g rudge the m oney bu t to tell the tru th d ea r hu s , , ,

ba n d I a m a sha m e d
,
.

[ MARCYANNA]

644 Jun e 1 7,

D E ARES T AN D MO S T B E LOVE D HU S B AN D : [Two p a ges d esc ribin g

receip t of a l e tte r in a torn en ve lop e a n d a skin g him n o t to sen d su ch
thi ck le tte rs beca u se th e p os t ofli cia ls th i n k they con ta in m on ey
-
.

Th ree p a ges item izin g exp en ditures e tc ] I write y ou a few word s , .

a b out M a n ia Write a shee t to her a n d a dm on ish h er to be m ore

.

p oli t e a n d n ot t o fi gh t with Ja n ek for wh en he m a ke s a n y rem a rk ,

t o h er a n d p ushes he r a l i ttl e she begin s a t on ce to cry a wfully a n d

,

jum p s a t him O n ce he told her n o t t o ea t in t he courtya rd for I

. ,
,

wo rk e d a t n igh t a n d she wen t in to the courtya rd with a p o t [of food]

,
.

S h e did n ot lis ten a n d he s truck h er a little on the fa ce

, She ca m e .

imm e d ia te ly to m e to the fa c tory weep in g a n d sa id th a t Ja n ek ha d , ,

bea t en her on th e fa ce I go t a n gry wen t hom e a n d a sked who w a s

.
,

gu ilty. They told m e so a n d so Th u s she ha d meri te d to be struck .

a l i ttl e. I got a n gry a n d sa id tha t by th e love of God I wo uld write

to you . An d I m u s t w ri te beca u se I ha v e sa id so N o w write he r .

n ot t o cry th u s a bout a n y trifl e for I t e ll y ou d ea r h u sba n d t ha t sh e

, , ,

is su ch a weep er tha t it is a wful S he cries a bout a n yth in g When

. .

I ha ve worked ov e r n igh t I a m u n willin g to go a n ywhe re I la y down

, ,

a n d t e ll h er M a n ia don t go a n ywhere in to the fie ld a lon e

,
“
,
’
Then .
”

sh e begin s t o weep a t on ce sa yi n g th a t sh e is worr ied a n d som e t im es ,

sh e l is t e n s som e t im es n o t a n d d oes n o t t ell m e wh e r e sh e is goin

, , g .

An d I a m a fra id for n ow d iff eren t a ccid en t s ha pp en ; I r ea d in th e

,

p a p e r w ha t is goin g on in th e w orld Th e refo re I don t a llow her to .

’
426 PR I M AR Y -
G R OU P O R G AN I ZATI ON

go l
a on e in to the fie ld . B ut sh e sa ys : Wh en t h e bo ys go ou t y ou
a re n o t a n g ry . An d I sa y :
“
It is p e rm itte d t o t he bo ys , fo r they
boy s , girl , y ou o u gh t n o t t o wa lk a l on e
”
a re and y ou a re a S o, m y .

d ea r hu sba n d , a d m on i sh he r a lwa ys , p e rha p s th en she w ill soon e r

l isten , for this cryi n g Of he rs a n ge rs m e a wfully M ore tha n . on ce I
got so a n gry tha t I ha d t o s trike h er bu t I should p ref er to ha ve her ,

lis ten t o m e when I tell her a n yth in g ra ther th a n t o bea t h er for it is , ,

n ot a p l ea sur e t o bea t a chi ld

N ow dea r h u sba n d I write y ou a bout O leS th a t h e fi n ish e d his

, , ,

sch ool a n d r ece ive d a v e ry good ce rt ifi ca t e n o th in g bu t five s

a n d t w o fo ur s [ 5 is th e high es t m a rk ] He re ceive d a boo k a s r ewa rd .

for h a v in g lea rn ed w ell This book cos ts p erha p s 2 rou bles bu t

.
,

u n ha pp ily it is R ussia n When h e wa s l e a vin g the tea ch e r k isse d him

.

on t h e h ea d a n d sa id tha t h e wo uld try p e rha p s t o get a job fo r h im .

An d O l e s ca m e hom e a n d sa id : Well m other give m e a few cop ecks “

, ,

for ha v in g p a ssed t he exa m in a ti on An d he wa s so gla d t h a t h e ha d

”
.

p a ssed it ! I k issed him a n d ga ve h im on ly 1 5 cop eck s fo r I ha d l i ttl e ,

m on ey bu t he wa s gla d even th us wen t a t on ce a n d hire d a bicyc l e

, ,

a n d took a r id e An d y ou d ea r h u sba n d wh en y ou sen d m on e y se t

.
, , ,

a sid e a ro u bl e o r a ha lf for h im for h is h a vi n g p a sse d t he ex a m i n a ti o n ;

,

then h e w ill be gla d He wa n t s t o go t o t he cou n try fo r a week .

I p erm it him ; le t h im res t a little [R ela t es h ow she trie d t o ge t a .

job for h im a t on ce ] N ow dea r h usba n d I write y o u a fe w w ord s

.
, ,

a bout K u m Wi e rz ba a n d t h is p ig Y ou ou gh t t o h a v e k n o w n y our
.

se lf t ha t y ou a re n o t in y o ur own h om e b u t with s tra n ge r s a n d t h a t ,

th is does n o t p a y ; for y ou write tha t it did n o t p a y N o wa da ys .

n obody is e v e r t o be be l ie v e d When I hea r [ rea d ] w ha t y ou wr it e I

.

sa y [ t o m y se lf ] t ha t I did n ot e xp ec t a n y th in g l ik e th is from Wie rzba

tha t y ou w ould n ot com e t o a n un de rsta n d in g B ut such a re t he .

tim es toda y D escribe t o m e everyth in g y ou ha d be tw een yo urselves

.

[ the wh ole qua rrel ] But I wo uld beg y ou d e a r h u sba n d n o t t o

.
, ,

qua rre l Let h im m a n a ge his own p ock e t a n d n ot p rofit from y ou

. .

An d d on t ev e r ha s ten t o su ch com m on u n d e rta kin gs Y e s m y d ea r

’
.
,

h u sba n d But it is a lwa ys m ore p lea sa n t t o ha v e somebody to ta lk

.

with M a n a ge thin gs a s your rea son a dvises y ou tha t i t m a y be

.
,

well D on t ha ve a n y com m on un d e rta k in gs a n d d on t qua rre l w ith

.
’ ’

ea ch o t h e r Now d ea r hu sba n d a s to S y roka d on t fe a r tha t ’

, , ,

I tell a n yt hin g there I on ly lis ten t o wha t she t ells m e a n d I la u gh

.
,

fo r she sa y s t ha t those t wo [ wom en ] a re v e ry a n gry beca u se y o u se n d

1 0 0 r ou bl es e ve ry t wo m on t h s a n d t h ey wri t e t o t h e ir h u sba n d s a n d
, ,
 428 PRI M AR Y—
G R OU P OR G AN IZ ATI ON

a nd doorkeep er who took his p l a ce m a y h a ve op en ed a n d rea d it

th e
from curi osity For som e p eop l e lie in w a i t for th ese l e tte r s
like dogs beca use they ca n l ea rn n o thin g from m e O th er m en wh o
,
.

a re in Am e r ica d on t sen d so m u ch m on e y so th ey a re cur iou s w h y

’
,

y ou sen d so often P a rz u ch h a s sen t on ly 2 0 0 roubl es a w a tch a n d

.
,

a p in dur in g a y ea r N ow d ea r h u sba n d I in form y ou wh a t

.
, ,

I did with th is m on ey for I h a ve n o l e tter a n d I d on t kn ow yo ur ’

d ec i sion I a sked y ou for 1 2 0 bu t e vid en tly y ou co uld n ot ; ,

n o thin g ca n b e d on e I p u t 1 0 0 roubl es in to t he ba n k a n d w e .

h a ve th e re a lrea dy 8 0 0
OleS is s t ill wo rk in g in th e fa c tory I sha ll write y ou when
h e g e ts som e o th e r job On ly I beg y ou d ea r h u sba n d w r it e Ole S
.
, ,

a fe w w o rd s a n d te ll him t o l is t en t o m e for wh en h e g oes t o th e ,

town a n d I tell him t o b e ba ck a t such a tim e for d in n er h e does n o t ,

l is ten ; twice a lrea dy he h a s n o t been in tim e for d in n e r An d h e .

sm okes c iga re ttes sec re tly He k ep t com p a n y w i th Lut ek . I .

a bu se d h im a n d h e go t a l i ttl e a wa y from Lute k bu t n ow a g a in h e

, ,

w a lk s [a ssocia tes] wi th S t a dola k I a m n ot sa tisfied w ith it for th e .

,

boy is n o t o rd e rly ; I d on t n ee d to e xp la in m u ch bu t [ th e fa c t is
’
,

tha t] he is n o t orderly a n d eve ry th in g p lea ses him Th erefo re I .

d on t wa n t O les to wa lk with h im [ OleS] ha d a good com p a n i on

’
.
,

bu t h e is n ow with his fa th e r in the cou n try [N e ws a bout p oultry ; .

2 p a g es a bo ut h er h ea lth ] S o I m u s t go t o a sp ecia l ist for w om en s ’

.

d isea ses bu t for m e it is a grea t sha m e for a s y ou k n ow u p t o the

, , , ,

p re sen t I h a ve n e ve r kn ow n such a d oc tor a n d it m a k es a te rribl e ,

im p ression up on m e S ta n isla wowa wa s sick a n d w en t t o s u ch a

.

do c tor a n d sh e told m e th a t th ere is a sofa a n d h e o rde rs to lie d o wn

,

a n d p ut s h is h a n d in side for he m u s t in sp ec t But y ou

, .

kn ow m e [ a n d y ou un d e r s ta n d ] th a t i t is for m e fea rful a n d di s

I
g u s t in g .

MAR CYAN N A JAB o wsxA

64 7 July 2 2 1 9 1 4 ,

D E AR ES T AN D MOS T B E LO V E D HU S B AN D : [ L e tt e r receiv ed ; th a n ks
for a p ra y e r book ; h e a lth ] AS t o m y n ot goin g to w ork d on t
-
.
,
’

’
w r it e m e a n y th i n g a bout it a n d d on t s tir u p Ja n ek s till m o r e for ,

e v en n ow I m u s t d isp ut e w it h h im H e d oes n o t wa n t m e t o work .

,

Th ttitu d f t he p s t w om
1
e a e o th i p i t i ev m r trem e N t
ea an a n on s o n s en o e ex . o

o l y i t h id
n s f m d i l i sp ti
e ea o r v ltin g bu t she w uld n t ve ture t o writ
e ca n ec on e o , o o n e

of it t h e h ba n d
o r us .
 JAB LKOW SKI SERI ES 42 9

he says th a t h e is a sha m ed tha t I a m work in g He ha s ta lked so for .

a yea r . An d m or e th a n on ce he ge ts a n g ry p a rt icul a rly if I a m sick ,

.

N ow a l so h e h a s t a lk e d m u ch wh en h e rea d this l e tte r sa y in g th a t y ou

don t a ll ow m e to go to work I did n ot wa n t him t o rea d th is le tte r
’
.

a n d I h id it in a dr a w er bu t h e fou n d i t An d th ey a ll bega n to
,
.

cla m or : M o th e r won t work a n y m ore fa the r wr i tes we ll ; en o ugh

’
,

of th is w o rk An d Ja n ek sa id : Fa ther wr ites y ou n ot t o work

” “
.
,

a n d y o u d on t l is t en An d h e ta lked m uch a n d sa id th a t if I wo rk
’ ”
.
,

h e won t g ive m e a ll his m on ey on ly 4 ro ubl es [on ea ch p a y da y ]

’
.
,

But he h a s sa id so m ore tha n on ce a n d s till I work a n d he gives m e his ,

m on ey S o I write y ou th us d ea r h u sba n d
. I should l ik e m yself
,
.

n ot t o w ork a n y m ore for y ou k n ow th a t p eop l e often a b u se th ose

,

wom en wh o w ork in the fa c tory E ven n ow m ore th a n on e te ll .

[ba d t hin gs] a bout Pa rzu chowa a n d P io trowska be ca use they a re so ,

h o t t e m p e re d An d p eop l e sa y :
.
Ja blkowska a lon e is a n orde rly
[good] wom a n a n d it is a p ity for h er t o work h ere with th em But ”
.
,

I should like to help y ou still to p u t these roubles a side a s y ou ,

desire yo urself S o if I work for som e ti m e s till it is som e help for

.

y ou beca u se I h a ve fu el a n d a few rouble s for l iv in g a n d t h e exp en se

, ,

i s big for ev e rybody w a n ts to dress a n d t o ea t w ell a n d h e re e ve ry

, ,

thin g is exp en sive Y es m y dea r h u sba n d Y ou see w e s till la ck

.
, .
,

2 0 0 r oubl es S o I w ill work for som e t im e s till we sha ll p u t it a side

.
,

soon e r An d I sh ould like y ou t o com e ba ck a t l a s t for I a m tire d

.
,

a lrea dy wi th a ll this I don t p romise y ou t o work for a lon g tim e

’
.
,

on ly till y ou c om e ba ck Y es m y d ea r h u sba n d . N ow y ou wr ite m e

,
.

n o t t o g o t o w ork a n d n ot t o do a n y thin g [ a t hom e ] for th e re a re ,

p eop l e t o do th e wo rk for m e We ll ba d is m y la dyship n ow .

,
“ ”
.

Wh en y ou com e th en I sha ll be a la dy [ do n o h ou sework] But n ow

, .

g ra n d m o th e r s wa n t t o be l a d ies We ll m y m other m a y be excu sed .

,

som e t im es for sh e is r igh t wh en sh e com p la in s th a t [ yo ur m o th er ]

,

does n ot wa n t to h elp her to do a n y thin g in th e kitchen Wh en we .

1

drin k t ea in the even in g your m o th er ta kes h er own p ot a n d wa shes it ,

bu t lea ve s the gl a sses from which I a n d t he children dra n k An d .

it is a lwa ys so I d on t sa y a n ythin g un t il y ou com e ba ck ; le t a ll

’
.

this go on for it is n ea rer th a n fa rthe r [n ea re r to th e en d tha n to th e

,

begin n in g] An d sh e a lwa ys hold s u p h er n ose sa y in g th a t sh e ga ve

.

h er m on ey h e re th a t she is n ot h ere from p ity

,
If th e re is som e tim es .

Both t he gra dm oth er kep t i t h h m t h wife i r t rn for d i g

1 ’
n s a re n e o e, e s n e u o n

t he ho sework
u d t he hu b d i r t r f m
, an y le t The la tter th r fore
s an
’
s n e u n or on e n .
, e e ,

does t feel bliged t o help with th work

no o e .
430 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
O R G AN IZATI O N

som e thin g worse a t d in n e r th ey a ll k n ow how to be squea m i sh—the

,

ch ildren p a rt icul a rly J a n e k a n d Ole S a n d y o ur m o th e r a l so l e t s h er

, ,

n ose f a ll I don t won d e r a t the children bu t y our m o th e r

’
.

wa n ts t o be a la dy N ow sh e d oes n ot k n ow h e rse lf h ow to w a lk
.

[ Sh e is so p roud] If y ou w e re a t h ome y ou would l a ugh An d Sh e

. .

a lwa y s r ep r oa ch es u s a bo ut t h is m on ey sa y in g th a t w e h a ve ri se n ,

t o ou r fee t for h er m on ey An d sh e sa y s tha t sh e o ugh t t o h a v e

.

i n te rest on these 3 0 0 ro ubles An d she d oes n o t l ike to be with u s ; .

sh e w a n t s on ly t o h a v e t h ose 3 0 0 ro ub les ba ck a n d sh e d oes n o t ,

k n ow herself how to tea r th i s m on ey a wa y For on ce she sa id tha t .

Tom a szewsk i w a n ted h er t o len d him 3 0 0 roubles a n d p rom ised h er

t o t a ke her t o h is h om e Th en a ga in sh e sa id tha t An tek wa n ts t o
.

bo rr ow th i s m on ey a n d will g iv e a big in t e res t But I sa y so : I w on t ’

.

l en d u n til y ou com e ba ck a n d then i t will be a s y ou do An d sh e is

, .

tired of sta yin g w ith u s sh e wa n ts to go t o Jozef S he wa s a lw a y s

,
.

ca ll in g on K a si a un til on ce they a lm os t fough t a bo ut this m on ey

, .

For sh e [ your m o th er ] sa id th a t she ha d l os t h er m on ey An d sh e .

[ K a sia ] sa id : Wh ere do y ou h a ve your m on ey ? Wh y h a ve y ou

“

given m e n oth i n g An d so a lwa ys On ce she bega n t o rep roa ch

”
. .

m e a bo ut this m on ey a n d I t old her t o be S ilen t wh en y ou com e y ou

, , ,

will g ive h er these 3 0 0 rouble s ba ck a n d l et h er go wh ereve r sh e will

be be tter off An d sh e sa id :
. Wha t d oes it m a tt er if I h a ve 3 0 0 “

roub les ? An d whe re is m y in teres t ? An d she sa id th a t y ou wen t ”

t o Am e rica on her m on ey a n d th a t m on ey m a k es m on ey , An d .
1

th us dea r h u sba n d But sh e ha s go t ca lm er sin ce I told her th a t y ou

,
.

w ill p a y her ba ck a n d n ow sh e sa ys n o th i n g on ly tha t if she doesn t ,

’

s ta y w i th u s sh e w ill g o t o J62 ef On ly I beg y ou ve ry m uch don t ’

.
,

be a n g ry for I writ e t o y ou a s to m y h u sba n d for I ha ve n obod y to

, ,

ta lk t o [ Four p a ges a bout OleS a p p ren ticeship in a j ewel er s shop ]

.
’ ’
.

MAR CYANN A JAB LR OW S KA

64 8 Augu s t 28, 1 91 4

D EARES T AN D MOS T B E LOVED H U S B AND I tha n k y ou on ce

m o re [ fo r t he le tte r s] for I don t k n ow wha t will be ou r fur th e r
’

destin y Perha p s beca use of this trou ble [wa r] it w ill be d ifficult t o
.

1
S he gets he livi g i tea d f i t r st
r n d th i is t hr e
ns fo tim e m ch a
o n e e an s e or ur s as u s

t he m ey w
on ld bri g i ou sh B t t h e m th r ret i
n n ca th ttitu d f t he p sa t
. u o e a ns ea eo ea n ,

w ith w hom t h le di g f m e y is t
n n id r d a p u rely ec m ic inv stm n t
o on e no con s e e s a on o e e

bu t a p ers
s a l help t be s bj cti ly pp recia t d
on a o u e ve a e .
43 2 P RI MAR Y G R O UP
-
OR GANI ZATI ON

and h ea l th , a nd I
m u s t be p a t ien t he re a l so with ou r children .

Goodbye ,
m y d ea r a n d bel ov e d h u sba n d B e ca lm a bo ut u s , I beg
.

y ou very m u ch , d e a r h u sba n d D on t l ose yo ur co urage , com p ly

’
.

w i th God s w ill a n d I a n d ou r ch ildren w e m u s t a l so com p ly w ith

’
,

Go d s w ill S in ce w e ha ve l ive d to see such th in gs I k iss y ou a n d I

’
,
.
1

p re ss y ou in m y em bra ce a n d I k iss yo ur f a ce the cl ea res t on e for

, ,

me An d on ce m or e I k iss y ou h ea rtily m y d ea r h u sba n d

.
,
.

Yo ur wif e a lwa ys we ll wishin g a n d l ovin g y ou

,
-
,

M AR CYAN N A JAB LK O W S KA
1
Com p a re t he fortit u de of th is l tter with th t i
e a n S ta rkie wicz se ri e s, N o 5 2 5,
.

K l u ch se ries, N o 53 2 ,
. a nd Porz y cki eri e N
s s,6 7 o . 2 .
PER S ON AL RELAT I ON S OU T S I D E OF M ARR I AGE
AN D THE FAM I LY

We ha ve seen tha t t h e fa m il ia l a n d c om m un a l sy s tem of

life d oes n ot lea v e m u ch pla c e for rela tion s of in divi dua l
frien d shi p a n d love The c losen ess of frien d shi p is d e ter
.

m in e d by the s tren g th of socia l obj ec tiv e b on d s whic h

,

exis t b e tw een th e in dividu a l s a n d n ot by th e ir p e rson a l

,

a ffi n it y
. Frien d s a re fir s t of a ll m em b er s of t h e fa m il y
, , ,

th en a n y in ha b ita n ts of the V ill a ge pa rish c omm un it y

, ,
.

Of c our se there is s om e libert y of in dividua l selec tion b ut ,

on l y in so fa r a s it d oe s n ot in terf e r e wi th th e r e c ogn ize d

o b j e c tive b on d s
. Th e s ubj ec t ca n be in a c los e r frien d ship
wi th on e in ha b ita n t of his vill a ge tha n wi th a n o the r or with ,

on e c o u sin tha n wi th a n o th e r b ut h e ha s n o r ig ht t o p r efer

,

a c o u sin t o a b r o th e r a n u n r el a t ed in h a b i ta n t of h is vill a ge
,

t o a c ou sin a m em b e r of a n o ther c omm un it y t o a m em b er of

,

hi s own c omm un it y a for eign er t o a P ole

, S in c e evid en tl y
.
, ,

s u c h n orm s s e ldom c om p l e t el y d e term i n ed th e r ea l c on du c t ,

w e fin d th e in ter e s tin g f a c t tha t in a ll c a ses whe r e in di vi dua l

p refe ren c e is n o t b a sed upon the ob j e c tive b on d s ce rta in
o the r s oc ia l b on d s a re subs t itute d t o ju stif y i t a n d a s s um e,

thu s a socia l im p orta n c e whi c h they would h a rdl y a tta in

oth e rwi se . He re b e lon gs fir s t of a ll t he god—
, ,
re la tion A .

ku m is e quiva l en t t o a rela tive un d e r th e p re tex t tha t it is

,

sp iri tu a l r ela tion s hip . Therefore a m a n who h a s a c l ose

,

frien d sa n c tion s thi s frien d ship by a skin g him t o be his

ku m or by hold in g h is Chil d a t b a p tis m He th en h a s th e
.

ri ght t o p refer him t o his rea l rela tives An o th er obj ec tive

.

b on d u sed to ju s tif y f rien d ship is tha t b e tween a swa t

(m a t c hm a ker) a n d th e b ride th e g room or th eir p a ren ts
, , .

I f n ei ther of thes e s oc ia l b on d s is a va ila b le ther e re m a in s th e

,

43 3
43 4 PRI M AR Y -
G R O UP OR GANI ZATI ON

wea kest a n d l ea st re c ogn ized on e c om p a ni on ship in s om e

—school m ilita ry servi ce work Perha ps t he
,

so c ia l a c tivi t y , ,
.

’
fr e qu en t en d ea vor t o ha ve a frien d m a rry on e s r ela tive is
in a la rge m ea s ur e du e t o t h e d esir e t o s a n c tion t h e fr ien d
sh ip by a fa m ili a l rel a tion .

N a tura ll y when t h e fa mil y d is solves p e r son a l frie n d s h ip

, ,

a ss u m e s a g re a te r in d ep e n d en c e Bu t a ga in a s w e ha v e
.
,

se en ,
t h e c on s titution of a s tron g m a rria ge grou p p uts n ew -

hin dra n c es in it s w a y ( Cf Ja blkowski series ) Thu s it

. . .

seem s tha t free frien dship is lim ited socia ll y t o t h e in t er

m ed ia r y p eriod b etwe en t h e di ssolution of th e old f a m il y a n d
t h e c on s ti tution of t h e in dep en d en t m a rria ge g r oup I n di
-
.

vidu a lly th e onl y fa vora b le tim e for it is t h e tim e b e for e

m a rri a ge a n d som etim es there a re frien d shi ps in old a ge
, ,

a fte r r e tirin g fr om t h e a c tive f a m il y lif e .

As t o l ove w e kn ow th a t it is a lwa ys in t h e tr a di tion a l

, ,

o r g a n iz a tion r e l a t e d t o t h e qu es tion of m a rria g e a n d s in c e

, ,

m a rria ge is a fa m ilia l m a tt er l ov e r em a in s s ub ord in a te d t o

,

fa m ilia l c on sid era tion s a n d t o the c on trol of t h e c omm u n ity .

He re a ga in a pa rtia l dissolution of th e fa mily a n d m oreove r , ,

a d is in t eg ra tion of t h e for m s of so c i a l c on tr ol a r e n e c e s s a r y

in o rde r to m a ke p l a c e for a free in dividu a l r ela tion wh ic h

m a y l a s t for a c erta in tim e b ef or e c ulm in a tin g in m a rria g e .

An d of c our se a certa in d egree of in dividua l c ultur e is a l so

, ,

in disp en sa b le t o m a ke this r el a tion in te r es tin g in it s elf .

Th e followin g series do n ot len d them selv e s t o a sys

t em a t ic a rra n gem en t b ut w e p l a c e fir s t t h e c a s e s in wh ic h
,

th e p e r son a l r el a tion s a re s till s om ewha t un der th e in flu e n c e

of th e tr a dition a l a tti tud e s .
43 6 PRI M AR Y -
GR O UP OR GAN I ZATI ON

I don t ha ve a n ythin g m o re t o wri te y ou d ea r Wojtu s beca u se

’
, ,

I d on t wa n t t o write y ou l ie s a n d don t wa n t t o in ven t a n d I don t

’ ’
,
’

kn ow a n ythin g ba d Wh en I d on t k n ow a n yth i n g wi th ce rta in ty .

’
,

I don t believe a n ybody ; bu t he re I did n ot even h ea r a n ythin g from

’

a n y body
I
FRAN CI S ZE K WI TKOW S K I

D ecember 28, 1 91 3
P ra ised be
Jesu s Ch ris tu s ! ”

Now d ea r b ro the r I t ha n k y ou for t h e le tte r a n d for these 1 0 0

, ,

c row n s w h ich y ou sen t u s We we re very gl a d be ca u se th ey will be

ve ry useful t o u s n ow This yea r wa s very we t a n d a ll the gra in got .

ro tten in th e field a n d th e re is a g rea t m ise ry a m on g u s

An d n ow we in form y ou d ea r b ro th e r tha t on Ch ris tm a s we h a d a , ,

n ice yo u n g m a n from Am e ric a ! H e ca m e wi th ou r fa the r wh en h e

w a s r e turni n g from N owy S acz a n d he sa i d tha t h e m a rr ie d K a Ska ,

in New Yo rk tha t sh e ca m e wi th h im a n d is n ow in S ta ry S acz a n d

, ,

brin gs a big tru n k which the y ca n n o t l ift a n d th e re a re 60 c row n s t o ,

be p a id for i t a n d she ha s n o ch a n ge on ly a wh ole

,
a n d n obo dy ,

in the town ca n cha n ge it But ou r fa ther did n o t wa n t to giv e h im .

[m on ey] n or to be lieve h im bu t sa id : Com e h e re both of y ou

“
,
.

Th en we will go for this trun k a n d p a y for it Then h e wen t .

,

sa yi n g th a t h e wo uld bri n g K a ska But he did n ot go t o Sacz on ly .

,

to the h ou se of Pa sz on in Osow o a n d th e re to ld h im t he sa m c t ha t ,
h

h e m a rrie d Pa sz on s d a ugh t e r Ha lk a in Cl e ve la n d in Am e rica tha t

’
,

h e is his son in la w Pa sz on dre w t he m on ey ou t a n d ga v e i t h im

- -
. .

H e took it a n d wen t Pa szon wa i te d on e da y two d a ys th r ee d a y s

.
, ,

Th fri d hip betw

1
e Hejm ej d W itk w ki is c rt i l y b s d po som
en s een an o s e a n a e u n e

ki d f r l ti sh ip p r b bl y
n o e a u i h ip ; t h ll si to mm w rk p r v
on , o a co s ns e a u on s co on o o e

th t th r w s l
a e e m b i e p a t e sh ip p rh a p
a a so so t in g of l a d e Th us n ss - r n r , e s ren n . e

re al ti is cl s on gh t i v lv s m e
o e en ou ri fi d i t f r c with t he mo n i ge o e o sa c ce a n n er e en e a rr a

gro p u Th c tr l wh i h H jm ej e erts p
. e on his wife thr gh h i r l tiv s a n d
o c e x u on ou s e a e

frie ds is t i ol ted ca e ; we ha ve e th r in st
n no an s as f it I t does ot s s en o e a n ce o . n

m ea n th t th r la tio betwee th h ba d d t h c tr llin g frie d is loser

a e e n n e us n an e on o n c

tha tha t betw the h b d a n d t he wif b t m er ly th t si ce m a i ge i

n een us an e, u e a n rr a s

a fa m i lia l ia l m tt r th con jug l r la tio b c t oll d by

d an s oc a e
y mem b r ,
e a e n ca n e on r e an e

o f t h f m ily
e amm ity eve p t ously th m r when i t h m of
o r co un ,
n s on a n e , e o e so n e na e

th h b
e dus The frie d cts a s
an .b tit t f th h b d d r p r e t tiv of
n a su s u e o e us an an e es n a e

t h gr
e p A d cc rdin gly t h hu b d
ou . n v r a sks tha t the s ide of his w ife
a o e s an ne e
’
s

l if b
e tr ll d wh i h i r s rv d f c j g l p iva y d h ot
e con o e c s ci l h r e e e or on u a r c an as n a so a c a

a ct r i
e s, l fidelity Th r is g ssip of rs when br a k f fidelity i
. e., e x ua . e e o , cou e, a e o s

s usp ct d b t
e ly be
e ,
such a brea k bring
u on th s l p robl m ou t of t he
c a u se s e e xu a e

sp h ere of con j u g a l p riva cy .

 H EJ MEJ S E RI ES 43 7

n eithe r son in la w n or da ugh ter ! It wa s som e thief On ly he m ust

-

ha ve l ea rn ed som ewhe re wha t he k ne w—

-
.

tha t ou r K a ska is in N ew
York a n d Pa szon s Ha lka in C levela n d Pa szon did n ot even ha ve
’
.

th e m on ey bu t bo rrowe d it a n d ga ve i t t o su ch a thief .
1

An d n ow the p rice of v odka ha s gon e u p he re t o 1 c rown 2 0 h elle rs

for a l ite r a n d form e rly a s y ou kn ow it wa s 40 cen ts [ 80 he ll er s]
, , ,
.

An d th e re a re m u ch few e r ta ve r n s tha n form e rly a n d n ow it is ,

n o l on ge r ca ll ed a ta ve r n bu t a con sen s a s fo rm e rly propi n a cya

, ,
.

An d th e refore th ey ha v e im p ose d highe r ta xes a n d whoeve r m a k es ,

a n ythin g e i t h e r ta i lor or sh oem a ke r or b la ck sm i th or p o tt e r wh en h e

, ,

wa n ts t o work m ust ha ve a tra de p erm i ss i on which costs u p to 3 0 -

g ulden or 60 crow n s An d whoe ve r d oes n ot p a y a ll his tool s a re

.
,

ta ken a wa y from him a n d a con sta ble wi th a m a yor goes t o him a n d

,

h e ca n m a ke not hin g u n t il he h a s p a id t he ta x S u ch a mise ry is n ow .

here in this p oor Ga licia

, .

Your sister ,

R OZALI A HE J ME J

Ja n ua ry 22, 1 91 4

R E S P E CTED WOJCI ECH : We

k t o you these word s : P ra ised sp ea

be Je su s Ch ris tu s bo rn of th e H oli est Vi rgin M a ry [ rhym ed ]

”
.
,

D ea r Woj ciech we write to you th i s le tter a n d we a sk y ou a bo ut

,

your dea r hea lth a n d s uccess As t o u s a ll in the comm un e w e a re .

,

in good hea lth ex cep t M icha l B odzion y who is ill a n d ou r success is

, ,

a s u su a l in M okra wie s .

N ow we in form y ou tha t we rece ive d your l e tte r for which we a re

ve ry gla d in the who le comm u n ity a n d we tha nk you for writin g t o u s ,
.

D ea r Woj ciech we in fo rm y ou tha t w in t e r is seve re in ou r co u n try

, ,

seve re co ld a n d en o u gh of sn ow hill s for w e ca n n o t go t h rou gh by -

,

a n y wa y N ow w e in form y ou tha t we divide d t he birchwood n ea r

.

The r
c edu lity tra ry t o t he u u a l susp icious ess f t he
of th e o ld man , so con s n o

pea sa t is dn , t th v l ti wh i h Am ri em igra ti ha br u ght i to t h

ue o e re o u on c e ca n on s o n e

p ea s n t lif
a Wh il i
e . orm l co d iti e n m rri ge of t h e da u ght r w ith t
n a n on a a a e ou

t he p a ren ts kn owledg a n d with a m b l t ly k w w ld be im p ssible

’
e an a so u e un no n ou o ,

e v rythi g eem possible i Am i

e n s s As w h av s id l s wh re t he p sa n t
n e r ca . e e a e e e ,
ea
’
s

id d p repo ession
ea s a n e o com p letely a da p t d t
ss s ar his rm l cs diti o s of li f e o no a on n e,

th t once o tside of the e con ditio h lo s a ll f li g f p r p rti a ll a pp ia

a u s ns e se ee n o o o on , re c

tion of p roba bil ity d im p rob bili ty E tr m ly difli lt t h t with in t h

an a . x e e cu o c ea e

s p her of h i ha bitu l a cts a d c c p tio

e s a h b m s t he p y of a y t p id
n on e n s, e e co e re n s u

co m bin a ti o when he n o l ger a pp ly hi ca n n l crit i a on s u su a er .

43 8 P RI MAR Y G R OU P
-
OR G ANI ZATI ON

Wrza ry ,
bu t wood beca u se wi n te r in te rrup ted u s As t o
n ot th e p in e ,
.

Fra n ek u p t o th e p resen t h e m a n a ges w ell en ough a n d we d on t

, , ,
’

kn ow how i t will be fur th e r N ow w e in form y ou tha t J6zek .

H ejm eja k is ge tti n g m a rrie d in G os twin a in t he hou se of P la ta , ,

a n d Wojt ek S ta w cza k m a rrie d Kuba la n ka tha t on e in t he house ,

of Ja siek B o d z ion y .

D ea r Woj c i ech we a re g la d tha t y ou i n ten d to s ta y on ly l on g

,

e n ou gh t o p a y ba ck y our w or s t d eb t s We a ll wish y ou it wi th ou r .

whol e h ea rt m a y God the Holiest help y ou a n d g ra n t y ou ha pp in ess

, ,

h ea lth a n d good su ccess th a t y ou m a y re turn sou n d t o yo ur n a tiv e ,

villa ge beca u se a lthough it seem s tha t th e re is m ise ry in the villa ge

, ,

a t l ea s t i t i s ga y .

We en d ou r word s a n d w e a ll fa rm e rs a n d frien d s gree t y ou , , ,

toge the r with ou r wives m os t h ea rtily in n um era bl e ti mes a n d w e , ,

wish y ou for this N ew Yea r ha pp in ess h ea l th fo rtu n e a n d a f te r , ,

l ea vin g this world a Hea ven ly c rown [rhym ed ] .

N ow I gree t y ou Woj ciech I son of M a ciu s from R ogi i e the, , , ,

. .
,

Ma yor a n d I g ree t y ou a l so h ea rtily I t he M a yor s wife i e

, , ,
’
,
. .
,

Zwoliri ska N ow I gr ee t y ou Wojt u s I Ja n H ejm ej v e ry h ea rtily

.
, , , ,
.

Be hea lthy d ea r Woj ciech u n til we see y ou a ga in

, M a y God g ra n t it ,
. .
1

Yours foreve r w ell w ish i n g -

,

JAN ZW OLI NS K I , M a yor

I S ign e d ,

J [AN ] H lEJ MJ l
gra n d m o th e r g ree t s y ou
’
Ou r [J H . . s .

[ Com m u na l sea l] .

6 52 WOJAKOWA July , 1 5, 1 91 4
D E AR WOJCI E CH : First I tha n k y ou for your l e tter wh ich I
received on July 2 a n d I tha n k y ou , us As to ou r for rem em be r in g .

hea l th a bo ut which y ou a sk i t is a s u su a l a n d ou r success a s in

, , , ,

Ga l icia ; it ca n n ot be p ra ised beca use in Ga l icia th ere h a s been a lwa ys ,

m ise ry a n d th ere w ill be fur the r mi se ry M on ey is a lwa y s la ckin g .

.

Th l tt r is writte i t h
1
e e em of t h e wh l om m I G li i
n n wh r e na e o e c une . n a c a , e e

t he mm
co is u to om ou s it p l y
un e m uch g r t r Ol t h n i R ssi
a n Pola d
,
a s a ea e r e a n u an n ,

wh e e it is
r t rolled by th R
con i g v rn m t W e h v th r a m ple of
e u ss a n o e en . a e no o e ex

su ch l tt r d p roba bly i th i
a e e ,
an th f t th a t it w a s written i du t o t h
n s ca se e ac s e e

f m ilia l l ti b twee the reta ry of th c m m u a d W j i ch H jm ej I t

a re a on e n sec e o ne n o c e e .

is a very g d m a ifest tio of the ttit de f t h e

oo n ci l mm u ity t wa rd it s
a n a u o so a co n o

in di id l m em ber
v ua .
4 40 P RI MAR Y G ROUP-
OR G ANI ZATI ON

in form you th a t sh e d ie d on Aug u st 2 3 , b u t don t g rie ve , d ea r son , for

’

a ll th is com es from God Wh en som ebody sa id th a t your a rm wa s

.

torn a wa y th i s p oo r girl wep t so m u ch beca use

uld of y ou th a t we co

n ot a pp ea se h er in a n y w a y Wh en sh e wa s dyin g sh e a ske d a bo ut
.

y ou wh e re y ou we re beca u se sh e h a d a lrea dy forgo tten h erself

, ,

[her min d wa n dered] S o sh e a sked whe re y ou we re a n d wh en w e

.
,

told her tha t you were in Am eri ca sh e sa id : Th en we sha ll n o t see ,

“

ea ch o th e r a n y m or e Sh e k ep t h er rea son u p t o h er d ea th But

”
. .

don t grieve dea r son be ca use she is ha pp y a lrea dy sin ce she d ied
’
, , , ,

for she won t h a ve a n y m o re te rror while we don t k n ow of wha t a

’ ’
,

d ea th we sha ll p erish [beca u se of the wa r] I don t wri te y ou a n y .

’

m ore a bout it for y ou kn ow better th a n we do on ly I in form y ou

, ,

th a t th e re is n o m a n a m on g u s excep t th e old on es ; a ll th e o th e rs
w e n t t o t h e a rm y N ow we beg y ou a n swe r u s a t on ce when ,

y ou re ce ive this l e tter beca use we a re c ur io us where y ou fin d yourself

, .

If y ou a re ge tting on well tha n k God if ba dl y then i t is th e sa me a s

, , ,

h ere .

We g ree t y ou a ll of u s d ea r bro th er An swe r u s a t on ce in

, ,
.

orde r th a t we m a y st ill rea d a le tter from y ou D on t be a n gry d ea r

’
.
,

bro ther with m e for ha vin g n ot wr itten n icely bu t a ll th is is from

, ,

g rief Am en
. .

[ Your fa th er ,

HEJME J] 1
1
D i t ted by the fa ther t o t he da ughter
c a .
 PED EW S K I S ER I E S

A t yp ic a l situa tion showin g th e p er sisten c e of th e old

,

a tt itud e s in c ourt sh ip Th e gi rl s in question e vi d en tl y do

.

n ot la ck s u i tor s a s the y h a v e t w o p r op osa l s w i thin a sh ort

,

tim e from Am eric a Thi s up on th e g rou n d of t h e f a m ilia l

.
,

p syc holog y expla in s t he la ck of en c oura gem en t of which

,

P edew ski c om p la in s in his letter s At t h e s a m e tim e

.

’
P edew ski s own a ttitude is a l so c ha ra c t eris tic He wa n t s .

t o m a rry in t o t h e fa m il y a n d it is for h im a se c on d a r y
,

m a tter which on e of t h e sis ter s a cc ep t s hi m thou gh h e ,

S h ow s a m a rked p r ef eren c e for on e of th em His riva l .

a lth ou gh h e a sks exp lic i tl y for th e f a vor of on e of t h e sis te r s ,

p uts th e m a tter up on a f a mi lia l b a sis .

6 54—56 , FR O M S TAN I S LAW P E D E W S KI AND B RO N I S LAW

K O W ALS KI , IN A ME RI CA , To THE FAMI LY JAZO S KI

AND To O TH ER S , I N P O LAND

6 54 TI TU S V I LLE , PA .
,
Ap r il 2 7, 1 91 3

I n t he firs t words of m y le tter I sp ea k to y ou Ju lcia a n d Kost u sia

, ,

with those godly word s : P ra ised be J esu s Ch ris tus

“
.
”

N ow I in for m you a bout m y success Th a n ks t o God I a m doin g

.
,

v e ry w ell beca use there is su fli cien t work a n d it will con tin u e so in

,

Am e ri ca a n d bosses wi ll g o ou t to Ca stl e G a rd en seek in g work m en

,
.

N ow I beg y ou t o wr i te m e wha t is to be h ea rd in the old coun try .

An d n ow I a sk y ou wh a t I a m [ wha t y ou ta k e m e for] a n d wha t is

th is you a re sp ea kin g a ga in s t m e I do n o t thin k th a t I ha ve m erited
.

so ba dl y. I n ever did y ou a n y h a rm Wh en I wa s a t hom e I wo uld

.
,

h a ve given e very th in g t o y ou e ven if y ou h a d a sk e d for m y bl ood

, .

An d n ow wh en I wro te y ou a l e tter y ou go a bout th e v illa ge a n d y ou

, ,

tell everybody tha t if it we re n o t for your d isl ik e of m a kin g som eth ing
of n o thin g y ou would sen d it ba ck to Am e r ica Wa s th ere som e thin g
.

di sa g reea ble in tha t l e tte r ? I do n ot kn ow S ee h ere y ou kn ow

.
,

tha t I a m such a m a n tha t if som ebody turn s m e in a n y wa y I go ,

44 2 PRI M AR Y -
G R OUP OR G AN I ZATI ON

the re You a sked m e to wr ite I wrote But if y ou l a d ies a re n o t

. . .

quite sa tisfied with it th en I ca n do n othin g m ore I sh a ll s till fin d

,
.

a girl for m e The r ea son of m y wr itin g is on ly th e fa c t th a t I ca lled

.

s o often up on y ou K os t u sia th a t I con sid e re d your p a ren t s l ik e m y

, ,

own . I a lwa ys sa id tha t I m us t be a son in la w of th e Ja zoskis - -

.

Although Ju lcia did n ot ca re for m e I sa id t ha t if n ot her I should , ,

m a rry K ostu sia But cl ea rly y ou d esp ise m e beca use Ju lcia turn ed
.
,

u p h er n ose a t m e t oo wh en I w a s in the old co u n try , [ U n in telli gibl e .

s en t en ce ] But I do n ot ca re wh a t p eop l e a re sa y in g a n d I do wh a t
I w ish An d n ow d ea r Ju lcia a n d Kostu sia d on t m in d a bo ut wha t
.
, ,
’

I wro te ; y ou a n swe red m e a n d so I write th is l e tter B ut a s t o the .

.

M icha lskis [ th e girl s wh o did t he gossip in g] I w ish th a t a s they ha ve ,

a lrea dy becom e old th ey m a y furth e r beco m e p u b l ic w om e n as a ,

rewa rd for th i s ba rki n g of th eirs for it is the M icha lskis wh o ba rk ed ,

a ll this When S iemboza k l e ft they told h im th a t y ou Sp oke ba dly

.

a bout m e a n d Siem boza k w h en h e ca m e he r e r ep ea t e d i t to

, , ,

An d n ow if y ou ha ve th e w ish t o com e t o m e w r i te bu t n ot d ir ec tly

, , , ,

on ly a ft er I sen d y ou a se con d l e tte r beca u se I a m goin g t o a n o th e r ,

city a n d your le tt er w i ll p o ssib ly n ot fin d m e I ha ve n oth in g m ore .

t o wr i te on ly I sa lut e y ou a n d y our p a ren t s

,
I h op e t o see y ou soon .

a n d h a pp y in Am e rica .

S TAN I S LAW P E [ D E w srcr]

[ An un in t ell igible t
sen en ce f ollows ]

6 55 S ep te m be r 2 ,
1 91 3

[ U su a l gree tin gs to h is frien d s Fra n cisz ek a n d Ju liu sz ] I go t .

your l e tter for which I th a n k y ou hea rt ily An d n ow , d ea r com p a n .

ion , y ou a sk m e a bout m y su ccess in Am e ric a . Well , le t God h elp

y ou in ou r coun try , th a t y o u m a y do a s we ll ; then
y ou w ould n ot
l a ck ythin g I do v ery we ll I n the
an . . beg i n n in g I w a s a l ittl e
h om esi c k bu t n ow I h a ve a lr ea dy forgo tt en a bout it
,
I h a ve ve ry .

goo d a n d e a sy work ; I ca n sa y tha t I d on t work a t a ll I on ly s ta n d

’
,

in a n i ron foun dry I a m wo rk in g in a bolersa p [boile r shop ] I

-
.
-
.

h a v e 2 6 roubl es wa ges wee kly cou n t in g in ou r coun try s m on ey ’

‘

, .

Time goes on very qu ickly in America y ou d on t n otice w hen th e ,

’

w eek is p a ssed a n d of m on ey we ha ve ou r p ock e ts full Th ree of u s

, .

a re h e re from on e v ill a g e S iem boza k a n d Wojte czek Zeglen ia k , , .

We h a ve m u sic eve ry da y Wojteczek o rga n ized a qua rt e t t a k in g .

,

besid es h im self a cla r in e t a n a ccord eon a n d a tru mp e t a n d th ey p la y

, ,
444 PRI MAR Y G R OU P
-
OR G ANI ZATI O N

An d n ow I sp ea kyo ur da ugh ters a n d son s a n d in gen era l [sic]

to
t o M iss Kon st a n cy a Ve ry p ol itely I beg you to ex c use m e for n ot
.

writin g for so lon g a time bu t it wa s beca use I h a ve th e in ten tion of

,

r e turn in g to ou r coun try a n d th en we sha ll sp ea k toge th er by w ords .

An d n ow I a nn oun ce t o M iss Kon sta n cy a a n d to M r a n d M rs . .

Ja zoski tha t I sh ould be gla d t o l ive in th e fa mily Ja zoski bu t I do ,

n ot kn ow sufii cien tly if I ca n beg v e ry p ol i te ly M iss K on s t a n cy a t o

give m e a good word a n d a l so M r a n d M rs Ja zoski beca u se I th in k

, . .
,

n ow of r e turn in g soon t o m y cou n try Th a t is the en d of m y le tter

. .

Wha t m ore I h a ve t o wri te I sh a ll do it in a n oth er l e tte r on ly I ,

request y ou t o a n swer m e quickly An d n ow I ha ve n o th in g m o re

.

t o wri t e
.
[ U sua l gree tin gs ]
BR ONI S LAw K O W ALS K I
 KAZI M I ERZ F SERI E S .

This is th e onl y ca se w e ha ve in whic h a girl p la n s t o

b rin g h er b e trothed t o Am e rica a n d we ha ve n ever hea rd ,

of a simil a r c a se At a n y ra te a m a n or serva n t like

.
,
-

Ka z imi erz F la cki n g s tron g fa m ilia l con sciou sn ess a n d

ha v in g th e h a bit of depen den c e would len d him self m ore ,

r ea dil y t o a si tua tion of thi s kin d tha n the f a rmin g pea sa n t ,

wi th hi s cha ra c te ris tic p ri de in m on e y m a tter s Th e gi rl .

w h o s en t u s th e le tter s evi d en tl y felt som e S h a m e in d oin g

so a s sh e h a d a ttem p te d t o e r a se t he p hra s es r e l a tin g t o
,

th e m a rria ge que s tion a s we ll a s eve ry thin g in di c a tin g a

,

fa mili a r rela tion Bu t the er a sures a re n ot c om p lete a n d

.

n o t sy s tem a tic A rem n a n t of thi s fee lin g is left in th e

.

m a n a lso b ut ra the r in the fo rm of y ieldin g t o socia l op in ion

,
.

( Cf . N os 6 59 ,
.

Th e girl m a rried th er m a n tw o y ea r s la ter a n d

ano ,

Ka zimi erz c a m e t o Americ a help ed by his rela tives Th e .

’
girl s hu sb a n d h a s rea d th e le tter s a s it w a s he who sen t ,

them in h er n a m e Cl ea rly there is n o r etrospec tive

.

j ea l ou sy sin ce he a ll owe d h er to keep them a fter the

,

m a rria ge .

—
6 57 60 , FRO M KAZ I MIE RZ E , I N P O LAN D , To HI S
B E TR OTHE D , I N AME R I CA

6 57 L AZ Y Oc tobe r 1 0 1 9 1 0 , ,

D E AR MANI ECZKA : I received th e p os tca rd s from you on the wa y

a n d a lso on e from Amer ica Pa rdon m e dea r M a n ie czka for n ot
.
,

h a vi n g a n swe re d you a t on ce bu t I e xp ecte d soon t o ha ve a l e tter

,

[from y ou ] bu t I h a ve n on e a n d I a m obl iged to w ri te D ea r

, .

Ma ni e czka don t bel ieve tha t I fo rgo t a bout y ou or a n y thin g like this
,
’
, .

N o I d on t e xp ec t eve r t o fo rge t y ou If y ou kn ew h ow I a m lon gin g

’
, .

w ith ou t y ou ! N ot a sin gle hour p a sses without my thi nkin g of y ou ,

44 5
4 46 P RI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR GANI ZATI ON

n ot a n e ven in g p a sses w ithout m y rem em berin g those m om en t s wh ich

w e sp en t in t h e ga rden e v e ry even in g [ which e v e n in g
“

e r a se d by t h e o wn e r of th e l e tt e r s] D on t f orge t a bout m e d o n t
’ ’
.
,

a ll ow a n ybody t o turn yo ur h ea d B e true t o m e in Am e r ica a s

.

[ y ou we re] in ou r coun try [ a s cou n t ry e ra sed ]

“ ”
Y o u a re .

e ra se d ] th e on ly on e a nd I [ a n d I
”
for m e [ Y ou
“ “
me ,

e r a se d ] o ugh t t o be a l so [ th e on ly on e] for y ou D ea r M a n ieczka .

,

s u ch is m y love for y ou [ s u ch e ra se d ] th a t wh e re ve r
“
y ou ,

I a m whe the r a t som e en te rta in m en t or in som e con versa tion I a m

, ,

a lwa y s thin k in g [ a lw a ys t hin k in g e ra sed ] a bo ut y ou Y es d ea r

“ ”
.
,

M a n ieczka n othin g in t e r es t s m e n ow a n y m or e I thin k on ly of y o u .

,

m y th ough t s fle d w i th y ou D ea r M a n iecz ka on the f o ll o w in g

.
,

S un d a y Oc tobe r 2 3 I sha ll go t o T urek [ mil i ta ry ca ll]

, ,
Wh a t w ill .

be the r esult for m e I d on t k n ow y e t As soon a s I l ea rn I w ill

’
.
,

write y ou a t on ce I beg y ou for a n a n sw er Write m e h ow do y ou

. .

l ike Am erica Are y ou m erry h a v e y ou a lrea dy a n y job a n d h ow

.
,

m u ch do y ou e a rn ea r n e r a sed ] ? P le a se wr i t e m e
”
job
a bout y our j ourn ey h ow l on g did y ou bo th g o ?
, S en d m e
your p ho tog ra p h on ly the soon est p ossibl e I h a v e n ow n o th in g
,
.

m or e to write on ly I sen d y ou sa luta ti on s from [ yo ur P] p a ren t s

, I .

sen d a l so sa lut a t ion s for your b ro th e r a n d s i s t e r in la w a n d for

y ou
- -
, ,

M a n ieczka hea rty g ree ti n g a low bow a kiss [ low

, ,
k iss
,
“ ”

e r a se d ] a n d a h ea rty h a n d sh a ke I w ish y ou good s uccess

a n d [ I a dd] t he old Pol ish God m a k e y ou h a pp y .

With resp ec t ,

I yo ur I your e ra sed] , ,

KAZ I MI ERZ

6 58 Nove mber 20 ,
1 91 0
D EAR MERKA : [era sed ; p roba bly beca use p e t n a m e for M a rya ,

I received your l e tter a n d I a n sw e r

y ou a t
on ce . F irs t I m u s t write y ou a bo ut m y m il ita ry serv ice h ow I ,

s u ccee d e d I ca n n ow be ha pp y I d on t kn ow w he ther ou r Lo rd ’
. .

God gu a rd ed me or wha t el se bu t I w a s e xe m p ted , D on t be

’

a n gry d ea r M e rk a [ e ra se d ] for m y n o t h a vin g wr i tt en t o

, , y ou a n y
thin g from T urek bu t I wa s n o t sure of your firs t a ddress
, on ly

n ow I c a n wr i t e t o y ou m ore o ften [ I c a n oft en e r a se d ]

“
.

I a m very gla d tha t y ou a rrived so ha pp ily a n d tha t

y ou g o t
w ork a t on ce D ea r M a n ieczka I wa s a bo ut a m on th in T urek bu t
.
, ,
 44 8 P RI MAR Y G R OU P
-
OR GAN IZATI ON

i t wi ll be good for us bo th kn o w w ell my though ts

som e da y . You ,

m y dea r M a n ia , I don t n ee d to wr ite y ou m uch for I thin k a lwa ys

’
,

on e a n d th e s a m e . I wo uld write y ou m ore bu t I lea ve it for a n o ther ,

t im e .

K AZI MI E RZ

M a rch 1 ,
1 91 1

D EAR M AN I E CZKA :
I received bo th yo ur le tters Afte r
receivin g t he firs t I wa s som ewha t g ri eved bu t when I got t h e secon d
I wa s rel ieved a n d very gla d E viden tly y ou wa n te d on ly to frigh ten
.

m e w i th tha t firs t l e tte r But I did n ot lose h op e e ven so beca u se I

.
,

kn ew tha t y ou on ly feign ed tha t y ou wa n ted t o con vin ce yourself

,

wha t th o ugh ts I ha ve D ea r Ma n ieczka d on t thin k th a t I a m a l so

.
,
’

f eign in g like som e clown N o it is n o t so ba d ! I rem em ber u p to the

.
,

p resen t wh a t we so often sp ok e a bout a n d u p t o the p resen t I k eep ,

t h e sa m e l in e of con du c t D ea r M a n ieczka y ou wri te m e th a t y ou

.
,

i n ten d to sen d m e 3550 I tha n k y ou ve ry m uch M y fa the r he re will

. .

g iv e m e th e r e s t 8 50 wo uld n o t be en ough bu t I will t ry t o ge t the

.

rem a in d e r [ to sen d “
rem a in d er era sed] so th a t I m a y h a ve ”
,

m on ey en o ugh for the j ourn ey a n d som e thin g l eft in Am e rica D ea r .

M a n ieczka I beg y ou a l so a s soon a s y ou ge t th is l e tter wr it e m e a t

, , ,

o n ce ,
tha t I m a y be s ure h ow t o m a na ge As to sen d in g m on ey .

[ hom e] w hy a re y ou so m u ch d is turbed while I don t h ea r your fa th e r

’
, ,

m ur m ur in g a t a ll If you a re a fra id p eop le w ill ta lk t oo m uch a bo ut

.

u s in L a z y I a dvise y ou t o sen d th e m on ey t o Lo t ka s a ddress

’
, Sh e .

will go t o S lup ca t o the p ost ofli ce will ge t it a n d n obody w ill k n ow

-
, .

I beg y ou d ea r Ma n ieczka don t disa p p oin t m e for I con fide in y ou

, ,
’
,

to ta lly a n d I thin k tha t I ca n do so th a t I don t err in this ,

’

D ea r M a n ieczka I won t wr it e y ou a n y lov e w ord s a bout th is We

’
-
, .

w ill ta lk wh en w e see ea ch o th e r in Am erica Wh a t is th e u se of .

sc ribbl in g this up on th e p a p er ? N othin g c a n res ult from it But I .

give y o u m y wo rd of hon or th a t a ll will be w ell I beg y ou d ea r .

,

Ma n ieczka for a sp eedy a n d good a n swer tha t w e m a y se e ea ch othe r

, ,

t he soon es t p ossibl e
K AZI MI ERZ
 ARC I S ZE WS KI S ER I E S

These le tters wri tten by a n d a d dr e ssed to va rious p er

,

s on s ha ve on e c omm on f ea tu re They S how a very gen era l

,
.

typ e of frien dl y rel a tion a m on g y o un g bo ys of t he p re sen t

gen era tion who ha ve a lr ea d y dr o pp e d m os t of th e tra di tion a l
a tti tude s a n d feel r a the r fr ee fr om f a mi li a l rigo ri sm w ho a re ,

in a p erio d of li fe when p ra c tic a l in tere s t s do n ot y e t con

s t i t u t e t h e m a in a im of lif e a n d w ho h a ve n ei the r t en d en c ie s
,

t o self de velopm en t n or so c ia l ide a l s

-
I n the s e c on di tion s
their m a in in tere s t is a m u sem en t—da n c in g fli rtin g m err y
.
,

, ,

c on ver sa tion s etc An d thi s is a l so the b a si s of their

,
.

frien d shi p An in te re s tin g p oin t is tha t a ll thr ee a t the

.
,

period wh en these le tte r s wer e wri tten ha ve c on fron ted for

—
,

t he fi r s t t im e d iff r
e en t s e ri o u s p r o b l e m s o f li f e S tefa n th e ,

p rob lem of a da p ta tion to Am e ri c a n c on dition s ; J Wia ter .

,

tha t of mili ta r y servi c e ; B o rowski th e p rob lem s whi c h the

,

r evolution of 1 9 0 5 p ut b efore t he Poli sh y o uth An d a s .

,

should be exp ec ted a ll thr ee of them rea c t n ega tivel y

,
.

Wia ter s rea c tion is ra the r n ormal b ut S tefa n show s a m ore

’
,

tha n n orma l in a p titude for sen tim en ta l a da p ta tion whi le ,

B orow ski r em a in s a lm os t c om p l ete l y p a ssiv e in th e mi d s t of

p owerful n a tion a l a n d so c ia l m ov em en t s .

The love r ela tion whi c h c on s ti tuted so im porta n t a pa rt

-
,

of t he c on t en t of t h e l e tte r s h a s a l so t he c ha r a c te r of p la y
, .

I t is n o lon ger a m er e p r ep a ra tion for m a rria ge a n d n ot y et ,

a se riou s m a tte r in i t s e lf .
4 50 P RI M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR GAN IZATI ON

—
66 1 6 5, FRO M S TEF AN AR CI S ZE W S KI , IN A M ERI CA , TO
FRI E ND S , IN P O LAN D , A ND Tw o LE TTE R S ( 664 ,
66 5)
RE P RE S E N TI N G TH E S AME TYP E OF ATTI TUD E S I N O TH E R
B OY S

B REME N , N ovem be r 28 [ 1 9 1 3]
[ Gree t in gs wish es ]
an d

D E AR C OMP AN I ON : I in fo rm y ou a bo ut m y h e a lth a n d su cce ss .

I a m in good hea l th which I wish t o y ou a l so wi th a ll m y h ea rt

,
N ow .
,

d ea r com p a n ion Czesio I a m n ow n ea r the sea in Brem en ; th e city

, , ,

is so ca lled .I got over th e fron tie r a ll righ t a n d from Illowo a l so I ,

got on w e ll en ough a n d I don t k n o w h ow it w ill be from n ow on

’
.
,

D ea r comp a n ion Czesio p lea se wr ite m e the n ew s a bout yourself As

,
.

t o m e I a m ve ry sa d h er e
,
An d I re qu es t y ou d ea r com p a n ion l ea r n
.
, ,

h ow m y be tro th ed M iss H el en a is beha v in g wh e th e r S h e is p in in g

, ,

or n ot . I beg y ou m y com p a n ion wr ite m e a bout h er beca u se I a m

, , ,

very sa d with out her Y ou know well tha t I lov e her B ut n o

. .

m a tt er th e dog m a y h a ve her [ I d on t ca re ] Wh en y ou wri te to

’
. .
,

m e get h er a ddress a n d I re que st y ou dea r comp a n ion sen d m e th e

, , , ,

a ddress of M iss Za l e sk a I beg y ou on ce m ore dea r com p a n ion let

.
, ,

m e k n ow how He len a is beha vin g I reques t y ou Czesio wri te to .

, ,

m e wh e th er she wep t or n o t a fte r m y d ep a rture I h a ve n othin g .

m ore t o wr it e bu t on ly I sen d y ou d e a r com p a n i on a n d t o a ll m y

, , ,

a c qua in ta nces t he lo w es t bow

,
.

I truly well w ishin g ,

-
,

S TE F AN AR CI S ZE W S KI

AM S TE RDAM, N Y . .
, M a rch 2 ,
1 914

R ES P E CTE D COMP AN I ON : Sin ce th e m om en t w e p a rted , I h a v e

r ece ived on e l etter a n d h a ve n o t id in g s sin ce I ca m e to th is m a ssive ,
.

go ld en wh or e [ Ame r ica ] bu t I f eel te rr ibly sa d beca u se h e re if y ou

, ,

h a v e n o m on ey D on t p u t y our n ose [a n ywhe re] I a m si tt in g

“ ’
, .

w ith out work a n d I don t k n ow wha t will ha pp en whe th er thin gs w ill

’
,

g e t be tte r or n ot A terr ibly g rea t n u m be r of p eop l e wa lk a bout

.

w ith out wo rk Now before Z a pu sty [ la s t six da y s before L en t] they

a y—
,
.

g o a n d b r ea k r a ilw ca r s beca u se th ey h a v e n o thin

, g t o ea t M icha l .

work s a l i ttl e bu t I ca n n ot ge t work Wha t is th e n ew s in ou r

,
.

co u n t ry ? I s th e re a n y p roba bil ity of wa r ? For h e re it is h ea rd

th a t in ou r coun try th ere will be wa r If on ly there we re a ch a n ge .
4 52 P RI MAR Y G RO U P
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

wha t w ill ha pp en ; ba d tim es a re comin g N ow d ea r Czesio I beg .

, ,

y ou d escr ibe wh a t is th e n ew s a bo ut yo ur self beca u se I a m c ur io us

, ,
.

If I h a d n ot l is ten ed t o m y m o th er I S hould h a v e ea rn ed m o re .

M o th e r w a n ted m e t o go t o Am e r ica a n d I d id n t wa n t t o go If ,
’
.

I h a d n ot com e I should ha ve don e be tter I d id n t i n ten d t o com e

,
.
’

t o Am e rica befo re sp rin g a n d n ow h e re i t is v e ry ba d Fa c tories .

a re s topp e d th e r e is n o w o rk
, N ow d ea r com p a n ion Czesio wr it e
.
, ,

t o m e a bo ut t h e girl s whe th e r th ey l on g for m e or n o t beca u se I a m

, ,

v e ry c urious T ell m e a bo ut th em a n d p a rticul a rly a bout M iss

.
,

S obiera jska I S sh e l on gin g for m e or n ot ? I beg y ou w i th a ll m y

.

h ea rt My best com p a n ion I beg y ou n ow on ce m ore Cz esio wh a t

.
, , ,

s u ccess d oes m y old girl h a v e n ow in t h e ca r n iva l ? If there a re t o

be we dd in gs p l ea se in form m e wh o ha s got m a rrie d e i th e r n ea r t he
,

ba rra ck s or in th e town or in t h e V illa ge a m on g ou r a cqua in ta n ces

,
.

Here I h a ve n o a c qua in ta n ce a n d th erefore I a m v e ry sa d a n d I l on g

,

terribly for m y n a tive coun try .

N ow d ea r com p a n i on Czesio I beg y ou sen d m e if y ou ca n som e

, , , ,

n ice P ol ish r eci t a l s [p oem s for r ec i t a l ] a n d som e n ew wa ltz es .

Lowes t bow to y ou Czesio L owest bow from M icha l ,

. .

I truly well w ish i n g ,

-
,

S TEFAN

N ow, d ea r mp a n ion
co Cz esio , p lea se sa lute fr om m e M iss
Bron isla wa P iot roska ,
a n d a ll t h e g irl s with wh om w e a re a cqu a in t e d .

N ow d ea r com p a n ion C zesio y o u h a v e n o id ea wh a t a lon gin g go t

, ,

I d on t regre t a n ythin g e l se bu t on ly th e ca rn iva l

’
me . N ow in , .

ou r cou n try they w ill a m u se a n d r ej o ice them se lv es a n d m y se lf I a m , ,

S itt in g h e r e a s in a p ri son
,
If I h a d k nown it I would n ever in the
.
,

world h a ve sa crifi ced m yself a n d com e t o Am e ri ca .

N ow d ea r com p a n ion Czesio lowes t bow t o yo urself a n d to yo ur

, ,

s is t er a n d p a r e n t s a n d t o Wla dy sla w a n d Fr a n u s a n d t o a ll o u r
, ,

a cqu a in t a n ces .

I truly w ell w ishin g a n d lov in g y ou

,
-
, ,

S TEV AR TER

66 4 ZAMOS TE K , O ctobe r 2 7, 1 913

D E ARE S T C OMP AN I ON : F irst I tha nk y ou for yo ur m emory .

I go t yo ur a ddress from yo ur bro ther S ta n isla w a n d I a n swe r y ou .

I ha ve been a t home for 6 w eek s a fte r comin g from Am erica .

 AR CI SZEWS KI S ERI ES 4 53

AS t o th e lo ts I drew N o 51 a n d I a m receive d in to the a rm y

,
. .

K n ow it dea r com p a n ion tha t if I ha d n ot to go to th e a rm y I Sh ould

, ,

n o t h old ou t a t h om e ; th e re a re n o com a n ion s n owh e r e t o go Ou r

p ,
.

Gorzkow h a s qu i te d ecl in ed But wha t a girl I ha ve foun d n ow ! .

1

I w ill write y ou in a n o th er l e tter for I d on t kn ow y et wh ether she ,

’

w ill wa it for m e [ un til m y re turn from the a rm y] .

[ En um e ra te s th ose ta ken in to th e a rm y a n d those exemp ted ]

We sha ll h a ve s t ill 9 da y s for re velry a t hom e a n d then t o Che lm ,
.

[ En um e ra tes th e m a rria ges a n d be trotha ls ] Peop l e m a rry dog s

’
,

b l oo d ! [P si a krew p op ul a r oa th ] An d I sh a ll a l so h a v e a w edd in g
,
.

in Chel m bu t wi th the a ccurse d K a ca p [ n ickn a m e for

,

S en d m e to the a rm y 1 0 ga llon s of whiske y I will f eed th ese M os .

cov it e s so tha t chole ra w ill t a k e th e m ! P a rd on m e d ea r com p a n ion , ,

for writ in g y ou i n su ch a n ugly w a y bu t the d evil s a lm os t ta k e m e ,

[ I a m furio u s] Why should I serve th ese whores son s ? D a m

’
.

I wish y ou e very good w ith my wh o l e h ea rt .

Yours ,

JAN WI ATE R

66 5 PRZAS N YS Z, O c tobe r 1 2 , 1 90 6

D EAR S TAS : I
this le tter w i th begin th e word s ,
P ra ised be
J esus Chr is tus a n d surely we re it n o t for
,
”
,
th e fa r wh ich d oes
sp a ce

n o t le t m e h e a r yo ur a n swe r I sh o uld h ea r , ,
In ce n tur ies of cen tur ies .

”
Am en .

I ha ve been workin g for two m on th s in a n o ta ry s ofli ce I ’

.

h a v e ha d n ot m u ch work u p to th e p resen t bu t a l t ho ugh I ha ve a ,

l ittl e free time I ca n n ot en j oy e ven i n g wa lk s a s durin g yo ur p resen ce

h ere for th e re is a s t a te of wa r a n d it is forbidd en to wa lk w ithout a
,

l a n tern a n d a p a ssp ort There a re p a trol s up on the s tree t who a rrest

.

those who wa lk w ithout la n tern s I do i t a n d I su cceed . .

Terrible th i ng s a re goin g on in ou r co un try beyon d d escrip tion I n , .

Wa rsa w n o th in g bu t bombs a n d brown in gs C on s ta b l es a re

1
It vid t ig f th d li f t h ld t rrit ri l gr up wh youn g
15 a n e en S n o e ec ne o e o e o a o en

p pl
eo e d th
e n e ttr cti f m pa io h ip d m m t i order t ta y a t
e a a on o co n ns an a u se en s n o s

h m
o e . Th i decli e i on e f t he fa t rs m ki g e m igr ti
s n s e a sy a n d i
o it elf c o a n a on so s s

h a ste ed by em igra tio

n n .

1
The h a te f t he R u si i p rtic l rl y tr g m o g t he p s n t
o s ans sf th i a u a s on a n ea a s o s

p r vi
o wh ich su f er d a
n ce , ry vi l t r ligi us p rs c ti du i g th se on d ha lf
e ve o en e o e e u on rn e c

o f t he i etee th cen t ry I t w s m i ly i ha b ited by U n i t s

n n n u . a a n n a e .
4 54 PRI MAR Y -
GRO UP OR G AN IZ ATI ON

kille d , as well as the bigge r fishes . l on g a go ou r m il ita ry

N ot
go vern o r wa s kill ed In . Lodz th ere
is a gen er a l s trik e a n d co urt
m a rt ia l . E ve ry da y a few m en a re h u n g or S ho t Th e p r i son s a re
.

ov e rfille d I n ou r tow n a sch ool a ssoci a tion h a s been orga n ize d

-
,

bu t th e So kol s ha v e been d issolv ed by th e gove rnm en t

The girl s l ook very well p a rti cula rly Wa lercia
,
B ol es K p rea che s
. .

m ora l s to her in a wa y wh ich seem s v e ry p l ea sa n t for h er

P olc ia l ook s a s y ou ha ve n ev e r seen h er—
.

a dre ss t w o y a rd s a n d a

h a lf a ha t th r ee ya rd s in cir cu mfere n ce a n d h er self gr own u p a ya rd

, , ,

a n d a h a lf t a ll a n d sh e dr ea m s a lr ea dy a b out ev erythin g th a t i s
,

s u i ta b l e I n gen era l t he girl s a re n ice bu t th ey w ill p roba b ly be

.
,

obl ige d t o hir e u s for ta lk in g for they a re ea g er t o t a lk a n d t h e boy s

, ,

won t ’
Wa lercia f eel s a t errible sym p a thy for y ou An d h ow .

is th e m a tte r w ith y ou ? Inform m e for if y ou f eel a n yth in g to w a rd

,

h er I w ill try for m y fr ien d s sa k e t o sen d B oleS a wa y in som e wa y ;

’
, ,

why sho uld he sp oil th e m a tter It seem s to m e tha t the thin g o ugh t
t o be ta ken u p a t on ce for h e tra m p les m u ch a roun d h er
, M a y he .

n o t su cceed a t la s t .

Your truly l ovi n g com p a n ion ,

B O R O W S KI
4 56 P R I M AR Y G R OUP
-
OR G AN IZATI ON

no wh ere a n d S p ea k s wi th n obody so n o body kn ow s ; bu t p erha p s ,

som eb ody w ill y et h a pp en [ t o bu y th em ] Wh en a n y thin g n ew .

h a pp en s I will wri t e I urged K a zimierz t o wri te bu t th e l a zy fell ow

.
,

did n o t wish t o do it ; h e p re fe rred to rea d p a p e r s a n d to ld m e t o

write .
1

KAZI MI ERZ a n d WLADYS LAWA [ K OWALS K I ]

6 67 M a rch 1 5 , 1 91 4

D E AR B R O THE R B efore
I m ust a n swe r a bo ut th is a ll

con tr a c t . Y ou sa y th a t it i s ou r own fa ult for r en t in g i t It is tru e ,

. .

But if K a zimie rz ha d l ook ed in to it him self a n d h a d relied up on n obody

el se i t w ould n o t b e so ba d
,
But he rel ie d up on ou r un cle ; he took
.

un cl e with h im a n d wa s sure tha t eve ry th in g w a s a ll righ t But it .

is n o t a s wh en y ou w ere h e r e An ton i be ca u se y ou did [ for u s] a s , ,

for yo urse lf a n d ou r u n cl e c a n n o t kn ow h ow i t wi ll fa ll o u t for u s

, ,

whe the r good or ba d An d th en a ll this wa s don e wi thout a n y reflec

.
,

tion beca use it wa s so : On e a ftern oon N ow icki ca m e w ith t h e

,

N eu m a n n s a n d a sk ed wh e th e r w e would n ot ren t [ th e p rop erty] ,

bu t [ sa id] tha t th ey wa n t ed a bsolut ely to l ive in it th e m se lv es But .

a s th e M a SlirI skis in t en de d t o m o ve a wa y w e s a i d t o ea ch o th e r th a t
’

it would be ve ry well sin ce it h a pp en ed th a t on e p e rson wa n te d t o

,

ta ke it a ll [ the whol e p la ce] a n d a t l ea st th ere would be n o tro ubl e w ith

t h e l o dg e r s We we re t o reflec t h ow to do a n d th ey wen t a wa y I n
.
, .

the e v en in g they ca m e ba ck a n d sa id th a t it would b e w e ll t o m a k e th e

con tra c t a t on ce K a zim ierz wen t direc tly to ou r un cle in
.

ord e r t o a sk h is a dvice a n d took un cl e w ith him a n d r e l ie d up on

,

him en t irely thin k in g th a t wh en h e l ook e d in to i t everyth in g w ould

,

be a ll r igh t B ut with un cl e it is n ot a s w ith you ; u n cl e does n o t

.

m in d m u ch wha t i s be tte r a n d wha t wor se for u s He k n ow s on ly .

how to sa y [ a ft er th e thin g is don e] wha t som ebody did ba d a n d wh a t

good If K a zimierz h a d m ore though t a bout e ve ryth in g him

self i n s t ea d oi l ookin g t o a n d r ely in g up on o th e r p eop l e e ve ry th i n g ,

would ha ve turn ed ou t difleren tly beca u se n obody ca n a dvise h im ,

[p rop e rly] in e ve ry th i n g ; h e a lon e ca n kn ow e v eryth in g h im self ,

sin ce h e kn ow s a ll h is ow n con d i t ion s th e be st H e com p l a in s

’
t ha t y ou t old h im a lwa y s t o a sk u n cl e s a dvi ce a n d th a t u n c l e did n o t ,

1
Th m p l i t i th i s a d t h f ll wi g lett r of t h
e co a n n n gligent beh vi r f
e o o n e e ne a o o

th h b d is t b q lified by th f t th t h ddr sses h erself t t h h u b d ’

e us an o e ua e ac a s e a e o e s an s

broth r e d an t t
no ut ider Eve s it i t i a cc rda ce with the t r ditio
o an o s . n o, s no n o n a n .
 KOWALS KI S ER I ES 457

a dv ise h im . We
tim e to a sk your a dvice a n d we did
ha d no ,

n ot th in k tha t th e con tra c t wa s a lrea dy va l id ; w e th ou gh t tha t it

m u st s till be a pp rov ed by th e court a n d tha t u p to tha t tim e it w a s ,

p ossibl e to dra w ba ck Sin ce y ou w en t a wa y w e h a ve been

.

in a worse situa tion tha n in th e yea r wh en w e got m a rr ied beca u se ,

w e h a d t o p a y a ll th e exp en ses a l on e a n d K a zim ierz did n ot w o rk in ,

th e w i n te r a n d w o rk e d ba dly in t h e su mm e r a n d th e r e is n o ,

o th e r in com e If I on ly could ea rn som e thin g ! But in M ilosla w there

.

is n o th in g t o be don e ; I will n o t go a n d s tea l from the forest

Zosia Kup s go t m a rried in the w in te r An d M a ry n ia is .

ge ttin g rea dy t o g o t o th e con ven t She sen d s g ree tin gs t o y o u a n d .

sa i d th a t y ou ca u se d h er m u ch g rief bu t sh e is n o l on ge r a n g ry .

Pe rh a p s y ou wa n t t o see the l a s t of her ; I ha ve h er p ho tog ra p h ta k en ,

n o t l o n g a go so I sen d i t t o y ou bu t p l ea se sen d it
ba ck beca use if I d on t ha v e i t she ca n be a n gry w ith m e for h a vin g
’
,

sen t i t so fa r a wa y I n a yea r sh e w ill ce rta in ly [ she sa ys] go t o th e

.
,

con ven t bu t I don t k n ow wh e th er i t i s n ot f eig n ed A m a n courte d

’
, .

h er l a t ely bu t sh e refused him

, If y ou w ish wr ite som e word s ,

t o M a ry n ia ; she w ill be g l a d I thin k ,

.
1

KAZI MI E RZ a n d WLAD YS LAWA

66 8 Ja n ua ry 5 1 9 1 3 PALCZYN , ,

D EAR AN TON I I a sk y ou n ow wh e th er y ou sp en t the

hol id a ys h a pp ily a n d ga ily a n d wha t se rve d for a m usem en t ca rd s or
, ,

d a n ces But tha t is p erha p s n ot fa shion a bl e in America We

. .

p la ye d ca rd s durin g bo th hol ida ys for wha t co uld we do ? It ra in e d

a n d sn owe d—
,

im p ossibl e to go a n y whe re On the firs t da y we could .

h a rdly ge t t o M r P rzy by sz s to a m u se ourse lv es a l ittle the re It is a

’
. .

p ity d ea r An ton i th a t y ou a re n ot here

, ,
But n o th in g ca n be don e . .

Pe rh a p s we sha ll y e t l ive toge th e r a n d a m u se ourselves a s we did ,

form e rly Lu cy a n ca m e a lso for th e holid a ys bu t for 3 d a ys on ly

.
, .

We h a ve a m u se d ourse lves for the l a s t t im e in the ho u se of the

P rzy by szs beca u se I m u s t a l so in form y ou th a t p oo r M r P rzyby sz is
, .

ve ry un fortun a te He ha s con vul sion s a n d th erefo re he cea sed to

.
,

Th e r m ti c tt h m en t h ere is com p l t l y differe t from wh t we fi d

1
o an a ac e e n a n

no rm a ll y a mo g p t N p ea a t girl w ld b h a rtbroken thr ugh the

n e a sa n s . o s n ou e e o

f il
a f the m a f w h m sh
u re o r d t m rry h b se o stron g l v ca
n or o e ca e o a er, eca u n o e n

grow t of m
ou cqua i t th b is of t h tr diti
e re a l pea sa t ttitu de
n a n ce on e as e a on a n a ,

u less it h s t m i
n ted i s u l l tio s d w h ve g oun d to ss m tha t
a er na n ex a re a n ,
an e a no r a u e

th is is the ca se here .
4 58 P R I MAR Y G ROUP
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

p erf o r m his [gove rn m en t se rv ice a n d m u s t m ov e a wa y fro m h e re .

S o a fte r th e hol id a y s I wen t with h im to the h ou se of Drzewieck i .

He lives n ow quie tly th e re He is n o t so ba d bu t a fte r these a tta ck s

.
,

h e sp ea ks wa n d e rin g ly It i s a p ity beca use h e w a s a goo d m a n ;

.
,

h e wi sh ed n obody a n y wron g Miss B ron ia w a s a l so w ith th e

.

Prz y by sz s u n t il Ch r istm a s so I wen t th er e oft en a n d w e a m u se d ou r

,

selv es n icely .But n ow a ll th i s ha s com e t o a n en d ; M r P rzybysz .

is in M il osl a w Bron ia in J a worow

,
It is a p ity for a ll is o ver
.
,
.

Yes terda y I wa s a lso with K a zi m ierz a n d his wife a n d I sa w a t ,

la st th a t th ey h a d decide d t o a n swer yo ur f our le tte rs so they sa id -

.

I sn t th a t a villa n y ! Wh en th ey wa n t som e thin g th e y kn ow how to

’

write bu t wh en they h a ve go t wha t they wa n t it is diffi c ult for th em

t o sen d y ou th eir n o t e [p r om i se t o p a y ] As if y ou did n o t fi g ure in
.

i t a t a ll ! I told th em it w a s n ot n ice of them Wla dz ia a n sw e re d .

t ha t it w a s th e a fla ir of K a z im ierz But I sa id th a t th ey bo th d eserved

.

a g oo d b ea t in g beca u se K a z i mierz is a n e x cee din g ly n egl igen t f e ll ow

, ,

a n d S h e is su ch a ba d m uz z l e But y ou kn ow yo urse lf m y d ea r
“ ”
.
, ,

ho w i t wa s ; it is the sa m e n ow She r ea d m e yo ur l e tt er a n d they

.
,

sa id th a t y ou wa n t a n o te fr om them bu t a cco rd in g t o th e i r ca l cul a tion

y ou s till owe them 3 0 0 m a rk s But wh a t is the n ee d of those o th er

.

e xp en ses bes ides t h e n ew b uildi n g ? A n i ce a d min istra t ion is i t n o t ?

D o a s y ou will bu t I t e ll y ou th a t y ou w ill n eve r com e t o a n un d e r
,

s ta n d in g w i th them Wh en y ou were h ere y ou ha d tro u bl e a n d g ri ef

.

m ore th a n on ce a n d n ow th ey do a s they p l ea se
,
If I we re y ou a fte r .
,

receivin g tha t n o te I wo uld sen d them n othin g bu t I w ould d em a n d ,

the in ter es t a n d then we S h ould see how it wo uld go with th e m

, As .

lon g a s y ou a ssocia te w ith th em y ou will n ever ha ve m on ey ; y ou

will work for the ben efit of o thers Evid en tly it is n o t m y a fl a ir bu t
.
, ,

a s I p r om ise d y ou I in f o r m y ou But p lea se d on t be tra y m e beca use ’

.
, ,

Ja n cza k l ives in good frien dship with them

Your tr u e a n d we ll w ishin g frien d -
,

S TAN I S LAw R .

669 Oc tobe r 1 0 ,
1 91 3

[ Gree tin gs ; gen e ra l i t ies a bout hea lth ; l e tter s wr i tten

receive d ; a nd

ha rves t wa s goo d ] Now I wr ite y ou a bo ut K a zim ie rz

. a n d his w if e .

As y ou kn ow a lrea dy th ey r en t ed tha t fa r m
, Fo r 1 0 y ea rs h e [ the .

ten a n t] w ill p a y 70 0 m a rks yea rly My fa ther a ssis ted so I in fo rm

.
,

y ou m o re e x a c tly a bout i t beca use from wh a t y ou wro te to th em a n d

,
 4 60 PRI MAR Y —
GROUP OR G AN IZATI ON

I l ive l ik e Ad a m driven a wa y from Pa ra d ise I h a ve few .

frien ds so I don t kn ow wh ere t o go S om e tim es I go to Ja n cza k

,
’
.

a n d w e p la y the viol in a l i ttl e As to th ose ten a n t s th ey a re ge tt in g

.
,

on b a dly It seem s to m e tha t th ey will n o t rem a in for a lon g

.

tim e He p a id l ittle t o Ka zim ierz beca use his situ a tion is ba d

.
,
.

N ow I a sk y ou d ea r An ton i wh e th e r th a t gu n h a s been of
, ,

a n y u se to y ou a n d wh e th e r tha t s uit is fa shion a ble n ow

in Am erica Here it ra in s con tin ua lly m u d u p t o th e
kn ees Fros t a n d sn o w wo uld be p ref era ble ; on e co uld k ill som e
.

ga me m ore ea sily But th e h a res ha ve a ll been sho t a n d there

.
,

a re ve ry fe w d eer M y sh oo tin g is ba d th is yea r I h a ve a ba d

. .

gu n I miss yours
. .

S TAN I S LAW R .

Ap r il 6 , 1 91 4

D E AR FRI E ND : Firs t of a ll I w ish y ou d ea r frien d h ea l th y a n d , ,

m e rry h oli da ys P e rh a p s y ou w ill sp en d be tte r h o l id a y s t h a n I h e re

.
,

a n d p a rt ic ula rly K a zim ierz for a n a ccid en t h a pp en e d t o him beca u se

, ,

h e is t oo good a n d m oreov er a fool , On th e fir s t of th e m on th h e .

’
n ee d e d m on ey He wen t t o his ten a n t who owed him 3 50 m a rk s of
.
,

ren t for h a lf a yea r But N e u m a nn w a s n ot a t h om e He wen t on

. .

th e 2 d N eu m a n n w a s e a t in g di n n er a n d sa id th a t h e m u s t fin i sh
.

it. All this beca u se h e ha d n o m on ey O n th e th ird da y a t 7 o c l ock .

’

P M [ N e u m a n n ] sen t his serva n t g irl a skin g K a zim ie rz t o com e for

. .
-

t he m o n ey K a zim ierz a s y ou know is good n a tured Though it

.
, , .

w a s th e duty of N e um a n n t o b r in g him m on ey beca u se t h e la w is so , ,

K a zim ierz wen t for the m on ey Ne um a n n p u t th e m on ey on t he .

ta ble a n d told him to t a ke it K a zimierz sa id : I m us t firs t co un t .

“

it wh e the r th ere is en o ugh

,
An d K coun te d th e m on ey
. . .

S udd en ly N se ize d him a n d p ush ed him a wa y fr om t h e t a bl e

. Th ey .

bega n t o p u sh ea ch o ther a n d s udden ly N seize d a st ick a n d w ou n d e d .

K on th e hea d ba dly en ough K w en t bleed in g to the doc to r a n d

. . .
,

th e n e xt da y a l so he w a n t e d the d oc tor t o com e S o Wla dz ia ca m e .

h e re a n d r el a te d a ll this t o m y fa the r An d fa th er sa id : Y o u see .

“
,

tha t is wha t y ou get for your kin dn ess Why did n ot K a zimierz .

ta ke a cha ir a n d sp l it h is hea d ? M oreov er wh a t do y ou wa n t ? ,

Y ou wi she d to go to Am e rica a n d n ow y ou com p l a in [ y o u w e re in a

,

h urry t o r en t t he h ouse a n d to Th en Wla dzia sa id : Y ou “

were p resen t wh en we m a d e the con tra ct Why did y ou n ot sa y .

 KOWAL S KI S ERI ES 46 1

an ythin g ? Fa ther got so a n g ry th a t h e cu r sed her a n d swore a t

h er for y ou k n ow h ow h e ca n do it
, Wla dz ia fled
. Th e n ext
.

da y K w en t to a l a wy e r a n d told th e whol e m a tte r

. N e um a n n ha d .

a lrea dy en t e r ed a s u i t on th e g roun d of th e in va sion of h is h om e I .

don t k n ow how it will en d I w ill write y ou m ore la ter N eum a n n

’
. .

is a s tr on g a n ta gon is t a n d it is a p i ty th a t y ou a re n ot h ere ; y ou
would p e rha p s defea t h im I ca ll ed yes terda y on K a zimierz
1
,

bu t I did n ot fin d h im or his w ife a t h om e b u t m y a u n t [m o ther of

,

An ton i a n d K a zim ierz] told me t h e wh ol e a fla ir a n d a ske d m e t o

inform y ou She sa id th a t she he r self took th e m on ey for t he holy
.

m a ss [ t o th e p ries t] She sa id th a t wi th y ou she h a d it m u ch be tter

.

a n d t ha t sh e does n o t l ik e ve ry m u ch [ t o l i ve wi th K a z i m ie rz ] .

S TAN I S LA W R .

1
Thi s whole qu rrel ha p r
a s oba b ly ls
a o a r ilb
ac a r
a ckg ou n d . N eu m a n n i s a

Germ a n or of Germ ane tra ctio

x n .
 FR Y Z OWI CZ S E R I E S

Typ e of sen tim en ta l frien d ship r a r e a m on g c ou n tr y

,

p eop le b ut fo un d som e tim e s a m on g town p eop le of t h e ha n d

worker c la s s Thi s form of s en tim en ta li t y is p ro b a b l y
.

du e t o t h e in fl u en c e of r e ligio u s li f e in to wn s b igo tr y
-
,

c er em on iousn ess fra te rn i ties wi th th eir s up erfic ia l hu m a ni

,

t a ria n ism ,
c om p lic a t ed d evotion a n d la ck of p ra c tic a l
,

in t e r es t s
. At t h e sa m e tim e t h e sed en t a r y occ up a tion
f a vor s r eflec tiv e a tti tud es Con se qu en tl y a m on g thi s c la ss
.

of p e op l e sen tim en t a s su c h a ssu m e s a v a l u e whic h i t n e ve r

h a s a m on g p ea sa n ts wher e i t i s im m edia te l y c on ve rt e d
,

in to a m o tiv e of a c tion Th e s a m e c a n be s a id a b o ut
.

i n tell ec tu a l life An im p er son a l in ter es t in t he s a m e

.

p hen om en a is s ufficien t t o c r ea te a c omm un i on b e twe e n

in di vi dua l s whil e a m on g p ea sa n t s ther e m u s t be a lw a y s
,

a c e rt a in solid a r i ty of p e r son a l i n te r e s t s t o give r i s e t o a

frien d shi p .

I n th e p r esen t c a se th e ty p e is n o t p erf e c tl y p ur e
‘

Fry zowicz is in d ee d a sm a ll ha n dworke r a n d a ty p ic a l to w n

in ha b ita n t b ut hi s c orr e spon d en t Woj ciec h b esid e s h is
, , ,

ha n dwo rk ha s a f a rm a s fr e qu en tl y ha pp en s in sm a ll to wn s
The se town sm en —
, .

fa rm ers a re t h e n a tura l in t er m e dia r y c l a ss

b e tween the pea sa n t s a n d t h e lower b ourgeoisie a ltho u g h ,

they a re n ot n u m erou s en ou gh t o p l a y a n im port a n t p a rt

in socia l or ga n iza tion .
4 64 PRI M AR Y GR O U P
-
OR G ANI ZATI ON

may Lord God give y ou hea lth for a h un dre d yea rs sin ce y ou trea t
ou r ,

m e so n icely .
1

N ow I in form y ou th a t th e win te r he re is ve ry g ood

n ice w ea th e r dur in g the wh ole c a r n iva l ; so b ea ut iful tha t i t is a joy

t o liv e in the w orld !

An d then I in fo rm y ou who got m a rrie d [ E n u m e r a t es 1 0 .

we dd in gs ] An d J6zek H ejm eja k [son of Hejm ej] wa s t o m a rry in

Gos tw ica in the h o u se of [ th e d a ugh te r of] th e fo rm e r m a yo r P l a ta ;
,

th e w e ddi n g wa s t o be on Wed n e sd a y bef or e th e en d of th e c a rn iva l .

But it go t sp oile d b eca use they could n o t com e to a n u n de rs ta n d in g ,

for H ejm ej refuse d t o will [ to his son ] the whol e palrol ek [ a n cien t
d ivision of l a n d ; l i tera lly ha lf a field ; n ow it m ea n s a fa rm of a ”

c e rta in size ] .

An d then I in f o rm y ou who di ed [ En ume ra tes se ven p e rson s . .

Gree tin gs a n d wish es ]

JAKOB FR YZOW I CZ

Ap r il 1 9, 1 91 3

Go , l ittl e l e tte r
j ourn ey beca u se I ca n n o t go m yse lf
,
on th e , .

Fly l ittle l e tter a cross m oun ta in s a n d va lleys t o the dista n t coun try
, , ,

fly a c ross wa ters a n d rivers a s fa r a s Am e rica Wh en y ou fin d t he .

h o use of m y broth er s ta n d a t th e th resh old a n d p ra ise ou r L o rd Go d

, .

Wh en y ou a re n ea r bow low t o m y bro the r a n d wh en y ou a re n ea re r

, , ,

bow s t ill l ower a n d s tan d in a co rn e r a n d sa y in a low voice in to m y

,

broth e r s e a r tha t y ou com e from Littl e Kub i n a [ con tem p tful f o rm

’

of Ku ba i tself d im in ut iv e fo r m of Ja k6b] from Ly skow n ice fro m t he

, ,

on e w h o sew s gé m i ce [ k in d of c l o th e s] a n d be g him l ittl e le tte r to , ,

a ccep t y ou beg m y b ro th er t o ta k e y ou in his h a n d s a n d te ll hi m t h a t

, ,

Kuba wro te bel ow wh a tever [n ews] he hea rd .

2

Firs t of a ll my h ea rtily belo ved bro ther I g ree t y ou

, MV
legs a re n ot y et qui te we ll bu t p erha p s I sha ll recove r S lowly M a y
, .

God re w a rd y ou a h u n dred f old for your a dv ice wh a t to do in ord e r to ,

recove r soon er An d [ I wi sh] h ea rtily tha t God ma y rewa rd y ou for

.

your l e tte r An d I tha n k y ou ve ry n icely for th e sn uff toba cco

.
-

1
Acc p ti g th g ift i th i
e n p t th m
e si rta i situ ti o f i f i
n s ca se u s e an n a ce n a on n er

O it y
r .H i e h m m i k w ith o t l d w h il hi frie d is
s a a a , f rmu Th gift
an ,
e s n a a er . e s

bel o g t t h
n o l f p r p rty
e c a ss o t fi c m d t h re
o efo g ivi g them i
,
no o n
ot o e, a n e a son r n s n

so ci l s li d rity bu t p erso a l fri

a o a ,
d hip n en s .

1
Th wh l f t h p reced i g i trod cti o is i v r
e o e o e n n u n n e se .
 FRYZOWI CS SERI E S 46 5

which y ou sen t m e in the le tter I la ughed tha t y ou a re such a frol ic .

S om e f e ll ow a n d kn ew h ow t o re j oice m e An d I tha n k y ou for a n swe r .

in g m e a t on ce .

An d n ow I
m us t sp ea k w ith y ou and h a ve an e xp l a n a tion . Why
a re y ou n o t sa t isfied wh en I sp ea k or wr i te t o y ou wy an d n ot

I th in k
le tter [W ] ve ry
”
[ it n ice
“
ty y ou a n d n ot . is a .

Why do y ou n ot like it Y ou ca n n o t do without i t a t a n y ra te be

ca u se how ca n a n ybody om i t it in sp ea kin g t o y ou ei the r Woj ci ech ,

[ m o re re ve ren tia l full fo rm of th e n a m e] or Wojte k [ m ore fa mi l ia r

”
,

f orm ] But I ca nn o t a g ree w ith y ou [a bout S p ea kin g th ou in s tea d ”

un l ess—if ou r Lo rd God g ives h ea lth t o u s bo th a n d w e

.

of

l ive l on g en ough—when y ou re turn from Am erica we sh a ll bo th ten d

h om less a n im a ls [ p igs] Then I sha ll ha ve m ore boldn ess a n d
.

I w ill sa y thou to y ou S o n ow I l ove y ou with m y he a rt a n d

“
.
1

I resp ect y ou w ith my l ove a n d I w ish y ou eve ry good [ More , .

wishes ] N ow I in form y ou tha t in Ka lwa rya P ries t Podworski

is d ea d th e sa m e wh o sen t u s i m a g es
,
a n d in Lwow Tis d ea d

P rie st Ad a m Weszolicki e d i to r of G a ze ta N ie dz ieln a

, [ Four m ore .

p ries t s who d ied ] An d n ow in P od eg ro dzie we h a v e a n o th er p riest

V i ca r An d in N owy Sacz a s tuden t trie d to drown him self on
a fa ir da y -
An d in S ta ry Sacz a thief s tole 40 0 c rown s from a
sh oem a k e r An d t he we a th e r is ve ry bea utiful
. An d
t he w a tch es which y o u rep a ir e d k eep goin g An d the h ighwa y
is m a de n o w n ea r JOZ ek Dud a [ s fa r m ] [Wishes a n d g ree tin gs ]
’
.

K U B A FRYZOW I CZ

67 4 Jun e 1 2, 1 91 4

[ G en e ra l in troduct ion in ve ry verse ; g ree tin gs ; h ea l th ; ba d

I l ove y ou h ea rtily so I o ugh t to write more often to you bu t I a m
, ,

so hin d ere d beca u se I m u s t sew t h e w hol e da y a n d wh en S u n d a y

, ,

comes I h a ve a l so occ up a tion ; som e com e t o sp ea k a bout work ,

o th e rs t o t a ke t he cl oth es S o I wr ite y ou d own wh a teve r I hea rd

.

from oth er p eop le I n Podeg rodz ie there will be a Cloiste r [a ch urch]

.

f o un de d on the sp ot wh ere M rs S troska h a s a sm a ll shop

, .

Th ey w ill p a y her a s m uch a s sh e a sks bu t sh e m u s t m ove a wa y from ,

tha t p la ce a n d field beca use a t tha t p la ce wa s bo rn Ja n Pa p czy ri ski

,
’

D id h e t d p ig with y u en is p ov rbia l sa yi g
s o d whe i f ri r
a r e n , u se n an n e o

a ssu m u d e f m ilia rity with hi p rior The whole p r gr p h is of cou rse

es n u a s su e . a a a , ,

m a n ife ta ti f t h wri t r s h m ilit y

’
a s on o e e u .
4 66 PR I MAR Y G R OU P
-
OR GANI ZATI O N

and h e is a s a in t . He w a s bor n foun ded a Cl ois te r

21 3 y e a r s a go ,
he
of M a r ia n s th e M u sco v i t e a n d n ow t w o a re l eft from t his
un d er ,

con g r ega tion Th e M u scov i te drove th em a wa y from his l a n d a n d

.
,

th ey ca m e t o C ra cow a n d t hey a re in Cra cow a n d on S t Ja kob s ,

.
’

D a y they will com e to P o deg rodz i e a n d on e of th em w ill p rea ch a n d , ,

th ey w ill se ttle in Podeg rodz ie f orever An d t his I in for m y ou ,

th a t our p ries t wen t w i th p ilg r im s fr om Cracow t o J eru sa l em t o ,

B eth l eh em to N a za re th t o th e m oun ta in of S t Joh n The la n d

, ,
. .

Pa l e s t in a is in T urkey An d furth er I in fo rm y ou tha t in

P o d eg rodz ie th e re is a n or ches tra of twen ty m u sicia n s An d .

furth er I i n fo rm y ou tha t 7 m en h a ve been ca lled t o th e a rm y from

Gos twica An d ou r J a siek l os t h is wa tch ; th ey wen t for bir ch
wood a n d h e l os t i t i n th e bu sh es He wen t tw ice t o se a r ch .

for it bu t h e did n ot fin d i t a n d h e p rom ised th e p eop l e w h o ga th e r

, ,

wood m on ey for fin din g it a n d h e w en t t o a f ortu n e t eller in -

S acz th a t sh e m igh t fore te ll wh e th er h e would fin d it or n ot a n d she ,

told him tha t he wo uld fin d it a n d in dee d 3 week s l a te r , a ma n

fo un d it a n d J62 ef ga ve h im 2 szé stki a n d got th e wa tch An d

Bla sia k M icha l s i t s in p r ison He is t o sit 4 m on th s .

for h a v in g w oun d ed the h a n d s of P la ta w ith a k n ife a nd h e is a l so t o ,

p a y him 1 50 g uld en for cutt in g his h a n d s [D escribes in t wo p a ge s .

h ow th e m a n w a s a rres ted ]
JAK OB FRYZO WI CZ

67 5 Au g u s t 2 ,
1 91 4

MY Y B ELO VE D B R O TH E R
DE ARL I wa s v ery gl a d when I
receive d your l e tte r a n d I rea d it w ith joy bu t wh en I ca m e to the ,

p a ssa ge a bo ut yo ur a ccid en t y o ur m isf ortu n e th a t y o ur leg h a s been

, ,

so in jur e d th en I wep t
,
But n obody sa w it excep t our Lord God
.

a l on e beca u se n obody wa s l ook in g wh en I rea d t h e l e tt e r ; n obody

,

kn ow s a n d n obo dy will kn ow wh a t y ou wrote to m e beca u se n ot eve ry ,

bo dy ough t to k n ow wh a t yo ur con dition is I l ove y ou hea rtily 1

.

a n d I p ity y ou b eca u se your s tr en g t h is so we a k en e d for h ow ca n y o u

wa lk a n d work when your leg s a re a ch in g B ut n o th in g ca n be don e . .

1
We fin d h ere th e m p i li it
c i i
i rtu i g r l
a dm ss on th t i
a s ckn ess , a n d m s fo ne n en e a ,

a re th i gs t b h med f d t t be p ok f b f r str g r Th i ttit d

n o e as a o an no o s en o e o e an e s . s a u e

m a y be p rh p e xp l i ed by i divid a l p sycholog y bu t it is p o i bl th t it p i ts
a s e a n n u , ss e a o n

ba ck t o t h m r p rim itiv
e o eci l i d tific ti f p hy ica l
e so d m or l vil i
a en a on o s an a e n a

un iq ue m a gica l vil p ri ciple n e .

4 68 PRI M AR Y G R OUP
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

and w en t to the ch urch , t o con f ession ,

a n d on S u n d a y t o t he a rm y a nd

t o th e wa r !
An d so, d ea r bro th e r look s in ou r cou n try Wha t wi ll fo llow
,
it .
,

God on ly kn ows how i t will en d Th e p riests a n d the p a p e r s sa y

-
.

t ha t p eop l e ough t n ot t o ca re a bout it beca u se s u ch is t h e will of God

, ,

a n d e ve rybody m u st a g r ee wi th t he w ill of God .

An d n ow y ou wri te m e n o t t o p a y for m y l e tter s B ut I .

sh o uld be a sh a m e d t o do i t ; e ven if th e p o s t a ge cos t a crown w ha t ,

does it m ea n in com p a rison w ith bro th e rly l ove You p a y a l so when .

y ou wr i te to m e a n d s urely y ou d on t re gre t it beca use it is don e

’
, ,

will in gly a n d freely w ith out a n y comp ul sion

, .

JAKOB FRYzowrcz
 OS I N I AK S ERI E S

Th e le tte r s of wi th the in trodu c tory le tter of

Osin ia k,
his frien d Leon M a za n ek p r esen t in a n isola te d a n d m a g
, ,

n ifi ed f o rm t w o a tt itudes whic h while s eld om qu ite con,

sc iou s,
p la y a n im p orta n t p a rt in the life of th e Poli s h
c oun tr y p eople pa rticul a rly when it c om es t o a n a djust
-
,

m en t t o m od ern c on di tion s Those a ttitudes a re l ove of

.

n a tur e a n d love of p er son a l in de p en den c e .

Th e a es the tic love of n a tur e a ri ses when for som e r ea son

the u tili t a ria n a n d t h e m y thi c a l a ttitud e s d isa pp ea r On e . .

exa m p le of thi s e volution is s h own in th e p ea sa n t l ite r a r y

“

produ c tion He re th e imi t a tion of exi s tin g l itera ry m odel s

.

develops a n a es the tic a tti tud e a n d imm e dia tel y w e fin d a

,

very in ten se p r oduc tivit y in t he lin e of desc rip tion s of

’
n a tur e . An o the r e x a m p le is t h e li fe of whi c h Osin ia k s
le tter s give u s a desc rip tion —t he life of poa c hers fore s te rs , ,

bee keep ers e t c whose utili ta ria n a ttitud e tow a rd n a ture

-
,
.
,

fin d s a m uc h n a rr owe r fie ld tha n tha t o f a f a rm er a n d in ,

whom som e in s tru c tion h a s de s tro y ed t he m y thic a l b elief s

wi thout d e s tro yin g t he feel in gs whi c h a cc omp a n ied them .

I n t h e c a se of Os ini a k a n d hi s frien d t h e a e s th etic a ttitud e

cou ld develop p a rtic ula rl y e a sily b eca u se they a re son s of
town in h a bita n ts a n d ha d n o t th e tra di tion a l util ita ria n ism
of t h e fa rm er t o over c om e .

As t o t h e love of p er son a l in d ep en d en c e it is p erfe c tly,

n a tur a l a m on g ha n dworke r s o f a s m a ll t own wh o h a v e for

,

m a n y gen e ra tion s worke d a t their ow n risk a n d p rofit in

their own sm a ll shops I t wou ld seem on the c on tra ry
.
, ,

tha t thi s f ea ture c ould ha r dl y ha ve devel oped a m on g

pea sa n t s un d er c on dition s of s erfdom B u t this is n ot t he
.

4 69
4 70 PRI M AR Y GR O U P
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

c a se , and followin g r ea son s : ( I ) S e rfdom h a d in n u

for t h e
m era ble de gr ees from th e a b solut e s ub ord in a tion a m oun t
, ,

in g t o S l a v ery of th e la n dl ess p e r son a l s erva n t of th e l o rd

, ,

u p t o t he a hn ost c om p le t e lib ert y of the c rown a n d c hur c h

pea sa n ts ( 2 ) I n th e n orm a l t yp e of serfdom t h e p ea sa n t
.

fa rm er ha d o n l y t o give a p a rt of h is tim e t o t h e lo rd whil e ,

h e di sp osed free l y of th e re s t a n d this c on tin u a l c on tra s t

,

b etween c om p ul so ry work a n d fre e work m u st ha ve he lp e d

t o o rigin a t e a n d t o keep a l iv e a c on s cio u s a pp re cia tion of
in d ep e n den c e ( 3 ) Th e in t erfer en c e of th e l ord or th e
.

’
gove rn m en t with the p ea sa n t s p erson a l life w a s limi te d t o
im p orta n t a n d r a r e occ a sion s whil e in h is eve ry d a y li fe
,

t h e p ea sa n t w a s b oun d onl y by th e soc ia l op in ion of h is

e qu a l s . Thi s exp la in s th e f a c t tha t t h e p ea sa n t app recia t es
m u ch m ore this libert y of t h e ev e r y d a y li fe th a n m ore
im p orta n t s ocia l a n d p ol itic a l l ib erties a n d a t t h e s a m e tim e
,

th e s eem in g p a r a d ox tha t h e ha te s t h e d e t a il ed or ga n iz a ti on
a n d lim i t a t ion of in div idu a l l if e in m o d e r n in du s trial c i t ie s ,

whil e h e c om p lies with it a lm ost w ith out opp osition He .

ha te s it b ec a u se he sees n o e quiva l en t in free c itiz en ship fo r

th e l os t in d ep en d en c e of e v e r y d a y l if e a n d h e c om p lies with
,

it b e c a u se h e is a cc u s tom e d t o c om p l y with a n y a uthor ity ,

for dur in g c e n turies th e a uth orit y h a d ex erte d i t self on l y on

im p orta n t occ a sion s a n d in sp ir e d a he r e d it a r y a w e .

S o in thi s r esp ec t a s w ell a s in t h e a ttitud e towa rd

,

n a tur e Osin ia k a n d M a za n ek a lth ou gh of t h e h a n dw or ke r

, ,

c la ss a re g oo d represen ta tiv es a l so of th e pe a sa n ts The

, .

u su a ll y l ess m a rked m isa d a p ta tion of P olish c o un tr y p eop l e -

t o c it y l ife is h oweve r m a gn ifie d in th eir c a se a l m o s t t o a

, ,

tra gic a l d eg r ee Osin ia k n e ve r b e c a m e a d a p ted a t a ll whil e

.
,

M a za n ek throu gh his m a rria g e seem s f or c e d t o b ea r it

, , .

An d c ert a inl y in ma n y o f t h e n on sp e cified c om p la in t s

,
-

which we fin d in le tters from Am eric a a s well a s in the l on g ,

in g of P oli sh City worker s for c ou n try a n d l a n d t he t w o

-
,
47 2 PR I MAR Y GRO UP
-
OR GAN IZATI ON

these le tters Wla dysla w Osin ia k a s we ll a s m yself sign ed below wa s

, , ,

bor n in Glogow Ga licia 1 % [ P olish] miles fr om R z eszow

, ,
Glogow is .

a sm a ll town in ha bite d by p oor bu t in d ep en d en t h a n dwo rk e r s wh o ,

h a ve n o t e v en a n idea of t he sla ve ry of a n Am erica n fa cto ry w ork m a n .

Th e town is situa ted in a v e ry be a utiful co u n try g roves a n d p in e ,

f ores ts surroun d it wi th a gre en a n d bla ck r in g p on d s overflowin g ,

with fish g lis ten in som e p la ces S trea m s a n d rivule ts flow from t h e
.

f orests in to t h e p on d s a n d ou t of them ga th erin g the m selves in to a ,

river S zla chcia nka ( Th is rive r is ca lle d S z la chcia n ka [n oble g irl]

,
.
“ ”

beca u se t he d a ugh te r of a n oblem a n p rop rie tor of a m a n or wa s

drown ed in it—so sa y s t he legen d )
, ,

W la dek ( so I briefl y ca lled m y frien d ) wa s t h e son of a shoem a ker ,

I wa s t h e son of a ta ilor We live d in th e sa m e s tree t ou r ho uses

.
,

fa ced ea ch othe r Ou r p a ren ts lived in grea t frien dship M y fa t he r

. .

a n d W la dek s fa th e r w e r e se a te d every s u m m e r e v en in g in t h e g a rd en
/

un de r a n old widesp rea din g lim e tree ( n ea r e ve ry house in the town

there is a sm a lle r or la rger orcha rd even t he p u bl ic roa d s a re p la n ted ,

wi th fru it trees) sm okin g their p ip es M y fa th e r took p a rt in t he la st .

Poli sh re volution [ 1 8 63 ] a n d h e re la te d his a dve n tures durin g th is

revolution a n d his 1 2 yea rs of service in t he Au s tria n a rm y Wla dek
—
,
.

a g r ea t dr ea m e r a s a boy 1 4 1 5 yea r s o ld roa m e d w i th m e a ro un d t he

,

n eig h borin g fo r e s ts O ften w e slep t in t he fo re s t

. I n t h e m o rn in g .
,

a bo ut su n r ise w e a rose a wa ken e d by t h e m o r n in g cold w e a d m ire d

, , ,

t h e su n rise S i ttin g up on big oa k tru n k s on t he hig h es t h illock si tu a te d

, ,

a bove a p on d I n t he ea s t c ultiva te d fi eld s a re seen a n d a risin g su n

.

which is reflec ted in t he p on d ; in a ha lf circle a gla de p l a n ted with -

you n g p in es a bout 6 yea rs old a n d fa rther a n o ther ha lf circ le a ll

, ,
-
,

this in closed by a grea t m ixed f orest of oa ks p in es firs a lders full of , , , ,

big ga m e I n the bru sh wood a re h idd en h u n dre d s of ha res f oxes

.
, ,

m a rten s .O h w h a t a d el igh tful im p ression on e f e lt in wa lkin g durin g

,

t h e n igh t by t h e ligh t of t h e m oon a lon g t he h i ll s wi th a true frien d

,

a t on e s sid e wh o a dor ed n a tur e

’ —
p la ying fl ute a n d oca r in a ! The m oon
, ,

reflec ted itse lf in t he p on d ; t h e echo of th e flute flowed fa r a wa y u p

t he dew . S om e tim es w e cou ld hea r t he ba rkin g of foxes or t he ,

ble a tin g of roe s w h o c a ll e d on e a n o ther or t he h oo tin g of a n owl We , .

drea m ed a bo ut fa r cou n tries a bout tra v el s a m on g Am e rica n p ra iries

, ,

Af r ica n d ese rts a n d t h e ju n g le s of I n di a

,
Th ese drea m s dr ew me he re .
,

where ba d fortu n e torm en ts m e p en ury a n noys m e 3 children cry , ,

for brea d ,a wif e com p la in s a n d I m yself h a v e l os t a ll sha m e to s uch

,
 OSI N I AK SERI E S 4 73

a degree tha t for the va in p rofit of a few cen ts I sen d those le tters from
m y bes t a n d onl y frien d which I h a v e k ep t in a good hid in g p la ce for
,
-

m a n y yea r s a n d r ea d h u n dre d s of ti m es B ut I h op e tha t I sha ll .

receive them ba ck .

LE ON M .

67 7 G LO GOW M a y
,
2 6, 1 90 3

D E AR FR I E N D : You a sk wha t is t he n ews in Glogow . E ve rythin g

is as it h a s beenfrom old ; on e ca n sa y Old m ise ry [Le tte rs ,
“
.

w ritten a n d receive d ; gen e ra l n ews a bout a c qua in ta n ces ] As I see ,

y ou wa n t t o fill your p oc k e t a t on ce w ith d olla rs for when y ou ha d ,

ea sy wo rk y ou kep t it for a s h o rt t im e a n d n ow y ou r em a in lon ge r ,

in t he fa c tories which I be liev e m u s t be lik e h e ll

, , ,
P erha p s y ou ha ve .

n ow m o re m on e y ; it o ug h t t o be so But p erh a p s n ot It is a lso

.

true tha t wri tin g is tiresom e en ough p a rticula rly for t he eyes I ,
.

d on t even wa n t to rea d book s a n y m ore a n d I m a rve l how y ou could

’
,

rea d so m uch when y ou w e re writin g [a s a c lerk] in Glogow When .

I a rise from this p a p er I go hom e in th e even in g li ke a blin d hen .

Oh t here is n o be tter m ore j oyous m om en t tha n t o go wi th a stick

, ,

[a gu n ; p oa che rs j a rg on ] to t he fores t B ut they gu a rd it well ! I

’
.

sh a ll wri t e y ou be low a bout di ffe ren t a dven t u r es beca use n ow I ,

sh o uld like t o fin d som e t hin g t o sa y a bo ut Glogow bu t I ca n fin d ,

n o t h i ng ; wi t hout j okin g I ca n n ot [ S om e n e ws a bout p e op le who

,
.

in te n d t o go to Am erica ] I n your h om e a ll a re in good hea lth This .

win ter we ce lebra ted in Glogow t he 4ot h a n ni versa ry of t he in surrec

tion of 1 863 I n th e town there is n o n e ws a t a ll If y ou wri te soon
. .
,

u se n u m be r s in som e wo rd s An d n ow I wi ll tell y ou som e thin g a bout

.

shoo tin g [ th e w ord c ip h er ed ] First I tell y ou t he fa te of Fr M ora rski

. .
,

like tha t which ha p p en ed to u s S om e body from Glogow p roba bly .

,

W M ki ll e d a de er [cip h er] in Ja n ua ry a n d t he ga m ekeep er [cip her]

. .
,

drove h im a wa y so tha t he ha d to throw t h e gu n a wa y or he hid it

, ,

a fte r S h ootin g a n d t h e keep e r sa w t hi s a n d f o u n d i t l a te r

, It wa s .

a d ou ble ba rr e le d g u n
-
He im a g in ed t ha t i t w a s Fr M or An d
. . .

m oreover t he deer d isa p p ea re d beca use a n o t h er com p a n ion of t he

, ,

m a n fle d a n d ca rried i t a wa y wh ile t he keep er w a s p ursuin g the fir st

on e Th e keep er took th e g u n to t he chi ef f ore ster a n d drew
u p a com p la in t a g a in s t M ora rski w ho p rov ed t ha t h e w a s in R zeszow
,

a t t h e t im e a n d t h e ke ep e r will p roba b ly s it [in p r ison for fa lse com

,

p la in t] Then he drew u p a com p la in t a ga in st Ba rtu zel bu t this a lso

.
,
4 74 P RI MAR Y G R O UP
-
OR G AN IZATI ON

resulte d in n othin g Th en a ga in st t he m a n wh o wa s there rea lly

. .

But who ca n p rove it Th e on ly res ult is tha t th ey n ow g ua rd the

f orest of Glogow be tter Th e secon d th in g will be in te restin g en ough
. .

Listen S t Za j a n d W1 Za j ki lled a roe

. . . a bout 5 o cl ock in
. .
’

t he ev en in g a n d a s t hey li ke to do wa n te d t o ta ke i t h om e rig h t then

, ,
.

They ca m e to t he m ea do w n ea r t he sp rin g S udd en ly a bout

2 0 p a ce s ba ck of t h em som e body ca lle d : He llo thie ve s ! a n d so on “ ”
.
,

Wh a t could th ey do ? It wa s n ot very d a rk so t h ey co uld on ly lea ve ,

[ t h e roe] a n d fly before h e recogn ized t h em An d so t h ey did He

,
. .

[ t he keep e r] could in deed h a ve trie d t h e p la n : S top or I will S hoot

“ ”
, ,

bu t h e did n ot th in k of i t O n ly la ter w e lea rn e d tha t it wa s [ n o t t he

.

keep er bu t] Jozef Ja ro ris ki a n d Ja n D om a nski wh o we re se ttin g tra p s

'

for m a rt en s They took t h e roe a n d a t e it bu t a t lea s t eve rythin g wa s

.
,

quie t Now a n o ther [ s tory] still O n S un d a y ev en in g a fte r 1 0 o clock

. .
’

w e wen t to t he f ores t on t h e o th er sid e of t he fi e ld s by t h e ligh t of the ,

m oon . We we re 4 : tw o h a d to drive [the ga m e] t wo to sta n d [a n d ,

sh oo t ] .When we ca m e t o the field s th e re wa s fog Yo u co uld n ot .

se e a n othe r m a n a t 5 p a ce s S o we wa lked close t o on e a n other in .

orde r n ot t o ge t los t We ca me t o t h e fores t bu t in t he fog

we did n ot see m uch ; it w a s cold—sn ow u p t o t h e k n ees
.
,

If I ha d .

n ot r em embe re d t o ta ke t he comp a ss w e sh ould n ot h a ve f ou n d th e

wa y t o t he fo re s t Afte r 1 5 h ours of drivin g t h ose w h o s tood we re

.
,

frozen a n d move d in ten d in g to go h om e a n d on ly then we ca m e

, , ,

h a vi ng dri ven n o th in g We ha s ten e d t hen t o ou r h o u se a s to a

,

frien d As to t he g a m ekeep er with w hom we a re a cqua in te d p rob

.
, ,

a bly y ou don t kn ow h im H e often com es t o Mr R s with

’ ’
. .

a ca rt ; h e is keep er in his f o res t He wa s a good f e ll ow m ore t ha n .

on ce w it h u s I sho t on ly on ce a t t he d eer a n d i t wa s so : I wa lked

.
,

a lon g t ime a bout t he fores t I w en t bey on d t h e l a s t hill ,

they were there I m oved towa rd them for ha lf a n hour p erha p s a n d

.
,

it wa s difli cu lt beca use t he re were 5 of t hem 2 lyin g d o w n a n d t he

, ,

o th e r s loa fin g a rou n d I t wa s n ecessa ry t o c on cea l m y se lf ca refully

.

a n d t o a dva n ce c a utiou sly le s t t hey n o tice m e I ca m e to 4 5 p a ces

,
.
,

I lea n ed a ga in st a tree a n d sho t I m i ssed a s it p roved a fterwa rd .

,

a bout 1 0 in ches t oo high for t he bulle t w a s in t h e tr ee u n d e r w hich t h e

,

deer la y But n ot hin g co uld be don e I ha d t o be recon cil ed to m y

.
,

fa te At other tim es it wa s differen t On ce we ra n th rough the

. .

who le forest of Glogow following t he tra ces of a bleed in g d eer which

did n ot fa ll Then it s top p ed bleed in g a n d tha t wa s t he e n d of our
.
,
4 76 PRI M AR Y G ROUP-
OR G AN IZ ATI ON

e ven be a t h om e for Ch ris tm a s a lthough it is on ly 1 2 [Poli sh ] m iles

,

from h om e I a m in a s tor eh ouse d eliverin g p a rce l s beca use I rea d

.
, ,

well ; so si ttin g in t h e la wy e r s offi ce ha s p roved of som e u se B esi de s

’
.
,

I h a ve lea rn ed to rea d R uth e n ia n I do n o thin g bu t d e liver p a rcels .

,

som e t im es c ro wn s w ort h Afte r N ew Y ea r I h op e t o de li ve r

.

le tters in P rzem ysl Evid en tly I ha ve n o tim e n ow t o a m use m yself

.

like a n oblem a n [ to p oa ch ] O n th e da y before go in g to P rzem ysl we

.

g o t h or n s [k ill ed a h a rt] It wa s on Ea ste r in t he thicke t wh ere

.
,

h a z el S h rubs grow wit h S t Z a j ac

-
, S in ce th en n o t h in g m ore ; h e
. .

i s in t h e a rm y in R zeszow a n d I a m h e re ,
Y ou see tha t I .

kn ow how it ta stes t o be a lon e in a stra n ge town ; how m uch worse it

m u st be in a foreign co un try ! But I h op e t ha t y ou a re ge t tin g on
be tte r n ow be ca use y ou c a n sp ea k m ore e a sily
,
D escribe w ha t .

vicissi tudes of f ortun e y ou h a ve p a sse d thr ough durin g t h is t ime .

Are y ou n ot m a rried p erh a p s like Joze f P odo a n d D ra gu lski ? I

,

sh o uld n ot wis h it so soon t o y ou a s t o a fr ien d But d on t con clude ’

.
,

tha t I exp e rien ced it up on m y own skin ; I a m still free a s a bir d in th e

S ky. I d on t kn ow wha t to wr i te further n or wha t y ou wa n t t o k n o w
’
,
.

I wa i t for a big le tter .

WLAD YS LAW

67 9 Jun e 9 1 90 6 ,

D E AR F RI E N D D on t de sp ise wri tin g ; f o rc e yo ur se lf to

’

do i t . To m e y ou ca n wri te wi t h a p en c il up on a n y bit of p a p e r .

I won t be a n g ry a n d it w ill cos t y ou m uch less tro uble It ha p p en s

’
,
.

som e tim es t h a t y ou si t so m e w h er e in a g a rd en y ou a re bore d y ou , ,

h a ve n othin g t o do a n d n obody to Sp ea k w i t h ; t h e re is a p en cil a n d

a
p p e r — be ca u se y ou d on t w ea r in k with y ou
’
Y ou c om p ose a l e tte r .
,

y ou com e h om e a n d eithe r Cop y it wit h ink or p u t t h e sa m e wr i tin g

in to a cove r a ddre ss it w it h in k a n d on t h e fir s t occa sion p u t it in to
,

a m a il box I p e rform this duty in this wa y even in wr itin g t o m y

.

p eop le in Gl ogow I don t lose m y free m om en ts on your le tte r I

’
.
,

wr i te i t durin g t he ti m e I a m on duty in t he p ost ofli ce Even n ow a -

.

sa lesm a n is in t errup t in g m e The d ev il bro ugh t him t o a n n oy m e

.
,

bu t I m us t be p a tien t .

You a re r ig h t in n ot th in k in g of re tur n in g h om e for m il i ta ry

se rv ice a n d wa s t in g t he p r ecio u s t ime in p utt in g yo ur m out h u n d er t h e

fist of Mr S ergea n t
. Som e th in g c a n s till h a p p en durin g y our p ur s u it
.

of h a pp in ess y ou migh t becom e c rip p l e d ] a n d t hen th ey m u st ,

 O SI N I AK S ER I E S 47 7

free y ou from thi s h on or of servin g t he fa therla n d a n d if not y ou ,

will s till ha ve tim e to receive such d a in ties Even t he dog d oes n ot .

p u t his ba ck un d e r t he s tick ; h ow m uch l ess t he m a n who is n ot

m en a ce d by t he h on or a ble a uthori tie s [w h o is ou t of rea ch ] Think .

of it a s if a tra p h a d been se t h e r e a n d be c a r eful n ot t o s tep in to it a t

, ,

lea st n ot a t on ce I don t fin d a n ythin g in te restin g a roun d m e a s

.
’
,

in se rvi ce on e a lwa ys tries t o rise a bo ve t h e o the r s I ha ve been .

bea ten en ough in m y youth [ d isc ip lin e d by t h e rough life of a p oa c he r]

so t h a t I don t n e e d t o ta k e m u ch p a in s in com p e ti ti on wi th a n old
’

gen d a rm e or a n e x corp ora l -

Y ou a sk w ha t I a m d oin g n ow
. .

We ll it is en o ugh t o sa y a s in a n y p os t ofli ce I d on t kn ow wh a t I
, ,
-
.
’

S h a ll do in t h e future I li v e wi th o ut a n y a im a n d I don t try to fin d

’

a n y—
,

if on ly for tha t rea son t ha t I mi sse d on ce You ca n t im a gin e

’
.

p e rha p s how h a rd it is to res ign a thin g a bout which on e ha s t hou gh t

for a lon g tim e I kill m y free tim e goin g on a bicycle a roun d t he
.

n eig hborin g vill a ges a n d t o wn s Up to t he p resen t I could n ot

.

—
be lieve that L a j os D ra gu lski is bou n d [ m a rri ed ] a lre a dy bu t I m u s t ,

belie ve your word s P erh a p s he will regre t it som e da y o r p e rha p s

.

n o t ; i t ca n n o t be f oreseen M y S i s ter Bron ka go t m a rrie d a lso

.

a n d I co uld n o t e ven be a t t h e we ddi n g beca u se it w a s difli cu lt t o ge t

l ea v e I ca n go hom e very seldom th ough it is on ly 1 2 m iles

I a m quite bo un d—free tim e
.
,

a n d t h e fa r e is 5 c rown s th e re a n d ba ck

on ly on S un d a y a ft em oon —a n d e very da y I m u st rise a t 5 in t he

.

m orni n g ; two ho ur s for d in n e r ; till 6 in t he e ven in g It is p erha p s .

be tte r th a n t o do h a n dwork bu t on e is n ot free ,

I a m pa id I gulden .

1 5 kr e uz e r a da y a n d t h e u n if or m ; on t he sid e I ge t on ly a few crown s

a m on t h [ tip s] But here e ve ryth in g is so ex p en sive tha t a lmost

.

n o thin g is left a n d wh en h olid a y s com e C h ri s t ou r L ord ! on e becomes

, ,

a l m ost en ra g e d O ther p eop le a m use them selves a n d t he p os t

.
,

offi cia l s la bor in t h e s wea t of t h eir brow so t ha t on e does n o t wa n t t o

,

e a t wh en h e co m es h om e for h a lf a n h our a t n oon I thin k tha t you .

don t work the re m uch m ore h ea vi ly in yo ur f a c tory

’
We ll in a min e .
,

e vid e n tly on e m u s t la bor h a rd .

W . OSI NI AK

68 0 S ep tem ber 21 , 1 90 6
D E AR FRI E ND : I received your le tter for which I tha nk y ou m ost
h ea rtily I a m g la d tha t y ou did n ot begrudge t he tim e or p a p er a s
.
,

be fore t o y ou r old frien d

, But p erh a p s we sha ll y et see on e a n othe r
.
478 P R I M AR Y GRO UP
-
O R G AN I ZATI ON

on ce m or e . Wha t do y ou th i n k It
i m p roba ble in d eed bu t seem s ,

n othin g in t h e world is imp ossible ;

so p e rh a p s e ven h e r e t h e go v e r n

m en t w ill cha n ge som e da y a n d t h en p erh a p s it won t be so d iffi cult

’
,

t o li ve a s i t is n ow Well a n d p erh a p s the P oli sh g irl [ y ou a re t o

.
,

m a rry ] in Am eric a won t be a bl e fin a lly to bea r t h e wa n d er in g in a

’

s tra n ge l a n d Ta ke this a lso in to a ccoun t beca use y ou would be

.
,

ba dly off if she sw ee ten ed your free m om en ts wi th dr ea m s abo ut

re turn in g hom e An d I should n ot a dvise y ou ei the r t o m a rry o n e
.

w ho is bor n t her e beca u se it w o uld b e lik e fa s ten in g on e s se lf w ith a

’
,

n a il to t h a t world t h ere Aga in a s to cha ra c ter a n d b irth t he r e a re

.

grea t difli cu lt ies ; t he m a n ough t to k n ow t he wom a n w e ll befo r e

m a rryi n g h er Well I t h i n k t ha t y ou won t bin d y ourself so soon
.
,
’
,

beca u se it wa s on ly a ha sty th oug h t a con se qu en ce of yo ur l on gin g ,

for y our cou n try But y ou m u s t p erse vere An d p e rh a p s y ou

. .

wa n t to d eceive m e For a yea r or th ree sin ce p eop le sa y tha t i t is ,

p ossible t he re [ to m a rry for so sho rt a tim e] I sh ould l ik e t o try su ch

de ligh ts in sp ite of t he Chris tia n p rin cip les I ough t n o t t o be
,
.

a fra id beca u se i n y our p recedin g l e tter s y ou wro t e t ha t a t l ea s t y ou

,

don t thin k of d oi n g th i s f ooli sh thin g just n ow It is a lso n o t righ t

’
.

[ t o obj ec t] beca u se t he world could n ot ex is t if a ll th ose [ wh o m a rry ]

,

w ere fool s But on e o ugh t t o look soberly a t such ques ti on s

. .

I n Glogow the re is n ot m uch n e w s D ra g ula B a l a ba n Grod ecki .

, ,

a n d o t he r m en of m y a ge h a ve a lr ea dy com e ba c k fr o m t h e

a rm y h a v in g se rve d t h ree yea r s ea c h

, Wla dek Grod ecki p la n s
on ly n ow t o m a rry K o Sciu ss wn a ; h e o ugh t to k n o w h er w e ll en o ugh ,

e ven fr om u n de r This yea r big ra in s ha ve fa llen t he p on d in

.
,

S tykow ov erflow ed its ba n ks so t ha t wa te r ra n t h ro ugh t h e roa d , .

Th e beech tr ee up on w h ic h y ou cu t your n a m e for t he la st tim e sta n d s

sa f e t h e S p r in g is i n t h e sa m e p la ce on ly we a re fa rt h e r a wa y fr om
, ,

it th a n befor e I ha ve n ot f org o tten t he la s t da y eith er D on t ’

. .

drop th e tho ugh t of re turn in g ju s t beca use y ou d on t k n ow a n y t ra d e ’

.

You ca n se t u p a shop or a ta v e rn if y ou h a ve a few t en g uld en p ieces -

,

a n d y ou ca n liv e fr ee ly a s for e x a m p le S ok o lowski Zy wie c Pa do

, , , , , ,

a n d m a n y o t h e rs in Glogow It is ea sie r t ha n ha n dwo rk a n d d oes n o t

.

n ee d p r o t ec t ion O n ly look in to t his Am eric a n c itizen ship so t ha t

.
,

i t m a y n o t be a n yt hin g lik e a m o u se tra p [ whe t he r Am e rica n cit iz en

s h i p fr ees from t h e dut ies of a n Au s tr ia n s ubj ec t ] S o y ou co uld com e .

ba ck a n d I sa y it is wort h wh ile t ho ugh I d on t try t o p er sua d e y ou

’
, ,

t o do i t [ You sa y ] Lea rn ! lea rn !

. We ca n n ot ta ke a ll t h e fa ult
“ ”
480 PRI MAR Y G R O UP
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

is l
a so d ifficult to fin d suc h a frien d a s I wa n t Here I thin k ft c .

quen tly a bout m yself whe the r I a m so fit for n othin g or why I ha ve

, ,

s uc h a ba d op in ion of t his wo rld a n d I ca n fin d n o o th e r r ea son e x cep t

,

tha t I ha ve a feelin g of bea uty a n d a lov e of bea utiful v ie w s of n a ture

t oo s tron g ly im p la n ted in m y so ul We Sp en t t oo m uch tim e in t he .

fores t d ea r frien d w hen we we re youn g a n d i t is d iffi c ult t o tea r these

, , ,

m em ories ou t I see h ere well in structed m en w ho h a ve n ot on e

.
-

h u n dre th p a rt of such a sp ira tion s [l ov e of n a ture] a n d h ow m uch ,

m ore d iffic ult is it to fin d a d esira bl e frien d a m on g t h e pa up er s

[in tell ec tua lly p oor] or h ow e lse do y ou ca ll t hem ? An d I d on t
’

e xp ec t to fin d a n y excep t I m ee t som ebody for exa m p le a n d

, , ,

sa y ,
Le t u s go out sid e of t he t own
“ ”
Why h e a n swe rs isn t i t .
,
” “ ’

a ll rig h t h e r e ? Well I a n swer if y ou a re s ui ted th en good

” “
, , ,

An d t he d evil s ta k e h im ! Le t th u n d e r s tri ke s uch a life

”
by e .
,

sin ce y ou wish it a l so ! I n o lon ger exp ect t o fin d h a p p in ess it is n o t ,

s ui t a ble t o dr ea m a bout i t To see t h e wo rld At p re sen t i t is a n

.

unr ea liza ble wish for m e so I did n ot even m en tion it t o y ou There

,
.

is only on e rea son why I h op e tha t it won t be t oo la te th a t is if on ly

’
,

I don t m a rry I sha ll ha ve fre e will a n d t hen we sh a ll see I don t

’
, ,
.
’

wa n t t o work u p to m y dea th e ither I don t even th i nk of it S om e ,

’
.

yea rs a go I should ha ve clun g t o such word s wi th out reflec tion

[p roba bly t o t h e i n v ita tion t o com e] bu t ju s t t hen there wa s n o ,

m on ey N ow m on ey is m ore ea sy to ge t bu t t he con d ition s a re s uch

.
,

t ha t I m us t con sider everyth i n g well It is true tha t I did n ot bin d .

m y self bu t wh a t of tha t ? We a re m a tch ed it is true ; we suffe r

through it ; this is a lso true An d wha t will ha pp en la te r on —I a m
, ,

s tup id a n d I d on t k n ow a s I d on t k n ow w h a t I sh a ll be in t h e o t he r
’ ’
,

w orld a hor se or a dog You sp ea k a bout ge ttin g sic kly [in orde r to
,
.

becom e fr ee from m ilita ry serv ice] It seem s to m e a l so tha t I got .

t oo sickly I a m n ot qui te we ll n ow wi th m y b r ea s t p e rh a p s i t will

, ,

p a ss a wa y ; I don t kn ow T his ca ll to m ili ta ry service m a de m e

’
.

—
su fler m u c h I did n ot sp a re my hea lth I thou gh t : Eithe r [ I will
“
.
,

be free] or [ I will risk m y life I wa lk ed duri n g se ve re cold a t

n ig h t m y toe s froz e a n d wh o k n ow s w he t he r I h a d n ot in fl a m m a tion
, ,

o f t h e lu n gs bu t did n ot lie in be d
,
The m ili ta ry e xa m in a ti on p a ssed .

ha pp ily b u t I ca n n o lon ge r be li e v e in m y he a lt h
, We ll bu t I d on t .
,
’

m in d it m uch p erha p s in this w a y I sha ll rea ch th e en d be ca u se w h y

, ,

S h ould I live ? If it were on ly for this rea son I ca n n o t sa y Yes or “ ”

,

N o [ to y our p rop osa l to co m e to Am e ric a ] D on t be a n gry or

“ ’
.
 OSI NI AK SERIE S 48 I

disc oura ged from livin g beca use of this a n d a t lea st d on t s top ’
,

writin g beca u se I should like to ha ve a t lea s t your a ddress from tim e

,

t o tim e beca use n o body c a n g uess t he futu r e S o I don t n ee d to

’
.
,

wri te y ou m ore clea rly At p resen t I ca n n ot a n swe r or u n d erta ke

.

a n yt h in g p ositiv e Y ou o ugh t t o forgive m e a n d t o un d e rs ta n d w hy

.

I a m a li ttle too la zy I hop e tha t it will p a ss Fin a lly I wish y ou

. .
,

ha p p in ess a n d good luc k in 1 9 0 7 .

Your true frien d ,

WLADEK

Februa ry 2, 1 90 7

D E AR FRI E ND : I received such a le tter a s I did n ot even exp ect ,

a n d I a m very g ra teful t o y ou for it I a m d ou bly sa d th a t I dis .

a pp oin te d y o ur e xp ecta tion bu t in sp i te of m y bes t wish I ca nn o t

,

fulfil our old p romises a t t he p resen t ti m e Perha p s God will gra n t .

tha t it will be p ossible la ter on D on t im a gin e tha t I ha ve cha n ged .

’

c om p le tely I ha ve on ly p a ssed or ra th e r exp e rien ced som e di s

.
, ,

a pp oin tm en ts a n d the r efor e it is p ossible t h a t I a m som ewh a t m ore

,

p eevi sh tha n durin g m y y o uth bu t I hop e t ha t y ou wil l fo rgi v e m e ,

s u ch a S in I wro te tha t I don t thin k of m a rryin g a n d you n eed n ot ’

.
,

s usp ec t m e of fa llin g in l o v e wi th a n in h a bi ta n t of P rze m y sl a lt houg h ,

it is n o t a c rim e a n d I wo uld con fess it t o y ou my m os t ten d e r frien d , ,

a t t h e fir s t occa sion As to ca rryin g le tte rs [becom in g p os tm a n ] it

.

is a lso very dou btful I don t see a n y thin g a hea d I sta n d a s bef ore
’
. .

a cr oss wa y
-
I beli eve it wi ll be n ecessa ry t o do a n y silly thin g in
.

o rde r t o en d thi s u n ce rta in ty An d d on t fo rge t m e en tire ly

’
.

e v en in Ca liforni a I th a n k y ou for t he p ho togra p h I will p erha p s

. .

p u t it in to a fra m e a n d will wea r it ha n gin g w ith m y wa tch ; i t is

s uita bl e for t h a t You ha ve cha nged ha rdly a t a ll in t he se 2 or 3
.

yea rs bu t a s you sa y yourself it wa s m a de 2 yea rs a go I exp ec te d

, ,
.

ra ther to see big whiskers a n d I see a youn g Am erica n We ll m a y,

.
,

fortun e fa vor y ou I ca n in form y ou a lso . t ha t our M ilka

[ p roba bly youn ger siste r] h a s a lso got m a rried Here in Ga licia there .

is n o thin g n ew on ly a t t h e un ive r si ty [of L em berg] R ut hen ia n stu

,

den ts hajda ma ki [ = robbers ; old n ick n a m e of R uthen ia n in surgen ts]

,

bea t the p rofessor s b rok e a n d tore v a lu a ble p ic tures a n d n ow si t

, ,

[ in p ri son ] T here is e v e n t he son of a n ush er fro m Prz emy Sl a

.
,

R ut h en i a n who S its on a ccou n t of the Po lish u n iver sity in L e m berg

, .

His fa t he r d oes not m in d it ve ry m uch bu t h e will p roba bly be d riven ,

48 2 PRI M AR Y GR OUP
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

a wa y from Lemberg Well in t h e d evil s n a m e this wo n t cost m e

.
,
’
,
’

a n yt hin g .

I a m tir ed of s uch a lif e u n d er a n a x [ lik e a sla ve] N e it he r .

h o lida y n or freedom Le t t h e c le a r ligh tn i n g str ike it ! Wh en

.

h o li da ys com e other p eop le bre a t h e [ res t] e ven a ho rse e ven a Jewish

, , ,

on e h a s h olida y s som e tim es a n d h e r e in t his p os t ofli ce on e goe s

, ,
-

a l m os t m a d . For exa mp le I h a v e n ot been in a c h urc h a t m a ss for

,

a l m o s t a y ea r We ll I sha ll get to h ea ven ! I h a ve n o thin g m ore t o

wri te esp ecia lly sin ce I ha ve wr itten six le tters th i s even in g—hom e
.
,

sen din g wi shes for t h e wedd in g a t wh ich I wa s n ot p r esen t t o J a s l o , ,

e tc. I g ree t y ou m ost hea rtily .

Your frien d ,

WLADE K
484 PR I M AR Y GR OUP
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

to Kr u sz y n ek th ere b e en a lon g s tru ggl e whil e t h e

ha s ,

p a r en ts of Ka rolcia S [a c o u sin ] r efu se t o sen d her a t a ll

. .

As t o th e n a tion a l id ea in t h e old Kru p a s ther e is a p a s sive

,

c lin gin g t o t h e Polish n a tion a lit y b ut n ot a tr a c e of a n y

,
’
th ou ght O f c on trib utin g a c tivel y t o P ola n d s p r og r es s or t o
’
P ola n d s lib e rt y .

On th e c on tr a r y the y o u n g p eop l e S how a rea l en thu sia sm

,

for b oth id ea l s I n J6zia this en thu sia sm is a lr ea d y e q u ili

.

bra t ed a n d s elf c on sciou s ; sh e is t h e old e s t a n d b e s t in

-

s tru c ted Th e a dvice a n d t he occ a sion a l sc oldin g whi c h sh e

.

give s t o h er b rother S how h er ea g ern ess t o see h im b e c om e a n

e du c a te d m a n a n d a n a c t iv e p a tr iot I n S ta n i sla wa (S ta sia )
.

t h e en thu sia sm is s till n a iv e Her a dm ira tion of t h e c o un tr y

.

b e tween Cra c ow a n d Wa rsa w ( a es th etica ll y the u glies t p a rt

of P ol a n d ) t he p rid e with whic h sh e en u m er a t es t h e su b
,

je ct s S he is b egin n in g t o s tud y (whose n a m e s she c a n n o t

e v en r e c ord wi th out err o r ) h er p l a n s a s qui ckl y f o r m e d a s
,

dr opp ed S h ow tha t t he d esir e t o a tt a in som e s u p erio r en d s

,

is for m ed be for e th e en d s them s elves a re c lea rl y c on c eived .

Fin a ll y in t h e b r oth er th e re is evid en tl y a g r e a t vi t a li t y

,

a n d en thu sia sm b ut c on n e c t ed w th a n a dve n tur ou s S pi rit

i
,

a n d a n in suffic ien t d e te r mi n a t ion of his ow n a tti tud e s wi th

rega rd to va riou s p ossib le en d s .

These thre e in div idu a ls a re typ ic a l ea ch in his ow n w a y

, ,

for t h e d evelop m en t of this kin d of id ea lis tic a ttitud es b o th ,

in t h e l ower c l a sses un d e r th e in fl u en c e of th e h igh e r Cla sse s

a n d in y o u n g p e op le of a n y c l a ss u n d er t h e in fl u en c e of th e ir

eld e r s
. The sim plest c a se is th a t in whic h t h e in d ividu a l
by h is p r ev iou s life ha s b een p r ep a r e d to a cc ep t c on sc io u s l y
a d e te r m in e d en d
—in te llec tua l or m ora l self d eve l op m en t
-
,

rea l iz a tion of c erta in socia l a n d p olitic a l de sid e ra ta — a nd

g ra du a ll y sub ordin a tes t o it his lower ego tis tic t en d en c ies

a n d his tr a d i t ion a l a ttitud e s This c a se s eem s t o be
.

rea lized exa c tl y in J6zia whose m ora l a n d soc ia l id ea l s a re

,
 KR UPA SERI ES 48 5

s u ch tha t they could be fu ll y a d op ted by a n y in di vi dua l of

th e p ea s a n t c l a ss a s s oon a s h e un d er s tood th e n e c essit y of
s ubs ti tutin g c on sciou s efforts towa rd in dividua l a n d so cia l
d evel opm en t for pa ssivi t y an d tra di tion Her in te llec tua l
.

a n d p a tr ioti c idea l s a re lim i te d a n d d eter min e d by a s tr on g

re li gio sity ( of a m ore p rofoun d a n d p er son a l ch a ra c t er tha n

t h e u s u a l p ea sa n t reli giosit y ) The qua li ties whi ch sh e
.

w a n t s t o see her b rother develop a re tho se m os t u seful in a

p ea sa n t c ommun ity —la b oriousn e ss p a r simon y sob riet y ,
, ,

p ra c tic a l en ergy a n d wis dom Aes thetic a ll y she en j oys

,
.

m os t in full c on sciou sn es s tho se p hen om en a which a pp ea l

, ,

th e m os t t o t he ha lf c on scio us a es the tic sen se of th e p ea s a n t

-

-
n a tu re a n d religiou s c e rem on ie s .

Th e secon d t ypica l w a y in wh ic h idea li s tic a tti tud es a re

d evel ope d ( mos t frequen t in women ) is rep re sen te d by
S t a n is l a w a Th e in divi dua l b e c om e s con sc iou s of t he
.

exis t en ce of a c erta in S p he re of in te r e s t s a n d a sp ira tion s

highe r tha n his own He un de rs ta n d s a t fir s t onl y it s

.

s up e riori t y without rea ll y un ders ta n din g it s c on ten t wi th

, ,

ou t di sc rim in a tin g b e twe en va ri ou s i dea l s A de sire t o rise

.

t o this higher sp here de velops a n d wi th it th e c ons c iousn es s

,

( often e x a ggera ted) of his own im p erfe c tion in c om p a rison

w ith the s up erior m en who a re a t h om e in this high er sphe re .

Th en c om e s tren uou s eff orts towa rd self devel opm en t -

,

a lwa ys a cc om p a nied by t h e feelin g of hum il it y The .

n a tur e of t he id ea l s whic h t h e in d ividu a l w ill m a ke his ow n

’
d ep en ds in thi s c a se n ot up on t he in dividua l s p a s t b ut
, ,

a lm o s t e xc lu sivel y u p on th e c on ten t of the se t of id ea l

in te res ts a n d ten d en c ie s whi ch h e h a s fir s t b egun t o un de r

s ta n d i e ultima tel y upon th e group of in tell ec tu a l
,
. .
, ,

a e s th e tic m ora l or r el igiou s w orke r s wh ic h h e h a pp en e d t o

, ,

e n c o u n t e r a n d whi c h fir s t in tr odu c e d him in to thi s n ew

world Of c ourse it m a y ha pp en l a t er tha t the in dividua l

.

m ee ts a difleren t set of m en a n d id ea l s whic h s eem t o

48 6 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

h im ga in sup erior a n d then th e sa m e p ro c ess is rep ea ted

a , ,

b ut it is t h e first a wa ken in g of idea l in t ere s t s a s w e fin d it

h ere which is p a rtic ul a rl y im p orta n t fo r furth er d ev el op
m en t .

Th e th ird typ e (m or e f re qu en t a m on g m en ) is give n in

t h e b ro th e r t o wh om t h e l e tter s a re wri tt en Here t h e a tti
.

tudes a re d eter m in ed n ot wi th rega rd t o t h e h igher sp her e

,

of i d ea l is tic in t er es t s b ut w ith r eg a rd t o t h e l owe r sp h e r e

,

a b ov e wh i c h t h e in divi du a l rises . An y n ew a n d hi gh e r
id ea li s tic a tti tud e a c qu ir e d a pp ea r s a s th e gr oun d of a n
a tti tud e of su p erior i t y a ssum e d t owa rd t h e m a te ri a li s ti c

ten den cie s t h e a ppa ren t m ea n n ess of ever y d a y life t h e

, ,

tra dition a l c u s tom s a n d b eliefs e tc a n d t owa rd th e m en

,
.
,

w h o a re th eir rep r esen t a tive s . S om e tim e s a m e r e th eore t i

ca l or v e r b a l a ckn owl e dgm en t of a hi gh e r e n d wi th out a n y ,

e ff ort t ow a rd it s p r a c t ic a l r ea li za tion sa tisfies t h e in div i du a l

,

a n d su ffi c es in h is ow n e y e s t o ju st if y h is su p e r i or it y T h er e .

is in t he b e gin n in g ha rdl y a n y sele c tion of t h e ide a lis tic

a tt itud e s ; a n y a tt itude m a y be a cc e p t e d whic h ful fil s t h e

c on dition of b ein g a ba sis of su periorit y in a n y rega rd a n d ,

fre quen t a n d a ppa ren tl y ill ogica l cha n ge s m a y occ ur de ,

t erm in e d o ft en by t h e f a c t th a t th e in fl u en c e of a g iv en

a tt itud e h a s b een e x h a u s t e d th a t i t h a s c e a s ed t o p r ov oke

,

a d m ir a t ion or t o m a ke t h e in dividu a l fee l his s up erio r it y

a s ev er y e m o t ion a l r ea c t ion is w ea ken e d by h a b i t I f t he .

in d ividu a l fin a ll y sel ec t s a d efin ite en d it is c on sciou s l y or

, ,

n ot ,
th e en d wh ic h seem s b es t t o ju s tif y th e p e rm a n en t
a tti tud e o f a sup e r io r m a n ,
a r ef o r m e r a p r op h e t
, e tc ,
.

Evid en tl y th er e m a y be m ore or l ess sin c e rit y m i x e d w ith

,

v a n it y a n d fre qu en tl y a n evolution tow a rd a grea te r sin

,

ceri t y is n o t i cea b l e a s t h e i n d ividu a l p r og r e ss e s in a e

g .

Th e s ol id a r it y a m on g th e y oun g p eop l e u p on t h e b a si s
o f th eir n ew i d e a l s a s a g a in st t he old gen e ra tion i s w e ll

e xp r es s ed in i t s e volut ion .
J6zia is fir s t a lon e Then sh e .
4 88 PRI M AR Y G R OU P OR GAN I ZATI ON

your con fession in turn I h O p e tha t y ou won t refu se my reques t a n d

.
’

tha t this le tter will be th e begin n in g of ou r u n d ersta n din g D o y ou .

a g r ee

T i m e ha s flown a lrea dy sin ce we sa w ea ch ot h er When y ou were .

g oin g t o Am e rica w e co uld n ot even bid g oo dbye t o ea ch o th er .

Wh en I lea rn ed from ou r p a ren t s tha t y ou h a d g on e a wa y I wa s ve ry

m uc h g rieve d for k n o win g your h ot n a ture I wa s a fra id so m e m is
,

fortun e m igh t befa ll y ou w h i ch is n ot difli cu lt in a stra n ge co u n try

,

for a y o u n g a n d i n e xp e ri en ce d m a n But tha n k s to God I hea r tha t

.
, ,

e ve ryth in g is go i n g on w e ll with y ou a n d I p r a y a lwa y s t h e H olie s t

,

M o the r to keep y ou u n de r h er p ro tec tion M ea n while tha n k s to .

,

t he h el p of God I p a sse d m y exa min a tion h a p p ily a n d a m w ork in g

,

n ow for t h e sec on d y ea r a s a tea ch er I tea ch in th e d is tric t of

.

N owy Ta rg ; so it is a m on g m ou n ta in eers I a m a lon e in a sm a ll .

m o un ta in v illa g e .Th e work is ra the r difli cu lt a n d tedi ou s bu t t he ,

p eop l e a n d t h e c hildren a re ve ry we ll d isp ose d to wa rd m e An d so we

-
.

a re both w ork in g i n dep en d en tly for our p iece of b rea d we a re t h i n k in g ,

of ou r futur e . We a re bo t h fa r a wa y from t he n a tive hom e bu t I a m

a t lea s t a m on g m
y ow n p eop le while y ou a re fa r a wa y bey on d t he
ocea n s u rrou n d e d by p e op le w h o sp ea k t o y ou a s tr a n ge la n g u a g e a n d
, ,

often p ra y t o a d iffe ren t God So d on t w on d er bro t h er if I fee l

’
.
, ,

o ft e n a n xi ou s l es t y ou fo rg e t t h a t y ou a re a P ol e a n d a Ca th olic But .

th i s will n e ver ha pp en Y ou will a lwa ys rem ember ou r n a tive v illa ge

.

a n d t h e sm a ll c h ur c h ou r old h ou se a n d ou r p a ren ts
, S ta sia wro t e .

t o m e ju s t n ow t ha t y ou ha ve j o i n ed t h e P olish so ko l s T his is “
.
”

p recise ly a p roof t ha t y ou r em ember t ha t y ou a re a P ol e I hea r a lso .

t ha t y ou lea rn En gl ish E viden tly t his will m a ke your sta y in

.

Am e rica ea sie r bu t d on t forge t t o rea d P olish book s a l so D ea r

’
.
,

Wojtu s I h op e t h a t y ou will a n swer m e a t on ce I sha ll wa i t im p a

, .

t ien t ly for your le tte r .Wri te m e a t len g t h h ow a n d wh e re y ou wo rk , ,

a n d h ow y ou a re su ccee d in g Are y ou in good h ea lth ? Wh a t do

.

y ou do on S u n d a y s ? Whom do y ou v isi t t h e re ? An d in gen er a l

e ve ryth in g a bout y o ur se lf I n ou r cou n try t h e r e is trou bl e n ow ;
.

every body sp ea k s of w a r wh ich ma y com e The C h ristm a s h oli d a y s

.
,

s o d ea r t o u s a re a pp roa chin g
,
I wish y ou t o sp en d them in t h e
.

m errie st p cs sible m a n n e r a n d re m embe r how th ey a re S p en t in o u r

,

cou n try . I wish y ou so a s if I broke t h e wa fer wi th y ou a t Chris tm a s

,

ev e d in n e r I em bra ce y ou a n d gree t y ou h ea rti ly .

Yo ur lovin g sis te r ,

JOZEF A
 K R U PA SERI ES 48 9

68 4 Februa ry 1 7, 1 91 3

D E AR LI TTLE B R O THE R I inform y ou tha t your le tter

rejoiced m e very m uch for I see from your wo rd s tha t a lth ough in a
,

foreign coun try a n d a m on g so m a n y da n gers y ou ha ve still rem a in ed ,

true to a ll th a t y ou took with y ou from your n a tive hom e I a m g la d .

tha t y ou a lwa ys feel a Pole a n d a Ca tholic tha t y ou work a n d econ o ,

m ize in t he th ough t of your fa t herla n d a n d fa m ily t ha t y ou a void ba d ,

soc1 et y a n d t ry t o in s tru c t yo ur self a n d t o d e ve lop i n te llec tu a lly We .

n ee d p r ec isely s uch m en t oda y w ho a re n o t on l y a ble to work ha rd

, ,

bu t a l so to econ om iz e a n d to u se their m on ey p rop erly An d t his will

.

com e a s soon a s ou r p eop le ge t a t lea st en lig h t en m en t en ou gh t o

un dersta n d tha t a m a n o ugh t n ot to work sim p ly in order t o drin k

a n d t o wa s te hi s m on ey la t e r Un ha pp ily toda y it is usua ll y so bo th
.
,

he re in our cou n try a n d th e re in foreign cou n tries S o n o thin g m or e

.

is l eft for m e t ha n t o en c oura ge y ou to go fa rthe r on t he wa y wh ich

y ou ha ve ch osen . R ea d a n d lea rn a s m u ch a s y ou ca n p a rticula rly ,

in your na tive la n gu a ge t hough t he En glish m a y be useful to y ou

,

there An d th en p u t a sid e a s m uch m on ey a s y ou ca n of course n o t

.
, ,

bein g too p a rsim on io u s a bo ut your food or a n y hon est a m usem en t .

An d God p reserve y ou from t h e id ea tha t y ou m igh t rem a in in Am eri ca

f ore ver ! How m a n y of t he s tron ges t a n d hea l th i es t m en ou r fa th er
la n d loses eve ry yea r ! Oh m a y n o body m a ke th is a lrea dy la rge
,

n u m be r s till la rg e r bu t a fte r ea rn in g som e m on ey a n d ge tt in g m o re

,

ex p e r ien ce m a y e veryon e re turn sp eed ily to h is n a tive th r eshold a n d

u se t he m h e re in a n in t e lligen t wo rk for t h e good of h is f a therla n d !

P roba bly th ey ha ve wri tten y ou from h om e tha t S ta sia wen t to

a n a g r ic ultura l sch ool in t h e Ki n gdom [ R u ssia n P ola n d ] It is of .

course ve ry h a pp y n e ws t o u s for ou r S ta sia w ill be a bl e t o le a r n

,

fa rmin g a n d h ou sekeep in g An d toda y everybody is p rocla im in g th a t

.

a n a gric ultura l schoo l is in disp en sa ble for cou n try gir ls But I wa s .

quite a s ton ished tha t ou r p a ren ts p a rticula rly fa ther a greed to it

, ,
.

At a n y ra te it lea d s t o e xp en ses a n d we bo th kn ow tha t when m on ey is

,

m en ti on ed in our h om e t he qu es tion goes a s up on clod s [ P roverbia l ]

.

Well tha n ks t o God t ha t it en ded so Ma y she on ly ha p p ily fi ni sh

, ,
.

this school then t he th ree of u s could ta lk a m on g ourse lves a bout

,

e veryt hin g a n d u n d e r s ta n d on e a n ot h er Aun t Gra bowsk a

will p erha p s com e t o m e in t he sp rin g for n ow I a m very lon ely ,

a m on g t h e m ou n ta in e e rs I live a lon e in t h e school bu t I a m n ot

.
,

bored for t he re is a lwa ys work

,
I h a ve 80 children so my hea d
.
,
4 90 P RI M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

sca rcely h old s ou t We ha ve n ow severe w in ter ; sledgin g is very

.

good If y ou k n e w how p lea sa n t i t is t o go th us with sled ges on S u n

.

da y t o ch urc h in t he m id s t of t he se white fi eld s of o ur s a n d t h en t o ,

k n eel down bef ore ou r L ord Je sus a n d to S i n g w ith on e s full voi ce ’

,

Gorzki e za le! B itter R egre ts a re ligiou s hym n for Len t] D o y o u ”

'

.
, ,

Wojtu s e ver h ea r th ere ou r bea utiful Gorzki e ri a le ? P roba bly n ot

, ,

for wh e re should y o u ? [ R u m or s a bout B a lka n wa r ] .

JOZEF A

68 5 Ma y 1 9, 1 91 3

MY DE AR B R OTHE R :
LI TTLE Accep t for y ou r l e tter a h ea rty
God re wa rd E v e ry on e of y our l e tter s ca u ses m e a n en orm o u s joy
”
.
,

a n d m a k es m e s t ill n ea re r t o y ou if it is p ossibl e I a m s till m ore ,

.

tha n kful to y ou beca use tho ugh n o t ha vin g m uch tim e y ou n e ver, ,

t h ele ss writ e m e s uch l on g le tters a n d con fid e t o m e e v eryt hin g

so will in g ly I wa it i m p a tien tly for ea ch le tte r a n d wh en I receive
.
,

it I rea d i t m ore t ha n on ce
,
I a m very g la d t h a t your hea lth serves
.

y ou well S till I would a dvise y ou t o c h a n ge yo ur occ up a tion a n d

.
,

if p ossi ble to w ork som ew he r e in t he fresh a ir t he m ore so a s a cco rd

, , ,

in g t o your ow n wo rd s y ou in ten d t o v isit Am e rica a li ttl e ; so p er

,

h a p s y ou will fin d som ewh e re such a n occup a tion e ven if for sm a lle r ,

wa ges For y ou see n o thin g sp oils h ea lth so m uch a s s ta yin g in a

.
, ,

sultry p la ce An d rem e m ber t ha t y ou a re s till a y ou n g boy a n d

.

th a t ou r fa th erla n d n eed s h ea lth y a n d stron g son s I n o t on ly do .

n o t bl a m e yo ur [ i n t en t ion of] v isiti n g Am e ri ca a n d b ecom in g be tte r

a c qu a i n te d wi t h i t t h a t is wi t h t h e U n ited S ta tes b u t on t h e con tra ry

, , ,

I en coura ge y ou T rip s a n d C ha n ges of this so rt a re v ery in s truc tive

. .

S o if there is n o d ifficulty a bout i t do it P roba bly y ou will r egr e t ,

.

lea vin g y our dru zyn y sokole [frien dly sokol a ssocia tion s] bu t it seem s
’
1
,

t o m e l ik ely t ha t t h ere a re a l so bra n ches of t he soko l s in o t he r l oca li

ties As t o the E n g lish la n g ua ge certa in ly sin ce y ou a re there a n d

.
, ,

h a ve t h e opp ortu n ity to l ea rn it is worth w hile t o p rofit by it for , ,

e v e ryt hin g y ou lea r n m a y be u seful a t a n o p p ortu n e m om en t How .

gl a d I a m t ha t m y bro ther is a dru k sokol for ou r w h ole hop e to da y ,

is in the se frien dly a ssocia tion s I wo uld beg y ou a lso ve ry

“
.

ea r nestly to sen d m e yo ur p h otog ra p h in a sok o l s u n if o r m

’
for
p roba bly y ou a re h a vin g your selves p ho togra p hed Or if y ou h a v e .

1
Th word kol m
e f lc
so d der t h
ea n sm rg i d i tie
a on , an un e na e a re o a n ze soc e s,

m i ly f y
a n og m f
ou n thl ti d p t i ti p rp e
en , or a Dm h i
e ld P olish
c an a r o c u os s . s an o

w d m
or i g fri d d é y
ea n n
“
en ci ti s f f i ds
ru na ,
“
a sso a on o r en .
 49 2 PRI M AR Y GR OUP
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

ce leb ra t e t he re t h e a n n ive r sa ry of t h e con s t i tution of Ma y 3 ? 1

H ere
i t w a s eve rywhere so lem n ly ce lebra ted .

JOZE FA

68 6 Aug u s t I ,
1 91 3

D E AR B R O THE R
LI TTLE I received your le tter a n d p ho to
g ra p h Judgin g by t he p ho togra p h y ou a re a n ice boy bu t ,

ve ry chil dish I t houg h t tha t y ou w ere a lrea dy m ore se rious An d

. .

see h e r e su ch a ch ild wa n t s to con s id e r him self a lr ea dy a s a c i tizen

,

of t h e U n i te d S ta t e s a n d drea m s I d on t k n ow w h a t p r oj ec t s
’
,
You .

will th in k p roba bly w ha t do I wa n t from y ou ? N o thin g m ore

, ,

d ea r bro ther tha n tha t y ou m a y n ot forge t there in this ex il e a bout

, , ,

ou r h oly fa i t h a n d ou r m o th e r cou n try t ha t y ou m a y be a lw a y s a tru e -

,

Ca tho l ic a n d Pole F or 0 m y dea r wh oe ve r is n o t a go od Ca thol ic

.
, ,

will n o t be a good Po le Without God the re is n o fa th e rla n d a n d

.
,

e ven if we bri n g I d on t k n ow wha t off erin gs t o t his f a t h e rla n d w e

’
,

sh a ll n o t ge t our li be rty ba ck wi th out God s blessin g D ea r Wojt u S

’
.
,

I wa s very m uch p a in ed to lea rn tha t y ou do n o t fulfil th ere in t he

foreign coun try ou r religiou s p ra c tices a n d duties wh ich e ve ry ,

Ch ris tia n Ca tholic o ugh t to fulfi l But it is rea lly im p oss i ble ! I .

ca n n o t be lie ve th a t m y bro th e r h a s forgo tten h is p ra y e r s which h is ,

m o th er ta ugh t him It is true tha t y ou a re you ng a n d in e xp eri en ced

.

a n d ba d soci e ty ca n do m u ch e vil bu t I d on t be li e v e t h a t y ou w en t
’
,

so fa r a s to lose your f a it h O h t his would be wor se t h a n a n ythin g !

.
,

An d a n ot h er question n o l ess di sa gr eea bl e I lea rn tha t y ou in ten d

,
.

t o be com e a n Am eric a n s u bj ec t [si c] a n d t hen a ga i n t o j oin t he ,

Am erica n a rm y It wo uld m ea n t he sa m e a s to ren o u n ce your

.

fa the rla n d My dea r in Am erica on ly t he m en ca n se ttle w ho ha ve

.
,

he re n o thin g to lose b u t y ou h a ve I t hin k your w hol e futur e he re

. , , .

The re is work en ough a n d hon est ea rn in g in ou r co u n tr y on ly p eop le ,

d on t k n ow ho w t o ta ke ca re of their m on ey An d if y ou wa n t to
’
.

se rve in t h e a r m y h e re y ou won t esca p e t ha t p l ea s ure e i th e r I ’

, .

th in k so : ea rn a s m uch a s y ou ca n l ea rn a s m uch a s p ossible ; in a ,

word p rofit well from yo ur s ta y there a n d then ba ck to u s a n d don t

, , ,
’

Th
1
titu ti f M y 3 79 w s e d v t r rga i P l d p
e con s on o a ,
1 1 , a an n ea or o eo n ze o an u on

a ne w b si I t f iled bec
a s . f th
a bs q t divisi f P l d Tha u se o i e su e u en on o o an . e a n n ver

sa r y is lw ys l br t d i P l d s cla im tha t ( ft a t ry f d y) th
a a ce e a e n o an a a a er cen u o eca e

na ti g v p r f f it c p
on a e ity f lf g v r m t ( by t h p r visi n f m r
oo o s a ac or se -
o e n en e o o o a o e

d m cr ti c a d c tr li ed orga i a tio )
e o a n en d th t t h p rtitio w s c t riv d by
a z n z n an a e a n a on e

h o til
s ta tes p re i el y b ca P l d h d d m str t d th t c p city
e s c s e u se o an a e on a e a a a .
 KR UPA S ERI E S 4 93

look a ga in a t America For it is n ot worth regre ttin g An d I thin k

. .

i t is m ore ga y he re in Sp ite of ou r m isery tha n th er e wit h t heir

, , ,

riches You g uess p roba bly tha t I got the n ews a bout y ou from
.

K a sia W whom I m e t in P odgorze Well she is quite fit for Ame rica !

.
,
.
,

I beg y ou ve ry m uch Wojtu s d on t g ive her m y le tters to rea d a n d

, ,
’

d on t te ll h er w ha t I write y ou p a rticula rly a bout h er for the re

’
, ,

w ou ld be on ly u sel ess a n ger It is true tha t they a re ou r fa mily bu t

.
,

they bel on g t o those who don t ca re a bout th eir n a tive coun try a n d see ’

the ir ha p p in ess on ly in Am erica We ca n n o t im p rove them so let .

,

u s ra t h e r b e S il e n t a n d do w h a t is ou r duty wi t ho ut l is ten in g t o t he ir

p ri n cip l es often erron eo us

,
An d I should p refe r if y ou k ep t fa r
.

from them though p oli tely Were i t n ot true wha t I h ea rd a bout

,
.
,

y ou ! I sha ll wa it im p a tien tly for your a n swer t o th is l e tte r An d I .

beg y ou v e ry m u ch a s your l ov in g si st er write m e t he sin ce r e truth

, , ,

con fide in m e e v eryt hin g a s a good bro t h er t o h is sis te r for I a m ve ry

, ,

m u ch gr ie ve d .

JOZE FA

68 7 G OLOTCZYZNA M a rch 2 [ 1 9 1 3 ] ,

D E AR LI TTLE B R OTH ER : Ho w ha p p y I a m tha t I ca n a t la st write

You d on t kn ow h ow I wa s p a in ed t ha t in such a n im p orta n t
’
t o y ou .

c h a n ge of m y life I could n ei t h e r ta lk wi t h y ou n or e ve n wr i te t o y ou .

I too k yo ur a ddress fr om h om e bu t un h a p p ily I los t

a n d on ly n ow th a t JOZ ia sen ds it t o m e I h a s t en t o wr i t e a n d
'

it
t o d escribe to y ou e ve ryt hi n g a n d a lso t o lea r n h ow y ou ge t on how , ,

y ou su cceed D ea r bro t he r h ow do y ou like m y goin g t o this

.
,

sc h oo l ? Are y ou perha p s ve ry d issa tisfied ? For on t he on e ha n d

t h e fee in this school costs som e w ha t t oo m u ch a n d a yea r of ti m e ,

will be wa s te d But I thin k tha t I sha n t regre t it For n ow lea rnin g ’

. .

gives t he m ea n s to liv e a n d is everywhe r e the bes t fo un d a tion p a r ticu ,

la rly wh en this e n ligh ten m en t is la c k in g a m on g o u r wom en in the

co u n try N ow wh en p eop le begin to th i n k a bout lea rn in g i t begin s
.
, ,

t o ge t be tt er a n d be tt er in t h i s w orld But un ha pp ily there is s till .

ve ry little of th i s lea rn in g An d then I did n ot d ecide a lon e a bout

.
,

m y se lf I wa n ted very m uch to go a n d I begge d [my p a ren ts] for

.

a l on g t im e t o be p er m i tte d An d th ey did n ot wish to give their.

con sen t bu t on ly wh en Ka rolka s be tro t h ed bega n t o p e r su a d e t h em

’
, .

Pe rh a p s y ou rem em ber him Fra n ciszek w ho wa s fa rm m a n a ger in , ,

-

Cza sl a w He ha d been him se lf in such a school a n d he held ou t very

.
,
49 4 PRI MAR Y G R OU P
-
OR G AN IZATI ON

m u ch for Ka rolka a nd m e to go to t he sc hool , a n d h e m a d e d iff e ren t

ef of rts to this eff ec t . An d ou r u n cl e a n d a un t from K a m ien ice
p ra ised [ t he p la n ] m uc h a n d a dv ise d u s t o go An d when J62 ia .

wrote a le tter th a t if I w en t her [g rea tes t] wish would be a ccom p lish ed

, ,

a n d t h a t S he w o uld h e lp m e a ll in h er p owe r [ t hey a gr e ed ] But we .

we re t o go a n d then a ga in n o t from f ea r of t h e wa r wh ich m ig h t ,

brea k ou t from m om en t to m om en t As th i n gs bec a m e qu ie te r w e .

,

wen t bu t wha t of it S in ce tha t wa r wa s n ot se ttle d fin a lly bu t it ca n

, , ,

s till brea k ou t a n d w ill a l m os t cert a in ly do so in M a r c h

, Oh it is .
,

h orribl e I n Ga l ic ia the y begin t o ta k e [ to t he a rm y ] boy s fr om 1 8

.

y ea r s u p M a y God t he Good keep t his w a r fa r fro m u s for it n e ve r

.
,

brin gs h a p p in ess ev en if i t is t h e bes t

, Were it a t lea s t a wa r for ou r .

cou n t ry for ou r P ola n d !

,
But for the sa ke of som e p orts e t c it is ,
.
,

n o t ve ry p l ea sa n t t o go to w a r But y ou a re p roba bly m ore curio u s

.

a bout o t h e r th in g s so I w ill desc r ibe m y j our n ey t h e s urr ou n din g s

, ,

h e re a n d wha te ve r I ca n
,
.

Pe rh a p s y ou r eceive d m y le tte r in whic h I wr o te y ou th a t I go

t o a n a g ri c ultura l sc hool in t h e K in gd om I wrote y ou tha t we we r e .

goin g t o Krusz y n ek bu t in Kru sz yn ek th ere wa s n o m ore room so

, ,

w e ca m e t o G o l o tczyz n a We l eft on Ja n ua ry 1 5 a m id lea ve ta k in g

.
,
-

a n d cry in g so losin g ou r h ea d s t h a t w e did n ot k n o w w h ic h wa

, y to
ta ke wh e th er to go or n o t S om e p eop le bega n to d iss ua d e oth e rs
, .
,

frigh ten ed u s wi th wa r o thers s till tha t it is ha rd to c ross th e fron t ie r

, .

Well bu t w e wen t a n d up on t he fron tie r th ere wa s n o big t error a t a ll

, , ,
,

we w ere tr ea te d p olitely We wen t th roug h Cz es tochowa a n d Wa r

.

sa w for G olo tcz yzn a is in t h e p r ov in ce of Pl ock a n d t h e

, p rovin ce of ,

P l ock is s till fa r en oug h beyon d Wa rsa w If y ou k n ew d ea r brother .

, ,

wha t a bea utiful coun try it is such p la in s tha t y ou ca n n o t see t h e en d

, ,

big villa ges a m ultitude of br ick h ou ses on e villa ge fa r en o ugh from

, ,

a n o th er a n d e x ceed in gly m a n y of t h e m os t va rio u s m ill s wi n d m ill s

, , ,

fa c tories The fa rm ers a re richer tha n in Ga licia I n som e hou ses

. .

t he ord er is qu i t e exe m p la ry I n a word we we r e we ll p lea se d he re

.
, .

We sa w t h e Clo i s te r of Cz es tochowa a n d w e were in Wa rsa w for so m e ,

h o ur s a n d sa w m a n y t hin gs
,
It is a v e ry bea utiful city this Wa rsa w
.
,

si tu a te d in a sp len d id l owla n d a n d t h e Vis tul a fl o w s n ea r it a s 5

won derful w id e g irdle D ea r bro ther ! How ha p p y I S hould be if

.

y ou co uld co m e t o m e V isit t h is c ou n try , But a la s ! these a re drea m s .

w hich will turn in to n othin g J62 ia wro te m e tha t she wish e d .

grea tly to com e to t h e K in gd om bu t t ha t S he ca n n o t for y o u k n o w , ,

49 6 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

this yea r there is to be a gen e ra l excursion of t he studen ts t o Ga licia ,

a n d t his w ill cos t a bout 2 0 c ro w n s So I a m a fra id to a sk ou r p a r en ts .

,

for in d eed t he re m igh t be t oo m uch of a ll t his for them If y ou a re .

s o k in d d ea r bro th er a s t o fulfil m y re ques t I sha ll be ve ry very

, , , ,

g ra teful t o y ou For I wa n t v e ry m uch t o be on tha t trip a n d I

.
,

refle c te d t o whom I m igh t a ddress m y h um ble request a n d I m en ,

t ion e d it in m y firs t le tte r t o y ou When y ou e xp ressed t h e rea din e ss .

t o do i t I rej oiced v e ry m u c h t ha t I ca n be g y ou a n d n o t b e dis

a p p o i n te d .

Dea r brot he r h ow i s your life goin g on wh e th er sa d or ga y or

, , ,

s im p ly m on o ton ou s a n d in d iff e r en t ? Ha ve y ou go t a ccu stom ed t o

your life For u p to t h e p resen t I ha d n o id ea of a n y o ther life tha n
tha t which I led a t hom e Well a n d n ow I ha v e got a little a c qu a in te d
.
,

wi th a d iff er en t life For som e p eop l e it m a y be S p len d id for o the r s

.
,

m erry for o th e rs in difleren t for s till oth ers sa d

,
My l ife here is
, .

va rio us ; som e times m erry in a g ro up of comp a n ion s sa tisfie d while I ,

a m s tudy in g a n d a t o t her m om en t s if n o t sa d t h e n in difi e ren t

, An d , .

t h e d a y s p a ss wi t h a m a d ra p id i ty ; I don t kn ow whe t he r y o ur s a l so ?
’

I h a ve n o t a n y p a in s h ere ; w e li ve in ra th e r g ood con cord I h a ve .

on ly s om e con tra rie ti e s a bo ut r e li gion for h e r e som e su bve r sive sp i r i t ,

p r ev a il s I sha ll de scribe it m ore exa c tly a n other tim e As t o m y

. .

s tudy a bout God [ of th eo l ogy ] i t g oes on w ell en ough I h a ve n o thin g

, .

m or e of in teres t to wri te y ou on ly I embra ce y ou h ea rtily , .

[ S TAN I S LAW A]

68 9 Jun e 3 1 9 1 3 ,

D E AR LI TTLE B R O TH ER : Hid in g m yself in t he ga rd en (for if I did

n o t I sh ould h a ve t o wo rk in t h e ga rd en a n d t h e re w o uld be n o ti m e

t o writ e ) h old in g t h e l e tte r up on m y k n e e I begin to wr i te

, P a rd on , .

m e if it is so sc ribbled
,
I a m very g la d tha t y ou a re hea lthy
.

a n d th a t y ou su ccee d w ell for a s I see fr om y our l e tt e r , God t h e

, ,

M erciful d oes n o t d esert y ou a n d t hough y ou m u s t wo rk h ea v ily t he

,
'

fruit s of yo ur la bo r a re to be seen An d t he wo rk did n ot m a ke y ou a .

l igh t h ea d ed m a n n or a sp e n dthrift for when on e ha s to work ha rd for

-
,

h is m on ey h e l ea r n s be tter how t o m a n a ge i t It seem s t o m e tha t .

y ou d on t l ook up on t h is ques tion in a difleren t wa y for it m a n if es t s

’
,

it self in m a n y t h in gs You d on t a c t a s o the r e m ig r a n t s ou r a c qu a in t

’
.
,

a n ces do bu t on t h e con tra ry y ou r em em be r y our fa t h erla n d for

, , , ,

y ou j oin ed t he sok ol s I like it ve ry ve ry m uch a n d surely it won t ’

.
, ,
 KR UPA S ERI E S 49 7

h a ve ba d resul ts for y ou for it m a kes your lif e m ore va rious gi ves

, ,

y ou va riou s kn o wledge a n d d e velop s your sp ir it a n d your coura ge .

M o reover y ou r em ember to lea r n a n d in th ese ti m es it is p erh a p s still

,

m or e im p orta n t t ha n t he p rece din g th i n g for n ow t h e s truggle by ,

m e a n s of k n owledg e is e a sie r t ha n with t he fi s ts At a n y ra te k n owl .

,

e dge i s in d is en sa ble An d th e n dea r bro t her y ou rem em be r a bout

p .
, ,

you r p a ren ts a n d sen d th em m on ey for p erha p s n ow they n eed it , ,

a n d wh en y ou re tur n t h e y wi ll g iv e it ba c k wi t h in te re st I h ea rd .

som e t hi n g like t his th a t y ou in ten d to rem a in in Am erica bu t I

, ,

d on t believe it for w ha t w ould then be t he u se of sen din g mon ey

’
,

h om e ? An d m ore ove r should y ou n ot lon g for yo ur coun try would ,

it n o t be h a rd to work durin g your wh ole life a n d n eve r to b rea th e a n y

m o re t he free a ir of your fa t he rla n d ? N o d ea r bro t he r it ca n n o t a n d , ,

o ug h t n o t t o be so I t hin k tha t y ou w ork t he re h e a vily on ly in ord e r

.

t o e n rich yo ur co un try your fa m ily a n d y our se lf bu t n ot t o lea ve t his

, ,

m on ey in the foreign la n d We ll I wi ll give y ou here a p la n P e rha p s

.
,
.

it will see m rid ic ul ou s t o y ou bu t I con sid er it ve ry sui ta bl e

,
Sa ve .
,

d ea r bro th er a s soon a n d a s m uch m on ey a s y ou ca n ; th en co m e ba ck

,

a n d w e w ill go t o Lit h ua n ia a n d bu y l a n d th e re for th e r e is la n d

en o u gh a n d ch ea p —
,

n o m o r e tha n 1 50 g uld en a m or g I h a v e h e re .

a fe w com p a n ion s fro m L i th u a n ia Th ey a re very rich a n d hon est

.

girl s. They tell m e eve ryth i n g a n d p ersua d e m e to go wi th them to

L ith ua ni a I sho uld like to p ersua de ou r pa ren ts a lso to do it bu t it
.
,

would be difficult for t hey a re n o m ore in the stren g th of their a ge

,

a n d ca n n o t so ea sily le a ve t he ir cou n t ry An d it see m s to m e tha t for .

u s it wo uld be v e ry w e ll for th e re in Ga licia , p a rtic ula rly in ou r ,

dis trict t he la n d is e xp en sive a n d there is very little of it so tha t

, ,

fa rm in g is n ot Sp len did th ere a t a ll ; on e m ust con ti n ua lly a dd on e

p en n y to a n othe r in ord er t o d efen d on e s self a ga in s t mise ry It is ’
.

d ifficult e ven to thin k a bout en la rgin g on e s fa rm For m e therefore ’

.

n o th in g is le ft ex cep t t o ch oose som e ca r ee r t o s tudy a li ttle m or e a ft e r ,

l ea vi n g the school a n d to wo rk in m y chosen ca reer for there is n o t ,

m uch a t h om e t o re turn for whil e t hus by p uttin g ou r s tren g th a n d

, ,

ou r f ortu n e s t og e t h e r we could bu y som e thin g

,
But m ore a bout it .

la te r ; w e ha ve ti m e en ough M ea n while I would lea rn whe ther i t is

.

tru e tha t Wla dek W go t m a rried ? They ha ve written it to m e from

.

h om e . We w ill n o t go on a trip to Ga licia bu t w e will tra ve l a bout ,

t h e K in gd om bu t this i s g ood tha t we sha ll l ea rn t o k n ow t he K in gdom

, ,

w ell.
498 P RI M AR Y G ROUP
-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

I h a v e h ere such re ligio us con tra rie ties beca use th e re is too g rea t ,

a s u b ve r sion S om e of m y com p a n ion s though n ot a ll of them

.
, ,

believ e tha t m a n is crea ted from t h e a p e B esides this they con side r .
,

difleren t p ra ye r s u se le ss e tc An d it tr oubl es m e m u ch for it is n o t

,
.
,

so . But n ow thin gs a re g rea tly ch a n ged a n d wh en th ey lea rn be tter ,

then s uch a bsurd ities wi ll eva p o ra te from their h ea d s I did n ot .

wri te a n ythin g hom e a bout i t I wro te on ly t o J6zia a n d d on t y ou

.
,
’

wri te ei ther You w on d e r p e rha p s w hy I don t m en tion a n ythin g

.
’

a bo ut m on e y u p t o the en d of m y l e tt er b u t I kn e w n o thin g y e t u p ,

t o t he l a s t m om en t till t he p os t c a m e a n d bro ugh t th e m on e y for

, ,

which I tha n k y ou m ost hea rtily my golden little bro th e r ,

.

Your lovin g sis te r ,

S [ TAN I S LAW A]

July 1 4, 1 91 3

D E AR LI TTLE B R OTH E R Wh a t li es up on ou r h ea rt , we
wri te it firs t S o y ou did a n d I wi ll do t he sa m e AS y ou d ea r
.
,
.
,

bro the r c a red m os t a bo ut Clea n in g your self from th e rep roa che s which
,

p eop le m a d e to y ou e v en so I m u st p resen t t o y ou m o re c lea rly th e

,

con c lu sion wh ich y ou dre w from m y own le tt er .

M y de a r bro th e r d on t th i n k a t a ll th a t the thou gh t of l ea vin g

,
’

m y n a tive r oof m y n a tiv e h o m e the p a ren ts e tc is so p l ea sa n t to m e

, , , .
,
.

If y ou kn ew h ow h a rd a s truggle I m u st figh t [wi th m yse lf wh en I

thin k] tha t this wi ll ha p p en rea lly som e da y a n d tha t I m u s t go a wa y
ii y ou k n ew a ll this sur e ly y ou wo uld n o t th i n k tha t I d on t wa n t to
’
,

re turn hom e .

But I d on t w on d e r a t a ll a t your thin k in g tha t m y hea d is turn ed

’

a n d t h er ef ore I d on t wish t o com e ba ck h om e for fr om m y l e tt e r this

’
,

w a s c l ea rly t o be seen a n d y ou d on t k n o w t h e con d i tion s w e ll e n ou gh

’
,

on t h e ba sis of which I ca m e t o th is sch ool so I wi ll e x p l a in th e m a ,

li ttle be tter .

As y ou k n ow ou r p a ren ts d on t ge t on ea sily [a l on e ] a n d sur ely

’
,

th ey wo uld p refe r if I r em a i n ed a t hom e bu t t he econ o mic con d ition s ,

don t p erm i t it O u r p a r en t s ha v e refl ec t ed en ough a bo ut i t e v en

’
.

bef or e m y d ep a rture to t h e school a n d th ey were con vin ced befo re ,

h a n d tha t it won t be w orth whil e for m e to com e ba ck hom e a fte r

’

fi n ishin g this school M o ther a dvised m e to choose som e ca reer a n d

.
,

ou r p a ren t s a l m os t a gr eed tha t I sha ll n o t r e tur n h om e e x ce t for a

p ,

sh ort t im e . Then I wish ed m ore to be som ewhere in the world bu t ,

50 0 PR I M AR Y -
GR O U P O R GAN I ZATI ON

R ADZI E CH O WI CE , July 1 2 ,
1 914

DE AR WO JTU S: Wh y d on t
write ? Ha v e y ou rea lly
’
y ou
f orgotten u s ? Perha p s y ou a re a n gry with u s But I con sid e r it .

im p ossi ble Wha t should y ou be a n gry for ? S uch trifles a s for

.
,

e x a m p le th a t we don t a n swe r yo ur le tter soon ? P erha p s I h a ve

’
,

exp r esse d m y self a li ttl e in con sid e r a t e ly for su ch th in g s m a y be ve ry

,

un p lea sa n t e ven p a in ful B ut e ven t o s tra n gers such thin gs ca n be

,
.

forg iven t o som e exten t a n d it is so u n jus tifi ed to be a n gry with on e s

,
’

p a ren ts or sis te rs for su ch t hin gs tha t I ca n n o t bel ie ve tha t y ou would

d o it
But I supp ose a n o th er ca u se of a n ger which I d on t kn ow even ,
’
,

on ly gu ess It m a y be p ossibly ou r hom e con d ition s m a g n ifie d by

.
,

h u m a n ta lk in g a n d p resen te d to y ou in a col ore d ligh t I d on t wr ite ’

.

i t c lea rly do I ? But it is on ly beca u se fir s t it is s i m p ly d iffi c ult to

, , ,

exp la in i t c l ea rly in a l e tt e r S econ dly I d on t k n ow wh e the r this

’
.
,

le tter wi ll fa ll a t on ce in to p rop er ha n d s yours) S o y ou m u st .

rem em ber a n d guess m a n y th in gs a n d a sk for others in a le tter a n d

, ,

then I wi ll exp la in th em be tter

I ca m e from th e sch ool in Ja n ua ry a n d wi ll re tur n t o th e Kin gd om
in Aug u s t Th i s ti m e I sha ll go to Wa rsa w to th e T ea ch e r s S em i
.
,
’

n a ry . If I fi n ish this course which la sts 3 yea rs I sha ll receive a

, ,

p la ce in th e K in gd om a s a te a che r All t his bu sin ess will cos t m e

.

a bout 50 0 g uld en It is a big su m i n deed bu t wh a t ca n I do ? I

.
,

sh a ll ha v e a t l ea s t a sec ur e ex is te n ce a n d sh a ll be a ble t o h e lp ou r

p a ren ts a t so m e m om en ts .

You ha ve hea rd p e rha p s tha t K a rolka S toy ka is ge ttin g m a rrie d

in two wee k s .She m a rr ie s Fra n ciszek th e m a n wh om y ou ,

k n ew I thin k a n d wh o sen t h er to tha t school

, ,
.

S TANI S LAW A

Ja n ua ry I 1 9 1 2 ,

D E AR S O N : [Le tters received a n d written ] JOZia is

a lr ea dy a te a ch e r ; sh e is i n th e m o u n t a in s 3 miles bey on d N o wy T a r
, g
a n d 1 2 mile s from u s She did n o t co m e for t h e hol id a ys t o u s bu t t o ,

your a un t in Podgorze [e ithe r beca u se it wa s n ea rer or beca u se of ,

di sha r mon y be tween h er a n d her p a ren ts] We hea rd tha t sh e h a s .

3 0 renski o f sa la ry [a m on th] bu t she did n o t wr ite h ow sh e s u ccee d s

,

there she wro te on ly a sm a ll ca rd M erry holid a ys a n d n o thin g

, ,
“
,
”

m ore N ow your u n cle fr om B ieza n ow is se ll in g th a t ca bin

wi th th a t p iece of la n d a n d we a re buyin g i t S o if y ou ca n e a rn som e .
 K R U PA S ERI E S 50 1

m on ey , d ea r 50 11 sen d it to u s th en I wo uld bu y it a t on ce in your

, ,

Even if y ou d on t sen d we sha ll bu y it bu t it wo uld be be tte r

’
n a me .
, ,

if y ou sen t u s som e thin g for yo ur un cle wa n t s 2 2 5 [gulden ] for it a n d

,

we ha ve on ly a li ttle m ore tha n a h u n dr e d a n d we m us t borr o w t he ,

res t I don t write a n ythin g m ore of in te rest Tha n ks to God

.
’
.
,

n o bod y a m on g y o ur r el a ti ves a n d a cqua in t a n ce s die d At ho m e w e .

a re in goo d h ea l th t h a nks t o God on ly J6ziek w a s a li ttle sick

, ,
He .

ca ugh t cold wh en h e wen t to ch ur ch on S u n da y N ow I a sk

y ou s till a bout on e thin g Whe n y ou write to u s tell u s wh e th e r y ou
.
,

ha v e seen a n yw h e re Wla dek Wolski or hea rd a bout him wh ere h e is , , ,

fo r yo ur a u n t Wolska begs y ou v e ry m u ch He ha s n ot written to .

them sin ce la s t sp rin g a n d p eop le sen d va rious n ews a bout him th a t

,

h e is ge ttin g on [ or : be ha vin g ve ry ba dly there They ha d in form ed .

u s in t he sa m e wa y a bout y ou wh e n y ou did n ot w ri te t o u s for so

lon g a tim e ha vi n g lost your work They sa id tha t J edrek your

,
.
,

u n cle s [ son ] p ushed y ou do wn fro m a tra m wa y th a t y ou la y sick in a

’
,

hosp i ta l Wa s it true ? We a re ve ry c uriou s I a sked y ou a bout

’

. .

th e sa m e in the p rece din g le tte r bu t y ou write tha t y ou h a ve n o t

,

receive d a n y le tter I won d er very m uch who d evo urs or h olds

.

u p a ll th ose le tte r s .

JAKOB a n d FRAN CI SZKA KR U P A

Oc tobe r 20 [1 91 2]
D E AR S ON : [ L e tters fa rm work ;
s en t a nd received ; -

wea th er ] N ow d ea r son I beg you if you ca n p u t a sid e som e

.
, , ,

m on ey se n d it to m e
,
I wo uld buy a colt for n ow we ha ve ga the red
.
,

h a y a n d cl ove r e n o ugh a t t he secon d ha r ve s t on ly I l a ck m on ey for , ,

we h a ve sp en t on th a t piece of l a n d wh ich w e bough t fr om y our u n cle ,

a n d w e S p en t those 1 0 0 re nski wh ich y ou sen t a lso on this We h a d .

bo rrowed a bout tha t m u ch m on ey a n d w e p a id the d eb t a s soon a s,

y ou sen t it An d if y ou sen d som e m on ey n ow ev en if n o t for th e

.
,

ho rse w e m a y p u t it in to th e ba n k for your un c le wa n ted u s a bso

, ,

lu tely t o p u t those 2 0 0 crown s of yo urs [ 1 0 0 re nski] a l so in to th e ba n k ,

a n d if ou r L ord God g ra n t s i t w e sh a ll p u t the m y e t

,
For wh en y ou .

wen t a wa y p eop le sa id th a t it wa s a p ity tha t we ha d sen t y ou th a t ,

y ou won t p a y u s ba c k e v en th e j ourn ey So n ow when y ou sen d

’
.
,

m on ey e v ery body won d e rs

, An d we n ee d m uch for ou r f a rm in g
.
,

a s it u sua lly h a pp en s M or eover this yea r the crop s a re ba d The

.
, .

g ra in is n o t v e ry ba d bu t w e di d n o t di g m ore tha n 2 0 k o r ey of p ota

,

toes AS to J6zia she does n ot n eed a n y m ore m oney She sen t a

.
, .
50 2 P RI M AR Y GR OUP-
OR GAN I ZATI ON

n ice gift on m o the r

’
s n a me —
k d u s n ow t o give B a sia to the
d y a and as e

sch ool p r om isin g t o h elp h er

, S o w e ga ve h e r a n d this will a lso cos t
.
,
.

An d n ow I a l so [ S ta n i sl a wa ] p rep a re t o go t o a n a gricultur a l sch ool .

We bo th I a n d Ka rolka S toy ka will go to Kru szyn ek

,
If w e ,
.

ca n a n d if m y p a r en t s a ll ow m e w e sha ll g o p e rh a p s on N e w Yea r ,
.

It wi ll cos t u s 1 50 cro wn s ea ch K a rolka s fa the r won t a ll ow her t o .

’ ’

go a n d w on t give h er a n y m on e y bu t h er s i s te r in la w s bro th e r wh o
’ ’
- -
, ,

is a p os t offi cia l in B ia la a dv ises h er to go a n d wi ll sen d her m on ey

-
,
.

An d I ha v e h op e in y ou [ Fa mil y n ew s ; m a rria ges ] D ea r bro th e r

.
,

m o th e r is gla d tha t y ou a re lea rni n g a n d d oes n ot bla m e y ou a t a ll ,

for h a v in g in sc ribe d y ourself [ in a sch ool on ly sh e is s till c urio u s

wh e the r y ou rea d a n y P oli sh boo k s a n d go som e ti m es t o t he ch u rch

a n d h ea r se r m on s Ou r p a re n ts r e que s t y ou t o go to the ch urc h
.

a s m uch a s p ossible for wi th o ut God a ll yo ur eff ort s will be of n o

,

a va il
PAR E N TS [ ]
.

694 Ma y 1 1 [ 1 9 1 3]
D EAR S ON : We received yo ur le tter a nd th e m on e y , 41 0

[ wr i tten : 40 0 10 ] crown s
which we tha n k y o u forN ow d ea r ,

son w e thin k a bo ut i t h ow t o u se t h i s m on ey wh e t h er t o
, , p u t it in to ,

th e sa vi n g s ba n k or t o p a y ou r u se less d e bt ba ck For if I p u t this .

m on ey in to the ba n k I sh ould h a v e on ly 2 0 c r own s of in ter es t in a

,

ye a r while I m u s t p a y 2 6 crown s on 40 0 crown s so in thi s wa y 6

, ,

c rown s a y ea r w o uld be sa ve d F or y ou I ca n p u t m on ey in to th e
.
.

ba n k in p a rti a l p a ym en ts or t o bu y a p iece of la n d if the re is so m e

,

op p ortun ity for t h i s is m ost sec ur e

,
L a st y ea r when we bo ugh t t his .
,

h a lf a m o rg from yo ur u n cl e it cos t 2 50 renski a n d tha n k s t o God , ,

w e h a v e p a id i t a lr ea dy a n d n ow w e ha ve a wid e r lot in a sin g l e p iece .

But th ere is n ow n o opp ortun ity to bu y a sm a ll p iece of la n d a n d for ,

a l a rg e on e we h a v e n o m o n ey An tek a n d JOZ iek t ha n k y ou for th a t

.

m on ey wh i ch y ou sen t [for th em ] We bough t clo th es a n d S hoes for .

them Zo Ska a n d S tefka tha n k y ou a lso a n d rej oice tha t m othe r w ill
[ Wea ther ; fa r m —
.

bu y for them som e n ice s tuff for dresses work ] .

We g ree t y ou h ea rtily w e your p a ren t s a n d a ll y our sister s a n d

,

bro the rs a n d the gr a n d m o ther from n ea r th e f or es t a n d th e [p a te rn a l]

,

un cle from n ea r the fores t a n d the [p a tern a l] un cle a n d a un t from t he

field a n d th e [m a tern a l] un cle a n d a u n t from th e big hou se a n d a ll ,

y our rela tives a n d a cqua in ta n ces

JAKOB a n d FRAN CI szx A KR U PA
50 4 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

were la ckin g un til ha lf a cen tur y a go Th ese a re p a rt icu .

,

la rly in te ll e c tu a l a n d a rtis tic in te r est ( t o a c e rta in e x ten t

,

p resen t a m on g the p ea sa n t s b ut with out th e ten den cy t o

,

d evel op a l on g these lin es) ; soc ia l id ea l ism (n a tion a lis tic

a n d a l so r e c en tl y s oc ia li s ti c i d ea l s) ; r om a n tic love ; a n d ,

fin a ll y t h e g en era l a tti tu d e of su p eriori t y t owa rd t h e l owe r

,

cla sses b a se d upon the p re c edin g a ttitud e s N ow when

,
.
,

e ver a n in div idu a l of a l o w e r c l a ss tr ies t o g e t in t o a h igh e r

c la ss h e h a s n ot on ly to rise e c on om ica ll y a n d in t elle c tu a ll y

a n d t o im it a t e t h e e x t e rn a l f orm s of t h e l if e of t h e hi gh e r

c la ss b ut h e m u st a l so a ssim ila te the a tti tud es of this c la ss

,
.

An d this a lwa ys giv e s r ise t o a certa in a m o un t of ca bot in ism .

S om e tim es th e a tti tud es a re a ssim ila ted rea ll y a n d ea sil y

(Zygm un t a n d Ha n ka in this s erie s ) b ec a u se of a n a tura l or
soc ia l p r e a d a p ta tion in t h e in d ividu a l or t h e a ssim il a tion
,

of som e a tti tud e s m a y be r ea l a n d sin c e r e whil e in o th e r s ,

t h e in dividu a l b ec om e s a ca boti n .

B u t Wa len ty P a s h e a pp ea r s in this c orresp on d en c e is

.
, ,

a p erfe c t ca boti n a l on g a ll l in es Firs t h e im i t a t es t h e

,

in tell ec tu a l in ter es t ; h e wr i tes a b out g en er a l p r ob lem s ; h e

p rob a b l y rea d s a little B u t in c om p a rison wi th Z ygm un t
.

it is evid en t tha t this in ter e s t ex ert s n o r ea l in fluen c e up on

’
h is l ife I n sp i te of Zyg m u n t s a dv ic e a n d th e e x a m p le
.

of his en thu sia sm for kn owled ge a n d in telle c tu a l self

d evelopm en t it d oes n ot seem th a t Wa len t y tries seriou sl y
,

t o d ev el op h im self His work a m u sem en t s a n d e xc e ss ive

.
, ,

l e tter writin g l ea ve h im h a rdl y a n y tim e for this His own

-
.

l e tter s S how a m u ch l ower d eg ree of c ulture tha n tho se of

Zy gm un t w h o is y oun ge r
,
His d isp la y of in te re s t in this
.

l in e is evid en tl y a rtific ia l N or is there m ore of sin c erit y

.

a n d d ep th in his a e s th e tic in t e r es t s H e ta kes p a rt in

.

a m a t eu r p l a y s b ut wi tho ut r ea l in tere s t a s Z yg m u n t
, ,

p oin t s ou t He sh ows off in t he l itera r y l in e a n d sen d s

.

p oetic a l le tt er s t o every b od y B u t w e h a ve a good p roof

.
 PI O ROW S
T KI S ERI ES 50 5

of the l a ck of origin a lit y of his l itera ry c om p osition for w e ,

fin d a m on g hi s p a p er s a rou gh dr a ft of a l e tt e r in v er s e
which he sen t or p l a n n ed t o sen d t o h is p a ren ts a n d it is
, , ,

n o thi n g b ut a c opy of on e of t h e s c h em a tic p oeti c a ddr ess es

t o p a r en t s p rin t e d up on t h e sh ee t s of l e tt er p a p e r sold in -

Am eri ca . Wa len ty in s tea d of sen din g a l e tter with s u ch a

,

p rin ted in trodu c tion eviden tl y c opied the l a tter in orde r t o

,

p a ss it off a s hi s ow n c om position .

Aga in in t h e lin e of socia l i d e a lism h e p re ten d s t o be

, ,

in tere s te d in th e socia lis tic id ea Bu t h e d oe s n othin g for

.

thi s ; h e does n ot even b elon g t o a p a rt y for thi s re qui res ,

som e s a c rific e He is sa tisfie d w i th occ upy in g in form t h e

.

a ttitud e of a n en li ght en e d a n d s elf c on s c iou s workm a n a n d

-
,

he d oes n o t even tr y t o rise high e r in t h e workm a n c la ss n or ,

t o e x ert a n y p ositive in fl u en c e u p on o th er s .

Th e a ttitude of rom a n tic l ove S in c e r e wi th Ha nka ha lf

, ,

sin c e r e wi th S ta sia (w h o see m s t o be m u c h of a f em a l e

ca boti n ),
is c lea rl y imi ta te d a n d in sin c ere wi th Wa len t y ,

w h o is c on tin ua ll y p l a y in g b e fo r e th e gi rl s his frien d s a n d , ,

h im self th e fin e rOle of l over Fl irtin g wi th b oth girl s a t

.

th e sa m e tim e h e a ff ec t s h ea rt b rea k fir s t a ft er the m a rria g e

, , ,

of S t a si a a n d th en a fte r t he d ea th of H a n ka
, .

We ha ve n o da ta a s t o hi s im ita tion of the refin e d

m a n n er s of th e h igh er c la sses B u t th ere a re m a n y h in t s
.

a b out t h e a ttitud e of Sup erior i t y wh ic h h e occ up ies t ow a rd

his fell ow w orkm en in Am e ric a a n d of th e isola tion in whic h

-

he p r e ten d s to fin d him self b ec a u se of t h e low c ultur a l

l evel of his en viron m en t .

Fin a ll y the r e is on e gen er a l fea tur e of t he ca botin whic h

,

Wa len ty ha s t o th e highest de g ree I t is t h e in te re s t the

.
-

on l y S in c er e on % w hich th e ca boti n n a i vel y t a kes in him self

a n d in h is va riou s a tti tud es I t is t h e n e c essa ry a ccom p a n i
.

m e n t of th e wh ol e p r oc ess of c on sciou s im it a tion of a h igher

t yp e of life .
50 6 PRI M AR Y -
GR OU P OR G AN I ZATI ON

Th e si tua tion fou n d in the l ett er s of S ta sia Ha n ka is and

p ecul ia r Ea ch o f th e girl s kn ow s of Wa len ty s flirta tion

.
’

wi th th e oth er ; b o th a re in l ove with him S ta sia m ore ,

s up erficia ll y Ha n ka m or e p rofo un dl y There is j ea lou sy

,
.

b etween them b ut n eith er da res t o c l a im t h e m a n e xc lu sivel y

,

for her s elf ; e a ch a cc ep t s his in d e cision a s a m a tter of f a c t .

An d th e m a n hesi t a t e s t o t he en d H e d oes n o t s eem t o be

.

ver y m u ch in lo ve wi th either of t h e girls a n d s till he is ,

seriou s with b oth H is rela tion with H a n ka is c lose r a n d

.

m or e frien dl y ; his a tti tud e t owa rd S ta s ia m or e rom a n tic .

An d wh ile h e m a kes d e c l a ra tion s of l ov e t o b o th h e p rop oses ,

t o n ei th er .

This situa tion ca n be full y un der s tood on l y if w e con

sider t he s ocia l b a ckg roun d up on whic h it d evel op e d Th e .

p erson s in volved a re of the workin g cla s s p a s sin g in to t h e ,

l ower m iddle c la s s N ow the tra di tion a l set of a tti tud es in

.

th e w ork in g c l a ss i s dr a wn fr o m t w o s o ur c es
— th e p ea s a n t
life a n d th e life of t he c ra ft s c orp or a tion s I n t o th is
-
.

m ix tur e is her e in fu s ed the id eol o gy of t h e upp e r c l a sses ,

p a rtly throu gh b ooks p a rtl y throu gh t h e m edium of th e

,

lower m iddl e c la s s A n d it is this m ix ture of h et er ogen eou s

.

e l em en t s whi c h e xp l a in s t h e p r e s en t si tu a tion .

As w e kn ow fr om t h e p ea sa n t le tte rs l ov e a s id ea l iza tion

, ,

a n d in d ividu a liz a tion of se x u a l a ttr a c tion d oes n ot e x is t

,

in p ea sa n t life in t h e for m of a s oc ia ll y a ckn owl ed g e d a n d

sa n c t ion e d a tti tud e
—
th ou gh this do es n ot m ea n th a t it
does n ot ex is t a s in d ividu a l f a c t Th e fun d a m en t a ll y
”
sa n c tion ed a ttitude b e fore m a rria ge is likin g (frien d s hip ) ;
”
The s e x u a l life b efore m a rria ge
“
a ft e r m a rr ia ge resp e c t .

is s oc ia ll y c on d em n ed a ft er m a rr ia g e ig n or ed
, ( I n cid en t .

a ll y this m a y a l s o exp l a in t o a c ert a in e x ten t wh

, y t he l oss
of vir gin i t y i s n o t so d efin i te a n obs ta c l e t o m a rr ia g e a s in

socia l groups wh ere se x u a l life it self is soc ia ll y a ckn owle dged

a s a b a sis of m a rr ia ge ) .
50 8 PRI MAR Y G R OU P
-
OR G AN I ZATI O N

M a rria ge it self is her e m ore a n in dividu a l th a n a f a m ilia l

m a tte r—a t lea s t m or e so tha n in p ea sa n t life Th e e c on omi c
.

b a sis of m a rria ge is a l so difl eren t ; work a n d c ra ft sm a n s hip

c oun t m ore in c om pa rison wi th pr op ert y tha n in p ea sa n t
li fe a n d in g en era l t h e p er son a l li fe h a s m u c h m ore imp or
,

t a n c e The se a n d p erh a p s other fa c tor s h a ve c on trib ute d

.
, ,

t o th e r esult th a t in th e l ower b our ge oi sie s e x u a l r e l a ti on s

wi th girls a r e m uc h m ore fr equ en t tha n a m on g p e a sa n t s a n d ,

en ga ge m en t a n d b e tr o tha l ha ve a m u c h le ss defini te
c ha ra c te r N everth eless whil e th e rela tion —c ourt ship be
t roth a l s e x u a l in ter c ourse—la s t s it is e x c lu sive ; it m a y
.
, ,

b e b roken off bu t n ot S ha r ed wi th a n othe r

,
Thu s t h e
.

si tu a tion wh ic h w e fin d in t h e p r e sen t c a s e w ould be s c a r c e l y

p ossib le if t h e tra di tion s of th e lower b ourgeoisie we r e a c tin g

a l on e n ot in c om b in a tion wi th t h e p e a s a n t tr a d i tion s

Fin a ll y w e ha v e a t h ir d elem en t—t h e e xp r ession of

.
,

rom a n tic love im it a te d from t he upp er c la sse s An d it is

,
.

c ur ious h ow in sufficien tl y a ssim il a te d th is form is Th er e .

is a p ecu lia r la ck of ha r m on y a n d of a d equ a t e exp re ss ion

in eve r y l e tt er a n d jud gin g fr om c e rta in s ta tem en ts t h e
,

sa m e fea ture m u s t ha ve c h a ra c terized t he l e tter s of t he m a n .

A p erfec tl y c old a n d f o r m a l l etter m a y be follow ed by

a n o the r in wh ic h l ov e is e xp r essl y de c l a r e d Or in a sin gl e
.

l ett er a quit e c erem on iou s form of a ddres s m a y be foll owe d

by d ec la ra tion s which woul d requ ire t he dropp in g of a ll
’
form a lities (p a rtic ula rl y in S t a sia s le tter s ) Or a ga in .
, ,

p hra ses of lov e m a y a ltern a te with o the r s whi ch seem t o

e xc lud e a n y l o ve r e l a t ion
-
P hr a ses whic h e xp r e ss c onfi d en c e
.

’
in t h e m a n s rec ip r ocit y a re foun d a lon g with oth er s in whic h
t he c on tr a r y op ini on is s ta t e d a n d w itho ut a n y a d e qu a t e
,

tra n sition 0 1 the m os t b urnin g e xp re ssion s of g ra titude

.

a n d d evo ti on a re w a s t ed up on s u c h t rifle s a s r e c e ivin g

c a rds pho tog ra ph s or a ribb on whil e c on s tra in t a n d c old

, , ,

n e ss c h a r a c ter ize m a n y p hr a ses whic h sh o ul d be wr itt e n

 PI O ROW S
T KI S ERI E S 56 9

in a to ta ll y differen t wa y I n S h ort th e rea l si tu a tion

.
,

woul d requi re le tter s in term edi a ry b e tween m or e or less

c erem on i ou s frien dshi p a n d a c qua in ta n c e l e tter s a n d open
-

l ove l etter s—a ty p e which in t h e upp er c l a sses wou ld c h a r

-

a ct eriz e th e b egin n in g of a l ove r el a t ion -

B u t h ere n o
.

in term edi a ry form is foun d I n s tea d th ere is a m os t

.
,

u nh a rm on iou s m ix ture of isola ted exp ression s e a c h of ,

whi ch woul d be a dequa te on ly in eith er a love lette r or a -

c e rem oni o u s letter I t seem s a s if there wer e in t h e girl s

.

a n d in t h e m a n a s tr a n ge a ltern a tion of c on tr a r y a tti tud e s

followin g on e a n o ther imm edi a tel y a n d without tra n sition ,

whi l e in rea li t y w e see here on l y t he re sul t of th e in a de qu a cy

of t h e form imi ta t e d fr om t h e upp er c l a sse s t o t h e c on ten t
, , ,

o rigin a t n g in t h e a ttitud es of t h e l owe r c la s se s

i .

Curiou sl y en ough b o th gi rls a tta in fin a ll y a m ore or l e ss

,

a d e qu a te e xp r ession a n d in qu it e c on tr a ry w a ys S t a sia .

fin d s it by eli mi n a tin g t h e e lem en t of l ove a n d by dr opp in g

in to a n a ttitud e of cold a c qua in ta n c e Ha nk a on t h e
.
,

c on tra ry fin ds it by risin g a b ove a ll th e tra dition a l a tti tu d es

,

o f h e r c l a ss a n d by d evelop in g r ea ll y a n d un r eservedl y t h e

a tti tud e of r om a n tic l ov e c h a r a c t e r is tic of t h e hi ghe r c l a ss e s .

Her e volution is du e t o tw o fa c tor s—b ook cul tur e a n d a n -

isol a tion fr om h er u sua l mi lieu which in th e b e gin n in g m a y

,

h a ve b een a ffec t ed b ut fin a ll y b ec om es rea l P erha ps h er .

S ickn ess h a s c on tri b ute d a l so for w e n o tic e m or e tha n on c e

,

a hi gh er r efin em en t devel opin g in sick gi rls p r e c i s el y b e c a u s e

,

the y a re m ore isola t ed a n d live a m ore in ten se sen tim en ta l

a n d in te ll e c tua l li fe .

Th e m a in in teres t of th e le tters of Z ygm u n t lie s ( I ) in ,

t h e ki n d of rel a tion wh ic h un ites th e t w o m en ; ( 2 ) in th e

”
ty p e of Zy gm un t a s a climb er in th e b etter sen se of t he
“

w ord .

1 Th e r ela tion is on e of c l ose fr ien d shi p with a b a ck

.
,

g r oun d of hom osex ua l a ff ec tion on t h e p a rt of the older

5 10 PRI M AR Y GR OUP
-
OR GANI ZATI ON

Wa len ty which viden tl y does n o t S ha r e As fa r

Z ygm un t e .

’
a s h e is c on sciou s of t h e o th e r m a n s t en d en c ies h e trie s t o

ch e ck them a t on c e a n d t o giv e t o their r el a tion a Cha ra c t er

of n or m a l frien d ship Th e re l a tion a s w e fin d it h e re is
.

typ ic a l ( Com pa re th e O sin ia k s eries ) P e rh a p s in deed

. .
, ,

th er e is a l ittle of h om ose x u a l a ffe c tion in ever y c l ose frien d

sh ip wh i c h i s n ot b a s e d ess en tia ll y up on a c om m u n it y of

in t e r e s t s A m edia t e p r oof of it s eem s t o be th a t m a rria g e

.

u sua ll y e ither in te rrup ts frien dship or c ha n g es it s c ha ra c ter ,

m a ke s it m ore like a b u sin ess fr ien d ship On t h e o th e r .

h a n d a p roof tha t th e h om ose x ua l t en d en cy a lm os t n eve r

,

p a sses in to a ct is tha t the c lo ses t frien d ship d oe s n ot in terf ere

with n orm a l rela tion s wi th girl s The e x is ten c e of this .

hom o se x u a l elem en t is m ore ea sily detec ted in P ol a n d tha n

el sewh er e b e c a u se p a rtic ul a rl y in t h e l ow e r c la s s e s th e r e i s
, ,

’
n o in hib ition im p o s e d up on t h e e xp re s sion of a m a n s
feelin g s in g en era l I n this r esp e c t it is in te re s t in g t o
.

c om p a re Z ygm un t a n d Wa len t y Th e fir s t b egin s t o . .

d evelop su c h in hibition s owin g t o th e in flu en c e of a high er

in t ell e c tu a l m ilie u of his so cia l id ea ls a n d m a in l y of h is
, ,

a sp ir a tion s t o se lf d e ve l op m en t a n d h e trie s t o im p a rt t h e
-

sa m e in hib ition s t o h is frien d—n ot ver y su cc ess full y a s it

,

seem s Wa len ty a pp ea r s here a s well a s in his corr e

.
,

sp on den ce with th e girl s a s a n e ff e m in a t e va in im p r e ssion

, , ,

a b l e p e r son d evoid oi se lf c on tr ol a n d li vin g for sh ow

,
-
, .

2 . Z ygm un t is n ot a p ea sa n t b ut a w orkm a n , I t is .

ther efore n ot stra n ge if ver y few of th e ty pic a l p ea sa n t

a tti tud e s a re fou n d in him B u t it seem s s tra n ge th a t n ot
.

e v en t h e w orkm a n p s yc h ol ogy ca n c ha r a c te r ize h i m He .

h a s in d ee d workm a n i d ea s e xp l ic itl y soc ia l is tic a n d a few

, ,

a tt i tud e s whic h c ould h a rdl y be fou n d in a n o th e r c l a ss b ut ,

h is s tock of tr a d i tion a l c h a r a c te r s is v er y lim i te d This is .

th e fun d a m en t a l d iffe r en c e b e twe en him a n d s u c h m en a s

M a ks or Wa c l a w M a rkiewic z wh o in o rde r t o c l im b t h e
,
5I 2 PRI M AR Y -
GR O UP OR GANI ZATI ON

given t o le tte r wri tin g -

and t o th e —
p h o tog ra ph s a ll thi s is
p ur el y p ea sa n t E ven . th e c l os en ess of th e fa mi lia l r el a tion
is so .

Jula s l e tters a re t h e onl y e x a m p l e w e h a v e of a m e r e

’

frien dl y corresp on d en c e b e tween gir l a n d boy I n a ll o th er .

c a se s th ere is ei the r f a mi l y rela tion or flir ta tion or a t lea s t

-
,

a r el a t ion p r eli mi n a r y t o a n even tu a l en g a g em en t N on e .

o f a ll th ese r e l a tion s e x is ts h er e S u c h a c o rr e sp on d en c e a s
.

w e fin d h er e woul d be ha rdl y p ossib l e in a p ur e p e a s a n t

“

m il ieu .

6 9 5—7 4 7 , To W ALE N TY P I O TR O W S KI IN AM ERI CA , FR OM

6 9 5—
,

V ARI OU S P E R S ON S IN 7 0 5, FR OM S TA S I A
P OLAND
—
.

G ; 7 0 6 1 7 , FR OM HAN K A ; 7 1 8 3 6 , FR O M ZY GM UN T ;
-

— — —
.

7 3 7 40 , FR O M H E N R Y K ; 74 4 ,
1 2 F R O M A P ; 7 43 4 5,
—
. .

FR O M J U LA ; 7 4 6 4 7 , FR O M THE P ARE N TS O F W ALE N TY

69 5 Jun e 9 1 9 1 2 ZAGLOB A , ,

R E S P E CTED SI R : I th a n k y ou v e ry v e ry m uch for th e ca rd,

For .

in deed I don t k n ow h ow I m e ri te d your r e m e m bra n ce

’
The re is n o .

n e ws wi th m e ex cep t th a t I lon g for R ytwi a n y a n d s till m ore for

, ,

y our socie ty in wh ich m y tim e wa s sp en t so p l ea sa n tly a n d a greea bly

,

a s i t n e ve r ca n be S p en t in Za g l o ba .

An dz ia [Ha n ka ] in ten d s t o go t o R ytwia n y for a ch urch f es tiva l I .

should be gla d t o go bu t a la s ! m y duties d on t a ll o w m e t o t a k e t his

’
,

p lea sure .

I should like to write m ore bu t I m us t be sa tisfied with this un til

,

w e ge t be tter a cqua in ted or ra the r un ti l you k n ow m e be tte r for I

, ,

kn ow a lr ea dy very we ll y our up righ t cha ra c te r from the rep resen

ta t ion of An dzia a n d a lso a little p e rson a ll y
, Then I sha ll wr i te .

y ou ve ry m uch tho ugh I d on t k n ow wh e th e r it will gi ve y ou a n y

’
,

p lea sur e .

S TAS I A G .

69 6 Augus t 2 , 1 91 2

R E S P E CTE D S I R : I n the in trodu c tion to m y le tter I beg your

p a rd on ve ry m u ch for d a r in g to dela y m y a n sw er for so lon g a time .
 PI OTR OWS KI S ER I ES 51 3

But p lea se forgive m e th is fa ult for I could n o t a n swer beca use of

,

la ck of tim e .

Re sp ec te d sir ! I sen d y ou m y hea rty th a n ks for y our le tt er so ,

d ea r t o m y hea rt Sir ! You wrote so won derfully a n d cha rmin gly

.

a bout love th a t yo ur l e tte r m a y be rea d wi th a tru e sa tisfa c tion I tell .

y ou tha t m ore tha n on e re n ow n ed p oe t coul d e n vy y ou this fa c ulty .

For who w h o wo uld rep rese n t to h im se lf l ove so a ttra c tive ly

, ( Pe r
ha p s on ly th e m a n wh o h a s a lrea dy on ce loved ) But a s to m y se lf I .
,

do n ot be li ev e m u ch in it for love is often d ecei tful a n d wi thout

,

recip roci ty though i t ha pp en s tha t it is a lso holy a n d in n ocen t ; ye t

,

in these tim es tha t is ve ry se ldom R esp ec te d sir ! You wri te m e

.

p recisely th a t y ou fe el u n h a pp y to the highes t d egree beca u se of n ot

p ossessi n g th e recip roci ty of M iss S ir ! Y ou ou gh t n ot t o lose
h op e y ou ough t not to give y ourse lf u p to desp a ir
, On ly y ou ough t .

t o try wi th a ll your p o we r tha t eve rythin g m igh t be a ga in a s i t wa s

before An d beca u se y ou a re a m a n a ll this will com e ea sil y
.
,
.

R e sp ec te d sir ! The gr ea te s t burd en f e ll from m y h ea rt a t the m om en t

when I l ea rn ed from your le tte r th a t y ou ha ve n ot y e t a betrothed I n .

th a t ca se I won t be a fra id lest ’

R esp ec te d sir ! I n e ve r though t tha t yo ur hea rt a n d your recip ro

ca l lo ve m u s t be con qu e r e d wi th su ch di fli cu lty a s y ou wri te If so it .
,

s ee m s to m e tha t n o body wi ll con quer your h ea rt for a wom a n h a s ,

n o t s tren g th en ough for su ch a h e r oic effort whil e a m a n P lea se

,

tell m e wi th wha t wea p on s ca n your hea rt be con quered ? Wh e the r

wi th h u mili ty or wi th j ea lousy or wi th fla ttery or wi th kin dn ess
Or wi th t he m os t d a n ge rou s a rm s of a wom a n —
, , , ,

e tc. tea rs ? Plea se

wr i te m e wi th wha t ,
Pe rha p s I will a da p t m yse lf R esp ec ted sir ! .
,

You a sk whe ther I h a ve a t lea s t a sp a rk of love Sir ! If I kn ew

h ow to gi ve l ove s u ch a cha rm in g sha p e how t o m a ke it so bea utiful
, ,

it is p ossibl e tha t y ou would Ala s ! The gra ciou s Hea ven did
n o t g ra n t m e a n y p oe tica l f a c ulty S o I ca n te ll y ou on ly on e word
.

t ha t I [ love y ou om itted bu t m a rked by a s m a n y

“
,

p oin ts a s the re a re le tte rs in the resp ec tive Polis h wo rd s] m ore th a n m y

li fe
. But these words a re n ot cold a lthough brea thin g sim p lici ty .

Al though they a re sh ort y et for a lov [ e r] th ey con ta in very very

, ,

m u ch .R esp ec ted sir I beg y ou very m uch a n swer m e kin dly by a

, ,

l e tter soon For I sha ll wa it for it wi th a n en orm ous imp a tien ce a n d

.

l on [gin g] Your le tte r is th e on ly m edicin e a ga in st m y lon [gin g]

.
.

Oh blessed be the h o ur in which I k n ew you

,
I o we this ha p p iness .
 51 4 PR I MAR Y -
GR O U P O R GAN I ZATI ON

t o An dzia a n d I am in fi n i tely gra teful to her for h a vi n g m a d e m e

ac qua in ted wi th y ou . I com m en d m yself to your kin d m em ory .

R e sp ec tq y yours ,

S TA S I A G .

M o re
ws a bout y ou resp e cte d sir A[n dzia ] wi ll furn ish m e for
ne , , ,

I don t y et kn ow a n ythin g certa in I wi ll wri te her a le tter on S un da y

’
. .

An d p e rha p s th e re is n o wom a n who is worthy of p ossessin g your

hea rt ? I n such a ca s& I beg your p a rdon [ Iron y ]
~
. .

69 7 S ep t em ber 9 , 1 91 2

R E S P E CTE D S I R :I rece ived your le tter a n d your ca rd s for which ,

I tha nk y ou m u ch I beg your p a rd on for ha vin g le t y ou wa i t so l on g

.

for m y le tte rs But I hop e tha t y ou w on t ta ke it in ba d p a rt for it ’

.
,

wa s difli cu lt for m e to a n swe r h a vin g s u ch a t erribl e so rr ow a bout

, ,

which y ou hea rd p roba bly from Miss An n a [ Ha n ka ] .

R esp ec ted sir ! Your le tte r bef o re t he la st on e g rie ve d m e m uch ,

for y ou wrote it wi th a terrible ir on y ; e v ery word in this le tte r woun ds

m y h ea rt p rofoun dly But wha t ca n I do ? I trie d t o be sin cere a n d
.

op en h ea rt e d a n d y ou took a ll this for fa l se m on e y

-
,
But n ow I will .

ca l cula te m y word s in o rd e r s ur e ly n o t t o oflen d y ou for th e secon d

,

tim e .

Aga in with your l a st le tte r y ou co m forte d m e m u ch

, R esp ec te d .

S ir ! You wri te m e n o t t o m i n d tha t y ou did n o t in fo r m m e a bout

your lea vin g Wil I did n o t m in d it a t a ll for I un d e r s ta n d a n d ,

kn ow the p rover b The h ea rt is n o t a serva n t

,
But a t a n y
ra te it would be m ore a greea ble for m e if I ha d received the n ews a l so .

An d so I l ea r n ed on ly by a ccid e n t from An dzia tha t y ou h a d left , , .

It is p a i n ful t o m e tha t y ou h a ve so ba d a n op i n ion of m e tha t y ou ,

beli ev e m e d eceitful Oh n o ! I a m com p le te ly con s ta n t in con

.
, ,

s t a n cy is u n k n own to m e I n o rd e r t o m a k e y ou sure of i t I sho uld

.

like to g ive y ou a p roof bu t un ha p p ily I d on t kn o w in wha t wa y to do

,
’

i t a n d for tha t v e ry rea son y ou ca n be sure

, For if I k n e w i t w ould .

be a S ig n tha t I ha ve sp oken a lr ea dy wi th som e body a bout th in gs l ik e

this .

How do y ou sp en d your tim e I thin k very p lea sa n tly beca use ,

in the p resen ce of your belov ed With m y wh ol e h ea rt I w ish y ou

.

a m u se m en t a n d a p lea sa n t p a ssa g e of y o ur tim e I ha ve n o furthe r .

51 6 PRI MAR Y -
G R OU P OR G AN I ZATI ON

so very m uch I s it true. I don t sen d y ou Ch ris tm a s wishes y e t

’
,

for s urely y ou will wri t e a ga in before t he h olid a ys .

I ha ve n othin g m ore of in te rest to co m m un ica te I wish y ou .

s u ccess a n d m e rry di s tra c tion wi th m y w h o le h ea rt I beg y ou for a .

kin d a n swer a s soon a s p ossib le I sha ll wa i t wi th lon g [ing ] both for

.

yo ur le tte r a n d for your p ho tog ra p h I se n d y ou a hea rty ha n d sha k e

. .

I rem a i n a lwa ys on e a n d t he s a m e ,

S TAS I A G .

69 9 D ecem be r 4 , 1 91 2

IN FLU E N TI AL [ WI E LMO ZN Y] SI R : I in f o rm y ou th a t I ha d th e
hon or of receivin g from y ou a few d a ys a go a n ew le tter from Am e ric a .

[ L e tt ers sen t ; a sks for a n swe r ] Plea se d escribe t o m e eve ry thi n g .

H ow do you succeed in Am e rica ? D o y ou a m u se y ourse lf m e rrily ?

An d then when do y ou in t en d t o com e ba c k t o our cou n try ? An d
,

p e rh a p s y ou thin k of rem a in in g the re f ore v e r It would be a p i ty if

y ou se ttl ed there R a the r c om e ba ck t o ou r co un t ry
. .

P lea se be so kin d a n d sen d m e your p h o tog ra p h Y ou a sk ed .

wh e ther I corresp on d w i th M iss An na [ Ha n ka ] Well I m ust tell .

,

y ou t ha t sin ce y ou left R ytw ia n y I sen t h er n o l e ss a n d n o more b u t

, ,

eigh t l e tt e r s But she did n ot e ven begin to a n swe r a n y of th em

. .

Then I cea sed writin g to her An d n ow I d on t k n ow a t a ll wha t is

.
’

goin g on wi th her Wi th m e t he re is n o n e ws ei the r M orta l te dio u s

. .

n ess . Your le tters a re the on ly d istra ction for m e S o I beg y ou ve ry .

m uch h e so kin d a n d wri te t o m e a s soon a s p ossible

, With grea t .

lon gin g I sha ll wa it for your le tte r An d I beg y ou d on t refuse m e

.
,
’

this g ra ce Proba bly y ou will receive this le tte r before Ch ristm a s

.
.

S o I sen d y ou m y best wish e s for t h e a p p r oa c hi n g h oli d a y s I ha v e .

n o thi n g m ore t o wr i te on ly I co m m en d m y se lf t o y o ur kin d m emo ry

, .

I rem a in a lwa y s th e sa m e ,

S TAS IA G .

PS . I remin d you a bo ut t he p ho tog ra p h .

Ja n ua ry 9 1 9 1 3 ,

R E SPE CTE D S I R : I in fo rm y ou t ha t I r ece ive d yo ur le tte r fo r ,

which I give y ou hea rty tha n ks Sir ! I a m ve ry g ra teful t o y ou fo r

.

this le tter But while on t he on e ha n d y ou ga ve m e m uch p lea sure

.

wi th it on t he o ther ha n d it wa s very p a in ful to m e For how co uld

, .
 PI O ROWS
T KI S ERI E S 5I 7

y ou ha ve usp ected m e of a n yt hin g like this tha t I a m so in delica te

s ,

a s n ot t o a ns w e r your le tte r s You oflen ded m e m u ch for I did no t

.
,

e v en think a b out a n y thi n g li k e t hi s m u c h less rea lize i t

,
I inform y ou .

tha t I sen d a n swers a t on ce a fte r receiv in g e very on e of your le tters .

Why y ou did n ot receive the form er rem a in s a p uzzle t o m e To your .

le tter before t he la s t I sen t a n swers twice bu t ha vin g n o n ews from ,

y ou I did n o t wri te a n y m o re I though t tha t y ou we re occup ied

.

wi th som ebody a n d I did n ot wa n t to in te rrup t a p lea sa n t idyl wi th

m y ted iou s le tter s I n a w ord I did n ot wish y ou t o su sp ec t m e of
.
,

im p ortu n i ty This wa s t he rea son why I did n o t da re to sen d y ou

.

w ishes for N ew Yea r N ow p lea se a ccep t m y la te wishes An d I

. .

wish y ou to get a s soon a s p ossible ren own a n d m illion s in Am erica a n d

t o com e a s soon a s p ossible ba ck t o ou r co u n t ry .

I wa s p a in ed when for so m a n y m on ths I h a d n o le tter from y ou .

I t hough t tha t y ou ha d a lrea dy forgo tten You a sk m e whe ther I .

wish to s top m y corresp on d e n ce with y ou Sir ! If it wer e p ossi ble

.
,

I would corresp on d wi th y ou s tea dily But thi s e v iden tly dep en ds

'

on ly up on y ou I coun t m y co rresp on den ce with y ou a mon g th e

.

g rea tes t p lea sure s S o I h op e tha t y ou won t refu se m e this p lea sure
’
.
,

bu t tha t y ou will rec ip roca te by corresp on den ce .

With m e there is n o n e ws I ha ve n ot m a rried y e t u n fortu n a te ly

.
, ,

a n d it is n o t lik ely t o h a pp en soon for i t is n ow m o r e a n d m ore difli cu lt

,

to fin d a h u sba n d .

Wh a t is t he n e ws wi th y ou D o y ou rem a in a ba che l or u p to the

p resen t ? I beg y ou on ce m ore sen d m e y our p h o togra p h

, I n t he .

n a m e of m y p a re n t s I t ha n k y ou for t h e g ree tin g s which y ou sen t .

They r ecip roca te in the sa m e w a y

I comm en d m yself to your k in d m em ory .

Wi th resp ect ,

S TAS I A G .

PS . I wis h y ou to a m use yourself m errily d u r in g the whole

ca r ni va l .

Ja n ua ry 29, 1 91 3

S I R : A on th
m h a s p a ssed a n d I h a ve n o n e w s fr o m y ou D on t
’
.

f orge t tha t a m on th ha s m a n y , m a n y m ore da ys wh en they a re

cou n ted wi th im p a tien ce a n d a n x ie ty So I will still wa it a n d deceive
.

m y se lf tha t p e rha p s I d on t wa i t in va in
’
.

S TAS IA G .
5I 8 PRI MAR Y G R OUP
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

M a rch 1 4, 1 91 3

R ESP E CTE D S I R : [ L e tters received ]

your p a rdon for n ot I beg
ha vin g a n swe red your l e tters for so l on g a ti m e But p lea se forgive .

m e this m om en ta ry in con sis ten cy I could n ot a n swe r soon e r beca use .

I wa s ve ry sick for a l m ost a m on th a n d in sp i te of m y wish I wa s ,

u n a bl e to a n swe r soon er But n ow wh en I a m in h ea lth m y firs t

.
, ,

a ct is t o t a ke a p en i n ord e r t o e x c u se m y se lf t o y ou How do .

y ou sp en d yo ur tim e ? Cer ta in ly m ore m e rri ly th a n I do for in a ,

ci ty on e c a n a m u se h i m se lf be tt er t h a n in t h e co un try Wi th m e .

e verythi n g is a s f or m erly I a m bored n o th in g m o re An d th e

.
,
.

ti m e p a sses so m on o ton ously I ha v e n oth in g m ore to wr i te . .

I ta ke t he li berty of biddin g y ou good bye I sen d y ou a h ea rty .

ha n d sha k e .

With resp ec t ,

S TAS IA G .

Ma y 1 4, 1 91 3
R E SP E CTE D S I R : in for m y ou I
tha t I received your le tter yo ur ,

ca rd s a , p h o togra p h , a n d ribbon s An swe r m e p lea se h ow did ,

I m erit t o b e re m em be red by y ou
so p a rtic ula rly ? For besid es th e
le tter s a n d the p ho togra p h these ri bbon s ha ve con fused m e for I , ,

don t k n ow in fa c t un der wha t p re text I m a y a ccep t th em Th ey

’
, , .

will be for m e a very d ea r r em e m bra n ce I d on t th in k th a t y ou will

’
.

be a n gry As to the p hotog ra p h I th a n k y ou v ery m uch

.
1
It w a s , .

a ve ry p lea sa n t surp r ise for m e I h a ve a sked for i t so ofte n a n d .

,

n e ve r th e less I did n ot r eceive i t a n d I though t a lr ea dy t h a t I sh o uld

,

n o t h a ve t h e h on or of o wn in g yo ur p ho tog ra p h ; m ea n w hile I r e ceive d ,

it on m y n a m e da y I m us t con fess tha t y ou look very well up on i t

-
. .

Wi th m e th e re is no n e w s a t a ll ; a lwa y s th e old s tory .

I tha n k y ou on ce m ore for your kin d rem em bra n ce

for a ll th ese obj ec ts which ca u se d m e a n in com p a ra bl e p l ea sur e
, .

With resp ec t ,

S TACHA G .

764 [Wi thout da t e]

R E S P E C TE D S I R : I ha ve the honor to in f orm y ou th a t I received
your p os tca rd a few da y s a go a n d yo ur le tter for which I sen d y ou ,

hea rty t ha n k s .

S h w ill tr t th m a a gift
1
e ea e s t oo p r cie ou s to be u sed . C f th e beh a
. vi r o fo
H k
an d sim il r circ m st
a un er a u a n ces (N o .
5 20 P RI M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR G ANI ZATI ON

705 [ July or Augu s t 1 9 1 3]

R E S PECTED S I R w s wi th m e Y ou a sk me wha t is t he ne .

Well first I m u s t in form y ou th a t I a m ge ttin g m a rried Th i s

,
.

i n fo rm a tion will n o t be n ew s t o y ou for fr om you r le tter I lea rn ed ,

th a t y ou a re very well in form ed a bout it I won d er w h o w a s so .

servi ce a b le a n d sa v ed m e t h e tro u bl e of in fo r m in g y ou a bout th i s

fa ct Excuse m e for n o t in f o rm ing y ou a bo ut it soon er bu t I did

.
,

n ot b e l ie v e m yse lf tha t i t wo uld ha p p en My ba n n s ha ve on ly ju st .

been p ubli she d a n d t h e we dd in g w ill be on Aug u s t 1 0

,
You won de r .

tha t I a m ge ttin g m a rried so yo un g But I be lie ve on th e con tra ry .

, ,

tha t it is tim e for m e t o ge t m a rried I h a ve beg un m y eigh teen th .

yea r a lrea dy twen ty is n o t so fa r a n d I a m ve ry m uch a fra id of

, ,

rem a in i n g a n old m a id M oreover I don t m a rry beca use forced t o .

,
’
,

on ly fr om l o v e I ge t a n idea l h usba n d wh o sa tisfies a ll my dem a n d s

—m odes t en ough evi den tly You a re in te res te d to kn ow when ce
.
,

.
,

m y future h u sba n d com es P He wa s bor n in t he p rovi n ce of R a d o m ,

a n d e duca ted in Wa r sa w We ha ve k n own e a ch o the r m ore tha n a.

yea r a n d a ha lf for he n ow wo rk s in Za globa H e is a ra il wa y en gin ee r

,
.

a n d l ock sm ith We will n ot re m a in he re lon g I thin k th a t w e sha ll

. .

go t o Wa r sa w I regre t ve ry m uch tha t y ou a re n o t in ou r cou n try

. .

I hop e tha t y ou would n ot h a v e refused m e the p lea sure a n d would

ha v e be en a t m y weddin g While n ow un h a p p ily t oo wid e a sp a ce .
, ,

divid es u s .

I in ten d ed t o go to Ry twia n y bu t n ow I will n o t go for An dzia '

, ,

wi l l com e .

I h a ve n o thin g m ore to wr i te y ou I w a n t on ly to beg your .

p a rd on if I e v e r c a u sed y ou a n y p a in a n d to a sk your f orgiv en ess , .

Wri te m e tha t y ou a re n o t a n g ry wi th m e B ut I believe tha t I ha ve .

n o t m e r i te d y o ur a n ge r .

P e rha p s this is th e l a st l e tte r which I sha ll wr i te y ou For n ow of .

wha t u se would m y le tters be t o y ou ? S urely th ey would give y ou

n o p l ea sur e for a s l on g a s I w a s a
, girl it w a s diff e r en t bu t n ow m y ,

t he re cep t on s i
riv t h s ( t sid f e m i l f sti ls) of ll da e
in p a e ou es ou e o c re on a e va , a nc s,

w lka t
s, e c r r girl o b y m i g h im lf is a lw ys n d rst d t b
. Th e e fo e a r a 0
“
a us n se a u e oo o e

i
n se a rc h f m tch o d th r f r a g irl
a boy e g ged
a , h lf e g g d oug h t
an e e o e or a n a or a -
n a e

ev g i t o i ty m s m t th r is a bs t
“ “ ”
n t
er o or t
o k n o s wh th
c e o se e a u e en en e o e en .

p li it k wl dgm t t h t h el f m theref r tha t she

’
S t cha
a s ex c m e h ac no e en a s e a us s ers ea n s o e

no l ger p ect a p r p osa l fr m W le ty b t is in ea rch f th r m tch

on ex s o o a n , u s o a no e a

or e v l ea dy e ga g d
en a r n e .
 PI O R OWS
T KI S ER I E S 52 I

role is com p le tely cha n ged So I m ust be sa tisfied with on e thin g .

.

I ha ve n o m ore n ews I bid y ou fa rewell respec ted sir .

,
.

With resp ec t ,

S TAS I A G .

I beg y ou ,
do n ot refu se m e this gra ce ,
a nd d estroy a ll m y letters .

706 R YTW I AN Y , N o vem be r 8 , 1 91 2

R E SP E CTE D S I R : Oh , how ha p p y I f ee l a fte r receivin g your l e tte r ,

for which I wa ited wi th m uch l on gin g , bu t wi th un certa in ty I .

im a gin ed tha t when y ou wen t to Am e rica I should ha ve to bid you ,

fa rewell foreve r so this da y of sep a ra tion w a s for m e a s [illegible ;

,

terrible a da y a s if I ba de fa rewell to eve rythin g tha t wa s d ea r to

m e up on the e a rth a s if I we re a t t he fu n e ra l of m y ha pp in ess a n d
,

n o thin g we re l e ft for m e e xcep t t o p u t on m o urn in g a n d t o w ea r it

t he res t of m y lif e up on t he ea rt h .

D ea r sir I ha ve n o w o rd s t o desc ribe a n d I ca n n o t e v e n exp ress

,

a ll th a t I f eel so t e rr ible is y our d ep a rture for m e

, S o when ever I .

m et your bro the r I a lwa y s a sked him t o giv e m e your a ddr ess if y ou
,

wro te fir s t t o your p a ren ts I i n ten d ed t o write the firs t bu t sin ce

.
,

I received a le tte r m yse lf I ha ve your a ddress D ea r 1 mm y o u , .

,
I

wrote m e a bout those s trikes a n d wh ile n obody kn ew y e t tha t y ou ,

wro te t o m e on th e sa m e da y I lea rn ed tha t y ou wro te to your

,

p a ren ts a l so a n d tha t your p a ren t s gr ie ve ve ry m uch a bout y our

,

bein g i n s uch mi sery It would be t he bes t if y ou could refra in from

.

wri tin g t o your p a ren ts [such thing s] for when you wri te y ou ca use ,

on ly gri ef w eep in g a n d n o thin g m ore

,
Thi s is p erfectly useless a n d
,
.

your p a ren ts g ri eve en ormously a bout y ou But a s t o m e you ca n .

,

be sure tha t n obody will l ea r n [ tha t y ou ha v e written ] a n ythi n g ba d ;

if I t ell a n ybod y tha t y ou wr o te I wi ll a lwa ys sa y t ha t it is a ll
ri ght For n ot e ven my p a ren t s kn ow wha t y ou write to m e As
. .

t o t he m on ey y ou m a y n ot trou bl e y ourself for w e don t n eed i t

’
.
, ,

You wi ll giv e i t ba ck when y ou ca n You ma y keep it wi th y ou .

,

for in the ca se of som e a ccid en t it m a y a lwa y s be useful D on t ’

.

sen d i t ba ck u n til y ou thin k th a t y ou a re in s u ch a g ood con d ition a s

n o lon ger t o be a fr a id of mi se ry [ Sen d i t] on ly then or e lse I would .

,

be rea dy to sen d it ba c k D ea r frien d y ou a sk a bout Miss S ta n isla wa

.
,

P r oba b ly t h e god
-
r l tio e i t if t a ll o l y betw the
e a n x s s, a , n een pa r ts
en of t he
boy a nd g irl , a n d she tr fers it h a lf j ki gly t th ir rela tion
a ns o n o e .
52 2 P RI M AR Y—
G R OUP OR G ANI ZATI ON

[ S ta s i a ] I d on t kn ow a n ythi n g for sin ce she wro te m e t ha t le tter

’
.
,

which y ou sa w she a fterwa rd wrote on ly on e p os tca rd After your

, .

d ep a rture I w ro te h er a le tter registered a n d she did n ot a n swe r , ,

.

Then I wrote 2 ca rd s a n d she did n o t a n swe r e i th er Sis te r in la w

,
.
- -

h a s wri tten m e t w o le tte rs a lr ea dy a n d she [ S ta sia ] did n o t So I ,

.

don t write to her a n y m o re a n d d on t in ten d to u n less she wr ites to

’ ’

me .Then I wil l in form y ou a bout a n ything If y ou wa n t m e t o be .

t he in te rm e d ia ry [ be tw een y ou ] furthe r I Will sa c rifice m y self [ha lf

i ron ica l P] with p l ea sur e D ea r sir p lea se exc use m e for n ot h a vin g
.
,

a n s we red a t on ce b u t y ou u n d ers ta n d t ha t I d esire so m u ch t o a n s we r

,

y ou imm edi a tely on t h e sa m e da y on which I r eceive y o ur l e tter

,
.

B ut eve ry thin g wa s so un fa vora ble tha t I could n o t a n swe r a t on ce ,

a n d n ow I h a v e a n s w e r ed y ou bu t n o t t o e v ery thin g ,
M y m othe r .

ha s been sick wi th in fl a m m a tion of the kid n ey s for 5 week s a n d I a m ,

so occup ied wi th t h e h o u seh old a n d wi th se wi n g th a t r e a lly i t is

di ffi cul t for m e to a fford wri tin g a le tte r Y ou m us t com p ly wi th it .

,

a n d y ou will kin dly f orgive m e I n the n ex t [ le tte r] I wi ll wri te m o re

.

a n d I will try [ t o wri te] a li ttle be tte r for I wr o te t his on e so b a dly ,

tha t I a m a sh a m ed to sen d it Rea ll y I d on t kn o w wha t is t he f a ult

.
’
,

whet her th e p en is ba d or the ink or the on e who wro te P roba b ly it

, ,
.

is m y fa ult tha t I d on t k n ow how t o wr ite [ n i cely ] bu t I will t r v

’
, ,

som e da y We tha n k y ou hea rtily for ha ving sen t t he p ho t og ra p h

.
,

for from sister w e ha d a le tte r in which t he y w ro te th a t they r ece iv e d

yo ur p hotogra p h a n d le tter a n d a ske d m e t o com e ,
.

Greetin gs from m y p a ren ts a n d from m e hea rty embra ces [The

—
,
.

P o li sh word for sha ke d r from

” ”
( )
“
h
“
a n s a n d e m b a ce i s t h e s a m e

sci s ka é to p ress Here it m ea n s f orma lly ha n d sha ke rea lly

“ ”
.
, ,

I beg y ou for a kin d a n swer .

[ Your] 1 [ovin g] ,

AN N A [ HAN KA]

707 Ja n ua ry 3 0 1 9 1 3 ,

D E AR S I R : I in fo r m y ou tha t I r eceiv ed on Ja n u a ry 1 6 t he le tte r

for w hich I ha d wa ited wi th grea t im p a tien ce a n d u n ce rta in ty I .

sen d y ou a h ea rty God rewa rd for i t a n d for t he g ood wishe s

“ ”
, .

D ea r sir tha t le tte r c om forted m e ve ry m u ch so I tha n k y o u ve ry

, ,

m uch for the r ec ip roca l fee lin gs exp resse d in i t a n d a bo ut wh ic h I ,

d oubted m uch for y ou did n ot give a n y sign for so lon g a tim e D ea r

, .

sir I a m rea lly ve ry p a in ed a n d I reg re t ve ry m u c h t ha t I sen t

,
y ou a
 52 4 PR I M AR Y G R OUP
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

wr itten I d on t kn ow y e t w h a t she will a n swe r As to

t o y ou .
’
.

M iss N w e a re n o t a n gr y with ea ch o the r bu t we d on t k eep com

.
, ,
’

p a n y sin ce I ca m e from Za g l oba O n ly whe n w e m ee t w e ha ve t o

.
,

ta lk with ea ch o th er Sin ce y ou left I ha ve sp oken o n ly 3 tim e s wi th

.

her . She is [p re ten d s to be] a la dy a n d I ca n n o t bea r su ch p eop le ,

.

[ I n form a tion a bout a c qua i n ta n ces ]

Yo ur l ov [in g] ,

ANN A

708 Februa ry 1 8, 1 91 3

WOR TH Y FRI E ND : I infor m y ou tha t I

le tte rs a n d a received 2

ca rd [On e p a ge
. a bo ut
and wri tin g le tte rs
a n s we ri n g ] Your
b roth er is very a n xi o u s les t y ou m a rry som e p r e tty Am e rica n girl a n d ,

I th i nk a lso m uch a bo ut it tha t p erha p s y ou will fa ll in l o ve a n d ge t

,

in to a m a rria ge bon d the r e in Am erica [ N e w s a bout m a rria ges a n d .

a cqua in ta n ces] T Sz wrote tha t she d oes n o t wish to her wors t

. . .

en e m y t o m a ke t he j our n e y t o Ame rica S h e w a s v ery sea sick up on .

t he ship a n d in Am e ri c a she is imm ea sura bly hom esick

, M y bro th e r .

w ro te n ow tha t if I w a n te d t o see Am e r ica he w o uld ta k e m e in th e

sp r in g But I would d e cid e to go sole ly in ord er to see m ore o ften
.

my be loved i e m y ku m bu t m y p a ren t s d on t a llo w m e t o dre a m

’
.
,
.
, ,

a bo ut Am er ica a n d m o th e r fa in ts a t t he m en tion of i t
, S o it seem s .

th a t I sha n t see Ame rica As l on g a s m y p a ren ts a re a live I m ust

’
.

rem a in n ea r er t o them [ R ep ea ts the n ews a bout M iss N p la yin g a

.
‘
.

la dy ; n ews a bout other frien d s ]

700 I
M a r ch 2 ,
1 91 3
D E AR S I R : I
in f orm y ou tha t I a n swe r e d your l e tte rs ve ry l on g
a go , a n d I a m s ur e t ha t y ou m u st h a ve r ece ive d th e m An d y ou .

d on t deign
’
to a n swe r m e .

D ea r ! I n sp i te of n o t re ce ivin g a n y a n swe r I c a n n o t wa i t l on ge r , ,

for m y hea rt which is w ou n d ed sin ce the m om en t of your d ep a rtur e

show s m e i t self the w a y t o p en a few wo rd s fa r a wa y bey on d t h e sea
,

wh ere th e m a n is wh o could hea l it [ E viden tly im ita ted ] But .

when when ? Ala s !

,

N ow I sit m u sin g a lon e a n d I th i n k h ow often I ha d t he p l ea sure

of sp en d in g su ch e ven in g s a s t his on e in t a lk in
g wi t h y ou O h how .
,

p lea sa n t i t wa s t o l iv e th en ! Toda y th e t ed iou sn ess is beyon d

 PI O R OWS T KI SER I E S 52 5

descrip tion I a m torture d Wh e rever I lo ok e mp tin ess e very

. .
—
where Alwa ys I feel the la ck of som eon e N o thin g c a n m a k e m e
. .

cheerful N othin g e xcep t this on e th ough t wh en I r em em be r tha t

.
,

p e rha p s som e ti m e w e sha ll see ea ch o th e r But this wi ll n ot com e .

soo n p roba bly wi ll i t ? An d I do n o t k n ow how I sha ll be a ble t o

,

live th us a n y lon ge r I im a gin e it will n o t be ve ry chee rful But

. .

n o thin g ca n be d on e I m us t a ccep t m y fa te . .

Then I wa n t to k n ow of yo ur h ea lth I a m in good hea lth tha n k s .

,

t o ou r L ord God a n d I wish y ou th e sa m e wi t h a tru e he a rt

,
I beg ,
.

y ou d e ign t o in f orm m e how y ou a re succee din g how y ou sp en d your

, ,

m om en t s whe the r m e rr ily surro un ded by p re tty for eign e r s or

, ,

a c qu a in ta n ces I a m c urious wha t in fl uen ce [im p ression ] th e Am eri

.

c a n g irl s h a ve m a d e up on y ou ? I th i n k n ot a ba d on e for th ere a ll ,

t he wom e n a re e l ega n t th ough I should n o t e n vy the m for p e rha p s

, ,

I could a l so be in their comp a n y M y sis ter in Am erica a n d her .

h u sba n d wr o te m e I received the ir le tte r this week They a sk m e

. .

t o com e wi tho ut fa il They a lm os t im p lore m e M oreove r m y sir

. .
, ,

they wr o te m e tha t th ey had th ere for m e a boy who kn e w m e from

m y p ho t og ra p h a n d is so r ich for h e h a s,
a n d wh en I ca m e he , ,

would m a rry m e a t on ce But I a n swe red them tha t if he h a d so .

m a n y t hou sa n d s le t him sea r ch for a wife m ore worth y of h im for ,

I will n o t m a rry for the sa ke of tho usa n d s bu t of love I a lwa ys ,

.

rep ea t it to m yse lf tha t ha pp i n ess is on ly in love n o t in a n y a m o un t of

, ,

m o n e y for mon e y is a thi n g wh ich m a y be a cqu ired whil e n o thin g

, ,

will cha n ge me I a sked them whe re he go t his a ssura n ce tha t I

.

wo uld m a rry him a t on ce s in ce h e let them write so ? It is n o t ,

en o ugh tha t I p lea sed h im for I d on t k n o w h im a n d I don t k n ow

’ ’
, ,

whe ther he wo uld p lea se m e Well I d on t k n ow wha t th ey will .

,
’

a n swe r t o t his I n th is w a y de a r sir I could ha v e seen Am e rica

.
, , .

But I d on t kn o w whe ther this ni ce gen tlem a n who is so sure of him self
’

will still wa n t m e a fte r wha t I a n sw ered th em a n d so I ha ve a fresh ,

g rief [ Iron y ]
. .

Wi th the a pp roa ch in g Ea ste r h oli da y s I w ish y ou the fu lfi hn en t

of y o ur d ea res t wi sh es a n d m e rry a m u sem en t in th e m os t n um e ro u s

socie ty p ossible But p lea se do n o t f orge t your truly l [ovin g]

I
.

HAN KA
Th is p r gr p h h w lea l y t he m ode ty of Ha k l ims A g i l l im ’
a a a s o s c r s n a s c a . r c a

i g
n lu iv right t t h m w ld v r wish him m rry m u em t i
exc s e s o e an ou ne e
“
e a s en n a

n um r e ous s i ty b c s f t h m i g of socia l e t rt i me t
oc e ,
”
e au e o p l i ed e ea n n n e a n n s , ex a n

a b ve
o .
 52 6 PRI MAR Y -
G R O UP OR G AN I ZATI ON

[Proba bly en d of M a rch or begin n in g of Ap ril 1 9 1 3]

D EAR K u m : Y ou wri t e
tha t I ha ve forgo tten y ou a lrea dy for ,

I don t write to y ou Oh it n e ver wa s so a n d I a m sure th a t it n eve r

’
.
,

ca n h a pp en for i t i s n ot p e r mi tte d t o fo rge t a bout s u ch a tru e frien d

,

a s y ou a re t o m e Y ou s u sp ec t m e of ge ttin g m a rrie d p e rh a p s a n d
.
,

tha t therefore I d on t wri te It is a wful to tea se in so terrible a wa y

’
.

o n e wh o ca n lo ve n obody besid es y ou a n d w h o ce r ta in ly w ould n e v e r

d ecid e to m a rry som e m an whom she co uld n ever lo v e ! An d even

if I ma rried I co uld n o t a lwa y s feign th a t I l ov e him wh ile th in k in g
, ,

a b out som eon e e l se This w ould n ot be righ t It is m uch be tte r t o

. .

suffe r n ow in s tea d of su ffer in g l a t e r m a kin g som ebody el se su fier

besid es a n d be tra y in g hi m —
,

,
which would be m ore p roba ble tha n t he
e

con tra ry The refore I p rom ised m y self t o ma rry n o soon e r tha n y ou
.

com e from Am e r ica a n d p e rha p s n o t a t a ll

, Sin ce y ou wen t t o t his .

unh a pp y Am e rica I p rep a re myself se rio usly for the life of a n old
,

m a id a n d a s fa r a s i t se em s I sha n t be d eceived
’
.
, ,

P l ea se d on t f o rge t m e a n d w ri te a s soon a s p ossibl e

’
Your .

le tters a re m y on ly comf ort a n d dis tra c tion An d d on t wri te

’

m e a n y m o re t ha t y ou bo re m e with your le tte r s for i t offen d s m e ,

m uc h .I wa it for you r le tters a s for sa lva tion a n d y ou w rite s uch ,

t a u n ts .

Yo ur lov in g ,

HAN KA

71 I [Ap ril] 30 , 1 91 3
D E AR SI R : I ha ve t he hon or to in f orm y ou tha t bef ore the hol i
d a ys on Good Th ur sd a y I receive d yo ur le tter with the wishes a n d
, , ,

3 c a rd s Tod a y I received a n o ther le tter a n d I a m very m u ch p lea sed

. .

Afte r rea d in g these le tte rs I fee l v ery ha pp y B eca u se your le tters .

,

d ea r ku m m a ke up on m e a very kin d imp ression I rea d th em wi th

, .

gr ea t p l ea sure e ve ry e ven in g for they a lon e ca n ca l m m y h ea rt

, Fo r .

these l e tters so d ea r to m e a n d for your recip roca l feelin gs e xp ressed

, ,

in the m I ha ve the hon o r t o tha n k y ou hea rtily d ea r ku m

, For the , .

ca rd s I give y ou a l so a h ea rty God rewa rd I should be gla d to

“ ”
.

t ha n k y ou in a m o re hea rty ma n n e r bu t rea lly I don t k n ow how to ,

’

e xp re ss how g ra te ful I f ee l to y ou d ea r ku m for t hese ca rd s for they

, , ,

ha v e a grea t va lue for m e a n d I wi ll k e ep them in re m em bra n ce I .

a m ve ry m u ch p a in e d t ha t I ca n n o t r ecip roca te i n t he sa me w a
y bu t ,

it see ms to m e th a t o u r K in gd om ha s n o ca rd s l ike these .

52 8 PRI MAR Y -
G RO UP OR G AN I ZATI ON

Am e rica n , i d a ugh ter in la w a n d sh e will feel ha p p y by t he si de

. e .
,
- -
,

o f yo ur wif e I see tha t yo ur m o ther h a s n oth i n g a ga i n st it ; on th e

.

con tr a ry she sa y s t ha t sh e w ould li k e t o see y ou h a pp y a n d t o h a v e ,

a d a ugh te r— in —
,

la w D ea r M r Wa len ty I th a n k y ou m uch for th e

. .
,

m on ey which y ou sen t ba c k b u t I a m m uch a s ton ish e d th a t y ou w e re ,

so a n xi ou s a bo ut t hese few ro u b le s a n d sen t t h em so h urr ie dly You .

h urried qu ite u se lessly It would be be tter if y ou ha d kep t them un til

.

I go to Am erica ; th en y ou could sen d th em for m y j o urn ey .

D ea r M r Wa len ty I won t write a n y m ore toda y bu t in the n ex t

.
,
’
,

le tte r I ha ve bee n sittin g too lon g a lrea dy It is n igh t on e o clock

. .
,
’
,

a n d if m y m othe r a wa k es sh e will scold m e for n ot sleep in g My .

p a ren ts sen d y ou gree tin gs a n d sa luta tion s a n d I a ho t k iss ,

.

Thy truly lovin g ,

71 2 Ma y 20 ,
1 91 3
R E SPE CTED S I R : I
h a ve t he hon or t o in f or m y ou tha t I receive d
yo ur le tter a n d your p ho tog ra p h , for which I give y ou a hea rty Go d
rewa rd .

D e a r M r Wa len ty ! How gl a d I a m tha t a t e v ery m om en t I ca n

.

l ook a t lea s t up on a p ic ture of a p erson so dea r to m y hea rt D ea r .

Wa lek ! I la ck t he wo rd s t o e xp ress how ha p p y I f e lt a fter receivi n g

those p hotogra p h s a n d a lso a fter rea din g your l e tte r for thi s le tte r , ,

wri tten by y ou m y Wa lek is m y on ly comfort Perha p s y ou a re

,
‘
,
.

off en d ed wi th m e for h a v in g p os t p one d th e a n sw e r bu t if y ou k n e w , ,

m y Wa lek how sa d it is t o li ve w ithout y ou y ou would n o t wa i t for

, ,

a n a n swe r bu t would com e y our se lf

,
Then I a m sure tha t I could .

sen d a l e tt e r t o y ou t o R ytw ia n y e ve ry da y w hil e n ow w h en I sit , ,

d ow n to wr ite a le tter to y o u m y dea r I first rea d a ll your le tters a n d , , ,

be fo r e I thi n k w ha t t o write a la te hour a p p r oa ches a n d so a da y

p a sse s a fte r a n o th e r Toda y I a t la s t d ecid ed to p en a few wo rd s
.

which m igh t a ss ure y ou th a t I love y ou m ore tha n life But wha t .

of it since God t h e M e r c il ess sep a ra te d u s a n d c on d em n ed t o l on g

,

s u ff e r in gs ? Though this which ha pp en ed m y Wa le k is yo ur fa ult , ,

on ly for I did w h a t e ve r I co uld ; it wa s n ot s u i t a bl e for m e t o do m or e

, .

But y ou did n o t m in d a n y thin g You bel ieved tha t if y ou we n t to .

Am e r ica y ou wo uld forge t th e re your cou n try a n d your frien d s a n d

At th i p i t H k u s th f m
o n th ( d lso t th e d f t h p
an a ses e or ee u se a a e n o e re

di g l tt r) ti ue t e thee d th
”
d
“
ce n e e , an con t th
n d s o us an ou o e en .
 PI OTR OWS KI SERI ES 52 9

w ould be ha pp y then Though p erha p s it is so , I thin k tha t still if

.

y ou co m e ba ck a n d t h e p e r son s wh om y ou k n o w s ta n d be fo re y o ur

eyes then y ou will be obliged t o live a s w e do n ow m y Wa lek D ea r

, ,
.

Wa le k y ou a sk m e wh a t is the u se of m y lon gin g for y ou I see tha t

,
.

y ou d on t li k e i t m uch s i n ce y ou a dvise m e t o ga th e r socie ty [ a bout

’
,

m e] . We ll I will t ry t o do i t a s I ca n for u p to the p resen t I ha ve s till

,

n on e An d t o y ou m y Wa le k I won t describe a n y m ore m y feel in gs

.
, , ,

e ven if I a m m a d wi t h d e sp a ir N ow I will on ly d e scribe wha t is th e

.

n ew s in R ytwia n y a n d in g en e r a l a bo ut a cqu a in ta n ces

,
D o y ou .

a g ree t o it ? I m u s t s till m en tion a bout th a t un k n own Am erica n .

As t o this y ou ca n be ca lm m y Wa lek tha t y ou won t ha ve a n y riva l

’
.
, , ,

The m a tte r is n ot a bout som e m a rve l of bea uty tha t there migh t be
riva lry The on e from Am erica d oes no t write sin ce I a n swered them
.
,

a n d h e re in R ytwi a n y a n d t h e n eighborh ood n obody gi ves a n y

a tten tion to me .

Your truly lovin g ,

HAN KA

713 Jun e 4 [ 1 9 1 3 1
D E AR WALE K I see from your le tte rs a n d y ou a lso wri te
m e on these p os tca rd s som e rep roa ches a bout som e thi n g I see .

tha t for som e tim e y ou a re ve ry n ervous I d on t un dersta n d why .

’
.

Y ou wr ite to m e wi th so g rea t resp ec t tha t rea lly it ca uses m e grea t

“ ”

p a in If y ou think m y Wa le k tha t it is n ot su i ta ble for u s to wri te

.
, ,

thou to on e a n o ther sa y so for it wa s I w ho bega n it a n d I ca n

”
, , ,

ch a n g e i t I will write y ou in the sa m e wa y a s y ou write on the ca rd s

. .

Listen my Wa lek ! You a re offen ded beca use I did n ot write y ou

wha t y ou a sked—wha t p eop le sa y a bout y ou Well my d ea r I
,

.
, ,

trie d to do it I sa w M r M a n d Mr Dz a n d in g en era l the o thers

. . . . .
,

a n d I b ega n t o sp ea k wi th t he m a bout d iffe ren t su bj e c t s a n d I did ,

n ot n o t ice a n ythi n g E verybo dy exp ressed him self so well a bout y ou

.

tha t there is n o s usp icion wha teve r [of their thin k in g a n yth i n g ba d] .

S o I n o ticed a t l ea s t As to M r M w ho li ves n e a r the ma in roa d

,
. . .
,

I ha ve sp oken w ith him m o re tha n on ce a n d I hea r a l so from He la P , .

,

who a lwa y s te ll s m e wha t she k n ows a bout y ou from M As fa r a s .

I kn ow M a lwa ys exp resses him self in a ve ry fla tte ring ma n n e r ; he

,
.

d oes n ot fin d wo rd s en ough to p ra ise y ou a n d he sp ea k s a lwa ys of

y ou a s of a p rogressiv e m a n An d wha t o the r p eop le sa y neve r min d
.
, .

Le t t he m ta lk Yo u ca n n o t be a n excep tion my Wa lek

. T h e y h a ve , .
 53 0 PRI M AR Y -
G RO UP OR G ANI ZATI ON

so m et hin g to sa y a bo ut e verybody
wha t d oes it m a tte r if they ta lk ,
so

a l i ttle a bout y ou a l so An d y ou m y Wa lek be a li ttle le ss sen si tive , ,

a bo ut these thin gs It w ill be be tte r for y ou D on t be imp ressed ’

. .

wi t h s uch thin gs for it is n o t wo rth whi le Y ou a sk m e m y Wa lek

, .
1
, ,

wh e th er I will go to Za g loba Well be ca lm for if it m a tte rs a n y thin g .

, ,

t o y ou p e rha p s I won t g o for I a m n o t ve ry a n xio u s t o go the re a n d

’
, ,

m y p a ren ts d on t a llow m e ei the r on ly S ta cha a lwa y s a sks m e to com e

’

a n d m y sis t e r in —
, ,

la w wa n t s m e a l so t o com e a n d t o see h er n ew son

-
,

wh o will be on ly 3 m on th s old o n Ju n e 8 I did n o t wa n t to go a s a .

ku ma [ of the siste r = godm o t her of t h e ba by] so they wa n t m e to ,

com e n ow t o th em a n d on ly th en t hey will com e t o R ytwi a n y w i t h

,

a ll t he ir children a n d S ta sia a l so i n ten d s t o com e

,
B ut p roba bly .

I won t go D ea r Wa lek ! I a m c urio us why y ou do n o t w a n t m e

’
.

t o g o to Za globa S ure ly y ou ha ve n o thin g to fea r for I a m n o t a

.
,

m a n a n d I w on t fa ll in lov e wi th S t a sia a n d if I rea d the l e tter s which

’
,

y ou wro te to he r it wo uld be n o th in g for I kn o w e v en n ow wha t y ou ,

wri te to her a n d s till I d on t m in d it On the con tra ry I a m p lea sed ’

.
,

th a t y ou co rresp on d w i th e a ch o th e r S o be ca l m a bout this for .

,

n o t hin g ba d w ill re sult fr om i t D on t be a ng ry m y d e a r for I f ee l

’
.
, ,

th a t the re is som e thin g the m a tte r with y ou bu t rea lly I don t kn ow ,

’ ’

wha t I should be ve ry g ra teful t o y ou for kin dly in f ormin g m e

. .

D ea r Wa lek ! Y ou wri te m e so m e thin g a bo ut b ur ni n g of p ho tog ra p h s ,

so I beg y ou ve ry m uch d on t wr i te s u ch th i n g s a n y m o re for th e y

’
, ,

ca u se m e g rea t p a in u n les s y ou w a n t t o tea se m e th en do ,

.

S o m y d ea r Wa l ek if y ou burn m y p h o togra p h I will do then a s y ou

, , ,

a dv ise m e t o do Then y ou a sk m e whe ther I ha ve well s ui ted com

.
-

pa ny Up t o t he p re sen t I ha v e non e a n d I d on t kn ow wha t w ill ’

.

be further on Wha t d oes it m ea n this well s ui t e d com p a n y ? For

.
,
-
,

so t o sp ea k I a m t oo s tu p id , I ca n n ot un d ers ta n d wha t it m ea n s , .

An d I a m a l so a t a gue ss t o k n ow why y ou a sk ed m e t o a n swe r y ou

durin g this sea son I d on t k n ow wha t is th e m a tter a t this p oin t
.
’
,

for I ha ve written m ore tha n on ce durin g this s um m e r a n d before th e

se a son en d s y ou will receiv e m o re t ha n on e l e tt e r from m e a n d
y ou ,

will e ven n ot wa n t to a n sw er m e a n y m ore for y o u will ce rta in ly be ,

bore d if I begin to wri te t oo m uch There is n o n e w s a t a ll e ve ry .

,

thin g is the sa m e On ly this is n ew tha t Miss N owa k is m a rrie d

.
, .

Th f llow is c p tio lly v i b t h i i t

1
e e ex e t i p blic op i i is p rf ctl y
na a n ,
u s n eres n u n on e e

no rm l d typ ic l f his l
a an I t orig i li
a i p a
or t life t i t w life
c a ss . s n es n e sa n ,
no n o n .

Th e attit de of th g i l i a b v th rm l i th i r sp t a i oth r a n d ve
u e r s o e e no a ,
n s e ec s n e s, e n

she i la ter m st p r fo n dl y a ff ct d by t h e g
s o o si p a b t h rs lf
u e e os ou e e .
5 32 PRI M AR Y -
GR OUP OR G ANIZ ATI ON

my Wa lek I won t d escribe

,
’
it t o y ou so e xa c tly , for
uld h a ve to I sh o

w r it e for a whole wee k a n d t h e r e is n o t ti m e en ou gh

An d I a m s ure .

th a t y ou k n ow a lre a dy e ve ryt h i n g for p r oba bly som ebody ha s w ri tten ,

t o y ou Firs t I i n f orm y ou tha t I wa s in Cra cow I should n eve r

. .

ha ve gon e t he idea wo uld n o t e ven h a ve com e to m y h ea d t o go t o

,

C ra co w we re i t n ot for t his th a t M rs R og we n t to br in g he r d a ugh te r

, ,
. .

S ta sia a n d they p e r sua d e d m e a n d I wen t wi th he r I w i shed t o see .

wh e the r it is p ossib le to live in th e fa rthe r world n o t in R ytwia n y ,

on ly Well a n d i t seem s to m e th a t i t is be tte r to li ve a n yw he re

.
,

th a n in R ytwia n y O n this occa sion I ca ll ed on a doc to r in C ra cow

.
,

for I ca ugh t cold in th e wi n t e r a n d I did n o t ca re for be i n g c ured ; ,

I did n ot beli eve in it Then I wen t to the wedd in g of S t a ska N a n d

. .

I fixed myself be tte r s till [ I go t worse] th rough da n cin g for I ha d to ,

d a n ce m o re tha n t he othe r girl s I did n o t min d it ei th e r un til m y .

s id e b ega n t o a ch e se ve re ly O n ly then a d oc tor w a s ca ll ed He

. .

frigh ten ed m e by sa yin g the re wo uld be in fla mm a tion of the lu n g s ,

a n d ta lk e d a g rea t d ea l bu t ga ve m e n o m e d ic i n e a t a ll on ly som e
, ,

p owd e rs a n d cup p in g g la sses But this he lp ed little So t he d octo r

-
. .

in C ra cow a fte r exa m in in g m e told m e tha t i t wa s a v e ry [ illegible

, ,

w o rd ] cold a n d ga ve m e m edicin es a n d n ow I a m ge ttin g m uch be tte r ,

.

But sin ce I ca m e ba ck whoeve r m ee ts m e a sk s why I wa s in Cra cow .

Wh en I te ll them tha t I ca lle d on a d oc tor they sa y e ve ry whe re th a t ,

I a m sick wi th con sum p tion An d I d on t sa y a n ythin g fo r wh a t sha ll .

’
,

I sa y to s tup id p eop le who thin k tha t sin ce I wen t to C ra cow the re

c a n be n o thin g e lse bu t con su mp ti on ? I on ly la ugh a t it a n d sa y le t ,

them bla m e m e so tha t n o boy w ill wa n t to m a rry m e I should be

,
.
x

ve ry g la d for I don t wa n t a n ybody to ca ll on m e or to co urt m e An d

,
’
.

S ta sia R og is si c k w ith a n e rvo u s d isea se so e ve rybody sa y s a lrea dy

.
,

tha t she ha s gon e m a d But sh e does n o t e ve n drea m of goin g m a d

.
,

for this n eed s som e t im e wh ile she is a lrea dy so ba d t ha t for th ree

,

da ys she ha s been in con vul sion s The d oc tors sa y tha t if she l ive s .

u n til the n in th da y th i s ca n p a ss bu t if n o t she will die on on e of

, , ,

these d a ys I sit w ith her con tin ua lly for she d oes no t a llow a n ybody
.
,

t o be w i th her e xcep t m e a n d K a zia a n d she d oes n ot w a n t t o t a ke ,

a n y m e d icin e fr om a n y body e xcep t m e I t ell y ou Wa le k p eop l e .

, ,

sa y t ha t n obody h a s y e t seen su c h a di se a se When she sleep s she .

Th e a ttitu d t w rd ick ss s m s t o b
1
e o a tly t h m
s tow rd m
ne ee e exa c e sa e as a so e

m ora l fa lt o i ( f F y w i
u r s neri ) Th i vide tly g o b ck t th p sa t
c . r zo cz s es . s e n es a o e ea n

lif e, a nd still f rth b k t th iden ti fi ti

u er acf sick e with p ss ssi
o eby t h ca on o n ss o e on e

e vil p ri ciple of wh ich w fi d m r tr

n , i th p s t l g g
e n nu d ma gi e ou s a ces n e ea a n an ua e an c .
‘
 PI O R OWST KI S ERI ES 53 3

is quie t , bu t she l
ly if they m a ke her sleep w ith p owde rs But
s eep s on .

when she ha s slep t for these ho urs she a wa kes a n d ha s con vu lsion s ,

so con s ta n tly th a t th r ee p e rson s h a v e t o hold h e r in bed She a sk s .

h e rse lf t o be he ld for she would k ill h e rse lf if she hi t her hea d S h e is .

quite con scious a n d kn ows e verythin g S he kn ow s tha t her n e rves .

a n d h e a rt t o rm e n t h er so a n d w hen a n yon e com es sh e a sk s h im ,

t o p ra y tha t she m a y die a n d s uffe r n o lon ge r Yeste rd a y when .

,

sh e co uld s t ill sp ea k she ca lle d m e a n d t old m e e ve rythin g h ow sh e

, ,

wa n te d t o be dressed for d ea th a n d how I w a s t o sew her dress Sh e .

wa n t s m e to do e ve ry thin g D o y ou k n ow Wa lek tha t I a m a lrea dy .

, ,

so a f ra id of h er tha t in s tea d of goin g t o Za g l oba l a te r I sha ll go p erha p s

this week I a m so tired with her tha t I a m e ven a fra id of he r for

.
,

sh e ca lls m e con t in ua lly a n d th e ref o re p e rha p s la te r she will com e t o

,

me Then I i nf orm y ou m y Wa lek tha t S ta sia writes m e on e le tte r

.
‘
, ,

a ft e r a n o t h e r a sk in g m e t o com e t o h er wedd in g
,
The ba n n s ha ve .

been p roc la im ed a lrea dy a n d t h e m a rria g e ce re m on y will be on Aug us t

,
-

IO . M y br o the r a n d hi s w if e wri te a l so a ski n g m e to com e a n d s ta y ,

for a l on g e r tim e a n d ha v e som e va ca ti on

-

,
I in ten d to go th i s week .

a n d will rem a i n th e re a bo ut a m on th Y ou wro te m y Wa l ek ma ki n g .

, ,

a sup p os iti on a bout fa llin g in lo v e Well y ou ca n be p e rfectly ca l m .

, ,

for I l ov e onl y y ou a n d I a m n o t goin g th ere to h un t for a h u sba n d bu t ,

on ly t o ge t som e res t a n d t o g ive S t a sia t he p lea sure of bein g a t he r

,

we dd in g I will n o t da n c e m uch for m o the r wro te a lrea dy to m y

.
,

bro the r t o ta k e ca re of m e a n d n o t le t m e a m u se m y self too wildly a n d

ca tch cold a ga in So e v en if I wished it th ey w on t a ll o w m e I ’
. .

fo resee tha t y ou will be offen ded d ea r W with m y goin g to th i s ,

.
,

wedd in g bu t y ou see tha t I ca n n o t excuse m ys elf If I ha d n ot m y

,
.

b ro the r s hom e the re I w ould n o t go bu t sin ce th ey write a l so wh v

’
, ,

sh ould I n o t if they g ive m e t o ea t ?,

I a m sure m y Wa lek tha t y ou won t be sa tisfied with this le tte r

, ,
’
,

for I on ly wo rry y ou But I m ust describe t o y ou wha t p a in s m e the

.

m os t It is th i s d ea r Wa lek tha t you could believe som e fin ished

.
, ,

[a bsolute] fool a bout m y ha vin g wa lked wi th K a wa l a n d Ka cz ! . .

I d on t sa y tha t I a m a bo ve them bu t I tell you m y Wa lek tha t n o

’
, , ,

fri en d ship un ites m e with these boys I ha ve n e ve r in m y lif e sp oken .

with R a wa l a n d I a m n o t a c qua in ted with him a t a ll As to Ka cz

. . .
,

ft r h d th
A gh t b
e i h l t m m ts she ha be
er ea , as a p ti os , eca u se n er as o en s en ar cu

la r ly tt ch d t H k
a d b
a s th i s a tta hm e t it l f i
e o an p ra si k with
,
an eca u e c n se n a e son c

su c h a tr g di ea e m t h v h d som
s an e b orm ls s y ch ra t r
us a e a e a n a ,
“
u n ca n n a c e .
53 4 PRI MAR Y —
GR O UP OR G ANI ZATIO N

on ce h e wa s in win te r wi th your bro the r a n d they

ou r hou se in th e ,

a ccom p a n ie d t he girl s w h o se w w it h m e Sin ce th en I ha ve n o t .

sp ok en wit h h im a t a ll I on ly wa n t to kn ow who wrote y ou th is .

ta le I w ould n o t trea t him ve ry p olitely for it d isp a ra g es m e grea tly

.
,

when it is sa id tha t a ba n d of boy s is wa lkin g a fter m e a n d m oreove r

th rowin g dirty wo rd s R ea lly Wa lek I ca n n o t l ive th rough it I a m .
, ,
.

in s uch a m ood tha t som e t im e s I ra ge wit h a n ge r some times a ga in ,

c ry How ca n p eop l e sp ea k ba dly a bout m e w hen n obody e ve r see s

.

me ? If I a m so l igh tly trea ted in R ytwia n y I o ugh t n ot t o ,

live a t a ll for why should I ,

If a p oor g irl l oses her op in ion [good
n a m e] it i s a l m os t a s m u ch a s if sh e k ill e d h e r self

I k iss y ou .
HAN KA
I ha ve n o t seen your m o the r bu t m y p a ren ts a n d yours we re ,

toge the r a t a fa ir a n d trea ted them selves so well tha t m y fa the r go t

quite dru n k .

716 S ep tem be r 10 [ 1 9 1 3]
MY DE A R WALE K : I will
first yo ur p rece d in g le tte r in m en tion
wh ich y ou sen t m e a ribbon I tha n k y ou for it hea rtily m y Wa le k .
,
.

It iI
i ter sti g p r blem wh th r t h rigi f t h
s an n e n m imp rt o e e e o n o e en or ou s o a n ce

wh i h c y b d go ip ss m
an i t h e e ye
a f t h p ers
ss g ssip d b t d s
a u t li
es n s o e on o e a ou oe no e

i th p im itiv m g ic l beli f i th
n e r e li fl a of wo d W h v
a l gy i
e n e re a n u en c e r s . e a e a n a na o n

t h im p t
e cri be d t th
o r a n ce a s r Th p re io f y b d wish p rovoke
o e cu se . e ex ss n o an a s

th tm t w r th d b d g ip m t b ( i dditi t it ordi a y i l
e u os a ,
an a oss se e s o e n a on o s n r soc a

m i g) we ke d l
ea n n a p li it f m f t h
a r
r an Th i s pp iti ess ex m t c or o e cu se . su os on see s o

b c r b r t d by t w o f cts
e o ro o a e F irst th re i a lw y a a pp a re t di sp roporti
a .
,
e s a s n n on

b twe th
een t t f t he g ip d t h r ti wh i h it p r v k s i the w o g d
e con en o oss an e ea c on c o o e n r n e

p rse on Ev i f w ta ke i t
. en t t h f r f ridic l wh ich m k s th ti g
e n o a ccou n e ea o u e a e e s n

o f trifl i g g ip p rtic l ly h rp th er m i t h f ct t h t t h r a cti i

n oss a u ar s a , e re a ns e a a e e on s

a lw y t a st o g if j dg d fr m t h bj tiv st dp i t Th m o t v i
oo s r n u e o e o ec e an o n . e s a n

gl rio mou s f t h i t llig t cl s w ill h rdly r

an o e t t bit f g ip whi h w ld
n e en a s a ea c o a o oss c ou

exa sp r te ot t ll o
e a it d p
a n t Ag ia m a ld p v rb
c n ce d st m a ry e ea sa n . a n , so e o ro e s an cu o

s yi g s
a n h w t d , s yto tr li t h m gi l i fl ce f b d w rds by de y
a en en c o n eu a ze e a ca n u en o a o n

i g th m
n y m a i g by tr ti g th m
e an m
e n n i lik i g th m t t he bl wi g
, ea n e as e re n o se , en n e o o n

o f t h wi d by
e im il ti g th m t t h v i s f im l f go d om ( the dog
n a ss a n e o e o ce o an a s o o en

G d—j st
, ,

t h m gp i )
e a d by d yi g th t th y
e , an r hh v en n rs a e ca n ea c ea e n or o u a s a cu e

i
s n e tr liu d Evi d tly t hi
a ze . tr li ti i q i t diff r t fr m eg tio of
en s n eu a za on s u e e en o a n a n

th f e t it lf t t d i t h g s ip
ac se s a e n e o s .

All th i d s t m th t t h
s oe ti towa d g s ip i t w m i l y de
no ea n a e re a c on r o s s no no a n

te m i
r d by t h p r ly s ci l ttitud
ne e ly tha t th i
u e i l ttit de m y h ve
o a a e , on s soc a a u a a

b een pr d d by m r p im iti
ece e m gi l d th t t h t
a o e f th i m g ic l
r ve a ca on e a n a e ra ce s o s a a

a ttit d li g till o i sly beh i d th p licit d ir f s cia l p p i ti

u e n er s u n c n sc ou n e ex es e or o a rec a on .
53 6 PRI MAR Y G R OU P
-
O R GAN I ZATI ON

bu t m y tho ugh ts a re a lwa ys direc ted to t h e p la ce where y ou a re ,

my W But wha t could I write up on a ca rd ? M oreove r m y

.
,

s i s t e r in la w co uld n o t l ive w i t h o ut m y givi n g h er t o re a d wha t I

- -

write to a n ybody The refore I did n o t write a l e tte r to y ou for a s

.
,

soon a s I bega n t o wri te sh e rea d i t Well wh a t could I do I did .

,

n o t wa n t t o offen d h er b u t I d on t w a n t th e m t o k n o w ei the r w ha t I
’
,

write t o a n ybody for then sh e w ould la ugh a t m e a n d rem in d m e

,

a lwa y s of wh a t I wr o t e .

As t o n ice boy s w h om y ou m en tion ed th ey we r e n u m be rl ess ! ,

N i ce boy s flirte d wi th n ice gi rl s whil e I beha ved a s u sua l I m us t

, .

boa st th a t if y ou com e y ou won t k n ow m e I h a ve g rown so v er v

’
,

se ri o u s I wa s left behin d a ll the o th e rs I e ven a void ed the h on or

. .

of bein g t h e o ld e r [ fir s t] bes t g irl bu t w a s th e yo un ge r [ secon d ] on e

“ ”
.
,

I did n o t wa n t to ha ve a best m a n [a ccom p a n yin g m e] bu t to be

“ ”
,

on ly a gu es t Well I su cceed ed in th e hou se bu t n o t in the ch urch

.
, , ,

for on e of the se n ic e boy s ca m e t o m e a n d sa id tha t t he whole

“ ”

w eddi n g g ro up wo uld n o t a llow m e dre ssed in we dd in g clo th es n o t ,

-
,

t o belon g t o the m S O I ha d him a s a be s t m a n

. This m a n is the “
.
”

se con d e n g in ee r a fri e n d of S ta cha s hu sba n d But I did n o t a m u se ’

.
,

m yse lf m uch a lth ough it on ly d ep en d ed up on m y self

, Wh en e ve r .

I could I ra n hom e for a wh ile a n d on the secon d n igh t I slep t whi le , ,

e ve rybody d a n ce d till 7 o cl ock in the m o rn in g It wa s n o n ove lty

’
.

for m e ; h a ve I been a t few w eddi n gs ? S O i t w a s e n ough for m e t o

ha ve been the re [for a rel a tiv ely short ti m e] beca u se n ow n o p a rties ,

a m u se m e a n y m o re th e y on ly a n n oy m e,
.

I will tell y ou a bout your p ho togra p hs a l so I a ske d S ta cha to .

g iv e them t o m e bu t she sa id t ha t she wo uld n t give t hem u p a t a ll

’
, ,

a n d sh e did n ot S he k eep s them hidd en

. An d I w ill write y ou th is .

a l so th a t S t a cha s h usba n d t en d a ys a fte r t he wedd ing w en t to

’
, , ,

[m ilita ry ] drill for 6 wee k s [ a s a re se rv is t] a n d sh e wen t to h im on ce , ,

for i t wa s n ot fa r a wa y in P ul a wy S he s ta ye d th e re for 3 d a ys in a
,
.

ho te l . S he did n ot wa n t t o go bu t t he old p eop le [p a re n t s] drov e

,

h er ou t .
I

I rema in yo ur truly l ovin g

, ,

HAN KA

1
Ha n ka h a s r tl y thr
a pp a en ou
ghou t n o re se rva tio s a d btlety
n n n o su o f ca lcu

l ti
a on . O her t wi sh w ld h a
se e ou v e rec ogn z e i d th t th i i f rm ti w
a s n o a on ou ld t r
u n

Wa lek s g i tow rd S t i
’
hea d a a n a as a .
 PI OTROWS KI SER I ES 53 7

717 Oc tober 8 , 1 91 3
D E AR WALE K : I inform y ou tha t I received yo ur ca rd for which
fo r which I tha nk y ou he a rtily a n d a n d [ kiss y ou ]
,
My dea r .

Wa lek ! I should rea lly p refe r if y ou ca m e Then I could exp la in .

[e xp ress] m y se lf on ce a n d I thin k tha t y ou would believe in m y

,

feelin gs w hil e a s it is n o twith s ta n d in g m y eff u sion s y ou a lwa ys

, , ,

im a gin e so m e thin g th a t I be tra y y ou a n d y ou a lwa ys susp ec t m e

, , .

Th e sa m e a bout tha t ca rd I sen t y ou fr om Za globa I could n o t ha ve .

wri tten o the rwise for S ta cha wa s the re a n d I w ould n ot le t her kn ow

, ,

wha t rela tion s ou r corresp on den ce in clud es for I told her a lwa ys ,

tha t n othin g bu t frien d ship uni tes u s a n d therefo re I did n o t wish to ,

be tra y m yself An d even if I ha d con f essed wha t could I boa st of

.
, ,

u n less som e th i n g of which I a m n o t sure ? E ven if I ha d told her tha t

I love y ou she w ould surely ha ve a sked m e An d does he recip
“ ”
, ,
“

roca te Wh a t could I ha ve a n swere d h er sin ce I d on t k n ow m yself ’

For in tru th m y Wa lek y ou m u s t a g ree with m e tha t—I d on t sa y

,
’

n ow bu t f o rm e rly—wh en y ou w e re s t ill in R ytw ia n y ce rt a i n ly n o t

, ,

, ,

t h e sm a llest sp a rk of lo ve for m e g lowe d in yo ur h e a rt I sa y it from .

m y ow n con vic tion When I c ould su fler n o m ore I resolved to

.
,

con f ess t o y ou w h a t ha d to rm en te d m e for so l on g a tim e Well a n d .

,

p roba bly fro m p ity y ou ha ve tried t o re cip roca te

,
I love y ou m a dly .

for it for n o t ha v in g tra m p le d m y f eeli n gs for ha vin g a li ttle p ity on

, ,

me . An d I will write y ou so m e thin g m ore ; I hop e th a t y ou will n o t

be off en ded wi th m e a s on ce wi th S ta cha do y ou rem embe r ? Well
, , ,

lon g a go I wa n ted t o a sk y ou m y Wa lek bu t I ha d n o cou ra ge to do it

, ,

soon e r Wh en do y ou th in k of com in g ba ck t o ou r coun try ?

.

You wa n t m e d ea r Wa l ek t o te ll y ou som e thin g a bout Za gl oba

, , .

[ N ew s wi tho ut imp orta nce ] I d on t kn ow wha t m o re to write If

’
.

y ou com e som e da y I w ill p e rha p s te ll y ou som e thin g fresh for n ow in

, ,

Rytwia n y I d on t see a n yth in g worth comm u n ica ti n g The eye s

’
.

a ch e t o loo k a t th is stup id i ty th e r ef o r e I d on t go for a n y wa lks bu t

’
, ,

I sit of even in gs a n d rea d E ven so I hea r en ough of this ga ie ty

.

through the win dow I wa it for a n a n swe r . .

Your lovin g ,

718 Ap ril 22 [ 1 9 1 5]
I N FLU E N TIA L [WI E LMOZ N Y] Wishin g tisfy your d esire I
’

SI R : to sa

ha sten t o e xp re ss m y fe elin gs
53 8 P R I M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR GANI ZATI O N

M iss An n a [ Ha n ka ] id ea l girl S he love d m e m a dly , bu t

wa s an .

sh e wa s n o t left wi th o ut recip roci ty on m y p a rt I loved her with m y .

whole hea rt She wa s for m e a ba lm , hea lin g t he wo un d s of m y hea rt

. .

In a wo rd ,
ve rythin g to m e
sh e wa s e .

M iss An n a ha d a n u n bowe d cha ra c te r S he surm oun ted eve ry .

thin g she kn ew h ow to p rovid e a ga i n st e ve rythin g a n d therefore I

, ,

loved her Sh e wa s g iven u p to me wi th h er whole h ea rt a n d soul

.
,

bu t durin g a ll this tim e I n e ve r p rovoked a blu sh up on h er p re tty fa ce ,

I n eve r tried to do it .

As t o p rop osin g y ou k n o w tha t i t is a big ques tion ! Without

,

ha v in g a p osition su ita ble t o give on e s w ife a m ore or l ess good

’

supp ort i t would be u seless t o p rop ose An d in sp ite of a ll I ha ve .

,

p a ren ts fa r a dva n ced in yea r s a n d I m u st en dea vo r t o help them in

,

th e ir old a ge a n d to a ssure e xis ten ce for m yself I a m n ot so ma n v .

yea rs old a n d she wa s a lso youn g so w e could com e to a n un d e r

, ,

s ta n d in g for she f elt in s t in c tive ly t ha t I l ove d h er tha t I would n o t

, ,

lea ve her a n d e verythin g wo uld com e in righ t tim e !

,

An d n ow I m u s t men tion tha t I ha ve a com p a n ion with whom I

l ived in on e a n d the sa m e idea a n d on e a sp ira tion He ha d a lso M iss .

An n a in his ey e bu t a s he ca m e from a riche r fa mi ly a n d ha d a hi ghe r

,

in s tru c ti on tha n I she ha d in m i n d tha t it wo uld n o t be a n e qua l lo ve

, ,

a n d she k ep t fa r fr om him H er ma xi m w a s t o h a ve a h usba n d of

.

her ow n soc i a l p osi ti on An d I ha ve te m p era n ce a n d

li m ited m yse lf a lwa ys to w ord s p erson a lly or in corresp on d en ce fo r
, ,

I kn ew a n d I kn ow tha t wha tever w a s for m e wa s n ot for a n ybody el se

'

I wa s a lwa ys sure of m yself .

But a la s ! The begin n in g is ga y bu t the en d is sa d For on

, ,
.

Februa ry I 3 1 9 1 4 m y d ea rest be i n g ba d e fa rew ell to this world a n d

, ,

e vid e n tly to me a lso The n e w s a bout th e d ea th of M iss An n a m a de

.

up on m e the imp ressi on of a thun de rstrok e I los t ev ery thin g .

,

n o th in g is l eft for m e I a m n ow a l on e . .

You ca n see a l so from these l e tte rs which I se n d y o u n ow how m y

com p a n ion s wri t e t o m e h ow th ey e xp re ss the m se lv es a bout M iss
,

An n a a n d how they regre t her h ow they p e r su a d e m e n o t to g rieve

, .

But a ll this is beca use of th a t tom orrow [ p roba ble m ea n in g : “ ”

beca u se I l eft the cou n try u n d e r t he in fl u en ce of socia l

I f elt p a rti cul a rly boun d by the l a ck of [ l ibe rty of] word I a sp ired “
,
”

for a free word a n d the ref ore I l eft my n a tive coun try But I
”
, .

f elt deep ly this Am erica n lon eli n ess .

540 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR G AN IZATI ON

id io tic ,
n o t a t a ll a ttitude [sic] ! I ha ve n o t m et in Am erica
logica l ,
a

a sin g le girl t o be com a re d w i th those in t h e old cou n try I fee l

p .

[ the la ck of] th e p lea sa n t lif e in the old co u n t ry a s comp a red wi th

Am e rica bu t I hop e t ha t th is p le a sa n t lif e w ill com e ba ck
, P e rha p s .

I sha ll m erit tha t frien d s w ill surroun d m e a s form e rly I h op e tha t ,

.

in t h e old cou n try I sha ll s till fin d a com p a n ion by the sid e of w hom
I sha ll lea d a m ore p lea sa n t life tha n n ow I ha ve been a lrea dy lon g .

en o ugh in Am eri ca bu t I ca n n o t fin d e ven for a few min utes the

, , ,

p lea sure of socia l con ve r sa tion or flirta ti on I d on t k n ow how it is in ’

.

Ch i ca g o D e troit or o th e r ci ti e s bu t I th i n k tha t the re is n o d iffe ren ce

, , , ,

for I ca n con c lud e from p a p ers a n d u n d e rs ta n d He re I fin ish .

,

a lthou gh I could wr i t e m u ch v e ry m u ch m o re bu t I f ea r im p o rtu ni n g

, , ,

y ou too m u ch If y ou wi sh some thin g m o re a ll righ t I won t ’

. .
,

rem a in d ea f or la zy I would a sk y ou to co rresp on d with m e from

.

tim e to tim e for it would be a grea t p lea sure for m e if it is n o t too

, ,

diffi c ult for y ou a n d if it d oes n ot occup y too m uch of your tim e I .

receive corresp on den ce from the old cou n try written on va rious ,

s u bj ec t s I will be a ble the refore t o in f o rm y ou a s fa r a s y ou wish

.
,
.

I ha d som e othe r l e tte rs ve ry im p or ta n t on es kep t hidden bu t

, , ,

on e of t h e boa rd ers s to le t h e m Why ? Wha t for ? I don t u n d e r

.
’

s ta n d wha t th ey m a tte re d for him I ha ve s till o ve r 1 0 0 le tte rs bu t

.
,

they ha ve ve ry little con ten t which could in te rest y ou so I do n o t ,

sen d th e m I ha ve a girl in th e old coun try with whom I on ly bega n

.

t o co rresp on d bu t n ow t he p os t fu n cti on s so l a zily tha t I d on t e ven

’
,

wish to wri te !
WALEN TY P I O TR O W S K I

719 S I CH OW , D e cem ber 22 ,

1 91 2

D EAR WALEN TY : I received y our le tte r bu t it is ra the r ,

l a te so tha t
, y ou w on t re ceive m y a n sw er u n t il a fte r t he
’

holi d a y s But sin ce I write i t before the holid a ys I wish y ou first

.
,

a M e r ry C h ris tm a s a ga y a n d p lea sa n t a m u se m en t in a n a g reea bl e

,

com p a n y t h en hea lth a n d e ve ry good l ig h t w o rk big p a y a n d a t

, , , ,

la s t a big ca p ita l a n d a p re tty Am erica n girl You a sked m e to write .

y ou how I s ucceed We ll I su cceed p re tty w ell I wa s a lrea dy a few

.
, .

tim es in Wa rsa w [a s cha uff e ur a ssista n t] On ly y ou kn ow on e be-

.
, ,

comes so m uddy a n d som e tim es so cold When we com e t o Wa rsa w .

,

p a rti cula rly if there is r a in a n d m u d p eop l e l ook a t u s a s a t f ools for

, ,

w e a re h a rdly t o be seen from behin d t he m u d ou r a utom obile is so ,

 PIOTR OW S KI SERIES 54 1

p tte red Durin g th e holida y s I sha ll be a t home a n d a fterwa rd I

s a .
,

sh a ll g o t o Wa rsa w a n d s ta y th e re duri n g t he win te r in a n a utom obile

ga ra ge a n d som e tim e in the S p rin g I hop e to get a p l a ce som ewhere

,

and t o d rive a lone [p roba b ly a s a ca b-driver] If y ou wri te .

[a dv ise] m e so a s soon a s I com e t o Wa rsa w I will try to ta ke lesson s

,

som e wh ere in Ge rma n or I wil l l ea rn a lone ,

You a sk wha t is
th e n e w s in R ytwia n y Well n o thin g excep t tha t ma n y p eop le ha ve
.
,

left for Am e rica S in ce y ou w en t The turbine up on t he da m is .

a lrea dy wo rkin g I n the p la ce of tha t ma chin e a t which y ou were

.

the re is a n elec tric motor a n d in gen era l m otors a re p u t in in s tea d

,

of a ll th e m a chines But h ow sill y I a m ! Why do I ta lk

.
,

a bo ut t he turbine ? Wha t do y ou ca re there a bout a n y tu rbin e

Well bu t lis ten Goin g on ce by this elect ric ma chi n e I forgo t
, .

en ti re ly tha t I shou ld n ot m ee t y ou the re a n d on ly when I sa w Nowa k ,

a n d som e o the r boy the re wi th him I remembe red I a sk y ou ,

a l so wh e the r y ou receive a n y co rr esp on d en ce fr om R ytwia n y Ah ,

y es fr om M iss G [ Ha nka ] d on t y ou ?
'
’
.
, ,

Well wha t m ore,

I ha ve n o thin g to write y ou a t th is m omen t ,

on ly I sen d y ou g ree tin gs from m y p a ren t s my sis te r a n d m y bro ther , ,

ih la w
-
.

Your loving a n d sin cerely well w ishin g frien d -

,

ZY GMU N I ‘ ‘

72 0 Februa ry I O 1 9 1 3 ,

D E AR WALE NTY : Ha vin g n ow n othin g to do beca use of ba d roa ds ,

I sit a t h om e I a m in good h ea l th a n d I wi sh to y ou t he sa m e
.
.

Eve ry thin g is a ll righ t wi th m e on ly I a m a li ttle oflen de d with yo ur

,

rep roa ches If I fe lt gui lty I wo uld a d m it it bu t sin ce I don t feel

.
,
’

g uil ty of a n ythin g like this i t is ve ry p a inful t o me I received 3 lette rs .

a n d 3 ca rds from y ou a n d I sen t y ou a l so ,3 le tt er s an d on e ca rd a n d ,

in n on e I ma d e a ny su ch rep roa ches a s y ou did I s it my fa u lt tha t .

you m us t wri te firs t a l e tte r t o m e a n d a few d a y s la te r wri tin g , ,

a n o the r le tte r y ou ma ke re roa ches a lr ea dy for m

, p y n ot wri tin g to y ou ,

while you r firs t le t ter to m e wa s s till on the wa y Onl y when a fte r ,

m ore tha n 2 0 da ys I receive d you r firs t l e tter i e t he on e which y ou

, , . .
,

wro te on November 2 5 I sen t y ou a n a n swer which y ou received in the

,

begin n in g of Ja n ua ry S o durin g this ti m e y ou wrote [a s y ou sa y ]

.

these 6 le tters a nd 7 ca rd s ea ch full of rep roa ches a bout m y n o t

,

wri tin g a s if I got these le tters in a week s time An d n ow in this

,
’
.
54 2 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR GANI ZATI ON

f ourth le tter y ou write tha t y ou ha ve sen t a lrea dy 6 le tters I .

received on ly 4 a n d 3 ca rds a n d I ha ve sen t y ou a lso 4 l e tters a n d 1

,

ca rd bu t wh e th e r th ese l e tte r s f oll ow on e a n o th e r e ve ry w ee k or n o t

, ,

I d on t coun t I k n ow on ly th a t I a n swe r e ve ry on e of yo ur le tters

’
. .

S o why do y ou fly ou t why a re y ou a n g ry a n d su sp ec t m e a bout th in gs

,

o f which I d on t f e e l
g uilty ?
’

Yo ur com p a n ion

Ja n ua ry 22 ,
1 91 3

D E AR C OMP AN I ON : [Le tte rs received and w ri tten ] I amin good

h ea l th a ndI wi sh y ou the sa m e wi th m y whole hea rt . N ow , ha v in g
n o o the r occu a t ion we drive bee t s fr om Lu bn ic e t o R ytwia n y with
p ,

tha t big a utom obile da y a n d n i gh t I n ou r fa c to ry th ere w a s

.

a we dd in g a n d in R ytwia n y a l so ;
p eop le a m u se them se lves p rofitin g ,

from the short ca rn iva l .

I wa n t to a n swe r m ore or less your l e tte r We ll bein g workin g .

,

p eop le op p re sse d w i th e xp loita ti on in their f a therl a n d ha ra ssed in

, ,

th eir n a tive villa ge by the un ce rta in ty of tom o rrow a n d hea rin g a bo ut

th is g old—
,

flowin g Am e rica of th e ir drea m s sure of a n imp ro vem en t of

,

th eir exis ten ce they go th ere B ut wha t befa lls them ? The sa m e
,
.
,

e ven a s t ill ha rde r la bor som e t im es com p l e te la c k of w o rk a n d t he n

, ,

a ga in a pp ea r s t h i s sp ec t e r of u n ce rta i n ty of t om orrow h a r a ssin g t he ,

ma n . An d such p eop le be in g in su ch a con diti on com m it often

, ,

un hea rd of thin gs ; som e of them p oison a n d kill them se lves in dif

-

feren t wa ys othe rs a tta ck a n d rob m e rcha n ts a n d o th e r rich p eop le

, ,

a n d m os t ofte n th ey comm it r obbe ry a n d m urd e r up on the ir ow n

worki n g com p a n ion s S uch p eop l e ha ve s till a n in efla cea ble a nim a li ty
.

in them selves But we young m en w e ough t n o t t o look wi th cold

.
,

blood up on the wa sti n g of ou r bloody l a bor by th e se e xp lo it e r s D on t ’

.

thin k tha t we a lon e the P oles wo rk ha rd a n d a re exp loited How

, , .

m a n y work in g p eop l e a re the re of E n glish or Ge rm a n o r of o the r , ,

n a t ion a l i ties ! The y a ll ha ve their ca p ita lis ts th e ir squ a n de re rs a n d

, ,

a ll th is w o rk in g p eop le con s ti tut es a sin g le in vin cibl e p ow e r On ly .

n ow th is work in g p eop le begin s t o k n ow t h is p ow e r w h i ch i t p ossesses ,

a n d by t he m ea n s of tra d e u n i on s it p rov id e s i t se lf w i t h ca p i ta l i n
-
,

o rd e r t o be a bl e t o begin a s tru ggl e w it h t he e xp loi t a t ion

Your a lwa ys the sa m e l ov in g comp a n ion

, , ,

Z .
 54 4 PRI MAR Y -
G R O UP O R G AN IZ ATI ON

But a la s ! I a m a p oor ma n who kn ow s n othin g so I ha sten ed a t ,

l ea s t to com fort y ou by written wo rd s M ea n while a secon d le tter .

com es th en a ca rd t h en a t hi rd le tte r t h en t w o m o r e ca rd s a n d a ll
, , , ,

th ese on on e subj ec t : You don t write a n d I love y ou I g ive y ou

“ ’
,
.
”

m y wo rd th a t a t la s t I wa s e ven a n g ry for wh en I sen t y ou the a n swe r ,

a ft e r receiv in g yo ur fir s t l e tt e r be f o re th is fir s t l e tt e r r ea ch ed y ou I ha d ,

a lr ea dy 3 l e tter s a n d som e ca rd s a ll of th em full of r ep roa ch es a bout ,

m y n o t w riti n g Who will n ot a g ree with m e tha t eve n en cha n ted

.

love rs wo uld be a n g ry ? S o y ou see wha t re sults from t oo frequen t

writin g An d n ow let u s com e ba ck t o this l ovin g I tell y ou sin
. .

cere ly when I rea d tha t le tte r in which y ou wrote tha t y ou w ould

,

p u t a ll t he crow n s of the wo rld a t m y f ee t I th re w t h e l e tte r a wa y a n d ,

did n o t rea d furthe r I though t : How is it p ossible to writ e a n y

.

thin g lik e this But a fter rea d in g a ll th a t le tter a n d reflec tin g I ,

fo rgive y ou for I le t m yse lf often be tra n sp orted a lso by feel in g bu t

, ,

m ostly I p reva il ov e r s uch feelin gs S o y ou see d ea r com p a n ion a fte r .

, ,

thi s sha rp le tter a n d y ou u n d ers ta n d it ve ry w ell ; y ou kn ow e ven

,

a lrea dy m y idea for I wa n t y ou to k n ow i t ; by t h e p owe r of m

, y w ill
I wa n t y ou t o un d e rsta n d m y id ea An d p recisely by it y ou see tha t .
1

I a m va rious [in va ri a ble m ood s a n d w hy I a m va rio u s I will desc ribe

t o y ou in a n o the r le tte r which I wi ll sen d y ou wi th i n a sho rt t im e a fter
this on e S o dea r com p a n ion le t it be th e firs t le tte r of ou r rea l
.
, , ,

p rogressive c orresp on d en ce for th is p a s t corresp on de nce wa s som e ,

s tra in w hich m u st h a v e b roken in a S h o rt t im e I fi n ish thi s le tte r for .

,

I ha ve n o p la ce to write m ore bu t even so y ou w ill ha ve m u ch to thin k ,

ov e r a ltho ugh it i s so sh ort

,
.

Your (m rzously ) lovin g a n d true com p a n ion a n d frien d

’
2
,

ZY GMU N T
Th s is l r
e sen eZygm un t der t ds t h b kg ro d of t h
c ea . th r s un s an e ac un e o e
’

l v l tt r
o e -
e d w t him t o
e s
”
d r t d th t th os feeli gs h l d b
an an s
p
un e s an a e n s ou e su

p r ss d
e e H co f
. h vi g h d th m h im el f i
e n esses light d gr
a All this
n a e s n a s e ee .

ne v rthele s h ld ot b t k t ra dic ll y ; m o t rt i l y th re ha ev i
e s , s ou n e a en oo a s ce a n e s n e
bee n ana ctu l h m l rela tio
a d Zygm
o t does ot llu d t t h p o ibility
ose x u a n, an un n a e o e ss
o f su ch r l ti b t m r l y t the typ f f li g f th oth r m
a e a on , u e e P r b bl yo e o ee n s o e e an . o a
t h re
e f hi
a son o d m i g a n d co t olli g th
s con fe li g i m u h m r the ir
e n n n r n ose e n s s c o e
e fiem i a t i g i fl
n c na d t he wea ke i g of t h
n u en e p ow r f w ill wh i h t h y c u s
n n n e e o c e a e
a dd
n t th
eno e y m r l j dgm t of t h h m xu a l r la ti t which th y m y
an an o a u en e o ose e on o e a
l d d whi h i p r b bl y t v
ea an c p licitly th ght f
s o a no e en ex ou o .

Va ri ly h r a w ll a b
“
ou s
”
m y m e e, ith r th t his f eli g e
s e s a ove , a ea n e e a e n s ar
no t y t q it d t rm i ed th t s m etim e h
e u e e e yields t t h
n tim e t l fri n d
, a o s e o e sen n a e
s h ip ,
m etim s a ga in f el m r m ly a d i t ll ct l ;
so e e th t h is r dy t be
s o e an n n e e ua or a e ea o
W le ty S fri d ly i
a n
’
f en th e tim
on t l a ff cti is l d d A h
n so ar as e s n en a e on exc u e . s e
ne v wrote t h p omi d p l na tory l tt r w d n t k w which in t rp r t ti n
er e r se ex a e e , e o o no e e a o
i th tr e o
s e u ne .
 PI OTR OWS KI SER I E S 54 5

724 M a rch 1 7 ,
1 91 3
D E AR C OM PAN I O N : I
whe the r y ou received m y le tte r of a sk y ou
M a rch I 5 Thi s le tte r is ve ry im p o rta n t a lthough n o t fi n ish ed y e t
.
, ,

so if y ou rece ive it i nf o rm m e a t on ce a n d I wil l sen d y ou th e con ,

t in u a t ion of thi s le tte r a n d if y ou d on t rece ive i t try t o ge t i t for

’
, ,

i t won t be w i thheld a t t he p os t a s it is well a d dressed a n d ha s a

’
,

You won t receive a n y n e ws from m e u n til y ou i n fo rm m e

’
s ta m p .

tha t y ou received t he l e tte r of M a rch 1 5 They wrot e m e from hom e .

t ha t y ou ha ve sen t m e a v iew of a dr owni n g shi p [ev id en tly sy m bolic] ,

b u t th ey did n ot sen d it t o m e the y sen t m e onl y 2 of your le tte rs a n d ,

a ca rd R em embe r a bout t hi s le tte r for i t is v e ry im po r ta n t

. I , .

com p ose a lrea dy t h e con ti n ua tion

ZY GM UN T
.

725 R YTWIA N Y , Ap ril 21 ,

1 91 3
D E AR CO MP ANI ON I wil l w ri te y ou a bout on e question
which is worth bein g con sid ered by you D on t h in de r you r brothe r .
’

from goin g to Am e rica for in thi s wa y y o u wil l be the ca use of his ba d

,

future You ha ve n o id ea h ow m a n y p eop l e wen t t o Am erica a n d a re

.

g oin g still If y ou d on t ta ke hi m h e will rem a in a lmos t a lon e in

’
.
,

R ytwi a n y for a ll his co m p a n ion s will l ea v e soon

,
Y ou o ugh t to ta ke .

him if it we re on ly for t his rea son tha t so m a n y p eop l e go t o Am erica

, ,

this sp rin g a n d everybody ge ts work e ven n ot ba d work so he would , ,

n o t p e ris h ei th e r I don t kn ow whether i t is true whe ther y ou kn ow

’
,
.

rea ll y a ll th e cities a n d e ven a ll th e l oca li ties of N o rth Am eri ca or you

onl y wri t e so P lea se d on t be a n g ry bu t it is on ly m y con clu sion
’
.
,

from t he lette rs whi ch you write m e critic iz in g Am erica in every ,

rega rd You a sk m e wh e ther S ta ch [a comm on frien d who is in

.
’

Am e ri ca ] is wo rki n g or n o t M y wo rd ! I a m rea lly a sha m ed of y ou

.

bo th ; bein g so n ea r t o on e a n o t he r in com p a ri son wi th t he di s ta nce ,

which sep a ra tes m e from y ou y ou wa n t m e to in fo rm you a bout ea ch ,

o th e r ! R ea ll y som e thi n g extra o rdin a ry m us t ha ve ha p p en e d be tw een

,

y ou s i n ce y ou a re so a n gry th a t y ou do n o t e ven wri te to ea ch ot her

z
.
,

An d n ow I in form y ou tha t M iss G [ H a n ka ] a ccord in g t o your .

,

wi sh sa w m e bu t I don t un d ers ta n d wh a t for

, ,
3 I resen t yo ur
’

1
A th r no mp l f th e diff r
e e xa betwee t h im p e io bl
e o s tim t le e n ce n e r ss na e, en en a ,

an d fl c ti
u n re h r ct
e f Wa len ty a d th e m re i telle t l
ve c a a er o d q ilib ted n o n c ua an e u ra

na t f Zygm
u re o t un .

Pr b bly m p tty q r l
o a so sil y le din g t
e e t he br ki g f rel tions wi th
ua re ,
ea a o ea n o a

na t ru es su ch W l ty as a en
’
s .

App re tl y co ected wi th H k ci en ti u eflort t rep ort t o Wa l

’
3 a n onn ty au a s c ns o s o en

th pi i
e o cur e t b
n on s t him r n a ou .
54 6 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR GAN IZ ATI ON

a bsen ce differen t resp ec ts p a rticula rly n ow in on e i e th a t I a m

in , ,
. .
,

loa fin g a wfully a fter girl s If y ou we re he re y ou would certa in ly .

d issua de m e from it Y ou a sk m e t o sen d y ou m y p h o togra p h

.
1
.

Wh a t ca n I do if I ha ve n o m on ey t o ha ve m yself p ho togra p h ed ?
,

Th is is on e [rea son ] a n d th e secon d is tha t I h a v e m ore im p orta n t

,

th i n gs t o bu y [books tha n t o sp en d m on ey on p hotogra p hs Excuse .

m e for e xp ressin g m yse lf in so ha rd a wa y bu t m a n is often obliged t o ,

a ccep t eve n t he m ost p a in ful thin gs Yo ur brother told m e tha t y ou .

2

in t en d ed t o sen d him p ho tog ra p h s Be so k in d a n d p u t in on e for m e . .

An d he told m e th a t y ou h a v e sen t a lr ea dy is50 i e roo roubles Thi s ,

. .
,
.

m a d e m e refl ec t a n d I wa s p a in ed for y ou write su ch m on o ton o us

, ,

l e tters a n d n ever even m en tion wha t y ou do wha t work y ou ha ve how , ,

m u ch y ou ea rn You om i t th e t hin gs which a re th e m os t im p o rta n t

.

a t t h e p resen t t im e .

Alwa ys th e sa me you r l ovin g comp a ni on , ,

ZY GMU N T
B u t there a re momen ts whe n he i s differen t .

726 Ma y 1 4, 1 91 3

D E AR C OMP ANI ON : Sin ce Ea s ter I h a ve ha d n o n ews from y ou 3 .

I wa ited for a lon g tim e for a n a n swer t o m y la s t le tte r from Wa rsa w ,

written ra ther a t len g th Evid en tly it did n o t rea ch y ou For t wo . .

week s a lrea dy I ha ve w a ite d for your wishes [for m y n a m e da y ] -

.

But y ou could n ot guess wh a t n ews I wi ll give y ou Well y ou see .

, ,

I in ten d t o go to Am erica e vid e n tly n o t i m m edi a tely bu t a fter som e

, ,

tim e when I get m ore exa c t in form a tion wi th rega rd t o this Dur in g
,
.

th is tim e co uld y ou try t o g e t for m e if p ossibl e work in som e a uto , ,

m obile fa c tory ?
Z Y GMU NT

72 7 Wa rsa w Ma y , 2 9, 1 91 3

D E AR COMPANI ON : I beg your p a rdon v ery m uch for n o t h a vin g

in form ed y ou a bout a n yth in g It wa s beca use of difleren t rea son s .

I
Th h m e e l b kgroun d f t h fri dsh ip i evid tly tr g i W l t y
o os xu a ac o e en s en s on n a en ,

b t th i p
u sg p r b bl y m
a ssa e m r th
o th t th s tim t l fri dship f
a ea n s n o o e an a e en en a en o

th t w m
e ow ld l d th r tim t l r l ti s
en ou exc u e o e sen en a e a on .

K wi g t he im p rt
no n f t h p h t gr p h i t h e p ychol gy f th p e s t
o a n ce o e o o a n s o o e a an

an d t h w rki g m
e o th is in i di ti f t h d gr
an , t w h i h Z ygm ti
s an n ca on o e e ee o c un s

em cip t d fr m t h tra diti

an a e o f h i cl ss e on s o s a .

3The eff ct f l tter 7 3 wh i h evi de tly offe d d W l t y

e o e 2 ,
c n n e a en .
54 8 PRI MAR Y GR O UP
-
OR GAN IZATI ON

y ou how I a m li vin g y ou will s urely sa y tha t y ou a re be tter off in

Am e rica tha n I a m in Wa r sa w Ce rta in ly, I ea rn en o ugh to live .

[ to boa rd ] , I ha v e
p la ce t o lo dge
a I n eed clo thes a n d I . Well ,
bu t ,

w on t give
’
m y self to ta ll y u p t o t his
work a lon e ; I wa n t t o s tudy a n d ,

n obody wi ll gi ve m e books g ra t is I won t sit [a t hom e li ke a m a n ’

.

wh o kn ows n eith e r h ow to wri te n or h ow t o rea d Well a n d the n I ,

m u s t cha n ge m y h ea rt in to a s ton e a n d wri te : D ea r p a ren ts sen d ,

m e m on ey whil e I kn ow tha t it is m y duty a n d it is tim e for m e t o

”
,

he lp m y p a re n ts in s tea d S o d on t be a n g ry d ea r com p a ni on
’
,
.
, ,

if I tea sed y ou som e tim es for y ou kn ow wha t it m ea n s t o be fo rce d

,

a ga in s t on e s [wi ll] Le t u s th en s top m utua l com p la in ts for it does

’
,
.

n o t s ui t u s In stea d of wri tin g ba d t hi n gs onl y ra th e r le t u s inform

.
,

on e a n o th e r a bo ut goo d on es D escribe to m e thi s thea ter in which

.

y ou p la yed a p a rt .

Z YGMU N T

72 9 Au g u s t 8 , 1 91 3

D E AR C O MPAN I ON : yo ur p a rd on ve ry m uch for ha vin g

I be g
offe n d ed y ou durin g these l a s t t im e s in wr i t in g y ou n othin g bu t ,

exc u se m e for I d on t d ep en d y e t u p o n m yse lf b u t I m u s t s till be

’
, ,

s u bj ec t t o these s tup id la w s a n d a bsur d in s ti tuti on s for som e t im e ,

beca u se I a m in tra i ni n g I S h o uld wish n obody t o be in tra i n in g in

.

s u ch con d i tion s a s I fin d m y se lf a t p resen t It woul d n ee d m uch .

writin g if I wished to d escribe a ll th i s wh ile I m y dea r Wa lek ha ve , , ,

a s li ttl e t im e a s y ou ca n e ve r i m a gin e S om e da y wh en w e m ee t we .

S h a ll re la te t o ea ch o t h er th e im p ress i o n s a n d tro uble s e xp e r ie n ce d

d urin g th is ti m e An d n ow w e o ugh t n ot t o le t ou r ha n d s fa ll imp o

.

t e n t ly com m en din g ourse lve s t o d es tin y w e o ugh t n o t to l ose hop e

, , ,

a n d w e o u gh t to kee p a s tron g w i ll for if w e lose a ll t his a n d d o ub t ,

e ve rythin g th en i t wi ll be s till w o rs e
,
We m us t thin k tha t w e a re .

n o t a lon e in ba d con dit ion s How m a n y p eop l e s uffe r a h un dred

.

tim es worse tha n we do a n d n ev er the less the re a re m a n y a m on g them

,

wh o d efen d th em selves wi th en e rg y a ga in s t this ba d lo t S hould we .

,

youn g m en e ve r do ubt a bout ca rry in g ou t ou r p la n s ? No we ha ve

, ,

n e ve r d ou b t e d a n d won t d o u b t tha t yo uth is s tren th the m o re so

’
g ,

if it is o rga n ized a n d un ified ; th en it is a p owe r whi ch yie ld s befo re

n o thin g .

An d n ow dea r com p a n i on I S ha ll a t la s t d escribe to y ou my con

, ,

dition s h ow I sp en d m y tim e a n d wha t comp a n y I ha ve

, As y ou .
 PI O ROWS T KI S ER I E S 549

kn ow lrea dy when we we re still in R ytwia n y we a ll three wro te I

a , , ,

S ta ch a n d Hen ryk to U n cle Win cen ty You k n ow him p roba bly

from ou r ta lk —
.
, ,

the sa m e who lea rn e d in B elg ium a n d who is forbidd en

'

t o com e ba ck to R u ssia S o we wro te t o him a skin g h im t o he lp u s

.
,

by co rresp on den ce in self educa ti on H e ha d a job a n d p roba bly n o

,
-
.

tim e bu t he sen t u s th e a ddress of a la dy hi s good frien d a n d com

, ,

p a nion from old tim es who is n ow a p riv a te tea che r ,

The la dy .

show e d a g r ea t re a d in e ss t o gi v e u s a dv ice a n d in for m a tion ; she e ven

sen t u s t o R ytwia n y a few ve ry good book s But a lthough I kn ew .

her by le tte rs for m ore tha n h a lf a yea r I n eve r ha d a n y occa sion to ,

see h e r ; when I wa s in Wa rsa w she w a s a b roa d N ow she is a lso ,

.

a b roa d occ up y in g t he p la ce of a tea che r N ot lon g a go she m a d e m e .

a c qua in te d by le tte r w ith on e of he r frien d s he r e in Wa rsa w It is a .

y o u n g m a n of 2 0 son of a n ofli cia l ; his fa ther is n o lon ge r a l iv e onl y

, ,

the m o the r is left a n d receives th e p en sion This yo un g m a n ha s .

t wo y ou n ge r bro th e rs they a re a ll s tudy in g a n d h e a ltho ugh so

, , ,

youn g ha s fin ished 8 cla sses a lrea dy [a gym n a sium ] But I got

,
.

a cq ua in t ed w i th him bef o re h e w en t a w a y for t he sum m e r t o th e

co u n try a n d n ow w e on ly corr e sp on d w i th e a ch oth e r

,
Afte r so .

sh o rt a n a c qu a in ta n ce we a re a lrea dy An d if y ou a re
“
com p a n ion s .

c ur iou s in wha t wa y we beca m e com p a ni on s w ri te to S ta ch a n d let

him sen d y ou a l ette r—th e firs t whic h I got from thi s com p a n ion —in
,

which he exp resses him self for th e firs t tim e a s my comp a n ion a n d
'

a t the sa m e t im e in f or m s m e a bout d iff eren t qu estion s I ha d n o ‘

.

tim e to d esc ribe to S ta siek m y a cqua in ta n ce with th i s comp a n ion a n d

sen t h im tha t le tte r bu t I d on t kn ow w he th e r h e receive d it or n o t
’
, ,

for I sen d him le tter s without sta m p s in t he sa m e wa y a s to y ou So , .

,

a s y ou see I h a ve r e la tion s w i th g ood m en

,
For thin k of it h ow .
,

should s u ch a highl y edu ca ted m a n en te r in to rela t ion s wi th su ch a

dirty a n d m oreover ig n ora n t boy a s I a m ? An d n evertheless he ,

bein g such a m a n a n d com in g from a hi ghe r fa mi ly wa s n o t a sha m ed , ,

bu t ca m e to th e sh op a n d in ge ttin g a cqua in ted wi th m e shook m y

dirty ha n d S o it is p ossible to con clud e tha t the re a re s till good m en
.

in the wo rld S in ce s uch a m a n beca m e m ore ge n e rous t h rough his

,

s tu dies For u sua ll y m en n ow ge t in s truc tion for bu sin ess in o rd e r

.
,

t o exp l oi t the ignora n t on es whi ch is ig n oble ,

.

1
Th e im p ort c tt h d t th s pp re tly tri fli g f t —th u f the
an e a ac e o e e a a n n ac s e se o

t rm comp a io si f t he t d t i h ki g ha ds—by
”
d th d
“
e n n, an e con escen on o s u en n s a n n a

you g m a f Zygm t s solid ch r ct r h ws how p r f d i t h differ c

n n o un
’
a a e s o o ou n s e en e

b tw
e ve the middle cla ss a d the workm a cl
e en e n n n a ss .
550 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

Y ou a skI sp en d m y m om en t s If I on ly ha d a s m uch of
m e how .

these m om en ts a s I n eed ! You ca n g ue ss th a t if I h a d m ore of them

I wo uld write to you m ore often An d n ow ex c u se m e for .

m a k in g a sm a ll rem on s tra n ce But don t be a n g ry Y ou write m e ’

. .

th a t y ou belon g to a n a m a te ur thea ter bu t tha t y ou d on t fin d in it ,

’

goo d co m p a n y [a m u se m en t bec a u se of som e f eelin g This rem in ds .

m e of rom a n t ic n ov el s from old tim es when m en did n o t k n o w y e t h ow ,

t o gove rn their f eel in g s ; bu t m en w h o a re in s u ch con dition s a s o ur s

o u gh t t o g ov e rn a n y f eeli n g p a rti cula rly for such a good thin g a s a n,

a m a t e ur thea te r All a ssoc ia tion s a m a te ur the a te r s a s we ll a re

.
, ,

useful for ou r en d ; it is ou r duty t o g ive th em a s m uch good will a n d

e n e rg y a s w e ca n Y ou see I receive a dv ice like this from m y n e w
.

com p a n i on wh o d oes n o t sp a r e i t t o m e .

I rem a in your lovin g com p a n ion ,

ZY GMU N T
H ow a bout y our rom a n ce w ith M iss S ta sia or Miss Ha n ka ?

73 0 Aug u st 1 5, 1 91 3
D E AR WALE K : I ca n n o t ta k e p a rt in the sol em n ity of ou r p a rish
f estiva l I wi sh a t lea st t o write a few wo rd s hom e on this da y of
.

Aug u s t I 5 How p a i n ful i t is to sp en d t he ti m e fa r a wa y fr om ou r

.

n a tive co u n try a n d s till m o r e p a i n ful o n a da y wh ich is solem n ly

,

ce l eb ra te d in ou r n a t iv e cou n t ry
I
.

An d p recisely wh il e writi n g th ese fe w wo rd s to my p a ren ts I

rece ive d your ca rd in wh ich y ou in fo rm m e a bout the wedd in g of
,

M i ss S ta sia But p roba bly t he w edd in g is a lrea dy ov er for it wa s to

.
,

be on Au gu s t 1 0 You g u ess p rob a bly th a t t hi s n e w s m a de up on m e

.

n ot a s m a ll im p ress i on But p recisely on th a t a ccou n t write m e wha t

.

sh e could h a v e written y ou I a m very curio u s . .

Y ou a sk m e t o wri te y ou som e th in g a bo ut Wa rsa w I ca n write .

y ou on ly th is tha t Wa rsa w is full of va riou s kin d s of re v elry a n d

,

drin kin g If a wom a n s body ca n be bough t well then y ou ca n ge t

.
’
, ,

e v e ryt hin g for r ou bles B ut besid es a ll th is Wa rsa w ha s a l so good

.

m en a n d good thin gs a s for exa m p le this co m p a n ion , , a bout ,

whom I wrote y ou a lrea dy

Your l ovin g comp a n ion ,

Zygm u n t
Th i p a gr p h di lo es Zygm t ttitu d t w rd r ligio a ta t ed i th ’
1
s ra a sc s un s a e o a e n s s n e
,

i tr d ctio A i li t like S J iii ki ( f th t rie ) w u ld c rt i ly p fi t

n o u n . soc a s . as
’

s c . a se s o e a n ro

fr m th i of th i p ri sh f tiv l t write a d cl m a t ry i ve tiv g i st

t p idit y f t h p p le—
o e occa s on s a -
es a o e a o n c e a a n
th th e p ri sts k p i g th em i d rk ess ”
“
e s u o e eo tc e ee n n a n e .
552 PRI M AR Y GRO UP
-
O R G AN IZATI O N

I sen d gree tin gs for a ll ou r a c qua in ta n ces from R ytwi a n y ou r ,

n a tiv e n e s t bu t s t il l da rk en o ugh
,
Th e fu n ct ion of sp rea di n g ou r .

e n l i h t en m en t in ou r n a tive n es t b e l on s t o u s a s t o i t s son s w h o
g g , ,

l ook up on t he wid e r w orld I sen d y ou a h ea rty ha n d sha ke. .

Your l ovin g com p a n ion ,

ZY GM UN T

Oc tobe r 2 7, 1 91 3

I receive d your l e tte r in wh ich y ou e xp ress

D E AR C O MP AN I O N :
[ rel a te] t o m e yo ur secre t I wa s ve ry grie ve d dea r com pa n ion a n d
.
, ,

I sym p a thize with y ou Forgive m e p l ea se if I re ca ll som e thin g .

, ,

from th e p a st D o y ou rem embe r a t on e of ou r m ee tin gs up on t he

.

da rn I sa id t o y ou som e thin g in th is sen se a bo ut your rom a n ce which ,

ha d on ly begu n th en while y ou a ssure d m e tha t n o thin g l ike this

wo uld ha p p en —tha t I shou ld n ot even think of it ? An d s till m y
,

g uesses w e re ju s t th o ugh I n e ve r g ue sse d tha t a n ythin g m igh t ha p p e n

,

l ike this which h a s ha pp en ed n ow I did n ot g uess it for I coun ted .

,

m o re up on he r Who could in dee d ha ve su sp ec ted a n y th in g like th is

.

from s u ch a se riou s youn g p e rson ? But d ea r comp a n ion I con f ess , ,

th a t I don t w on d er K n ow in g a lrea dy life m ore or le ss a n d hum a n

’
.

rela tion s it doe s n o t seem t o m e s tra n ge a t a ll But in a n y ca se

, .

n o tice h ow w ea k in sp iri t a re th e se wom en O n ly con sid e r i t well a n d .

y ou w ill s ee tha t a n y of th em is a s w ea k a s a n y o th e r O h ex c u se .
,

m e d ea r com p a n ion bu t I exp ress m y se lf l ik e som e con se rva tiv e

, ,

c ri tic of love of th ese y outh ful im p ul se s

, of th is bea uty of y o ut h ,
.

But on the con tra ry I a m a p a rtisa n of it H ow bea utiful how

, ,
.
,

simp le i t is ! S hould I be a p e r se c utor of l ove Oh n o I a m n o t th is ! , ,

An d do y ou k n ow dea r com p a n ion tha t when I rece ive d th a t le tt e r

, ,

from y ou I ha d s uch a wi sh to wri te her a le tte r tha t w o uld give her

ba c k t he p a s t a ssura n ce which n ow ha s fle d a wa y a l e tte r w hich ,

wou ld ren der her m ore firm m ore s tron g in l ov e a le tte r wh ich would , ,

in cite h er t o con fron t the grea te s t im p ed im en ts a n d d a n ge r s in o rd e r

t o r ea ch the p oin t whe re th e h ea rt be a t s w a rm e r But a fte r con .
I

side rin g it r ea son a bly I could n o t do it An d y ou con sid e r it a l so .

rea son a bly a n d a ct a s y ou thin k th e best .

Th wh l p r g p h r f
I
e o e t o t h m ri g
a a f St i
ra W m y b ur th t
e ers e ar a e o as a . e a e s e a

W l ty i
a en p p e l i g t Zygm
n a t f sym p thy did t r p r t t h i cid t
a n o un or a no e e sen e n en

fr kl y
an T h im i de d
. o y p r fe , c n f th m wo ld e m i S t i
e ,
an e ren e o ano er an u s e n as a

i fm s
n a ou .
 PI O ROWS
T KI S E RI E S 553

As to m y se lf , be sid es the u sua l work a ll t he even in gs of the week

,

a re oc c up ie d w i th s tudy so I ha ve oft en n o t e v en t im e en o u gh t o
,
’
s a ti sfy th e in d is en sa ble n ee d s Forgive m e therefo re if I d on t
p .
, ,

a n sw e r your l e tt e r s a t on c e D o y ou k n o w dea r com p a n i on how

.
, ,

a ttra c tiv e scien ce is how g r ea t h ow m u ch i t f orces u s t o th ink a bout

, ,

our se lves ? Grea t th in gs sim p ly mira cl es ca n be seen in scien ce

, , ,

th in gs which in the future wi ll be of o rd in a ry u se t o m en But .

e v id en tly i t m u s t be fir s t m ore or less k n ow n .

AS t o m y en v ironm en t a n d socie ty I h a ve a good in telligen t a n d

, , ,

in s tru c te d socie ty which I imi ta te a n d ben efit m u ch from for I

, ,

receive from those gen erous m en scien tific he lp But ba d en v iron .

m en t is n o t la cki n g ei ther ; I fin d m yse lf in it durin g wh ol e da y s .

[ Your] l [ovin g] c [om p a n ion ] ,

Z Y GMU N T

733 D ecem be r 7 , 1 91 3

D E AR C O MP ANI ON : [ Excu ses him se lf for n o t writin g ] You w ill

won de r p roba bly why I com p la in so con tin ua lly a bout la ck of tim e .

I m us t in form y ou a t lea s t p a rtly a bout a ll this Y ou kn ow a lrea dy .

tha t w e ha v e a [ m a te rn a l ] un c le w ho fin ishe d the u n ive r si ty w hi l e

h e wa s a sim p le l ock smi th He rea d m a n y book s k n ew in te lligen t
.
,

m en h e ben e fite d m uch u n d e rs tood th e n ece ssity of lea rn in g a n d

, , ,

d ecided t o go on in thi s direc tion R ea lly h e un dertook grea t la bo rs

.
,

bu t wi th th e h elp of ve ry gen e ro us a n d in s tru c ted m en h e a tta in e d his

a im . An d n ow a s a l icen se d en gin ee r h e a dv ises m e a n d wi sh es m e
, , ,

sin ce I w a n t t o l e a rn n ot t o wea r m y se lf ou t w o rkin g for m y b rea d

,

a n d a t th e sa m e t im e l ea rn in g of e ve n in gs a s I do n ow He w a s a bl e
,
.

t o fi n ish t h e u n ive rsi ty a ltho u gh he bega n t o l ea rn when he w a s

a lrea dy a bout 3 0 yea rs old a n d on ly w i th t h e h e lp of s tra n ge r s w h o
,

l en t him m on ey for livin g a n d in s tru c tion a n d to whom he n ow p a ys

ba c k in p a rt s th e d e bt con tra c ted
, ,
An d I a m s till so y oun g a n d I
.
,

don t n ee d t he help of s tra n ge rs sin ce I ha v e so rich a [p a tern a l] u n c le

’
,
.

S o w hy sh ould I w ea ry m y self so whil e I could go t o som e te chn i ca l

,

sch oo l a n d a ft e r fi n ishin g it be a n i n s tru c te d a n d in t e ll igen t p ro

le ta ria n I sho uld rea lly n o t e ven be a p role ta ria n a n y lon ge r bu t ,

be in g from p rol e ta ria n e xtra c tion I would n o t be a sha m e d e ve n then

,

of p role ta ria n s
. But y ou see m y un cle refu sed m e thi s I a m e ven
,
.

a sh a m e d t o confe ss t ha t I ha ve su ch a n u n cle Althou gh w e k n ow .

h ow m u ch he ha s h e wa s a ble t o sa y tha t h e h a d on ly en o ugh t o give

554 PR I MAR Y G R OU P-
OR G AN I ZATI O N

in s tru c t ion t o his son a n dlive in his old d a ys An d I did n o t wa n t

to .

a n y gift from him ; I wa n t e d on ly a s m u c h a s I n ee d for s tudy in g a n d

for liv in g durin g m y s tud ies Afte r fi n i sh in g t he s tudi es I would ha ve

.

p a id ba ck th e d eb t eith e r t o h im se lf or t o his son An d would i t n o t .

h a v e been ve ry p rofita bl e for m e a n d a n ob le a c t o f citizen sh ip fr om

him ? I a m v e ry p a i n e d n o t so m u ch be ca u se h e does n o t wa n t t o
,

h elp m e a s beca u se he does n o t u n d er st a n d it ; h e is s t ill so da rk a n d

ba ckwa rd Th e refore I m u s t w ea ry on n ow in this w a y Th e studi es
. .

ta ke m y ti m e u n til I 2 or I o c lock in th e n igh t a n d in the m orni n g I

’

m u st rise a t for a lth ou gh m y wo rk begin s a t 8 I h a ve so fa r t o ,

go tha t I m u s t r ise soon e r .

We ll en ough of these com p la in ts a n d th ese con tra rie ties of whi ch

,

ou r l if e i s com p ose d Th e Ch ri s tm a s hol id a y s a re n o t fa r a wa y ,

h olida y s which a wa k en in a ll of u s children fa r a wa y from th e ir ,

fa m ilies d ea r rem embra n ces of t he p a s t yea rs of th e m om en ts sp en t

, ,

in t he fa m ily c ircl e But th in gs a re n ow ta ki n g s uch a turn in t h e

.

w orld tha t n ot a ll children ca n sp en d th e ho li da ys in their n a tive

hom es . I a m v e ry p a in e d to th in k tha t y ou a n d S ta ch belon g t o th ese .

An d so on t h e a p p roa ch of t h e holida y s I w ish y ou t o sp en d t hem

m e rrily a n d a l so I wish y ou t ha t though t which com forts y ou wh e n
,

y ou rem em be r tha t y ou a re so fa r a wa y fro m yo ur h om e Ex c u se m e .

for e xp ressin g m y wi shes up on o rd in a ry p a p er bu t be sure tha t t h ey ,

a re wa rm e r a n d m o r e s in ce re th a n o th e r s written up on showy
,

m a t eri a l .

Yo ur lov in g comp a n i on ,

ZYGMU N T

73 4 M a rch 5 ,
1 91 4

D E AR C OMP AN I ON I a m n ow in Wa rsa w I a m w orkin g a s ,

befo re on ly in a n o ther shop

,
The con d i tion s a re som ewha t be tte r
.

a n d t he wo rk m u ch n ea re r

I thin k y ou kn ow a lrea dy tha t M iss G [Ha n ka ] is dea d I wa s . .

l ea vin g for Wa rsa w on t he ve ry da y of her fun e ra l It wa s ve ry .

p a in ful for m e n o t to be a t th e fun e ra l bu t n o t h in g ca n be d on e ;

"

duties a n d con d ition s oblige a m a n t o a c t I reg re t Miss An n a

.

ve ry ve ry m u ch for she wa s on e of t he goo d m o de l girls We ll bu t

, , , .
,

n o th in g ca n be d on e we m u s t p e r su a d e o ur se lve s of it in som e wa
,
y .

An d n ow I w ill m en tion to y ou som e thin g a bout K a l in a AS I wro t e .

y ou ,
we m e t on c e a ccid en t a lly a t Rytw ia n y We wa lked for a lon g
.
556 PRI M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR G AN IZATI ON

co rresp on den ce we re exha u s t ed a s if ou r corresp on d en ce we re declin in g

,
.

It ha pp en s th u s wi th m os t frien d s w ho a fte r sep a ra tin g for som e tim e ,

ge t a cc us tom e d t o it a n d fi n a lly f orge t a bout ea ch o th e r a bo ut th e ,

frien d sh ip wh i ch un ited th em f orm e rly But this h a pp en s o n ly .

be tween fri en d s wh o a re n o t con sciou s of them se lves wh o ga ve them ,

se lves t oo m u ch u p t o f a t e a n d f a te p re cise ly t ea r s t h e b on d s of th e i r

frien dsh ip But y ou dea r com p a n ion don t supp ose tha t th i s should
.
, ,
’

e ve r h a p p en be twe e n u s Y ou see I wa s silen t beca u se jus t n ow is

.
,

th e tim e of m y g rea t efl ort t o u n de rsta n d i e I a m refl ec ti n g a bo ut , . .

,

a ll th e p h e n om en a w h i ch a re f o u n d in t h e co ur se of t he da y a n d w hi ch

i n te res t m e very m u ch Up t o t he p resen t I a m a bl e t o exp la in ma n y

.

thing s to myself t o judge m a n y thi n gs a n d to a p p recia te th ose whi ch

,

a re g ood .

I a m on ly p a in e d th a t when ever I receive a le tte r from y ou it is

a lw a y s full of som e s a d n e ss a lwa y s full of a g rea t l on gin g
, It is .

th e re f ore n ot stra n g e if e ve ry s u ch le tte r in fl u en ces m e p a in fully So .

i t is m y duty to p rov id e a ga in s t it rea liz in g th a t I a m yo ur frien d bu t

,

on e wh om fo rtu n e se t u p on a d iffe ren t w a y .

We ll dea r Wa le k g ive a n a ccoun t t o y ourse lf of wh a t circu m

, , ,

s t a n ces obli ge d y ou to e m i g ra t e D id y ou go of y our own wish or w e re

.

y ou re a lly f o rce d t o it ? Th e n re flec t we ll wha t w a s th e diffe ren ce

be tw een your hom e a n d your n ew sys tem of life a n d if y o u suffe re d ,

be ca u se of it wa s i t n ot p ossi b l e t o rem edy it a n d in wh a t w a y You , .

see y ou ca n dra w a l esson fr om yo ur ow n life

,
M e a n while y ou g rie ve .

a n d co mp la in so en dl e ssly t h a t e ven a m a n b urd en e d wit h a w if e a n d

children w ould com p l a in l e ss I kn ow m y d ea r th a t y ou a re p a in ed

.
, ,

by t h e a c tua l r el a tion s be tween m en a n d by a ll th is a rra n gem en t But .

y ou ca n p e rsua de yo urself th a t it is a p owe rful s tra in du e t o t h e

de ve lop m en t of eve ry th i n g a n d witho ut th is d ev el op m en t n othin g
,

co uld be d on e . Ca p ita l ism d e v elop s i m m o ra lity a n d d ege n era tion

,

de velop a lso bu t a t the sa m e tim e sci en ce d evelop s on a g rea t sca le a

, ,

gre a t se lf con scio u sn ess d e ve lop s a mon g w ork m e n a n d in gen e ra l

-
,

e v e rythin g d e ve lop s Sh ould we s ta n d wi th broke n ha n d s a n d griev e

.

It w ould be a bsolute ly un su i ta ble It is ti m e t o sha ke ofl these old

.

p rejud ices . Why y ou a re y ou n g a n d true you th is n o t su bj ec t to

, ,

these p rep ossession s If y ou ca n rea d som e da y M ic kiewicz s ,

’

”
Ode t o Youth a n d re flec t w e ll a bo ut i t for i t se rves a s a
“
,

wa tchword for t he youn g p eop l e of l ow er a n d high e r school s in

Wa rsa w
ZY GM U N T
 PI OTROWS KI SERI ES 557

736 Ma y 4, 1 91 4
D E AR CO MP AN I O N : I inf orm y ou tha t I received two of your
l e tte rs which I a n swe r on ly n ow for they w ere a t a short in te rva l
,
.

I n t he fir s t y ou wri te m e a bout your trou ble your l on e lin ess , ,

a n d e ve ry l e tte r is full of som e sorr ow som e d o u b t in yo ur f o rce a n d ,

your in ten tion s I s it n o t tim e to lea ve this sorrow ? It is of n o

.

be n e fit t o u s a t a ll bu t on t he con tra ry w e l ose m u ch th rough it

, ,
I .

rep ea t d ea r comp a ni on w e lose m uch th rough it for even if ou r

, , ,

ten den cy w ere rea liz a bl e it wo uld n eve r com e t o a n eff ec t th ro ugh ou r
doub t s of it s rea liza tion I n the sa m e wa y y ou rem em ber p erha p s
.
, ,

wh en M oses led t he I sra eli tes a n d wa n tin g to do a m ira cle bef o re the
,

Isra el ites struck th ree ti m es a rock from w hi ch wa te r gushed ou t

, .

Why did he n ee d to s trike th ree tim es sin ce the wa te r co uld ha ve ,

g u sh e d ou t the firs t tim e ? I f y ou h a ve l ea rn ed it y ou re m e mbe r

p roba bly tha t M o ses d oub te d th e fir st a n d t h e secon d tim e t ha t the
wa te r co uld gu sh on his o rd e r Thi s comp a rison will a pp ea r s tra n ge
.

t o y ou fO , r M ose s w a s a n e n voy of God t o li be ra t e t he p eop l e fr om

sl a v e ry ( I s up p ose y ou w ill th i n k so ) I don t den y it bu t does sla ve ry ’

,
.

n o t e xi s t n ow S till wor se for th e re ex is ts a S p iritua l sla ve ry of whole

,

m a sses of p eop le a n d th u s a m a n con sciou s of this sla very ha s t o wa i t

,

fo r this m ission . Th e m a in ca u se of ou r sorrow is th a t we a lw a y s

thi n k a n d comp la in a bout ou r ow n dis tress But if w e sa w n o t on ly .

ou r d is tress bu t a l so th a t of ot h e r p eop le a n d if w e trie d t o h e l p the m ,

w e sho uld f orge t a bso lute ly ou r o wn I n tha t ca se w e should sa y

.

t ha t w e t hin k socia lly 0 cl e a r com p a n ion i t is ve ry bea utiful a n d

.
,

lofty t o th ink socia lly Th e p eop le who thin k socia lly a n d g ive them
.

se lves u p t o socia l p r obl em s f or ge tt in g a bo ut th ei r own

,
rea ch grea t ,

th in gs I should like very m u ch dea r com p a n ion t o m a ke y ou

.
, ,

un de rsta n d a s well a s p ossible so tha t y ou m igh t think difi eren tly a n d

,

n ot g ri e v e bu t o n e is n ot a lwa y s a b le to exp re ss wh a t h e wish e s

,
.

ZYGMU N T

737 Februa ry I 4 1 9 1 3 R YTWI AN Y , ,

D E AR WALE K : I tha n k y ou for n ot f orge ttin g m e .

I beg y ou d ea r W be so k in d a n d write m e a l e tter a n d d e scr ibe th e

,
.
,

n e w s th e re in Am e r ica a n d wh e th e r it seem s t o y ou be tte r

tha n in R ytwi a n y for I a m tired of sta yi n g in R ytwia n y

,
I .

w o rk in the sa m e shop bu t it is ve ry boresom e for y ou kn ow tha t old

, ,

begga r [ his sup erio r] h ow he is ; so the re is n o t a sin gle quie t da y

,
I .
558 PRI M AR Y G R OUP
-
OR G AN I ZATI O N

m u s t bea r this for som e tim e s till a n d n ex t m on th

a ll I wi ll ,

a sk for a n a dv a n ce I d on t kn ow how I sha ll su cceed bu t it seem s

’
.
,

t o m e t ha t t he y w ill giv e wha te v e r I a sk for in wi n t e r goo d w o rk ,

op en s u p a n d t he y ha v e n o m en
,
An d n ow y ou k n ow p e rh a p s t ha t .

Wla dek M got m a rri ed

. The we dd in g w a s fir s t ra te p eop l e of
.
,

high e r cl a ss a l on e few frien d s for t ha t H el a of his wa n ted it so

, ,
.

Th e m us i c wa s t h e k in d w e ha d a be tte r va rie ty of som e tim es y ea r s

a go . Three m usicia n s p la yed t w o violi n s a n d a dru m I d on t ,
.
’

write y ou a n y m ore a bo ut it for I don t kn ow ; th ey go t m a rrie d ,

’
,

they embra ce a n d it goes on we ll u p t o the p resen t ; w h a t t he future

,

w ill be w e d on t k n ow I d on t k n ow whe the r y ou receive d t he ca rds

’
.
’

w h i ch I sen t y ou tw o of them I n on e I wro te y ou th a t I i n ten d e d

,
.

t o m a rry dur in g ca rn iva l bu t i t w a s on ly b eca u se I h a d n o t h i n g t o

,

wri te up on su ch a sm a ll ca rd whe re there is n ot even sp a ce a n d I wro te ,

y o u th i s in ord e r tha t y ou m igh t h a v e som e thin g t o la ugh a t for I ,

kn ow h ow y ou ta lke d t o m e a bout m y in ten tion s But u p t o t h e .

p re sen t I s till r em a i n t he sa m e If I go a wa y I d on t k n ow wha t w ill ’

.

ha p p en with u s bo th for u p t o the p resen t we l ove e a ch o t he r m a dly

,

a n d wh en w e m ee t w e give a k is s But n ow we d on t m ee t often a n d ’

.
,

I don t go to her hom e ; we m ee t on ly up on t h e s tree t or when she

’
,

goes t o t he c h ur ch An d a ll this beca u se m a n y m is u n d e r s ta n din gs

.

h a p p en ed w i th h e r m o th e r a n d m y sis te r d oes n o t go the r e a n d sh e

,

sa y s tha t sh e p roba bly w on t e v e r go a ga in

’

N ow I in f o rm y ou a bout th e ill n ess of R og S he w a s v e ry sick .

beca u se she wa n te d t o p oison in he rse lf a sm a ll e n g i n e e r wh o is t o com e

in to th e w o rld Th e yo u n ge r of those tw o who w e re in R ytw ia n y in
.

yo ur tim es m a d e it He p romise d t o m a rry her a n d did wha teve r he

.

wi shed with her At la s t when he could n o t ge t rid of h er a fte r this

.
, ,

he ha d t o go t o Wa r sa w a n d ca l m e d him se lf [ ga v e n o n e w s or “

d ied a n d so s he wa s l e ft a w id ow .

An d n ow I in f orm y ou tha t w e both I a n d Zygm u n t w ill r ece iv e , ,

book s from m y bro the r w ho wa s in a school in B el g iu m ,

These .

book s a re t o be in s truc tiv e in ou r sp ecia l it ie s S o n o w I thin k m o re .

a bo ut s tudy in g a l i ttl e a n d l a t e r
p e rha p s I w ill go t o h im or if n o t
, , ,

then to y ou to Am e ri ca We ha ven t th e books y e t bu t w e exp ec t

.
’
,

them from da y t o da y a n d if I receive them I w ill begin a ga in to lo v e

,

book s a n d w ill th in k a bout th e m m ore tha n a bo ut m y girl B ut I .

won t l ea ve her a s lon g a s I a m in R ytwia n y

’
.

H E NR YK
560 PRI MAR Y G R O UP
-
OR GANIZ ATI ON

739 [ Ap ril , 1 9 1 3]

D E AR WALE K I received yo ur ca rd a n d le tte r

I in fo rm y ou n ow a bout my s uccess I wo rk a s before I receive d . .

a n a dva n ce on Ap r il I ; I ha ve n ow 2 0 roubles in s tea d of 1 6 .

I a sked fo r 2 5 bu t th e y ga ve me on ly 2 0 for th e p resen t

,
.

I m u s t still p u sh m y m isery befo re m e for som e tim e in R ytwia n y .

As to y ou d ea r Wa le k y ou te ll m e tha t y ou ha ve a lrea dy hea rd

, ,

the re tha t p eop le he re sp ea k ba dly a bout y o u I a m a ston ishe d h ow .

,

y ou k n ow imm e dia tely in Am e rica wha t is goin g on in ou r cou n t ry .

I w on t write y ou m uch for y ou w ould thin k tha t I la ugh a t y ou bu t

’
, ,

i t is tru e tha t I m yself h ea rd p e op l e sa yin g tha t y ou a re n owhe re

sa ti sfi e d wh en y ou w e re in R ytw ia n y y ou on ly l ook e d for e a sy b re a d
, ,

a n d ju s t so th e y th i n k th a t if y ou a re in b a d con d i t ion s th e r e it is

beca u se y ou don t wi sh t o w o rk
’
They sa y tha t y ou do n o thin g
.

the re tha t y ou loa f a bout a n d thin k tha t i t will drop from h ea ven
,
.

But ex cuse m e if I d a re to wri te so a bout y ou I won t sa y a n y m ore .

’
,

for y ou wo uld be ve ry a n g ry But don t m in d a t a ll wha t they sa v ’

.

a b out y ou for n ow y ou ca n w h is tl e a t t h e m a n d t he y ca n do n o th in g
,

a ga in s t y ou th e re .

As t o m e I wa s a little a n gry wi th m y be tro the d a s y ou ,

c a ll h er For a m on th we did n o t sp ea k bu t durin g t he h ol ida y s we

.
,

ma d e a p ologies a n d n ow e ve ry thin g goes on we ll a s bef ore But w e ,

.

see ea c h o th e r ve ry se ld om on ly on holida y s fo r a s y ou k n o w a lrea dy

, , , ,

Zygm u n t b ro ugh t book s from Wa r sa w a n d n ow I don t loa f

’

a bo ut a n y m o re of e ve n in g s b u t rea d I don t go t o her hou se bu t

,
.
,

when we m ee t on the s tree t w e ta lk a l ittle a n d n o thin g m o re He r ,

.

old e r sis te r is m a rry in g th a t Germ a n en gin ee r who w a s h e re

when y ou w e re s till a t hom e a n d if I d on t l ea v e R ytw ia n y
,
’

my wedd in g w ill be n ext sp r in g a n d on ly t he n I sha ll l ive w ith a w ife

, .

But if I lea ve th en eve rythin g w ill be los t like a s ton e in wa te r for

, , ,

I hop e t o go t o m y brothe r a broa d .

Your lovin g ,

H E NR Y K

Ap ril 1 6, 1 91 4
D E AR CO MP AN I ON WALE K : Y ou sa y tha t it is p a in ful fo r
y ou tha t I d on t write bu t I wro t e 2 le tte rs ce rt a in ly l e tt e r s
’
, , so

don t rea ch y ou I n m y firs t le tter the re

’
. wa s m u ch n ew s a m on g ,

o t h e r t h in gs t ha t M iss G wa s d ea d a n d in
.
,
t he se con d va r io u s l oca l
 PI OTROWS KI S ERI ES 56 1

ne w s I don t f orge t eithe r wha t w e ta lke d befo re sep a ra tin g

’
.

D o n t think th a t I a m f orge tt in g y ou I con sid e re d y ou m y first

’
.

com p a ni on wh en y ou w e re in R ytwi a n y for a s t o t hese c om p a ni on s ,

whom I ha ve n ow I don t ca re m uch for th em excep t M iciek I

,
’
,
.

k eep ve ry li ttle com p a n y wi th them I s ta y m os tly a t hom e a n d if .

,

n ot in m y own h om e then with m y gi rl B ut thin gs go on ve ry

,
.

ba dly wi th u s ; e ve ry short t im e som e a n ge r com es Just ton igh t .

,

when I a m wri tin g th i s le tte r to y ou there is a ga in som e m isu n der ,

s ta n di n g wi th he r But I don t k n ow how it will be further S om e

’
. .

tim es when it is a ll righ t wi th u s sh e a rou ses in m e so m uch lo ve tha t

,

I sh ould be gla d to give m y life for her I don t un dersta n d whe the r .
’

s h e on ly e xc i tes m e th u s or it is a f a c t [ th a t sh e loves m e] B ut a s it .
,

s eem s t o m e sh e h a s fa lle n very m u ch in love wi th m e for if I go

, ,

a n yw h e re or ta lk wi th a n y o th e r girl I don t k n o w w ha t becom es of h e r

’
,

a n d th en S h e ge t s a n gry I w on t w rite a n y m o re a bout her for I ’

.
,

d on t kn ow how it will turn ou t [ In differen t n ew s ]

’
.

An d now I beg y ou te ll m e a bout Am e rica in gen e ra l e ve rythin g

, ,
.

How do t he wo rkm en s ta n d th e re h ow do ou r P oles beha ve in Am e rica , ,

wha t girls a re th e re w he th e r they a re worth som e thin g or n o thin g

,
.

I ha ve hea rd he re tha t y ou ha ve the re ve ry good [p lea sa n t]

socie ty An d inform m e whe the r it is ca hn th e re or they a re '
.

thin kin g a bo ut som e trouble for there is a lwa ys som e thi n g n ew

,
.

HE NR YK

Oc tobe r 26 [ 1 9 1 3]
I begin m y l e tt e r with th ese godl y words P [ ra ised] b[e] J Ch . .

I sit t o t he ta b le ,

I un f old the p a p e r ,

An d I wri te a l e tter .

I d on t w ri te it wi th p en a n d ink a lon e
’
,

But wi th a sw e e t hea rt a dea r d ia m on d ,

.

M y p en wro te
M y h ea rt w ep t
For i t ha s n o t seen y ou sin ce lon g a go .

[ Gen era lit ies a bo ut h ea lth a n d su ccess] We wish y ou a lso hea lth
a n d goo d su cce ss fr om Go d s M oth e r of S ulisl a w ice whom y ou did n o t
’
,

s ec h
how she w a s c ro wn e d M a y t hi s God s M o the r he lp y ou in tha t
.
’

Am erica We rece ived your le tte r on Octobe r 2 4 fo r which we tha n k

.
,

y ou he a rtily When I rea d this le tte r I wep t so tha t I ha rdly

.
56 2 P RI M AR Y G R O UP
-
O R G AN I ZATI ON

co uld rea d it a n d fa th e r a n d m oth er a l so fo r [ w e we re tou ch ed th a t]

, ,

y ou don t f orge t u s [ N e w s a bout f a m ily a n d frien d s]

’
.

I describe t o y ou wha t a ch urch f estiva l we sa w such a s p e rha p s ,

n ob ody wi ll l iv e t o see a n y m o re O u r L o rd God a llow e d y ou t o liv e .

a t t his t im e bu t n o th in g ca n be d on e sin c e y ou did n o t see i t

,
But ,
.

I w a s the re a n d I will d escribe e ve ry th in g t o y ou a s t o m y d e a r ,

b r o th e r The re we re 2 50 p ries ts t wo bishop s a n d so m a n y p eop le

.
, ,

tha t it w a s i m p oss ibl e t o see ove r them They con duc te d the Holi es t .

M o th e r a n d f our orch estra s p la y ed beh i n d t he p rocession wh en th ey

,

b rough t her t o a p a vil ion bey on d S ul isla wice An d th e p a v il ion wa s .

so b ea utifully a d or n e d th a t th e h ea rt bur s t op en w i th re g re t [ e m o t ion ] .

Th e p ries t s sa n g a lon e a n d the bishop c rown e d G o d s M o th e r a n d

’
,

t h e whole p eop l e la y c rosswise [ a rm s e xten de d] up on t h e e a rth .

P ries t s ca rrie d th i s im a ge a n d l ord s a n d p ea sa n ts e ve rybody a l i ttle, ,

.

I a m un a ble to descri be to y ou d ea r brothe r this m ira c ul ous fe s t iv a l , ,

.
I

O u r vica r w a s with the com p a n y [ of p ilg rim s from th e vil l a ge] We .

l ea d him in a crow n We ha ve n ow such a n ice [ha n d som e] v ica r

,
. .

P rie s t Kow wen t a wa y H e sa id a m a ss for th e wh ol e p a rish a n d

. .

a sk e d u s t o g re e t a ll y o u wh o a re in Am e r ica He wep t durin g t he .

m a ss a n d the p eop le in t he ch urch wep t so a n d we re so c ro wde d

,

a rou n d him th a t h e co uld h a rdly le a v e u s

2
.

R em embe r d ea r bro th e r d on t m a rry in Ame rica for I should lik e

’
, , ,

t o be a t yo ur we dd in g for I rej oice a bout y ou a s a bo ut m y ow n b ro the r

, ,

a n d s till m ore I should be gla d if y ou we re a t m y w edd in g bu t I

.
,

d on t k n ow for m in e w
’
ill be p roba bly durin g th e ca rn iv a l An d t o
yo ur brothe r girl s com e th em se lves—su ch luck h e ha s a m on g girl s
.
,

We w e re a t h is n a m e da y in his h ouse bu t we sa id t o o urselves : It

-
,

is n o t the sa m e a s wi th Wa lu S There w ere gue s t s en ough bu t he ”

.
,

is n ot th e sa m e a s y ou a re

[A . P]

Th i
rt f t h l tt r i
s pa f th b t o p ion f eligi u s feeli gs wh ich
e e e s on e o e es ex ress s o r o n

we h v a rti l rly t h i fl
e . Pa f th r m i l d t h t o f th c r w d
cu a e n u en ce o e ce e on a an a e o ,

l di g a lm t t
ea n t si i m st i v ly m i f ted I t h w t h te t t
os o e cs a s, s o na e an es . s o s e ex n o

wh i h th i fl
c f r ligi
e i p n t lif depe d p a e theti c a d s cia l
uen ce o e on n ea sa n e n s u on s n o

fa ctors .

The p e o lity f t h p i t p l y rs n a im p rt t mi l i r ligi ou s lif W

o e r es a s an o an e n e e . e

h v s
a e i th r ri t h i fl c f th p n l f t r p t h ttit d of t h
een n o e se es e n u en e o e erso a ac o u on e a u e e

p t t w rd h rch d r ligi ; th is i fl ce i till m r m a if t i t he

ea s a n o a c u an e on n u en s s o e n es n

letter to the w p p e f it g ws with th mode r lig i

s ne s a v l ti
rs , or ro e rn e ou s e o u on .
 564 PRI M AR Y -
GR O UP OR GAN I ZATI O N

[I h a ve ] no bea uty , no m on ey , i t is d iffi cult to get m a rrie d , bu t m a y

t hy w ill d on e
, 0 Lord , be
D e sc ribe to u s e ve ryth i n g in d e ta il a fte r r ece ivin g this l e tte r ,

wh a t is th e n ews did y ou m a rry a n d wh o go t m a rrie d the re [ Gree t

, ,
.

in gs a n d wishes ]
J UL A

7 44 July 1 2 1 9 1 3 ,

D E AR WALEN TY : [ B e gin n in g a s in t he p rece d in g l e tte r ; h ea l th ,

wishe s] P ra ise be t o Go d for yo ur good success As t o the l on gin g .

[ hom esic kn ess] a bo ut which y ou com p la in this lon gin g wi ll l ea ve y ou ,

soon fo r p e op l e sa y th a t wh e re ve r is b rea d a n d w e ll b ein g t he r e th e

,
-

m a n ha s del igh t [ Wea th e r ; c rop s ] I a m a lwa y s e qua lly bo re d in

.

th i s R ytwia n y I should like a lso t o go t o Am e rica bu t they [ t he

.
,

p a ren ts] won t p e rm i t m e Y ou p romise d u s t o de sc ribe

’
.

e x a c tly t h e con dit ion s in Am e r ica bu t y ou d on t seem t o be in a h urry

’
.
,

Y ou did n ot d eign t o wri t e u s ei th e r in wha t so rt of f a c tory y ou w o rk

“

a n d w h a t yo ur wo rk is a t p resen t E xc u se m e dea r swa t fo r re quirin g

.
, ,

t oo m u ch bu t a ll this i s be ca u se if on e is n ot som e whe re on e wo uld

,

l ike t o do e ve rythin g I a m ve ry c uriou s why M a rylka does n o t

.

write t o m e for I ha ve h a d n o le tte r from her sin ce l on g a go S urely

,
.

sh e h a s a big socie ty Y ou m u s t a l so ha ve a la rge socie ty a n d it is

.
,

very p ra iseworthy .

[ Gree tin gs from the w hole fa m ily ] Gree t M a rylka a l so from u s

a ll em b ra ce h e r a n d kiss he r in m y n a m e a s m a n y t imes a s sh e w ill
,

le t y ou .

7 45 tem be r 1 2 1 9 1 3 S ep ,

D E AR FR I E N D : [ B egin n in g a s bef ore ] We in f orm y ou d ea r ,

fri en d th a t the re is a p a p a l jubil ee a pp oin ted fo r a whole m on th

, ,

from Aug us t I 5 till Sep tembe r 1 5 a n d in t he d iocese of Sa n dom ie rz ,

full a bsolution is gra n ted for bein g 6 tim es in a ch urch a n d con f essin g .

An d th en on t he sole m n da y of b irth of God s M o th e r [ S ep te m be r 8 ]

,
’

a c r ow n in g of th e im a ge of G o d s M o th e r in S ul isl a w ice ha s bee n

’

p e rf o rm e d The we a the r wa s sp l en did a n d t he m ee tin g n u m e rou s

.
, .

The re we re 3 bishop s r 50 p ries ts who took p a rt in t he c rown in g a n d

, ,

1 8 0 com a n ies [ of il ri m s ] ca m e from a ll th e sid e s of t h e wo rld The

p p g .

c r ow n in g of t he im a ge wa s p e rf o rm e d in th e fi e ld a p a v il ion w a s ,

built I % ve r s ts from t he clois te r Th e im a ge w a s t a k en a wa y from .

t he a lta r a n d wi t h grea t solem n i ty a n d ce remon y they r ocee d e d t o

, p
 PI O TROWS KI S ERI E S 565

the p a vili on —the who le tra in of clergy p rin ces n obility a n d a ll , , ,

.

Th e bishop of S a n dom ie rz cel ebra ted th e full se rv ice a n d d e l ive red

t h e s e rm on in th a t p a vilion a n d a fte r t he ce r em on y of c ro w n in
, g th e
i m a ge wa s ta ken ba ck t o th e c lois te r We sen d y ou a sm a ll im a ge .

[p ho t ogra p h] in t h e n ew c rown ; y ou w ill lea rn be tte r de ta ils a bou t

th is c rown i n g from t h e a e rs
p p An d then cl ea r Wa len t y ou r frien d
.
, , ,

w e inf orm y ou tha t R ytw ia n y w ill be sca tte red for the y a re m a kin g ,
“ ”
co l on ies a lrea dy a n d th ey a re v e ry m u ch a a in s t u s t h e kom or
g ,

n i ks ; they wa n t a b solutely t o drive u s a wa y from th ese sa n d s a n d

from R ytwia n y in gen e ra l so w e don t k n ow wha t will ha p p en wi th u s
,
’
.

Y o u sa y tha t I ha ve a boy a n d d on t write y ou a n ythin g a bout it ’

.

We ll I kn ow n o thin g a n d I a m ve ry curiou s when ce y ou go t t he

, ,

n ew s . As t o M a rylk a I a n swe r e v e ry le tte r bu t she is n ow occup ied

, ,

wi th h er boy a n d d oe s n o t d eign t o wri te m e P l ea se con g ra tula te .

h e r p riva t ely from m e a bout h e r [ future ] m a rria ge

Ju n e 1 8, I 91 3

P ra ise d be usua l begi n n in g ; hea lth ; w ishes ]

[etc .
,

D E AR S ON : We inform y ou tha t we received 2 le tte rs for ,

which w e tha n k y ou hea rtily for w e lea rn ed m a n y c urio u s thin gs

,

from th ese le tter s D ea r so n y ou write u s tha t you ha ve n o m on ey

.
, .

How could you h a ve m on e y S in ce on t he l e tte r s a lon e wh ich y ou write

,

a bo ut t h e wo rld y ou sp en d p e rh a p s 3 o r 4 d o lla r s a w ee k Wr i t e t o u s .

a s o ft en a s p ossible bu t d on t sen d l e tte rs e ve ryw he r e a bout the world

’
, .

O n ly thin k how m uc h m on e y ha s gon e a lrea dy on th ese l e tters .

D ea r son y ou g riev ed u s in writin g tha t you ha d n o m on ey h i s

,
.

ba d d ea r son As it seem s therefore y ou won t sen d yo ur d ebt

’
.
, , ,

ba ck in t im e for t h e en d of th e yea r [ sin ce y ou borrowed i t ] is n o t fa r

, ,

a n d y ou w ri t e th a t y ou ha ve n o m on ey We a re gla d tha t y ou a re in .

goo d hea lth a n d tha t y ou ea rn m ore n ow bu t th is grieves u s tha t y ou , ,

h a v e n o m on ey For if y ou p u t a fe w d olla rs a sid e a n d in s tea d of

.

k eep i n g them sen d th em he re y ou wo uld ha ve m ore Ha vin g 50 if

, ,
.
,

y o u sen d them h e re y ou w o uld ha v e 1 0 0 [ rou bl es]

,
D ea r son y ou .
,

wri te tha t your boss likes y ou S urely y ou m ust trea t him with .

drink ve ry m uch a n d the refore he likes y ou Wh a teve r y ou ea rn

,
.
,

y ou p our ou t [ l iqu o r] for this m on e y i n to h im a n d the ref or e h e l ik es ,

y ou a n d therefo r e y ou h a v e n o m on ey
, Y ou te ll m e n o t t o se n d y ou
.

e i t h e r a p ill ow or t ea I should h a ve a grea t p lea sure in sen d in g

.

th em t o y ou I should l ike to g ra tify y ou bu t wha t ca n I do when there

, ,
5 66 PRI M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR GAN IZ ATI ON

is dy th ro ugh whom [ I ca n sen d ] M a rik a a n d S tefa n S in ten d

n obo . .

t o go bu t they p rep a re th em selves for t h e j o urn ey li k e Jew s for a w a r

,

[p rov erb z S lowly a n d u n w illin gly ] An d e v en if I sen t it th ro u gh he r

.

sh e w o uld do t h e sa m e a s S z ym did for S h e i s a t e rr ibl e id io t t o t a ll y

.
, ,

s tup id .

D ea r bro ther y ou wr i te m e t o l ea v e m y w o rk he r e
,
B ut if I .

lea ve th is work who will wo rk ? Fa th e r is old a n d he works ha rd ,

.

E ve rybody te ll s him : Y ou o ugh t n ot t o wo rk so ha rd y ou h a v e

“
,

t wo son s on e h e re t h e o th e r in Am e ri ca
, ,
You ough t t o sit a t .

D ea r d on t be op enh ea rted [gen e ro u s] for op en h ea rted p eop le

’
son , ,

ha v e em p ty p oc ke ts Y ou wri t e u s d ea r son a bout your drea m bu t

.
, , ,

I d on t kn ow w h a t I drea m a n d I don t d esc ribe it t o y ou for it is

’ ’
,

n o t t o b e d e sc ribe d On c e a lr ea dy I op en e d t he d oor [in a dr ea m ] for

.
,

y ou c a lle d th rough t he win do w bu t y ou did n o t wa n t t o com e in

,
.

Th en I cried till the m o rn in g

[ Your m othe r]
.

W . P .

7 47 N ov em be r 9 , 1 91 3
D E AR S ON : write tha t th e food d oes n ot ta st e go od
Y ou
t o y ou But from this con sum p tion m a y seiz e y ou in a sh ort tim e
.
,

so p u t som e m on ey a sid e a n d com e ba ck t o ou r co u n try .

Y ou wri te u s th a t y ou a re in goo d con d i tion s Wha t is th e goo dn ess .

if y ou ca n n ot ea t ? We in form y ou d e a r son th a t from Am e r ica th e re

, ,

ca m e ba ck [ en u m e r a t ion ] a n d th a t on N ov embe r 3 a t n oon 2 h o u ses

,

were b urn ed Chm iel s a n d Ja st rzab s On M on d a y they we re burn ed

,
’ ’
.

down a n d on T uesda y Chm ie l go t his son m a rried

,
Th ey .

ba k e d ca kes a n d sm ok ed sa u sa ge durin g th e who le n igh t a n d p roba blv ,

from th i s the fire a rose .

B ut if y ou k n ew d ea r brot her h ow m uch groa n in g a n d w eep in g

, ,

th ere w a s ! You ha ve n o id ea The ha ir stood up on on e s h ea d .

’
.

Th e p eop l e of whol e Pia sk i k n e lt a n d begged for a cha n ge th a t ou r ,

L ord God m igh t stop t he ca la m i ty But n o thin g help ed wha t wa s .

,

t o burn wa s bu rn ed a n d we sa ved t he o th e r ho u se s for I a m n ow in

, ,

t he fire gu a rd -
Three da ys la te r a m a n d ied who ha d been
frigh ten ed by the cries of the wa ilin g p eop l e .

Wojt u s wro te tha t 83 0 ha s bee n s to l en from him in Am e rica so ,

be on your gua rd l es t som ebody cir cum ve n t y ou If yo u ha ve m on ey .

,

hid e it ; le t n obody kn ow a bo ut it n ot even yo ur c om p a n io n , .

W . P .
568 PR I M AR Y GR OUP
-
OR GAN IZATI O N

co uld n o t fin d e ven the s ta m p On ly a few week s a go w e receive d 7 .

ca rd s from y ou from B a lt im ore

Y o u wri te th a t in Oc tobe r y o u will go t o schoo l All ri gh t l ea r n .

, ,

fo r l ea rn i n g is a lwa y s u seful But your p roj ec t t o j o i n t he a rm y do es

.

n ot seem goo d t o m e Firs t t h e tim e sp en t in th e a rm y is lo st

.
,
.

Then in th e U n ited S ta tes m ilita ry se rvice does n o t p a y they con sid e r

, ,

th e a rm y t o be a th ron g of slu gga rd s a n d sp on ge r s Fi n a lly i n a few .

,

yea rs a wa r be tween th e U n ite d S ta tes a n d Ja p a n will surely b rea k

ou t a s a r esult of comm e r cia l r iv a lry so y ou m a y la y d o w n yo ur h e a d
, ,

[p e ri sh] for a fo reign bu sin ess [ D ea th of t he wri te r s frien d a n d

’
.

n ei hbo r ]
g
I n ou r n eighborhood thin gs a re m o re qui e t a lth ough in the Ki n g ,

dom a n d in Wa rsa w a tt a ck s s till h a p p en E ve ry t ow n is full of .

con s ta bl es I n M i chow the re a re 1 2 in K a mion ka 1 2 in F i rl ej 8

.
, ,
.

The suit a bo ut Ka lu zy rrski is n ot y e t se ttle d I hea r tha t [ the a cc u sed ]

’ ’

e xcu se th em se lves by sa y in g th a t i t w a s y ou wh o m a de m os t of t h e

trouble in Firlej You a re sea rched for by [a dve rtisemen ts in ]

.
I

p a p er s N ea r Lu bl in the re a re s t ill a tta ck s of ba n d i t s

. A wee k a go .
,

duri n g a fa ir a dozen fa rm e rs we re robbed a n d on e k illed

,
.

S ta n i sl a w h a s sold a p a rt of your c lo thes for a bo ut 4 0 ro ubles a n d ,

len t the m on e y a t i n teres t He s till ha s t he res t Peop le sa y tha t he

. .

a sk s t oo m u ch a n d d on t bu y I n your hom e e ve ryth in g is we ll

’
.
, .

[ D e scribes his sickn ess ] N ow a fte r 4 m on th s it is be tte r bu t I , , ,

ca n n o t s ta n d ; t w o m en ra ise m e a n d sea t u p on a r oll in g c h a i r -

.

M y fin ge r s a re qui te cra m p e d bu t I ca n s t ill hold a p e n or a

sp oon . But p roba bly a ll th i s will en d soon .

G T . .

7 49 Au gu s t 1
3, 1 90 8
M R JAN : .I rece ived yo ur le tte r yes te rda y a n d I a n swe r y ou a t
on ce . As to K a zio I w ould n ot a dvise y ou to write a bou t
“
,
”

him for t w o r ea son s F irst I ha ve n o p ossib ility of a sce rta in in g

.
,

whe th er it wa s h e o r som ebody e lse a m on g this comp a n y who ta lke d

a bo ut y ou a n d wha t wa s sa id a bo ut y ou in ge n e ra l
, Wha t I h ea rd .

com es fr om d iffe ren t p e rson s w h o m a y fo r som e re a son s t e ll u n trut h

,

bu t th e re is a g rea t p roba bil ity tha t [ t he p rison e rs] wish in g t o d e f en d ,

them selves a n d coun tin g up on it tha t the gove rn m en t ca n do n o t hin g

a ga in s t y ou a n d tha t y ou won t com e ba ck t o t h i s cou n try
p u t t he i r
’
,

It w l i p litic l tri ls to p u t th e bl m n y o f the umb wh

a s u su a n o a a a e o an ne o n er o

succeeded i e ca p i n g th e a thorities
n s u .
 LI PNI ACKI S ER I ES 569

ow n gu ilt up on y ou An d then , i t see m s to m e th a t Ka zio

in p a rticul a r h a s som e fa vo rs from th e a uthorities for his a ff a ir stuck ,

in som e stra n ge w a y a n d n o thin g is t o be h ea rd a bo ut it a n d th e re a re ,

a l so o th er th in gs wh ich sh ow th a t h e be l on gs t o t h e s [p i e s] P eop le .

s a y so ;
p e rh a p s it is n o t true .

I n t he begin n in g of July th e re a p p e a re d in F irl ej 5 you n g m en tw o

of wh om k ill e d a p ol ice ofli ce r a n d a con s ta b le t h e th ird kill e d ,

the la wy e r M a n d t he la s t tw o fire d a t o t he r con s ta bles in t h e tow n

.
, ,

bu t wi th out result S om e d oz en s of m en ha ve been a rres te d

.

in M ich6w a n d th e n eighborhood a n d a ll of the m ha ve been ta ken ,

t o Wa rsa w in i ron s P roba bly the y won t re turn a n y more a t lea s t

’
.
,

n o t soon .

If p eop le sa y he re diff eren t a bs urd th i n gs a bout y ou i t ca n be

exp l a in e d by t w o ca u ses First yo ur go i n g to Am e rica m a ke s them
.
,

th in k th a t y ou ra n a wa y from som e p u n ish m en t a n d a ga in y ou ha v e , ,

qu a rrelle d wi th m a n y p eop le so they sp ea k a bsurdities from a n ger ,

.

The re is on e m a n a n d of the i n te llige n t c la ss who sa ys tha t a ll these

-

, ,

who ha ve se rve d wi th m e [on m y es ta te] beca m e ba n dit s When ce .

I

su ch a n op in i on He h a s been n o m o re th a n a yea r in th is co u n try .

I n yo ur h om e the re is n o n e w s Your fa the r wa s here a n d a ske d .

a bout y ou I told him y ou ha d wri tte n tha t e ve rythin g w a s

.

w ell with y ou Yo ur frien d th e locksm ith Zdun ek is d ea d of

.
, ,

con su m p t ion Y ou ough t a l so t o be ca re ful for r em embe r th a t in

.
,

your fa m ily tw o p e rson s died of con s um p tion

3
I gree t y ou hea rtily ,

G T . .

Oc tobe r 1 7, 1 90 8

M R JAN . I ha ve sen t y ou 60 roubles The re w a s n o t so .

m u ch m on ey go t for your clo t h es bu t I sen t m o re sup p osin g tha t , ,

sl owly m o re w ill be ga t h e re d Afte r this ca rd which y ou wro t e

a bout t h e sl a u gh t e r in F i rle j a n ew p ol ice offi ce r ca m e t o u s a n d a s ke d

S ta n isla w w ho wro te i t S ta n isla w a n swe re d t ha t he did n o t ge t a n y

.

s u ch l e tte r a n d did n ot k n ow wh o wro te i t But the p olicem a n sa id .

tha t they kn ew tha t y ou ha d written it Wha t wron g ha d these m en .

w h o w e re kille d d on e t o y ou ? Wh y did y ou rej o i ce in the ir d e a th

S o be m o re c a reful in t h e future Y ou wro te it wi thout thin k in g a n d
.
,

D i g
ur n d ft r t h r v l ti
an a f 9 5—
e 6 m y p l i robb s s u m d t h
e e o u on o 1 0 an a n er a s e e

mi l e of v l ti i t d m y rev lu t io ists ( sp ia ll y ft r t he
re o u on s s a n an o ti f n e ec a e e xe cu on o

their lea d rs) dr p p d i t b ditism Th i it ti wil l be t t d i V l I V

e o e n o an . s s ua on rea e n o . .
57 0 PRI M AR Y G R OUP
-
O R G AN IZATI ON

h e re they y th e p e rson s t o whom y ou wrote The in fo rm a tion of

a nn o .

t h e p a p e r s a bout t he m urde re r s in F i rl e j w a s f a l se I n t w o hou se s .

n ea r Lu bl in som e ba n d i t s w e re k ill e d so m e a rre s t e d a n d a m on g t h e , ,

l a tte r two con fesse d t ha t they ha d kille d t h e con s ta bles in Firlej; t he

,

revolver of a d ea d con s ta ble wa s foun d wi th them La tely .

th e re wa s a n a tta c k up on th e m a n or in K ra sin in They s tol e som e .

m on ey a n d j e we lry a n d wo u n d e d th e p rop r ie to r w ith h is own gu n .

Th e a tta ck s up on gove rn m en ta l l iqu or sh op s a n d up on in ha bi ta n t s -

in the ir h ou ses a n d h ighwa y robberies do n ot cea se

,
-

Why do y ou sp en d m on ey in subsc ribin g to a p a p e r for S ta n isla w

P rob a bly y ou ha ve n ot m u ch m on ey t o sp en d y our se lf a n d S ta ni sl a w ,

ca n n o t d em a n d s u ch gift s fr om y ou [ Wea the r ; crop s a n d h a rve s t ; .

cho l e r a in R u ssia ; f a rm in g n e w s ]

Ja s G6rn ik [a m a n or se rva n t] beca m e s tu bborn a n d w en t a wa y -

for t h e secon d tim e La te r on he wa n te d to com e ba ck bu t I tha n ked

.
,

him [ refuse d] N ow h e is m a rry in g a wid o w of 3 6 a n d will ha v e a t

.

on c e a boy 6 yea r s old ( th e r e w e re m ore b u t th ey a re d ea d ) B ut the ,

.

w idow ha s 60 0 roubles p eop le sa y W ell m a y h e on ly n o t be ,

.
,

d eceive d a n d ge t th e m on ey of which h e is so gre edy The wom a n I

,
.
,

he a r is a l oa fe r a n d in sp i te of her 3 6 y ea r s ru n s to m u sics [ d a n cin g

,

p a rt ies] a n d a fte r boy s B ut h e seem s n o t t o m in d it if on ly Sh e h a s

.

m on ey M a y h e n o t be dece ived like K oz ik wh o wa s to get 50 0

.
l
,

roubles w ith his wife go t n o th in g a n d n ow bea t s his w ife fo r i t

, , .

[ En u m era tes h is hou se se rva n t s ; n e ws a bo ut n e ighbors ] -

The n ew p ri e s t in R ud n o Tel is ve ry k in d a n d p eop le l ike him ,

.
, , .

They d ecide d t o give m on ey for rep a iri n g the two houses a n d build in g
a n e w on e for him .
I gree t y ou ,

G T . .

7 51 Ja n ua ry I I r 9 0 9 ,

M R JAN : B ein g in be d for th ree m on th s I ha ve ha d n o p ossibil ity

.
,

of a n swe rin g y ou N ow si tt in g a ga in in t h e rolli n g ch a ir I ta ke m y

.
,
-
,

p en t o tha n k y ou for your l a s t lon g l e tte r in w hich y ou d esc ribe t he

fa rm in g in Am e rica We ll the cus tom s cha n ge from la n d t o la n d bu t
.
, ,

e vid e n tly t he p eop l e w ork be tte r th a n in o u r cou n try [ D escribes .

n ew m urde rs a n d robbe rie s ]

A a f m s rv t p rti l l y
I
s ar -
t m t r lik thi
e an h
,
alittl ha t cu a r a ea s e e s on e , as e c n ce o

p t
u ou gh m
en y id t b y l d d l n d h g is p r v l n t fe t r f
on e as e o u an ,
an as a -
un er a e a e a u e o

t h tr
e p e a t s ch
ue m ia ge d s t pr ve th t t he m a n i va ri i
as n ,
u a a rr f oe no o a s a c ou s , or
th id
e of la d p r p rty i
ea ot
n p r ly
-
o om ic f
o e tor s n a u e ec n ac .
57 2 PRI M AR Y -
G R O UP OR GAN I ZATI O N

7 53 Ma y 2, 1 90 9

M R JAN . S ta ni sla w
w ill bu y th e book s for which y ou
a ske d wh e n h e goes t o Lu b lin But why do y ou n eed the book .

'

B ezwyzn a n i owofc [ Fre e thi n kin g lite ra lly bein g without a con
“ “
,

Wh oeve r does n o t beli eve d oes n o t n eed the book a n d I ,

thin k it is n o t y ou for sin ce y ou a sk the p ri e s t in Firlej for a m a ss y ou

, ,

m u st be lon g t o th e be lieve rs
For a m on th the re h a s been a n ew jud ge in M ich6w sen t by th e ,

gove rn m en t a R u ssia n M r Tra bu ch ow e ld e r o f t he D on Cossa cks

-
. .
, , ,

He w a lk s dr essed like a Cossa ck wi t h a sword a t his sid e He ,

.

p u n ishes se ve rely H e fi n e d O k on [ a p ea sa n t] 2 0 roubles for ha vin g

.

ta ken a p iece of wood from t he gove rn m en ta l f ores t in Lu ba rt6w ,

besid e s t h e va lu e of the wood A p ea sa n t sa id Th ief to a n o the r .

,
“ ”
.

He got a m on th of p rison e t c But a s it is a R ussia n jud ge a n d ,

.
,

m oreover a soldi e r th e p ea sa n t s sit qu ie t a n d sa y n o thin g

, He ca ll ed .

on m e a n d sa i d th a t h e w o uld ke ep t he co urt in o rd e r He forbid s th e .

a ssis ta n t s t o go t o bee rho uses w i th t he p a rtie s h e d ism isses con st a ble s ,

wh en they d on t keep ord er I n sho rt he is full of en e rgy

’
.
,

The p ea sa n t s n ow regre t t he d ecea sed M r Za l esk i As lon g a s he . .

l ive d they did w ith him wha te ve r they wa n te d O n ly n ow the y .

un de rsta n d wha t they ha ve los t .

K a ta rzyn a ou r cook wh om y ou ce rta in ly rem embe r wa s often

, , ,

sic k a n d wish e d t o lea ve S ta n isla w sea r che d for a n o th e r in her p la ce

. .

When M r K ca lled on ce up on m e S ta n isla w a ske d him a bo ut

‘

. .

M a rcela whe the r she wa s in Ja widz He a n swe red th a t sh e ha d

, .

f oun d a boy a n d m us t lea ve beca use S he e xp ec te d a n a ddi tion [ child ] , .

I tried to lea rn wha t beca m e of her a ccord in g t o yo ur wish I hea rd , .

tha t she wen t to K ock whe re she is n ow a n d whe ther there wa s or, ,

w ill be som ethi n g [ imm ora l] p eop le don t kn ow At a n y ra te wha t ,

’
.
,

e ve r ha s been s u ch thin gs a re u s u a l
,
.

h e ma r ri es , tri s t
he v e t bec m e
o f rm m ger) d bein g
get a n a d a n ce a n d o o a a -
ana an

i
n a su p e ri r p itio
a d b tt r dress d
o os d d c ted th
n n t h sim p l tea m ster
e e e an e u a an e e

has a
g od h o e with t he f rm g irls
c anc H wea r l thes d tie of t he m ost a -
. e s c o an s

extr rdi ry col r

ao na v ry stron g p rfume h a lwa y stifl ll r wh ich the
o s , u se s e e s, as s a co a ,

p s t w r
ea an ly S u d y u p m d
ea s on onh is h ir a n d b a d cop ies p re
n a s, s es o a e on a e r ,

tent io l v l tters fr m pe i l h db ok t c
us o e- e d by th ese m a n s
o s erts a
c a an o s, e .
, an e ex

grea t i fl e ce u p
n u girl s
n on .
 LI P N I ACKI S ERI E S 57 3

followin g
[ The , N o 7 54 , is
. com p ose d of p a ssa ges se e c el t d from le tte rs
of va ri ous da t es ]

7 54 Oc tobe r 1 8, 1 90 9
M R JAN . I ha ve been in bed a ga in un til yesterda y a n d ,

the refore I did n o t write to y ou Wh a t wa s t he rea son of t he

bluff a bout your comin g ba ck ? If y ou wish e d to m a k e a j oke w i th
o t h e r p eop le n e ve r m in d ; bu t wh
, y di d y ou l ea d m e in to e rro r ? I
w a s troubl ed th in kin g tha t a fte r yo ur re tur n y ou m igh t be a rres te d
, .

I d on t sa y tha t y ou a re g uilty But y ou em igra ted t o Am e rica a n d

’
.
1
,

p eop l e imm e di a te ly con clude d tha t y o u m u s t ha ve ta ken p a rt in

s om e thin g An d a s y ou did n ot la ck va riou s en e m ie s who p re ten de d
.
,

t o be yo ur frien d s a s l on g a s y ou we re he r e bu t a tta cke d y ou a s soon

a s y ou l eft y ou migh t h a ve been a rres te d a n d k ep t in p r ison for a fe w
,

o r for m a n y m on ths u n t il th e m a tte r w a s c le a red for a lt h ou gh t h e

, ,

s ta t e of w a r is a bol ishe d th e re is s till a s ta t e of s tren g t h en e d p ro

“
,

tec tion which is a lm ost the sa m e

,
”
.

u ne 2 5, 1 91 0]

Al though y ou lrea dy a grown u p m a n a n d y ou ha ve yo ur own

a re a -

rea son don t be a n g ry if I wa rn y ou a bo ut yo ur m a trim onia l in ten

,
’

tion s R emem ber tha t y ou m a y ea sily wa n de r a lon e in ca se of

.
,

n ecessity from p la ce to p la ce bu t with a w ife a n d children it is

, ,

d iffic ult often qu ite imp ossible An d then on e does n ot kn ow wha t

,
.

t o do wi th this p a wn It is ea sy to ge t m a rried bu t it is very dimcu lt

.
, , ,

if n ot imp ossible to ge t un m a rr ie d a ga in
,

[ Februa ry 8, 1 91 1 ]
Your p recedin g ca rd s in f o rm ed u s la con ica lly tha t y ou tra ve le d ,

bu t y ou did n o t write wha t for It is ve ry a g reea ble to tra ve l for t he

.

p lea sure of i t bu t I k n ow from my own e xp e rien ce th a t i t cos t s ve ry

,

m u ch D id yo ur fin a n cia l p osition a ll ow y o u t o do i t ? We a re n ot
.

c uriou s t o in ves t iga t e y our m y s ter ies b u t if it is n ot a sec re t w e sh o uld ,

be gl a d t o lea rn whe re y ou ha ve been a n d w hy .

D ifferen t p eop le a sk h e re som e tim es for your a ddress We .

a n swe r tha t we don t kn ow S ha ll w e give i t or n ot ?

’
.

Amon g the p eop l e who a re se rvin g wi th u s p roba bly y ou d on t ’

k n ow m a n y n ow P e rha p s y ou rem e m be r tha t sm a ll boy

K on ra d who ca m e t o Ma rysia from Lu kowi ec N ow he is 1 8 a n d is .

1
H id tly w
e ev i p liti l m tt s b t t he writ r p r t ds t o be ig or n t
en a s so n o ca a er , u e e en n a

or w it
r i th i w y f ri g t h l tt r wi ll b op e ed by t h p oli ce
es n s a ea n e e e e n e .
57 4 P RI MAR Y—
GRO UP OR GAN I ZATI ON

my wa i te r toge the r w ith a n o the r m a n He is a good a n d cle ve r boy

,
. .

W6jtowi cz6wn a m a rried K ozio l from B a ra n [p u n z th e m a n s n a m e ’

m ea n s bu ck th e vi lla ge s ra m ] a n d t h e y ge t on m ise ra b ly for

“ ” ’ “ ”
, , ,

th e y a re bo th p oor An dz ia la un ches he rse lf p owe rfully [is d issolute]

. .

He r yo un ge r siste r Felka is se rv i n g h e re sin ce N ew Yea r bu t surely ,

sh e w ill go h om e for sh e is in a ve ry r om a n tic m ood a n d I a m a fra id

,

it w ill ha pp en a s wi th K u krzy cka who l eft on Ja n ua ry 1 thick , ,

[p regn a n t] I

G T
.

7 55 Ju n e 5, 1 90 9

R E SP E CTE D SI R : Th e re is n o thin g n ew a n d n othin g good

with u s The judge [ the m a n o r own e r] is very ba d ; he cough s worse
.
-

a n d wo r se h e com p la in s a bo ut p a in in t he lu n gs a n d in gen e ra l be is
, ,

down hea rted a n d dissa tisfied For in d eed e verythin g is goin g on so .

, ,

ba dly . The sp rin g is a wf ul N obody rem e mbers s u ch a n other . .

The flowe rs a n d tom a toes froze on M a y 2 4 there wa s s uch a frost ,

.

My bees a re a lm ost wa s te d th rough this a cc ursed co ld .

N ow it is a l ittle wa rm e r bu t wha t of it sin ce there is n o ra in a n d th e

,

win d blows a n d dri es everythin g a n d i t is t o be e xp ec t e d t ha t ,

the wh ole su mm er w ill be a wf u l But wha t ca n w e do a ga in s t it ? .

We a re n ot s tron g en o ugh a n d we m u st wa i t for God s me rcy ,

’
.

Your fa ther is in good hea lth I hea r th a t he is p lowin g the n ew .

la n d I see him se ldom S om e tim es he comes t o lea rn whe the r .

y ou wro te to m e He a ske d for your a ddre ss bu t I could n ot give it

'

,
.

to h im for I did n o t k n o w m y self a n d I th in k tha t e ven n ow I won t

’
,

te ll him for p erha p s y ou d on t wish it

,
’

M r Za borski lived in the win te r in Oz iora s house He comp la in s

.
’
.

m uch t he p oor m a n a bout his wi fe ; he sa y s th a t he is th e m ost

, ,

unh a p p y ma n in the world We ll he chose her h im self a n d ha d k n own .

,

h er p e rfec tly a n d he w a s ca ugh t in th is w a y

,
He ha s bo ugh t a
p la ce in S obolew built a ra the r n ice hou se fen c ed th e ga rd en , ,

m oved th e beehives S obolew look s n ow ve ry n ice from fa r a wa y

.
,

for seen from n ea r t here is en ormou s m ise ry s tup id ity a n d igno

, , ,

ra n ce It does n ot go forwa rd bu t ba ckwa rd to the old es t sa va ge

.
, ,

c u s t om s
S TA N I S LAW L .

D i solu te
s uch gr a t r tha i vill g p rtly
sexu a l lif e in m a n ors is m e e n n a es , a

beca u se t he op i i f th c m m ity i t
n on o tr g i the c mm ity is e o un s no so s on , s n ce o un

u ns ta bl p rtly b ca u e the girl

e, a m r i d p d t f th i f m ili
e s d i s a re o e n e en en o e r a es , a n , n

g en e ra l beca se th pp rt ity i gre t r d th c trol l r

,
u e o o un s a e an e on oose .
 JAS I NS KI S ER I E S

Th e p a rtic ula r in teres t thes e le tt ers is c on n e c ted wi th

of

t h e fa c t tha t th eir a uth or is a p ea s a n t' wh o thr ou gh h is

in s tru c tion a n d h is socia l a n d p olitic a l id ea l s h a s g o tten
c om pl etel y outsid e of the p ea sa n t c la s s a n d h a s degen era ted ,

p h ysic a ll y a n d m o ra ll y t he d ou b l e s tra in of in te ll ec tu a l l ife

,

a n d of a c om p l e t e c ha n g e of soc ia l a n d m or a l a tti tud e s

h a vin g p roved t oo m u ch for him Th e qu e s tion wh e th er a

.

p ea sa n t will be a b le t o keep hi s e qu ilib rium up on a n ew b a sis

of li f e dep e n d s of c our se u p on t h e ra p idi t y a n d t h e c h a r
, ,

a c te r of t h e c h a n ge A p ea s a n t l ike W a c l a w M a rkie wi c z
.

h a s in dee d a n en t irel y n ew sp h e r e of in te ll e c tu a l in ter est s

a n d c on vi c tion s b ut thr ou gh h is occ up a tion a n d h is f a mi l y
,

rel a tion s he re ta in s en ough c on n ec tion with th e pea sa n t lif e

t o p reserv e his b a l a n c e A m a n l ike M a ks M a rkiew ic z
.
,

or a n y p ea sa n t w h o by hi s c ultur e a n d o cc up a ti on p a ss es

in to a high er c l a ss even if he loses hi s c on n e c tion wi th th e

,

p ea sa n t life get s in to a n en viron m en t whic h h a s a m ora l a n d

,

soc ia l orga n iz a tion d iffer en t fro m th a t of t h e p ea sa n t c l a ss

b ut s till s tron g en o u gh t o keep t h e n ew m em b er from de

gen era tin g ( S ee M a rkiewic z serie s ) Z ygm un t th e frien d
. .
,

of Wa len ty Piotr ow ski w a s a lr ea d y p r ep a r e d t o a cc ep t t o

,

som e e x t en t m a n y o f t h e n e w id ea l s wh ic h w e r e g iv en t o h im ,

a n d c on tin u e d t o a d a p t h im s elf g r a du a ll y ( See P iotrowski

.

se r ie s )
. An d a ga in in o ther c a s es ther e a re el em en t s in t h e
n e w en vir on m e n t wh ich we r e a lr ea d y l a t en t in t h e old .

Thu s for e x a m p le p ea sa n t s a n d workm en do n ot l ose th eir

, ,

m ora l self c on trol wh en b elon gin g t o r evo lution a r y p a r tie s

-

with a pa triot ic ch a ra c ter b ec a u se pa triotism is a lwa y s

,

la ten t in th e l ower c la sses B u t in t he c a se of Ja siri ski

.
’

n on e of th e f a c to r s which a re a b l e t o p r e s erve e quil ib r iu m

 JASI NS KI S ERI E S 57 7

in a n ew sphere o f in t ell e c tu a l a n d m ora l lif e wa s p r es en t .

Un like Wa c l a w h e h a s n o con n ec tion wi th t h e p ea sa n t life ;

,

u n l ike m os t of t h e c l im b e r s h e did n ot ge t in to a c l a ss wi th
,

a s tr on g tr a di ti on a l or g a n i z a tion t o whi c h h e c ould a d a p t

hi m self b ut in to a c ir c l e of socia list r evolution a ries whose

,
-

n or m s of c on du c t a r e s t il l som ewh a t flu id a n d whose se t of

id ea s is n o t e la b ora te d thoroughl y en o u gh t o or ga ni ze
in tell e c tu a l life a s c om p l e t el y a s it is or ga n iz ed by r el igi on
a m on g t h e p ea sa n t s Ja siri ski w a s a coun try tea c her a n d
.
,

a s t h e sc h ool s p r ovid e n o p r ep a r a tion for c ha n ge he w a s

p rob a b l y in tr odu ce d in to a n ew sp he re of l ife wi th out t he

p rop er p rea d a p ta tion I n this resp ec t h e differs from
.

Z ygm un t w h o in tr odu c e d him se lf in to a n ew spher e in for

,

m a ll y a n d thro u gh th e sel e c t ion of hi s p e r son a l r ela tion s

,
.

Fin a ll y th e s y s t em of P ol ish n a t ion a l id ea l s d oes n ot seem

,

t o in fl u en c e J a sirrski s tron gl y N ote h is r el a t ion t o t he

’

R u ssia n s oc ia lis t s .

Th e m a tte r is quite diffe r en t with a m a n of a highe r

soc ia l c l a ss who b e c om e s a so c ia lis t He is a cc ustom e d t o a
.

g rea ter in di vidua l a uton om y in in tell ec tu a l a n d m ora l

p rob l em s a n d is therefore m u ch m ore a b l e t o keep h is
e qu il ib r iu m up on th e slipp er y groun d of revolution ism .

’
Bu t th e p ea sa n t s in tell e c tu a l a n d m or a l life h a s a lwa ys b een
so a b solut e ly c on tr oll e d by p u b l ic opin i on th a t in di vidu a l

a u t on om y c a n n o t t a ke t h e p l a c e of soc ia l c on tr ol if the l a tter

is la ckin g An d Ja siri ski in thi s r esp e c t is in a wor se p osition

’

th a n m o s t of th e socia lis t s for h e is for l on g p eriods isol a ted

,

from h is c om p a n ion s .

I t is in ter es tin g t o obs erve h ow t h e p ea sa n t in a kin d of ,

ha lf c on sc iou s m ora l self defen se en d ea v or s in ev ery n ew

- -
,

en vir on m en t t o fin d s om e su b s t itute h owev er imperfec t

, ,

for t h e l os t s y s t em of so c ia l tr a d ition s ; h ow h e tries t o ha ve

s om e kin d of socia l op in ion u pon which he ca n lea n I n .

t h e p r e s en t c a se Ja sirrski is in h is soc ia l is t ic i d ea s a p erf ec t

’
57 8 PRI MAR Y -
GR OUP OR GAN IZ ATI ON

e c ho of hi s p a rt y His very word s a re ty pica l fo rm ula e

.
,

r ep ea ted iden tic a ll y in n u m era b le tim es by soc ia lis t s from

t h e l ower c l a sse s p a rtic ul a rl y by wom e n who sh a r e wi th
, ,

th e p ea sa n t s thi s imi ta ti ve ten den cy N o t a sin gle p e r s on a l .

n ot e rin gs in th em I t s eem s a s if th e p ea s a n t wi sh ed t o
.

e x tr a c t a n d to a ssim il a t e fr om soc ia l ism e ver y th in g th a t is

fix ed d e te rmin ed comm on p la c e tr a dition a l—a s if h e s ou ght

, , ,

in this fl u id mil ieu th e g r ea test possib le s ta bili ty An d a t .

t h e s a m e tim e h e a d a p t s him s elf r a pidl y t o a n ew so cia li s t ic

g r ou p ( t o the R u ssia n s o c ia l is t s dur in g h is exil e) whic h ,

shows p re cisel y tha t t he ch oice of his i d ea s is n ot de te rmin e d

by ra tion a l c on side ra ti on b ut m erel y by his en viron m en t ,
.

—
7 57 6 4, FR OM s .
JA S N S M ,
IN P OLAND AN D R U S S I A, To
WACLAw MAR KIE WI CZ , IN AME RI CA . No .
7 64 Is A
LE TTE R TO MAR K I EW I CZ F R OM AN O THE R S OUR CE , COM

P I E TI N G THE CHARACTE R I ZATI ON O F J Asn<IS KI

7 57 ZD W ORZ , Ma y 1 7 , 1 90 6
D E AR M R WACLAW : I don t kn ow wha t i t m ea n s Ha ve you
.
’
.

forgo tten a bout m e or wha t N ei ther le tte r n o r even gree tin g O n e .

sees a t on ce th a t y ou a re ch a n g ed in to a n Am e ri ca n occ up ie d on ly ,

wi th ca lcula tion s a bout your b usin ess B ut n ev er m in d I ,

like it We a ll ough t to brea k th e s tup id a n d simp ly idiotic Europ ea n

.

ice a n d [ s top ] lyin g beca u se n o h on es t un de r s ta n din g ca n be rea che d

,

by f orm a lities on ly e mp ty lyin g t o on e a nothe r a n d imbe c ility

, , .
x

An d n ow I desc ribe t o y ou m y lot .

I left the p rison of Mokot é w a fter 3 mon ths on Ap ri l 2 0 I ha ve , .

s uff e re d sin ce then rea l torm en t s First I wa s obliged a ga in st my .

, ,

con vic tion s to sen d a p e t it ion tha t m

, y p l a ce migh t be res tore d to
m e for p eop le ga ve m e n o job
, It is true tha t they ha d n on e Then
.
2
.

Thi idea l of a bsolu t si cerity an d b d n m e t f f rm lities was develop ed

1
s e n a an o n o o a
m o g P li h s cia li sts der the i n fl u of R u ssi a s c i a li sm wh i ch wa s ra th r
tron g d ri g the revolu ti of 9 5—
a n o s o un en ce n o e
,

s u n 6 America n lif i here viewed through th

on 1 0 . e s e

p rism of th i id a l s e .

The di g of t h p et ition wa
sen n a g i st his
e o vi c ti o a socia li st fo
s a n c n n s a , r
t he positi d p n ded e ith r p on t h g vern me t o m ore p r ba bl y up on th e
on e e e u e o n ,
r, o ,

N a tion a l Dem ra tic a n d C serva tiv p rti s fo it

oc ms tha t t h school w
on e a e , r se e e as
su pp orted by t h e Poli sh S ch l Associ ti which wa ootrolled by th ese p a rties
a on , s con .
58 0 PR I M AR Y G R O UP
-
OR G AN IZATI ON

R u ssia n revolution is ts a n d p a rties On Jun e 3 0 I wa s tra n sp o rted to .

,

V ologda Here I w a s a t firs t design a ted t o live in S olwy czeg ra dsk

.

[fa r t o the n orth] bu t I m a de a p e ti tion a n d th e gove rn or sen t m e

,

i n s tea d t o Ka dn ikow 4 7 ve rs ts from Vologda He re I ha ve lived

,
.

for 8 m on ths wi thout a n y occ up a tion lik e a ll the p oli tica l e xi les
, ,
.

There a re 1 70 of u s he re a n d 7 0 m ore esca p ed I should ha ve don e i t .

lon g a go if I ha d m on ey I n t he begin n in g we go t from the p oli ce

.

2 r ouble s 7 0 cop eck s m on th ly for livin g bu t a fte r a d em on s tra tion ,

from a ll the colon ies of t he p rovin ce of Vologd a they bega n to give

u s 8 r oub les then 7 r ou b le s 7 0 cop eck s a n d t o d a y onl y 7 roub les 40
, ,

cop eck s L ive a s y ou ca n up on this

.
, ,

It is difi cu lt to d esc ribe wh a t I p a sse d th ro ugh durin g thi s tim e .

I m en ti on tha t I wa s n ea r to sen di n g a bulle t th rough m y hea d t o en d

this on ce for a ll a n d t o ge t p ea ce But slowly a ll this c lea red u p
a li ttl e a n d n ow I l ive giv in g m y se lf qu i te u p to t he s tudy of socia l
, ,

a n d p o li tica l scien ces a n d of E sp era n t o I a lrea dy rea d n ove ls a n d .

n e w sp a p e rs in thi s la n g u a ge I sit the whole da y in the ca bin for the

.
,

cold h ere fa llin g to 40 R be l o w th e freezin g p oi n t n o lon ge r p e rm it s

°
-
.
, ,

e ve n wa lk in g for the f e e t a n d ea rs freeze

,
I exp ec t t o rem a in here .

n o t lon ge r th a n 2 m on th s We sha ll se e wha t th e n ew dum a does

.
,

a n d then I sha ll give m y se lf a m n esty E ven if w e ge t i t I c ould by .

n o m ea n s live in ou r co u n t ry for I ca n n o t e ven ea rn en ou gh for b la c k

,

b rea d . I ha ve Pa ra n a s till in view bu t to go th e re on e m u st ha ve a t ,

lea st 3 0 0 roubles while I h a ven t even a sin gle sp a re rouble

,
’
.

Yo ur con dition the re is n ow p roba bly good en ough for the s t rikes ,

ha ve p a sse d a n d the fa c tories a re goin g full sp eed M o reove r y ou .

a re be tte r a c qua i n te d w i th th e con d i tion s a n d y ou belon g t o t h e

socia l is t c lub Co uld y ou n o t do a s the R u ssia n p rove rb sa ys :

“
Ta ke a threa d from e verybody in the comm un ity a n d the n a ke d ,

m a n ha s a sh irt a n d sen d m e a sh ip tick e t t o m y old a ddr e ss

,
-

Y ou will sa y tha t it is n o t n oble of m e to fly from the ba tt lefield

But I a n swe r tha t the field for a c tivity is a s wide th e re a s here a n d ,

I ca n do m uch m ore there tha n here bein g ha lf lega l or ill ega l [ un de r ,

-

su sp ic ion ] Th i nk a n d a n swe r m e the soon es t p ossibl e

.

ST .
J .

PS . Y ou comp a in r l a n d r e l igio u s a n d
of c a p i t a listic opp ession

n a t ion a l sep a ra t ism It is true An d th erefo re the R ussia n rev olu

. .

tion won t l imit itself to ta kin g on ly the liberty of wh ich y ou kn ow the

’

con se quen ces bu t w ill h a v e th e p eop le ta ke a ll the la n d the fa c t or ie s

, , ,
 JASI NSKI S ERI E S 58 1

the t l a n d will in tro du ce firs t in the ea s t holy s ocia lis m Afte r

ca p i a , , ,
.

i t th e o the r n a tion s will follow A nea r future will show it t o u s a n d .

,

we the p role ta ria n s sha ll y e t a d m ire a n d live in a s ocia lis t socie ty

, , ,

which for ten s a n d h un dre d s of yea rs ha s been screen e d from us by a ll

t he re ligion s w i th their god s a n d t he s ta te s w i t h their l a ws a n d ,

a rm ie s I a m very m uch a ston ished tha t the p eop le there [in

x
.

Am e rica ] a re s till so re ligious a n d on the sid e of the pops a t th e ,

2

m e n tion of wh om I thi n k of t he m iddle a ge s a n d the holy in qui sit ion .

I S it so d iffic ult to ove rc om e this w ith the li berty y ou ha ve I don t ’

thin k so It is true tha t En glish p eop le a re ve ry religious bu t toda y

.
,

this a rdor I believe is s ub due d e ven a m on g them I should like to

, ,
.

write y ou ve ry m uch he re bu t unh a pp ily t he la ck of sp a ce does n ot ,

p erm it m e so I lim i t m yse lf t o wha t I ca n p u t h e re

,
D o y ou cor .

resp on d wi th a n ybody ? D o y ou lea rn ? D id a n ybody write you

a bo ut m e a s a bo ut a h e re t ic a godless m a n a soc ia lis t re vo lution is t or , ,
-

e ven a n a rch is t whom in t h e n a m e of God th e ba se old Pa liwoda a n d

,

B a la delive red in to t he ha n ds of justice ? S o it goes on in the world 3

,

m y d ea r N ot lon g a go w e we re a lm ost a ll toge the r a n d toda y Mil

.
,
.

is in W [a rsa w] Za l a n d Zold in Argen tin e y ou in t he U n ite d S ta tes

,
. .
, ,

I in Vologda e tc Wha t a fa te ! D oes there n o t s tick on e gen era l

ca u se of a ll beh i n d this—
.
,

libe rty a n d bre a d !

7 59 M a rch I 6, 1 90 7

D E AR WACLAW : I re ceived your le tte r ju s t n ow . I tha n k

y ou he a rtily for ha v in g f r d m e your he lp in such a difli cu l t of e e

m om en t of m y lif e I did n o t write to y ou soon er . firs t ,

beca use I did n ot kn ow your a ddress a n d then I believed tha t

up on Am eri ca n soil y ou ha d becom e a n idea l ist of the d olla r a s m os t ,

of th e Ame ri ca n s a n d I th o ugh t tha t it wa s n o t wo rth while

writin g I w a s very m uch m is ta ken ; I got a lesson n ever to judge

.
,

a n ybody befo reha n d It would be be tter to sen d m on ey

.

in stea d of a ticke t for if I should n ot go I could ea sily la te r sen d t he

,

S oci l i m b m i P ola d ( ti ll m r i R u ssi )

a s eca e w
n d p rf tl y typ i c l
n s o e n a a ne an e ec a

r ligi
e Her th is i q it
on . iv l y e p
e sed s u e na e x re s .

P p is t he R u i
2
o p op u l r m fo rth d p ie t I P l d it i s
ss a n a na e r an o o ox r s . n o an

no w tr m ely co tem p t
a n ex e w rd f p ri e t i g
n rl u ou s o or s s n en e a .

H r
3 i th q
e e, a s rel i the la st letter we ha v tra ce f the ma i f
n e ua r n , e a o n a o

p r
e secu tio n .
58 2 PRI MAR Y G R O UP
-
O R GAN I ZATI ON

m on ey ba ck t o yo ur
p a ren t s, a n d if I should go , I could choose t he
sh ip I wa n te d Then wri te whe the r I co uld ge t so m e job the re ,
.

m a n ua l or in tellec tua l , be for ex a mp le , a tea cher , a cle rk , or p e rha p s

a n ag ita tor
rep orter ,
a If n ot I sha ll di rec t my eyes towa rd ,

Pa ra na N ew Zea la n d or Au s tra li a
,
I should a dvise y ou to get
,

a c qua i n te d wi th som e R u ss i a n c ol on y in Am e r ica a n d t o s tudy th e

la s t wo rks of Tols toi a n d m a n y o the r thin gs ,

About a n y
a m n es ty a n d in gen e ra l a n y p ea ce ful n ego tia t ion s wi th t he g ove rn ~

m e n t the re is n o ques tion a t a ll S oon the judgm en t of t he

p eop le on t he burea ucra ti c a n d bourgeois orde r of th in gs will begin .

N ow a mom en t a grea t m om en t is com i n g for R u ssia , .

S TANI S LAW JAs [n<i s ]

‘

7 60 PE TE R S B U R G, July 21 , 1 90 7
D EAR COMPANI ON : I write this le tte r to y ou bu t y ou d on t kn ow ,
’

wha t is goin g on a t this m om en t with m e You see I a m in P e te rs .

,

burg I ca me here h op in g to go a broa d bu t a s fa r a s m a tte rs ha v e

.
,

clea r e d u p dur in g m y j ourn ey I ca n n o t go fur the r I see it m y self ,

. .

I ha ve en tirely given u p the p la n of goin g to Am e rica for I see m yse lf ,

tha t there is n o p la ce for m e eith e r th e re or in S outh Am erica I a m .

to ta lly ou t of tun e n e rvously m y m em ory does n o t a ct a t a ll I

“ ”
, ,

ca n n o t w ork I a m quit e u n fit for t h e s truggle for life

r
, .

As y ou k n ow I wa s a cc u s tom e d to liv e in a d iffere n t m a n n e r a n d

, ,

toda y I a m obliged t o a da p t m yself bitte rly It is p a in ful in deed bu t .

,

n e v e r m in d I coun t this a s life s exp erien ce I a m look in g for a n ’

.
,

occup a t ion It is a question w he ther I sha ll fin d it a n d e ven if I

.
,

fin d it th e re is the o the r qu es tion of th e p a ssp ort I a m lyin g bu t .

2
,

I don t k n ow how lon g I sha ll s ucceed I ha ve s till I O da y s tim e a n d

’
.
’
,

I ha ve som e hop e though very sm a ll tha t I sha ll get som e thin g by

, ,

lyi n g If I don t succeed I S ha ll be obl iged t o re turn a n d t o sit

.
’
,

quie tly [in exile] .

Alm ost on e ha lf of t he m on ey whic h y ou sen t m e w ill be sp en t

-
.

Wha t sha ll I do if I don t fin d a p la ce ? Will y ou a bu se m e very ’

m uch if I ca n n o t give i t ba ck ? S a y I d on t wa n t to wron g y ou bu t

’
, ,

wha t ca n I do ? I a m con vin ced tha t if I da re to go to y ou the re w ill

1
Th br kd w i r th
e ea dd o d t he e p l
n s ti e m
a b th t
er su
t en ,
an x ana on s e s o e a
h ow v r m is r bl t he
e e ditio
e a f lif i
e il h did t i f ct h v t str ggl
con ns o e n ex e, e no n a a e o u e
fo lif b t w h
r e, udde l y fa ced by t h p roblem f w rk h coll p e
en su n e o o e a s s .

A p litic l il h s p p rt wh ich perm it him to li e ly i a de ign a t d

o a ex e a a a ss o s v on n s e

p l ce a n d he m ust r p rt t t h p olice on a ppo i t d da ys

a ,
e o o e n e .
58 4 P RI M AR Y G ROUP -
OR G AN IZATI ON

l ve
s a for a few p oor grosz—it d oe s n ot con o f rm with my ch a a c er t r .

An d wh ose se rva n t ?
’ I
Som e ex p loiter s .

I will see wha t ca n be d on e

rim e ,
bu t p lea se d on t ’
con si e d r it a c

in m e if i t ha p p en s tha t I c a n n o t g ive y ou [ t h e m on ey] ba ck I did .

n o t w ish t o ch ea t y ou I in te n de d t o do wi t ho ut beggin g a n ybody bu t

, ,

unh a p p ily I ca n n o t ge t on a n y further Y ou kn ow m e tha t I n e ve r .

,

wish e d a n d don t wi sh a n y wron g to a n ybody Write m e p lea se how

’
.
, ,

y ou a re s ucceed in g I a m p a i n ed I h a ve p a id ba ck t he who le
. .

a m o u n t of m on ey borr owe d from th e p ri es t Pe rha p s I Sha ll p a y .

ba ck yo urs a l so .

Augu st 3 , I 90 7

D E AR FRI E ND AND C OMPAN I ON : Two week s a go I sen t y ou a

l e tte r wi th n ew s of t he brea ki n g u p of my p la n s N ow I ha ve rece ive d .

your le tter M y he a lth does n o t i m p rove I live in a bla ck

.
,
“

m e la n ch oly or n e ura s th en ia which exp resses i tself in a p hysica l ,

wea k n e ss of the o rga n ism I a m te rribly n e rvou s I ge t ea sil y tire d

.
,

a n d e ve ry tr ifl e a n n oy s m e Wh en I a m in s uch a sta te n othin g .

i n te res ts m e ; I ca n do n o th i n g E ven writin g a le tter is d ifficult . .

I con sulted a p hysi cia n he a dvised m e to n ourish myself w e ll , ,

bu t a la s ! He sa id tha t it ca m e from a bn orm a l con d i tion s I exp ec te d .

t o ch a n ge m y con d ition s by l ea vin g K a dn ikow bu t i t p rove d t ha t ,

I ca n n o t go furth e r tha n Pe te r sburg I ha ve been he re for 2 week s .

wa itin g for m y p a ssp ort I got it by lyin g bu t wha t is the ben efit.
,

if I ha ve n o job a n d ca n n o t ge t a n y The re a re hop es for som e I 5 to 2 0 .

ro ub les [a m on th] bu t im a gin e whe the r it is p ossible to exis t up on it

, ,

when lodgin g a lon e a corn e r [ in a room w ith o the rs] cos ts 5 rou bles
, .

I wa s a t the tea che rs a ssocia tion They told m e it wa s p ossible t o

’
.

ge t a p l a ce a s tea cher bu t n ea r th e [ No rth ] sea sho re in th e p r ovin c e

-
, ,

li r f t r f m a y m w ith h ig h i l id l i P l d—n d
i P l d—
1
I t is a p e cu a ea u e o n en soc a ea s n o an a

no t l a on e n th t whil ta lki g d
o an cti g m
a t i c r ly i t h e
e n an e ve n a n os s n e e n

i t r st f h igh i l d d while m ki g crifi c fo it th y gl t im p le

n e e o a soc a en ,
an a n sa es r , e ne ec s

d ti
u fh
es o ty i v ryd y lif Th y m to fe l m p t d fr m th m m o
on es n e e a e . e see e e xe e o e co n

m r lity by t h f ct f th ir sup ri r m r lit y

o a e a o I R ei t h m f a tu e o o a . n u ss a e sa e e re ca n

be o b r di se v e gg ra ted d gr
n a n exa The ou r e o f th is discrep
e y m t o li
e ee . s c a nc se e s e

i t he loss f m r l eq il ibri m wh ich ew id a l p rticul rl y ev l tio

n o o a u u y idea ls n e s, a a r o u nar
,

bri g t
n s p rep r d
o an un di fli ie t ly p
a e d pt d c an ci s Th r di l
n su c n rea a e on s ou sn es . e a ca

d dr ti xp r s ic eof t h l f th i
e s on q ilibri m i fo d i the ve sio of
oss o s e u u s un n e c on

rev l ti i m i t b diti sm— situ tio trea ted i V l I V

an as r n

o u on s n o an a a n n o . .
 JASI NS KI S ERI E S 58 5

of Arch a n ge l a m on g Sa m oyed s, or in the p rovi n ce of Vol og d a ,

a m on g Zy ra n s , for 1 2 rou bles a m on th . An d wha t a p la ce ! I did
n ot e ven tha n k t h em for su ch a
p rop osa l I will s till a p p ea l for .

p ro tec t ion to on e p l a ce which is n o t ve ry p romisin g If I don t ’

.

s u cce e d I t h i nk of oin
g g ba ck t o Ka dn ikow , a ddin g som e thin g to th e
gov e rn m en ta l e xp en se s a n d livin g the re for som e tim s I n the Kin g
dom [ of P ola n d ] i t is very diffi c ult to ea n r on e s
’
li vin g , and I
don t thin k a t a ll of goin g ba ck As to Ga licia it is a good p la ce to
’
.
,

lea rn bu t on ly for those who ha v e m on ey

, An d so d ea r .
,

Wa cl a w he r e i t is ba d the re i t is n o t good We re it n ot
,

fo r yo ur m on ey I would ha ve ta k en t o s tea li n g l on g a go
,
I ca n n o t .

e xp r op ria te [rob] for I don t kn ow h ow to shoo t It is ba d to be a

“ ” ’
, .

m a n good fo r n o thin g As t o Pe te rsb urg it is a colossu s gli tte rin g

.
,

wi th gold bu t o n the o ther ha n d te rrifyin g wi th it s m isery a n d dr unk

,

e n n ess There a re good thin gs school s lib ra ries bu t [ th e infl uen ce

.
, , ,

of] a ll thi s is n o t t o be n o tice d a m on g th e p ub l ic E v e ryth i n g go ve rn .

m en ta l Sm ell s of mi li ta rism everyth in g p riva te of exp loi ta tion ey n i

, ,

a n d fra n tic en j oym en t of l ife I don t wish to in sult th e ’

cism , .

R u ssia n civ iliza tion a n d c ulture bu t e xcep t the sa m o va r a n d t h e ,

rysa k [ R u ssia n bree d of tro ttin g h orses] n o thi n g e lse p lea sed m e - .

These two thi n gs m eri t a tten tion Well y es a n d t he sin gin g .

, ,

The son g a bo ut S te n ka R a zin lives u p t o the p resen t a m on g

th e p eop le a s we ll a s a bout P u ga czow
,
The revolution of .
I

tod a y wa its for p recis ely a he ro like th ese two We hop e tha t .

m om en t will soon com e for tim e fee d s t he m a sses wi th ha te wh ic h

,

g row s a t eve ry m om en t a n d wh ich m u s t exp ress i tself a t la st in te rro r

a n d des tru c tion An d then a l th ough m a n y will fa ll a n e w world w ill
.
, ,

blossom a n d the re will be brea d e n o ugh for ev e rybody n o m o re

, ,

m isery up on th e s tree ts fe we r wea k a n d sic k p eop le

,
I beli eve in it ; .

this is m y religi on I be lieve in scien ce the lea der of m a nkin d I

.
,
.

be li e ve in the b roth e rh ood of p eop les Le t u s wo rk a s l on g a s w e ca n . .

Yours ,

ST .
J .

D on t be a n gry a n d don t a buse m e if I sp en t on e ha lf the m on ey

’ ’ -

without your p ermi ssion If I li ve I will give it ba ck a n d if n ot

.
, , ,

then a lthough y ou won t sp ea k we ll of m e don t sp ea k ba dly I kiss

,
’
,
’
.

y ou a n d em bra ce y ou .

L d rs f p p ul r R
1
ea e i r l ti i t h v tee th d ight e th
o o a u ss a n ev o u on s n e se en n an e e n

c t ri
en u es .
58 6 PRI M AR Y -
G R OU P OR GAN IZATI ON

KAD NI K OW , M a rch 10 ,
1 90 8

D E AR FRI E ND AN D I received yo ur le tte r

CO MPAN I O N :
wh ich wa s for m e a true surp rise for I though t tha t y ou were a n g ry
,

with m e for life a n d dea th All this [frien d ship ] is ve ry well bu t u p

.
,

t o som e tim e [ to a ce rta in p oin t] p a rt ic ula rly when the quest ion i s a
m a te ria l on e Then frien d s becom e en em ies a n d s ta tes ma ke wa rs
.
,
.

I though t it likely tha t y ou occup ied the sa m e s ta n dp o i n t with rega rd

t o m e for I go t n o a n swe r t o t wo of my l e tt e r s from Pe te rsburg
, ,

ex cep t this le tte r in which y ou don t m en t ion w he th e r y ou re ce ive d

’
,

those letters or n o t You m us t k n ow tha t this que s tion is n o t y e t

.

se t tl e d a n d e ven to da y I a m dela yin g a bo ut sen d in g t his m on ey ba c k

, ,

for in the sp rin g I think of goin g a wa y from he re M y h ea lth .

is m uch im p rove d a n d on e of the se d a ys I will go to V ologda a n d

,

a sk th e p hy sicia n wh e the r I sha ll be a ble to go t o Bra zil t o ,

P a ra na I n tha t ca se I will go in th e begin ni n g of M a y or a t th e en d

.

of Ap ril
_
. Y ou sit the re silly p eop le in N or th Am e rica groa n in g
, ,
.

Go to South Am e rica Y ou w ill be be tte r off im m ed ia te ly

. Th e .

B ra zilia n gove rnm en t is begin n in g to colon ize the Pol e s a re ,

very m uch wa n te d A sp ecia l office is even orga n iz ed in Wa rsa w to

.

this en d a n d ou r p ress sp ea ks m uch a bout it a n d even a dvises [goin g]

, ,

a lth ou gh t h e ge n tle m en of t h e N a t ion a l D e m oc ra tic p a rty sh ed

c rocod ile tea r s tha t ou r fa therla n d will re m a in with o ut work in g h a n d s .

Vive Bra zil ! Y ou h a ve on ly to go with a wom a n a n d y ou wi ll g e t

a rea dy fa rm wi th a hou se a n d f a r m — bu ildin gs The M a ci era .

[ P oli sh school a ssocia t ion ] ha s been c losed ; y ou kn o w it ce r ta in ly

-
.

As to m y self e ven if I re turn e d t o ou r cou n try I co uld ge t n o p l a ce

, ,

for I rema in he re u n d e r the sp ecia l ca re of th e p ol ice

“ ”
.

7 63 WOLA SE R OCKA , July 2 9, 1 91 3

D E AR M R WACLAw C OMP AN I ON
.
,FRI END : A few da ys a go AN D

I received your le tte r from which I un dersta n d th a t it is ba d with y ou .

I g uess y ou m us t be se riou sly wo un de d sin ce y ou lost th e a bili ty t o,

work a n d y ou lie in the hosp ita l for some m on th s without k n ow in g ,

whe the r you w ill ever recover S ome thin g l ik e this ha s been
.

goin g on w ith m e for 4 y ea r s a lrea dy At th e e n d of m y exi le a n d on

.

t he wa y ba ck I ca ugh t cold I bega n t o cough bu t I did n ot h ee d i t

, , .

They ca lled m e to the a rm y I served for 5 m on ths bu t I ca m e ba ck

, ,

so ill t ha t I did n ot e xp ec t to recover It wa s in 1 9 1 0 But durin g. .

58 8 PRI M AR Y G R OU P
-
OR G AN I ZATI ON

7 64 M a rch 8, 1 90 7

M R WACLAW I I don t kn ow wha t ’

D E AR . am in Ojc6 w .

w ill be further Ja siri ski wri tes to m e s om e tim e s bu t whe the r h e is

.
,

c ra zy or som e th in g e l se I d on t u n d e rs ta n d O n ce he wro te m e a
’
.
,

le tte r a dvisin g m e to ge t from M oscow or P e te rsb urg R ussia n p a p ers

a n d book s—a s he sa y s v e ry g ood on e s
,
Wha t do I wa n t wi th the m ?
.

I a m n ot e ven y e t p erfec tly well a cqua in ted wi th th e Polish li te ra ture .

I try t o a void a n y m en tion of p olitics in m y le tters to him for ,

I k n ow tha t if a n ybody does n ot a gree w ith h im h e is furious a t on ce .

N o t lon g a go I go t a p os tca rd from him full of d irty ca lum n ies ,

In .

this p ostca rd he ca ll s m e a d en oun cer .

I d on t kn ow why He sa ys tha t I toge the r wi th som e soc ie ty

’
.
,

wh ose a ctivity h e con j ec tures be tra yed him It fell up on m e lik e

,
.

th un de r from a clea r sky I w ho corresp on d w ith hi m a n d sen d him

I —to d en o u n ce hi m ? An d t o
.
,

a fe w rou bles from t im e t o t im e

d en oun ce—wha t ? A few da y s a fte rwa rd he wri tes a n o ther p os tca rd

,

I n wh ich h e does n o t men tion tha t a ffa ir a t a ll .

W Goszn wsxr
.
 I N D E! TO LE TTER S ER I ES V OLS I AN D I I ,
.

P AGE P ACE

Arciszewski II Lazowska
Ba rszczewski Lip nia cki
Bo rek .

B o rkowski .

B utkowski Olsza k
Cu gow ski Osini a k .

D obiecki . Osiri ski .

li
Fe ks P Pa wla k
Pe dewski .

P i otrowski .

1 21 Porzy cki
R a cz kowski
II
R em bie fiska
Rzep kowski
'

J a sirrski
Ka linowi cz Serczyri ski .

K a n iku la II
Kaz im ierz F II . S telma ch
’

II S tru ciri ski .

Konst a n cy a Wa lery eh . . II .

Kowa lski . Topo ls ki

I Wickowski .

Winkowski
i
Wroblewsk .