Letter from Barbara Klimkowska to Maria Łotysz (Maryla Łotyszówna) dated 25.08.1939 - manuscript, written in green ink on two sheets of smooth paper (three pages written), in Polish. The manuscript was written during a journey on a Gdynia-Równe train. The letter contains deletions. In the upper right-hand corner of the first page of the letter, next to the date, the author wrote the place where the manuscript was written: “On the road outside Warsaw”, however, it is clear from the first sentence of the letter that she started writing even later, outside Lublin. The letter concerns the evacuation of summer visitors from the Hel Peninsula and the author's departure with her mother and sister Jolanta from Gdynia to Równe.
Full text of the letter:
25.8.39. On the way out of Warsaw.
Beloved Maryla!
And here I am on the road and writing to you. We have passed Lublin already. But I'll describe everything to you in order, starting with the departure from Gdynia. You'll have to forgive the terrible writing, though, because: my soul and mind are occupied with something else and I am writing on my knee, so to speak. So: there was an unbelievable crowd on the platform in Gdynia! [You] can't imagine it at all! Suitcases, trunks on people, and still people with trunks on top of it!!! I don't want to dwell on it at length, but a book would not be enough to describe what[,] was going on at the time. This train (from Hel and other such places) arrived completely loaded, with people were even standing in the corridors. And now those crowds from Gdynia! This happened because all summer residents on the peninsula were ordered to evacuate. With terrible difficulty, a brutal act of violence and swearing, I got into the carriage[,] followed by Mum and Jola (Mum is taking us all the way to Równe). No chance for a place in the compartment! We were luckily given some space in the corridor. We have sent the suitcases to the luggage. I had an insanely nice ride. The was absolutely lot of people. Anyway, half of them didn't even get in! In Gdynia, there was a host of acquaintances on the platform: Jadzia Szczep., the boys and 'puellae' from my former school and, coincidentally, Staszek Siwecki. I was immensely pleased and gave him the most beautiful smile. We may not see each other again after all! I was standing in the corridor with one lady I knew. Jola and Mum were soon given a seat in the compartment. Next to us were the suitcases, 1 girl and 2 boys. [Besides] other people, but no reason to write about them. I'm describing to you in such detail because I'm about to get to the bottom of things. Well, this girl was average, even very much so, but she had lovely hair. One boy is a high-school student, pleasant[,] and above all - [2nd page] extremely witty and cheerful; the other is already a young man, very handsome, engaging, polite and elegant. So as you can see[,] I had nice company. There was another elderly 'Herr'[,] spouting jokes. Thus talking, bursting with laughter and an excess of food, we arrived in Bydgoszcz. Once we had set off (watch out now!!!) I saw, having turned around (because I was standing with my back) that Mum was talking to some young military man (! that's the Adventure!) She introduced me to him as her daughter and went on talking in the compartment (oh, happy hour!) [We] immediately smiled at each other and I felt a surge of affection for Him. He is insanely handsome: quite tall, shapely, with dark hair and eyes, wearing a uniform. Beautiful. [I don't know] why he started to adore me. There was, after all, this girl, several handsome young Jewish women, charmingly smiling at Him. Just me (what luck!!) And so, Maryllka, the idyll (a tiny one at that) began[.] [Have you no] idea what a sweetheart he is? And what transpired from the conversation! He asked[,] what school I go to. I said that to the Ursulines. He looked on in disbelief. In a tone of explanation, I added that I was just starting out and explained everything to him. And then he asked me whether I knew the Latin professor at Urs., Ms. Sławińska. I said no, but I think I'll know. It turned out that he is her brother (!!) and knows almost all the Ursulines by sight, all the sisters and so on, and so forth. We had a wonderful conversation. He is at junior officer academy, has been with cadets and today they all are being promoted to second lieutenant. He is 22 years old and was born on 1 January. His name is Sławiński, but [I don't know] his first name. Mary, my heart throbs at the very thought of Him! I know what has happened! I fell in love! Love at first [3rd page] sight. If there is no war, I will see him in Gdynia. Aha! He lives permanently in Gdynia near the Ursulines School. I will see him at the Christmas Midnight Mass at the latest. He goes as long as he is in Gdynia (v. rarely happens) to the chapel in Urs. Mary, I'll tell you[,] when I've recovered a bit[,] everything in detail. I remember every word. And he kept smiling at me so wonderfully! And as we were saying goodbye, I thought my heart would break. I was drowning in tears throughout the evening! Mary, write to me quickly. I miss you and him terribly. So it was a good thing that I would go to the Ursulines. Let us pray for peace, otherwise, He will go to the frontlines! He has no permanent residence, so [I don't know] what that will be. Meanwhile, I love and have[...]. Well, but we'll arrive at the station soon (still far from Równe...) so [...].
I kiss you so strongly
Basia
P.S. We slept in Warsaw at Jadzia's place. I was at the Museum, and visited Jabłkowski Brothers. I saw Leszek. I will write again soon.
Kisses to you and Renia, and the little ones, greetings to Parents, Zbych and Marych from always yours Basia"
prepared by Monika Harchut
