Urspringen, August 17, 1855

Beloved Sons!

We received your long-awaited letter on the 6th of this month. Oh, if only you would not make us wait so long between letters. Remember, we are not as busy as you and are constantly thinking and speaking of you. At least, let us occasionally hear from you. In the future, send us regular letters every two months. We will also do the same for you.

Dear children, you will soon receive a letter from us in which we inform you of the engagement of our Regina. I know you will greet this news as enthusiastically as we have. What makes us even more happy is to have such fine, helpful children as you. You have not only just shared in the joy of this occasion, but also, you have shared in making it possible. That is far more noble and worthy, my dear Seligmann, for without your help, our Regina would never have done so well. I could have only offered 1500f, and, around here that would only bring a poor weaver or shoemaker, who in a few years would be as old as Methuselah. Our Regina's fiancé is quite wealthy with assets of about 5000f to 6000f and he has a reputation for being well-liked and ambitious in his business. He is very smart and, most of all, he is a good man, who will treat Regina properly. As we read your last letter, dear Seligmann, and came to the place where you describe the kind of person you wish for Regina, your mother and I felt as if we had previously discussed it with you. Your description is identical to ours. If God will give us his blessing, Feifer Gutmann is just the person we all want. He is, as I said, an understanding, self-supporting businessman. On the Sabbath, he was here with his sister and our joy was only lacking to the extent that both of you were not here with us. We thought of you, however. Gutmann wants to personally meet you. He gave each of the children gifts. He bought Regina very expensive, beautiful jewelry. His permit to take Regina to Karbach has been applied for and it should be arriving very soon. It is possible the wedding will take place before the appointed date. Oh, if only you could both be here! But then, who has ever had all his wishes fulfilled? Even though we still have a few worries, you have taken many from me.

Now, about you and your circumstances, dear children. I am so happy that you are together. That is just like you, dear Sigmund, to go right to the mines, from which you sent us a gold nugget. You will soon be rich. That is not as easy as it sounds. That, I have already experienced. I have tried to get rich quick many times in my life, but I have found that God more readily blesses the more patient, diligent person. Under the direction of your experienced and clever brother, perhaps you will in time reach your goal, but, my dear children, do not believe that you have to be rich to be happy. Pay attention to your physical and spiritual well-being. Protect your health and do not physically over-extend yourselves. What is most important to me is that you observe your religion. I am saddened to hear that so many neglect their religion in America. However, I am convinced that the holy flame in your hearts will never go out. Remain together, dear children, and take care of each other. Dear Sigmund, you understand very well how to protect your possessions. Always give us a true picture of your circumstances. This is of extreme interest to me. I will close my portion of this letter by emphasizing my first part of this letter to you to write us often. I bless you and wish you a happy New Year.

Your caring father,

Aron Heilner

My dearly beloved Seligmann and Sigmund!

Your dear letter arrived while your father was in Birkenfeld. I was so anxious for him to know that your letter had arrived, I went to get him. I must tell you that your letters and your faithful devotion give us our most happy hours. I am sure you are thrilled with the news of the engagement of our dear Regina. I know that you were as anxious for this to happen as we were. We know that earthly joy cannot be perfect, and without you here to share this joyful event with us, our joy is not complete. However, I justify this, by knowing that perhaps if you had remained with us, you would not have been able to afford such a generous offer. Your dear father, as he already told you, paid 2500f as a dowry. That was only possible through your innocent and brotherly devotion. I do not doubt that God will give you much happiness for doing such a thing. Rarely, can such good and noble children be found, God will not let you go unrewarded. I must admit that our concern for Regina rested heavily on our hearts. It is only possible to find a decent man by offering a large dowry. As much as I share the burdens of your father and try to relieve him from them, I could not give him the financial help you gave, dear Seligmann. Last year your father thought he would only have to pay 2000 Gulden for a decent mate for Regina. He asked you for 500f and, through your generosity, you offered 1000f. As it happened, your dear father had to pay 2500f, a sum he could not have paid without your extra 500f. We will give all for our children's happiness.

You can see how much circumstances surrounding the engagement of Regina have concerned us, since almost this entire letter is about Regina.

We are so comforted to know that you are now together, thank God. We hope you will be able to remain together. Dear Sigmund, you must be the housekeeper and dear Seligmann must be satisfied with you. I hope, God willing, that dear Seligmann will visit us sometime. Not only do we miss you very much, but there are many others here that would like to see you. The wedding is scheduled to take place in one year. Perhaps, it will be possible for you to be here, dear Seligmann.

We thank God that we are all well and satisfied. We live very simply. Your dear father tries to earn as much as he can, and, as is true to his character, we experience our greatest happiness through our children. We thank the Lord for our happiness. Things do not need to be one bit better for us. Thank goodness, we have a while yet before we need to be concerned about Caroline. Max is very thrifty and diligent. We are sure he will go far in life as soon as he has a good understanding of business. Perhaps our little David will become a teacher and help your dear father, and Sophie will help me with the housekeeping. Remain well and write to us often. I greet you and send you many kisses.

Your loving mother,

Nanni Heilner

My beloved brothers Seligmann and Sigmund!

Your dear letter brought us much happiness. We are happy to see you are well and satisfied. I read your letters through very often and each time I am filled with joy to have such good and noble brothers, who are concerned about their sister's happiness. I wish I could be with you, if only for an hour, and show my love for you with a kiss and an embrace. You have taken so much worry from our dear parents through your generosity. Especially, you, dear Seligmann. I can only pray to God that He will protect you and give you his blessing. Since so much has been written about my engagement, I will close with the wish that you will remain well and happy.

Your faithful sister,

Regina

My fiancé sends his heartiest greetings.

My dear brothers!

Your beautiful letter brought us again much joy. We are happy you are well. We too, thank God, are well. Our greatest moments come when your letters arrive. Write us often, for it seems so long between letters. Take care of yourselves and I send you my fondest greetings and kisses.

Your loving sister,

Caroline

I also want to kiss and greet you, my beloved brothers. If I were with you, I would also go immediately to the goldmines and find a large nugget. The other night I dreamed that you both came home in a magnificent carriage with a giant gold nugget. I have such dreams often. Yesterday, I said Haftorah^[1][1] for the second time. I greet you for Sophie. She is ambitiously sewing to earn a silk dress.

Your brother,

David

[page 4 (sheet 1, left-hand side), postscript, in handwriting of Aron Heilner:]

Since there is a little room left, and, in case you did not receive the last letter, I will repeat a few things. I wrote you that on July 8th, Regina was engaged to Feifer Gutmann. We are all very happy about that. We sent you an engagement card. You will find everything else repeated in this letter.

[/page 4 (sheet 1, left-hand side), postscript]