Translated from: ru/1913/1913-11-20_pismo_ta_slavutinskoy_20_noyabrya_1913.txt

10 November. This letter has been sitting with me for two weeks owing to the breakdown of the postal road.

Tatiana Aleksandrovna. I feel somewhat ashamed to write, but what can one do -- necessity compels. I do not have a single kopeck. And all my provisions are exhausted. I had a little money, but it went on warm clothing, footwear, and provisions, which are terribly expensive here. For the time being, they still extend credit, but what will happen later -- honestly, I do not know... Would it be possible to stir up some acquaintances (someone like Krestyansky) and scrape together 20 or 30 rubles? Or even more? That would be sheer salvation, and the sooner the better, as winter is at its height here (yesterday it was 33 degrees below zero). And I have not bought enough firewood; my supply is running out. I trust that, if you want to, you will manage. So set to work, dear. Otherwise, this "Caucasian from the Kalashnikovsky exchange" will be done for before you know it... You know my address -- send it directly to me (Turukhansk Territory, Yenisei Province, village of Kostino, etc.). If necessary, one could stir up Sokolov, too, and then more than 30 rubles might turn up. And that would be a feast for me.

12 November. Dear, darling Tatiana Aleksandrovna, I received the parcel. But I did not ask you for new underclothes -- I only asked for my own, old ones, and you went and bought new ones and spent your money. It is a pity, because you have very little money yourself. I do not know how to repay you, dear, darling one.

20 November. Dear one. My need grows by the hour. I am in a desperate situation; on top of everything, I have fallen ill -- some kind of suspicious cough has set in. I need milk, but... money -- there is no money. Dear one, if you obtain the money, send it by telegraph immediately. I cannot endure the wait any longer...

Ostrovsky, A.V. Who Stood Behind Stalin. pp. 396-397.

GARF. F. 102. OO. 1914. D. 5-25-B. L. 4-4 rev.