When word spread throughout the region around Rimanov that the famous Count Dravski would be arriving, all the local gentry assembled to pay homage to the renowned poet and freedom fighter. Although he was now, in 1883, an old man of eighty, his fame had not diminished and he was held in the highest esteem.
The Count was feted extravagantly and in the course of the reception he explained the reason for his visit. "When I was a small child I fell ill. My mother called for the best physicians available, but none of them could cure me, and they soon despaired of my life. My poor mother was frantic. I was her only and beloved son. One afternoon a friend of hers came to visit and advised her to seek the help of a wonder-working rabbi who lived in a nearby town. This holy man was well known in the surrounding villages, and Jew and gentile alike came to request his blessings.
"My mother lost no time. She called her coachman and with the fastest horses she flew to the house of Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Rimanov accompanied by her two closest friends. They arrived at the crack of dawn, but despite the early hour, the household bustled with activity, as that was the time reserved for caring for the needs of the indigent. They requested an audience, and the rebbe agreed to see them after he completed his prayers.
"When the time finally came, my mother's friend approached the rebbe and explained the terrible situation. The rebbe listened and then replied in perfect Polish: 'Have you come to me because you think I am a sorcerer and I have some magic with which I can help you?'
'No,' replied my mother's friend, 'but I see that you live a holy life and so, you are closer to G-d than other people. For this reason G-d listens to your prayers more closely.'"
'Since that is your thought I agree to pray for the boy.'
"The women left his room leaving the door ajar, and seated themselves outside his door. They were able to glimpse the figure of the rebbe. He was engaged in fervent prayer, beads of perspiration glimmering on his face. After three hours of this intense devotion he called them into his room and said: 'At this exact moment your child's illness has been relieved. When he has recovered completely bring him to me so that I may bless him.'
"My mother returned home and rushed into my room, asking the maids, 'How is the child?' They told her that there was no great change, except that at exactly 12 noon, I had awakened and asked for a glass of water.
"After a few weeks of recuperation I was well enough to travel to the rebbe. I received his blessing and he admonished me to always treat the Jews with kindness. Know that I have kept my word. Now that I am an old man I wished to make a pilgrimage to the rebbe's grave to pray at that holy spot."
Count Dravski began to weep uncontrollably, and in keeping with Jewish custom he wrote a note to place at the grave. The note read: "Ye sons of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - pray for the soul of the late Menachem Mendel! And you, Mendel, since you stand already in the presence of the Heavenly Throne, pray for the oppressed nations - the Jewish People and Poland - and pray too for me, for my children, and for my grandchildren!
Signed: Miechislaw Dravski, son of Victoria
(In 1901 the German scholar Aharon Marcus wrote in his Der Chassidismus that he had succeeded in securing the actual note.)
