Piqua
May 22nd 58

My dear dear Miss Lascelles,

We were indeed very glad to receive your kind and affectionate letter which I had intended answering immediately though it was not addressed to me. Still I know that you would be at least pleased to have a line and this I trust will find you well. I suppose Nannie has written to you long since and furnished you with some details of all that interesting to us. Your letters are always intensely interesting. There is no correspondent in Ireland takes half the pains you do in giving us a panorama of life in our native village. Since the receipt of your letter we received letters from Bessy Parkinson and her Mamma giving us all the news as anticipated they would. I am grieved you should feel Mrs Eves' slight so much. Dont let it prey on you mind or spirits. The greatest wounds come from those we have tried to serve and befriend. I have had my share in my time but if they lead me not to ----- of flesh I shall have reaped joy and not sorrow. I am still in Piqua but shall leave in a fortnight as the principal of the school has been seized with an affection in the throat and cannot speak above a whisper. Of course this cramps her efforts at teaching. Therefore the close will be five weeks earlier than expected. In some respects I am pleased in others it is a cause of regret. Willy met with a serious accident coming up from Louisville about three weeks ago but for the watchful care of an all good and gracious Providence he would have been hurried from us without any premonition, about nine miles from the city on his return trip to Cincinnati. The last car was precipitated from? the canal? and the passengers all (9 or 10 in number) more or less hurt. Willie had his shoulder sprained, forehead cut. Nanny says he was dreadful to look at, so shattered when he reached home. My poor father was so alarmed that he did not wait for an omnibus but walked out to her at Walnut Hills and walked back in the boiling sun so he has been quite knocked up by it since, and he is now with Nanny at the hill for change and rest. Willy is progressing slowly, the pain continues in his chest. He had leeches applied, and the doctor hopes he will not have to cup him. His forehead, I fear, will be marked, but we have every reason to be thankful that he has been spared and in full use of his faculties as he might have been given life and … maimed. Johnnie, I suppose Nannie told you has gone to Australia. It is quite a blow to many a fond hope of mine. We had no letter from him previously nor had we any since. I grieve much for his absence and that he should never know my love, or how much I care for him except what could be imperfectly conveyed through letter. Nannie is worn by Willys affliction still. I think mercy is mingled in the cup, as it may mitigate this sorrow for our loved Jacks removal. We had looked for him and longed for him coming to us and now the probabilities are less and removed than ever.

Have you got anything satisfactory settled touching you abode? and have you decided on removing from the old homestead? I can understand your feelings perfectly and think you are right to move somewhere that you can find friends and association that will help the alleviation of the trials and troubles of life. We have had an unusually mild winter and the spring still lingers with us though bleak, the rain is continuing daily so the farmers are murmuring about the seed time passing without planting the Indian corn. You cannot think what a good thing it is when made into cakes or puddings. I wish Joe Surch would write to me, he did not send me the paper you alluded to. Give him and Mrs Surch my most affectionate love and say I think of them often. Indeed I can never forget those who watched with me in our time of sorrow and bereavement. They are ever the dearest, and memory loves to linger there, amid her dearest treasures.

Do you ever see the McGrath? Give me all the news of Killough and Ardglass. Nannie and Mama had letters from Mrs and Mr Campbell in the winter. We were very glad to get them. I hear often from the Trenches, they do not forget me. I propose trying to get up my own class of music when I go back to Cincinnati. Should I not succeed in getting one as large as expected or as would remunerate me I shall try and get either to Kentucky or Virginia. I like the manners of the people and as I must teach I may as well make it as light as I can, at best it is irksome and I am nearly tired of it, but there is no help for it that I can see, but I have been more successful than most persons. Is Tom Bracken dead, I have so longed to hear of him and each time I forget to ask you. The Richardsons are well. Mrs Gatchell, their eldest daughter, has got a nice little baby. A gentleman has adopted another daughter. We dont see them much but on great occasions as marriage and births, etc. I hope you will soon write to me. Mamma or the rest do not know I am writing else I should be commissioned with many kind messages. Mamma and Papa have grown thin. I had nearly forgotten to tell you that all over the United States there have been great revivals going on since Winter and all the Spring. They have extended to Piqua. In Cincinnati the mission prayer meeting are held in all the large churches and at any hour that suits the business people and tradesmen. They are led by the business men and are simply conducted, by singing some popular hymns and reading a portion of scripture, a word of exhortation from some of the veterans? or new comments? The churches are crowded. They have been productive of much good. There has been more love and charity, diffused through all sects, so they all join in doing homage and supplicating the blessings of a common Father and Redeemer. Mamma has attended them all in the city. In Piqua we have mission prayer meetings in each church once a week and a small meeting in Boarder? Hall each Sunday.

I hope you will soon write, tell me everything about yourself. give my kind love to every one interested enough to remember. Ask Joe does he ever visit the spot where our poor Sally rests. I often in walking through the cemeteries here wish I had her remains transported, where the graves of the loved and departed are kept in such order and tended with such care. They are planted with beautiful care, adorned with flowers, shrubs and evergreens. Again allow me to ask you to write soon. I shall try and answer promptly. Accept my love and believe me my dear Miss Lascelles ever your affectionate friend.

Kate Rogan