Walnut Hills
Cincinnati April 11th 1868

My dear Miss Lascelles. 

I have very slight excuse to offer for allowing so long a time to pass without writing you. I trust I shall have your kind forgiveness, altho I cannot I cannot so readily forgive myself. This week I has the great pleasure of receiving a letter from Mrs Parkinson which I have just answered so I thought I should mail a few lines to you. I am so much obliged to Mrs Parkinson for making a mention of you in the letter. I hope this will reach you and tho I do not seem to deserve an answer yet dear friend it would give us great pleasure to have a few lines from you that is if you feel quite able in health and spirit to do so. Do you still live in your house in the Square? and have you any friend to stay with you? My home is very quiet and lonely since our dear long afflicted mother went to her rest. Often from year to year I wondered when God would see it right to relieve her and me; and though I miss her sadly I am very truly thankful that her peculiar sufferings are at an end. It was a comfort that I was able to keep her with me and I feel grateful to God that he gave me strength to bear the trial to the end. Brother Willie lost his only child on Xmas day - just one week before mother's death. We all grieved for dear little Paul as he was the only little one amongst us. He was two years old - a fine handsome bright little fellow. Brother Willie and Sister Emilie have had three children. Paul was the only one that had been spared so long. Kate is quite well and grown very stout. We pass a part of every summer with her. She is very happy and comfortable situated. You see I tell you all about ourselves as news of our neighbourhood would not be of interest to you. Willie and Johnnie are in business in Chicago- sister Emilie has been with me for three months. Her health is feeble. We hope as she will spend the summer with sister Kate she will be sufficiently restores to return to her home in the winter. We shall probably go this summer again to the Maryland mountains. The air was so beneficial to my husband last year. You know he is not strong. He is always busy about some good work outside his own business. I was much surprised to hear of Mr Russell's sudden death. How is Miss Athinson. I never hear of or from Mrs and Mr Campbell. Please if convenient sometimes tells Marguerite and James McMullan that I enquire for them and desire to be remembered to them. Now dear friend, hoping you will be well and able to read this and trusting you will make me happy by a few lines in your own hand. Believe me with love from Mr Cinnamon and myself,
your affectionate friend

Nannie Cinnamon