Kenyon College Gambier
Knox Co.
Ohio
United Stated
December 30th 1872

My dearest and much esteemed Miss Lascelles,

Yesterday I was made very happy by a long and very interesting letter from our dear Frances Parkinson telling us all sorts of news of loved and cherished friends and above all of you our thoughtful friend at all times. I need scarcely tell you how glad I was to know you enjoy a measure of health an that time has not made you indifferent to us. Many a time I think over your many acts of kindness to us at Sally's death and at other times too that (I have since I became more mature) I have felt the more grateful for. Fannie told me you had quite a protracted illness last winter. I trust this one will not be so trying to you and that we may hear good news of you. Should you not be able to write to me a few lines. I am sure dear Maria Parkinson, if she is with you, will kindly undertake the task. Nannie Cinnamon I know will write to you as soon as I send her word I have had a letter about you. She has moved out further from the city, a country cottage. She writes me that she likes her present home and surroundings very much. We have both good husbands, not ever addicted to small vices. All our children are married but one daughter who divides her time among her married sisters and is not much at home. Willy and Johnnie are in business together in Chicago. Their business in lard (land?) oil and the stock yards of that wonderful city. Willy and his wife spent a good part of the summer with us. Came to Chicago by our new railroad which runs at the rear of our college and which facilitates our family meetings if we could take a holiday or recreation as often as we should wish. Willy looks well but his whiskers are grey and is sight poor particularly one eye the right of which became dim in a few hours suffering from a violent headache. He has a charming wife but not living children. Josie Rogan, Johnnie's wife, had a son the fourth of November, a great Joy to Nannie and to me. We were in much anxiety about the little creature. He became weak and sick from the mothers condition as she had sore breasts and they were lanced twice and she is fair like all American women, not able to endure much of anything. they live in Chicago and Josie's mother resides with them. She was a Presbyterian and a daughter of a clergyman of that same denomination. They both attend the Protestant Episcopal church. Nannie knew Josie ever since she resided at Walnut Hills. She is very small and he is very tall. They spent a fortnight with us in Gambier on their way to Chicago after their wedding. I hope I may se them in the spring or summer. How is Joe Surch? If an opportunity offers please give him my warmest remembrances and I should be glad to hear from him. I sometimes regret I did not visit my native village before coming out here but at the time every nerve was quivering and it would have been too trying. there are some lessons experience alone can teach. You cannot think, my dear miss Lascelles, how much the ring you sent to me by my dear father as a parting gift leaving Ireland, how much it is admired. Is it not a very old ring? I prize it greatly. What parlour do you sit in most and do you occupy he right hand front bed room upstairs. This is a long note for you to read. I hope it will not tire you. My dear john to whom I trust you would like writes with me in wishing you a very happy new year and many of them and the same greetings to Mrs Parkinson and all here loved links and with much love also. Hoping dear Maria will son write to me if the task be too much for you, though I should love to hear from both. I remain, my dear miss Lascelles,

K. Trimble.

Does Alexander Osbourne visit the National Schools in or around Killough and can you still tell me if they still reside in Newtownards.