East Walnut Hills
Gramdin St
December 3rd 1874

My dear Miss Lascelles,

I will begin and write you a long or short note just as it may turn out. I have already put it off too long. Kate sent me your very interesting letter. We are astonished at your good health and I trust you are not any weaker since. Kate and her husband are well. They came to see me this summer for a short visit. Brother John and Josie his wife came at the same time. You may be sure I feel thankful to see them all well and happy and little Philip brother's child has just commenced to walk. It is a good time for there is another expected in a short time 110th December. I was interrupted by a friend who remained a day or two with us. Our ward Spencer Hewlett is to be married on the 17th, he was just 21 last May. Miss Johnston is 19. Spencer met her at Hartford while he was at college and I expect them about the 21st to remain a few ways on their way to St Louis where Mr Hewlett is in business. He has always been like a son or brother to our family therefore I mention him knowing that you feel an interest in all our doings.

Thomas and Oliver Anketell came to us in August. Tom has got a situation and boards in the city. We hope soon to find something suitable for Oliver to work at. Tom has $10 a week and pays $4 for board, breakfast and tea. His lunch about 25c and a dollar a dozen for washing. He spends his Sundays with us. My next letter to Ireland must be to dear Mrs Hughes. We were all very much grieved to hear that she has lost two children - her oldest daughter must be grown large. Ten years in young people makes a great change. She had only two little girls when you met us in Belfast. I have often thought of asking have you ever seen or known of any photographic views having been taken of Killough. I have a little sketch taken years ago by Dora Campbell from the land of Ardglass. It was in pencil and I inked it over to preserve it. We are having a very mild winter so far. Cold weather must be expected sometimes, so perhaps at Xmas we may look for it. We keep warm in this house by furnaces and open fires besides. At this season we have an abundance of game in the city. Plenty of venison and prairie hens. They are about the size of a good chicken, very plump and fine. Hundreds of quails and rabbits. The rabbits are just now about 5c a piece. I made some crab apple cider and a small barrel of wine of our Catawba grapes and I have been successful. This year having plenty of apples and grapes I tried my skill. Now you know something of my occupation. Dear friend I shall hope to hear from you whenever have a desire to write. Warm remembrances to all our dear friends, with love to yourself. I am your affect,

Nannie Cinnamon