Kenyon college Gambier
Knox Co. Ohio
United States
America
January 8th 1875

My dear Miss Lascelles,

This long time I have been looking for a letter from you and as a last resource write to say so, as I have been (mentally) threatening. John (my dear husband) and I, wish you a happy new year, and many returns of it. Of course I am very anxious to hear of you and how you have been this winter, and if any of the dear Parkinson girls is staying with you. I had two papers from some friend in Belfast (I don't know the writing on the address) announcing the death of two children of Fannie Hughes. I wrote to fanny immediately but got no letter since. We have had a remarkably mild season up to this but now I think we are going to have cold weather. There has been ice enough t skate on the "Hokosing"? the name of the creek running at the rear of the college. It is an Indian name meaning owl? creek. I saw wagons carting ice for the ice houses for summer use, huge blocks three and four feet thick. It has been so cold for two days. We have not ventured out. John goes to his recitation. I have had letters from Nannie, Willy and Johnnie and their wives and John Cinnamon since the new year. They are all well thank God and contented and happy. To begin with Nannie, she has suffered with suppiscated? ears but was better. They had their ward Spencer Hewitt and his young bride on a visit at Xmas. He (the groom) is about 22 or 23, and his wife 19. John and Nannie have seen the harvest of their care in Mr Hewitt's good habits and manly gentlemanlike manners. They are very fond of him. Willie and Emilie (his wife) live a quite life. She is an active member in her own church. They are very devoted to each other and both fond of home. Johnnie is equally a home person, his baby is the joy of his heart. The little fellow can walk all round the house but his great delight is to hold his father's fingers and walk through the rooms and hall. He understands all his parents say but cannot talk any yet. Mrs Fewper Josie's mother has taken up residence for the residue of her life with them. The baby amuses her and gives her a fixed occupation which is not heavy as they have a nurse. the second little one has not come yet. Johnnie wrote me he expected to be routed out for the doctor at any time, and I am in daily expectation of a telegram. I am glad and thankful the baby will have a little companion. In America there is a custom for all the gentlemen to call on the ladies on New Year's day and to tender their congratulations on the birth of the new year. Most of the ladies prepare some refreshments for the occasion. I have always done so like at this time. I had a great many visitors. The students announce the New Year by ringing the college bell. The church bell was also rung and some flourishes (feeble ones) of artillery. When you write to me my dear Miss Lascelles tell me all about my native village and any changes there may be in it. Is Joe Surch still in the same old place. I often think of the rope walk and the pleasant look of everything of a spring morning when the tide flowed to the wall of the garden and the young tenderhearts Mr Henry's house held, and buoyant we were then!. Has any of Mrs Parkinson's children married yet? It is a mistake I think for girls not to marry. They are so lonely when they have no fixed occupation. Mrs Mansfield is a constant correspondent of mine. Her eldest daughter was already to be married when a misfortune happened to the young man. A horse threw him and crushed his ankle?, so it has been postponed immediately. There is a great deal of distress among the poor in New York. We have nothing of the kind here. We can scarcely get our washing done from insufficiency of that kind of labour. The emigrants do not like to come west. They prefer herding together in the large cities but they are not so comfortable as they would be out in this direction. Have you a photograph of yourself? I wish you would send me one. I would value it greatly. I hope Nannie has written to you long ere this. should you have an opportunity of sending a message to Margaret McMullan tell her I remember her and hers with affection. If it is possible for you to write my dear Miss Lascelles some kind friend will oblige by doing so for both our sakes. Give my love please to all the Parkinsons, remember me affectionately to Joe Surch. Accept our sincere and best wishes for every spiritual and temporal blessing to be yours - and believe me to be your much attached

Kate Trimble

many thanks for "Beautiful snow".