Eglon W. Virginia
Via Oaklands
August 11th 1901

My dear Frances,

Don't call me anything but the old familiar name. Your note was forwarded from Gambier and it is full of interesting detail of many things which I desires and longed to be informed. The last note that I had from Kate she was in Captain O'Farrells family. My heart aches from them all living in Killough. There is no outlet for ones energies and a mere pittance for ones labour in any direction. I am sorry that Bessie suffers from her liver. It is very depressing to the spirits. I suffered much in the same way when in Killough. I came here with friends on the 1st of July the hottest day this year. We travelled at night but preferred standing on the rear platform of the car to our sleeping berths. I came with friends of our dear Nannies. I intend to stay another month if I keep well. Johnnie is so contented at my being here. We are in Mountains. The scenery very fine, the drives and walks very fine and invigorating. I am perplexed to know in what direction the Sycamores are planted to make a long walk from the Preaching house to the Quay Lane. Is it round the Rope Walk to Quay Lane. I presume as Mrs Hunt grows older she requires your care more. Has Fannie Hughes 2 daughters. Lena? is the only one I hear named. I have a Photo of two. Is the other married. It is a great mistake not to marry early in life. The Americans settle their sons and daughters early. They are very practical. We can learn this and much more from them. This is such an immense industrial country that one can find employment if they are not too old. There is just the same trouble with servants here. It is all over the world. They leave in a few months or after they have learned something. I cannot tell you how I regret that Kate has not a permanent position that she would like. Bessie, I am sure, is not fit to do much in the way of keep on account of her precarious health. I hope Sam will be successful in this last change. The learned professions are hard "to get along in" at first. They take time especially a Doctor to have a good reputation established.

I am very well dear Frances for my great age. I have no infirmities and am interested in everything going on here and in Ireland. I have had the kindest, most thoughtful and affectionate of brothers. Johnnie writes to me 3 or 4 times a week. Willie was more like a father to me than a brother. Johnnie visits me once every year mostly in spring. He likes the country drives. His sons are fine young men but neither of them as fine looking as their father. Johnnie is very helpless from something that he suffers in his knees. When he comes to me he never or rarely moves off the porch unless to drive. At home he goes and comes from his office in a cab.

This note is more satisfying than a card and I hope it will provoke a letter from you soon. Don't wait to write a long one as I know your time is not your own and as Mrs Hunt is very dependent on you. I am sure Johnnie will thank you for any Irish paper you will kindly remember to send him. Of course you are aware that dear Willy has solved that great mystery, death. I expect Emilie, his widow, to visit me October in Gambier. Give my love to Bessie and Maria also to Fannie Hughes. Tell her I wish she would write to me. I am in arrears to Kate but hope to write some of these days. Dont put off writing too long. Do you ever hear or have you seen any of James children? What a dream life is? I remember your dear mother as Miss Johnston and your valued father "waiting on her" as they say here. I am as ever your affectionate.

Kate Trimble