Gambier, Knox Co. Ohio
United States
4/24/03

My dear Frances, (Envelope shows she was living in London)

This long time I have intended writing to you to know all the personal things you would interest me with. I think of you all very often. Catherine gave me your present address. I had interesting letters from both Bessie and Kate. I received the paper in which George addressed the Duke of Connaught and also "the Queen" that you sent for which I am very much obliged.. I hear two or there times weekly from Johnnie. They have had Ralph, his eldest son and wife and baby on a visit of a few days. Bessie Rogan was long in recovery from he confinement and her dear mother died about six weeks ago. She was a country woman of ours and a very fine woman. She brought up a such a large family of five efficient and domestic daughters. We are all fond of Ralph's wife. The baby we think a love. They live in Ohio and Johnnie in Illinois but a train brings them in either place in six hours. I can reach Chicago in 12 hours and it is a delightful trip in the train. My sister Emilie our dear Willy's widow spent the winter in Southern California and got to Chicago on the first of this month. She has been in the doctor's hands ever since she struck her shin against a chair before leaving Los Angeles and neglected it (the doctor says so now). She has to keep her bed but she has gone to a convent where she shall have every care. She is a Catholic and a lovely woman in character. I expected her to visit me this spring but she cannot come now from the sanatorium. Do you go home sometimes to Killough to visit your dear sisters. You must be a great help and comfort to Mrs Hunt. I think this is the name of the lady with whom you live. As I grow old I pity those in advances years from their inability to do the many things they did when younger. Are your duties arduous and confining. I see you reside in the fashionable place in London perhaps far from the bustle and noises of he business parts of the city. Have you leisure for reading and sight seeing. Did any of James' children return from Australia. I wish some of you had married. I have a lady now residing with me which cheers my loneliness. Still I am much alone but I dont feel it as much as many that have not the same resources. I expect Johnnie (if you remember him) and his wife here some time in May. They have just had a visit from Ralph and his belongings. We have cool weather, now all the buds are ready to blossom if the sun only shone on them. Dont trouble or wait to write a long letter, a few lines of home news is satisfactory and refreshing to my spirit. Bessie tells me of the artistic table covers she is painting on white velvet. Are they fastened to the tables or merely thrown on the table top? The spring has come at last, the wild flowers are numerous. The birds building in the honey suckle at the porch. There are some of beautiful plumage's. I am well, nothing wrong with me but age. I walk with the aid of an Alpenstock?. Write to me at your earliest convenience and believe me with affection and regard of old times. Yours attached,

Kate Trimble

Do you know anything of this "Letterkenny work" that all the Americans are crazy about now?