4/20/05
Gambier, Knox. Co.

My dear Frances,

The programme of the concert in the school house, Killough, was startling. There are a few familiar names on the list of singers, descendants of neighbours when I was in my native village. Thank you most sincerely for sending it and your note so full of interest to me. I am sorry to know that Bessie suffers from her liver, it is so depressing. I hope as spring opens and she can go into the open air she will soon be herself again. I dont hear from them but not one of you is forgotten.

My brother and sister and law returned from Florida in March. They sold their house in Adams street in Chicago and had to give possession of it in April. They are boarding at a family hotel till they are suited. John returned invigorated in general health. They were at an hotel on a bluff where "the waves of the dashing Atlantic" rolled to within a few yards of the beach and a stretch of 30 miles of beach. The Ormond one quite favours for motoring. The scene was gay with bathers and white dresses. The tropical vegetation superior?! Where they went first frost had killed the oranges and lemons on the trees. the fruit was black. I have never been in the south or in California. In my younger days my finances were too limited and now I prefer "Home sweet home". I remember the Teers and Montgomerys. David Teer was a clerk in our dear father's store. Rebecca Montgomery I remember well - I rejoice that her namesake has done so well. Such marriages are common in the united States. Mr Giffiths must be a fine independent fellow to brave public prejudice (as it was when I was there) to take no denial from the woman he loved. A good many of my country men could learn many lessons from Americans. The men make the most considerate humane and tender husbands in the world. they are so gentle! Is it Mrs Teer's house that the bride will bring her husband. In my time it was the post office. Mrs Teer who kept it was a picture in herself. Her features so regular and beautifully chiselled, her gentle manner and voice, and Quaker cap and colours. She was a Methodist and one of the early ones. I believe she was Mr Teer's third wife. I knew Bessie Teer before she was married to Joe Surch and Nellie Teer very well. We sometimes talked of Daniel and Rebecca's union.

Ralph my married nephew and wife and beautiful child are well. Roger is not married. We all wish he was.

Time must hand heavy on Mrs Hunt not being able to read or work as she did. The same trouble is here about servants. Many prefer hiring by the day. In America you dont loose cost by doing without servants. The wages are out of all proportions to the services. Housekeeping is easier now than when I came. The houses are heated and illuminated by natural gas. Every one has a telephone. I have one it saves so many steps. I can send a long distance telephone. I never had a satisfactory account about Fannie Hughes' children. I am told Lena is a very fine woman. I presume there is not one of our name in and about Killough.

It seems quite a "fad" to study Irish language. Just before I left Eniskerry I knew there was a chair created for it in T.C.D. The Irish clergy discovered their deficiency in preaching in he West of Ireland.

I am well and trying to learn the Hardanger work. I hope Sam has been restored to health since he went home. Do you hear any of James' family.

Give my love to Bessie and Kate, Maria and Annie. Remember me kindly to Samuel and Mrs Parkinson his better half. Let me have a short note sometimes,

I crave your indulgence for this long note. you must read it in instalments. Your loving and old friend my dear Frances.

Kate Trimble.