Cremore [1]
Poyntzpass [2]
Ireland
  May 14th 94

My dear Sally [3]

            I send you £33-12-7 made up of £25-12-8 and £7-8-11 the former rents & the latter the half year's annuity from the Bradford estate [4] .  You will be good enough to sign and return the two receipts.  I cannot send the vouchers as it would not do to part with them.  I had to give the tenants 2/6 in the pound. Would you approve of me giving the collection of the rents to Mr. Rutherford [5] or Mr. Dunwoody [6] .  I find it hard to deal with the tenants.  You will let me have the receipts as soon as possible.

    We have Willie [7] back to the old country.  I cannot tell you how glad we are to see him.  He looks well.  He's a good bit changed in his appearance.  He and Mary [8] are at Dvalley [9] .  On the 27 ult I got a telegram from Queenstown to say he would be at Loughgilly [10] at 8 p.m.  I was just settling down to write a sermon.  I could not proceed I got so excited.  I met him at Loughgilly at the time appointed.  I need not tell you the mutual joy of the meeting.  We stopped overnight and started for Belfast the next morning to see Mary [11] and the children. He gave them a great surprise.  His word was doubly sweet as he was able to tell us so much about dear ones out of sight tho not out of mind.  I assure you he got a vast amount of catechising and he is hardly done yet.  I may state that Mrs. Wright [12] of Ballynode had [our] [????] [in] for him before his arrival and Mary and he are to call there before their return.

    We  had a great deal of sickness among the children.  They all took measles and were sent home.  Mary [13] , in addition to the measles, had an attack of pneumonia, and for a week or more she was in a very critical position.  She has not been able to return to school.  She is with me and is beginning to do a little home keeping.  Sally [14] is now in charge of the young folk while Mother is "towering" with Willie [15] .  I have got an appointment for a month to supply Blackrock [16] .  So we intend to divide the family and give [???] to each sister. Willie is quite for the scheme so we are hoping for a jolly time.  Willie brought the photo of your son.  Who is he like?  I can trace no likeness to any one  But you know I am proverbially dull at that kind of thing.  I was glad to hear from Willie that you are comfortably settled and that Mr. Whiteside [17] is much thought of - and yourself too.  I am sure you have a busy time doing the nursing and the housekeeping.  I hope Mr. Whiteside is a good husband in the nursery.  I take it that you got the cash for the last Post Bill. when you have not intimated to the contrary.  I send the [????] remittances as before.  Give my kindest regards to Mr. Whiteside.

               Yours affectionately,

                             W. Reid

P.S.  Agnes Reid [18] , the elder of my nieces, got married on the 10th of April and has gone to live in Belfast.  Mr. Reid [19] has been sent to the asylum, his mind has got so imbecile that he could not be kept in safety.  How sad!

Envelope addressed to:-

       Mrs. Whiteside
       C/O Rev. W.S. Whiteside
       Ione
       Amador County
       California
       U.S.A.