Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) grew up in the village of Adams in Jefferson County. In 1908, while attending Syracuse University Mabel, as she was known, kept a diary which New York Almanack is publishing each week.
Monday, February 24
Lu and I slept in Grace’s room last night as Cassie had gone home. Fuzzie slept with Lillian. I studied only a few minutes before breakfast but was all right for math as Mr. Pratt cut. Helen Beattie came back and studied Trig and Latin. At four walked with Fuzzie. She afterwards took me in for chocolate.
To-night Lu and I went to recital given by Mr. Mahr, cellist, and Mlle. Hinchey-Harden, vocalist. It was very classical yet I enjoyed it. Started report on part of Venn in Return of the Native.
Tuesday, February 25
After English went down and studied trig with Helen Beattie. Recited in Elocution this P.M. — Robert of Sicily. Came home and found letter from Edna with one from Dora [her older sisters] enclosed.
After dinner, Helen Beattie came. Telephoned [?see insert] to come over as it was her twenty-second birthday. Mine comes soon and I would ward it off for the restlessness each year brings. We went over to Hill’s for hot chocolate and I then walked a piece with her. After tea Lu and I walked. I wentdownstairs and watched the girls get ready for the carnival; then came up and studied until the lights went out.
Wednesday, February 26
In Trig I was called on for some angles which I guessed at and then forgot what I said before I could substitute. Received invitation from Jessie Torrey to attend graduation of nurses from St. Luke’s March 2. From 11 to 12 studied at Helen Beattie’s. Isabel made fudge down in Christine’s room. Leta and I made a raid on rooms for alcohol and at last I bought some of Miss Adams. After supper I went with Lu down to the Boys’ Club on Willow St. There were only a few boys there and only one came into the library. Am going to sleep with Lu until Harriet comes. She has been to a baby party.
Thursday, February 27
Katherine Arnold came home with me after Roman Hist and I persuaded her to stay to dinner. After she left I wrote my report and finished it to-night. Took a warm bath and then wrote theme for Eng. III. Studied well for me — the whole evening until the lights went out. To-day we had ice-cream and suet pudding “both at once.”
Friday, February 28
Studied math early and for once made a decent recitation. Helen Beattie came back and we studied 1 hour in Harriet’s room. Letter from mother. Says they are having a hardwood floor laid in the dining room. After Latin went over to see Katherine. She seemed much stronger. Found that she never received 
the pot of daffodils I had ordered sent. Went over to the library and read the [?see insert] of The Wayfarers. To-night wrote up Roman Hist notes in Lu’s room. Jean came in. Went to sleep in there. Three of girls have gone home.
Saturday, February 29
Crawled into bed with Harriet and Lu, in spite of Harriet’s neuralgia. After breakfast studied Shakespeare. Straightened credits out with the registrar as I was not catalogued with advanced standing. Eng. VIII conference with Prof. Eaton. Came back and swept and dusted the room. After dinner Lu and I walked and then went downstreet. Bought eatables for a spread; blue and white handkerchief and picture frame. Walked both ways. Late to-night we had a spread in Lu’s room; cocoa and peanut butter sandwiches.
Sunday, March 1
After breakfast, washed fudge, or rather, spread dishes. Went to St. Mary’s Cathedral with Lillian, Harriet and Lu. Lenten regulations were read and I was much interested to hear them. Commenced to storm just after we reached home.
Read Richard Feverell after dinner. Collected material for Harriet to make fudge; took bath and put on blue waist for lunch. Mrs. Campbell joined us in singing afterwards. Miss Stevenson told our fortunes. Wrote letters to-night to the people [her parents] and Edna [her older sister].
Source link
