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, March 9
Called on in math and managed to make a recitation after much hesitation. Then came home to study. Had a long letter from Betty who is doing Y.W.C.A. work in Sacramento. After dinner Lu, Harriet and I finished the last orange. Went in Isabel’s room after Latin and she told me all about her travels home. Finished Richard Feverel. Lu and I went down to drugstore and bakery. Mailed white goods to mother and bought brown bread. Came back and found Jessie Barnes here. She is much thinner but hopes to come back after sanitarium treatment.
Tuesday, March 10
Celebrated with coffee and doughnuts this morning. Jean brot my mail up to Shakespeare class; three letters from Edna, Rollin and Earl Dunmore. Studied math at Helen’s. In elocution had to read [????]. After dinner Helen came and we tried to study math and Roman History but could not do either to advantage. Went up to Liberal Arts after tickets for Harvard concert. Miss Minch stopped for me to go down to hear Dr. Hearst speak on Miracles. I was eager to go, but he was not satisfactory, very. Walked home with her and discussed the Doll’s House. Lu & I walked down to drugstore after tea. Julia Marlow in As You Like It to-night.
Wednesday, March 11
Recited in math. I always want to put this down as a red letter day when I happen to be called on for something I know. Helen came back with me. After Latin went over to library and studied on Roman History until after six. Studied math in the evening. Harriet bought a plateful of cookies from Mrs. Campbell. They were not very good. Bea made some tea and I went down and drank some after lights went out. It was good but it kept me awake until after one. Bea and Christine were honored with a private interview because they talk across the way with one of the boys. Lillian is waiting on table in Ethel’s place. I cannot decide about answering the letter. Cassie pledged Alpha Gamma Delta.
Thursday, March 12
No Journal. Roman history quiz. Walked down after dinner a piece with Lu and Harriet who is going to the dentist’s. Stopped in to see Leta. Wrote in her birthday book. Helen came over to study for a math quiz. Afterwards went down in Fuzzie’s room and we lay on bed and talked. Bea came in asked us in to have some of her box; apples and cookies. After supper walked with Lu and Harriet. Studied Latin in Jean’s room. Ethel has gone home. Going to bed early as the tea last night kept me awake. Katherine went home yesterday.
Friday, March 13
Math quiz this morning but I got most terribly mixed. Came back and read the Journal. Mr. Smith cut English. Harriet had a fruit cake sent to her. Isabel made some good nut fudge. Went over to library to read for Shakespeare. Walked home with Miss Briggs with Fuzzie and Christine. After supper we danced and tried the Barn Dance. Went up to Liberal Arts with Lillian and climbed thru window into History seminar. Made fudge–under protestation.
Saturday, March 14
Letter from Father with check for $50 enclosed. He is troubled with rheumatism and was going up to see Dr. White. Studied or at least tried to study Trig down at Helen Beattie’s. Came home and swept the room. Walked with Lu after dinner and then walked downstreet with Jean, Grace Gatchell and Harriet. Took my black skirt to tailor to be mended. I tore it this morning making the bed. Went with the girls to the dentist. Saw [????] at the Five and Ten. Went over and left a note for Myrtle Heath to stay with me to-night. Sewed and started linen collar. Lillian gone away to-night.
Sunday, March 15
Myrtle staid for some time after breakfast and we had music in the parlor. Undressed to take a bath but had to wait for the water to heat. Wrote home and, later, to Mary. Isabel went down after mail and brot me a letter from mother. Thundered and lightened after dinner. Walked down to Harvard concert with Harriet, Lillian and Lu and then went to Vespers. Rode home. After lunch Christine and I went down and popped corn over the furnace. Went in Lu and Harriet’s room to eat it. Have to study Trig to-night.
Photos, from above: Mabel Allen, and American actress Julia Marlowe.
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