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 16
Went down early in Fuzzie’s room to study math but there was no light so I crawled into bed with her until the light came on. Put on my new white shirt waist. Math quiz on identities and I flunked about every example. Helen Beattie came back with me to study. Bought some sugar for Isabel to make fudge. Went over to library to write report. In place of Latin, attended a lecture on Sicily by Mr. Emerson. Wrote to Rollin and a birthday letter to Alice. Studied in Lu’s room. The girls filled out my room. Have been to sleep but will write in report now.
Tuesday, March 17
Late for Trig and had to hand in a blank for the example as time was called. Mrs. Campbell’s clock is about 10 minutes slow. Had a letter from Edna [her sister]. Went down to Helen Beattie’s to study Trig and staid during elocution period as Mrs. Butler is ill. After dinner embroidered on linen collar Myrtle Heath gave me. Helen Beattie came and afterwards I walked downstreet with Jean and bought a pot of tulips for Rita Cooper who is ill at hospital. Saw the St. Patrick’s parade. To-night wrote English report on Richard Feverel. Is not all that satisfactory. For a wonder I studied during entire evening.
Wednesday, March 18
Staid for a conference after Trig. After Eng. went down to Helen’s and studied until 12:30. Dining room was full of men when I ate dinner and the silence was oppressive. In Latin Dr. Bushnell wore a Prince Albert coat. We wondered if he were going to a pink tea. Read Roman history and learned poetry until Lu came at 4:30 for me to go to Vespers. Dr. Coddington spoke on the one besetting sin of each individual. To-night we danced after supper and then studied. I went to sleep but now am wide awake.
Thursday, March 19
After Roman History, I started my long story. Went over to the library early with Lu and wrote most of the afternoon. Came back and studied Latin down in Fuzzie’s room until supper. Danced, finished my Latin and copied my theme until 12 by Mary’s candle.
Friday, March 20
Letter from mother telling of Uncle David’s death. The funeral is to be Saturday, but I decided not to go home. She said he died very quietly, as one goes to sleep. I wonder where Cousin Fannie will go. In Latin I had to recite the last verse of the poem. At four I went downstreet with Lu and bought some blue prints, some sandals and material for an underwaist. We bought some peanut candy to eat on the way home. We were quite late for supper. Lu and Harriet came in and I fixed up my Roman history note book. I slept with Lu and Harriet with Cassie as Grace went home.
Saturday, March 21
Alice Jenkin’s birthday. Did not get up until 7:00 and Lu and I came in to awaken Harriet and Cassie who had not heard the rising bell. Had a long letter from Jessie Torrey who has finished her training course and is going out for herself. Studied Latin in Lu’s room and then swept and dusted our room. After dinner cut out a corset cover by Harriet’s and sewed on it most of the afternoon. Also ironed and starched my white waist. The girls went downstreet and Lu bought me some lace. After supper we danced; Lillian and I went down after Florence Signeur to stay all night with Lillian. A beautiful starlight night. I made or started some fudge which Lu finished while I took a bath. Laura sleeping with Cassie to-night. She is down in Bea’s room and Harriet is in here studying by candlelight. Uncle David’s funeral was this afternoon.
Sunday, March 22
Lu and Harriet piled into bed early this morning with Cassie and me. We started about half past nine, the four of us, to hear Rev. Hugh Black at the Fourth Presbyterian. He is wonderful, perfectly wonderful. He is tremendously intense and magnetic in his personality. His theme was our lack of responsibility for consequences. His face was so sad. I could have cried when the service was over and I would have given worlds to have shaken him by the hand. This afternoon he spoke on the Hill. We walked home this morning and heard some song sparrows. To-night we heard the robins and it was so encouraging. Took off heavy underwear.
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