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, April 27
Awoke early this morning to study math. We had 2 examples on the quiz and I flunked one and I fear, the other.
Helen came down and then I walked back with her to get some ‘loly pops.’ Found a letter from Rollin when I got back from Latin. He wants me to come the Wednesday of Junior week, but I cannot, I think. Edith came back this morning and was over to see me. I started out to find her dressmaker, Miss Compton, over on Lodi St., but she could not make my white dress. I am going to-morrow to see Mrs. Dean’s dressmaker. To-night it lightened. I wrote Roman History until late. My story came out last week in the Syracuse Weekly.
Tuesday, April 28
Second exam in logs but I was all mixed up. I am sure I flunked it because Lillian flunked hers. It is too provoking after I put so much time in the stuff. Letters from Zoe and Edna [her sister] and post cards from father and Shel Hungerford. This afternoon I could not study, so went with Leta to Walker’s to get some alcohol for ‘Lenny’ and then hunted in rain for a dressmaker on Renwick Ave. Later Lu went with me and we found the place. Studied Latin after supper and read in Romeo and Juliet. Grace, ‘Lenny’ and Fuzzie came up after the lights went out and we made quite some disturbance, I imagine.
Wednesday, April 29
Awoke early and studied Trig. Eggs and toast for breakfast. Short letter from mother, saying they were busy house cleaning. Was a few minutes late for Eng. conference and Mr. Smith cut. Sorry because it makes the second conference I have cut, unavoidably. Called on to translate in Latin. A Miss Walker, a friend of Shel Hungerford’s, called this afternoon. Leta went with me to take goods down to dressmaker. After supper walked with Lu around stadium.
Thursday, April 30
Slept until the breakfast bell rang. After Roman History wrote up notes and read the Journal [her father’s weekly paper]. After dinner Lillian and Lu bought some peanuts and I studied Latin. At 5:30 Lu and I walked, altho it was raining. After supper we danced and since I have been reading ‘Romeo and Juliet’ in Lu’s room while she made an Easter bulletin. Went to sleep, too. Christine came up and suggested we have our pictures taken. Last night I went down after Fuzzie was asleep and got in bed with her.
Friday, May 1
Snow storm. After math staid up and talked with Prof. Pratt with Helen. Consequently we have not our math for Monday. After Latin I hemmed some curtains Lillian bought and we stenciled them. Put them up after supper and they look very pretty. After supper I went down with Lu to call on Miss Haddler and then we walked. Read Winter’s Tale and Romeo and Juliet. Wanted to go to the Princeton game this P.M. but it was too blowy. Jean and Ethel have been tearing up, preparing to leave.
Saturday, May 2
No mail for me. Studied Latin until Helen came when we worked Trig. I walked up to college with her and then back with Lu. After dinner Harriet and I went to see Mrs. Sibley about rooms for next year. Went with the girls to the track meet against Pennsylvania. Syracuse won. Left early with Lu and was caught in the rain. Lu and I went downstreet after my pumps which I bought for $3.75 at Hunter and Tuppen’s. Were late for supper. Read ‘Romeo and Juliet’ in Lu’s room. Put clothes in Jessie’s closet. Jean and Ethel left to-day and Fuzzie and Christine moved into their room. Fuzzie and Lillian have gone for eats for a feed.
Sunday, May 3
Slept with Lu last night. Cassie came in in the morning. Did not go to church this [blank]. After breakfast we sang college songs out of Clara’s book. We changed things on the walls and Lillian swept. After dinner I finished Romeo and Juliet and went to Vespers with Lu and Gertrude Rosenberg. Enjoyed the service especially as I felt in the mood for it. After lunch walked with Lu. Mabel Gibbons brot some letters from Rollin and father.
Illustrations, from above: Mabel Allen; and the Hunter & Tuppen building.
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