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, June 15
Visited with Mary until the driver came for her. Spent most of the morning on darning and sewing on odds and ends. The cavalry went thru today but Louise and I were too late to see them. Folded at the [newspaper] office and then helped Greta Kimball and Mr. Pruyne take back vases from the church.
Mrs. Bell told me Georgia was to be married the last of the month and wished me to be bridesmaid. To-night Alma had Mary, Louise and I up to play bridge. Alma made coffee and served sandwiches. We walked down with Mary.
Tuesday, June 16
After breakfast washed my blue ‘Peter Toms’ and Sarah did two of my waists. I then went down to the office and finished folding. After dinner I wrote to Edna [her sister] and sent a post card to Leta Phelps. I then put the Annual together. After supper Louise, Alma and I went down to Mary’s. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kenyon came to call. Mary made tea and we talked.
Wednesday, June 17
Ironed my waists and did not get down to office until ten. Stopped in to see Zoe. Had a post card from Jean and a note from Henry Brown [her future husband] asking me to go to the commencement dance. Started “Ghosts” and finished it to-night. It is very unpleasant. Louise and Alma just learned this P.M. that they were to be bridesmaids for Georgia. Mr. Webster took mother and me with Mrs. Webster and Miss Poor down to Henderson. Saw Cousin Charlie Simmons and Mrs. Whitney.
Thursday, June 18
Mother and father went down to Belleville, so I went down to office. Sarah and I had lunch off the kitchen table. Mother went to Syracuse to see Aunt Nellie who had an operation. We went down to see Mary off for New York. She sails Saturday at 11. Afterwards Birra Jessie Louise and I went up to see Hattie who was not home. Nettie Brown and I went with Ruby to choir rehearsal and afterwards Mr. La Fountain took us with Archie and Mary Kimball down on Belleville road.
Friday, June 19
Cleaned the parlor and then went down to office. Came home at 11 and cleaned the dining room. After dinner I went down and helped paste the Annuals, but left at 5:15 to get ready for missionary tea at Mrs. Seeber’s. Nettie Brown came for me and the young people ate in the dining room. Played croquet afterwards and then walked. Alma took us automobiling — Ruby, Nettie and Mrs. Ward around Cooper’s square. Just escaped being caught in storm. Mother returned. Aunt Nellie’s condition serious.
Saturday, June 20
Swept my room and then went down to office to tie Annuals. Earl had made a botch job of punching them and Mrs. Osborne finished them. Had letter from Dora [her sister] and post card from Will Barley. Walked all the afternoon. Sat out on porch after supper to read Lorna Doone and Alma came to take me riding. Louise, Bess Clark and Ruby B. were along and we went on State road beyond the center. Saw the lake. Jessie went with us to meet Georgia but she did not come.
Sunday, June 21
About 9 o’clock Mr. Webster came and asked me to go to the gulf as a surprise to Mrs. Webster, Martha and her sister — Sarah helped me put up a lunch and Mr. W. came with June and May Woodward. I had a most delightful day and the gulf was never more beautiful. Came home and attended Baccalaureate reunion with father and took notes. Afterwards I walked with Louise and Jessie.
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