In 1908, while attending Syracuse University, Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) kept a diary which is being published each week. In last week’s Mabel had returned to school. This week, she gets a nickname and celebrates her 22nd birthday.
Monday, March 2
The coffee I drank at lunch made me restless and consequently I was ‘all in’ when I got up this A.M. Prof. Pratt cut math. It would be more considerate to let us know when he will be out. Helen came down and studied. Studied Latin in Ethel and Jean’s room. Went up to see Myrtle Heath but found that she had been home ill for a week or more. Went up to Liberal Arts with Harriet while she cashed a check. Ironed and pressed black skirt. Ethel brot me some peanuts. Read. Lu came in and she and Lillian decided on name “Dutchy” for me. Am going to bed early.
Tuesday, March 3
Called on twice in math and flunked. English appointment with Mr. Smith but missed it. After dinner walked with Jean. Read most of the afternoon and studied Latin in Lu and Harriet’s room. Ate graham crackers. Broke Harriet’s cup. Lu and I went for a walk up Ostrom [Avenue] and beyond D.U. house. It was snowing and the houses looked so cozy on the inside. Studied in Lu’s room and went to sleep.
Wednesday, March 4
Planned to study early but lights did not come on. No mail today. It seems long time since I have had a letter. Quiz in Eng. VIII on poems. Helen and I tried 2 trig problems but they were unwieldy. Went down to the dentist’s with Harriet. Bought peanut butter brittle at Vantine’s. Left Shakespeare book in Five and Ten and had to go back after it. Walked home. After supper danced. Read Ordeal of Richard Feverel to-night. It’s getting interesting. The girls seemed pleased to call me Dutchy these days.
Thursday, March 5
The Journal and letter from mother and Della Dunmore. Della wrote of her father’s engagement and Earl’s appointment at West Point. A small fire in the Parker cottage was the excitement of the morning. Studied Latin and went to see Katherine. Cousin Ella was there and we walked some before supper. Katherine is now sitting up and able to walk. To-night I did problems and staid up after lights went out to write my theme. After dinner Lu and I went for a long walk up by the Davis estate.
Friday, March 6
Copied theme before breakfast. Mr. Pratt cut math. The day has been queer. Storming hard and then clearing. After Latin went down to Clara’s room and talked with her. Came back and started to study when Lillian brot up a large express box from home. It was filled with eats and they were so good.
When the people [her parents] are so thotful, I feel humiliated that I am not more worthy. Went with Isabel, Thea and Bess Peck to hear Madame Nazimova in Ibsen’s ‘The Doll’s House.’ It was fine and she has great talent. The girls were sitting up and they came in for the spread. It is almost one; my twenty-second birthday. Thundered and lightened to-night.
Saturday, March 7
My twenty-second birthday. Three packages came in the morning mail, but I did not open them until afternoon when Lu, Harriet and Lillian were with me. My family were very generous and Lillian, Lu, Harriet, Jean and Ethel. Rewrote my report at the library. Went to see Katherine and later over at Edith’s for dinner. The girls here had a dance, half of them dressing up as men. Most of the girls wore light but I did not have time to change. Syracuse has done one thing at last for me — has made me realize the nature of a home.
Sunday, March 8
Harriet and I did not get up for breakfast as we were very tired. Lu brot us up cookies and we ate my oranges and grapefruit. Harriet and I walked down to get the mail and then decided to go to service at the Park Presbyterian. A Mr. Ferris spoke. He said that opposition was only unconquered opportunities. Read Richard Feverel in Harriet’s room. Ate nuts and oranges in between times. Offered to wait on table for Fuzzie who went to Vespers but Mrs. Campbell did not need me. Wrote to the people and Edna [her older sister].
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