Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) grew up in the village of Adams in Jefferson County. Mabel, as she was known, first attended Stanford University and later Syracuse University. In 1908, while at Syracuse, she kept a diary in which she described the joys and travails of college life 115 years ago. Each week throughout the year, New York Almanack is publishing entries from Mabel’s diary.
Monday, January 20
Breakfast late. Tried my first examination which was elocution. A very fair test. Came back and darned stockings. Studied Roman history most of the afternoon. Lu and I went up to Liberal Arts; I to get a check cashed for Jean. Before and after supper we talked of church creeds; man being born in sin and predestination. Paid Mr. Hart math fees to-night.
Tuesday, January 21
A long letter from Edna [her older sister], with one from Melvin [her sister Dora’s husband] enclosed, came this morning. Went over to the library to study geometry. Went up to call on Miss Minch but found that she had been obliged to leave college. This afternoon I had a note from her, which Katherine Arnold brot over. She staid a short time, but we did not accomplish much in the line of Roman history. Went to math class and walked down to a Miss Briggs’ with Fuzzie. Did not stay up long to study R. history.
Wednesday, January 22
Letter from mother telling of the death of Nellie Dodge’s mother, check for $30 enclosed. Studied Roman History notes all the A.M. Exam in Roman History this P.M. Questions fair but not what I had studied. Came back and then went for a short walk with Lu and Lillian. After tea Harriet, Jessie and I walked down to Jem’s Store after some cream. After math Lu made me coffee in the chafing dish so I could keep awake. Studied late with Fuzzie in Jessie’s room. Slept there all night.
Thursday, January 23
After breakfast studied on geometry. The exam came this morning. Will report later. After dinner Jean and I went downstreet. I bought a brown veil and a leather bound edition of Othello for Harriet and me to give Lu for her birthday to-day. Have put the book under her pillow so that she will find it to-night. Read Matthew Arnold’s essay on the French Play in London. Hunted for quotations for the front of Lu’s book. Studied poems for Eng. to-night after math class.
Friday, January 24
Did not get up for breakfast. Studied English notes all the morning before the exam in Eng. VIII. Lu and I went for a brisk walk. The exam was the most difficult I have tried yet. I am quite discouraged about all my exams with the exception of elocution. Before supper I went walking with Lillian. Cold out. After supper I danced with Mary and then went to math. Worked algebra after I came home. After Lu came home from the Boys’ Club, we made fudge for Jean. I slept with Lu as Harriet studied French with Grace. Christine, Fuzzie and Lillian came in.
Saturday, January 25
Did not get up for breakfast. Went in and studied Latin in Ethel’s room. Before dinner walked up to Liberal Arts with Jean and had my check cashed. Helped Lillian clean the room and then studied. Walked with Harriet down to the Jem Store to buy some saltines. Studied Latin to-night after math. Long letter from Rollin T. this morning. He writes he is tutoring a freshman class in Virgil.
Sunday, January 26
Got in bed with Harriet early this morning. Harriet and I went down to post office after mail and met Grace in the vestibule of the Park Presbyterian. Manicured nails before dinner. Jean, Harriet and Bess Peck in after dinner. Jean wanted us to go get cream for [see insert] but Harriet would not. Mary Bishop sick with the grip [influenza]. I forgot and went singing thru the hall. Lu spoke to me about it and I have been out of sorts ever since. Had an unusually good lunch to-night. Went in Jean’s room and then in Grace’s room while she read to Harriet and Fuzzie. Read Henry the Fourth to-night.
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