Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) grew up in the village of Adams in Jefferson County, NY. Her father, William Jarvis Allen, published the weekly Jefferson County Journal. He saw to it that all three of his daughters went to college. 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 will publish entries from Mabel’s diary.
Friday, January 3
This morning I left Adams on the 7:11 train for Syracuse. It was scarcely light when Jimmie came to the house for me. Edna [her older sister] went with me to the station. On the train I learned Prince Hal’s speech in Henry IV “I know you all” — and have now discovered it to be a wrong passage. Was somewhat late for Eng. VII. Did not prepare Latin lesson and was required to write a synopsis of chapter. Unpacked my trunk and in it found a Christmas present from Jean – this diary. I was much pleased. Harriet came this afternoon. Am reading ‘Emma’ to-night. I wish I were glad to be back. Fire in city.
Saturday, January 4
Slept late this morning and did not go down for breakfast. After English I went over to library and learned poems: Milton’s on his blindness being one. Read ‘Emma’ this afternoon and did up Christmas gifts packed in my trunk. Later went down in laundry and washed with Lu. After tea Harriet and I went down to see about my trunk. Found order had not been written down. They refunded the money. Did errands for Jean. Took Harriet into Schrafft’s. Alice Rhodes called while we were away. Harriet sleeps with me.
Sunday, January 5
Harriet and I slept late and did not go down for breakfast. Read ‘Emma’ in Harriet’s room while Lu had gone to church. Sang in the parlor after dinner. Read this P.M. Went to Vespers at St. Paul’s with Lu, Harriet and Miss Seidler. Late for lunch. Read to-night and wrote home. Grace Gatchell and Clara B. came back. Ate shortcake cookies and apples in the girls’ room. Eyes have given much trouble all day. Jean was to have ‘Slam’ club in or rarebit to-night but headache prevented.
Monday, January 6
Last night I slept downstairs with Fuzzy. It was impossible to keep warm. Studied Latin with Fuzzy this A.M. Had a phone call from Sparks [? see photo] who just came back this morning. Was called on to recite in Latin to-day. Came home and read and went down with Edith and Miss Baker to meet Alma. Waited, seemingly, a long time before her train came. She goes back to-morrow. Went over to library with Lu and Miss Thomas. Too sleepy to study long. Harriet in to tell me about her initiation. Letter this A.M. from mother. Miss Wright here to tell me about Katherine’s illness.
Tuesday, January 7
Went to math without my lesson but luckily was not called upon. Called on in Eng. VII for first time. Saw one of K.K.G. girls who said they were much worried about Katherine. Studied geometry one period with Miss Beattie. After dinner studied Latin with Jessie Barnes; finished ‘Emma’, went in Jean and Ethel’s room, wrote to Tina and Mary Searles and rewrote Eng. theme on Philippine assembly. Harriet gone to initiation to-night. Fuzzy up to study math. Lu will sleep with me if I can persuade her. Snowing hard and blowing outside. Fuzzy says we had salmon for supper. This is important.
Wednesday, January 8
It snowed so hard during the night that the banks were heaped high this morning. Called on to recite in math. Letter from Herbert Jenkins. Quiz this A.M. in Eng. VIII. Forgot some of memory passages. At about 5 went over after Lu to go walking. Stopped to call on Miss Minch and then walked down to the corner bakery to buy cup cakes. Miss Beattie over to-night to study algebra and we joined Mr. Lindsay’s tutoring class with Fuzzie. Slept to-night with Isabel Rea who is ill. Katherine better.
Thursday, January 9
Paid tuition to-day. Had conference with Prof. Eaton. Went to see Prof. Pratt about math after twelve and so had a late dinner. Almost went to sleep on Lu’s cot because tired from last night. Isabel is up and dressed to-day. Went for short walk with Lu before supper. Miss Beattie over to study math and Fuzzie was up. Copied Roman History notes. Staid up late to study Latin with Jessie Barnes. Stormed this afternoon and grows colder. Father has changed [his newspaper’s] publication day to Wednesday.
Friday, January 10
Came home from math with Fuzzie and found letters from mother and Jessie Legg and a postal from Alma. Jessie wrote a dear note for the book of poems I sent her. After Latin met Miss Minch in chapel and we did math in room 53. Miss Arnold joined us later. Fuzzie and I after supper went to a tutoring class in algebra. Studied Shakespeare in Lu’s room when I returned. Received a belt which mother bought in New York and had sent to me here; postmarked October 16.
Saturday, January 11
Did not go down for breakfast. After English went over to library and studied math. Came back at 11 and Edith came for me to go for a short walk. Came back and learned Shakespeare. After dinner went in Jean’s room and ate caramels, swept and dusted, ironed and at 3 walked downstreet with Lu and Harriet. Exchanged Edna’s brush and bought some handkerchiefs for her birthday. Bought some tan kid gloves and baked stuff at Park bakery. After supper went to math class with Miss McLight [?]. Later went down with Lu after cream at Jem store.
Sunday, January 12
Grace Gatchell slept with me last night because Cassie’s sister was here. Harriet, Lu and I had breakfast in my room. It all tasted so good to us. Went and called for Miss Minch. We attended the First M.E. Church. Walked home. Late for dinner. Lu not well and lay on the bed in my room. Wrote to the people [her parents] and Lillian. Dressed in my voile for lunch. Lillian came back unexpectedly. Her brother, who has had pneumonia, is better. Learned some Shakespeare and was going early to bed.
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