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 27
Studied to almost two on Latin. Found I was not at all well prepared. Went with Fuzzie over after chocolate to Hill’s. After math Fuzzie and I studied up in my room. Cold and we bundled up in the bed spread. Jean came down with grip [influenza] this afternoon.
Tuesday, January 28
Algebra this morning. Found it hard. Passed geometry on my class work. Hurrah! Letters from Edna [older sister], Louise, Della and a post card from mother. Went over to library and studied Shakespere. Lu taught me memory passages to-night. Afterward went to spread downstairs. Did not stay long, however. Studied until quarter of twelve. Slept with Harriet as Lillian wanted to get up early.
Wednesday, January 29
Studied all morning on Shakespere. Went over to library and read Prof. Bradley’s article on Othello with Emily Palmer. Examination long and lasted until almost five. Came back to Campbell and packed to take 6:15 train for home. Lu and Lillian helped. Met Edith at station; she goes home for a two week’s rest. Father met me at station. Walked up and found it bitter cold. Had hot chocolate home. It seemed fine to be there.
Thursday, January 30
Slept late. Mother fixed over black skirt. Alma in with Edith just before noon. Father brot [brought] up suit case and so I washed and ironed this P.M. Louise in before supper. Went for walk up to Alma’s. To-night Jessie came up. Louise and I went over to Edith’s and read over old letters we wrote when we had families; were about 10 years old then. Father cracked nuts for me to take to Edna. Louise came back and staid all night with me.
Friday, January 31
Ironed waist after breakfast. Packed my suit case and went over to see Mrs. Cooper who has had slight attack of the grip. Edith, Alma and father were at the station to see me off for Boonville. In Watertown bought some tablets for mother and went up to library to see Mildred Bemis. Went walking together. On the train met a Smith girl who was teaching in Watertown. Edna and Jack at station to meet me. Della and Clara came on later train.
Went on snowshoe party in Cold Spring [possibly what is now Cold Spring Brook State Forest, about 35 miles northeast of Watertown in St. Lawrence County]. Woods beautiful with soft snow. Met a Mr. Decker from Los Angeles. Came back for an oyster stew at Mrs. Capron’s.
Saturday, February 1
Snowed all night and wind blew this morning. After breakfast went down after mail and to two stores after a collar. Stopped at library. After dinner Della and I went back to library and read. Came back and spread sandwiches for Mrs. Capron. Della and I took a nap after we had played pedro. To-night Mrs. Capron entertained pedro club. A wild night but many present. Danced a little afterwards. Talked with Della and Clara in their room.
Sunday, February 2
A glorious morning. Some of the banks were as high as my head. Were about 20 minutes late for church service held downstairs. Mr. Babcock sang a bass solo. Staid to Sunday school and folded papers in primary room. Read in the afternoon. Clara and Della decided to stay over on account of the lateness of the train. Mr. Babcock came over to-night and brot [brought] his music. Della played for him. This P.M. Mrs. Capron read us Mark Twain’s Trip to Heaven.
[Mark Twain was still alive in 1908 when this diary entry was written.]
Read more entries from Mable’s diary.
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