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, July 27
Arose early and Edna [her sister] and I started for home at about 9. Very warm as the horse travelled with the wind. On reaching home found Mr. Cooper had slight relapse. After dinner went down to [Jefferson County Journal] office. Copy was scarce for a while. After supper got locale of Edith and Helen and went down with them after the mail. Went into Clark’s. Letter from Harriet this A.M. and proscriptions from Dr. Craton.
Tuesday, July 28
Letter from Dora [her sister in California] saying departure was still uncertain. After supper Edna and I went down to office to fold and afterwards she took me into Clark’s. I had a delicious walnut sundae. Slept out of doors.
Wednesday, July 29
Busy all day, folding the catalogue and helping with the paper. We helped until nearly 8 with the mail. Louise came over and we started to walk and then sat under her apple tree. Louise, Edith, Helen and Dorothy Greene and I walked home with Alma.
Thursday, July 30
Edna went to office in my place while I washed my blue dress, dusted and sewed on bathing suit. Frosted Sarah’s cake. At noon Edna brot letters from mother and Will Bailey. Sewed more after supper, took bath and went down to office. Roof being painted. Louise and Edith were over on the porch and at 8 I went to C.E. business meeting at Nell Dodge’s. E. and I slept downstairs.
Friday, July 31
At once after breakfast Edna ironed my skirt and I the waist. Went down to office and put catalogue together. Post card from father. Went down to office but could not glue all covers on. Edna brot up apples from Laura to whom she carried nasturtiums. Edna bought some candy. Sewed on bathing suit after supper. Mrs. Brainard came over. Alma took Louise, Edith and me automobiling.
Saturday, August 1
Edna and I went down to office and finished catalogues. Sarah went down to Continental for dinner with Shel Hungerford, so Edna and I were alone. Edna packed up to go to cottage after dinner and I went to office. Lynn Thomas walked home with me — invited me to go with him to take pictures. Reached Highland [on Henderson Harbor] about seven. Went across with Clara and Della and it was good indeed to be with them.
Sunday, August 2
Mother came upstairs before breakfast and got in bed with us. Edna got the breakfast, or most of it. Mr. Waite came up as I was writing my diary. Went out in the Dunmore motor boat with Watson, Della and Edna and later Edna left to start dinner and the rest of us went over to Snowshoe. Ate dinner out on the porch. Mother read some Bryant to us. After the people left at six, the Dunmores came over and later we went out on the water in our boat. Wrote to Jean after dinner.
Read more from Mable’s Diary.
Photos: Mabel Allen (top); Edna Allen
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