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. This is her last week in Adams before returning to the university.
Monday, September 7
Labor Day! Woke up at six, both Edna [her sister] and I. Helped Edna pack, dusted the parlor and dining room and swept our room. I did not help with the dinner work but went down with Alma and Edith to see the Field Day crowd and races.
Went to a ballgame between Lorraine and T.I. Park. When I came back I found Jessie Torrey had arrived. Went down to the train with Edna. Poor child. Boonville will be different. We met Alma uptown and she took us around to see the parade. Louise was over for supper and we all went down to see the fireworks.
Tuesday, September 8
Mother told me to sleep this morning but of course I could not, so I got up and made a cake before I breakfasted. To reward me, it fell. I made another later on. Jessie and I had breakfast later and she wrote letters while I served. After dinner we went downstreet for some errands and then came home and dressed.
The Dunmores came for supper and we went with them to the train. It seemed like saying good-bye to the summer. We met Edith and also Florence Buell, who came up to see Jessie. Sarah and Mr. Cooper came from Cedarwood. Letter from Harriet.
Wednesday, September 9
Jessie and I had breakfast later than the rest. We went up to chapel and then downstreet. Alma took us automobiling and we had to stop an hour on the Adams Ctr. state road for repairs. After dinner I went down with Jessie to take her watch and there I wrote to Harriet.
Mother took us down to the 4:19 train where Jessie left. Mother and I drove around Cooper’s square and reached home at supper time. Helped Louise with her dishes and then went downstreet with her. Slept out on porch with mother.
Thursday, September 10
The sun rises in a red ball and the moon is like it. Have felt ambitionless all day. Took my checked jumper over to Miss Frazer to be altered and went over to see Miss Armstrong’s also sewed. After dinner I made two balsam pillows and then went to [Jefferson County Journal] office to work on father’s books.
Before I finished supper, Alma came for me to go automobiling. We went on the state road to Allendale and the country was beautiful with a soft haze. The trees stood out a dark green. Afterwards I went down after father’s mail and then walked with Alma. Slept out of doors.
Friday, September 11
Sorted over my books to take back to college. Went down to see Dr. Manville and found I needed no dentistry done. Took my skirt down to Mrs. Bassett to dry clean and mother and I stopped to see Cousin Fannie who seems better. Cleaned my rain coat.
After dinner I went down to the office and worked until Alma came for me to go riding with Edith and Georgia. Went to try on my jumper and then went back to the office. Uncle George came up after supper. Went with the girls to play bridge up at Alma’s. Georgia told me about her trip abroad. Louise walked with Edith and me afterwards and we ate delicious Delaware grapes.
Saturday, September 12
Miss Armstrong here to fix over my Eton coat into a waist. Sarah helped me wash out both kimonos, white waists and green dress. Mother helped me iron after dinner. I felt very tired. Louise invited Georgia, Alma, Edith and me over for a supper on the veranda and we did have such a good time.
Georgia sang and Edith and Louise played. After tea we went down to the library. Georgia gave us all Brussel handkerchiefs which are very quaint. Started Measure for Measure.
Sunday, September 13
Mother came upstairs, after much persuasion on my part, to get in bed with me. Sprinkled the road before I went to church. Genieve Harris sang a solo. She has had her voice trained in London and she sang beautifully. After dinner I went driving with father to Thomas and Wardwell settlements.
Had letter from Jessie, Edna and a post card from Jo. Edith and Louise were for a few minutes by the old crabapple tree and then I went to C.E. with Aunt Marion and Alma. To-night I wrote to Edna and did odds and ends to packing. Sleep with mother downstairs.
Photo: Thousand Islands Park baseball team, early 1900s.
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