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, August 3
Clara came over when we finished dishes and made a dishcloth. Bertha stopped on her way up to Shears. All went in bathing and had fun on a log. Wore my new suit. After dinner we went over and helped Della with the dishes.
Della and I went across with Russel. Afterwards we played croquet, Della and I against Russel and Edna. After supper the Dunmores came over and Russel made fudge. Letter from father and postcard from Jessie written in German script.
Tuesday, August 4
Went down on Flats with Edna to take letters to mail and stopped in to see Rufus and his wife. Went in bathing at 11:30 and had the best time yet. After dinner Russel took all but Clara across. Coming home, he could not start the engine and Mr. Waite came to tow us in. Della and Edna sewed and I read to them. Russel came over and we finished yesterday’s game of croquet. Had toast and tea together over at Dunmore’s and then all went out on the water.
Wednesday, August 5
After doing the breakfast work here, Edna and I went over to help the Dunmores with the tea dishes. Russel played the invalid as the night before he ran a nail thru his foot. Went in bathing. In the afternoon we sewed over at Dunmores and Della made fudge. Clara and Edna got supper over at our cottage. Afterwards we played “Old Maid” and Dick Kanfield. Started a belt to-day. The Shears brothers about finished the dock.
Thursday, August 6
Made corn muffins for breakfast. Della, Clara, Edna and I rowed across. Della and I staid in the boat while the others did the errands. Shortly after we came back, Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, Mr. and Mrs. Brainard and Sarah drove up. I helped them unpack and rowed over to Cedarwood with them.
Mrs. Cooper spent the day with us. Went in bathing at 3:30. After supper the people came over after Mrs. Cooper. Bertha, Rob, Franklin and Edna and I played “Donkey” over at Dunmores. Post card from Cousin Angie and letters from father and mother.
Friday, August 7m
Did the breakfast work while Edna fixed my bathing suit collar. Tried to go across with Russell, Edna & Della but the boat would not go. Hemistitched after dinner. Mr. Cooper came over and told of Mrs. Cooper’s sickness. Went across with Della in Franklin’s punt.
Got post card from Fuzzie. Russel rowed us back and the punt filled with swells from a motor boat. While Clara and Edna made a rarebit, the rest of us played croquet. Popped corn and played the ‘wish’ [?] game. Spilled water on the floor when emptying the refrigerator.
Saturday, August 8
While we were eating breakfast Mr. Cooper came over for one of us to go across with him to take Mrs. Cooper home. I went and Edna did the work and made ‘Rocks’. Sarah went across with us. When I came back, I found a letter from Rollin [a suitor]. Russell, Della and I got dinner and ate it out doors on Dunmore’s porch.
Everyone but Della and I went sailing. Father came down with the Waites. He went to Association meeting while Edna & I went across. Dropped my pocket book off Hammond’s dock. Stopped in to meet Mrs. Dunmore. Letter from Alice.
Sunday, August 9
After breakfast father filled the ice-chest and then we rowed over after the purse. Russell, who had gotten it, we met on the way over. The money was all right. Rowed over to Cedarwood and on our return saw Mr. Cooper and Clayton down at the barn. We gave them our boat. Ate dinner out on the porch. Before we finished Mr. Cooper came over and we all went over to Cedarwood.
Clayton came over and staid to lunch. He, Edna and I walked up on the hill. Saw a brilliant orange fungus. Edna and I rowed Clayton home. It was the most beautiful moonlight night I ever saw.
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