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, November 2
We all planned to rise early, but it was very hard. Went for an English conference, but Miss Richards cut it. The Chancellor spoke in chapel. I liked him the best I ever heard him before.
Came home and found letters from Edna [her sister] and mother, the latter telling me about Clayton’s operation and that she had gone to Columbus. Mildred Bemis came over to the library to see me. She’s home for elections to-night. I went for a walk with Helen. Grace Gatchell came in to see Pettie’s notebook. Mock elections at the gym, but I did not go.
Tuesday, November 3
Election! [William Howard Taft beat William Jennings Bryan.] Emma came for me at 8 and we went down to cafeteria for breakfast. Bought a waist for mother and went to various stores after samples for Edna. Came home and studied at library on Norman Conquest. Late for dinner. Read at library and finished the Sketch Book. Went over to Mildred Bemis’ for dinner and enjoyed myself so much. Mildred and her father came back with me. There was a great crowd. The girls had a mock wedding, but I came only in time for refreshments. Staid up and studied.
Wednesday, November 4
Post card from mother, saying Clayton was improving. Very cold to-day. Wrote up ? note and then went with Pettie up to History seminar. Afterwards went to Y.W. meeting and heard Miss Greene, a State secretary (?) on Volunteer Mission band. To-night Harry and I went over to the boarding place. The girls had invited in a bunch of men. We danced and had Hallowe’en refreshments. Got up early and copied themes this morning. Pettie slept with us as she had company, a Miss Noyes.
Thursday, November 5
First snow covered the ground. Slept rather late. Did not have Eng. II this morning, so started the “Merry Men” at the library. I finished it to-night down in Emma’s room where Mildred was studying. It is strange. Went up to history seminar with Pettie and tried to get on with my reading for English. I cannot find material I want. Came home and had some penuchi in Mabel Thompson’s room. Went to Bible class down at the Castle. Dr. Hearst talked on Relation of the Bible to Science. Walked around block with Sarah Lamareaux and Mary Evans. Night beautiful.
Friday, November 6
Prof. Place translated Martial all during class. Staid up to do Latin with Helen. After dinner I wrote Psychology notes up to date, copied themes and then went up to History seminar and then over to library where I at last found what I wanted on the Norman Conquest. Emma came up after supper and we made fudge out of water, sugar and a little chocolate. Had an exciting time with Reba and Kathleen [?], both of whom had hysterics. Reba is very nervous, poor child.
Saturday, November 7
Came home after elocution and found a letter from Cousin Ella Knight and a card to an Alpha Gamma Delta at home. Went to Colgate Syracuse game with Margaret Knapp. It was a great game. Colgate made a touchdown almost the first thing. Syracuse held after that & about 7 times was within about a yard of the goal. Syracuse was terribly disappointed, of course. Went down to the house with Margaret, and when I came home, I wore a pledge pin. Went to-night with Emma and Pettie over to Pearl Degenkolb’s.
Sunday, November 8
Did not sleep well, for some reason or other. Harry and I went down to Emma’s for breakfast and had walnut buns and cocoa. Marian Brainard, Helen and I went down to the Orphanage. I played the organ. Went down to the Universalist Church to hear Mr. Betts. Teenie came up this afternoon and told us about Jean and Ethel. Wrote home to Russell, Cousin Ella Wright & Edith. To-night Harry and I helped Pearl entertain four men; walked down ??? to Salina with them to take car. Read some Macauley’s Life [of] Johnson.
Photo: William Howard Taft.
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