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 9
Found out of Dr. Coddington that I passed the last Psychology quiz. Came down to the house to study Latin, thinking mother might telephone, as she did about twelve. I met her at West’s. We did some shopping and then went to Hunter and Tuppen’s for lunch.
She was pleased about my pledge pin. Clayton is improving slowly. Went to the train to see mother off to Utica to Federation of Clubs. Studied Latin Prose with Jessie and then walked with her. To-night I went to hear Mrs. Butler read “Paolo and Franceska” by Steven Philipps [sic]. She read with great skill.
Tuesday, November 10
All slept until nearly 7:30 this morning. Commenced to rain this morning and continued nearly all day. Had letters from father, [sister] Edna, Jessie and Zoe. After dinner I went from room to room studying and trying to keep warm.
After Latin I went down with Flora Wright to see Mrs. Wells’s presents. She was a Kappa and likewise her mother. Met some of the freshmen. We all sat in front of the fire and drank hot chocolate. To-night went with Mary Evans, Jo Wells, Lucy Weed to see Elsie James in the Fair Co-ed. It was rather blah, I thot.
Wednesday, November 11
Rained nearly all day. Had conference with Miss Richards at 11. After dinner I wrote to Edna and then went over to library to write an English theme. Letter from Della Dunmore. After supper I studied and later girls came in to talk over a dance. Suitcase of clothes came but I imagine Sarah did not know my clothes.
Thursday, November 12
Miss Richards read two of my themes in class, which quite pleased me. Helen came down and translated Latin for me between 12 and 1. After dinner Miss Waterbury came over for short time. She will spend Thanksgiving with Clara Cooper.
Ruth Thomas and I went up to call on Miss Snow of Boonville and then went to hear Norman Hackett on the Tendency of Modern Drama. Went with Miss Minch to Bible Class. To-night I went rush with a bunch of girls to hear Hackett in [the film] Classmates. It was splendid. We walked home. Long letter from Alma with picture of herself.
Friday, November 13
Fuzzie sat beside me in Psychology. Had conference in Chaucer to-day. Mr. Babenroth said my paper was encouraging. Went over to library and copied theme for Eng. XXV. Emma Witherstien and I went over to the senior meeting — the first I attended.
To-night I went over to read MacCauley’s Life of Johnson. Tried to write a theme when I came back, but girls came in and talked the dance until I finally consented to go if Mabel Thompson could get a man. They have been like bees in here.
Saturday, November 14
Found post card from mother saying she had been elected reading secretary of the Federation. Mr. Blazer swept our room, and I endeavored to study. Made out my program for the dance the girls give next week. Went with Helen and Katherine Reid to the Tufts game which we won 28 to 0.
Afterwards we took my Orphanage class for a walk. After supper Margaret D[?] dressed up in her new clothes. Teenie had Bea, Grace, Lillian, Fuzzie, Jessie, Harry and I over for rarebit. It is amazing out and the trees look like Christmas.
Sunday, November 15
Went down with Emma for breakfast. Did not go to church but spent the morning writing up Psychology notes. Helen came up after church. Studied this afternoon, but the girls made a great racket. Helen came and we went for a walk before lunch.
Went down to Kappa house for lunch. To-night came in Mildred Churton’s room to study but did not get much done. Mrs. Sibley told me she was Melvin’s library [?] Stanford.
Photos: Mabel Allen; obituary of Melvin Dodge, Mabel’s brother-in-law.
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