Most of the diary takes place during Nellie's junior and senior year at Mount Holyoke, but there are a few entries after college which give a glimpse into what happens to her after she graduates.
As a junior, Nellie doesn't seem to be enjoying herself very much. She seems much happier when she's home for the summer and spending time with her friends. But as a senior, Nellie's entries become longer and more revealing. She develops a crush on a professor in March, and seeks her out for walks and visits. At that time, faculty and students all lived in the same building, so it was easy to knock on her door and visit. But Nellie is aware that she can't be too open about her relationship with the professor, and she writes on April 15, "I had planned to keep this diary through my Senior year and the following summer to record what my interests were. But I cannot keep it any longer. It is no good to write in it if I do not tell of what interests me most and I cannot do that now." Just a few weeks later, on April 29, she writes: "'Forever.' We were seven hours together to-day."
Her last entries before graduation were June 5 and 6, which seems to be dates with her professor. There was a gap of time after graduation when she didn't write. When she picked up her diary again in September, she noted, "So the diary that I planned should end to-night came to a very abrupt end with an exclamation point sometime last June. So be it - happiness complete was reached then what more could one care to write. ... Then those days after Commencement and the real fulfillment of a dream at the end. I know much that could never be known before." It seems likely she's talking about her relationship with the professor.
Then the next entry was on New Year's Eve, when she noted: "The end of the year and I thank God for one answer directly to prayer. I have made another little decision and I feel sure it is on the safe side. Why wasn't I born with a mind capable of deciding my affairs. What for the future? It is uncertain. What I would like is nigh impossible I shall have to work long years for it. How little I dreamed one year ago to-night of the happiness in store for me. I even dreaded to approach it. May the same happiness continue all through 1897." Did she decide to break up with her professor, to be safe?
She took a few years off from writing, and noted in 1900: "Nearly three years since I wrote a word in this book! ... To look back on my whole Senior year almost dazzles my eyes and its [sic] very hard to realize to-day that each day's record bore witness of a disquiet more than I feel here. I longed and longed then and do still. Only when that longing was satisfied did I rise to perfect happiness." It does sound like they haven't kept in touch. The professor only taught that one year at Mount Holyoke, and it's not clear where she went after that. It may have been abroad.
But Nellie's last entry, in June 1902, leaves us with some hope that she found happiness with another woman: "Home again! And this time there is much to be thankful for - much regret that the year is over. Never did the world seem darker than when I went to Middletown last Fall. And I have found much happiness there in another friend - one to be put in that especial class. The ride back from Providence was the beginning of my strong feeling for her. The next Sat. night when she first came to my room, the first time I visited her (in the little room at Miss Pike's) the night I returned after the Xmas holidays the day she came for me to go skating at Pamechia [?] and the day the "gorn skatin" act occurred and that glorious week on the Cromwell"
| 1895. Jan. 1. Tuesday | Came home from Lizzie's this morning about nine and went right down-street. I took the time to skip down to Teed's to see if there was any possibility of her going back to College with me but her mother wasn't in favor of it. I had just got home and my wrapper on ready to plunge into packing when Ida came with Florence and Win Marshall. They only staid a few minutes though. About the middle of the afternoon Jenks and Teed appeared and they staid a couple of hours and we discussed the best way of approaching her father to get him to let her go back with me but she cant [sic] go or I should have heard before this. After they went Carrie, Cora & Mae Witham came in for a few minutes. I refused to go skating to-night but staid with Mama & Papa and read Howell's Letter of Introduction to them. I was not a bit ready to go back to College and this is my last night at home. I feel decidedly blue to-night I guess. This year hasnt [sic] began so hopefully as last year did and I do not even dare to hope it will have a more satisfactory ending. | |
| Jan. 2 Wednesday | I was up early this morning and finished packing. Mamie went up to the depot with me. Jenks was there to see me off. Also Lizzie and Ida came up with Florence Marshall. I had her company as far as Brockton. Saw Clifford for one moment in Old Colony Station. Went up to see Mollie and staid about an hour. She can not come back. Went down-town and did a few errands and took the two o'clock train out. Stopped over in Springfield to do an errand and got up here about seven. Got all unpacked this evening. | |
| Jan. 3 Thursday | Lucy came about nine. The term has really begun and it will be the hardest one yet. I really cannot see my way clear till Easter. I will hold my breath and push ahead. It is good to have Nan with us again. | |
| Jan. 4. Friday. | I had a nice letter from Debbie to-night and one from Marie Perkins. | |
| Jan. 5. Saturday | Only a rhetoric lesson to-day. Had a short walk with Nell Smith. | |
| Jan. 6 Sunday | Heard Mr. Jones sermon this morn. The girls were all in here this afternoon to eat cake. Went to meeting this evening. | |
| Jan. 7. Monday | In Chapel this morning Mrs. Mead told us about the two who have run-away. It does seem a very senseless thing to do. I hate to have it spread all over the country by newspapers but it will be. Alice came this noon. She has been since Thurs. on the way. | |
| Jan. 8 Tuesday. | Prof. Story of Northampton gave a recital to-night. It was very good. | |
| Jan. 9 Wednesday | Have just studied all day long. This evening Miss Randolph gave a lecture on Painting in 16th century. | |
| Jan. 10 Thursday | Managed to steal time to-day to write Teed a birthday letter but I forgot it was 95 instead of 94. | |
| Jan. 11. Friday | We had an exam in Physics and I didn't do particularly well. | |
| Jan. 12 Saturday | Had a letter from Teed to-night written the 10th, and bewailing the second death in her girlhood, that of her teens. Had to speak in Contemporary Club to-night. I am about dead tired for it was 3.45 this morning when Lucy, Elizabeth and I finally laid ourselves down to rest[.] Elizabeth was in here and we had talked all night. What a caper! | |
| Jan. 13. Sun. | Rev. Dr. Byington preached this morning and this evening. I tried to sleep over this morning only I didn't sleep much. Dr. B's lecture this evening was over the Puritain [sic] Fathers. Mary S. and I had a little promenade in the hall this evening. | |
| Jan. 14 Mon. | Just a busy day with a letter from Mama and one from Ida to-night. | |
| Jan. 15. Tue. | We had a class meeting at 4.30. I have been put on the Executive Committee in Edith Redman's place since she has gone on to the Annual Board. We had our reading-club after supper but fooled most of the time and I had to go and study after a while. | |
| Jan. 16 Wed. | Have worked hard all day long, and am sitting up while to write home to-night. The Church was dedicated this afternoon. | |
| Jan. 17. Thurs. | Went to singing-class, as usual. Alice Cheney and I went for a little walk this afternoon. Am sitting up again to-night. | |
| Jan. 18 Fri. | It is six years ago to-day since that solemn (?) assemblage met in Carrie Parker's bed-room and agreed to call themselves the S.R.S. Truly, years have past since then and though we aren't perhaps as united as we were then we are all good friends and older friends than then. Am sitting up to-night to read Pattison on Milton[.] | |
| Jan. 19 Sat. | I worked down in the library all the morning reading references for Areopagitica. Had a short walk with Nell Smith to-night. Worked in the library this evening till the lights suddenly went out & I was forced to leave. | |
| Jan. 20. Sunday. | We had a very nice service in the new church this morning. The new organist is fine though only a boy. He played the Pilgrim Chorus for the postlude. I spent most of the afternoon in Alice's room and later several of the girls were in here[.] We concluded we didn't want to go down to supper and so we snagged and had a sumptuous repast of scrambled egg, toast & chocolate. I read "Point Lace & Diamonds" a little book of society verses this evening. Some of them are rather bright. Went to bed about nine. | |
| Jan. 21 Monday | I have begun this week and I cant [sic] see the way through but I lend all my energies and take all the time I can for my essay. | |
| Jan. 22 Tuesday. | We had our class sleigh-ride and supper down at Springfield to-night[.] Left here about quarter of five and reached Cooley's Hotel about seven. We had the private dining-room and the table looked very pretty. It was shaped like this [backward E] We had soup, fish, & turkey with sherbet, coffee and cake for dessert. Every thing was beautifully served. The toasts were excellent. Gertrude made a very good toastmistress and all the girls did finely, Grace Burroughs & Cora Ruth especially. After supper we had a private parlor adjoining the dressing-room and then another little one with hardwood floor and a piano where we could dance. We gave our yell just before leaving. Got home about 1230. Mollie Bass came to-day. | |
| Jan. 23 Wed. | The day has been rather broken into but I've snatched every spare moment for my essay. This evening at nine the family were invited into 25D. for Mollie's benefit. We got to fooling and Mary Edith & I ran into Abbie's room & locked the door. When we came out the lights were out. Abbie & Lucy were locked in our room and it soon became evident that Abbie intended to stay all night so after much coaxing about 10.40 I managed to make them give me my books & I fled to Gertrude's room and sat up to study till 12.30. | |
| Jan. 24 Thurs. | My neck felt rather crooked this morning & I realize that Abbie is in the habit of sleeping without a pillow. It seems good to have Mollie around once more. Am sitting up again to-night for the sake of my essay. | |
| Jan. 25 Friday. | Still writing. Cut supper to-night and am up again to-night but very sleepy. | |
| Jan. 26. Saturday | At last the first draft is done. Elizabeth had a little tea this afternoon for her mother. She is a very pleasing lady. The Y.W.C.A. also gave a little oriental tea from 5 yo 6 which was a pretty affair and we were treated to oriental sweets and Turkish coffee. Mollie stayed with me during the evening and at nine the girls all came in for a marshmallow twist. We managed to tip one of the stoves over but "n'importe," we had a jolly time[.] It is twelve and I must leave my books and to bed. | |
| Jan. 27. Sunday. | Mollie, Lucy & I had an elaborate breakfast of oranges, beef-steak, hot rolls & coffee up here this morning and all day long our room has savoured of beef-steaks & perserves. [sic] Went to church. Mr. Shelton preached on home missions. This afternoon I laid down for two hours and had two naps. | |
| Jan. 28. Monday. | My essay should be in to the critic to-day but it is no where near done. I'm up to-night till 1.30. | |
| Jan. 29 Tuesday. | An exam in Physics which completely swamped me. Mrs. Laura Richards was here to-night. The Pine Tree Club gave a reception to the Juniors and the Faculty in her honor. In the evening she read from her own works. She read one story which was very cute and has not yet been published. It was called "The Troubling of Bethsaida Poole.["] I'm up till 1.30 to-night. | |
| Jan. 30 Wed. | Cut breakfast this morning and worked on my essay till I finished it at noon. This afternoon did room-work. Then went with Mollie down to see Mrs. Gridley. This evening the family had a sugaring off in Elizabeth's room. | |
| Jan. 31 Thur. | Day of Prayer for Colleges. Mollie sang to us in the parlor before dinner. Went for a walk with Alice this afternoon and then staid with Mollie till 4.15 when she departed on the stage. This evening I went to hear Dr. Beardsley. | |
| Feb. 1. Fri. | Prof. Kimball lectured to us in Physics this morning. He is fine. Edith & I went walking to-night. | |
| Feb. 2 Saturday. | Busy studying all day. Executive Committee meeting in Sue's room to-night[.] We all went back to our old tables for supper to-night. We had a little spread. | |
| Feb. 3. Sun. | Edith and I went for a little walk before church, then went to church. This evening I went to call on Miss Vitzthum. I found she was a great friend of Miss Nichols, and I am inclined to think she was the one who wrote to her "go then and do likewise." | |
| Feb. 4. Mon. | The dreadful day has gone at last. I managed to read my essay to the class this afternoon but I thought I should drop before I got through. | |
| Feb. 5 Tue. | Have been making a yoke and stock for my white dress. The Glee Club Concert was to-night, and Mrs. Mead insisted that the girls should make no change in their flannels & as I was one of the ushers I felt duty-bound to look a little dressed. But it grew so cold to-night and blew so that they had to have it in the chapel after all There were lots of men here in spite of the weather. The concert was good though I do not think the Glee Club is yet what it was last year, the banjo club is better. I met Nan's brother, Gertrude's brother and a Mr. Bosworth that was with Mary. | |
| Feb. 6. Wed. | Did room-work this morning & studied the rest of the day | |
| Feb. 7. Thur. | Went to the singing-class as usual this afternoon and to meeting this evening. We did not go out to recitation to-day. | |
| Feb. 8. Fri. | The storm is over tho' the wind blows somewhat yet. The snow is drifted. Four years is a long time in a life-time. | |
| Feb. 9. Sat. | A very ordinary day, very busy one. After corridor meeting to-night I went over to Miss Kieth's [sic] to ask her some questions about Physics but she really didnt [sic] help me at all. | |
| Feb. 10 Sun. | A grand niece of Dr. Moffat's addressed us in church this morning. She told _horrible_ stories of her mission work in the depths of New York. Her stories were too horrible to appeal to me. Edith and I went and sat in the snow awhile this morning. I've written long letters to Bertha & Lizzie to-day. | |
| Feb. 11. Mon. | We had an exam in Physics but it was really easy. Went to choral class to-night. | |
| Feb. 12 Tue. | Miss Kieth [sic] made her report of the exam. It was most pleasing to me to be worthy of mention in class. That doesnt [sic] happen very often. Had executive committee meeting before supper. This evening our reading circle read in Trilby. | |
| Feb. 13 Wed. | Had to go to rehearsal of Junior entertainment as I am on the committee. Spent the rest of the morning running all over town after cream. We gave Alice Cheney a birthday dinner party in our room this noon. Had a fine dinner. Miss Randolph gave a lecture on Michael Angelo and Raphael this evening. | |
| Feb. 14. Thurs. | Most of the tables had spreads to-night. After singing class I went to carry Mrs. Gridley some flowers, then to get cream and the cake for the table. I tried to do too much in too short a time; got whipped cream all over my dress so had to change it and in consequence was late to supper. Alice's father and mother are here so after supper I spent most of the evening with them. | |
| Feb. 15. Fri. | Prof. Kimball gave us an excellent lecture in Physics to-day. | |
| Feb. 16. Sat. | The Debating Society debated to-night. The subject was Resolved: that a system of cuts should be established at Mt. Holyoke. Lucy debated and covered herself with honor. Elizabeth is in for one of her terrible head-aches. | |
| Feb. 17. Sun. | Went to church this morning. Led our class meeting to-night and went to the Y.W.C.A. meeting. | |
| Feb. 18 Mon. | Went to choral class this evening. | |
| Feb. 19 Tue. | We had our reading circle after supper. We are reading Trilby. After that I went to rehearsals. | |
| Feb. 20 Wed. | This afternoon studied German in Florence Mowry's room. After we were thro' Evelyn offered to treat, so we went over to Ellen's and got ice-cream and candy and fooled away an hour eating them. | |
| Feb. 21. | Went to an Executive Committee meeting at 3.40. Tried to study this evening but couldn't so went around in the sunny music room and played snatches of that dear old Fantasie of Leybachs. It comforted me. In four long years it has not lost its power. | |
| Feb. 22. | Did everything I could think of this morning to help other people get ready for their men. We had a turkey dinner. After the mail was distributed I went to walk with Florence Mowry but the wind blew such a gale we couldnt [sic] stay long. Came back, dressed and went down to met [sic] "Jean" and "George"[.] Had a very pleasant time for an hour. Went to a rehearsal and then for the mail. Then at the half-hour Alice and I went down with oil-stoves to heat flat-irons to iron our dresses. I took Alice to the concert this evening. We went down early and I saw San [sic] Gurney in the reception room but he wouldnt [sic] recognize me I know. Soon Gail Lasell came out and said there were two men who wanted to meet me. Alice and I went in and met a Mr. Brown and "Billy" Otis as the boys always say. Seems John had told him to look out for me and had sent some sort of an apology for not letting me know whether he was coming or not. I asked Mr. Otis to bring Mr. Gurney to me and he did. Mr. G. recognized me quickly tho' of course he was not expecting to see me here. Then came the concert. It was fine, just fine of course. Brown always is. Mary who sat beside me all the evening had the good grace to introduce Mr. Richardson to me after the concert. I went in the parlors afterward to meet Snell Hall & Hames Hall. Then I saw Mr. Gurney a few minutes more and met Herve Georgi. Then it was all over and five weeks stretch away before there is another bright spot. | |
| Feb. 23 Sat. | It was hard enough to go to studying this morning. Had nice letters from Floss and Lizzie to-day. Prof. Young is here and gave an astronomy lecture to-night. Dr. Brooks was up and preached to-night. | |
| Feb. 24 Sunday | Went to church as usual. Wrote two or three letters and went to meeting this eve. | |
| Feb. 25 Monday | A hard day before us did not prevent Lucy and I from taking an extra half hour of sleep this morning. With a beginning like this I dont [sic] know what the rest of the week will be. Prof. Young gave a lecture to-night. | |
| Feb. 26 Tuesday | Prof. Young gave another lecture to-night. We read Trilby nearly all the evening and had a spread out of Lucy's box in between times. | |
| Feb. 27 Wed | Studied all day. Paul du Chaillu lectured this evening on the Vikings and also on his adventures in Africa. He is a circus. We gave him a reception afterwards where he was in his element. | |
| Feb. 28 Thur. | Prof. Young gave a lecture. Afterwards we had a rehearsal for class entertainment. | |
| Mar. 1. Friday | Another astronomy lecture at 4.30 followed by a rehearsal. Went to heavy Gym for the first time to-night. | |
| Mar. 2 Saturday | Read Carlyle's Sartor Resartus most of the morning. Went to Prof. Young's lecture this afternoon. He also led the meeting this evening. | |
| Mar. 3 Sunday | Edith and I succeeded in reaching the top of Prospect this morning[.] Coming down we got into several drifts but we had lots of fun. Went to church. Wrote letters this afternoon. This evening Abbie and I went to call on Miss Hartley and then I went to see Miss Vitzthum. | |
| Mar. 4. Monday. | Lecture by Prof. Young to-night at 4.30. | |
| Mar. 5 Tuesday. | Seniors gave the "Mouse-trap." It really was rather flat. Ella Osborne was Amy. She took the part well but Willis was no good. | |
| Mar. 6. | '97 had their Chemistry entertainment in Science Hall to-day and it was just fine, couldnt [sic] have been better. They had a little simple play bringing in the principle elements. The room of mysteries up-stairs was immense fearfully wierd. [sic] Two black figures with bones in their hands wh. were rubbed with phosphorus. Here too our fortunes were told. The supper was very cute, served on the laboratory benches in chemical dishes. The whole floor was very prettily decorated. Prof Story and Prof. Ceven [perhaps Louis Coenen, instructor in violin] gave a concert to-night. | |
| Mar. 7. Thurs. | Another lecture by Prof. Young to-night. | |
| Mar. 8. Fri. | Lecture by Prof. Young at 4.30. Studied Sartor Resartus all the evening. | |
| Mar. 9. Sat. | Last lecture by Prof. Young to-night. We girls made candy and read Trilby at nine to-night. I am sitting up till eleven to-night. | |
| Mar. 10. Sunday | Edith & I went to top of Prospect again this morning. I cut church. Prof. Young gave a beautiful lecture this evening on The Glory of God in the Heavens. I did not go down to supper but staid up-stairs with Alice. | |
| Mar. 11 Monday. | Had a funny experience this morn. When I went into the post-office with the mail in my noisy way I ran into a faculty meeting. I was where I belonged and they were not so I staid. Edith saw fit to come in at 9.30 and wake me from a sleepy mood. | |
| Mar. 12. Tuesday | Am working on "Sartor." Staid in the library all the evening while the other people were reading Trilby. | |
| Mar. 13. Wednesday | It is the same old story of study. In fact this journal will be the most uninteresting account of study-study all the time. | |
| Mar. 14. Thursday | The Sartor Resartus essays were read to-day in Eng. Pros Masters Class. | |
| Mar. 15. Friday | Debating society to-night on Relation between the physical and social and the intellectual development of the college woman. The intellectual side brought out some very funny points. | |
| Mar. 16 Sat. | Exam in Rhetoric to-day. Had to lead corridor meeting to-night. Received a nice letter from Carrie to-night. | |
| Mar. 17 Sun. | Edith and I went out for a nice walk this morning. It was beautiful tho' there was a tiny bit of snow in the air. The fields are still white tho' the roads are bare. Went to church and to meeting this evening. | |
| Mar. 18 Mon. | Nothing unusual happened. | |
| Mar. 19 Tue. | Studied in the library all day and all the evening. | |
| Mar. 20 Wed. | Five of us went for a walk the first thing this morning - went almost to Ferry. Studied all the rest of the day. | |
| Mar. 21 Thur. | Studied. Went to singing class. Finished Silas Marner. No matter how much I think I'm not going to like George Eliot's books while I'm reading them, I always do at the end. They are so intense, they thrill me through & through. | |
| Mar. 22 Fri. | Studied. Can not keep from thinking to-day how our spirits are contained in and hindered by our bodies. Walked with Florence Mowry to-night. | |
| Mar. 23. Sat. | Studied Hist. with Edith this afternoon[.] Plugged on Physics all the evening. Walked with Nell Smith to-night. Changed tables. Lucy, 2 Ediths & I at Ger. table. | |
| Mar. 24 Sun. | Edith & I went for a short walk this morning. Went to church. Think we have a very nice German table. | |
| Mar. 25 Monday | This has been a fine day since the three exams this morning. This noon I found out that the recitations are put as far ahead to-morrow afternoon that I can get home to-morrow night. I have a special stage engaged to take Evelyn Watson and I down in 35 minutes. Then to-night I received a note saying I am excused from further examination in Physics. Have studied with Edith this evening and packed my trunk. | |
| Mar. 26 Tuesday. | Did room-work this morning even to the extent of scrubbing the floor. Went to Bible. This afternoon as soon as we were out of Eng. Prose Master's class Evelyn and I ran to the upper gate jumped into our rig and were off but alas! The train moved off just as we went into the station & that was my last hope of getting home to-night. Evelyn asked me to go home with her so here I am in Woonsocket to-night. Mr. & Mrs. Watson have been very kind & made me very welcome. | |
| Mar. 27 Wed. | Left Woonsocket at 10.32 this morning and came thro' by degrees reaching home [Middleborough, about 40 miles away] about two. Am very glad to get here, Lizzie came up to-night! | |
| Mar. 28 Thurs. | It seems so funny not to be tied down to something all the time. Teed & Cora were up this afternoon and we went down-street and down to Mae Witham's. Saw quite a number of the girls. Cora & I went to meeting[.] | |
| Mar. 29 Friday | Lydia[,] Sadie R, Margaret & May were here this afternoon and then we went up to the station to see Birdie when she went through. I have not seen her since last summer. | |
| Mar. 30 Saturday | Lizzie came up this morning and we went down street to do some errands. Saw Jenks and afterwards Clifford; also Walter Morse. Then we went down to the Thompsons and staid till 11.30. This evening I went up to Ida's. Was sorry to find I missed a call from Mabel Tobey. | |
| Mar. 31 Sunday | Went to church this morning. Mr. Woodbridge preached on the affirmations of Congregationalism. I staid for Sunday School[.] Teed came up this afternoon and we went down to Cora's and staid quite a while. Then Teed and I went to the Episcopal. Jenks met us there. It was frightfully hot there. I couldnt [sic] stand it. I felt faint and came out and was decidedly sick for a few minutes, then came home. | |
| April 1. Monday | Mabel Tobey came to call early this afternoon. At three Cora and I went down to the annual Church meeting[.] After we came out I went down to Carrie's and she and Margaret walked part way up with me. Then I went to Lizzie's and took her up to the station to see her safely started for Washington with the Thompson's. Saw John merely to shake hands with in a rigid fashion[.] Perry Thompson and I walked back to-gether. Am staying with Eda to-night. | |
| April 2 Tuesday | Didnt [sic] come home till about eleven this morning. This afternoon Cora and I went to call on Mira Smith, Fred de Baron's cousin. After that I went to call on Miss Keith. It made me feel very old because it seems quite a while ago that I used to go there every week for a music lesson. Had a very pleasant time however. Went down street with Sadie Ryder and came back to find Cousin Bessie Skiff here. We were all up in Mama's room to-gether this evening. | |
| April 3 Wed. | Bertha appeared this morning and I was very glad to see her. We had a long chat to-gether. This afternoon I went down street with Bessie. As I got almost home I met Lydia and she took me for a nice drive down to Muttock and the Green, and told me some of her Californian experiences. Went to the depot with Bessie and then again with Bertha to meet somebody. After supper I went up and got Bertha and we went to call on Ida. Then she came back with me to stay all night. | |
| April 4. Thurs. | Did a number of things this morning. This afternoon went over to Bridgewater to Dr. Mercer to have some teeth filled. By running the whole length of the street over there I caught the express back. This evening Russell Eaton called much to my amazement. He was the same as ever as tho' there never had been a Xmas time while to me it seems but yesterday. | |
| April 5 Friday. | Went down street this afternoon. Am trimming myself a hat. | |
| April 6 Saturday | Went to call on Annie Brown this afternoon, also Mabel Tobey & stopped in a moment at Teed's. Jenks walked upstreet with me. | |
| April 7 Sunday | Went to Church this morning. This afternoon went down to the Parker's for a while, then Carrie, May & Sadie went down to Teed's with me. Of course Jenks was there. Percy Thompson & Mae Witham came & then Russell & Will Eaton. We had a very enjoy able [sic] time. Russell walked up with me. | |
| April 8. Monday | Went up to the Kingman's this afternoon. | |
| April 9. Tuesday | Teed, Mae & Cora were in this afternoon to say good-bye. I don\n't want to go back one bit. | |
| April 10 Wednesday | This morning when I was in the midst of packing & doing last things who should call but Jean Harris. I had a pleasant call with him and he did not stay long. Left M. at 12.22. Ida went as far as Bridgewater with me. Arrived in Boston[.] I went up to Burdett's to see Mamie Skiff and then went up to Mollie's. She was already to come back & we met the girls on the 4 o'clock. Stopped at Cooley's Hotel for supper. It was terribly rough coming up & the barge tipped terribly, and it was cold. | |
| Apr. 11. Thurs. | Have gone thro' the ordeal of five recitations to-day. My eye is swollen up and I cant [sic] imagine what is the matter. | |
| Apr. 12 Friday | Went to see Dr. Hubbard this morning my eye was so bad. Have been excused from recitations for the first time to-day[.] Have studied with a bandage over my eye. | |
| Apr. 13 Sat. | Eye better. Have used it so much to-day however that now 11.30 P.M. both eyes feel some what afflicted. Am going to bed. | |
| Apr. 14 Sun. Easter | I did feel in very bad spirit this norming when I woke up to hear it raining hard[.] Whoever knew of an Easter when it rained like this. Went to church with morning [sic] and was really very homesick. They had a quartette that tried to sing and I thought of the home church and the dear familiar faces in the choir. This afternoon we went in Edith's room to hear Jessie Clauson read Browning's Easter poem. For about two minutes this afternoon the sun shown just enough to say so. Last Sunday night and the pleasant time at Teed's seems very far away, farther than it will when ten weeks have passed. | |
| Apr. 15 Mon. | Have worked on my essay for twelve hours steady with a few interruptions. It is now 2.30 A.M. and I think I'll go to bed. | |
| Apr. 16 Tue. | Copied my essay just in time to get over to class. Only had to read a part of it. Am much relieved tho' now it is off my hands altho' it was very poor. Alice was up most of the evening. Had a rehearsal at 9.20. | |
| Apr. 17 Wed. | At nine the new pedestrian club started on its first walk. We couldn't have had a more perfect day. We turned into the woods some way beyond Moody Corner to search for may-flowers but found none to speak of. We tramped clear thro' to the mountain and went up on one of the foot-hills to eat our lunch, a little this side of the Notch. Got home about 1.30. Studied the rest of the day. | |
| Apr. 18 Thur. | Nan and I walked to the iron bridge to-night. The water has been over it but has gone down now. The road the other side is quite submerged still. Was out on the campus after supper with Evelyn Watson. F. E. Clark was here this evening. | |
| Apr. 19 Friday | Had a short walk with Florence Mowry to-night and one with Tillie after supper. Went over to the observatory to see Jupiter. Debating Society took the rest of the evening. | |
| April 20. Sat. | Went quite a way in the Holyoke road with Nell Smith after 4.30. After supper went star-gazing with Abbie and Cora Keith. Gym next and then rehearsal for Taming of the Shrew. Sarah & Eva Noyes were holding a saloon after the lights were out & I went in to keep them company for a while. | |
| Apr. 21 Sunday | A perfect day. Went to church this morning & this evening. | |
| Apr. 22 Monday. | A hard day with four recitations, ending with a pleasant evening - a concert by Miss White. All Schulart. | |
| Apr. 23 Tues. | Busy as usual. A rehearsal at 7.30 and another concert by Miss White. She is certainly very nice to come and give us this treat for nothing. We gave her a reception this afternoon. | |
| Apr. 24 Wed. | We started off again at nine this morning but in the College team as far as the ferry. Miss Hooker was with us, also Mr. Bates to guide us around Little Tom. We found a great deal of arbutus and had a most delightful tramp, discovering such pretty springs and brooks. We ate our dinner beside one. After we left the resovoir [sic] we came around the southern end and there we found the most enchanting little spring. Also we had beautiful views of the river & valley. We got home about 2 o'clock. Bought some corn-balls of[f] a peddler & lunched on the campus. Rehearsal as usual. I am getting quite wrought up to Petruchio's part & Florence Mowry will make an elegant shrew. | |
| Apr. 25 Thurs. | Lucy's birth-day. We had a spread at table, also a Family lemon party in Mollie's at nine. | |
| Apr. 26 Fri. | Had a walk with Florence Mowry to-night. Rhearsal, star-gazing, Gym & another rehearsal filled up the evening. | |
| Apr. 27 Sat. | Rehearsals at 4.30 & 9.20, Gym at 7.45. So the time goes & I'm not devoting much time to study. | |
| Apr. 28 Sun. | Went to church. Washed and dried my hair up in Alice's room. After supper I read New York stories to her. Came home just before nine and scribbled brief letters to Mama and Ida. | |
| Apr. 29 Mon. | Four recitations and didnt [sic] know very much about any. Two rehearsals and Gym to-night. | |
| Apr 30 Tuesday | Rehearsal after supper as well as before. Edith Tombes and I are running a great scheme to be sure of success for the Winter's Tale. Prof. Churchill of Andover read here to-night a selection from Dickens "The Cheap-jack," a ballad of Rossetti's and some others. He was just fine. | |
| May 1. | We had a May-day breakfast at our table this morning. We went on our tramp as usual to-day and had a delightful time. Miss Smith and Miss Purington were along. We followed the Gorge brook straight up till it ceased to be and then cut right through over the other side of the mountain and down around home. Reached here about 4, at 4.30 I had a rehearsal. We had an Executive Committee meeting after supper that lasted till 8.45. Then I was too tired to do any thing more. | |
| May 2 Thursday | Five recitations and one hour for the preparation. Rehearsals and Gym take all the evening. | |
| May 3 Friday | Moon-gazing and rehearsals & Gym took up all time after 4.30[.] | |
| May 4 Saturday | Saturdays are horrid this term with Rhetoric and Drama. We had a dress rehearsal to-night from 5.30 to 7.30 then supper in Mrs. Pernell's dining room. Rev. Mr. Beach of the Springfield Christian Workers School preached the preparatory lecture. Then Gym and last of all bed. | |
| May 5 Sun. | Went to church. Staid a good deal of the afternoon with Alice. She and I went upon Prospect after supper. Did not go to meeting. | |
| May 6. Mon. | Busy as busy could be with rehearsals and Gym practice. Did not leave Gym till lights went out. Miss Greene had told me to put up the mail. Ran into Mrs. Mead of course in the post-office and she sailed into me in grand style. Like a ninny I told her I had been in the Gym. That brought down her wrath. Then the lamp-chimney fell off the lamp I had borrowed of Nell Smith and altogether we had a very funny time but I'm afraid I have got '96 and Miss Greene into trouble. | |
| May 7. Tue. | Not much studying done to-day. Worked on my costume &c. After 3. 40 I did nothing but trot on errands and make sure everything was right. Ate no supper but took a strong cup of tea and that carried me through beautifully. Everything went off better than ever before and everybody thinks it was fine. I was a fierce looking Petruchio. But my voice spoiled the disguise. But for that I think they would never have known me with my black wig and make-up. My suit was of blue with a dark red mantle, blue stockings & tan shoes, a red cap and black feathers. I was not the least big stage-struck but on the contrary felt like cutting up. Have received many compliments. | |
| May 8. Wed. | The whole College is talking of our glimpses from Shakespeare. It is conceded to be the best thing given here within the course of the present students. But best of all was when Mrs. Mead said this noon "Nellie, I want to congratulate you on the way you took your part last night. You did wonderfully well." Have done nothing but talk about it. Have accomplished nothing. Mrs. Watson is here & came to see me this morning. Studied Bible all the evening for exam to-morrow. | |
| May 9. Thur. | Bible exam, the last of five recitations to-day. I must have done well, indeed! Gym to-night. | |
| May 10. Fri. | Gym to-night. | |
| May 11. Sat. | Studied all day really. Gym of course to-night. | |
| May 12 Sun. | Went to six places this morning trying to get cream but could not. So Mr. Rogers & Mr. Buck who were guests at our table had to do with plain College coffee. Went up in Alice's room to see her put on her Commencement gown. It is elegant & very becoming. After supper walked on the piazza with Evelyn Watson. Went to meeting with Alice. A Jap who has just graduated from Andover gave a lecture on Japan. Plans for next years [sic] rooming have begun. | |
| May 13. Mon. | All day my mind was restless. The day of the month & week seemed to being back a day last summer wh. am I never to rise about? By strange coincidence a letter from Mama enclosing one from Auntie brought it vividly back and O, the anger was fully aroused in me. I am quieter now since practice in Gymnastics. I must not let that haunt me. | |
| May 14. Tues. | A lecture at 4.30 by Prof. Watase (a Jap) of Chicago University on the Luminosity of the Fire-fly. Gym after supper and then went to hear Margaret Deland read a paper on the novel. | |
| May 15. Wed. | Gym took two solid hours this morning and one this afternoon. Met Alice Carleton with Florence Andrews in the corridor this afternoon so felt obliged to pay her some little attention. As I could do nothing else I walked back to the Ferry with her. The Gym Ex. was this evening but 96 was not really wrought up to the point. However we did very much better than we have done before and in the judgement fell only 9 pts. out of 1500 behind the Sophs. | |
| May 16 Thurs. | Walked with Nan before supper & with Evelyn Watson afterwards. | |
| May 17 Fri. | Walked with Florence Mowry before supper. Played tennis to-day. This is the 5th anniversary of my first game of tennis but not one have I enjoyed so much[.] | |
| May 18. Sat. | Walked with Nell Smith before supper. Katherine Fletcher is visiting Mollie and five of us had supper on the lake. Came up and danced awhile then studied the rest of the evening but didnt [sic] accomplish much. Dont [sic] feel like it any more. | |
| May 19. Sunday. | Went to church this morning. Katherine Fletcher came in and entertained us this afternoon. There was no need for us to talk. After supper Lucy boiled up some maple sugar and we stirred it. It was fine. | |
| May 20 Monday. | Another Monday with its tribulations and poetry masters discussion. Thank fortune there are not many more of them. Mollie and I went to see Mrs. Gridley to-night. | |
| May 21 Tuesday. | A concert here to-night, Geo. Want. Prof. Story and a crolist. [sic] Very good indeed. | |
| May 22 | Wednesdays come around pretty. fast. [sic] Actually studied history for a little while this morning. Walter Morse came over to call this afternoon. Nell Smith also had two men from the Aggie and a girl here so we got up a supper for them down on the lake. It was quite successful. They staid to Prof. Fiske's lecture this evening. | |
| May 23 Thurs. | Prof. Fiske lectured this evening on Alexander Hamilton. Before the lecture Evelyn Watson gave our old German study club ice-cream & water. | |
| May 24 Friday. | Walked with Florence Mowry this afternoon. This evening everybody went out on the Campus and sang College songs led by the Glee Club. | |
| May 25 Saturday | New York State Club gave a mock trial at 4.30. Schmendler vs. Davis. Lucy was lawyer for S. | |
| May 26 Sunday. | Memorial service at church this morning. We girls sat in gallery as our seats were given up to veterans. Went out with Alice after supper. It cleared off and was beautiful[.] | |
| May 27 Monday. | The last dreadful Monday there will be with a prose masters discussion. Mollie and I went to see Mrs. Gridley to-night. | |
| May 28 Tuesday | Dr. Whitman gave the last of the Biological lectures. It was a finished essay on the Utilities of Biology but his delivery was not pleasing. | |
| May 29 Wednesday | The Pedestrian Club rode to Sugar-Loaf to-day, 17 miles there and 18 back on the other side of the river. The ride thro' those quaint old towns was delightful and the view from the mountain was fine, prettier than from Tom or Holyoke in my mind. Altogether it was an ideal day. We lay down on the new mown grass and looked down the valley with its patchwork of fields. Got home about 6.30[.] The Llamaradas were sold this eve and everybody is crazy over them. | |
| May 30 Thurs. | A holiday [Memorial Day], of course and hot as fury. I spent most of the day in the Library. We had our family picnic just across the brook. | |
| May 31 Fri. | Was out with Florence Mowry after 5.00 o'clock. Debating Society met to-night. | |
| June 1 Sat | We choose rooms to-night. Lucy & I have our same room and the family are all in the same corridor except Mollie Stevens & Carolyn. | |
| June 2. Sun. | Helped Miss Sihler take Miss Hurley to church and back. Spent all the afternoon out-of-doors writing letters. Prof. Fletcher was here and we had a short praise service at seven. I didn't go over to the church to hear Miss Moffat but staid home and wrote letters. | |
| June 3 Mon. | Edith read her essay on "Blot in the 'Scutcheon["] this afternoon. Went around hunting for a Senior gown to-night. | |
| June 4 Tues. | Seniors gave their play to-night, too - a XVI Century Situation & Chronothanaloletron[.] They were pretty good. After the entertainment, we were all very much shocked to learn that Miss Melvin had died. She had been sick only since noon[.] | |
| June 5. Wed. | We had a short service at 6.15 this morning and then they started right away with the body. I have studied all day steady exept [sic] awhile this afternoon when Mollie was in and this evening when we had the annual business meeting of the Debating Club. My duties as Secretary are at last over. | |
| June 6 Thurs. | Nan & I went walking to-night. After supper we had an Executive Committee meeting over the Prom. | |
| June 7 Fri. | Seven years since Mamie was married! | |
| June 8. Sat. | Miss Lake is visiting here. I had a nice long talk with her in the Reading Room to-night. Received to-day a [sic] invitation from the New York Law School. Also a postal announcing I had been chosen to give report of M.H.S. 92 at Alumni Meeting July 3rd. | |
| June 9. Sun. | Went to church and evening meeting. Saw Miss Lake to bid her Good-bye to-night. | |
| June 10 Mon. | This dreadful week has fairly begun, and rare day is over. I dont [sic] know which to think the most about exams or the Junior Prom. Went to see Mrs. Gridley[.] | |
| June 11 Tues. | Sophs gave us a party at 4.30. It was the wedding of a flower to a bumble-bee. I went as a June-bug and had piles of fun. Lucy and I made a long call on Miss Hartley to-night flies chased her screen & table and so did not study a bit. | |
| June 12 Wed. | Studied when I was not doing anything else. Our pedestrian club took our supper to the Pearl City brook to-night and ate it on the rocks in the brook. Miss Smith and Miss Purington brought ice-cream for us. Had an elegant time. | |
| June 13 Thur. | Sleep was not mine last night on account of my unusual supper. Got thro' this hard day and hope to live through the rest. | |
| June 14 Fri. | As we were digging in Astronomy this morning Miss Bardwell appeared and asked me to usher Commencement Day and excused me from Astronomy. Lucy and I are two out of five favored ones. Went to class meeting. | |
| June 15 Sat. | The last exam is at last over but the history essay still hangs on. Dont [sic] think it will ever be done. Alice's mother Eva & Bessie are here. Florence Andrews & I went over to see Eva to-night then I ironed out my dress. We had our farewell class meeting to-night. | |
| June 16 Sun. | Baccalaureate Sunday. Took Mrs. Holmes to church this morning. Made me feel pretty solemn when I think that I'll be one of the black-gowned Seniors next year. Went to the hotel to dinner with the Holmses, and then staid over there part of the afternoon and met the Hall family. Came home to find the girls drinking lemonade & talking up Round Robin. Washed my hair & dried it in short order. Helped Alice entertain Bessie & Eva and then went to meeting. Dr. Josiah Strong preached the Baccalaureate and spoke to-night. He thinks there is to be a new development of Christianity in the next century. That a movement similar to Reformation is already observed, but it will be for society not as before for the individual. In these two great movements there is a return and an advance. The return is already noted in the cry of theologists "Go back to Christ." Dr. Parkhurst said that God and man could have made any other religion but Christianity. For that it took God and his men. | |
| June 17 Mon. | The great day arrived at last. Was busy first part of morning with business. Later copied part of my essay and made Mrs. Gridley a short call. After dinner did several little odd things. About three Walter Morse appeared with his mother and sister and I showed them all around the College. After that I went to work and thanks to the girls who helped me the tables looked very pretty with the lanterns over them. They were arranged in a triangle. I ate some straw-berries but in the cook-room and then rushed up stairs to dress. Gertrude had asked me to take her brother in to the reception but I of course was not ready when his card was sent up. However with Abbie's help I was soon presentable[.] He was very pleasant and I enjoyed the reception, also the [...] especially the ones with Dr. Webb and Tommie Young. The Prom was a grand success, - the best thing ever given at Mt. Holyoke &c. After it was all over & Tillie & I had changed our dresses we went out and got every thing into the house only it was a long time after the lights were out that we reached our rooms. | |
| June 18 Tues. | Got up before breakfast to go out doors to collect a very few things that didnt [sic] get picked up, look after dishes &c. I ushered at the class day exercises this morning. After dinner I devoted myself to copying my essay. Went to Glee Club Concert in the Church this eve. It was fine. | |
| June 19 Wed. | Got up before breakfast and finished my Debating Society book. Abbie and I had the pleasure of ushering the trustees and faculty down the isle at the exercises and then of getting them out again. The address by Dr. Lyman was fine they say. I heard only a little of it. At collation I served at Miss Steven's table. Then Mollie and I went to bid Mrs. Gridley Good-bye. After that I began to pack. Went to reception this eve. Met Nell Smith's "John." Packed till 12.45. | |
| June 20 Thur. | Up at 4.45 and started at 6.15. Met Ninn [?] Marshall in Springfield. Arrived in Boston Mollie & I had our orange phosphate, then I went shopping. Went up to Mollie's to dinner, then we went out to Marlborough Street[.[ We went into the Public Library for a minute. It is magnificent. Went back down town, finished my shopping and caught the five team express out. Was so tired that I was asleep when the conductor came along. Got home little after six. Liz was up this evening. | |
| June 21. Friday. | Am afraid the days will be pretty much the same. I dont [sic] think I ever planned a quieter summer for myself. It cant [sic] be any more so than the one four years ago was only it wont [sic] have such an elegant end. Ida was up this morning, Teed this afternoon, May & Dale to-night on Davis piazza. | |
| June 22 Sat. | Bertha came up this morning I met her at the station and went down-town with her. Then she was here a part of the afternoon. Went to station with her and stopped at Lizzie's on the way back. Cushman was there [.] I'd rather be confined to states-price [?] - for life than have to have his company for the same length of time. | |
| June 23 Sunday | Went to church this morning. This afternoon went down to Parlser's to bid Margaret Breard Good-bye. Staid and Carrie and I went to meeting to-gether. | |
| June 24 Monday | Liz & Cora were in this afternoon. Teed came up to-night and of course Jenks appeared shortly. He was mad because she had gone by his house three minutes earlier than he told her to. Would I stand that from any man? Uncle Henry came up this noon. | |
| June 25 Tuesday | Have been sleepy all day. Went down street to-night right after supper and Clifford walked up with me. I felt provoked at him but what could I do. It made me cross because he was so glum last summer and he was so gay and easy to-night. | |
| June 26 Wednesday | Sewed some to-day. Lydia came down this afternoon and we went to walk down to Oliver's Walks. Dont [sic] know when I've been there before. It was very pretty and I enjoyed it much. The first Round-robin letter came to-night. Went to Miss Keith's recital in Baptist Church this eve. It was good and reminded me of my youthful days. I went alone and that terrible sense of lonliness [sic] got possession of me again. | |
| June 27 Thur. | Plain day at home. Sewed some. Liz up this morning. | |
| June 28 Friday | Sewed all day. The Graduation Exercises were this evening. They were fairly good but cant [sic] hold a candle side of '92 or '94. Of course I was most interested in May & Dale and they did well. Dale gave May an awful hard hit in the Prophecy. | |
| June 29 Saturday | Staid at home all day except for a little trip down-street this morning. | |
| June 30 Sunday | Went to church then down to the Tobey's for a while and then over to the Robertses. Came home & read a little. Toward night went up to Ida's and we went to C. E. to-gether. I staid with Carrie and Laura Brown for the lecture this evening. The subject was Sodom and the Sodomites. It was good and I trust will do me some good for I certainly have pitched my tent toward the Sodom of selfishness and vain perhaps worse imagination. It is a habit worn close about me but I will break it if I am strong enough. | |
| July 1 Monday | I'm lying on the bed in my party dress with the contents of my party bag dumped on the bed before me and I've returned some time since from the M.H.S. '95 reception though truly last years one seems nearer than this. This one was decidedly tame in comparison to last year altho' I cannot say I had any thing but a nice time. A scottishe [?] with Will Easton was the only dance when I sped on unmindful of life half-way between earth & heaven. Had the long expected scene with John on the balcony. | |
| July 2 Tuesday | Staid at home all day. Sewed some. | |
| July 3 Wed. | Lizzie made a call of two hours this morning on me while I was still in bed. The Alumni [sic] Association met to-night. Had quite a pleasant time. Had to make a little speech as the representative of our class. John came home with me - I suppose because he felt obliged to. | |
| July 4. Thur. | Rained steady most of the day. Got up about six to see the Horribles. Went down to Parker's and waited for them to get up. The Horribles were a fake. In spite of the rain seventeen of us went down to Waterville to Charles Parker Washburn's summer home and we just did have a grand time. The house is large light and airy, with just enough furniture to be comfortable but some of the pieces are old and truly elegant. We played Hide and Seek and hid in the hat-room. [?] Oh, what fun! I ran and indulged my tom-boy tendencies. Then we played Follow the Leader and Mrs. Washburn led us all over the farm and up to Mount Carmel where the boys performed athletic feats for us and Sadie Kingman, not to be entirely beaten turned a somersault. Then came dinner in the big dining-room. Didn't the table look laden! Then we played whist in the parlor and then charades. After that we had fruit sherbet and root-beer and came home in the rain. | |
| July 5 Friday | Carrie came up this afternoon. This evening we all went to the fireworks. Walter Morse appeared, walked some with me and came in for an hour. | |
| July 6 Sat. | At home all day. Lizzie was up for a while this afternoon. Received the second Round Robin letter and sent it off. | |
| July 7. Sunday | Went to church, then up to Lizzie's with Teed, then to Communion with Cora. This evening went to C. E. and then to evening service with Carrie. She is flirting outrageously with that little Armenian. Dr. Sinclair, a colored man spoke this evening of Howard University. | |
| July 8 Monday. | Went down street twice to-day. Lizzie was up this afternoon. John came around to-night to ask me to go up the river with a party to-morrow. I smiled to myself and said yes out loud. Mr. and Mrs. Woodbridge received in the church parlors to-night. It is the 15th anniversary of their marriage. It was a very pleasant occasion. | |
| July 9 Tuesday | Could not go up the river because it rained this morning. This afternoon it cleared off beautifully but I did not drive to Bridgewater with Doc because I was afraid they might come to go up the river but I got left on both things. | |
| July 10 Wed. | This morning Harry came around to say they were going up the river but I was coming to Boston to-night. Arrived here at 6.30. Had supper and then went up to the Shawmut Church. Met several people among whom was Marian Spring whom I once knew at Sandwich. Then we went up stairs, heard part of Dr. Barton's address of welcome, a C. E. story by Mrs. Grace Livingston Hill of Germantown, P.A. and part of F. Cowan's story. That did not promise so well so we came home. Amanda Fenno[,] Mollie, her mother and I all sleep in one room. | |
| July 11. Thur. | One of Mollie's old friends who runs a sailing yacht invited us out sailing to-day. Mrs. Bass, Mrs. Barry, Charles Lysander Storrs, this Fred Andrew, Mollie and I went. I was dumb-founded when I found Fred Andrew was married. He is so young. We started about nine, went to S. Boston to take the boat. It was fine sailing this morning. We went by the Venetian merchant steamer that recently broke in two on a rock. Then we went down to Winthrop and landed, and walked around a little. It is a very pretty place with the ocean rolling in on one side. Coming home it was a little lack of breeze and for amusement we caught jelly fish with the help of the boat-hook and a pail. We further amused ourselves with eating for we had an abundance, lots of sandwiches, cake, fancy cookies, a water-melon and a quart bottle apiece of tonic. Reached home at seven somewhat burned. Had supper and then went over to Mechanics Hall where I registered but we could not get so much as a look in the door of the hall. So we went down thro' the Public Gardens which were like a fairy-land and looked in at both tents on the Common but couldn't get standing room well inside. We came home at last stopping in a People's and Berkeley Temple. | |
| July 12 Friday | Got up and started off early with Amand[a] Fenno for Mechanics Hall. The doors were not yet open but we stood with the crowd and were pushed in with the rest. Heard addresses by Knight Chaplin of London, Otis Smith of Indiana, & President A. E. Turner of Lincoln Ill. This afternoon Mollie and I went to Union Church but we were so sleepy that we came home and went to bed and to sleep. To-night we succeeded in getting a seat in Tent Williston and heard Chaplain D. H. Tribon U. S. N. speak on C. E. in the Navy; also several representatives of different nations. Catherine Barbour spoke for Spain; also an address by Henry Montgomery of Belfast Ireland. | |
| July 13 Sat. | Went down to Park Street church - arrived there at 9.05 to meet Florence Mowry and Evelyn Watson. They had gone at nine. Went down again at ten and saw about fifty Holyoke students and alumnae. Went into King's Chapel and the graveyard nearby. The Chape was built in 1749. This afternoon Mollie and I went to Castle Square Theatre to hear Chimes of Normandy. Wm. Wolff was the miser and for me he was for the best part. The scene in the old chateau just thrilled me. I would like to see a real tragedy played. To-night we went up to the church but did not stay. Went over to Capitan's [sic] for soda. | |
| July 14 Sun. | Started for Trinity this morning but when almost there it began to pour. Had to go into a house and wait till 'twas over then could not get into Trinity nor Berkeley Temple so came home. This afternoon we went up to the church. The larger part of the service consisted of the giving of Gournod's Gallia by the choir. This evening Mrs. Bass and I tried to go to First Baptist Church but there was only standing room. We staid to hear the singing then came back visiting New Old South, Reformed Episcopal and Clarendon St. churches on the way. | |
| July 15 Mon. | Mollie is sick so I went with Amanda to the Missionary meeting in Tent Endeavor this morning. Heard A. P. Cobb of Springfield Ill, John R. Mott of New York, Mr Puddefoot and Robert Speer of N.Y. This afternoon I went with Miss Emerson a lady who is boarding here and her friend Miss Bancroft to the old North Church and sat in the old-fashioned pews while the chime of eight bells rang and while Rev. Wm Patterson of Toronto Ont. and Mr. Barton addressed us. The latter told everything interesting about the Church. Then Mr. Barton took the crowd thro' Copp's Hill Burying ground showing all the most interesting tombs. Then he took us thro' the slums to Increase Mather's, Gov. Hutchinson's, and Paul Revere's houses, showing us the site of the Hull house. Then through "the most delicious little bit of crookedness in all Boston" he brought us to the "Boston Stone" and the Marshall House. Then we saw the site of the old Green Dragon Tavern where the Indians prepared for the Boston Tea-Party. Then at last he took us to the old Hancock House through Medford Avenue which is actually only twenty-seven inches wide. Then we came home. This evening Mrs. Bass and I went to the Consecration meeting in Mechanics building[.] Came home to find John Adams calling upon Mollie. I was glad to meet him, having heard so much about him. He is brimming over with fun. | |
| July 16 Tue. | Came home this noon. | |
| July 17 Wed. | The girls had the dance already gotten up that we had spoken of before I went to Boston.And it was a great success. Was in Homestead Hall. It went way ahead of the M.H.S reception. I had a fine time and some truly elegant dances. Had the last waltz with Frank Kirmeyer and he came home with me. Fortunately for me he did not remember me as on that clamming excursion last summer. I like him much. I regretted the moonlight that made the walk home a year ago so glorious. | |
| July 18 Thur. | Went to meeting this evening with Lizzie. | |
| July 19 Fri. | Went down to Teed's this afternoon after I came home from Bridgewater where I almost succeeded in fainting away in the dentist's chair. This evening I went up to the Kingman's to see that Miss Noble. | |
| July 20 Sat. | Staid at home all day. | |
| July 21 Sun. | Went to church and C. E. Went down to see Lizzie and Cushman this evening. | |
| July 22 Mon. | Went up the river with a party this afternoon[.] Teed, Jenks, John and I in one boat. Went up to the little Grove at Nelson's. Got home about 9. Of course John came up with me. | |
| July 23 Tues. | This afternoon Teed and I went down to call on Lizzie Caywood but she was not at home. Went down to Carrie's this evening. She has asked Cora and I down to Swift's Beach and I can hardly wait to go. | |
| July 24 Wed. | Went over to Bridgewater to Dr. Mercer's again this afternoon. Stopped at Cora's on my way back. Liz. and Lizzie Caywood made me a visit there. This evening they and Mr. Cushman came up and staid awhile then we went down to the Lawn Party in the Town House yard. | |
| July 25 Thur. | Went down to Carrie's this afternoon and we went up to Kingman's. Cora and I went to meeting to-night. Harry walked up with us. | |
| July 26 Friday. | Mama and I went down street this afternoon. Went down to Lizzie's for a few minutes this evening. | |
| July 27. Saturday | Lizzie and I started about nine this morning and went up the river after lilies. We got back just before twelve with about eighty lilies. Went down street this afternoon[.] Saw Joe Edwards who gave me a note for Carrie. At 6.10 Cora and I started with Mr. Parker for Swift's Beach. The Parker girls and Eaton boys were at station to meet us. The boys took us up in the sail boat. It was cold and damp and dark but I enjoyed it much nevertheless. Cora & I bunk to-gether[.] | |
| July 28 Sunday | Up this morning before the other girls and helped Mrs. Parker about breakfast. This forenoon we girls started to go out rowing then we thought we thought [sic] we would dress for bathing. Carrie and I were ready first and on the piazza, I with five apples in my lap when I beheld the Eaton boys and Mrs. McElwain coming toward the house. I dashed through the door, Carrie after me and Mrs. Parker was left to entertain the youth. When we were all ready we started from the back of the house, each eating an apple and went down tot the boat amid smiles from the piazza. When we came back the boys were dressed for bathing. Will took our pictures. I went out in the row boat with Russell and Mr. McElwain. The deepest dive I ever took was when I went straight down from the bow of the "Dude." It was still all green when I opened my eyes. After dinner we went over and made Mr. Eaton a call and then Will took us rowing over to the Pilot's, Corell's Cliffs, and we explored all along that shore. Came back, took Carrie in and went out to meet Russell and Mr. McElwain coming back from Inset. The boys came over this evening and we all went rowing. Carrie, Cora, Mr. McElwain[,] Russell and I in one boat. It was magnificent on the water. We came back a little after nine and Mrs. Parker had hot cocoa for us. | |
| July 29 Mon. | We stayed on the piazza all the morning and read two of Miss Stuart's stories. Carlotta's Intended was a wonderfully pretty story. It is simply bliss to be here by the water. We were in the house this afternoon on account of the breeze. The Eatons have company but Will was in this afternoon and distinguished himself by saying "Ask May" when we asked him what ailed his lips. This evening the Eatons had a beach party, invited us and the Cambridge boys who were in the next cottage. It was a glorious moonlight night and the Cambridge men had a few Roman candles to shoot off. I was with Mr. More, Harvard '98 some and most of the time with Mr. Fosgate, the married man of the crowd. After awhile we went up on the piazza and I told some of those standard College stories and the boys each sang something. We came home about eleven and after we had gone up stairs the boys came and serenaded us. May and I blew the horn after Cad and Cade had gone to sleep which rather roused their ire. | |
| July 30 Tues. | Wind blew all day. We read some in the house this morning. Played Authors this afternoon and sat on the beach to watch the big waves roll in. This evening May and I skipped out on the beach just before going to bed and we[re] in time to see the moon break from the clouds. It was grand. Will joined us after awhile. It was a night to fill our souls with poetry and not as Carrie said our soles with sand and water. When we returned we found Carrie & Cora had raised Cain with our beddress to the extent of emptying their shoes in it. | |
| July 31 Wed. | The boys invited us to take our dinner over in a dining-room as smooth as a mill-pond on the opposite side of the bay. So we went. The middle of the bay proved pretty rough for our little boat, and for the first time in my life I was aware of flinching before a big wave - the last of three immense ones. We were all drenched but not until we were safely across did the boys tell us it was too rough and we must come home in the train. We ate our lunch, then went into a pier at Cataumet, went to the station and boarded the train. We were a pretty looking crowd. Russell and I would have taken the prize for boys and girls, respectively. Of course we ran smack into the Tobeys coming up from all the swellness of Falmouth Heights. We reached Wareham and walked down from there glad to be safe on this side of the bay. This evening Carrie and I went out on the beach to enjoy the moon. Russell came out and got a quilt and we three lay under it and watched the little elves dance on the water in the wake of the moon. | |
| August 1 Thur. | We went huckleberrying this morning but did not get very many. Went in bathing this afternoon. Received a Round Robin to-night. May and I lay in the hammock and enjoyed the moon all the evening. Weill joined us after a while. I think May Parker and Will Eaton are a fine couple and I hope in years to come they will be all in all to each other. | |
| Aug 2. Friday. | This morning Russell, Will, May and I went clamming over at Beach Point. I enjoyed it much tho' not as much as last year. We fooled Mrs. Parker by putting all the good clams in the bottom of the boat and showing her only the basket with broken and small ones in it. Then I bossed [?] the chowder and we had a grand dinner party. The invited company were the Eaton boys and they really dressed up to come over. We had a jolly time over the chowder and the huckleberry pie. This afternoon Carrie and I drove Mr. P. and the Eaton boys up to Wareham where they took the train for Cataumet to get the boat. In the evening we rowed out in the moonlight to meet them. | |
| August 3 Sat. | Russell, Carrie and I went fishing this morning but caught only two sculp. This afternoon we went in bathing and then we had to make one grand hustle in order for me to pack up my duds and get Carrie up to Wareham in time to get her train to Midd. I took the last train down here to dear old Monument Beach. Found my way up from the station to the house in the fields where I had one of my first good times. | |
| Aug 4. Sunday. | Have begun reading Doreen, one of Edna Lyall's later books. Bert came about noon. Went to afternoon service in Chapel. Mr. Seward preached. Went to prayer meeting there this evening. Went driving down to Wenaumet. | |
| Aug 5. Monday. | Went on an excursion down to Nantucket, four hours sail each way. We hired a team there that took us all around through the narrow streets. This evening directly after we got home we went on a hay-ride under the light of the full moon. It was great fun. Fan Perry drove our "farm buggy". Got back about midnight. | |
| August 6. Tuesday. | Rained some this morning. Bertha and I just lazed around. | |
| August 7. Wednesday | Went in bathing this morning[.] Went to call on Bertha's Aunt Nan this afternoon. | |
| August 8 Thurs. | I went in bathing this forenoon. Bert was up this evening. | |
| August 9 Fri | Mr. Perry got up a clam-bake for eleven of the family and friends. Had it over by the Eel Pond. It was fine only quite disgraced myself eating more clams than anyone else. | |
| August 10 Sat. | Went in bathing this morning[.] After supper we went driving down to Wenaumet. | |
| August 11 Sun. | Went to Swedenborgian service down in the tent. Mr. Seward preached on the text "Let the dead bury their dead." In the Chapel this afternoon Mr. Goddard a Swedenborgian preached. I liked him much. Bert was of course here this evening. | |
| August 12 Mon. | Rainy day. Mr. and Mrs. Perry went to New Bedford to his brothers [sic] funeral. Have written five letters to-day. Bertha and I went driving to Bourne this evening. | |
| August 13 Tues. | I finished Doreen by Ednall Lyall this evening and like it pretty well. Went over to Eda's and made quite a call this afternoon. | |
| August 14 Wed. | This morning Bertha had a special delivery from Bert saying for us both to go to No. Falmouth to see Hannah. She had asked Bertha to come last night but she didn't on account of me. We went down on the eleven. Arrived there just in time to go in bathing with the crowd. It was great sport only it was pretty thick in the water. Then we had dinner and went to the bowling alley for a little while. Then we came home and lay | |
| August 15 Thur. | Got up early and came home on the eight. About ten Bert sent a team to take us to Bournedale. We went to his house and started from there to the Herring Pond. We caught eleven fish and got a woman to make us a chowder. It was elegant. We had it down on the shore of the pond. Went back to Bert's and then came home. | |
| August 16 Friday. | Went in bathing for the last time this year. We had steamed clams out-of-doors this noon. This afternoon went down to the ball-game[.] Bertha asked all the young people in this evening. How many such gatherings I have enjoyed down here! This was different from most of them - it lacked Sue and Joe and it is likely to be the last I shall ever be at. Mrs. Johnson and I had an affectionate parting in the hall. | |
| August 17 Sat. | Came home this morning. Went to sleep this afternoon. | |
| August 18 Sun. | Rained - I did not go out until towards night when I went down to Teed's and we went to the Episcopal this evening. | |
| August 19 Mon. | Papa and I drove to No. Rochester and back to-day. This evening Jenks asked us down on his piazza to hear Carter's band practice. I went down to Teeds [sic] first. Frank came & took us for a half hour's drive in Mrs. Leonards [sic] big wide buggy. It was fun riding around under the electrics. He let us [out] at Jenks and we had a very pleasant evening. John came up with me. | |
| August 20 Tuesday | Papa and I drove up to Charlie's this afternoon. I went down to Cora's this evening. | |
| Aug. 21 Wed. | Cousin Isaiah came to-night but conveniently requested to go to bed early and I skipped up to Kingman's where several were invited to meet Miss Gifford from New Bedford. The boys say "she's a corker" and I guess that expresses it. We had a very pleasant evening. John walked down with me. | |
| August 22 Thurs. | Took Mama out driving this morning. This afternoon went down to Lizzie's and stayed to ten[.] Then we went to meeting and she staid all night with me. | |
| August 23 Fri. | Staid in all day. Cora was up this afternoon. Mamie and Doc came home to-night. | |
| Aug. 24 Sat. | Staid in all day except I went down to the Library to-night. Sadie K. called this afternoon. | |
| Aug. 25 Sun. | Went to church. A Mr. Ward from the evangelists of Clarendon St. Church preached. Went up to Ida's to-night and went to C.E. with her. | |
| Aug. 26 Mon. | Teed and Harry were up this afternoon. This evening we were invited down to Jenks to meet the Otis boys. Maybe I didn't dread meeting Billy Otis again! but I lived through it because he was as forgetful as myself but I think John trembled almost as much as I. Harry and Jenks played and then we all went out on the vine-covered piazza and the Otis boys entertained us with guitar, banjeurine and mandolin. What could have been more delightful! John walked up with me. | |
| Aug. 27 Tues. | Ten of us started this morning at nine for the lake. I wonder what Billy Otis thought as John and I pushed out from the boat-house first of all and only we two in the boat. We had a fine row up to Nelson's. There we had the Robinson's tent. We lazed around the rest of the morning. After dinner we played Consequences and Crawler. I discovered that after all the search it was I who had Billy Otis' rhyme. Then the boys played to us awhile and then we all walked over to Sampson's. We started home about seven. Somehow as we rowed across the pond to the music of mandolin and guitar while we fired off Roman candles and burned red lights. I could not but think of the romance of the old days four years gone by at Nelson's. Romantic sure it was to-night and romantic it most truly was then and yet how very, very different. The moon did not favor us to-night but perchance she shone fair on another couple as they slowly drift on some waters to the music of light guitar. After we left the narrow channel we came down three abreast with the "band-boat" in the middle until the poor-house bridge. It was just elegant and they played all sorts of dreamy airs. Got home about ten. | |
| Aug. 28 Wed. | Teed was up this afternoon and we went out awhile, down to Mrs. Thompson to call &c. This evening we all went down to her house and then down to Oliver's Walks. It is a dream of a place in the moonlight. We staid only a little while, came back to Teeds for refreshments then went up to Jenks and again the boys entertaining us on the piazza. I shall have these three musical evenings to think about when summer is gone and I'm plugging away at So. Hadley. John came home with me. | |
| Aug. 29 Thur. | Etta Freeman has been here to-day[.] Went to meeting this evening. | |
| Aug. 30 Fri. | Ida and Floss Thompson were up this afternoon. I went down to Lizzie's this evening. It's a glorious night. | |
| Aug. 31 Sat. | Helped Howie this morning. Sewed all the afternoon. | |
| Sept. 1 Sun. | Went to church, communion, & C.E[.] and down to Lizzie's this evening. Its [sic] a perfect night. | |
| Sept. 2. Mon. | Worked hard over at Mamie's all the morning. This afternoon went to the tennis tournament. Gordon won the prize again. John came second, wish he might have been first. This evening went to North Middleboro with Doc. It was a perfect moonlight night for a drive or any thing else. | |
| Sept. 3 Tues. | Marcia was sick so I had to be Bridget. Three appeared this forenoon to stay to dinner and just as I was stirring up my pudding about 11.30 who should appear but Jean Harris. Of course I had to entertain him and it was a pleasure too. I like him. Got through my work about 3.30. An hour later received a letter from Alice saying she would be here on the five o'clock express. So I dressed and went to depot to meet her. Mamie entertains her. We started right off at 6.30 on the ride to Lakeside. It was a perfect moonlight night and the beach there was no bad spot to be on to-night. The boys built a big fire and we had a down-right good time, better than I tho't it would be. The only accident was when Alice, John, Fred and Frank broke the wharf and were let into the water. There is a total eclipse of the moon to-night and we got the benefit of it coming home for we didnt [sic] get home till 12.30[.] I remember when Miss Bardwell spoke of this eclipse of the moon - how little I thought I should be having such a good time. | |
| Sept. 4 Wed. | Went up to Kingman's this afternoon. Arleen recited two pieces and did them fine. This evening I had about twenty up to Doctor's. We did have a real good time, I think, music & a recitation by Charlotte &c. | |
| Sept. 5 Thur. | This afternoon we went to North Middleboro, then went down to Parker's[.] Russell appeared so Alice had a chance to see him. You would never have known him as the same boy you saw at Swift's Beach - - yes I should too. Went to meeting this evening. | |
| Sept. 6 Fri. | This has in deed been a day. Went over to cattle show at nine this morning and staid till six. Alice left from there this afternoon. Met Mr. Barker, & Mr. Shaw on grand stand and also saw Joe P. and Mr. McElwain. But to-night we had our fourth summer farewell party and it was a grand success. All honor be to Perce Jenks. Honestly I was never so loth [sic] to leave a hall it seems to-night. I've had more exciting times at dances and times that I may remember longer than this but I want to record it that I had to-night a right happy time and I danced and danced and put my soul into it, bound to have a good time and I did. Perhaps I may succeed in other things if I set out bound to attain my desire. John has three friends here and I like Mr. Marvel much. Mr. Powers is a caution. Strange to relate one of my best dances was with Duckson, tho. He chided me for not recognizing him since last winter. Well John came home with me. This is the end of the summer. I must work for the next few days and then work again.
[A newspaper article was pinned to this entry: "A delightful social assembly was held in Homestead Hall, Friday evening, it being the second in a series of summer dances. About thirty couples were in attendance, and all enjoyed to the utmost the pleasures of the dance from 8 until 12 o'clock, to the music of Carter's orchestra. The grand march was led by Frank B. Holmes and Miss Charlotte E. Flagg. The costumes worn by the young people were very tasteful. The floor was in charge of Frank B. Holmes, with V. W. Thompson, H. T. Cushing, S. A. Drew as aids. The patronesses were Mrs. Arthur B. Alden, Mrs. H. L. Thatcher, Mrs. E. O. Parker and Mrs. E. F. Wood."] | |
| Sept. 7. Sat. | This afternoon Mamie, Sara and I drove down to Etta Freeman's to spend the afternoon and take tea. We had a very pleasant time but had to drive home in a heavy mist. I came right home from Mamie's and met an apparition at the end of our walk who said "Good-evening" and put out his hand to shake hands. At first I thought it was a tramp then I said, "Who is it?" He laughed and said "Don't you know?" Then I knew it was Mr. Ladd and I managed to get up the steps. He had ridden down on his wheel expecting to find Auntie here. Later we went over to Mamie's but did not stay long. | |
| Sept. 8 Sun. | Mr. Ladd has decided to stay here and let Auntie come up. He went to church with Mamie and I this morning. This evening Doc, Mr. Ladd, Mamie & I went only Doc had a call and had to go out. Mr. Woodbridge repeated that lecture on Sodom and the Sodomites. It strikes me strange to think things happened just as they did and I feel like asking "Why?" After Church we went over to Mamie's and had lunch. | |
| Sept. 9. Mon. | Auntie came this noon and Mr. L. went this afternoon about three. Auntie and I went down-street[.] | |
| Sept. 10 Tues. | Worked hard all day getting packed up. I never was so late before. Went down-street this evening and down to Parkers. I feel dreadfully to leave all the girls, so there, I do. Mabel, Min & Cora were up this afternoon. I've read the letter I wrote June 20th. but somehow I don't feel sentimental enough to write another. Of course nothing has happened as I planned because I didn't have any plans. The person I thought would be a thorn in the flesh has after all proved a blessing. All in all I have had a very very nice summer - nothing exciting but just good healthy good times and everybody has been very good to me. I have seen lots of Teed and that is like four years ago. We had our pictures taken together to-day. | |
| Sept. 11 Wed. | Left home this morning at nine. Stopped over in Brockton and made quite a little call on Birdie. Did some errands in Boston and one in Springfield and finally arrived here about eight. We had a family spread in honor of Gertrude & Mary's birthdays. These girls are dear but I'll not forget the dear ones I've left. | |
| Sept. 12 Thur. | Everything is confusion but thank fortune neither of the Senior teachers are here so we at least will have a chance to get settled. | |
| Sept. 13 Fri. | Still no studying to do and I am glad. | |
| Sept. 14 Sat. | Begin to realize I shall have to work hard this term but haven't a bit of enthusiasm for it. Places at table arranged. I am beside Miss Spore. | |
| Sept. 15 Sun. | Rather cold and dreary day. Made one or two calls, wrote to Mama, went to Church, class meeting & Y.W.C.A. | |
| Sept. 16 Mon. | Just an ordinary sort of a day. | |
| Sept 17 Tues. | Class meeting to-night and officers chosen. | |
| Sept 18 Wed. | Y.W.C.A. reception to new students. Did not go early so did not meet many. | |
| Sept. 19 Thurs. | Saw for the first time the result of my first money making scheme. Meeting this eve. | |
| Sept 20 Fri. | Hard work all day. | |
| Sept 21 Sat. | The first of vacation I feared for the monotony of the days. That was nothing to this. Corridor meeting in Miss Flint's room this eve. | |
| Sept 22 Sun. | Awfully hot, went to church & meetings this eve. Wrote to Ida and began a lengthy epistle to Bertha to tell all about the last part of my vacation. | |
| Sept. 23 Mon. | Just like the other day. The College in general received its seats in Chapel. There will be 80 in '96 to graduate. | |
| Sept. 24 Tue. | Worked for the reception this eve all the afternoon till I was dead tired. It does not seem possible that we have given our Senior reception. I met a number of the Freshmen. Wore my white muslin and it made me homesick for a good time. | |
| Sept. 25 Wed. | Our pedestrian club went with Miss Hooker to-day to locate her hennery. We ate our dinner in a very small pine grove where we cooked our corn, coffee & eggs. | |
| Sept. 26 Thur. | Went to meeting this evening. | |
| Sept. 27 Friday. | Have labored over four different locusts in the laboratory but will [sic] little success. | |
| Sept. 28 Sat. | Gertrude Hyde's brothers were here to-night. We had tea in the parlors, partly for them and partly for Nan as it is her 21st birthday to-morrow. It sends the cold shudders down my back. | |
| Sept. 29 Sun. | Cloudy & rainy. Went to church this morning. Went to the parlors again to-night to see Gertrude's brother Lewis. We were entertained by some of Chopin's music and then The Holy City and Calvary from the girls in the other parlors. | |
| Sept. 30 Mon. | Went upon the hill with Florence Mowry to-night. | |
Oct. 1 Tues. | Our reading circle made candy and read The Silence of the Maharaja to-night. | |
| Oct. 2 Wed. | Our pedestrian club went with the Botany classes to-day on their excursion to the foot-hills of the mountain. Edith & I got a ride home. | |
| Oct. 3 Thur. | Abbie and I went up on the hill to-night. Went to meeting this eve. | |
| Oct. 4 Fri. | To-night is the last night I can say I am only twenty. I have written to Teed and to Mama to-day, and I feel blue and homesick. I dont [sic] want to grow old and I know Teed fully sympathizes with me. If I could be like what I'd like to be, it wouldnt [sic] be so hard, but it doesn't seemed [sic] to me I've improved one bit since a year ago this time. And O, being twenty has been so short - such a short year. I never studied in all my life as I did last winter. One rather peculiar thread has run through two-thirds of this year I am curious to see where it will end. No knot can be tied so I think it will just be broken off - and there will be a drop-stitch. There's another thread, one running along from the summer when I was nineteen, that no one else but me can see is peculiar in its relations to the others. The summer when I was twenty was a nice summer and ended even better than I could dare to dream at the beginning. | |
| Oct. 5 Sat. | Lucy gave me a Limoges china plate and Mary Stevens a Dickens calendar; Lizzie sent me a pretty little hand-painted picture-frame. We played Mother Goose pictures at table to-night. After corridor-meeting there was a family-party in Alice & Nan's room where ice-cream and cake was served. Then the girls took the months of the year and each one write a wish in rhyme for some month of the year. | |
| Oct. 6 Sun. | Went to church, and to both meetings this evening. It is a beautiful day. This afternoon I concealed myself in Room A and wrote four letters. Another one this evening made five that I took down to the office to-night. | |
| Oct. 7 Mon. | Up early to study Psychology. Walked with Florence Mowry after 4.30. We went down to Mr. Judd's and he gave us apples and grapes. Got Teed's & my picture to-night. | |
| Oct. 8 Tues. | Did room-work this afternoon and then worked on Locust topic till supper-time. The same this evening until 8.45 when our reading circle read and made candy. We read an article on wives in North American Review. The Sophs gave '99 a County Fair in the Gym. We went down to watch that awhile. | |
| Oct 9. Wed. | Just dug all day long. The first debate of the year was this evening[.] It was fine. Brighter and funnier than those last year owing to Edythe Tombes. | |
| Oct. 10 Thur. | Did not get the lot for the Locust lecture so was happy. Nell Smith and I went down to Mr. Judd's after grapes to-night. | |
| Oct. 11 Friday | Worked all day as usual. Went to meeting this evening. | |
| Oct. 12 Sat. | Read quite a little in Daniel Deronda this morning. Elizabeth[,] Lucy, Abbie and I made candy after 4.30 to-night. Letters from Alice & Mollie[.] | |
| Oct. 13 Sun. | A rainy blowery [?] day - a day I'd like to be at home and not go out. However, did go to Church. This afternoon I was selfish enough to conceal myself in Room A again. Wrote four letters to-day, among other congratulations to Sadie R. on her engagement. Lucy and I called on Miss Wood to-night. After meeting this eve Mary and I called on Miss Clancey, '99's president pro-tempore and Miss Partridge whom Fred Andrew spoke of this summer. | |
| October 14 | Cold. Had a good brisk walk with Florence Mowry at 4.30. | |
| Oct. 15 | Though it was far from one of those beautiful days this morning, Mrs. Mead announced that we would have mountain-day if it looked promising within an hour. Soon after breakfast the bell rang & it was announced certainly that it would be mountain day. The most of the family took a team and drove around the mountain, while Miss Smith, Elizabeth, Lucy & I and Carolyn Ransom with her wheel walked thro' the notch and met them. We found a nice open field to lunch in. It was cold & chilly & the sun was cloudy in so we built a big bonfire à la Lakeside style. We had a good lunch with the addition of some rank candy that Miss Randolph sent. We told stories around the fire & then Elizabeth, Lucy & I ran a race. It made me feel horrid. We started home soon; we sent Miss Smith home in the team thro' the Notch & we other four walked around thro' Old Hadley. I hadn't gone a mile when I relieved myself of all my dinner & took new courage. We had a fine walk though it rained more or less & mostly more for the last four miles. The last two miles it was pretty dark & we had to go pretty slow as our skirts were wet and Lucy so sick she could hardly wiggle. Home at last about seven. Lucy & Elizabeth both followed suite with me, then went to bed. We had our reading-circle - read "An earlier manner" by Hibard & "The Wordsworth Country on 25¢ a day.["] | |
| Oct. 16 | Did manual labor all the morning; did earth-worm drawing this afternoon & studied art this evening. | |
| Oct. 17. | Eight years have passed since the day Liz & I walked to school to-gether & agreed to remember it ten yrs. hence. Had a jolly good letter from Teed again to-night. It is quite a flourishing correspondence. Went to a Bible-reading by Miss Havershon of England. | |
| Oct. 18 Fri. | Played Basket-Ball to-night. | |
| Oct. 19 Sat. | Basket-Ball again to-night. It [was] a cold rainy autumn evening. | |
| Oct. 20 Sun. | A most beautiful day. Went to church morning and evening. wrote three letters this afternoon. Was with Edith after supper. | |
| Oct. 21 Mon. | Walked with Florence Mowry after 4.30. | |
| Oct. 22 Tues. | Miss Hooker wanted to take one of the family to see a certain place suitable as a destination of a tramp. As most of the other girls had engagements, I went with her. We had a most delightful drive, and I enjoyed it immensely as such things are rare up here. Afterwards I went to call on Mrs. Gridley. This evening spent most of my time watching the darkies who attended the Cake-walk given by the Juniors to the Sophs. | |
| Oct 23 Wed. | Katherine's birthday and so the family had breakfast in Nan's room and a very jolly time. Mrs. Hyde came over from the hotel. Edith & I studied art most of the afternoon then went out and had a bum on some buns, doughnuts and candy. Had a long letter from Bertha. | |
| Oct. 24 Thur. | Class meeting at 4.30 then I had a short walk with Nell Smith. Meeting this evening at wh. Martha Hazen's father spoke to us. | |
| Oct. 25 Fri. | Quite like other days. | |
| Oct. 26 Sat. | Went down to the parlors to meet Elizabeth's cousin Tommie with whom I had such a nice "prom" June 17. This evening the first rally on the Woman's Suffrage question was held. This one was for it. | |
| Oct 27 Sun. | Went to church as usual. Wrote to Teed and Carrie and made several calls. | |
| Oct. 28 | Nell Smith & I were shut up in the little room off the Physics Lab. all the afternoon with bellows & pipes to work on until we were nearly crazy. Went walking with Florence Mowry to-night. | |
| Oct. 29 Tues. | We had Reddie's surprise supper at the hotel to-night for wh. her father had sent the wherewithal. We had an awfully good time. At eight we came over here to the recital given by Prof. Perry, the blind musician. It was fine. He ended with a Hallowe'en piece, the Dance Micabe. [sic] | |
| Oct 30 Wed. | Nothing for this child to-day except digging. This evening though I went to the rally of non-suffragists. It was fine. | |
| Oct. 31 Thurs. | We all gave up our Hallowe'en spreads to-night and collected the money for the endowment fund. It amounted to $44. We trimmed the tables somewhat, & an extra supper, oyster-stew, coffee, biscuit & doughnuts besides the customary sauce. The college in general went in sheets & pillow-cases to the Gym to-night[.] I didnt [sic] feel like making the effort so didnt [sic] dress but went down in the gallery for a few minutes. | |
| Nov. 1 Fri. | Went down to Springfield to-night to hear Melba. The whole concert was fine but the Mad Scene from Donizetti's Lacia [sic] di Lamermoor was by far the best. Scalchi was very good & Campanari. It was all good. | |
| Nov. 2. Sat | The joint debate of the two sides of the suffrage question occured [sic] to-night. It was a fine meeting. | |
| Nov. 3 Sun. | Ground covered with snow this morning & winter really here. Went to church as usual and wrote four letters. | |
| Nov. 4 Mon. | Quite an extraordinary day. 96 appears in cap and gown and Mrs. Mead gives out appropriate [...] | |
| Nov. 5 Tues. | Our reading circle read and made candy to-night. About eleven I was woke up by Lucy saying there was a fire in Elizabeth's room. She had started to strike a match, the head of wh. flew off & lit in the curtain. We did what we could but it became necessary to ring the fire alarm. After that it did not take long to put it out tho' a great deal that was unnecessary was done. Elizabeth cut her foot badly. As Lucy's mattress & my bed clothes went to the fire we slept down in the sick hall and a watchman staid in our room. | |
| Nov. 6 Wed. | The Fates are against my ever doing anything for my essay. Abbie Lucy and I packed up all the things in Elizabeth's room and then later packed her trunk and she went this noon. | |
| Nov. 7 Thur. | Everybody tired. Mrs. Mead expatiates on the fire in Chapel. Walking with Nell Smith & Reddie to-night. | |
| Nov. 8 Fri. | Founder's Day and as usual - turkey. Judson Smith gave the address and it was absolutely no good. Miss Parsons gave the alumnae address and it was fine. More than a third of the endowment fund is already pledged. At the reception this afternoon wh. the Seniors gave, I helped Mary at one of the tea-tables. Had a nice chat with Dr. Smith and Mrs. Parsons. No supper because dinner was so late. Read Daniel Deronda all the evening. | |
| Nov. 9 Sat. | The whole college is dead tired. Who should appear after five o'clock to-night but Mr. Harper and a friend. I feel as though the sins of my youth were revisited upon me. They came at eight & staid all the evening. I had Nell Smith down. Mr. Edwards is nice tho' young. They hinted hard enough for an invitation to stay over and go to church but that I could not have. Mr. H. tried once before to go to church with me I believe. | |
| November 10 Sunday. | Went to church. Wrote a couple of letters. Was with Edith after supper and went to bed at nine. | |
| Nov. 11 Monday. | Walked around Prospect with Florence Mowry to-night. Lucy thinks I am quite a Freshman to have three letters to-night. | |
| Nov. 12 Tuesday | Studied all the evening while the rest of the girls were up here making candy. | |
| Nov. 13 Wed. | Staid over in Science all the morning to review the Gladiators. Right after dinner Edith and I went walking and had just got back and settled down after a good deal of laughing, to study for Art review when Mr. Storrs card was sent up to me. Of course I went down and I really had a very pleasant afternoon. Snell Hall was over to see Lucy and we all went up on Prospect. Between the time they went & supper got into an awful gale in Edith's room. She had on a diamond and for the life of me I didn't know whether it meant anything or not. She just kept me in suspense. Later I fooled Lucy Abbie & Gertrude by just telling them about it as I think the joke is rather on Edith. I had to be critic at the Debate to-night. Didn't enjoy it for a cent. | |
| Nov. 14 Thurs. | Got thro' Art review all right. Finished reading the Gladiators but not in the closet this time. | |
| Nov. 15 Fri. | Felt horrid this morning & came home from Zoo Lab. feeling pretty sick. Staid on bed & slept during dinner. Studied most of afternoon. Dozed again bet. 4.30 & 5.30. Studied Art with Edit all the evening. | |
| Nov. 16 Saturday | Began my essay this morning. This evening as though we had nothing else in the world to do, Abbie, Lucy & I sat up here and recalled all sorts of things out of the life of our youth. | |
| Nov. 17 Sunday | Rainy & gloomy. Went to church. Was with Edith after supper; went to meeting and then made some Y.W.C.A. calls. | |
| Nov. 18 Mon. | Walked with Florence Mowry at 4.30. Plugged on Psyche all the evening. | |
| Nov. 19 Tues. | Psyche review this morning in which I was fortunate enough not to have to recite. We celebrated Edith Packard's birth-day with supper up stairs. George Cable was here this evening but I did not go, tried to write on essay but with little success. | |
| Nov. 20 Wed. | Went over to Science this morning after breakfast & staid till dinner. Went over right after dinner & staid till 4.00. Really got quite a little done on my essay. | |
| Nov. 21 Thurs. | Nell Smith & I went walking at 4.30. Miss Moore gave an invitation this morning to all who were filled with trepidation as the end of the term drew near to call upon her between 4.30 and six. The whole class was seized with humility & she had a steady stream of visitors[.] Nell and I found it was the thing to do so we went. | |
| Nov. 22. Fri. | Essay every spare minute. | |
| Nov 23 Sat. | Spent most of the morning, from dinner till 2 and from 4.30 to 4.30 copying my essay. There was a great rush & tramp down this corridor at the half hour. Miss Wood waited calmly in her room to receive the Senior essay. The Seniors breath[e] free for a whole week now. | |
| Nov. 24 Sun. | Cloudy and misty but a blessed day of rest. Went to church & meeting as usual. Kept my engagement with Reddie after supper. | |
| Nov. 25 Mon. | Very dark and rainy. Made a long visit on Florence Mowry & Evelyn Watson to-night. | |
| Nov. 26 Tues. | Got thro' with lessons this noon till 10.40 Saturday. Did room-work & washing & went to a committee meeting this afternoon. This evening some of us girls played charades in the Parlors. | |
| Nov. 27 Wed. | This afternoon Abbie and I walked to Holyoke in an hour, met Edith Packard there & took electrics down to Springfield. Did a tiny bit of shopping. Had supper at Barr's and went to hear Paderewski in evening. Got home about twelve. | |
| Nov. 28 Thurs. | Had dinner with Miss Slater and Mr. Rogers. Two hours. My box came. This evening went to masquerade in Gym. | |
| Nov. 29. Fri. | Had the girls in here to breakfast and Nan had them to dinner. Lucy & I staid up fr. supper. | |
| Nov. 30 Sat. | Back to work again. Had cake and pop-corn in Evelyn Watson's room to-night. | |
| Dec. 1 Sun. | Cloudy. Went to church. Was in Edith's room while she read one of Philipps Brook's sermons first part of afternoon. Wrote letters last part. Was with Edith after supper and then went to meeting. | |
| Dec. 2 Mon. | Went to class-meeting at 4.30 and then went up into Florence Mowry's room for awhile. It has rained hard all day. | |
| Dec. 3. Tues. | Did room-work and washing right after dinner. Bertha Redman and Emma Nichols came this noon. I entertained them during the 2.50 period. We went down where the rink is building and to the art gallery. There was a class meeting at 4.30 during which I developed a most wonderfully tooth-ache. We had supper in Alice's room for the company and then we staid there the rest of the evening. Had a very enjoyable time. Really began on my handkerchief which I plan to hemstitch for Alice for Christmas. | |
| Dec. 4 Wed. | Had planned to work hard all day but the girls changed my plans[.] At ten seven of us with Miss Slater for chaperone and a driver started for a drive. It was a most beautiful day. Very pleasant though cold. We went over to Northampton, up through the Asylum grounds and home through Old Hadley. It was almost two when we got back. By the time we had dinner in Miss Lunt's room and cleared up it was three so it was rather late to begin an afternoon. Worked all the afternoon and evening on my debate and then sat up to get my lessons. | |
| Dec. 5 Thurs | Put every spare minute on my debate and sat up again to-night. Snowed hard all day to-day. | |
| Dec. 6 Fri. | Debate again and another night of sitting up but not very long to-night. I was too sleepy. | |
| Dec. 7 Sat. | Found out to-night that the debate will not come till next term so it relieves the pressure now but I should like to have it over before I go home. | |
| Dec. 8 Sunday. | A Sunday I have thoroughly enjoyed. It has been very restful with no letters to write. I amused myself with Towhead this afternoon. It is very foolish and there is very little about Mt. Holyoke in it. | |
| Dec. 9 Monday. | Walked with Florence Mowry to-night. | |
| Dec. 10 Tues. | Prof. Wright gave his second lecture to-night. | |
| Dec. 11 Wed. | Worked on earth-worm topic all the morning and Art all the afternoon. Physics and Psyche this evening. | |
| Dec. 12 Thurs. | Written art review and a review in Physics in which I went to the bottom. | |
| Dec. 13 Fri. | Mr. Moody was here this afternoon and we had no recitations. He was like a whirlwind to this conservative place. Mrs. Mead with Prof. Wright beside her was perfectly rich. I think he is just elegant, he gave his last lecture on Alaska to-night. He is a gentleman stepped down from colonial times whom wide lace ruffles and silk stockings would suit. | |
| Dec. 14 Sat. | A day of study ended at 11.30 to-night. Received news of Arthur Alden's death[.] | |
| Dec. 15 Sunday. | Went to church this morning, to hear Dr. Root this afternoon and again to the church to a Christmas service to-night. It seemed so good to go out to church. Edith asked me to take a walk with her after church. I did and she revealed to me the fact that she has been engaged ever since summer. I am not surprised that she is engaged, only that she has concealed it so well. Who will be next? | |
| Dec. 16 Monday | Reviews, lectures and exams!!! Packed this afternoon[.] | |
| Dec. 17 Tuesday. | Psyche exam this morning. Left College at 12. Had 1 1/2 hours in Springfield then came home. Got here on the last train[.] Glad indeed to be here. | |
| Dec. 18 Wednesday. | Unpacked this morning. Went to Raynham with Doc. Liz was up before school and Teed and Jenks afterwards. I like him O, so much more than a year ago. I could almost wish they might conclude to like each other very well. | |
| Dec. 19 Thursday | Helped Marcia wash this morning. Trotted around rest of forenoon and part of afternoon getting a hat. Went into Teed's school this afternoon. She had a Xmas tree for them. It was sport to watch them. I went home with Teed and got posted up on things in general. Went to meeting this eve. Afterwards Frank Holmes and I went down to call on Mae Witham. | |
| Dec. 20 Friday | Have staid at home all day. Ida came up before supper and Cora and Mae after. | |
| Dec. 21 Saturday | This afternoon Jenks, Teed and Alice came up to makes some repairs in their clothing &c. I went down street with them to do Xmas shopping. Saw lots of the girls. Carrie and I went around together some. | |
| Dec. 22 Sunday | So warm that it seemed more like | |
| Dec. 23 Monday | Worked all day. Mamie and I went down street just before supper and then I went up to the station but Auntie didn't come. Mamie and I went to the Pleasant Hour club this evening. | |
| Dec. 24 Tuesday | The Harlows came this noon. Uncle Rob and I went off for a Xmas tree this afternoon and I have just flown about between here and down street and Auntie and I sat up late to put things on the tree. Am sitting up to-night to finish Mamie's points. | |
| Dec. 25 Wednesday | We had our tree this morning. The children enjoyed it. I had my watch also a grip. We had just got the parlor fixed up again and the tree removed when Russell appeared. I guess history repeats itself for he asked me again to attend a party with him Dec 28 but it doesn't repeat itself to the extent that I refused again. Strange things come to pass. We had dinner at Mamie's. Afterwards I went up to see Bertha and Bert. Uncle Rob escorted me down to the church but didn't go in. I helped pass the food. As I was getting ready to come home Sid Baker whom I think I've not seen to speak to since two years ago to-night helped me on with my gloves but to my sorrow I was obliged to refuse his company home as I had promised Clifford that privilege. I was scared for what the latter seemed so anxious about but it proved to be nothing uncomfortable. Certain kinds of things are always unexpected. Picture | |
| Dec. 26 Thurs. | All the girls were invited down to Nannie Smith's to play whist to-night. Had a very pleasant time.
[A newspaper article was pinned to the entry: "The residence of Mrs. E. P. LeBaron was the scene of a pleasant gathering, last Thursday afternoon, when a party of young ladies were entertained at whist by Miss Nannie Smith."] | |
| Dec. 27 Friday | There was an alumni meeting to-night. Teed spook [sic] loyally for '92 in a rhyme. We danced the last part of the evening. I exhausted myself on the last waltz with Delia Kingman.
[A newspaper article was pinned to the entry: "Alumni Association Meeting. / The midwinter meeting of the Middleboro High School Alumni association held in Homestead hall, last Friday evening, was a social event of a very pleasant character and was attended by about 65 of the alumni. A business meeting was held in the early part of the evening, and the following officers were elected: / President - Walter Sampson. / Vice-President - Mrs. Eben Jones, Jr. / Secretary - Miss Alice R. Roberts. / Treasurer - George W. Stetson. / Executive Committee - Walter Sampson, Miss Alice R. Roberts, G. W. Stetson, Miss H. Gertrude Holmes, Miss Dele Kingman. / An excellent musical and literary entertainment was given at the conclusion of the business, which began with a piano solo by Harry A. Wood and a reading by Miss Carrie Parker. Lyman P. Thomas of Brockton, a member of the alumni and graduate of Dartmouth, then presented a paper, "Middleboro boys in Dartmouth," in which he sketched interestingly the careers of the fourteen High school graduates who have been and are at present in attendance at this favorite institution with the youth of Middleboro. A bass solo was given by Arthur E. Shaw and this was followed by an original poem by Miss Edith A. Roberts, who brightly recounted the exploits of the graduates of the class of '92, of which she was a member. The programme closed with the reading of a historical paper by Mrs. Leonidas Deane, and then refreshments were served. / Dancing came as the finale of the evening's enjoyment, and was kept up until midnight to the witching strains of Carter's orchestra."] | |
| Dec. 28 Sat. | Went to Cora's whist party to-night - with Russell. It was a most enjoyable occasion. Russell came in afterward for a little while. No sighs as last year for what might have been.
[A newspaper article was pinned to the entry: "Miss Cora Childs gave a whist party in honor of her guest, Miss Faith Sturtevant of California, Saturday evening, at her home on Oak street. About thirty friends were present, and the fascinating game was played at seven tables. The social features were of a most enjoyable character, and a collation was served by caterers Pasztor & Klar."] | |
| Dec. 29 Sun. | Went to church this morning. Liz and Mr. Cushman called this afternoon[.] Then I went down to Carrie's and brought her and the Tobey girls back with me. Carrie and I went to C.E. and then sat in the antiphonal for the evening lecture. O, the little Armenian! | |
| Dec. 30 Mon. | Had a nice call on Mrs. Thompson this afternoon. Then I went over to the Parkers and they coaxed me to stay to supper which I very much enjoyed. | |
| Dec. 31 Tues. | Mabel was up this morning and took my picture. I made several calls this afternoon. Enjoyed the one oMiss Keith especially.
And now it is the close of the year again and I go back to College day after to-morrow and I am no more ready to go than I was a year ago. I dread this next terms work but I mean the Spring term shall be easy. This has been a very uneventful year, I think. There was the little Feb. 22nd affair wh. developed so pleasantly toward the last of the summer but now - O, I would I could comfort and sympathize with every affliction in just the right way. The little coincidence of Sept. 8 leaves me asking "why?" as ever. I have had more than a half hours talk with each of the two individuals of whom I desired it a year ago. With the one I think I had the chance to make it all right, with the other I do not care. A year can change one's feelings. I wish Bertha were here to-night. I am not a bit sentimental. Every thing strikes me as pure business to-night. I shall not watch the old year out to-night so I shall be in dream-land when the clock strikes 1896[.] 1896 | |
| 1896 Jan. 1. Wed. | Was all packed at three this afternoon much to Mama's delight. Teed came up along toward night and we went down street together[.] We lingered long together walking up and down Centre street talking of one about whom the whole town is thinking. I only hope he will not disappoint those who are expecting so much of him. Finally Jenks separated us. | |
| Jan. 2. Thurs. | Left home at nine. Went up to Fiske Angency in Boston and did several other errands. Went to Mollie's to call but John Adams was there all the time. Met Edith at 4.00 and we came on together. She is so happy! | |
| Jan. 3 Fri. | A day of getting settled | |
| Jan. 4 Sat. | Trying to get to work again[.] I am homesick as usual on first coming back. Am too lazy to think of the work ahead. What wouldnt [sic] I give for a taste of the pleasure of one week ago tonight! | |
| Jan. 5. Sun. | A pretty good day after all. Managed to turn off some of my worrying. | |
| Jan. 6. Mon. | Went walking with Florence Mowry. I wish I could work harder. I don't know how I'm coming out at the end of the week. | |
| Jan. 7 Tues. | Worked all day and all the evening. Came up just before bedtime into Abbie's room where the girls had made fudges. | |
| Jan. 8 Wed. | Spent the day over in Science Library working. | |
| Jan. 9. Thurs. | Had a little interview with Miss Keith this afternoon and there's one thing off my mind. | |
| Jan. 10 Fri. | The debate was this evening. The other side won but they had the strongest side. I feel most relieved to think it is over. | |
| Jan. 11 Sat. | Have enjoyed the feeling of relief. Couldn't settle down to study this evening thinking of things past and to come. | |
| Jan. 12 Sun. | Went to church as usual and wrote two or three letters. | |
| Jan. 13 Mon. | Went walking with Florence Mowry to-night. | |
| Jan. 14 Tues. | Prof. Bancroft was here this evening. He gave the Scotch ballads this time. I ushered. | |
| Jan. 15 Wed. | Worked a good deal. Charlie Story was over to see Gertrude and I went down to see him a few minutes. Went to Gym. | |
| Jan. 16 Thurs. | Went skating to-night. Pretty rough. | |
| Jan. 17 Fri. | Miss Bardwell came around with a complimentary ticket to an astronomy lecture to-night down here in Springfield. I decided to take it. Six came down. Ethel Cotton Tillie & I have a big room here at the Evan's house. The other girls have various sicknesses & we have had no end of fun over it. The lecture was popular rather than scientific. | |
| Jan. 18 Sat. | Got back at nine. Have had my usual day in the laboratory. Saw that Mr. Merriett with Miss Owen. | |
| Jan. 19 Sun. | Went to church and meetings, as usual. Miss Wood has asked us to come to her room Sunday nights to hear her read or tell a story. We went to-night. She told us a little German story of a water-spirit called Neck. She also read us the Scotch ballad Old Robin Gray with additional verses which Mr. Bancroft did not sing. | |
| Jan. 20 Monday. | Went walking with Florence Mowry to-night. | |
| Jan. 21 Tuesday | '97 gave a Dicken's [sic] entertainment to-night which was fine. It was a good cure for the blues because all the scenes were funny. | |
| Jan. 22 Wednesday | Worked on Art most of the day. We read and made candy from 4 to six this afternoon. | |
| Jan. 23 Thursday | Went skating on our pond to-night with Nell Smith. Went to meeting this eve. | |
| Jan. 24 Friday. | Worked all day and ended up with Gym this eve. | |
| Jan. 25 Saturday. | Spent all my spare time to-day making salad for the spread at our table to-night. It was in | |
| Jan. 26 Sunday | A real good day. Wrote three letters and read a little. Was with Edith after supper[.] | |
| Jan. 27 Monday. | Had my usual amount of Monday work to do. | |
| Jan 28 Tuesday | Really read a bit for my essay to-night. | |
| Jan. 29 Wed. | Gertrude & Nan went over to Hamp this morning. Edith & I walked to Ferry, crossed on the ice and met them & Miss Wing and went to Amherst. Their brothers met us. We had dinner, | |
| Jan. 30 Thurs. | Day of Prayer. We had two most excellent sermons by Dr. Barnes of Longmeadow and a Y.W.C.A. meeting this evening. I want those two sermons to stay with me always. | |
| Jan. 31 Friday | Back to work again. | |
| Feb. 1. Sat. | Just like all the other days. Nothing to mark it as five years ago. | |
| Feb. 2. Sunday | Went to church and meetings and was with Edith after supper. | |
| Feb. 3 Monday | Went walking with Florence Mowry to-night. | |
| Feb. 4. Tuesday | Went to class-meeting to-night. Miss Wood's appointment of Julia Wychoff and Lucy for class-day orators was accepted. Vivian Small was chosen for historian for mountain day and Tillie for chairman of grind committee. The last I think is a great mistake. We read and made candy to-night. | |
| Feb. 5 Wednesday | Spent all the morning down in the rink helping decorate for the carnival this afternoon. We have drafted it in bunting - the College blue and the four class colors in the corners. The carnival began at 2.30 this afternoon. I think I never knew so supreme a moment in all my existence in this College as when after the line was formed for the March, the band struck up and Dr. Lowell, at the head with Lucy Osgood, swung out and then the whole line started. Oh, it was gay and I could skate and skate forever with music. It was better than dancing because you could put your whole strength into it and not feel that you were making yourself conspicuous. It was the gayest thing I ever knew here. There were quite a number of men around. Suddenly I espied Chester Pratt standing in the door-way. He with three others were out driving in this cold storm. He was shivering & cold as though he was just out of the water at the beach.
Miss Griggs of Boston assisted by Prof. Story and Prof. Crenen [?] gave a concert here this evening. | |
| Feb. 6. Thurs. | A day trying to catch up what I lost yesterday. | |
| Feb. 7 Fri. | Exam in Chemistry. Nan and I tried to go walking but the wind blew so we concluded to come in. Went over to Science this evening to an open meeting of the Journal Club. Miss McDonald lectured on Acityline. [?] | |
| Feb. 8. Sat. | Alas, there is nothing remarkable about this day[.] | |
| Feb. 9. Sunday | It snows thick and fast as it did a corresponding Sunday five years ago. But what is the use of resurrecting a memory I gave up long ago! Edith and I were together as usual after supper. We went up to call on Miss Wento and had a most delightful time. She is charming in her own room and very sweet. [Note in margin: But how about this? (U. of C. 1900)] | |
| Feb. 10 Monday | Went walking with Florence Mowry to-night. | |
| Feb. 11 Tuesday | Edith and I were going to Miss Hooker's lecture to-night together. I was dying all through supper to ask Miss Wento to go with us and I had a good chance coming up-stairs so I did. But somehow we failed to meet at the reading-room as she proposed. But I think it was partly her fault as well as ours. I was awfully disappointed. | |
| Feb. 12 Wed. | Worked most all day. The debate was this evening on the Venezuela question. | |
| Feb. 13 Thurs. | The family all staid up from supper and had the box which Alice's mother sent to us. Alice is up at Fitchburg. Next I had a Carnival Committee meeting and then went to Biology Club. My spirits are away up on the highest notch. I dread the descent, wh. is sure to come. | |
| Feb. 14 Friday | Valentine's Day. had a pretty little Valentine from Bertha. Lucy and I friend oysters for your tables to-night and on my honour I never got in such a fry. We were both saturated from head to foot. Of course we were late to table. We had lots of fun over the valentines. The first of the series of lectures by Prof. Fisher came this evening[.] Our work in Pol. Econ. will be consequently considerably lightened. | |
| Feb. 15 Sat. | A day spent mostly in the laboratory made quite a call on Miss Flint to-night. | |
| Feb. 16 Sun. | Wrote some letters to-day & really read a little of Mary Lyon's life. | |
| Feb. 17 Mon. | A full day as usual. | |
| Feb. 18 Tuesday | Made a very short call on Miss Wento this afternoon. The Freshmen gave us their reception to-night. They had a Kindergarten entertainment & served frappé[.] | |
| Feb. 19 Wednesday | Read Joseph Jefferson's Autobiography this morning. Played polo first part of afternoon. It is fun - so exciting! Edith and I took Miss Wento to Franklin Stolle's lecture on the Dresden Gallery. She has invented a process by wh. to color the lantern slides like the original. Miss Wento thought some were good and some not. Her remarks, that is Fraulein Stollis, on the pictures were brief & original. | |
| Feb. 20 Thursday | Went walking with Nell Smith to-night. | |
| Feb. 21 Friday | An awfully busy day. Everything for to-day and to-morrow crowded in together. Our two Polycon lectures came to-day. | |
| Feb. 22 Saturday | Quite a different day from a year ago. Studied a little this morning. 96 gave a carnival in the rink this afternoon and O I had such a good time. My best skate was with the same person as my best Junior Prom. I had my new sweater & cap. Afterwards we served coffee & chocolate in parlours. Had a skate with Mr. Calhoun. | |
| Feb. 23 Sun. | Weighed only 119 which is very little for me this time of the year. Spent all the afternoon in Edith's pretending to try to go to sleep with her on the bed. | |
| Feb. 24 Mon. | Worked all day long. | |
| Feb. 25 Tues. | Did room-work before dinner, then spent the afternoon in the Annex trying to get started on my essay. The Dartmouth Glee Club gave their concert here to-night but it was no good at all. They were all out of practice. Kind of a chumpy set of men. I was interested to see N. L. Foster. They all stay at the hotel to-night which seems strange in comparison with other years. | |
| Feb. 26 Wed | Literally spent the whole day in the Annex writing on my essay. | |
| Feb. 27 Thurs. | Nothing but work & hard work all this week. Dissected the Sea-cucumber this morning. | |
| Feb. 28 Fri. | Eva Mellor has asked me to take Margaret Lake's place in the dramatics. Makes me a trifle tired but I cant [sic] gracefully refuse. | |
| Feb. 29 Sat. | This is an unusual day indeed, one that wont [sic] come again for eight years. I cant [sic] remember what I did last Feb. 29th. Dated a letter, a slide I wanted to-day and my Senior essay. We all went back to our old tables to-night[.] | |
| Mar. 1. Sun. | What a difference it has made because five years ago to-night I hurried out and home from meeting! Little things count so much! I wish I knew just how to do what I most want to do now. It is Communion Sunday and O dear I am so naughty[.] Lucy and I tried to make Faculty calls this afternoon but no-body answered our knock until we got around to Miss Bardwell's door. After meeting this evening I went again to Miss Wento's door with Florence Blunt and this time we got in. She was in a lavender bath-robe and looked too sweet for any use. | |
| Mar. 2 Mon. | A full day with an exam and rehearsal for dramatics. | |
| Mar. 3 Tues. | Did a pile of work not studying this morning and afternoon. Rehearsal fr. supper to night then dress and went to the reception which the Sophs gave the Seniors. I never saw the refreshment rooms look any prettier. One was in red and white for '98 and one in green and white for '96. | |
| Mar. 4 Wed. | Rehearsal most of morning. Lucy, Gertrude, Miss Pinney & I with Miss Purington as chaperone went over to the Chi Phi reception at Amherst to-night. O, it was so good to get out into the gay world again. We went on a special car fr. Northampton. Carriages met us and took us up to the society house. They have a pretty and quite modern house. It was full to-night and the darkies were busy all the evening. I met very few people but enjoyed it all very much. Had a half dozen or more dances but such dancing! Just me continuous bumping I could dance the two-steps in that crowd. There were cosy corners up-stairs and I enjoyed one very much the last part of the evening. Got home about half an hour after the lights went out. | |
| Mar. 5 Thurs. | Polecon exams and rehearsals. | |
| Mar 6 Fri | Art exam and rehearsal | |
| Mar. 7 Sat. | Spunked up courage to ask Miss Wento to go to the concert with me. Rehearsal to-night. | |
| Mar. 8 Sunday. | Nothing extraordinary. Went walking with Florence Blunt just before dinner[.] Was with Edith after supper. Led the class prayer-meeting to-night. Took for a subject Earnestness and Steadfastness. | |
| Mar. 9 Mon. | Rehearsal after 4.30. Rushed up-stairs just before the supper bell rang to find two letters waiting to be read and to learn that Miss Wento had been there to see me. As I went down to supper she was there and asked to see me afterwards. All during supper I was simply wild trying to talk and yet in my mind imagining all sorts of possible cases that might keep her from going to the concert with me. Well I found out in due time, that she may have a friend here and of course she would want to go with her. As I had imagined that as a possible case and was already to offer my tickets. Of course she refused them. But I truly dont [sic] care a thing about them if I cant [sic] use them as I planned. Think I will give them to Lucy and Elizabeth. | |
| Mar. 10 Tuesday. | Got room-work | |
| Mar. 11. Wednesday | Rehearsal from nine until dinner-time and I am almost dead. Tried to work a little this afternoon. | |
| Mar. 12 Thursday | Went up to Miss Wento's room to-night to ask her to go down to the evening service which Mr. Wellwood an Episcopal rector of Holyoke conducted. She was tired and not dressed and so could not go. | |
| Mar. 13 Friday. | Rehearsal to-night. I am quite discouraged over my part of the butler. | |
| Mar. 14 Saturday | Rehearsal at four. My afternoon in the laboratory was somewhat broken up as at I took the first part of the afternoon to play polo, as it will probably be the last chance I shall ever have to play. The friend who didn't come on Tuesday night was at supper with Miss Wento to-night. She is young - from Burnham. Mere acquaintances might visit each other when they are as near as Northampton and South Hadley. Rehearsed after supper and then went to the debate. It was tedious. | |
| Mar. 15 Sunday | Went down to see Mrs. Gridley before church this morning. Then went in to find our pew full so I had to sit in the one in front. Made a little discovery coming out of church that I've tried to make before. This afternoon we had Katherine's friend Miss Chamberlain in to lunch and we had a regular gale over Ruth Ashmore. Miss Wento and her friend were at supper to-night and I conclude they are the very best of friends. I devoted myself to Miss Randolph. After supper Edith and I sat in the dark chapel while they paraded through two or three times. Varied emotions were within me. Still if there was jealousy there was a vestige of hope. Came up-stairs to find Miss Bardwell here. Was very glad I didn't miss her call. Lucy and I went next to call on Miss Randolph. As we came up we met Abbie and Elizabeth who said Miss Purington had promised them her picture. We got to fooling and finally ended by writing a letter to Ruth Ashmore asking how best to approach a Faculty on the subject. It is as foolish as she is. Did not go to meeting but wrote two short letters. | |
| Mar. 16 Mon. | Went down early to Theism so as to get a seat on the outside where I could see the stage go off. Nobody went in it however and I was shaking myself for being so foolish when I caught sight o South Hadley's one hack whirling off through the snow-storm. Between that and Mrs Mead's calling on all the S's but me I was completely upset. We rehearsed from 4.30 through to 6.30. Snagged supper and had it in the parlors which looked like a green room. After we were through rehearsing I couldn't study. Dont [sic] believe I shall any more this term. | |
| Mar. 17 Tues. | We had a dress rehearsal this afternoon on the stage and at last I guess I am into my part. Under ordinary circumstances I should have considered it best to rest up-stairs but to-night I thought it more restful to hustle and dress for supper. Drank two cups of tea and nearly went off the hooks, I got so excited. Went to see Miss Purington who told me she wasn't going to-night. Then went of[f] to dress. The farce "Mr Bob" was a great success. The audience laughed straight through from beginning to end. I visited Miss Purington to show her my latest make-up between the acts and twice after the thing was over. I visited all over the lot and received congratulations then put on a brazen face and went up to Miss Wento's room. She didn't know me at first and then afterwards when I talked she did. I guess she was a little bit shocked. | |
| Mar. 18 Wed. | Was so excited I didnt [sic] sleep much last night so I laid awake thinking whether I would or whether I wouldn't do a certain thing. Made plans for it but was too rattled to remember it this morning. After breakfast took wig down to Mrs. Thayer then went to parlor to see John Adams. As I came up afterwards I recovered my wits and then had to go down to the office and wait 15 or 20 minutes in Mr. Thayer when he came back. Ordered some violets little knowing whether I should dare give them to my lady or not. Worked on Chem. Lab. notes this morning and first of afternoon, then got ready to do room-work. By that time it was after 3.30 so I went down to get the violets. They were beauties and fragrant as could be. I took them up to Miss Wento and my! ain't I glad I did. What I got was with ten times two bunches of violets and a lot more. I can hardly realize that I'm alive and that I'm myself Oh!!! I had to find Reddie right away as soon as I came down and the dear girl was dumbfounded to see me in the greatest fit of joyous passion I ever experienced. I couldnt [sic] tell her only that I was very happy and of course she saw the three violets that I wore. Well I had to do room-work. Discovered after a while that I was sweeping without having covered up the things. Got them covered just as Lucy came in. Lucky girl. I had to dress and go down and see Mrs. Mead. Had a very pleasant time. Of course I wore the violets down to supper and was so happy I nearly bubbled over. Devoted myself to Miss Randolph, for I didnt [sic] dare do otherwise. "She" looked too sweet in her black dress with the violets!!! Couldn't study this evening and knew it was no use to try. | |
| Mar. 19 Thurs. | Twas might | |
| Mar. 20 Fri. | Slept last night so feel calmer to-day. Evelyn and mother came down to Pawtucket & I went with them to call on a cousin. Came the rest of the way alone but the solitude was quite acceptable. It was a delight to think. Got home at two. | |
| Mar. 21 Sat. | Lizzie up this morning. Teed Carrie & Dale this afternoon & some I missed by being down street. | |
| Mar. 22 Sun. | Saw the rest of the crowd at church this morning. Went down to the Parks this afternoon. Ida came up later and then Teed & Jenks. Went to meeting with Ida & sat by Carrie. Oh she and the little Armenian! | |
| Mar. 23 Mon. | Worked all day get minding and dressmaking started. | |
| Mar. 24 Tues. | Came to Mon't Beach to-night. There was a most gorgeous sunset out over the bay. We went to Bourne to a quahog chowder supper and entertainment. Drove home by moonlight. | |
| Mar. 25 Wed. | Talked business all day through[.] I can scarcely realize that Bertha is really to be married so soon. Went to an entertainment in Chapel. Farce The Little Rebel[.] | |
| Mar 26 Thurs. | Went to call on Mrs. Johnson this afternoon. Were so tired we went to bed early to-night. | |
| Mar. 27 Fri. | Came home this morning. Went down to Teed's this eve. John, Jenks, Teed & I play whist. John of course came home with me. | |
| Mar. 28 Sat. | Went down to Carries [sic] this afternoon and missed two calls. | |
| Mar. 29 Sunday | Hard rain. Went to church. | |
| Mar. 30 Monday. | Mamie and I went to Boston shopping to-day. Got my reception gown. It is pink silk. We got along nicely though it was rather wet. Rode in with Jenks and he told me all he knew. | |
| Mar. 31 Tuesday | Was very busy all day. Sadie & Carrie up to-night & I bluffed them dreadfully[.] Wish I hadn't. | |
| April 1 Wednesday | Did errands nearly all day. Went to church this evening. | |
| April 2 Thursday | Rainy. Went to church this evening. | |
| April 3 Friday | Went over to Normal this noon to visit Ida. | |
| April 4 Saturday | Took tea at the Parker's to-night. Also helped arrange decorations for the morrow at church. Cold & windy. | |
| April 5 Sunday | Easter. Rather chilly. No Easter bonnets. | |
| April 6 Monday | Started to-day to put my College souvenirs into a book. Staid here at Mamie's until 11. All alone to-night. Am staying all night here. | |
| April 7 Tuesday | Am simply dead to-day. Have a little cold and no life whatever. Did most of my packing and my last errands this afternoon. | |
| April 8 Wednesday | Left home at noon. Called at Fisk's in Boston. Also on Mollie and we went down to the Quincy House to see Alice Holmes. She and her mother went down to the station with me where I met Reddie, dear girl, how glad I was to see her. We had much to say to each other but our last ride out from Boston was spoiled by Stella Smith who sat with us. At Springfield we had just time for me to run up to Millers to get the white roses. Six of us came up from Holyoke very comfortably in a hack. After while I went up to Miss Wento's room to take the roses and I am so glad I did. She made me very happy though I am provoked to think I tried to talk French. I am happy that I did not do all the thinking during vacation. I was too bubbling over to contain myself after I came down so I wrote a postal to Ida. I have started on my last term at College. I have so many hopes and dreams - but I know they are too good to come true. I am very happy to be back here and perhaps - at least to-night I am encouraged to think - I may be happier still. I am so happy to be back here but there are only ten weeks before it will all be over. Yet a great deal may happen in the ten weeks and O, may the days be long ones! | |
| April 9 Thursday | Back at the dear old table again but I might as well try to fly as to eat. She wore a white rose in her dress this noon and to-night. I dared to go up there to-night and stepped into it as one of the fifteen she has flunked in French was there. We talked of friendship &c again I came away at the retiring bell. | |
| April 10 Friday | Rather an unsettled day. I held myself in the reading-room by main force late this evening until Reddie came and brought me up-stairs. Alice came to-night. | |
| April 11 Saturday | Was busy all the morning. The sun came out about noon. I had told Alice I would see her this afternoon but I thought I might go for a little walk with Miss Wento so I asked her to go as we came up from dinner. She seemed pleased to go so I went for her at two. We went up on the hill and simply roamed about she leading sometimes, sometimes I. Not a thing is green yet where soon it will be so beautiful. "But something better ought to come out of us" Finally we went down and walked a while on the Ludlow road, sat down and rested on a wood-pile and then finally came down the road and through "L'allie de trainer". We rested a few minutes on the hillside and then came back reaching here at 4.
Did not see Alice until nine to-night. | |
| April 12 Sunday | Went to church as usual. Prof. Fletcher directed a song service in the church. Came home and went up to see Miss Wento. She told me of Roman Catholicism in France. I came away rather soberly at the retiring-bell. Not until after the flash did it occur to me that I had promised to stay all night with Alice. | |
| April 13 Monday | A day too ordinary in some ways but one to regret in others. We sat at the old table this noon for the last time[.] Perhaps the change is best for double play is hard. I am at Miss Wood's table beside her with an excellent view of Miss Wento's German table. | |
| April 14 Tuesday | Thought I would ask Miss Wento to go walking but met her going out with Jessie Clauson as I was coming in. I went back to the Laboratory but didn't work much. As soon as I knew they had returned I went up-stairs and I guess I am glad I did. I came down at the five. [fire?] Went to Miss White's recital with Reddie. Afterwards I dared go up to Miss Wento's room. | |
| April 15 Wednesday | We took our first tramp to-day. It is very warm. I simply revelled in the woods and streams and was very, very happy. I took Miss Wento to Miss White's second recital and was up in her room afterwards until the lights went out. I had planned to keep this diary through my Senior year and the following summer to record what my interests were. But I cannot keep it any longer. It is no good to write in it if I do not tell of what interests me most and I cannot do that now. I am perplexed and a little doubtful withal but I hope it will all come clear, but I know not the end. | |
| April 18 Saturday | After all I have decided that I may write a little catch-word now and then so that I may be able to follow in a little what may be a story of a part of my life.
We wandered along the Pearl City brook to-gether this afternoon. Gone from College three hours nearly & together more than that. I am bubbling over with this day. More violets to-night to keep the day of the month. | |
| April 19 Sunday | A thunder shower this evening. The lightening [sic] played widely in the west and lit up the old burying-ground in a ghastly way. | |
| April 21 Tuesday | Five of us girls entertained the Pedestrian Club. Reddie revealed before everybody that we had written to Ruth Ashmore. I thought I should die. | |
| April 22 Wednesday | It is hard to realize that other people must be considered. I must bring my self-control to the rescue. Mrs. Lanier read to us this evening. | |
| April 25 Saturday | A cloudy afternoon. At the bluffs and barely home in time for supper. Lucy's birthday party after corrider [sic] meeting. | |
| April 26 Sunday | An earnest talk with Reddie, then contrary to the best laid plans I went up-stairs. Heard the story of a life. | |
| Apr. 28 Tuesday | Received the letter from Ruth Ashmore[.] Went down to Miss Purington's & told her the whole story. | |
| Apr. 29 | "Forever." We were seven hours together to-day. | |
| May 1. Fri. | Mr. Allen was here with three others and they played the most beautiful quartette music I ever heard. We sat away back near the door in an ideal place. I was on pins & needles at first for fear she wouldn't stay when I discovered there were three violins but she did. The music was grand and I enjoyed it more than I can say. | |
| May 2 Sat. | Over on the Delectable mountains this afternoon. Senior essays in. | |
| May 3 Sunday | My first call interrupted but an encouraging blind sentence led me to go again for the four hours of evening. | |
| May 5. Tues. | Went down in parlors to meet John Adams & Will Gaylord then up-stairs. | |
| May 6 Wed. | Pedestrian Club to the Bluffs. Upstairs before dinner & to-night. The storm that has been sweeping No 20 has at last I fear reached our table. I can bear it. | |
| May 9. Sat. | Three months ago to-night. We rode out to the Gorge this afternoon and staid till 7.30. We had a little difficulty in finding the path back but not much. Came in about nine. | |
| May 10 Sun. | We were to-gether part of the afternoon and part of the evening. | |
| May 12 Tues. | We went to the organ recital. Mr. John Hermann Loud, organist. | |
| May 13 Wed. | Over toward the Delectable Mountains this morning.
The Pedestrian Club went up the Gorge & down a wood's road to the Pier where we had supper. Somebody's mind is relieved to-night[.] | |
| May. 16 Sat. | Over the Delectable Mountains again this afternoon. | |
| May. 17 Sunday | This morning I thought perhaps marked an era. Together all the afternoon and out walking this evening. "Remember to-night." | |
| May 20 Wed. | We went to Springfield shopping and spent the evening to-gether. | |
| May 23. Sat. | Pearl City and the singing of birds and noise of falling water. Racehorses[.] | |
| May 24 Sun. | I was upstairs all the afternoon and from eight until ten. | |
| May 27 Wed. | We drove up the mountain to the halfway house and then walked up the rest of the way. We came down about eight after a glorious sunset and drove home slowly. | |
| May 29 | Concert - Wulf Fries, Waterhouse - buds neat | |
| May 30 Sat. | The electrics are in - The pedestrians drove to Whately Glen. It is the most beautiful place I ever saw. | |
| May 31 Sun. | With her this afternoon & last part of evening. We had supper to-gether. | |
| June 3 Wed. | Spent the day at the Bluffs. | |
| June 4 Thurs. | Seniors up the mountain. Grinds to-night. | |
| June 5 Fri. | Exercises this noon. Banquet this afternoon. Home to-night but O, dear! | |
| June 6 Sat. | Over on the Delectable Mountains, supper & evening to-gether! | |
| Sept 4 | So the diary that I planned should end to-night came to a very abrupt end with an exclamation point sometime last June. So be it - happiness complete was reached then what more could one care to write. The events of Commencement, it seems to me will stand forever clear in my mind. What a hurry and turmoil it was! And how little any one can tell what it meant to me. Even then the one purpose that ruled my life the whole spring term, swayed my acts. Baccalaureate Sunday - a holy day indeed; its might - a sweet dream fulfilled. Then those days after Commencement and the real fulfillment of a dream at the end. I know much that could never be known before.
Bertha's wedding - could I in heart felt more different than I planned[.] I know they were happy. I understood. To-night I am writing this in place of the letters I have sometimes written at beginning & close of summer. Never summer proved so stupid. Just one day of old good time! Now I enter on a new life - a life for myself - with all best wishes from friends. Few know my secret though. I could not have stood the summer without it. I wonder what time will bring. | |
| Dec 31. 1896. | 'Tis the end of the year - this year 1896! How I have looked forward to it for six years but I never dreamed how happy a one it would be. And I like to believe that this happiness was planned for me. A little over a year ago I would have liked to have been honored with a chance to exercise my executive ability. But what a nuisance it would have proved at the end. Again I would have liked to stride the stage as Orlando but I could not then have led the sweet dream life in a real forest which I did, never have written on real barks of trees &c. One friend tells me it is unusual and that I have grown old that I am different from the girls here. I imagine I feel it a bit myself. At any rate I am for the most time very, very happy. And now for the time since Sept. I have taught & worked earnestly. They tell me I have succeeded. Is it really so? For good times, they are mostly minus. The first or rather last visit back to the old College. It was all the same even the third window from the end on the 5th floor front. What a gay time I had & left so happy that Monday morning little dreaming it was the last Monday morning that dear old pile would ever see. [...], yes the old home and the scene of so many of the dearest moments of my life is in ruins and a "more modern" plan will be followed in rebuilding. Future Mt. Holyoke girls will never know what they missed. In the meantime I am fossilized. One night's pleasure again & I beheld a real stage Petruchio. So. Hadley at Thanksgiving after Founder's Day and Hartford. I cant [sic] understand Miss Smith and I dont [sic] know why I wished to. Home at last in a driving snow-storm. A beautiful Xmas evening with all our crowd to-gether once more. Then the dance, again on Dec. 28. An unexpected Good time but nothing very particular to remember. John brings his picture to-day.
The end of the year and I thank God for one answer directly to prayer. I have made another little decision and I feel sure it is on the safe side. Why wasn't I born with a mind capable of deciding my affairs. What for the future? It is uncertain. What I would like is nigh impossible I shall have to work long years for it. How little I dreamed one year ago to-night of the happiness in store for me. I even dreaded to approach it. May the same happiness continue all through 1897. | |
| April 18. 1897 | Easter.
I can write very little to-night. I am sad and happy at the same time: sad to be loosing [sic] my hold on the old friends here, happy in my last and best friend. People have matured here. Even Carrie Parker brings home a man from Southbridge and things look serious. I am ready after a short time to take up my wandering stick and be off to lead my life alone with none to look on who care. From the Christmas vacation, which ended with a serious talk, to this was a long fourteen weeks broken in places - by three of the best skates, a sleighing party, the exhibition and my trips to College not the least of which was the one for the Tech Concert. How strangely it came about that I should keep the anniversary of an 1896 happy night. But no one but myself realizes the difference in my feelings. Happy days of 1896! I am bound back to work but different is the going away from that of last year. Life is duty. | |
| Dec 31. 1897. | Again, another year has ended. But there are no childish sorrows to brood over to-night. A real sorrow has come to me as the year was drawing to a close. O, what can fill a vacant place in the home?
[A newspaper article was laid in: "The death of Isaiah S. Swift, yesterday afternoon, was of startling suddenness. In company with Joseph M. Leonard and Robert M. Thomas he was on the river upon a fishing trip, and when near the almshouse bridge he fell back in the boat and died without any premonition, the cause being heart failure. Mr. Swift was a native of Rochester, a son of Charles Swift, and was the last of a family of six children. In early life he followed the sea, and afterwards coming to Middleboro, worked in the shoe factory of Leonard, Perkins & Barrows, and was in the employ of that firm and their successors until a few years ago when he gave up active labor. Mr. Swift was always an industrious man, honest and reliable in all his dealings with his fellows, and many who have been contemporary with him will be pained to learn of his sudden demise. He was twice married, and a widow and two daughters, Mrs. Dr. W. F. Fryer and Miss Nellie H. Swift, survive him. Deceased was nearly 74 years of age."] | |
| Chicago Nov. 3, 1900 | Nearly three years since I wrote a word in this book! To the perfect days of June 1898 I dedicate the preceding page! The turning of the leaf tells of the sorrows that lay there between. I've read this afternoon a good deal of what was previously written here and laughed to myself. I'm older grown, it is true, but I'm quite my same old troublesome self. And because for some reason I came to study here instead of taking a trip abroad I'm going to write from time to time in these pages. To look back on my whole Senior year almost dazzles my eyes and its [sic] very hard to realize to-day that each day's record bore witness of a disquiet more than I feel here. I longed and longed then and do still. Only when that longing was satisfied did I rise to perfect happiness. The sun is shining into my room gloriously and its [sic] only a little chilly out-of-doors. I cant [sic] realize that Nov. 3 '95 we had a show-storm in Mass. I am here in Chicago trying to renew my youth, it is a last grasp for it. Of the Bull's kindness to me I cannot say to[o] much. On Oct. 13 we had a gay dinner at Mama Galli's. It was a lark with the same intensity of long ago. | |
| Nov. 24. | Miss Reynolds entertained us very pleasantly in the parlour tonight with a description of an English estate. She told a very good story which pleased me. While enjoying a beautiful long sunset in Scotland | |
| Nov. 30 | The day after Thanksgiving. A year ago last night I secretly vowed that another Thanksgiving would find me elsewhere than at the annual home party. I am thankful that it is so. I went yesterday to the ball-game with Miss King's cousin. After many defeats Chicago really won from Michigan 15-6. I went then to the Bull's to dinner and at nine we went to the club-house to a little dance. I went to sleep last night with "Cheer-boys-cheer" in my head and woke up with "Stars and Stripes" there. | |
| Dec. 8 | Box party to Miss King at the Studebaker[.] Heard Il Trovatore[.] | |
| Jan. 18. 1901 | Tis a long while after it all happened yet I feel that if anything is to be recorded of this - my year of vacation, surely my holidays in Ottawa ought to be - how I went there after nine years of wanting to go and had a better time than I dreamed my twenty-six years capable of. I went down on Dec. 22. | |
| Dec. 23 - | Went to church with Emily, called on Lila Lincoln in the evening. Sent letters down by a man to whom I was introduced in the dark. | |
| Dec. 24. | Visited the stores in the morning. | |
| " 25. | A merry Christmas morning with the baby, Mary gave a little card party in the eve when I met many of the crowd. Mr. Fullerton called in afternoon. | |
| " 26 - | Lila L. & Florence Cook called. | |
| " 27 - | Mary's dinner and the Boat Club Party from 6 to 3 A.M. Pretty gowns, lights, music[,] flowers - I love it all. Mr. F. gave me a very good time, and Mr. Myers is nice. | |
| " 28. | Tired out. | |
| " 29. | Went down to Lila L's to play victore [?] thereby missing Mr. F's call. | |
| " 30. | Went to church & driving with Mary thereby missing Mr. F's drive. Aggravating! for he might have talked then. | |
| Dec 31 - | A day of preparation and a night of rare good fun. Never was there such a glorious night! But what a gay, gay time and yet one can be lonesome. I think Sylvia Bushnell was too. I wish I might know her. But ye gods! who could have expected that performance of Mr. F? | |
| All hail to the new century! Mr. Cook and Mr. Myers came this afternoon. | ||
| " 2 - | A big reception at a Mrs. Duncan's where I trust I did well. | |
| " 3 - | Drives - Miss Bushwell called this eve - also Dr. Palmer. | |
| " 4 - | Mrs. Salebier's party to which I went with Mr. Myer's. "Queen's part" | |
| " 5. - | Back to Chicago - Homesick for Ottawa. This is a simple record of events. Memory must do the rest. | |
| Jan 19 - | Sat. - Saw Mansfield in Henry V to-night. The fourth act is the most gorgeous thing I ever saw. | |
| Jan. 26 | Mama Galli's again with the Bulls and Mr. Cook. But the thing palls on me for I cant [sic] enter into a thing like that the second time, alltho' [sic] all the others had a better time than before. We discovered a U. Divinity student there. | |
| Feb. 1. Friday. | Will good luck come again in February as ten and five years ago? How old I am getting! Coquilin was out here this afternoon and read a paper. To-night I saw Bernhardt with him in Camille. It was certainly the first thing I ever saw. I rave over it. | |
| Feb. 5. | Went over to Chicago Commons to hear Mrs. Parsons, the anarchist speak. | |
| Feb. 9. | Follett & Jen took me to the board of trade this morning, lunch at Rectors & to Alice Neilson this evening. | |
| Feb. 22-23 | Mary is here - we went down town - Follett & Mr. Cassody [sic] took us to the Roma to lunch. Mary and I went to see Hackett in Pride of Jenico. [sic] The Cassody's were at Jen's to-night and things were lively for a while.
Saturday - Mary & I went to Art Institute Rectors to lunch, to see Francis Wilson & to the Cassody's this eve. | |
| Apr. 28 Sun. | I have at last seen or rather heard Grand Opera. Mon night it was Faust and yesterday afternoon Lohengrin[.] How glorious it was! Yet I longed for some one to whom I could tell my innermost thoughts without being afraid of betraying myself. Faust is a story where trust proved fatal, and Lohengrin a story where distrust proved fatal. But to hear Jean de Reszke sing the Swan Song! How long since I heard Melba before. I am getting old and I am disagreeable to most people. Is it true that one can have what one wants for the striving? But I must not be discouraged. Whatever comes the only thing to do is to keep a brave front. | |
| June 15. | Ottawa again! How good & quiet to sit this evening on the piazza. But its [sic] hot! | |
| June 16. | Hot! Went to church. Mr. Myers took me driving "a two hour drive" on the Dayton road. Mr. Fullerton and Miss Lincoln were there eating bread & onions when we returned. | |
| June 17. | Took our suppers down to the links[.] Afterwards Mr. Myers took me driving around by the works. | |
| June 18 | The Divine Sylvia went driving with me this morning. | |
| June 20. | Louise Porter had a porch party for the stranger girls in town. Harry Cook called[.] | |
| June 21 | Florence Cook gave a little whist party for me. Played golf with Doc Palmer[.] | |
| June 23 | Went driving with Mr. Fullerton. Harry Jones called. | |
| June 24 | Went out to the Halls on a picnic with Harry Jones - | |
| June 28 | Fred Widmer called[.] | |
| July 1. | Thunder shower. Lightening [sic] struck laundry, fire, green paint &c. | |
| July 2. Tues. | Memorable day, second only to June 29, 1898. Deer Park Canons [sic], Starved Rock, Wildcat Canon [sic] and that glorious drive of 3 1/4 hrs. across that Illinois prairie under a full moon. | |
| July 4. Thurs. | Mary and I went to the boat-club this eve. to see the fireworks. That cool spot at the end of the spur was like places I have dreamed of.July 7 | |
| Went driving with Mr. Myers to Marseilles. "Good-bye" - "Good-bye" How the telephone smoked! | ||
| July 8 | Left Ottawa this morn. Came to C. Follett falls all over himself. | |
| July 9. | The end of my year - out from C. on the Lake Shore Limited. | |
| July 10. | Niagara and the Pan. Am. | |
| July 11. | Down the Hudson[.] | |
| July 12. | Home. | |
| " 13. | At Cotuit. | |
| 1902 June 30 | Home again! And this time there is much to be thankful for - much regret that the year is over. Never did the world seem darker than when I went to Middletown last Fall. And I have found much happiness there in another friend - one to be put in that especial class. The ride back from Providence was the beginning of my strong feeling for her. The next Sat. night when she first came to my room, the first time I visited her (in the little room at Miss Pike's) the night I returned after the Xmas holidays the day she came for me to go skating at Pamechia [?] and the day the "gorn skatin" act occurred and that glorious week on the Cromwell |