August 31, 1912 - Saturday

31. Nothing to do all day so I did it. Went to the office to meet Muz and saw Mrs. Pitbladi who had just got back from her vacation. Went to the Cook's in the evening and played "Artists" with Katherine who was the only one home.

August 30, 1912 - Friday

30. Was late for breakfast and found when I got there the quarter for which I sold Dan the tennis ball. I'm now the proud possessor of $.40 but see no way of increasing is it. Thus I'm not likely to become

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She cuts off her sentence there, at the bottom of a page. She does not finish her thought on the next page, but just begins a new entry.

August 29, 1912 - Thursday

29. Got to breakfast extra early which is something that happens almost one a year. Spent lots of my my valuable time and brain material trying to find N*****-cat's kittens. The aforementioned said expenditure led me to the startlingly brilliant conclusion that she had moved them once more. I loafed the rest of the day and went home almost difrectly after supper.

August 26, 1912 - Monday

26. Loafed at Mahoney's all A. M. and found and read Dan's diary. A mean trick, but he'd do the same for me if he could! Saw some of the pictures of Miss Egan, taken during the summer. Went to the office and had the rest of the salad with Muz. Read "The Red Triangle." Met Don on way from supper. Heard someone say "Consider my hat off " and there was Donald, with an armful of bundles.

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"The Red Triangle" was published in 1903, by author Arthur George Morrison. onread.com states that: "The Red Triangle is an amazing book belonging to Arthur George Morrison (1863-1945) who is known as a famous English author and a master of realistic and detective stories. ... The Red Triangle is a mysterious novel which unites the plots of Martin Hewitt: Investigator to a complete story with common plot line. A number of literary critics recognize The Red Triangle to be even better than Sherlock Holmes."

August 25, 1912 - Sunday

25. Was with Dan all day. We visited the H. J., read the Sunday papers & wrote up our diaries. Tried to read D's but couldn't. Dan says that some boy says the I "have the loveliest lips!" and that my "mouth is my best feature. " I know who said it, and it puffed me up more on account of it's author than itself. Dan and said boy and one other seem to have been discussing me, I hope favorably. Dan pretends to believe that the boy in question knows about my lips by other means than looking at them, but such (alas!) is not the case. Went for two short walks with Dan and on the last, - met Donald on his wheel. Talked to him for a little while and then he went home. His is better looking than ever. Muz was home when I got there, with lot of picnic-stuff. I grafted a soft-shell crab, three helpings of shrimp salad and several devilled eggs. It was so hot during the night that I could not sleep much.

- "Compliments paid a woman, behind her back go farthest and are remembered longest."

((The Cynic's rules of Conduct ))

August 24, 1912 - Saturday

24. Went to Bulah both Am. and P.M. Took a bath and went in the sun with Chriss and read. Dan went to Don's in the evening. Seems to me that, for a boy who is so fond of adoring me to "Let his lordship come to us if he wants to " that he goes to "his Lordship's" house rather often but I suppose it's none of my business. I went to B's. again but did not stay long as she was out. Howard D. is home and brought some poor little squirrels he had shot. Took a very short walk.

All that I want

August 23, 1912 - Friday

23. It rained a little this A.M., a soft, pattering rain with the sun shining through it all the while. I picked a lot of grapes and took them to Bulah. Saw Dan at lunch. After lunch I went to the office. Had 4 o'clock tea with Muz there. Went to supper about 7 o'clock. Muz fell asleep and I had to telephone twice before they woke her up. She got to supper about 8. Went for a short walk with Dan. He stopped in at Donald's to return his racket but I walked on ahead. Dan wanted to walk farther than I did so we parted but he got back ahead of me. I sold him my ball but he cannot pay me the $.25 till next week. I'm awfully glad I got rid of the thing for as much as a quarter.

August 22, 1912 - Thursday

22. Went to the office and, at last, wrote my letters. Came home at noon and cleaned Chrissy all up, drew on some gilt-edged cards I bought this morning and then met Dan at his house. We took his racket and Donald's (Dan borrowed it the day before) and went to the Pope Park tennis courts. We only played, or rather tried to, for about 15 minutes when I saw Edwin Courles there. He is just the boy to sneer in the meanest way if you make a mistake so, as I was making a Dub of myself anyhow, I suggested to D. that we go. We went! We practiced hitting the barn with a tennis ball when we got home so we may do better next time. D. lost one of his balls and I'm going to sell him the one I got from Donald some time ago. (See Page 17). Stayed at Mahoney's all evening and D. hurt my nose with a book he was wildly waving. He keeps bringing Donald into the conversation. Wonder if he thinks I like it or if he does it cause he thinks I don't like it! He suggested a walk to Donald's house but I vetoed it.

August 21, 1912 - Wednesday

21. Went to office about 11 A. M. (again, obviously to write letters and (also again) did not do it) and as it rained we had a nice little lunch at the office. It was fine!! I went home with Muz at 5 P. M. Saw Dan at supper and he assured me that he was not "mad"last night and that I had a perfect right to refuse to go out if I chose (I agree with him there, emphatically. I won't be bossed by any fool boy ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ) Harry Atkins is coming back the 28th, I think, Thank the Source of all blessings! I really wish it were sooner, so I do.
Later - Came home at 8 o'clock. Mr. C and his banjo came and Chris was greatly edified by that latter.

August 20, 1912 - Tuesday

20. Got letters from Bunny (May Coye), Dad and Sister Mag. Finished "The Clansman" and cried over parts of it! I certainly am a 1st Class, A1 boob. I've had proof of it before now, too. Went to the office in the Pm>m obviously to write to Sr. M, etc. but did not do so. Dan wanted me to go for a walk but I did not feel "walkative (If one can say "talkative" why not say that?) and told him so, upon which he cast his cap upon the table and strode forth, banging the door (I may be mistaken in this as the screen-door bangs anyhow) I went home about 5 min. later. and had a late supper with Mr. C and Muz.

August 19, 1912 - Monday

19. Loafed all A.M., paid a call to the Happy Family (N*****'s) and read part of "The Clansman." Washed my hair down at the office in the afternoon and met Dan at 4 o'clock at the Travellers'. We went to the Morgan Memorial and went all through it. Had good time but was perfectly dead-tired afterwards and pretty irritable. Had lots of fun with D. in the evening. Muz massaged my (? phiz ?) will cold-cream before I went to bed.

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"The Clansman" references the 1905 book "The Clansman: An Historical Romance of the Klu Klux Klan" by Thomas F. Dixon, Jr. More information on the wikipedia page.

August 18, 1912 - Sunday

18. Loafed all A.M. and read. Took a bath in the P.M. Read in the evening. Mr. C. called to-night.

August 17, 1912 - Saturday

17. Went to the station for Mrs. Mahoney (and a dime) to meet Edna supposing said Edna came. She didn't. As long as I was that far I went to the office and came home at noon with muz. Did nothing (very diligently) all afternoon. Walked to Elizabeth Park with Dan in the evening. Went home and had a late supper of Uneedas & snappy cheeze with Muz.

August 16, 1912 - Saturday

16. Drew some Daffies to put in the letter to Harriet, which, I forgot to mention, I wrote yesterday. Took the letter down to Dr. C's office with me. Read the magazines there and came home with Muz at noon. Loafed at No. 3 most of P.M. but went to Dan's about 5 with my diary. Did not draw any in it but had quite a pleasant visit with D. who is really developing into quite a nice youth (which, translated, means that he is beginning to like me more). I was dressed as I was yesterday. Went for a short walk with Dan. Have not seen Donald for quite some time and I'm glad. Am going to avoid him as much as is possible and still be polite. He won't mind, I guess. Dan and I read till 10 and then he took me home. He gave me a lot more stamps which I have made into a border for a page in this book, as I did the others.

August 15, 1912 - Thursday

15. Loafed at Mahoney's all morning and nearly made myself ill on apricots and grapes, both unripe. Paid a flying visit to N*****'s family but she was there and froze me out. Spent afternoon at No. 3. At about 5 P.M. I dressed in my white middy and skirt and red hair-ribbons, tie and ornament (my coral hand) and hied me to Mahoney's. Dan was there and he and I decorated our diaries. He has had another letter from Clara "who is furiously jealous of someone she doesn't event know", he says. It is also tear-splotched (apparently). Went with him to the Travellers', and the janitor and stenographer who were there took me for his sister. The latter said that I "looked like him in a way." It was killing!!!!! We both did some type-writing and then went to the Allyn House Drug Store and he treated me to a soda. He bought a Cosmopolitan and took it home. We looked at it to-gether and first he and I sat beside each other then he sat on the arm of my chair because he had to stretch his neck to to see the magazine and later, probably (?) to steady himself he put his hand on the opposite chair-arm. I was just wondering what I'd do if anyone came in when his aunt inquired (from the back porch) if he was ever going to bed. I took the hint and so did he so he escourted me back to No. 3. Muz was still out when I got there.

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For comments on N*****, see August 12, 1912.

An ornament she mentioned wearing is her 'coral hand'. This is a pendent that is now in my possession. There is a hole going through it where it at one point held a riding crop.

August 14, 1912 - Wednesday

After breakfast I went to Bullah's and stayed till about 11¹⁵. I went home then and cleaned Chrissy's cage and gave him a bath. Saw Dan at noon. He was with Muz and me and made some remark. I wasn't thinking and, supposing Muz had spoken I replied "Yes, dear." I realized next second what I'd said and turned tomato color but I don't think D. heard me. Came home, took Chris out of his cage and read the Popular. Later I wrote Papa a letter.

After supper I went for a long walk with Dan. He was supposed to go to bed at 9, and we met his ma just as we came in at 10. Hope she does not hold it against me. I'm so darn sick of being held accountable for people's precious sons. I certainly shall try in future to get them to bed on time by force if necessary. Dan saw me home.

My Likes And Dislikes. by the author.

Like
1. Swimming
2. Nice Youths
3. Admiration
4. Shell-Fish
5. Good Candy
6. Myself.
7. Picnics.
8. Loafing (in moderation)
9. Good Books
10. Jolly Girls
11. Vacation
12 Automobiles
13 Grey Eyes
14 Roses (Pink ones)
15 Yellow Hair
16 Most Animals

Dislike
1. School
2. Tomatoes
3. Grumps & Bores
4. Rain
5. Rude Boys
6. Excessive Labor
7. Funny (?) Stories
8. Winter
9. Pimples
10 Fourth of July
11. Sarcasm
12. Mosquitoes
13. Snakes
14. Letter-Writing

August 13, 1912 - Tuesday

13. Did not see Dan either at breakfast or lunch. After lunch I looked for N*****'s two kittens and found them - in the coal bin. They were beauties. We are going to name them Cupid and Psyche. Later, I took a bath and then sallied forth to purchase paper for my diary. Got it at 5th store I tried! I called at the office, had Mr. Herman cut the paper ('twas too big) and walked home with Muz. I took my diary and drawing things to Mahoney's and drew. Donald was there but I did not go in to see him and he did not come in to me. Dan went to Don's house and I walked up there later but did not go to the house. I guess no one was there anyway as I met Donald on my way home. I did not stay talking long, though, with him. Dan was home when I got back but he had to go to bed so I came home (to No. 3) alone. Found Muz and Mr. C. in the midst of a clam orgy and joined.

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We have tried not to edit anything out of the diary - up until this point. Marjorie was a product of her time, and thankfully things have changed a great deal in a hundred years. While she may have innocently written a word commonly used in her time, it is not an appropriate word to use today and we do not wish to condone it in any way.

August 12, 1912 - Monday

12. Did not, of course, see Dan or Don at breakfast but saw Dan at lunch. Saw him again at 4³⁰. He showed me all the new illustrations in his diary and I did likewise. I wish Mr. Mahl would stop kidding Dan about me. It puts me in a queer position as it is absolutely unfounded. Went down to the Travellers' Ins. building. There was no one else on the floor so he showed me all around. I type-wrote while he finished his work. Did not stay there long but did not have Mahoneys till after ten. Saw Donald and Chandler green across the street as we were going home.

August 11, 1912 - Sunday

11. It was raining like sixty so we did not go in bathing. Perhaps it was just as well, for if we had we could not have packed our suits. It did not really clear up till about 11 A.M. I gave Chrissy's cage an extra fine cleaning, bathed him and gave him fresh seed and water. At 5³⁰ we bade a touching good-bye to everyone and mounted our prancing taxi. We reached our train 1/2 hr. before it started but we only occupied it as far as Saybrook Junction, where we met an auto (Poke Co.'s). Mr. C. met us at New London station and gave me a "Popular" to read. Had two ham sandwiches. The auto belonged to the Pope Co. for which Mr. C. works. We had a dandy ride, I holding Chris's cage out in my arms all the way so he would not be bumped too much. Landed at No. 3 about 9 P.M. Mr. C came up and he and Muz had clams and I had a soft-shell crab and a fish sandwich. I dropped asleep on the bed and so do not know what time the party dispersed but I remember feeling Muz brush my hair and I woke up just enough to undress and creep into bed.

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Pope Co. may have referred to the Pope Manufacturing Company. 
The "Popular" may have referred to the Popular Magazine. Below is an cover from late August / early September of 1912. More covers and information can be found at http://www.philsp.com/mags/popular.html.

August 10, 1912 - Saturday

10. Wi. I. B. and did some fine diving if I do say it as hadn't outer. Jumped off the lower pier once. Couldn't induce Mrs. Wilcox to swim to float but may to-morrow. Went for a walk with Olive and her baby sister. As a result the Valley of the Lost (as Don calls it) contains a box of Qu-zus and 1 lolly-pop. Helped Muz pack. My hair is still wet from this morning's bath.

August 9, 1912 - Friday

9. W. I. B. - Practiced diving some more. In the evening I went down to see the yachts in the bay. All we could see of them was their lights of which there were hundreds. It was very pretty but I sure was tired afterwards!

August 8, 1912 - Thursday

8. W. I. B. Only swam to the float twice but got up courage enough to jump off the raft and even to dive!!!!! It felt awful at first, the water rushed up my nose and into my ears (I had sense enough to keep my mouth shut) and I was completely rattled but I managed to paw my way to the top. Left the water at 2³⁵ and just got dressed in time for dinner. Mrs. Creegan has so many boarders that some have to wait until the rest finish. Consequentlimentaly all arrive promptly as one. I go in barefoot now.


We are not going back to H. till Sunday and the music  and - dance - hall over the way is playing "Skeleton Rag" also Muz is out, so I'm homesick! But I'll draw Daffydills and thusly overcome it.

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I am stumped by what word Marjorie was trying to write here - perhaps just 'consequently' and the word got away from her?

Information about the Skeleton Rag can be found here while a recording from 1912 can be found at the Library of Congress' Jukebox.

August 7, 1912 - Wednesday

7. W. I. B. Swam to raft four times and – Muz swam three!!! Tried to get up my nerve enough to jump off but couldn’t. Went for a walk in the evening with Mrs Purse and Mrs. G., also Muz. Met Mrs. Fowler and her dog, Mutlie on the board-walk.

August 6, 1912 - Tuesday

6. Went crabbing again. Caught exactly 25 but met no kind fisherman to take them off my hands so gave them to a man who was glad enough tot pay just $.00 each for them but no more. I wish I had thrown the poor things back instead. W. I. B. (see P. 52) read nearly all P. M. while Muzzy went for a walk. Got a letter from Donald in answer to my postal which he got after all. I tore up the letter as I am not going to paste any more of Don’t sin here and I hate to have old letters lying around loose. Saved some lettuce from supper for Chrissy-boy. He fully appreciated it. Muz and I went for a walk with Mrs. Griffeth. 

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 Page 52 of the diary is the entry for August 5, 1912.

August 5, 1912 - Monday

5. W.I.B. (Hereafter these mystic letters will signify “went in bathing”) but first after donning my bathing-suit, I took a net I had made and Muz’s canvas bag and waded up the creek on the look-out for crabs. Caught about ten, and one huge clam. As I reached the beach I met a man in a boat who asked me if I had any crabs and, on learning I had, bought them for $.015 each. I sure was thankful for even that small addition to my cash. I promptly blew it in on pop-corn and chewing-gum, and Muz & I had a “near picnic” on the island. Brought my net to the “n.-p.” but only caught 3 baby cras, too small to keep so let them go. Am really a little lonely for Hartford. Mr. G. says “only two places begin with H. and Hartford’s one.” Muz went ot New London this evening & I went for a walk with Mrs. G. on the board-walk.

August 4, 1912 - Sunday

4. Mrs. Gorffith’s husband came down and went in swimming with us. He is a classy “swimmist”. He swam to the raft five times, I – four, and Muz twice. Mrs. G. cannot swim yet but is learning. In the P.M. Mrs. G., Muz, and I walked down to where the yacht is (belongs to Col. Payne) of which Mr. G. is captain. Mr. G. came ashore in a peachy little launch containing a very classy blonde sailor (No, Gentle Reader, my susceptible heart beatl beateth not with the beat of the lovelorn)

August 3, 1912 - Saturday

3. Went in. Muz did not, as she and Mr. C. were going up the creek in a row-boat to catch crabs. I swam to the raft twice. Did not see either Pris or Marion. The water was cool and there was a stiff breeze blowing. Forded the creek and crossed the island but did not see Muz and Mr. C. Went in again after dinner but only to cross the creek with Muz. We carried yum-yums (a kind of ginger-snap), peanuts and ginger-ale to the island in Chris’s canvas sack. We looked like the Pilgrim fathers fording streams with our house-hold effects on our backs. We had to carry across a well-stuffed sack, a sweater and a rain-coat. Muz went home early as she was cold but I stayed a little longer to hunt crabs. I don’t use them when I do find them as the little ones squirm and the big ones pinch but it is fun to hunt them. Picked up some pretty shells and one lone, lorn baby crab. Let the B.C. go but kept the shells to glue in this book. Mrs. Corbly caught me scuttling upstairs in my wet bathing-suit (We’d forgotten to leave any-thing down-stairs for me to put on) and she looked sour to say the least. But she was quite decent about it, did not say anything but that look!!!!! I won’t do it again, please ma’m.

August 2, 1912 - Friday

2. Went in bathing and swam to + from the float or raft twice and from the end of the pier twice. Met two very nice girls named Priscilla and Marion. I don’t remember either of their last names. They are slick swimmers. Stayed with them in the water till 12³⁰. Went with Olive (whose last name, by the way, is Covbly, not Cobby), Grace and Katherine to the dance hall. It is a very nice place and no objectionable people go there. Muz and some ladies from the house came later. I danced nearly all the dances with Muz. Somehow the music made me remember my grad. Dance and the fun I had at it and I almost cried. I was so homesick for Hartford. It’s funny how the memory of good times always makes you feel blue, but it’s so!! Oh! I forgot. I answered Dan’s letter and I’ve just been thinking I might have been rather too hasty in my remarks about Don’s postal from me. Come to think of it I left a space in the address until I could find the name of the place he worked, to which I intended to send the card; buy you know the saying in regard to the “best-laid plans of mice and men” Muz found it and addressed it to “Asylum Ave. – Near Sigourney St.” and it may not have reached him.

August 1, 1912 - Thursday

1. Went in swimming in morning. Loafed and read nearly all PM. Miss Murray was in bathing with us and I held her chin up while she tried to swim. She got along beautifully till I thought I’d see if she could swim without help. I accordingly let go of her chin, and this is what happened-:

Mr. C. was on the beach, too. In the afternoon, as I’ve mentioned before, I loafed and read, but later (about 530 by our nutty clock) I went for a walk on the beach. Got a box of Nabiscos and settled down on the rocks to eat them. As n I was walking back I spied a lady on the board-walk who was waving wildly to me. (The lady was waving, not the board-walk.) It was Muz trying to get me to come home. It seems that our clock had had another fit and we were just in time for supper instead of having a half-hour to kill. Got a postal from Howard Dibble. Went with Olive Cobby to see the fireworks. Got some very ice pop-corn. Was so dead sleepy that I went to sleep on the outside of the bed in my wrapper with my head nesting in the folds of the nightie which I could not find and my hair stringing all over the pillow. Clasped to my heart was the comb I’d taken to bed to comb my hair with. Muz got me to bed when she reached home from her picnic.