January 31, 1913 - Friday

31 - Did not go to school all day. Went to Mahoney's to-night. Dan was very rough. Dreamed about Don last night. Thought May, Don and I were invited to Mrs. Mahoney's. I wish half my dreams would come true. I'd give a good deal (if I had it) to be on my old terms of friendship with him, but no, Dan or someone, perhaps myself, has queered that forever, and I might as well make up my vacuum of a brain to that. Am writing under difficulties as my bird insists on helping me do it, and , besides that, I am writing in bed.

---

There was a word erased before 'vacuum' - it looks like it said 'I might as well make up my blooming vacuum of a brain to that.' I do not know if the word was erased due to content - did blooming count as a cuss in those days? - or if it was simply an error. Previous errors have been simply crossed out.

January 30, 1913 - Thursday

30 - Went to Morse's this morning, but felt like sin this afternoon so played the great National game of Hookey. Kept up appearances, however, as far as the Mahoney's are concerned by going off in the direction of school at one o'clock. As the d. of s. is also the direction of No. 3., I just happened to stop off there, and did not go any further on my way to the Temple of Learning.

(Later) Muz was on her way to lunch when of course Ruth had to run after her and tell her I'd stayed out of school. Muz came back & made me get to bed but I felt pretty down-and-out anyhow so I was nothing loath to retire, as the novelists say. I've been thinking, which unusual course of action has given me a rush of common sense to the brain. Of course I was a fool not to have seen that, if Dan dared Don, it would look as if I were in the scheme. Don might take the dare but he'd never think much of me for letting him. y only course would be to make my self so thoroughly unpleasant if he did, that he'd see I had self respect, if not a good disposition. No, I guess I'd rather not have it at all, if it were not sincere. However, I guess that there's no need for a decision on my part, as Dan just said that to fool me, or, rather, tease me.

Stayed at Mahoney's till nine. Dan went to all the trouble of turning out the gas, and then didn't dare take my stump about Mae. There are nuts & nuts!

January 29, 1913 - Wednesday

29 - Went to school but arrived late. Shall fill out a permanent late slip. Went to Mae's right after school as her stern parent is absent at that time. Saw Dan at supper. Teased him afterwards about being a T. H. S. He said that he'd invite Don down some night, and dare him to prove himself not a T. H. S. by kissing me. Hope Dan doesn't know how much I wish he would. Stayed with Mae in parlor for awhile, then went home. It has been snowing hard.

---

T. H. S. - Tin Horn Sport, see January 26, 1913.

January 28, 1913 - Tuesday

28 - Did not go to Morse's this A. M. but did, at one o'clock. Got along all right. Saw Dan, but not May, after supper. Tried to be very decorous, but Dan, with the perverseness, not to say mulishness which forms an important ingredient in the masculine character, insisted on trying to kiss me. I resisted with  all my strength and some strong remarks, which, however, I didn't dare make above a whisper owing to Mrs. M. This probably detracted from their force as they had no result. He managed to land two on my cheek before I broke away. I wish it were proper for those of the female "persuasion" to swear (i. e. to cuss)

Went to Harriet's after supper and she appeared glad to see me. Made fudge. "Chink" Redfield came to see Harriet. His voce sounds something like Don's, so I closed my eyes while he talked to H., and pretended it was Don. I can't do that with Dan, as his voice is much higher and much less nice sounding than Don's. Went home at 9.39 and, after reading some, tumbled into my bed.

P.S. Wish Don would take pattern by Dan. There'd be considerably less of a struggle. But, probably, even if he did (and the ones you want to, never do) he wouldn't think much of anything he could get so easily. Such is life!

January 27, 1913 - Monday

27 - Went to school this morning, but was sick, and went to bed, this afternoon. Muz brought from Mahoney's my supper, also the cheering information that Mrs. Mahoney and Mr. Staehle were united in a wish that I stop influencing their innocent babes whom, it appears, I am rapidly and consistently driving to the devil. It is to weep!

January 26, 1913 - Sunday

26 - Stayed at Mahoney's all day, with Dan and Mae. Mae went to sleep in the afternoon with her head resting on the table. Dan bending over her in a rather suggestive affectionate manner, I said, "I stump you." He was stumped, poor nut. He now is an I. A. T. (Isn't all there), a T. H. S. (Tin Horn Sport), and S. N. Y. (Snubnosed Youth).

Alas! My courage's vacation proved permanent. I did not telephone to Don. I'm really rather glad I didn't as he probably would have thought me utterly devoid of proper pride, and the chances are he'd be going out somewhere anyway. Dan saw him this morning. Lucky Dan. I wonder if Don asked about me. Dan was too mean to tell me and I wouldn't ask. I think he told Mae, though. I played checkers with Ruth to-night, and even that made me think of Don, and I got as blue as indigo. He and I used to have such good times when the Dibbles kept this house. I wonder what changed Don so! Could Dan have done it by some indiscreet remark?

Mae, Dan and I made such a racket that D. was exiled from his native heath, so to speak. He was told to go upstairs, but instead, we all went for a walk. We wanted to make penuche in Mae's room, but her pa was there. Ah, well! 'tis a sad, sad world, but for all that, my bed lures me from this book and I must go, or I'll not wake up 'till about twelve to-morrow.

O, piffle, how I do wish I could see Don! I cried, like the poor boob I am, when I got to bed, but I feel so gloomy that I could bust. Hope I haven't made my nose red, but fear I have.

January 25, 1913 - Saturday

25 - Did not go to Art School. Took Mae her breakfast. It wasn't a very big one as I got it for at about 9:30. To night, she accused me of still caring for Don. So my bluff didn't work after all! However, I still  kept it up (the bluff) and denied any weakness in the sentimental direction. Lies, all lies. I had serious thoughts of telephoning him to come over, but my courage took a vacation that was ill-timed, if not downright malicious. It has a habit of doing that. Mae teased me quite a little but I bluffed it out as well as I could, though I don't think I convinced her to any great extent. If I can keep up my courage (call it gall, if you like) tomorrow, I'll phone to Don. It's about three months since I've seen him, and I'm afraid I shall not do so for a good many more if I don't phone. I wonder what he'll think of me if I do!!! That's all I care about.

January 24, 1913 - Friday

24 - It rained this morning, but I went to B.C. as usual. (That sounds as if I'd been going for a year, at least.) Broke my glasses to-day and had them refixed.

January 23, 1913 - Thursday

23 - Started in at Morse's at nine to-day. Had a much easier time than I at first imagined I would. I may (note the emphasis), in time, become so smart that I'll be able to write my diary in short hand. Oh! Inestimable boon! To be forever safe from the prying eyes of D. F. Mahoney, The Boy Fiend. Safe, that is, unless he takes a course in short hand for the express purpose of reading my diary. We have only an hour for lunch but may leave at 3.

January 22, 1913 - Wednesday

22 - It is all arranged that I go to Morse's Business College to-morrow. Muz wanted me to go down and see Morse in the morning, but owing to the charms of Mae's society (sp?), I failed. It got Muz awfully mad. However, I stayed out of school and went to Morse's, so all is well. Dan went away for the evening after hiding my diary (nothing but blank pages in it, or i wouldn't have brought it there.) I spent most of evening hunting as I wanted to draw in it. I guess the reason for my not finding it sooner was that the fair Daniel F. hid it in such an easy place, a sort of "purloined letter" scheme. It was hidden among the music on the piano. When I found it, I removed all the music (as well as my diary) and left a note of one word - "Stung."

---

The Morse's Business College merged with the New England Technical Institute in 1999. Read more information and memories of the college here.

"The Purloined Letter" is a short story Edgar Allen Poe. More information here or read online here.

January 21, 1913 - Tuesday

21 - It's a long time between writings, but at last I've got around to it. Here is all back news worth having : I am probably going to leave H.P.H.S. and go into business College. Let us hope it happens before the Jan. examinations which fall due in about a week. Mrs. Pit. met Muz in Hills', and told her she ought to leave me in high school. Muz was almost persuaded, but we just can't do it! I must go to work pretty soon to help out matters. Dan saw Don a little while ago. I wish I had. Dan, Mae and I made fudge to-night but, as Dan was in a teasing mood and I felt cross we didn't get on well. Am sleeping with Mae to-night.

January 9, 1913 - Thursday

(9) - Muz's birthday is to-day. We have stopped our meals at Mahoney's &, from now on, take our breakfasts and dinners at home. Muz gets her lunches down town and I mine with Mrs. Monroe. Stayed with Dan and Mae last evening. Dan was cross about something. He certainly has queer moods. I seem to "get his goat" a lot.

I have the most awful time keeping my pencils at school. The Junior who shares my desk with me persists in carrying off every pencil on the place, mine included. I am going to take a bright pink one to school this time that she can't mistake for her yellow ones. To make sure, however, I have shaved off a strip at the end and marked on the wood "exclusively mine."

She might as well

take my goat too.

Talk about goat-

getters!!!!

January 7, 1913 - Tuesday

7 - Got a picture of Don from Mae.

January 4, 1913 - Saturday

4 - Stayed outdoors nearly all day. Fed the peanuts to the squirrel. Saw a boy on a wheel at quite a distance. I am am almost sure it was D. P., but not quite. I wonder if I have succeeded in convincing Dan and Mae that I don't care for him any more! I had to pretend to have stopped caring, for the sake of my self-respect; but it's hard to pretend, when I'm just hoping each day that I'll catch even a passing glimpse of him.

Mae is keeping a diary still and is quite afraid of having it seen. I wonder why! Played with Ruth and Norma. After, lunch, Dan, Mae, and I got rather noisy and Mrs. M. got rather mad. I beat it hastily for home. For quite a time, all yesterday and all today there has been an awfully high wind. (I am not trying to allude in poetical metaphors to the state of Mrs. Mahoney's emotions). The roofs of several houses were blown off and everywhere I go I see fallen trees.

Note-: Got two late Christmas presents, a neck-bow and a paint-box a few days ago (I forget just when).

---

There was a piece of paper attached to the diary at this point - but there is nothing inside when it is unfolded.

There are pictures of Marjorie and her mother feeding a squirrel in one of the old family photo albums. I believe this picture is a few years after this diary entry.

Marjorie with "S. N. - The Woman".
(S. N. stands for 'Squirrel Nutkin'.)

January 3, 1913 - Friday

3 - Went for a long walk with Mae and got nearly blown to pieces. We were plastered with mud from head to foot. We spent about an hour afterwards, cleaning up.

January 2, 1913 - Thursday

2 - Muz was sick. Dr. Deming says she must stay in bed for a few days. I stayed with her most of the day. Went to Mrs. Mahoney's in the evening and wrote up my diary with Dan and Mae.

January 1, 1913 - Wednesday

Resolutions

(1) -
1. Not to accept any proposals this whole year.
2. Not to wear cerise stockings.
P.S. The above resolutions have at least the merit of being safe. It is needless to add that, such being thus, I shall keep them. Spent to-night with Mae.

1913.

1913.

Mistress

Marjorie James,

Her Booke,

Being ye most complete

and sillie recorde

of ye

daily life of

that maide

for ye year of our Lorde,

1913.

1912 - FINIS

On the Shelf

Date			Author
July	Pam Decides		Bettina von Hutton
	Island Night's Entertain-
		ment	R. L. Stevenson
	Sport Royal, etc.		Anthony Hope
	Girl of the Limberlost
	The Greater Power		Harold Bindloss
	Sadie		Karl E. Harriman
	Pam		Bettina von Hutton
Aug	The Traitor		Thomas Dixon, Jr.
	In the Glow of the Camp-
		fire
	The Clansman		Thomas Dixon, Jr.
	The Root of Evil		Thomas Dixon, Jr.
	The House of Egremont		Molly E. Seawell.
	The Red Triangle		Arthur Morrison
	A Desert Drama		A. Conan Doyle.
	A Garrison Tangle		King
Sept.	The Winning of Bar-
		bara Worth.	Harold B. Writght.
	His First and Last Ap-
		pearance.	F. J. Finn
	The Head Coach		Ralph D. Paine
	Wilderness Ways		Wm. J. Long
Oct.	Adventures of a Boy
		Reporter	H. S. Morrison
	Five Little Peppers
		Midway.	Margaret Sidney
	Friday, the Thirteenth		Thos. Lawton
	Historical Stories of A-
		merican Pioneer Life	J. Fenimore Cooper.
	Patty's Butterfly Days
Nov.	Swiss Family Robinson
	Langford of the Three
		Bars.
	Patty's Pleasure Trip
	Robin Hood
	The Little Colonel's
		Knight Comes Rid-
		ing	Mary Johnston
	The Moving Finger		E. P. Oppenheim.
	The House of the Whisp-
		ering Pines	Anna K. Greene
	Why Did He Do It?		Bernard Capes
Dec.	Out of the Night.		Mrs. B. Reynolds'
	The Filigre Ball		Anna K. Greene
	A Christmas Carol.		Chas. Dickens.
	The Rose and the Ring		W. M. Thackeray.
	A Cathedral Court-
		ship
	Lovely Mary		A. H. Rice
	Cardigan		R. W. Chambers
	The Lost World		A. C. Doyle
	Truth Dexter		S. McCall
	The Island of Re-
		generation	C. T. Brady
	Dr. Jekkyl and
		Mr. Hyde	R. L. Stevenson

December 31, 1912 - Tuesday

31 - Made candy with Mae but could not eat much. Val Wright came over with Niecie Davis for awhile and we stirred things up considerably. Mrs. Fitz-Simmons may be pretty sick, but she's not too sick to knock. Heard that I had banged the front door and shaken it, a think I had not known I did but of course if she says so ----------. She arrived at this conclusion by a remarkable train of reason hinging on the fact that Mae was heard to descend the stairs immediately after the disturbance. A first class detecting who would have rivalled even Sherlock Holmes for astuteness and penetration was lost in Mrs. Fitz-S. Her detuctions are nothing short of marvellous. Walked up as far as Asylum Avenue and Sigourney St with Mae. Went back  by the cathedral but, though I saw a light in the Pibblados' windows, saw nothing of Don. Not that I sent through there to see him, though. It's just a short cut through to Farmington Ave.

December 27 - 30, 1912 - Friday - Monday

27 - 30 - Was at Mrs. Wilcox's over Sunday. Had a very good time.

December 26, 1912 - Thursday

26 - Felt like "the morning after the night before" this morning. No wonder! I only ate about three lbs. of candy altogether yesterday. Played with Ruth and Norma for a while.

December 25, 1912 - Wednesday

25 - Merry Christmas! I had a dandy lot of presents, 17 in all. Here is the list:
1 box pencils                from Muzzy
1 book (Lorna Doone) from      "
1 pr. bed slippers          from      "
1 doz. handkerchiefs       "         "
1 Umbrella (silk)             "         "
2 hair ribbons, 1 necktie  "         "
1 Manicure set                 "         "
2 hand embroidered collars "      "
1 box candy (1 pound)    "         "
"     "      "     ("     "    )    "    Harriet
1 bow for neck                "      Mae
1 book (Doggerel)           "      Dan
1 dollar                             "    Mrs. M.
1     "                                "   Uncle G.
3 dollars                           "     Mr. C.
1 pr white kid gloves       "   Grandma
1 Collar and cuff set         "    Mrs. W.

Muz and I had breakfast in bed and spilt the tea-pot full of tea into same. Deuced uncom'f'ble, don't you know! Had a very good dinner. Went over to Mae's as soon as I'd finished dinner and there she was, reading "Nicholas Nickleby", with no more thought for dinner than a whale has for Latin. I stayed there till four o'clock, and then, in response to a telephone call from Harriet, went to her house and stayed till six. Had a slim supper and then Dan called me up and asked me to come over and make candy. I did, and so did Mae. We made fudge. Did not get to bed till late.

---

"Lorna Doone" was written by Richard Doddridge Blackmore. More information here or read an illustrated edition online here.

I was unable to find a book titled 'Doggerel' - either it has not made its way online or she was writing a commentary on the quality of the book instead of the title.

"Nicholas Nickleby" was a serial written by Charles Dickens from 1838 - 1839. More information here or read online here.

December 24, 1912 - Tuesday

24 - Did not get up for breakfast or, I am ashamed to say, for lunch either. Muz brought me home some food and I ate it in bed. I went out with Mae after supper and we delivered our presents. I gave mine to Mae, Dan, Edna and Mabel. Mae gave me one but I did not open it. I went into Norma's room after she had gone to bed and told her stories. Ruth did not go to bed till quite late. I have given Mrs. Munroe a box of dominoes for Norma and a book for Ruth. Hope they will like them. Muz covered the table with crépe paper and then put on my presents and covered them up. Then I put hers on the other side and covered them up and we went to bed.

December 23, 1912 - Monday

23 - Mae and I made "penuche" this morning. At least, I did not do much of the real making. It tasted very good when we were done but we had to almost drink it as it would not harden. We put back what was left and cooked it some more and then it hardened. Mae went down town with me and helped me buy some Christmas presents. I got about seven. Met Betty Redfield on the way back. Mae also helped me do up all my presents in tissue paper and then, after supper she went up to Trinity with me till I delivered some parcels for a poor family. She (Mae, not the parcel or the poor family) went to the Public Library with Dan and I went to her room and read and hogged candy.

December 21, 1912 - Saturday

21 - Got a pretty good drawing done at Art Class. Took Miss Egan three of her cards to-night.

December 20, 1912 - Friday

20 - To-day is the last day of school until about 2 weeks from now.

December 19, 1912 - Thursday

19 - Nothing doing. Miss Egan called me up and ordered some cards for Christmas.

December 18, 1912 - Wednesday

18 - Knew that Miss De Witt had to go away for awhile so brought her the book marks. She offered to pay me but I declined.

Dan's Version - "It was an ancient Mariner, And he stoppeth one of the three."

Dan got my diary and read it all through. It was this way: Yesterday Harriet called up and asked me to go downtown with her. I had my diary at Mahoneys, so I asked Dan to promise not to read it if I left it in the book case. He promised and then I went. When I got to Mahoney yesterday evening I noticed that the Diary had been moved but Dan said he had just been getting some books behind it. When I got home to-night the dear child began to quote parts of my diary and when I accused him of having read it he innocently replied that when he promised he holy meant the promise for yesterday and so had read it today. Well, I guess it serves me right for trusting to a mere promise to keep a boy from anything he wanted, especially if there was a loop-hole out of which he could wriggle. Next time I have to trust to a boy's promise (and you bet I won't trust to it till I do have to) I'll be sure to have it in writing duly signed and witnessed and I'll be sure to have it renewed every day. It seems to need very careful treatment.

December 17, 1912 - Tuesday

17 - Got a sick-pass and came out of school. I wasn't sick but, as I did not know my History, I knew that I probably would be before Miss Taylor got through. Went over to Mahoney's and read.

December 16, 1912 - Monday

16 - I went home right after breakfast and made some book-marks for Miss De Witt. She asked me to, yesterday. Nothing startling happened in school except that I knew most of my lessons. Poor Muzzy has a rheumatic shoulder so I brought her her supper and them played with Ruth and norma till bed time.

December 15, 1912 - Sunday

15 - Muz and I did not go to breakfast this morning. We stayed in bed and devoured vile tea and mouse eaten, ante-deluvian crackers. Went to Sunday School. Margery Burnham had a grouch. Went for a long walk with Mae Staehle after Sunday School. Had supper at home. Chicken salad.

December 14, 1912 - Saturday

14 - Went to Art class and did a side-view of Julius Caesar's dome. When I was through he looked as if he couldn't have conquered a new oyster, but Mr. Logan said it was my best head so far, so, if he is satisfied, I'm sure I am. Mae and I went to the Hartford this afternoon. It was good, and there were no doubtful remarks made. We are having the "ancient Mariner" to read in school now. Notice the illustration at the top of the page.

---

"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" was written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1797-1798. See more information here or read it online here.

December 13, 1912 - Friday

13 - Muzzy came back to-night. My stars! but I was glad to see her.

December 12, 1912 - Thursday

(12) - May had to get up at six this morning. She got a sick-pass at school and came home again, and we read nearly all morning. Went to Harriet's after school and stayed for quite a while. After supper, Dan asked May and me if we wanted "to go down and see the game". I don't know what game, or where but, as I am no true sport, I said "no". May went, but there was a fight between two of the boys at the game and Dan had to bring her home again. When she got home, she seemed to have received some information to my discredit. (I don't know from whom, and she wouldn't tell me either what it was or who told her.) It is a very strange coincidence, but whenever Dan and May are alone together for any length of time, May invariably knows more about me than she ever did before. Still, she says it's not Dan who told her the dread secret of my past. If I knew whom she'd seen to-night, I could pick out the little human news-paper, I bet. Oh, why, why, why did I ever let Dan see this diary my one and only piece of sentimental, slushy, blankety-blank foolishness? And Echo answers "because you couldn't help yourself". I let him see lots of it willingly, but I carefully kept that part, which made high rubber boots a necessity, away from his infant eyes, and, of course, that was the very part he pounced on when I wasn't looking. O, well, I'll finish his some day. I left off at the chapter devoted to the genus Pink Fairy. Dear me, I hope he hasn't moved my book-mark! Muz will probably be back to-morrow. My, but I'm glad. Poor Mae must be pretty tired of my company by now, as she has had it morning, night, and noon, for three days, not to mention nights.

Later - I have foully wronged the heir of the house of Mahoney. He hasn't been telling May anything about me. It was his aunt. She told Mae about the time I got on top of the Mahoney's barn to pick cherries. I thin kI told her, when she called to me to come down, that I had permission from Mrs. Mahoney. The way Mae heard it was this: I had shined up the cherry tree and, when told to get down, had basely turning and given "sass". Next person it gets to will probably be assured that I cut down the cherry tree and, when caught, instead of nobly crying, "I cannot tell a lie; I did it with my little hatchet". had turned murderously on the lady and assaulted her, dulling my ax on her head.

December 11, 1912 - Wednesday

11 - Was very, very wicked to-day. I stayed home from school, but I really was awfully tired and un-schooly feeling. I made candy with May or, rather, she made it and I just stirred but it was fine! Got to bed at 11 sharp this time. It is rather late, but we were reading and didn't notice how time flew.

December 10, 1912 - Tuesday

10 - Stayed with Muz all morning and went down to see her off on the 12²² train for New York. The train was 15 minutes late and I just skinned the clock getting to school. I fell rather lonesome when Muz was gone but she is going to come back Friday. Went over to Harriet's after school for a very little while and played with her and Carl Trumbull. Went to May's right after supper as I am to stay with her while Muz is away. We started to bed at 9²⁰ (Notice the emphasis on "started".) We had lots of fun before we finally got to bed.

December 9, 1912 - Monday

9 - Nothing much interesting except that we got our reports. I got as good in two subjects as last time and better in two.

December 8, 1912 - Sunday

8 - Read the Sunday papers and annoyed Dan most all A.M. Did not go to Sunday school. Went over to May Stahle's and read. Got a rise out of Dan in the evening; teased him about wearing a red carnation, and told him to keep on rising and making "excellsior" his motto. He went out with his mother.

December 7, 1912 - Saturday

7 - Went to Art class as usual. Mr. Logan used some verbal hammers on my artistic efforts, or rather, effort in its first stages but praised it to the skies after it was done. Naturally, drawings look bum before the "drawer" stumps in the shadows. I shall do so before I show it to him hereafter. Played with Ruth Monroe most of the afternoon. Muz got herself locked in her room and got the lock jammed so it stuck. They had to break the lock.

December 6, 1912 - Friday

6. Had good History lesson. No other important news.

December 5, 1912 - Thursday

5 - Loafed at Mrs. M's all morning and read and did my lessons. Got my History well. Had an Algebra test. I think I got a good mark on it. Went upstairs with Harriet while she interviewed her algebra teacher. Went to the Allyn House with Muz for supper. Had a dandy time and ate till I could hardly move.

---

The Allyn House

For information about the Allyn House look here or here. 

(The picture is from the former, taken in 1908.)