Saturday, June 23, 1914

I haven't written for so long I hardly know where to begin. Louise went home that Monday evening.

A week ago Friday we girls were all over at Irene's. Irene, Frances and I played duets. They we played a game of Flinch and after that was finished we played Pig* until Mrs. Gerke brought in the orange ice cream and cake. They were fine. Then we played Pig some more until it was time to go home.

Blanche is going to Three Lakes with her Aunt Ida the 20th of next month.

Yesterday was Ina's 15th birthday, She had us all over there. She certainly knows how to entertain. Edward C. took a lot of pictures of us in a good many ridiculous positions and 2 or 3 sensible ones. Then we played croquet till lunch time. For lunch we had potato salad, cucumbers, some Massachusetts pickles, lemonade, fruit salad, and sandwiches -- 1st course; ice cream and cake 2nd. We ate so much we could hardly wiggle. About 6:30 we began playing tennis. I am learning pretty well they tell me. I actually returned 2 balls. We played until Papa and Mama called for me in the buggy. Mr. Hunt had died and they were going down to see Aunt Lillie. She expects to go to Burma (Ill.) this morning at 11. Mama is making her a black waist now. If she doesn't go Uncle George will.

Well, I'm supposed to be carrying some cream to the basement. Guess I'd better go after it. 3'7 h1v389 18 1wf56 t372 w3th 7y st4ck38gs. 3 h1v2 84 c49s2t 48 18d 3 64182d 7y g19t29s t4 39282 y2st29d1y s4 3 h1v2 84th38g t4 h46d 7y st4ck38gs 5p.**

*"Pig" is a card game also known as "Spoons".

** This is a code Muryl uses frequently from this point on. Translation:

"I'm having as awful time with my stockings. I have no corset on and I loaned my garters to Irene yesterday so I have nothing to hold my stockings up." (courtesy of my code-cracking dad)

June 8, 1914

Friday evening was spent at Mrs. Hull's and at home. In the afternoon after we took our baths we went over to Gerke's. No one came to the door so we went over to Mrs. Wait's. Pretty soon Mrs. Gerke telephoned over there and said that she was out in the back yard when we came and Irene was upstairs and thought she would open the door. Later on we went back there. Mrs. Gerke showed me a new crocheted lace.

Sat. morning Gladys came in after Helen and me and we started out at about 9 a.m. Got there about 10. We had a fine time. Late in the afternoon Helen, Gladys, Adele, Cecil and I went down to the school house and played school. We had lots of fun even if it was a baby game. When we came back Cecil took Helen and me to see an army worm and a chinch bug. Helen took a ride on Prince and when she got back Evelyn and I had one. After supper we played statue until Aunt Lella called us in to get ready for bed. Helen, Gladys, Adele and I were to sleep together on the floor. We got all ready for bed and then with nothing on but our nightgowns and shoes, took a stroll to the well. We went to sleep about 11 p.m. Long before the next morning Helen and I bumped heads and woke up. After a long time Gladys and Adele woke and then we had a big time till Aunt Lella called us to get up. Helen, Gladys and I came in the buggy. Helen and I felt cheap in meeting with our sporting garb on. She had a 10-cent hat. I had my prayer meeting hat and my middy. Louise was there. She said she didn't know whether she'd go home today or stay all week. Adele stayed in with Ruth. Yesterday afternoon I slept from 2 till 4:30. We were about done up.

Well, I'm supposed to be mopping the bathroom floor so I guess I'd better get at it.

Friday, june 5, 1914

Talk about good times and hot weather! I don't know which is the most plentiful.

I think I forgot to record that Calame's were over for dinner SUnday. Also Paul and Adele.

Monday Louise was over for supper. Irene came over in the afternoon and we played the piano and croquet. Louise is sweeter every time you are with her. Tues. afternoon Helen was over and we played croquet all afternoon. In the evening we went down to the hothouse and got some flowers. Mr. Zbinden gave me an awfully pretty petunia. From there I went to the Y.P. Meeting. Only Helen, Gladys, Paul, Cecil and I were there besides Miss Neva. They served refreshments and Mrs. Krause came after Helen just in time to get some. Mrs. K and Helen brought me home and then Mama and I took them back as far as the library.

Wednesday afternoon we went to Ladies Bible Meeting. After Meeting Gladys asked Helen and me if we could go home with her Sat. afternoon of she came after us. Of course we could. In the evening we went down to Uncle George's. Yesterday afternoon Mrs. Kruger, Francis Harwood, Mrs. Krause, Helen and Harold were over. In the evening we went to prayer meeting. Met Louise on the way. Now I am waiting for Mama to finish her bath so I can take mine.

Sunday, May 31, 1914

Exams over. My grades

Eng 96

Alg 100

Lat 94

Physiography 98

Not so good as last month but they're as good as Ina's so I don't care.

Louise is here but I haven't seen her yet. We were going over Fri. evening and it rained so hard we couldn't. Mr. Smith told me when I asked him if she might come to supper Sat, that she was engaged but I could have her anytime next week. When she called me up this evening I asked her if she could come tomorrow and she said she could.

We had big Decoration Day doinses here yesterday. The schools had charge and it was a fine program. Saw Katie. Irene and I went together.

Going back to Friday (I always begin at the end and go backward). We finished our exams in the morning in the afternoon Mrs. Gerke and Irene came over and we (Irene and I) made 3-of-a-kind ice cream in their freezer. We had a peck of fun.

Wednesday, May 27, 1914

Exams, exams, exams. I've had physiography and algebra, but the worst is yet to come -- Latin. I've studied till my back's sore from leaning over and my head aches from eyestrain and still I don't know anything. Last night Irene and I studied together. We worked from about 7:30 to 8:30. She was nearly undressed to keep cool. At 8:30 Papa and Mama came by in the buggy and we got in and drove up to the concert of the Apollo and Chaminade Clubs where Mrs. Gerke was. We stood and listened awhile then came back and Irene and I studied again till 10 o'clock, when her father and Roscoe came home. Mama is up town and I'm so tired I can't study anymore so I don't know what to do. The reason the writing is so bad is that I'm sitting on the arm of a rocker holding my book in my hand.

Monday, May 25, 1914

The principal's name isn't Weedenhamer, but Niedermeyer. I guess one's about as bad as the other though. He was at school all day today. He isn't bad looking, though not handsome at all except that he has a very nice figure. Mr. Mitchell has him beat by a mile in looks. He's real jolly and everyone seems to like him.

It's as hot as a furnace today. It wouldn't be taken as an insult at all if someone was called "crazy with the heat", because it's very likely.

I went to see Adele Hite's baby yesterday and again today. She was born Wed. at 12:10 AM. Her name is Dorothy Virginia. She's awfully sweet. Irene went with us today.

Adele R. spent from Thurs. to Sun. with me. We were over to Krauses for supper and had a fine time.

Wednesday, May 20, 1914

We're all mad. Mr. Mitchell isn't coming back next year. A man by the name of Weedenhamer has been elected. Of all the shameful stunts that the board has done I think this is about the shamefullest. I suppose they'll take Miss. Graff again. She's taught for 37 years and I guess she's good for 37 more. Mr. Mitchell tried to raise the standard of the school and she kept it down. Now they've driven him away and I suppose they'll keep her. They say the new man is a swell singer and I suppose we'll have to make the best of him.

Beginning with Tuesday I have one exam a day next week.