Tuesday, July 14, 1914

The mercury reached 108 degrees Saturday. Sunday was 105 degrees. The kids (Gladys, Paul and Cecil) were in Sunday night. It was too hot during the day. They brought me home. Just a little after I got here the fire alarm blew. Papa and I started to the fire. We heard that it was Jernigan's livery barn. When we had gone two blocks from home Papa said I had better come back after Mama. When I got here she and Maude Dulaney were already starting. The fire did about $8.900 worth of damage. It burnt the livery barn with seven horses, a second hand store next door and a brick house across the alley besides damaging the Thomas House, Advocate building, Potthast's store and our building. Did about $550 worth of damage to us.

Yesterday I went over to see Helen K. We played golf and checkers.

Saturday, July 11, 1914

Got a card from Irene yesterday. Last night we were down at Uncle George's. He got home Tuesday.

Mama and Cecil are up town getting Cecil a new suit. We did everything yesterday so I've nothing to do today. I got a piece, variations on Old Black Joe Wednesday. It came while I was out at Uncle Charlie's. I can play most of it now.

Old Black Joe by Stephen Foster

Gone are the days when my heart was young and gay,
Gone are my friends from the cotton fields away,
Gone from the earth to a better land I know,
I hear those gentle voices calling Old Black Joe.

Chorus:

I'm coming, I'm coming,

for my head is bending low,

I hear those gentle voices calling

Old Black Joe.

Why do I weep, when my heart should feel no pain,
Why do I sigh that my friends come not again?
Grieving for forms now departed long ago.
I hear those gentle voices calling Old Black Joe.

Where are the hearts once so happy and so free?
The children so dear that I held upon my knee?
Gone to the shore where my soul has longed to go,
I hear those gentle voices calling Old Black Joe.

Thursday, July 9, 1914

Went to the ladies Bible reading Wednesday afternoon. Mama, Papa, Raymond and I played croquet in the evening. Mama and Raymond beat Papa and me in the 1st and Mama and I beat Papa and R. in the 2nd.

Thursday night we went to prayer meeting as usual. Friday afternoon I went over to see Margaret and Alice Dilzel who are visiting the Waits from New Orleans. They have a little brother Walter, about 18 months old since the last time they were here. Sat. (July 4th) we had our first spring chicken for dinner. In the afternoon we drove to Pocahontas. Broke our single tree* on the way and had to borrow one from Mr. Seiver. We got there about 4 o'clock. Mr. and Mrs. Calame were at the store and we stayed up town awhile. I went over into the park. Saw a little boys' sack race and nearly died laughing. Saw Katie. She w1s w3th 1 b215 s4 3 th45ght 3'd b2tt29 84t b5tt 38 18d sp21k t4 h29, 2sp2c3166y 1s sh2 d3d8't s22 72. 3 h1pp282d to k84w f947 4th27s' 2xp29328c2 th1t g396s w3th b215x d48't w18t th239 63tt62 s3st29s t1gg38g 1648g.** Ha! Ha!

We had a great big supper at Calame's and after supper Papa went to the store with Mr. Calame while Mama, Mrs. Calame and I went down to see the lots.

Monday morning I went over to Irene's to get the Etudes. I have them all while they are in Chicago. She was going on the 1:40 PM train and had been ready ever since 8 o'clock. We played some of the duets over before I came home.

In the evening when we were out riding I saw Louise and the boys over at her grandmother's. Didn't know she was here. I haven't had a chance to go over there and I don't know whether she's still here or not.

Tuesday I got a card from Katie asking me to go to the county graduating in the evening. I had already told Mrs. Krause I would go to YPM (Young Peoples' Meeting) at her house so I couldn't go. We finished lunch at Krauses at almost ten o'clock and then I went home with Paul and Gladys. We got there at about 11 0'clock. 3 th38k 3t w1s 1 63tt62 1ft29 482 17 wh28 G61dys & 3 w2nt t4 s622p. 3'7 g61d 7171 c18't 921d th3s d3162ct.***

Yesterday evening Papa and Mama came out after me. I had some music lesson today. Miss Plant gave me a new book -- Czerny Book I. She said it might be too easy for me and if it was I could exchange it for Book II.

*The pivoted or swinging bar to which the traces of a harnessed horse are fixed; a whiffletree.

** Code Translation 1: "She was with a beau so I thought I'd better not butt in and speak to her, especially as she didn't see me. I happened to know from others' experience that girls with beaux don't want their little sisters tagging along."

***Code Translation 2: "I think it was a little after one AM when Gladys and I went to sleep. I'm glad Mama can't read this dialect."

Tuesday, June 30, 1914

I have been sick naturally after having such a good time as that last recorded. Saturday I didn't feel well but I had to do most of the morning work so Mama could finish Aunt Lillie's waist. Uncle George went in her place so she didn't call for it till about noon after all Mama's hurrying to get in done in time for her to put the lace on and wear the waist when she left at 11:05. Saturday afternoon I went to bed and stayed there till a little after five when Mama woke me and told me Papa's feet hurt and he wanted me to hitch up and go after him. I did and when I got home I lay on the couch until Mama got back from taking Papa to the store after supper. Then I had to unhitch (Mama doesn't know how). After that I stayed in bed till a little after twelve Sunday. Aunt Lillie and Ruth came home to dinner with Mama, and I got up when they came. I stayed on the couch the rest of the day. Yesterday I felt pretty well but tired. Raymond Howell and I played croquet all afternoon. He beat 11 to 3.

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.