Diary of Hazel Reid, Richmond, Indiana Part 3 March 1905
Wednesday- March I
Rested a little easier than the night before but my arms were somewhat stiff from using the crutches. Dressed and sat in the Morris chair to watch the school children. Fliz stopped in for about 5 minutes but had to hurry on. I spent the time most anyway until noon & Fred stopped in & brought me my Latin book. After dinner he brought me 3 bigh Grape Fruits from his mother. I though that was real kind for her to do such a thing but I never once dreamed that she would even think about me. They are just fine. I also got a package of chewing gum to exercise my "jaws" with. They have been getting eercise too. After school Etta Jones, Katheryn Rettig & Florence & Alice Hill all stopped in and stayed a while. While they were here Fred stopped in & brought some felt for me to make some banners for him. He didn't stay though. Florence came down after supper and stayed a while. She is my very best friend. Mother gave my knee a hot application and then I went to bed at 9:15- H.B.R.
[George came down after supper-staid about 30 min. He then went down to see Edna Jones.]
Thursday- 2.
Got up about 8:15 and never felt better in my life except in my knee which is much better though than it was. Fliz stopped in to take my Harmony paper in to Mr. Earhart. My average in it for last month is 93.5. That is not so bad but could be much better for that matter. The grades were 70%, 99%, 98%, 100%, 99%, 95%. If it wasn't for that 70% just see what I would have had. That's always my luck though. Fred dropped in for a minute at noon. Florence went with me down to the doctor's and my arms were about broken by the time I got there & I don't believe I ever knew how much people stared until then. I think about everyone I saw had to turn around and look at me. On the way home some children walked in back of us and instead of going around they staid behind us I guess just to watch me. I had a good notion to turn around and start after them witn a crutch. I couldn't though I guess if I wanted to. Frank Harald gave me a massage treatment & we had quite an interesting conversation. I believe I like him very well. He is about 27 years old and has just graduated from a medical college. Id like him better if he didn't have such a peculiar mother and besides he is as ugly as a mud fence. He is very witty and I really think he is well liked by nearly every one who knows him. I felt like a fool when he began to work on my knee. Poor Florence had to wait almost an hour on me but she spent the time in reading magazines so I guess the time passed pretty quick with her after all. When we got home Fliz only staid about 3 minutes. I wanted her to stay longer but as usual she had to go. She had been gone only a few minutes when Fred came. He staid until 5:40 and then decided he had better mosey on. While he was here his sister-in-law passed by with her two children and they are real cunning. The little one is most cunning as she is so nice & chubby. Read and then went to bed after mother gave my knee a hot application. H.B.R.
[Had a bid to "Prince of Pilson" but of course couldnt go.Drat it.]
Xed out-Mabel gave me notice that I was to have no company that night as John Jr. was coming down. Mother & father went & I had to pass the time away for about 10 minutes in the dining room. As luck would h
Friday 3
Got up in very good spirits and walked around about ½ the morning without my crutches. Mother told me that I would pay for it. I made fun of her. Fliz stopped in at noon and again on the way to school. Mrs. Swain came to see us in the afternoon. I promised Fliz that I would come down & meet her as she came from school. She gets out at 2:50 and abou 2:30 I was ready to go. I just simply couldn't wait any longer and so went down there on my crutches and sat on the fence until she came out. She & Marie C. went on downtown and I sat out in front with little John Crawford. I drew pictures for him on an old piece of slate which he had found out in the street. His grandmother came along and he had to go down town with her so that leaving me alone, I went in the house. Fred stopped in staid until almost six o'clock. In the meantime Mabel had given me notice that I was to have no company as John Jr. was coming down. Well Mother & Father went away so that left me alone. I started to write in my diary and Fliz came down with her's so I had real good company. About 9 o'clock Mabel & John went away and Fliz's mother made her come home so that left me all by my lonesome for about 15 minutes until mother & father came home. Mabel & John came in a few minutes. About 9:30 Mother decided that I had better go to bed and for me to take the bandages off my knee so that she could give it a hot application. Well, I did, and sat there awhile trying to see how much more I could move the knee-cap on one knee than I could on the other. It made me rather sick I guess for while Mother was giving my knee the hot application, I fainted dead away. Mother called Mabel and when she came out there she became so frightened that mother made her go away for fear that she would get ill too. Mother said her eyes were big as saucers when she came out there. I came to after she got me on the floor but when she pulled me down there I scratched myself in lumber regions, on the stool. My arms hurt from the crutches my back is sore from that scrape and my knee is sore from that fall. I am just about done up. I tell you. I didn't feel a bit sick after the affair and went to bed and slept all night. H.B.R
Saturday 4
I never put through such a morning in all my life I guess my fainting spell had something to do with it. I was half sick & mother said she never saw me so quiet in all my life. I guess I generally am pretty noisy. Miss Mering and Katheryn Rettig came to see me in the afternoon and when Miss Mering went away, I heard her tell mother not to let me go to school Monday. I wish she had kept quiet about it for she doesn't know how much I want to go. After Katheryn went away Halsey Harold came & she and Mabel went to the skating rink to watch them skate and I told Mabel to bring me a Century Magazine, so that I could read the story by Alice Hegan Rice called "Sandy." It is just fine. Frank Harold came and brought me a bottle of medicine. I had a notion not to let him in, not that I do not like him, Oh no, but because I did not want that nasty old medicine. I only took half of the other medicine he gave me. He staid until after six o'clock. Fred came down for me to go with him to the theatre but changed his mind when he saw me. He staid until 10 o'clock. Mother fixed my knee & I went to bed very miserable feeling. H.B.R.
Sunday 5
Got up about 9 o'clock and was dressed by 10 o'clock. Didn't have to go to Sunday School and so spent my time reading all morning the Sunday newspaper when I didn't have company. Mrs. Swain came again & staid a little while while Fliz & the Jones girls also came down. Fliz went to Jone's for dinner. They invited me but I declined with thanks. When I got up from the dinner table I said that I wished I could go riding and had no more than said the words when Fred called up and offered to take me. That is the only good luck I had all week. I purely did enjoy it if anyone would. We went out the straight-line pike about 7 miles and the across to the Liberty Pike, about 2 miles and then home about 8 miles, making a ide of a bout 17 miles. We were on the hunt of some old-fashioned houses but couldn't find them. We got home about 5:30 o'clock. My knee hurt but rather than go back I kept quiet about it. Fred's hat blew off once but he got out after it. It's a wonder it didn't go into a mud-puddle: wouldn't it have been a joke if it had? We were both so still when we got home that we could barely navigate. I'll wager the hore was too. It was an old plug anyhow. We passed an old church. Fred said that if I got married in a little church, he didn't know what he would do to me. I'd like to know what business it is of his if I get married in a little church or not. Away down in the south end of town we saw those little coons with their arms around each other, singing as loud as they could,
"nigger, nigger, never die,
big thick lips and shiny eye;
Big broad nose & crooked toes
That's the way a nigger goes."
I would have given anything if we could have their pictures because they certainly would have been good ones. They would have sung a different tune if we had sung that song to them, wouldn't they? We saw some of the prettiest places to have picnics. I don't know whether there were any springs around.or not, but then we could take ice with us & get the water from a farm house. That is the way we did last year at Cold Springs. After we got back I went up to Corwins for a little while and when I got back Mabel was as mad as a hornet at me. She wanted to go over to Kelsey's when I got home but I ran off up to Corwins and so she didn't get to go. After supper I thought I'd read until about 8:30 and then go to bed but I had no more than sat down when someone knocked at the door. I couldn't imagine who on earth it was but of course I soon found out. There were two this time, George R & Chas H. They came to cheer me up I guess. In about 15 mminutes Fliz walked in. Imagine her embarrassment when she saw George for she ahd told him that he couldn't come down as she had to study. I guess she felt like thirty-cents. As luck would have it she brought her books down here to study, but just the same she didn't get much done. The boys went home at 9:30 and Florence staid about 10 minutes longer. If I were she, I'd leave George alone entirely for he has told her quite a number of falsehoods and when he can't go to Edna Jone's he always goes to see her. I wouldn't take that. If I couldn't be the girl, I wouldn't be any. I won't be anyone's second choice. I guess Fliz likes George & just can't help it but I think she is now beginning to get her eyes opened. She didn't treat George very nice last summer & I think he is tired of it now & is paying her back in her own coin. I don't think he will go with Edna Jones very long for they both have such tempers and Edna is so soft & spooney. I've no use for girls like that at all. After guys quit going with spooney girls they always get together and make fun of them. Fred told me that much. I'll never spoon. I believe I have just a little too much self respect for that. It is such a foolishness anyhow. I don't think I've ever given any boy a chance to ridicule me about such things & what's more I never will. My isn't this a long speech though. The senior boys have challenged the rest of the high school in a hare & hound chase. I don't know when it's coming off though. While I was gone Fliz & Bessie Jones stopped in and Kathery brought me 3 books to read. Fixed my knee & went to bed very tired but happy. H.B.R.
Monday 6-
Worked my harmony and had enough courage to translate about 20 lines of Latin. I have about 200 more to translate before I am caught up with my class. I don't know when I'll get it done. I don't care much if I never do. I don't feel so extra today anyhow. Florence stopped in today at noon & said that she and Bessie were going down to see Miss Peele about our house party next summer and said they would stop in on their way home. After school, Fred brought me a book to read and staid about 15 inutes. Alice Hill & Kathryn Rettig then came in and staid a while. When they had been gone a few minutes, Florence & Bessie & Etta Jones came They have the hosue rented from July 1 to July 10. Wont that be just fine? Ours will be the first over there this summer and we will get all the fresh vegetables and strawberries. Oh I can hardly wait. I will be well by that time too. The club is going to meet here to talk it over. I am going to begin to make my summer clothes now, that is, do all except running the machine which I can't do for a month. I can make the trimming though. Florence came down after supper to stay while her mother went away. We were both so tired that she lay down on the davenport and I lowered the Morris chair and then we both went sound asleep. We had the light pushed out and every little bit we would wake up and talk confidentially you know. We gave wach other advise too. About 10 o'clock Mrs. Corwin called up for Florence to coem home but mother persuaded her that Florence ought to stay. I then got ready to have my knee fixed and when no one was in the room, I took a crazy notion to faint. I called & Fliz got there just in time to catch me and Mabel ran for the smelling salts. Mother called to father to put me on the floor but as Florence was there he had to dress first. When I came to partly mother asked me if I was alright I said "yes" and away I went again. By that time father had me on the floor and I was alright in a few minutes. I had them about frightened to death I said. Fliz said she wouldn't have missed it for anything. I felt alright after it was over and after Fliz & I were in bed, we talked until about 12 o'clock. I guess we went to sleep for that is all that I can remember.H.B.R.
Tuesday 7-
We got up about 8 & Fliz had to hustle, pretty lively to get to school on time. I had her all posted about what to tell Fred and I guess it worked for he stopped in at noon to see how I was. He staid until 12 o'clock & the moseyed on home. He came back after school and staid until 5:45 and he brought me the prettiest flower you ever saw, a rose. Mrs Lovin, my aunt, & Opal were here when he came but they didn't stay very long. Charles H. & George R. stopped in long enough for Mabel to promise them some of the ginger bread which she was making. After supper they came down with an Indian hatchet & when Mabel came to the door they about frightened her to death. While they were eating the bread The B.O.G. girls came and I think those boys enjoyed themselves immensely then. They made Mabel promise to let them know when she made some more ginger-bread & then went down to High School. I suppose they are up to some mischief down there. After the B.O.G. girls left, Florence studied Latin and then at 9:45 we went to bed. When we were about asleep mother waked us up by coming in to see if we were in bed. We then heard a noise in the living room and found out that Mabel had a crowd of young people in there and they were going to have a lunch. We smelled the coffee cooking and that made us hungry. We hoped that there would be something left so we could have it, and were fixing our stomachs for it. I never in all my life giggled so hard. We would take a person's name and exchange the letters of their names, thusly. Hazel Reid would be Razel Heid, & Henley Bell=Benley Hell. We nearly made ourselves sick over it. By the time we had quit that foolishness, the people in front were eating. We sneaked out in the kitchen but we didn't find anything, and went back to bed hoping that some one would leave something on their plates. We acted silly some more and Mabel said taht she could hear us clear in the living room. Mother scolded us several times but that only made it all the worse. When the plates were brought back all all was quiet Florence & I sneaked out, I hopping but to our dismay we found only a lady finger and ½ pickle. We divided that and looked further in the pantry where we found a dish half full of beans and some bread. We took that into our room and ate every speck. We had bad dreams all the rest of the night. H.B.R.
Wednesday 8
Got up at 8 o'clock and Florence was almost late to school. Nothing much happened except that Frank Harold came down & gave me a treatment in the morning. Fred came down in the evening and staid until 6 o'clock. Mother went down to the meat market and Fred said he would stay until she came back. Nothing especially happened after supper. Florence stopped in several times during the day. Went to bed about 8:30 o'clock. H.B.R.
Thursday 9
I figited around so much in bed last night that Mabel decided not to sleep with me anymore. I was rather glad of the fact. Nothing in particlular happened in the morning. Frank Harald came. Alice Hill stopped at 2 P.M. & staid until 3 o'clock. About 3:15 Charles H & George Rettig came & while they were here, Fred came. We talked for about 30 minutes & George saw Fliz & Bessie come in the front entrance & he & Charles hid at each end of the Davenport. When the girls came in they saw Charles but didn't see George for about 15 minutes. They went away at about 5 o'clock. Fred staid until 5:40. Fliz came down after supper and we wrote in our diaries until we got tired. Then she, Mabel, & father had a concert. I played on the piano. You should have heard us. Fred & George went by on the way to the theatre and said they heard some kind of racket but couldn't make it out. We were imitating a country church choir. Fliz went home about 10 o'clock & I went to bed. H.B.R.
Friday 10
Got up about 9 o'clock & read all morning. After school I entertained, Mrs. Knodle, Edith Moore, Ethel Henderson, Constance Bell, Edith Taylor, Bessie Jones, Alice Hill, Charles Hetzler, George Rettig, and Fred Gennett. How is that for company. I believe they like to come simply because they all like to get together. Fred gave mother a bo of marshmallows for me. He was afraid to give it to me for fear I would have to pass them around. The doctor came & that scared the company all away. Poor Fred, I guess he thinks he has a hard time to get a few minutes with me alone. He always stays about 15 minutes later than anyone else does but had to give it up tonite. Perhaps he will have better luck next time. After supper, Florence, Etta & Bessie Jones came down. About nine o'clock Fliz & Bessie Jones came down to the P.O. with Mrs Corwin & whne she tapped on the window I raised the curtain on John H. & a crowd of people. I felt like 30¢. The girls came back and we talked very earnestly until after 10 o'clock. Mother fixed my horrid old knee again & I went to bed.
END OF VOLUME 2
Sat 11. Have decided not to write such foolish stuff in this book. I read over the last one and there is really more slang in it than there is sense. Mabel spilled the ink bottle so I have to write with a lead pencil until I get some more ink. I felt rather bad all day today. Fred came down after supper and staid until 10:30. Fixed my knee and went to bed.
Sunday 12. Staid in bed until 10 o'clock and then got ready for the doctor. Florence, Etta, Bessie & Katheryn & Carl Bernhardt all came down in the afternoon. Katheryn and Florence & Carl went home & so I invited the Jone's girls to stay for supper. They accepted my invitation and then we told Fliz to come down. While we were at the supper table, George came and we had quite a nice time at least that is what George told Fred. Fred went to Indianapolis with his grandmother. so of course he didn't appear. It is the first day he has missed since I have been sick.
Monday 13. The doctor came as usual and about killed me. I guess my knee is not healing as fast as it ought to. Fred came at noon and staid about 15 minutes. I guess he couldn't wait until night. he said he saw something over at Indianapolis that he wanted to get for me but he couldn't give his grandmother the slip. I'd like to know what it was. he wouldn't tell me. I suppose that is another mystery. he stopped in at noon on the way to school & brought me "Treasure Island," Beverly of Graustark," and "The Foolish Dictionary." I read "The Foolish Dictionary" and started "Berverly of Graustark."
Monday, April 17th. Decided not to write until I had something to tell about. Today is my birthday. Just think of it. I am 19 years old. I tried to start to school the other day but the seats were too uncomfortable. I go without my crutches almost entirely now bu of course that means that I am not to walk any more than it is necessary. Florence & George are on better terms than they were for a while. I had a chafing dish party and I think they came to a better understanding. Fred takes me driving every few days so you see I get fresh air sometimes. Florence goes with Katheryn Rettig now and I don't blame her much for she would have a very dull time if she sat around with me all the time. I hope Katheryn thinks as much of her as i do. I always made me feel like helping someone, after I had been with her a while. She is as good as she can be and I am proud to call her my friend. The house party is only two months off. By that time I think my knee will perfectly well. Mabel gave me a pair of black silk hose for my birthday and Fred gave me a years Subscription for a music journal. I appreciated them very much. I feel ten years older since I have been hurt. I go down to the doctors office now to take my treatment. Good bye till next time. H.B.R.
May 13-Saturday. The field meet came off today. Richmond took second place and won the relay cup. Marion took first place, Anderson third, and Kokomo last. George won the 100 yard dash quarter mile, mile, and relay. races. he certainly did fine. I went to the banquet with Fred afterwards and had a very nice time. Of course I didn't dance but then I met a very nice man from Anderson by the name of Carr. He had red hair. I felt rather strange up there sitting back as a wall flower. Harry Ross took Florence. George took Edna Jones. Got back at 11:30. H.B.R.
Friday, June 2- Well, several things have happened since my last writing. Fred & I had a little tilt but we are all right now. Florence & George do not go together any more at all. Mother and Father are at Chicago today and then tomorrow will go on to St. Paul, on down to Decatur, and thence home. Our class picnic was today, it being held at Sylvan Nook. My knee still being very weak I could not go around very much. Fred took our pictures (3 of me alone). They will be good I think at least I hope they will. Had a very nice time. Alice Hill tore my waist about six inches which was very unfortunate for me. I had forgotten to tell Mr. Wilson to take Father's place at the choir & so Fred & I wen to a farm-house to telephone but failed to get any answer. On the way back we sat down by the road and picked white clover. You shoudl have heard what Fred said. He evidently would not have said it if he had not meant it. He asked me to give him a chance to propose when we both became older and then when he does propose I am to accept him. I told him I would have to think a good long while before I would consent to any such arrangements & I also told him not to build his hopes high for they might fall into ruins. I made a wreath of the clover when we got back to the grounds and I think about everyone had to wear it for a while. Some of the boys burned a tree down trying to cathc a ground squirrel. Boys are the rudest things I ever saw. We all got home about 9:30. I don't think I budged the whole night through. Bye Bye. H.B.R.
Sunday June 4-Mother and Father came home this morning and Mother brought me my commencement sash from Chicago. It is simply beautiful. Fred came down that night. H.B.R.
Wednesday-June 7. Mother received word from Detroit that her brother John was dead so they are going tomorrow at 11 o'clock. We insulted Aunt Matilda I am afraid for she went to Aunt Lizzie's to help her get ready after mother sent her. I will have to finish my commencement dress, and the worst of all, no one but Mabel & Mary will be at the chapel Fri. AM. I am so sorry. Mother evened my skirt around the bottom and then we all went to bed. H.B.R.
Thursday-June 8. Went down to school to get our class picture taken . Fred came home with me and then we two went down to the station to buy mother's and father's tickets and Aunt Liz & Aunt Matilda were both there but Aunt Matilda wouldn't recognize me. "What fools some mortals be." The folks left at 11 o'clock and I finished my dress. It is beautiful. Figured swiss trimmed with very expensive embroideries and the nicest part about it is, that I made nearly all of it myself & I am the only one in the entire class who has the honor of being able to say that about their commencement dress. I was very tired, but at about six o'clock, all theB.O.G. girls came down and staid until 9 o'clock. Then I went to bed. H.B.R.
Friday, June 9-Commencement Day. Just think of it. I can't realize that I am now through school. My ambition has always been to go to a School for Trained Nurses and had it not been for my injury this spring, I should have gone to Waltham this next autumn but I shall now have to banish that idea from my head altogether, although the disappointment is indeed great to me. I suppose now I shall have to settled down & learn to do general housekeeping and everything else a young woman should know before she enters upon her duty as a hen-pecked and abused wife. Shall I be an old maid, the wife of a wealthy man or a poor man? Shall I be happy or unhappy? I do not know & neither does anyone else know of the future which lies before us. I imagine the only way to do is to do your best and let Dame Fortune & Providence do the rest for us. What a mystery is life but the should any misfortunes come in the future to us & we know now, we should never be happy. How mysterious everything is. I hate mysteries anyhow, i.e. some kinds.
Well the cab came before I was dressed and such a flutter! Edith Moore, Alice Hill, Marjorie Ford, Elizabeth Hasemeier, and I wall went together. After we got to school, Alice Hill came back with me and I sewed a tuck in my girdle & sash for I was literally coming to pieces. I also went back to see if the Richmond roses had come which Fred had ordered for me. He knew Clarence Worrall had sent me some and so said that if he were sure I would carry his own he would send me some, but if I wouldn't carry them, he wouldn't order them for that purpose & then to find me carrying someone else's (so I promised I would carry no others but his). I let Alice Hill carry my others. On the stage I sat in the front row & had my head fairly split with pain. Several things happened. First-the curtains knocked over the table with a large vase of cut-flowers and the diplomas were on the bottom. The water spilled all over us people who were sitting near. Fred & Alice caught the thing and everyone in the audience giggled at the affair. Next, Mr. Mott pronounced about half the names wrong when he presented the diplomas & when they called out my name he stuck the diploma under his arm and started to call the next name. There I stood like a green-horn and idiot waiting for the diploma. Everyone in the audience snickered. That is to say, some did. Even Mott smiled when he saw the reason. They always do make fun of me, but I reckon I am such a dunce, that I can't help it. When we got home (Alice Hill & Fred came with me, Pooley Worral too & george too) I found several more presents. I'll name as many as possible. 9 sterling silver spoons, pair silk hose, naval academy belt buckle, 4 books, brooch. 3 ½ doz cut flowers, hangerchief, pair lace ties, a vase & 2 dishes for painting, a sterling hat-pin, a top-collar & bottle toilet water, and of course my dress, I guess that is all I got as I never can remember them all. I got lots more things than nearly all the girls. Edith Moore got a diamond ring. I suppose I'll have to get engaged before I can have one, but I'd rather go without I believe.