*Talking Virginia out to a New Year's Eve party when she wasn't feeling well, against her father's orders.
The first day of the new year. A party (Can't read). Had a fine time. Tomorrow night I shall have to apologize for disobeying his orders.* It was a dirty trick. Mr. Dredger says in two weeks I shall know my fate. Just think, success, Virginia as my wife and love, money to give, money to spend, money to (?) - life. Oh God, help me to win(?) for her - always. Help me to (?).
*Talking Virginia out to a New Year's Eve party when she wasn't feeling well, against her father's orders.
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In case of my death I do will and bequeath everything to my mother except this diary which shall immediately become the property of Virginia Lee Scott of 424 E. Walnut Lane. This diary shall not be read by anyone except Virginia Lee Scott unless she so wishes. Anything else of mine that Virginia shall want will be given to her at the discretion of my mother. Signed on the ninth of January, one thousand nineteen hundred and eight.
J Wilson In the front of the journal are also some newspaper clippings. One is titled "Marital Schooling is Urged by Rabbi." Rabbi W.H. Fineshriber rabbi argues for formal training to train young people in the art of marriage. John has marked passages in which the rabbi argues that children be taught about their bodies. "We know more about the Stock Exchange and the financial pages than we do our own bodies." John underlined "Young people should be taught to mingle with each other." He has cut out this poem from the newspaper: THE APPRECIATIVE LOVER ("The more I see of women," says Lady Astor, "the less I think of men.) The more of mine own self I see, Julia, the more I think of thee, Nor doth it need that I should voice My high approval of thy choice. When as we see a heart of worth Bestowed upon a clod of earth, We wonder how a thing occurred At once so tragic and absurd. But, seeing in what fitting mode My Julia's heart has been bestowed, The world but murmurs, "Truth to tell The maid hath done extremely well." So Julia, I commend thy views; For these, which led my dear to choose A heart with every virtue graced, Are evidence of perfect taste. TOUCHSTONE, in London Morning Post Here is a poem he has written on a slip of Franklin Fire Insurance notepaper: Sweet lingering kiss A moment of bliss Then I wait, I wait As the hours drag by Till the next sweet date With you. Till once again I can sigh into your shell-like ear - I love you In 1928, my Grandfather kept a diary from June through March. You, dear readers, have voted you would like to read that next! His handwriting is quite difficult for me to read, so we will see what I can decipher. Also, not every day will have an entry.
Oh glorious year! Wish you could be repeated. A senior commencement, my first position, and John.
Although it seems almost impossible, another year of my life has come and gone. In it, I have learned much, gained much, and - I wonder how much I have lost! Oh God (and I say it reverently) what have I done? The very thing John taught me not to do I have done tonight. It was not "determination" on my part but absolute "defiance." After being penned in these walls for three long days and nights (and they have been long) I still firmly believe that "Dot's" party, some fresh air, a little exercise and the company of young people, did me more good than harm. But I had strict orders not to go. Mother says I did not do wrong. We had such a wonderful time. John and I won the lucky number dance. The day is ended - the new year is here. And I begin it with the conscience of a criminal. What a little fool I have been to enjoy myself for New Year's Eve. I should have stayed at home and been miserable. Help me, Lord, to think before I act, and give me courage. Bless those near and dear to me - especially the very dearest - my mother and John. "Linus." *
*In Greek mythology, the personification of lamentation. Another day at home - Most of it in bed - I feel even worse than I did yesterday - This evening you are at home - alone and I - the same (because - to be without you - is to be alone).
All is well that ends well. The year is fast drawing to a close. How will we end it? I feel so depressed and outside the fog and rain still linger as though they wait to devour me. WHY DO WE COOK OUR FOOD? 1 - Cooking makes our food softer and loosens it so as to help our teeth masticate it. 2 - Cooking food kills any harmful microbes present. 3 - Cooking makes our food look nicer and thus easier to digest. A fog, dense fog - covers the city. Mother made me stay at home today because of a bad cold. I got up, dressed and was ready to leave.
Tonight I feel so much better. You are my doctor - my cure. Without you I am permanently ill. With you, I am happy, even with bodily ills. "The injustice of being human." Worked at the bank until 9:30 this evening. Brother met me and brought me home. I wanted to call you, pal, but you did not leave me word (last night) where to call you, though I know you would had you thought for a moment. Cousin Flo here to visit us. Fred "stood Alice up" - This is the second time lately - though it should be nothing to me - why do I write it here? But I know how she feels. I might refer to several evenings in the early part of this almost past year - but I do want to forget them. I have been reading the most weird of books, "Dracula." It is cleverly written but, oh what a tale. I saved thirty five cents today - so I will put it toward our vacation. "Our" - ??? Mother's and mine? Yours and mine? I imagine you and Fred are out together this evening. Doing what???
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FRUIT AND A VEGETABLE: The fruit of a plant is that part which bears the seed. Potatoes and cabbages, being seedless, and leaving the seed bearing to another part of the plant, are vegetables. Tomatoes and cucumbers are just as distinctly fruits as peaches or pears because they bear seeds. I am so excited - oh won't it be wonderful, marvelous - no end of joy if we can go to BH together - (with mother) - for our vacation? I am so thrilled. We will save our dimes - oh, oh, oh, oh - there is nothing to write but everything to dream and wait for. The whole family is yelling at me to go to bed - I have a cold and need to rest - but I am too enthusiastic over our plan to sleep.
Another day with you in the peace of the winter woods. Fred and Alice were supposedly with us. He, poor soul, must go back to school tonight to "play," but you, dear pal, will play with me. You would take my ring off, would you!!! But you put it back on again and I love you more than ever. You are sweeter every second. This has not seemed one bit like the day after Christmas. Perhaps it's because my gifts usually fill my thoughts - but this year it is you - just you.
TESTING A ROTTON EGG: Put the egg in the water; a good egg sinks; a bad egg floats; because the gases formed within the egg with its decomposition make it light. |
ContextThis is the journal of Virginia Lee Scott, my grandmother, written when she was seventeen and first dating my grandfather, John Arnold Wilson. It's a dairy published by Media Drug Stores and includes space for two entries per day, with facts about the era printed at the bottom, which I have included in italics. Following, 1928, is the journal of John Arnold Wilson, my grandfather, at age nineteen and in love with my grandmother, followed by my grandmother's journal in 1931. Archives
April 2018
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