June 18, 1901. I have been thinking for sometime that it would be very nice to keep a journal and have at last decided to do so. We are living on a ranch. It is three miles from the town of Clarkston. It is a very beautiful place, but, oh, it is so lonesome at times that I hardly know what to do. This is not our home. We live about 25 miles south of here at a place called Manilla. It was quite lonesome up here before one of my sisters, Margaret, came up. She came up last Tuesday, June 11.

There has been a case of smallpox in town so there was no meeting or Sunday School for two Sundays, but there was yesterday. I stayed downtown after meeting until Monday morning. Sunday evening, a crowd of us, including Rosa A, Silva T., Margaret B., Carrie B., Miss Burke, Carrie Godfrey, and myself got together and played games and had a very nice time.

June 23. I am at home alone today except for my little brother and sister, Amy and Lorenzo. I went to Sunday School, abut came home to watch the sheep and cattle while Papa went to meeting, and, oh, I'm so lonesome I hardly know what to do. I have always been used to attending Sunday School and Sacrament Meeting and it gives me the blues to have to stay home. Margaret went down to Sunday School with us, but is not going to come back until tomorrow, Monday.

July 8. I am sitting here all by myself tonight so I thought I would write a few lines in my journal. I am at my dear old home again. It seems so nice to be here. If Mama was only here; it seems so lonesome without her. One of my sisters, Susie, who has been staying here with Auntie, has gone out to the Schoolhouse tonight to committee meeting. We expect to have a good time down here on the 24th and she is one of the committee. She is going up to Clarkston the end of this week and I am going to stay here with Auntie. I hope we have a better time down here on the 24th than we had up in Clarkston on the 4th. I did not have scarcely any time. I did not stay down to the dance in the evening because I was coming home the next day, Friday, and Papa wanted to get an early start. We would not have got down at all if it had not of been for the kindness of a family in town who sent a team up after us, Margaret and I. He came in a lumber, but it was an all right ride. Last night was conjoint meeting. Susie and I went out to it. We had a fine meeting and it seemed so nice to go to conjoint meeting as I had not been for so long. I have the blues tonight. I have been thinking of a conversation I had with a friend yesterday, Sunday. I shall never forget the feeling of sympathy that I felt as I talked with him. Oh, if I could only help him out. If any words to the one who has caused him sorrow would do any good, but I fear it would not.

July 25. Last Monday the 22nd was a friend of mine, Mattie Green's birthday, and she had a party to which I was invited. There was not many there, as it was so near the 24th and everyone was busy getting prepared for it, but we had a good time anyway. Got home at 12, so there was present at the party Parley C., Edgar C., Peter N., Mr. Watt, Mr. Walker, Charley Green, Laura H., Myrtle G., Ida G., and myself.

I just had a lovely time yesterday the 24th. The program started at half past one and kept up till three. Then they ran foot races and horse races, also ran one wheelbarrow race, and, oh, it was fun to watch them. Then there was the dance at night. We just had an excellent time.

The last part was not so good as the first because a crowd of the boys had liquors. There was only one boy dead drunk; three or four were almost, but they had sense enough to know what they were doing. Four or five of them just had a little. The boy who was drunk, George B., came up to me and grabbed hold of my arm and said, "Will you dance with me?" After telling him I would not, he said, "I didn't want you to." Then grabbing hold of a young man's arm who stood there, he said, "She wouldn't dance with me, wasn't that funny?" He told him he did not blame me. He said, "Well I didn't want her to." And he could not stand straight. He would keep falling. His brother older than him, John B., who has always lived with his aunt, does not drink or smoke. Lewis, the oldest of the three, who was almost drunk, and George, the younger, both smoke and drank. He, John, sat and watched George how he was acting and tears came to his eyes. He tried to get George not to act like that, but it did no good. He sat and cried for a long while, then he got up and went out and stood on the steps. George got up and went out. His brother J. who stood in the door took hold of him and said, "George, where are you going?" "I'm going to get a drink of beer, of course." Then John said, "George, you are not going to get another drink of beer tonight. You shall not go out there." He did not go out there either.

But we had a pretty good time as there was enough there to dance with besides those who had had liquor. I was treated with ice cream, lemonade, candy, oranges, by some of the boys and reached home twenty minutes after three.

July 28. I have just returned from meeting and I have such a good spirit. We had one of the loveliest meetings. The Bishop spoke about the 24th, of the boys drinking beer, and he said there was a mission for the young girls to do. If they would talk to those young men kindly, not to get angry, that it might stop them from drinking. They might in after years bless them, and it made one feel like if there was any good I could do at home I would do it.

After meeting I had a little talk with George Bronson. And he said he was ashamed of himself. He hardly knew what to do with himself. He was never going to drink again if he could help it. He would try anyway, and thought he would succeed.

And as I was coming home, Parley C. and Peter N. came out to Nicholsen's gate and stopped me. They said they wanted to have a talk with me and I stopped, and we stood there and talked for about an hour. Parley wished to ask me a few particulars about Margaret, which I answered as best I could. We talked about the dance, about the beer the boys had. Peter had some to the dance, but Parley didn't. Peter said he was sorry he had taken any. He did not mean to take as much as he did. He wished he had never tasted liquor, then he would not crave for it. It makes me feel so sorry to talk to them. Poor boys, the temptation is too great at times. All I can do for them is to pray to our Heavenly Father asking Him to help them.

September 7, 1901. After waiting so long, I will now endeavor to write a little. Sunday before last, August, after meeting, I went home with Vessie, my sister. And after eating dinner, we went up and watched them, a large crowd of boys belonging to this place, play ball. There was quite a crowd of girls, also boys, watching. We just had a fine tie watching them. Last Saturday, August, Letitia and I went over to Deweyville with Christensens, Anna and Osro, to watch a ball game between Dewey and Manilla. Oh, it was fun to watch them. We girls just stood and laughed almost all the while. It was about 2 o'clock when we went and it was nine when we got back.

When we reached home some friends from Clarkston, whom we had been expecting, were there, David Dow, Herbert Thompson, Jane Thompson, and two of my sisters, Margaret and Susie. Herbert Thompson is keeping company with my sister Margaret. A very enjoyable evening was spent chatting.

The next day was Sunday. We went to Sunday School and Meeting. After meeting, the folks, David D., Herb T., Jane T., and Letitia H., Margaret H., Susie H., went up to Vessie's. I went home.

Then a friend of mine, Mattie Green, came up and we went to conjoint meeting. Letitia went back up to Clarkston with the folks and, Susie stayed down here. Semour Miller, one of my brother-in-laws, who lives in Penrose, a small settlement about 14 miles west of here, came over after Susie. She is going to stay with Lily two or three months.

Oh, it seemed so lonesome after she went. I have not been alone here with Auntie for three or four weeks. Letitia has been down with me. Tomorrow is Sunday, but there is no Sunday School or Meeting because they have been painting the benches and it is not dry yet. I do not know what I will do. It will be so lonesome, but I guess I will be able to find something to read to pass the day.

September 9. One of my sisters, Eliza Willey, who lives at Mendon, came over yesterday. She has a girl about my age, so I had plenty to do. They went home the same day, so did not make much of a visit. But it was better than none.

September 26. We had a dance last night that was an ice cream party. We had an excellent time. There was not any of the boys drunk. It was quite crowded, but we just had a lovely time. I had two dishes of ice cream and had a chance to have four, but did not care for any more. Osro Christensen gave me one, Chester Green, the other. And Lewis Bronson and John Green offered me some, but I did not accept it. It was half past two when I got home. Did not have any partner, but could have had two, Osro Christensen and Lewis B., but I preferred going alone. I am quite sleepy today after being up so late.

October 27. I have just returned from meeting. It has been storming almost all day, and it was awfully muddy. We had to walk out the distance of one mile and it stormed like everything all the way aback. It is just as dandy as it can be now. I have been going to school for two weeks now but do nor know whether I will go tomorrow or not. The girls, Letitia and Margaret, moved down from Clarkston last Tuesday, October 22, but I do not know when Papa and Mama will move down. We have a post office here in our little place, now. It seems nice to have one, and have changed the name from Manilla to Elwood. We expect to have a dance next Friday, Nov. 1. It is a pie dance, but I do not think I will take any pie.

November 11. I have the blues tonight. One of the young folk of our ward, Anna Bloom, has just passed this stage of existence. She is only seventeen years of age. She has always been very sickly. She died with rheumatism. We had a fast and prayer meeting last Thursday for her. That is, the young ladies did. It seemed to ease her pain a little, but, of course, it was the will of our Heavenly Father that she should go. Her mother is dead, but she has a stepmother and father and three brothers, and she has no sisters.

We had our dance last Friday evening, November 8. It was not a pie dance though. Oh, I had such an enjoyable time. It was not very crowded. While I was dancing with Charley Jensen, a silly looking boy whom I very much dislike, what should he do but ask me if he could take me home. It gave me quite a shock I can assure you, but as soon as I could collect my feelings, I told him I would go home alone or with the girls Letitia and Margaret. Well, of course, they both had a partner. I rode home with Letitia and her escort, Orlyn Haws. Parley Christensen took Margaret home. Mr. Bleecher, Haws cousin, being the teamster, took Olive and LoVisa home first and it was an awful long ride, about four miles. It was just ten minutes after two when I reached home.

One of my sisters, Ethyl, was married to Willy Smith, Wednesday, October 30. They are going to live in Brigham. We are going to have a wedding supper next Thursday evening, Nov. 14 for them.

There is also a dance Friday evening. It is a benefit dance for Charley Green. He is going to Logan to take a missionary course.

November 17. We had the wedding supper last Thursday, Nov. 14. We had a delightful time. It was quite crowded. There were forty-three in number. After eating supper, the forepart of the evening was spent in singing and reciting and the latter part in playing games. The crowd broke up about 2 o'clock. The bride was dressed in a white cashmere trimmed with silk cream colored satin and braid. She had a bunch of orange blossoms on her breast also a bunch in her hair. She just looked lovely.

We also had our dance last Friday, November 15. I just had a lovely time, but I got so sleepy before it let out after being up so late the other night, but I had a lovely time anyway. It was about two o'clock when we reached home.

December 29, 1901. Again I take time to write a few lines in my journal. Today is Sunday, but it doesn't seem a bit like Sunday although I have been to Sunday School and Sacrament Meeting. Margaret is keeping company with Parley Christensen, again. For the last three of four Sundays he has been coming over, but he is sick today, so he has not come over. Mama is out to Lewis's. It seems so funny not to have Parley C. over after he has started to come.

Last Saturday, Dec. 21, cousin Levi, Charles and Oscar Dunn, and Levi's girl Anna Miller were over. They stayed until Monday. On Sunday evening, Parley Christensen, Orlyn Haws, he is going with Susie, Clara Hansen and Anna Christensen came over and we spent the evening in playing games. We just had a lovely time. Levi is going to Germany on a mission on the 11th of January.

Tuesday evening we had a program and a Christmas tree after the program. The boys cleared the benches out and we danced until after eleven. Wednesday evening we had a dance. We had an excellent time.

Thursday, all the officers of the Primary Association had to go out to the schoolhouse and clean the house and sew some stockings, fill them with candy and put the presents on the tree. Then Friday afternoon, all the Primary children, the officers, and the parents were to meet at the schoolhouse, and we had a little dance for the children and a short program. The children were given their presents and went home. Then at night we had a dance given by the Primary to get money to buy books for the Association. We had a lunch and a cup of chocolate for ten cents, and, as I am an officer, I had to take my turn waiting on the table. We just had a lovely time. There was not a bit of liquor there. Each of us officers took two pies and a cake. We made over $11 after paying for the presents and paying all expenses.

February 1, 1902. I have had many pleasant times since last I wrote. I have attended two dances, one surprise party, and a few other enjoyments. I attended one dance last Friday evening, Jan. 24. It was quite stormy. There was only Susie and I here to go. Letitia was out west about a mile and a half, or two miles staying with Alf Atkinson's wife while he was after posts and Margaret was over to Honeyville staying with Aunt Mary Grant. We just had an excellent time. It was after two o'clock when we reached home all by ourselves. The dance before that Ethel was here and Susie was to Brigham City, and there was all four of us girls, Ethel, Letitia, Margaret, and myself were to go out to it. We had a good time and reached home about half past one. Parley Christensen brought Margaret and the rest of us came home alone, although Letitia and I each had a chance, such as they were. Peter N. asked Letitia and Lewis B. asked me, but, of course, we did not let them bring us.

April 13,1902. Again I endeavor to write a few lines in my journal. Many pleasant incidents have happened since last I wrote, which I will not endeavor to name. Martin came home last night, or this morning rather, about 2 o'clock. It seemed so nice to have him home again. He has been gone for 21 months. I am staying with Auntie again this summer. The folks went to Clarkston on the third. It seems quite lonesome without them here.

Since I last wrote we have had a play here which was called, "The Spinster of Convention." We had it last month. There was thirteen girls in it. It was four old maids, but, of course, we were none of us old maids, except one. We dressed as old fashioned as we could. We had it in the evening and I can tell you it was crowded. Then after the play, which lasted about an hour and a half, the boys cleared out the benches and we had a dance. We stayed dressed just as we were and I can tell you we did have a time. Here are the names of the members and their offices: Sylvia Hansen - Aunt Clintie, Chairman; Ida Green - Aunt Cattie; Anna Christensen - Gusta Gushing, Secretary; Olive Hall - Silent Sensible, Organist; Margaret Hunsaker - Precia Patience, Chorister; Letitia Hunsaker - Beauty Bixter, Treasurer; Clara Hansen - Charity Longface; Susie Hunsaker - Tobitha Stuckup; Mattie Green - Samantha Spooner; Aleen Hunsaker - Peggy Pettigrew; Cecelia Larsen - Geneva Gentle; Myrtle Green - Polly Pokyournose; Margaret Peterson - Priscilla Precise. Quite a list of them, is there not. Well we had our play on Friday then on Monday we all went to Brigham and had our photos taken. We have not received them yet. We will get them tomorrow I guess.

May 4, 1902. Many pleasant events have transpired since I last wrote. We have had two dances, one a Primary dance April 25. We had ice cream and lemonade. Lewis B. took me up for ice cream and seemed quite himself again, you know. I reached home a little after two.

Thursday, May 1 was choir practice and of course I went out. When it let out it was so dark outside that it was impossible almost to see the road, so, as I was the only one who went out from here, Charley Green brought me home. I would not have let him bring me if it had not been so dark.

On Friday night, May 2, was another dance. It was a young ladies' dance. We also had ice cream, lemonade, and had a fishpond, too. I had one dish of ice cream with, you must not laugh, Hans Larsen. Had a chance to have four more, first with John Green, second Charles Green, third Alfie Johansen, and fourth, best of all, with Lewis Bronson. I could not have ate any more than the one dish, or it would have made me sick. But Lewis was going to make me eat some anyway, and we got up to go and eat some but the table was full. The dance let out just a short time after so we did not get any, and I was glad of it. Mattie came over to my place after the dance and stayed all night. She came up about 3 in the day and went out with me to the dance, then came back. Parley Christensen, Margaret's fellow, brought me home. He likes to have someone that he can talk to about her. He seems just like a brother to me.

Margaret said George B. would be a good boy if it was not for the bottle. Oh yes, Rass Christensen, a big tall fellow about seven feet high, brought me home from meeting last Sunday in his buggy. I do not know what will happen next, do you? President Kelly, Brother Q.N. Stowe, Brother Jensen, and Elder Shipp were up visiting us today. We had a fine meeting. I am so sleepy I cannot write any more this time.

June 15. Many things, both pleasant and disagreeable, have transpired since I last wrote. There has been two dances, two surprise parties, one on my sister's husband, Hyrum Christensen, the other on Sylvia Hansen, the schoolteacher. We had one of the loveliest dances Friday night. There was only our Elwood people there. It just kept us girls flying because there was so many more boys than girls and you cannot imagine who brought me home. Well, I will tell you. Frank and Garina brought me over. It was 12:30 o'clock when it let out and we got home and stood outside and talked and talked. It was 2:30 o'clock when I went in. Then they had to go clear out there.

July 26. I am now going to try and write a few lines in my journal. How long it has been since I have written. How changed things are since then. I must relate a few of the most important incidents connected with my life since then.

Let's begin with the next Sunday night. Ethel and Willy made ice cream to sell and after meeting was out Osro Christensen, Garina's fellow, and Frank Johnson came home with us. Ethel made me stay in the sitting room to entertain them while she made the ice cream. So we sit in there and talked and talked two or three hours. Osro kept trying to get me to go out after Garina, but I would not for a long while until Frank and Osro both began to tease. Frank said it I would go out with them, they would come right back as soon as he milked his two cows and get Garina to come over, too. So out we started. They made me get in the middle and take hold of each of their arms and that is the way we walked. When we got almost out there, we met Garina. She was just coming over home. She went back with us and we waited until Frank got his milking done, then started out. We had quite a time with the barley. Frank kept tickling me with it until I made him stop. We reached home all right.

There was an awful large crowd there for ice cream. They all left for home about eleven o'clock. All that was left was Will's two brothers, Ray and Art, Osro, Frank, and Garina, besides us that belonged right there, which was Ethel, Willie, Abe and myself. Ray was fooling a little with Garina and it made Osro jealous. So he went home and never even took her after bringing her over. It made her angry and she gave him the sack the next Sunday, which I was very glad of.

Well, about twenty-five minutes after eleven, Frank and Garina started for home. I was going to go a ways with them, until I thought I had went far enough, down to the corner of the wheat field. So, of course, we stopped. Can you imagine my surprise when he drew me in front of him and his one arm stole around my neck while the other held my hand. He held me so tight that my head rested on his breast. We stood there for over an hour, Garina was there, too, remember, until he said he guessed they had "better be agoing." Well, he only said that about a dozen times before he went. He told me he would be over one night that week. Well, at last we parted, I to my way, and them to theirs.

What an odd feeling crept into my heart that night. This young man had been the furtherest from my mind. I did not feel like I cared for him. How funny it would be to have him come over. Well, that funny time never came. I was at home Monday night but went up to Clarkston Tuesday, stayed until Thursday, then went up to Vessie's Thursday evening, June 26 and have not been home since. I am staying up here with her.

Well whether I was home or not, he never came over there for the dance that Friday night. But none of them were over. But ever since that it seems like he has tried to avoid me. We have had quite a few dances since. They were not over on the fourth only in the day. They were over on the 24 both day and night, but it was ver little I got to say to him. Garina came up with me after the program in the day, but it was not even dusk when we got back down. George B, and Peter N. said they would be up after us and we were bound they would not. I might have had another fellow, too. Osro came up to see me one night and said he would call again, but I told him he did not need to bother. I have not spoken to him since.

Well last Sunday after meeting, Garina and I were going to get us some fellows and go home with Ethel and Will and have some ice cream, but we did not know who to ask. Will said he would get me someone so, so before I could think, he called F. over. I felt so funny I hardly knew what to do after the way we had been treating each other. Will asked him to come over, told him that I wanted him to and a whole pack of stuff till I hardly knew what to do. Then Ethel and Will started out and I asked him if he was coming over. And he said, yes, he would be over in a little while. I told him I guessed he would like to come. He promised me he would and all he said was, "I never did come did I." So Garina, Mattie, and I started for home. They both went over with me. We had not been there long before Frank came. Well, he acted quite himself again. He stayed until about half past eight, then they all started for home. He said he had to get home to milk his cows, but I knew better. He was uneasy and did not care to stay, that was all. Well, he does not need to worry, for with my Heavenly Father's help, I will blot out foolish feelings, which surges in my breast for him, which will be easily done.

August 24, 1902. Well I am up at the old lonesome ranch again and it is Sunday, but we are not going anywhere. Ma, Amy and myself are the only ones here. Pa, Susie and Lorenzo went down home yesterday morning. Susie is going to stay a while and Letitia is coming up. I have been up two days yesterday. Margaret came down on the seventh and I came up on the ninth. I can tell you it is lonesome up here.

I went to Saltair on the sixth and had a glorious time. It was the first time I ever rode on the train and, oh, the beautiful sights that I saw. I shall never forget. I was with Wilford and Letitia all the time. Letitia and I hid from the folks twice and had them hunting all over for us. Oh, the fun we had. It was 2:30 o'clock at night when we reached home. There was 32 down from Elwood. Yes, and I danced down there too; the floor was just like glass and such a large room, too. I also had my fortune told.

September 16. I will again endeavor to scratch a few lines in my journal. It has been some time since I have written. When last I wrote I was up at Clarkston, but I am now sitting in a classroom at Brigham. But I am not studying because it is my first day and I have not brought my books. I do not feel at home at all. I do not know anyone at all and it seems so lonesome. I came down from Clarkston Saturday with Lily and Ethel. They came up Thursday. I stayed over home until after Sunday School and Meeting. Then I went out to Penrose with Lily and came down yesterday with Nettie and Clarence Millers. It was with very heavy heart that I left my Elwood home.

There was a funeral there Sunday. Sister Johnson's baby was buried. They had the services along with the afternoon meeting. Oh, and it made my heart ache. I never cried so hard in my life. I never saw boys cry so hard before, just like their hearts would break. It being Garina's little brother and her feeling so bad, it gave me the blues so hard I can hardly stand it, seeing my dearest friend feeling so bad.

Well, well, I have just found out that I am in the wrong room. Oh, if it is not awful being a stranger in a strange land. At last I am in the apartment to which I should belong, but as yet do not know anyone, and there is no prospects of my knowing them.

October 26 1902. Oh, how long it has been since I last wrote. I was at Brigham then, now I am at Clarkston. Of course, you will wonder how it all happened. Well I will tell you. I just went to school two days and it was so awful I could not stand it, so I made up my mind I would not go another day. So I wrote to Ma telling her what I was or had done. But of course, I did not wait for a reply. Sunday morning, Maud and I went up to Dewey on the train. Henry met us there. I stayed over home with Ethel a whole week, then went up to Vessie's, where I stayed almost two weeks. Before I had been there for a week I received a letter from the folks up home, stating that Susie and I were to go up to Clarkston and let Letitia and Margaret come home. There was going to be a dance Friday night and they would come down Friday and we would go up Saturday.

Well, the first Sunday evening I was there, there was a surprise on Charlie Johnson. It was gotten up by Ida Green and Nels Nelson, and poor me was not invited. You can never imagine how I felt that night. I could have cried my eyes out. After crying myself to sleep, that, of course was the morning, I woke feeling all right again. A week after, Clara Hansen had a party over to her place. There was an awful crowd, not any too large though to have a good time, and I can tell you I had an excellent time, played all kinds of games. Everyone seemed full of fun. We even found out who our future husband would be. Well, you could not imagine who I got. Well, I will tell you, Walter Fridell was the bird. I'm glad I do not have to have him. I do not like him a little a bit. It was one o'clock when I reached home after having a most excellent time.

Well, Friday, the girls came down. We did not have a very good time. It was too crowded, but it might have been worse. Saturday the eleventh we came up.

Last Monday in the middle of the night, Lewis and Nellie came up with the sad news that Simeon, our oldest brother, was dead. He passed away Sunday the twelfth. He lived in Mexico, had two wives, Ada and Mathilda, and had seven children. Oh, what a painful shock it was to us, especially Mama. It seems like we cannot feel bright again. It seems like it has been a fatal shock, but of course, time will mend it all as it always does. Lewis has gone down to Mexico to settle affairs, then they will all come up here and live.

December 29. Over two months have passed by since I last wrote and a great many things have happened. We came down from Clarkston on the 7th of November.

On the 20th, the folks came up from Mexico. And it does not seem at all like home with so many young ones all the time.

We have attended four dances since we came down, one a Primary dance; we had a pretty good time to it. We did not dance so very much, but Garina and me had a good time, all by ourselves, best talk we ever had together.

The next, a farewell party for Christ Olsen. We had a pretty good time to it, only it was so awfully crowded, so many of his relations being there. The next night after his dance, there was a home dramatic play by some of our boys and girls. It was just fine.

Then the next day was Sunday and that night conjoint meeting. Then the next night there was a play by the Deweyville Dramatic Company. We did not go to it though; we were too tired.

Well, the next was Christmas. In the day we had a program and at night a dance. We had a grand time to it, the best time we had for a long time, and we all went home feeling so good. Letitia and I did not have any partners and we did not want to ride with Susie and Wilford, Margaret and Parley. So we started out and when we heard them cross the bridge, we lay down in the ditch up along the bank, and they passed by and did not see us. When we got almost home, we met Susie and Wilford coming back after us. They thought we were back at the schoolhouse looking for them. We have not told them yet where we were.

There was another dance the next night. There had been a program and children's Dance that day, and we were all so awfully tired, we did not any of us go home. Letitia, Susie, and I went over to Hansen's. Well, we had a fine time to that dance, only we were so awful tired. Well, I have not got rested up yet, I am so sleepy.

Age 16 years. March 15, 1903. It has been almost three months since I wrote last in my journal. Everything is going on as usual. It is Sunday today. We have been to Sunday School and Meeting and just got home a short time ago. I have the blues today. I feel like sitting down and having a good cry. The ground is so muddy I can hardly go anywhere. We didn't have any dances or anything last week. It seemed so dry. We have been having a dance every week for four weeks and two weeks we had two dances a week and we had a good time to them all. We had a better time last dance than to all the rest. We felt like having a good time so we had it.

Well, it will not be long now till we move to Clarkston. I just dread the time. There is going to be a school entertainment Friday evening. Then, next Tuesday the 24th there is going to be a young men's entertainment. The girls furnish part of the program and the picnics. Then Ida, Margaret P., Vera Martinson, Mattie and I have to cut it and the boys pass it.

Oh yes, I forgot to tell you, Peter and Garina have broke up. Or, perhaps, I never even said they were going together. They have went together ever since her and Osro broke up. Garina thought quite a lot of him. She now lives in hopes of getting him again. Mattie is running with Stephen Bench, Ruby is going with Frank.

Well, I do not know what I will do to pass away the rest of the day. I went down to Brigham to conference last month, went down on Saturday and came back Monday after the afternoon meeting. We had a fine conference.

April 19. It is Sunday morning and I am all ready for Sunday School, but it is too early to go, yet. All the children have started out. Margaret went to Brigham City to Sunday School conference this morning with Parley. We had a Young Ladies' dance here last Friday evening. Oh we had a grand time. I have not had such a grand time all winter. I was with Garina and Mattie, my dearest friends, all the time. It was an ice cream dance. I went up twice and had ice cream with a young man named Elic Bard. Oh, he is s peach. I had three dishes of ice cream with him, danced three waltzes with him and, oh, had a hot time. Every time that I wasn't on to dance he came over and sit by me. Well it was all right to have someone to talk to. Orson and Wilford Christensen were there also, and I had the privilege of waltzing with one and two-stepping with the other. They are fine dancers. Oh yes, Mr. Brown was there, also. Oh, he is a coon. I had a waltz with him.

Well it is time for Sunday School so I must stop. Well I have been to Sunday School and Meeting and now I am going to tell you all I have done. Well when we got to Sunday School, there wasn't hardly anyone there so Silva Hansen and I went out to the door to see who was coming. Yet lo and behold. There came Mr. Bard and Mr. Brown. Well, in Sunday School I sit by Mattie and Mr. Bard sat in front of us. He kept turning around and talking to us. Well after Sunday School, Mattie and I went for a walk. We went out to the bridge and saw Garina coming, so we went to meet her and then Mattie said she was gong home. She wanted me to go home with her. I told her if she would wait until after meeting I would go with her. But she said she had to go, so Garina said she would go with her. We went back to the schoolhouse to give Brother Hansen a note. Then I went to take them a ways. When we got to the bridge, here came Mr. Bard in his buggy and wanted me to go with him over to Auntie's to tell her who he was. I did not want to go because it was so late and I was afraid we would be late for meeting. But he said he would drive fast so I got in and came over with him. We only stayed a short time, then went right back. Well, up by Nicholsen's we passed Mattie, Garina, Frank, and Charlie going towards the meetinghouse. When we got there everybody was outside and it was not time for meeting, so he drove on past and went down to the Bishop's gate. Then he turned around to go back and there was still a large crowd outside so he turned around again and went down almost to Brother Mortensen's. Ten I told him if we were late, he would have to go up in the chair, so he turned around and we went back. When we reached there, oh dear me, they were passing the sacrament. Well we sat down in the first bench we came to.

Well, after meeting I went home. Ethel and Willie came over with us. Mr. B. started over and got almost to the big gate then turned around and went back. I do not know what was the matter with him. I didn't care much either. Well then, about 6:30 Martin, Anna and I went for a buggy ride. We went up to Christensens'. Then they got Osro to go with us. We went up around by Hawses and over around the railroad and back across the new bridge over to Christensens'. Then Osro said he had to stop there because if he came over here I would fire him. Well we went on home.

Well, I am going to bed now. I am so sleepy. There is a dance next Friday evening. I am so afraid Pa will come down and take us up to Clarkston before the dance. I do want to be to it so bad. I would like to see ______ again so bad before I go. Some say he isn't a very good boy, but I do not know. Well, night night.

June 7. I am at Clarkston now. I came up Friday. It is Sunday and I have the blues so bad I don't know what to do. Martin is shearing sheep today. It just seems horrible shearing sheep on Sunday. Well, I have attended four dances, one surprise party and our Primary entertainment. Ma came up four weeks before I did. I stayed with Louise all the time after she left.

Well, now for a few important points about our dances. Number one was a school dance. I was up to Vessie's helping her clean house. Her and I went down. We got there quite a while before the children stopped dancing, and Mattie and I got started to dancing with the young ones and I can tell you we are terrors when we get started. Well, the last dance for the children was a march. Mattie and I led the march. Then of course the children all thought they'd give them a Home Sweet Home waltz, so two of the sweetest little dancers engaged Mattie and I. It was Mosey and Roy. But lo, when we got through with the march it was their last dance, but they were going to dance with us anyway if it was not too crowded. But lo, before we had time to think, here came Mr. Bard for me. Well, I went on with him and had a grand dance. He came and sat by me twice, then he danced Home Sweet Home waltz with me.

There was going to be another dance the next Friday. He asked if there was going to be ice cream. I told him I didn't know and I didn't care much because I wasn't going to be there. He asked me where I was going and I told him I was going to Clarkston. He said, "Well if you won't be there, neither will I." He said he was going to Salt Lake City the next morning, but he had expected to be back for the dance. "But now I will stay down there and work," he said. Well, when the dance was finished, he said, "I guess this will be out last dance together for some time. I will dance for you in Salt Lake if you will dance for me in Clarkston." Well he went to Salt Lake the next day and I haven't seen him since. I did not got to Clarkston for six weeks after that.

Well, the next dance was given by the Relief Society. Oh, but I had a grand time. Osro came and danced the first dance with me, then who should come the second but Brother Caspersen. Of course, he danced the Danish way of waltzing, just kept going round and round. Oh I was dizzy when we got through. Well then I danced twice with Wilford, once with Parley, once again with Osro and once with Victor Amos, Charley Jensen, Louis Bronson. Oh, I had a fine time. Then I had to go up to Vessie's after the dance. So Lucy Fridal and I started out and walked.

Then the next was the Young Ladies' dance. I was staying out to Louisa's. We had a party in the afternoon, so after the party I went home with Laura and stayed till the dance. I had a grand time, was made acquainted with two nice young men, danced with one of them twice, then Mr. Hans Christensen favored me with two dances. Wilford danced three times with me, and, oh, I couldn't name all I danced with. One two-step I danced with Wilford is the best I ever danced in my life. We went so slick, never got knocked once, never had to stop once. When we got through, he said, "That was just fine." Well, of course, he was going up to Louisa's too, so he asked if I would go home with him. Of course I went.

Well, then the Primary gave their entertainment last Thursday. It was just fine. I have been having a grand old time at Louisa's with Wilford and Orson.

July 27, 1903. I must tell you what a grand time I had on the 24th. I went down to Clarkston Thursday with Brother Nish. He has a girl Bertha, just eleven days older than me. She has been after me all summer to come down and stay a while with her. So I thought I would go and stay until Ma came down Saturday with the milk, and, oh, you never can imagine what a grand time I had. Just had a lovely time all day, and at night there was a dance. I went to it with Bertha and her fellow, James Jardine, but I did not have a very good time to it. I knew such a few boys and it was so dreadfully crowded. The dance did not start until 10 and let out at 12:30. I danced with Joe Dahl and the Honorable Charles Atkinson.

In agoing home from the dance, there was a large crowd of boys walking along behind us. I was not acquainted with any of them, only Willy Nish. The path from the meetinghouse had three or four small ditches running through it and I had forgotten them and was walking along never once thinking of the ditches and down I went kersplack, and the boys commenced to laugh. I felt so cheap I hardly knew what to do. The boys are so crazy to laugh. Well, it was one o'clock when we got home. Bertha and her fellow never stand at the door when they get home, but just kiss and say goodnight. I was so surprised. When we got there I was going in the house and leave them alone. Before I had time to think he was gone.

The next day was Saturday. Ma came down with the milk, but Bertha and Sister Nish wanted me to stay over Sunday, so Ma didn't care and I stayed. Well that night, Anna Jardine, a girl about our age came over and wanted us to go down to a large swing at the home of John Jardine, her uncle. So we went. There I got acquainted with Rust Jardine. I don't know what his name is, but they call him Rust. He is a jovial fellow and we had quite a bit of fun. It was eleven o'clock when we reached home.

Then the next day was Sunday. Brother and Sister Nish went to Newton, leaving Willy, Frank, Bertha, and myself at home. We went to Sunday School and there I became acquainted with Herman Thompson. He is full of fun as he can be. We had a jolly good time with him and then we went home, Bertha and me, and had dinner, and and then we went back to meeting. We went in and sit down. Then Anna Thompson, another dear friend, came along and sit down by us. Between our wicked selves, we decided not to go to meeting, and when everyone arose to sing the first song, we went out. Then Anna Jardine came along, and we all went over to the swing, and there was about a dozen boys came over after we got there. The only ones I knew amongst the crowd were Herman Thompson and Rust Jardine. The rest were strangers to me. Well they all had a swing but me and I would not swing for fear it would make me dizzy.

Well, we stood around there for over an hour, until Anna T. and I got so tired we could hardly stand up, but we couldn't get Anna J. nor Bertha to come, so she wanted me to go home with her. There was a big crowd of the boys followed us to the gate, didn't want us to go. At last we started out and two of the boys with us. Of course, I did not know either one of them, but Anna did not know I was not acquainted with them. But at last one of them ran back after Anna's parasol and I whispered to her to introduce me, which she did. One was Mr. Henry Thompson and the other Mr. Ben Thompson. Well the first name mentioned stationed himself by my side though I would much have preferred the other. They were both cousins to Anna. Ben is a peach, but oh, the other one is homely.

We all went over to Anna's. The boys each bought ten cents worth of candy. We stayed there for about an hour and fooled around. It just seemed like I had known Ben all my life. Anna and I took our chairs out in the shade and told the boys they could come if they wanted. We weren't out very long before Hen came out, and in a few moments here came Ben with a smoke in his mouth. Well Anna says to me, "Come, let's take it away from him." Well she went and tried, then called me to help her. She got one hand and me the other. I had the one with the smoke in and I got it away from him, too. Then Anna and I went in the house for a few moments, and when we came out he had just rolled up a smoke. We were going to get it away from them. Anna got after Hen and I got after Ben. She knocked Hen's away from him and Ben and I fooled for a while, but at last I got them. I got the tobacco sack also, so they didn't anymore.

Well, then we four went up to see Bob Godfrey. Up there I became acquainted with Jesse Godfrey, George Godfrey, George Miller, Phil Rasmussen. Oh, we had more fun than a little. We all sat out in the shade of a tree on a wagon box. Then when we had been there about two hours, Hen and Ben said they were hungry and we were going home and get something to eat. Of course they thought we would follow, but we didn't and when in a little while they came back, I asked Ben if he had his supper. He said, "Yes, but you girls were too proud to come with us."

Well we stayed a little longer, then we sneaked off when they weren't looking and went home. Well Anna wanted me to go out on the town with her that evening. So I promised her that I would. She said she would call for me about dark. When I got to the Nish's no one was there but Frank, and he is only a small boy, but in a few minutes Bertha and Willy came. They both seemed so full of fun we laughed and talked until we almost died. Then a young man dropped in named Mike Wheatley. We all chatted for a long while then I Told Bertha I'd promised to go out with Anna. She told me they had just put up a new swing, bought rope and everything, and a crowd of them were going down there.

Well the crowd soon came and I got acquainted with Mr. Purl Jardine, Joe Mellinburg, Willie Griffith. Then Anna Jardine came over and they all teased and teased at me to go with them, but hated to go when I promised Anna Thompson I would go with her. But they all seemed overanxious that I should go, so I went. We all walked in a row. I was on the outside by Anna and Rust was on her other side. Well Bertha and all the rest told us to go over by the sidewalk. Well, we went over just for fun. Then Annie said, "Rust, don't you know that when you are walking with two ladies, it is always manners for you to walk in the center?" I know it was all a made up plan to get us two together, because I know he wanted to run with me. Well then Bertha told us we could come back now. Well when we got to the crowd, one of boys said, "Let's all take hold of hands." Another plot. Well of course we did that also. Well we went to the swing and all of them swang but me. I, as I said before, could not swing.

Then my conscience pricked me. I felt so sorry I had went and left Anna Thompson so I got the girls to go back with me and the boys were going to find more boys and girls. After we started out Anna J. called Rust and told him to get Herm whether he got anyone else or not. And Bertha said, "That's what Anna says." Then he said, "And what does Aleen say?" "She says you will do for her," Anna said. I felt so cheap I didn't know what to do. Then they told him, no, I did not say it. Poor fellow, I don't see what made him like me so well. Then we went.

We met Anna Thompson just before she got to Nish's, but she had some girlfriend up there to the corner and she would be down to the swing in a few minutes. Well we went on and who should we run into but Hen, and both Anna and Bertha said, "There's Hen, Aleen." Rust was there, also a crowd of boys. Well, here came Rust and Hen. Rust walked by Bertha and Hen tried to walk by me. I tried every way in the world to get away from him, but no. If we went one side of the road, he followed and if we went the other side he followed, so there we were at last. Bertha said, "Rust, don't you remember that Anna told you about walking with two ladies?" He just said, "Oh Rust, don't you remember what Anna told you about walking with two ladies?" He just said, "Oh I forgot," and came in between us. Well soon Mike came and Bertha and him walked in head and Rust and me behind. Well, Hen didn't go any further, and Bertha and Mike ran a race, so soon we were left behind.

Well, we reached the swing and all went well for a time. The swing was large and one couldn't swing alone, so of course boys and girls swang together. They just teased me to swing, but I would not have done it if I could. Well, after a while here came Silva Thompson, Joe Goody, and Kate Dahl. Well, Kate and I stayed together the remainder of the evening. After a while there came a man around that the boys said was crazy. He would not speak and he came tumbling around. There Kate and I were almost scared to death. At last here came Ben and while I was talking to him I lost Kate. Well, I was standing on the porch and Ben stood down on the ground by the porch. There was picket around the porch and the old fellow came up on there two or three times, but never touched me. Ben stood right there by me all the time, and, when the old guy got very close, he reached up and took hold of my hand and held it the remainder of the time we were there. It just seemed like I had known him forever. Well the rest soon got ready to go and they called me, and I went to them. We afterwards found out that this crazy old man was Hen Thompson with a mask on.

Bertha and Jimmy and I started for home and, before we had gone a dozen steps, someone said, "Wait a minute Aleen until I can catch you and I'll take you home." I of course would not have stopped, but Bertha and Jim both stopped, and I could plainly see that they would be glad to get rid of me, so I stopped too. Well here came Rust and Willy and they wanted to know what we were waiting for. Bertha said, "Because you hollered and said for us to wait and you would take Aleen Home." Well all this was said to Rust while there I stood like a dunce wishing I had my own affairs to manage, but I must submit, so here we all stood. At last Willy said, "Well go on Rust," and gave him a little push. It was plain to see that he wanted to come but hardly dared to, fearing I would by angry or something. But he now slipped up and took ahold of my arm and we all started on.

In a minute or two, here came Ben. When he got almost to us he stopped and said, "Who is that taking her home, anyway?" Well they told him and he passed by. When we got to the door Bertha was just in front of us and we got to the step at the same time. Of course as usual they kissed. Here I was caught again. Of course he would do the same. If they, Bertha and Jim were not there I should refuse to kiss him goodnight, but what could I do. All this passed through my mine in an instant, but I thought that for once and all I would kiss him goodnight and I did.

Well I am sleepy now, have not been to bed until after twelve the last four nights, so night night.

August 2, 1903. I do not want you to think I have any special news to tell you. I am up on the hill herding sheep. Pa went home yesterday. I was up here all day yesterday and will be here all day today. Oh the days seem like weeks up here. Louisa and Hyrum and family were up Thursday. They went back Friday. We had ice cream. Oh, it was good.

Dahls and Thompsons are up heading. They have to pass our place to get to their ranch. Bennie T. is working for Dahls. When he went up Friday he waved at me as nice. He always waves when he passes if he is sure it is me. Last night I was down watering garden and there was a header box pass. It had three boys and one girl in it. I knew it was Thompsons and when they got about straight for me Herm waved, but I did not wave. Then Herm took off his hat and waved, then I waved. Then Herm waved again; this time I waved. Then the girl waved and I waved. I do not know which it was, Jane or Silva. Almost everybody that passes waves now, but I do not wave unless I am sure that I know them, but it seems like I know almost everybody in town now.

I have just written a letter to Margaret and Susie. They are working in Ogden. Well, half the day has not yet passed and I do not know what I am going to do the rest of the time. Au revoir.

August 23, 1903. I am in Elwood again. Oh dear but I wish I were in Clarkston. I've cried every day since I came. I wish I could always live in Clarkston. I came down on the 20th. When we got in town, Anna Thompson came out and so did Bertha. Oh they both seemed so glad to see me, and so sorry I was coming home. They wanted me to stay until after Sunday and have another good time before I went home. While Dahls were up heading, Mathilda and I, Mathilda came up with Pa that Sunday he was down, heard that Hans Dahl's wife wanted a girl to work for her. Mathilda wanted a place so we decided to go over to his ranch and see them. His ranch is almost three miles east from our place. Well when we got there the place was deserted so we went a half-mile further north to a Mr. Clark's and inquired. They informed us that they had to move to town but that Hans was working on the Dahl's header just a quarter of a mile north of our place. Mathilda wanted to go right over and see him before we went home. I knew we could get there just dinnertime and I hated to go. Benny was there you know, but she wanted to go so bad, so we went. Oh dear, the fun I had. They were just eating dinner when we got there. Alice came out to the fence and wanted us to come in so we went in. There was no chairs to sit down so I stood in the door. When the boys got through eating they went outside. Then Benny stood by the door and talked to me. He is such a crazy kid. He is always trying to boss me. We talked for some time and had a fine time. Then Joe D. and Mike W. started teasing Ben and he went away, then I talked to Joe. Had more fun with him than a little. Never talked to him so much in my life. Benny came back after Joe and Mike left, and we had another chat. Then Joe and Mike came again and were talking for my benefit. They said Ben was going to cut cross lots to see me, etc. Then we went.

Well then a few days after, Anna J., Rust J., Lily J., Rust's sister, and Mr. Jensen called for me and wanted me to go choke cherrying with them. Well, I went and we went clear up to Idaho. Oh, the fun we had. We run all over and done all sorts of things. Rust tried every way in the world to try to sit by me, but, no, the fellow in the back seat would not get in front and drive, so L., Mr. J. and I sat in the back and R. and A. in the front. But we had a jolly time.

Amy and Pa came down, yesterday. Amy told me that Benny passed the day I left, that he crawled up on the edge of the header box and peeked in the house to see if I was there, but he was so disappointed. Poor boy. Amy said Mama says he was looking for Aleen as hard as he could but she isn't here. I'll have to write and tell her about that. Oh, I should like to see Benny again. His face haunts me all the time. We did not go to Sunday School or meeting today because Pa and Amy stopped on their way back to Clarkston and we made ice cream.

September 13. When I wrote last I was in Elwood, now I am at Penrose. I came out August 27. Have been here almost three weeks. Nothing has happened worth writing on paper. I have not been to Sunday School or Meeting nor anywhere, so there is nothing to tell you.