August 19
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
August 19, 1997
Girls were out with Larry and M.L. had picked up a kitten on road and brot it in. Took it to bed. Don’t know how much they had slept. Went down town and over to Kay’s trying to get rid of kitten but didn’t.
Marcy S., age 20, Tennessee
August 19, 1944
The most perfectly beautiful day of the summer. Not a cloud in the sky from dawn till dark. Blue, blue sky, glorious breeze and that end-of-summer atmosphere, with the sweet summer blossoms in bloom everywhere. Mary Jane and I arose at 6:15 and were ready to go at 6:30. Met Kimmie up by Clure’s. She brought Pan’s racket for M.J. The park courts were mucky and no net but we were not daunted. The most lovely morn. Cool, though, till we started running around. Spent most of the time teaching Kim. and M.J. to serve — they were getting it pretty good in the end. The coordination is hard. We hit some beautiful high balls and had to go chase them. Played till 7:30 and then parted. M.J.and I got home to find Mum up on her horse again — I had forgotten to reset the alarm for her and she’d wanted to get an early start. Ate hearty breakfast. M.J. walked up to Tarwater’s with me. Mr. Harris read over the depositions we took last Saturday and found only a few minor errors. He said only one stenographer in 100 could have done that well and he really hadn’t expected me to get it all. Oh, I’m so glad! He was very complimentary. I read a little book Into the Valley about Guadalcanal. Check for $10. Mr. H. said he was going to make Mr. Clinton pay me $1.00 each for the depositions in his case — which will be about $8 more! At the P.O. Messrs. Rosseter and Dan Johnson picked me up so I got a ride. Gorgeous noon!! Mr. J. thought I’d been playing the piano since I was 3 or 4!! I had to disillusion him. Went up to Mrs. Wiaston’s to get the package I was to take to Mr. H. this morn and forgot. They have the sweetest house. There is an arch of blue morning glories and sweet summer blossom over the little front porch. Oh! I wanted to stay out and bask in the glorious sun and air and sky!! Mary Jane had helped Mum with dinner. Pop brought a card from Rochester. Classes begin September 18th but new students have to be there the 12th. Yummy dinner! Around 1 I left for town. I just can’t seem to stop raving about the beauty of the day! Went to Jane’s Beauty Shoppe and Anna Mae Kisson took me right away. Got the $5 permanent -- cheapest. She didn't cut my hair at all -- I hate short ones. She had to turn the electricity on 3 times before getting any results! I got ever so tired sitting under the drier. But it was all over by 4:30. She fixed a pompadore (?) on top and it looked very cute! Went over to the office and gave the package to Mr. H. for Mrs. H. He greeted me as if he hadn't seen me for a month! Home about 4:45. Mary Jane was asleep and Mum was putting up the picnic. I pitched in and made sandwiches. At 5 woke M.J. -- I tickled her chin with a flower! -- and we were ready to leave by 5:30. M.J. and I decided not to go in swimming. Pop came and we loaded the car, stopped by for Mother Lane, and were off. Drove out past Bowman's and the bridge and up a hill for a little way, just for the fun of it. It was too sunny by the bridge so we took the left road and drove till we found two or three nice spots and decided on one near the lake under trees. Had a yummy picnic supper. Oliphant seemed so close. The sun made a bright and shining path across the water. Once a motor boat, going full speed ahead, passed our point and made the nicest waves. M.J. and I explored the beach -- muddy and rocky -- after supper and then, at Mum's instigation, we all gathered sticks for kindling and loaded them in the car. Decided to follow road on around to Kingston bridge. As we were leaving the pale blue water and the green hill and trees on the opposite shore looked like early morn -- sort of a suggestion of misitness and softness. It was lovely and changed the day. The drive to the K. bridge was beautiful. Up and down steep hills with views of the river through the trees. It seemed as if we were in Canada, driving near Wiarton. It was a wonderful feeling. It was dark by the time we reached Harriman. Stopped at a little stand and got some peaches. Mother Lane was so cute -- she had a grand time. Back about 8:15. Gorgeous night. M.J. and I went to bed early. Mary 'phoned Mum this p.m. with the news that the Yanks were in Paris -- and we all gave 3 cheers. But it was a false alarm. There was a light in Ashley's room but I think some new people have moved in and one of them is in his room. Not that it matters, I tell myself.
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
August 19, 1887
Irvie and I did a lot of cleaning, and grubbing back of the shed today. Irvie went up and got the mail towards evening; he got his blanks so he can go to work now. He packed his things after supper and started for Mr. Waters’ where he will stay tonight. I went with him as far as the saw mill, and there we fished a little. Irvie caught 4, which I brought home and cleaned. He is going to Joyfield in the morning and soon south towards Manistee and around to Frankfort before going home. It will seem lonesome without him now.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
August 19, 1862
This day 26 years ago I began life. I have never seen but little of the dark side & pray I never may. Since I have been married, life has moved on as calm as “a summer sea.” I have enjoyed life very well so far. 26 years ago & a fond loving mother tended me & 13 years ago the 21st of last April I gazed my last on that loving parent. She sleeps in peace. How little I knew what I had lost, I was a mere child. I have done nothing of consequence today. Fixed a dress that is too small in the band. Willie’s bowels very loose & he has some fever all the time. Oh! how I wish he would be stout & healthy. He has been sick a good deal this summer & fallen off a great deal. He is beginning to try to talk, can say dink for drink, bic for biscuit & bon for bonnett. He is very ill.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)
Samuel P., age 35, London
August 19, 1668
Up betimes, and all day and afternoon without going out, busy upon my great letter to the Duke of York, which goes on to my content. W. Hewer and Gibson I employ with me in it. This week my people wash, over the water, and so I little company at home. In the evening, being busy above, a great cry I hear, and go down; and what should it be but Jane, in a fit of direct raving, which lasted half-an-hour. Beyond four or five of our strength to keep her down; and, when all come to all, a fit of jealousy about Tom, with whom she is in love. So at night, I, and my wife, and W. Hewer called them to us, and there I did examine all the thing, and them, in league. She in love, and he hath got her to promise him to marry, and he is now cold in it, so that I must rid my hands of them, which troubles me, and the more because my head is now busy upon other greater things. I am vexed also to be told by W. Hewer that he is summoned to the Commissioners of Accounts about receiving a present of 30l. from Mr. Mason, the timber merchant, though there be no harm in it, that will appear on his part, he having done them several lawful kindnesses and never demanded anything, as they themselves have this day declared to the Commissioners, they being forced up by the discovery of somebody that they in confidence had once told it to. So to supper vexed and my head full of care, and so to bed.
*(The Diary of Samuel Pepys M.A. F.R.S., edited by Henry B. Wheatley F.S.A., London, George Bell & Sons York St. Covent Garden, Cambridge Deighton Bell & Co., 1893.)