This is one of those diaries that almost makes me crazy. There are only 13 days of entries but those few entries tell, what could be, an incredible story; a story that could go in so many different directions. So here’s what we know…..

Young girl, being forced to marry and older man, a man 39 years older than her. She is in love with someone else and said she would rather die than marry this older man. So when she tries to talk to the Irish Priest about it, she gets whipped by her father. Her mother however is not much help as she is addicted to Laudanum which is an opium based tincture. And it looks like the wedding is going to actually happen and in just 6 weeks from when she begins her diary.

So who is our author??? Well that’s the million dollar question. There is no name anywhere in this diary, but there are a few clues. I’m usually pretty good as far as figuring out author’s and their history, even when they don’t write their name in the diary, but this one has got me completely stumped.

What I can tell you is that the diary represents the year 1914. Our author was born on January 1^st, 1896, which makes her just 18 years old. She lives in Harrisonburg Virginia. She has two Aunts, May and Aggie. There is also a cousin Lettie who just had a baby, Magda, and lives in Boston. Hattie is the name of our author’s maid.

There are other names in the diary but that’s all I have to go on. So why am I posting this here. Well, if there is anyone out there who wants to try and find our author, please, I’d love to know the answer to this mystery. But it’s also a great example of a diary that may only have a few entries, but those few entries leave the reader wanting more. And as I always say, everybody has a story, and a good one.

“January 1^st, Today is my eighteenth birthday and 6 weeks I will be married off to old Mr. Halsted. I don’t want to be married to him but pappy and papa give me no choice. What about Ceicl I’ve loved him so long.” (Does she mean the name Cecil?)

“January 2^nd, Am going to Purcell Park with Aunt May. Char, Flossie, Chloe and Margo. We had a snowy picnic. It kept my mind occupied.”

“January 3^rd, Very unhappy today. I can not marry old Mr. Halsted. He is my papa’s age. 57 years of age. I can not, must not. I would rather die. I would!!”

“January 4^th, I seen Ceicl at Aunt Aggies today. He wants me to run off with him and let Parson Blithe join our hands but papa would have him horse whipped. Maybe worse. Moma would succumb to her heart ailment. No amount of Laudanum could save her.”

“January 5^th, Moma and Hattie started on the wedding dress today. I don’t want it. Moma told me after supper what Mr. Halsted when we are joined hands. I makes m feel sick. Can’t let him do that to me. Moma said that is how you get babies. I don’t want babies if I have to do that. Ceicl would never ask me to do some thing so horrid.”

“January 6^th, Moma asked Mr. Halsted to Sunday dinner. I hope I die before then. Moma said I have to work my on my penmanship because Mr. Halsted neither reads nor writes and I will have to do all the family letters. I do not intend to marry the old fool. Moma says he has money. I don’t care.”

“January 7^th, Mr. Halsted asked papa for leave to walk me home after services tonight. I begged papa to decline him the honor. It was too no avail. I was cold so walked as fast as I could. I don’t like him.”

“January 8^th, Aunt May came today. I told her how I feel about Mr. Halsted. We talked and cried, however she refused to speak to Father on my behalf. She is going to speak to pappy and papa.”

“January 9^th, Went to see Father O’Malley today. He will be of no assistance. Father says I should be honored that a man of Mr. Halsted’s status should be smitten by a maiden like me. I do not feel honored, ONLY SICK.”

“January 10^th, Papa is angry with me for speaking to Father. He belted 10 strikes and forbid my speaking to Father until the day I will wed that old fool. What must I do?”

“January 11^th, Sent Ceicl a post by Hattie. I have no other person to trust. Hattie is more friend than maid. Mr. Halsted came for dinner. Moma, pappy and papa discussed the wedding as if I was not there.”

“January 12^th, Ceicl came to my window and Hattie helped me outside to see him. Just to have him touch my face is worth facing papa’s wrath if he found out.”

“January 13^th, I dined on the piza (Piazza) this evening. I needed to gather my thoughts.”

“January 14^th, Mrs. Goldsteen delivered my personal items The petticoats are so soft and frilly with embellishments of embroidered pink over white rose petals.”
“January 15^th, Father O’ Malley came to speak to papa on business. Moma, Hattie and I went to the dress makers. Mrs. Goldsteen’s mare fell and her buggy turned over. She endured a broken leg.”

“January 16^th, Received letter from Cousin Lettie inviting me to join her in Boston. She is not well since the birth of Magda. Papa insists that I send her a post of refusal.”