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Ramona's Ramblings

From my grandmother’s diary dated 1913 

Ramona Jan
Posted 1/4/22

January 1st

Very warm out today; went to Fox’s Theater. It wasn’t very nice, so I’ve decided to not go to any more vaudeville shows if I can keep myself away from them.

My …

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Ramona's Ramblings

From my grandmother’s diary dated 1913 

Posted

January 1st

Very warm out today; went to Fox’s Theater. It wasn’t very nice, so I’ve decided to not go to any more vaudeville shows if I can keep myself away from them.

My name is Lina Dreher; born 1897 on 42nd Street, New York. My father owns a bakery and I and my oldest sister, Tillie, work as store-girls. Friday is the baker’s busy night so I had to fill the jelly donuts for them and also carry two orders. I’m all tired out. We close the store at midnight and we’re all glad to jump in bed.

I am one of six girls. I have two brothers. We range in age from 5-22. Elizabeth died in infancy. Emily is ill with tuberculosis and away in a sanatorium. Helen was operated on today for adenoids. What a bloody operation and how the poor kid suffered.

January 2nd

I cleaned the store and packed the rye bread on the shelves. I mopped the floors and put oil cloth in the windows and on some of the shelves. I cleaned the windows, all the cases and washed all the cake stands. I’m going to bed early because I have to get up at 4:30 to open up the store.

January 3rd

I ate an awful lot today. I can’t help it. It’s one of my greatest faults. I weighed myself…113, but I gain as quick as I lose.

I saw an advertisement in the paper; for 2 cents worth of stamps receive a generous size sample of Colgate’s tooth cream which comes out on the brush like a ribbon. I sent away for it. I wonder what it’ll be like.

January 7th

Got up after eleven. Gee, I can’t get myself in the habit of getting up early anymore. I scrubbed the floor and when I was through, I tried to read a story but the rye bread came up and I had to pack it on the shelves. I filled the jelly doughnuts again. I guess it’s my Friday steady job. I gained another pound. I now weigh 114.

January 11th

Thought I’d stay away from Vaudeville but today I found my way into Fox’s again…Emily wants me to fill one dozen jelly doughnuts and bring them and a dozen Crullers up to the sanatorium for her. Dr. Freidman is making his second trial of injecting the serum of turtle’s blood into the human being to kill the Tubercular germs. Emily has four injections and has to have four more.

January 13th

Was up to see Emily. She lost two pounds and four ounces. She isn’t doing well at all so mama asked the doctor if she ought to keep her up there any longer. The food don’t agree with her. If only Em had a little of my appetite and I had a little less.

January 16th

I had to clean the windows inside and out and also clean a high showcase. I filled the jelly doughnuts, packed the bread and carried the orders again. I peeled and sliced ten pounds of onions for stewed onion cakes. Emily came home today.

January 17th

The doctor came to see Emily today and said she was in the same condition and that soon she should go to the country.

January 27th

Emily died this morning at 1:15. She just breathed slower and at last no more. She saw in her visions all the faces once dear to her. She was 20 years, 6 months and 12 days old. When Tillie saw how full my diary was, she said, “If you die, we’ll have enough to remember you by.” But I think it’s all silliness and yet, hereafter, I will try to keep it neater and more interesting. It’s twelve o’clock and all I have to do now is undress and go to bed, I guess. Good night.

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