From my grandmother’s diary when she was sixteen and working in the family bakery. All first names mentioned are those of her siblings except for Tom Wachenfeld who I believe worked at the bakery perhaps doing deliveries and sweeping it. The word “wheel” refers to bicycle.

October 15

I don’t feel good at all these last few days. I have three fever sores on my lips and they ache awful. Tillie went to New York for her music lesson. It costs 46 cents car fare. Got a new baker. He seems quite nice. 

October 16

“Whitie” our little cat found a piece of scrap paper one day, quite some time ago, and was playing with it as if it were a mouse. I wish she’d find the rest of it. I am going to save it in remembrance of her. She is the queerest cat. She has a short tail, born that way, and dark paw [pads]. She is pure white with the exception of a black spot on her forehead. 

Oct 17 

Joe’s thinking about getting his wheel fixed.

Oct 18 

Rain today for a change. Our cake baker left. He said the hours are too long. Took in about $11 less than last Saturday. I guess on account of the rain.

Oct 19 

Rain again!

Oct 20 

Still more rain! It’s my early week and believe me, I had a hard job cleaning the cases. They took so long to dry. Got a new cake baker. He bakes nice cakes. I wonder how long he will stay. Tom Wachenfeld took Tillie home!

Oct 21 

It’s awful getting up 4:30 these mornings, awful cold. I made a glove case, embroidered, which I intend to give Tillie for Christmas. Tom Wachenfeld took Tillie home again! I wonder if he’ll take me home when it’s my week. I bet not. [Tillie is about 20 years-old and Tom walks her home from the bakery after work].

Oct 22 

Tillie went for her music lesson as usual. Tom Wachenfeld seems to be getting sweet on Tillie. He took her home tonight again!

Oct 23

I rode on the wheel from 2 PM to 6:30 PM steady today. I’m practicing for Sunday. Tom didn’t take Tillie home tonight because he was elected referee at a basketball game.

Oct 24 

Joe had his wheel repaired. Cost $5.00. It was re-enameled, new back wheel, new spokes in the front wheel, handle bar cleaned and all the works taken apart and cleaned. I think it was well worth the $5. Don’t you? It is enameled gray. He is tickled to death over it. Joe is laid off till Wednesday!

Oct 25

Joe and I rode together on our wheels this evening. We rode down Park Avenue, way down to Branch Brook Park. Never is it muddy though! We couldn’t stay out long for it started to rain again. Hard luck! Joe and I are going to try to ride to Haledon tomorrow if it doesn’t rain, but I think it will keep up. On account of the rain, we took in about $20 less. The shelves are full of stale bread, the cases and pans, etc. are full of cakes and buns. What a loss.

Oct 26

Pshaw! Rain! Just my luck. Now I can’t go out riding. What will I do? I don’t think I’ll stay home for it isn’t every week you get a day off.

Oct 27

Lovely fresh air today. Fresh air? Huh! We don’t any of us get any too much [sic]. When we do get it, it is going to or from work and Mama when she goes to the store. Tom Wachenfeld and two fellows tried to meet me tonight. They didn’t know I was on the wheel. But I rode right past them.

To be continued…