1891 Journal 1

Covers of journal kept beginning in 1891

in Laura Keene Gleaves Robinson's handwriting:

My living room 16 x 17
Dining Room 15 ¼ x 21

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  Girlie No 1. (Anna M. Gleaves)

Seen backwards or forwards
I’m always the same.
Spelled backwards or forwards
You can’t change my name.

And this is my name,
For my name is a riddle.
An “A” at each end
And two “N’s” in the middle.

                                    Anna.

Dialogue (Mamma & Anna)

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To Girlie No 1. (Anna M. Gleaves)

I have a necklace very fine
Composed of jewels rare.
The diamonds of a diadem
Cannot with mine compare!

My necklace is – my baby’s arms
My diamonds are – her eyes.
Her ruby lips, my rubies rare
Her teeth the pearls I prize.

                                    Mama

Alice’s first step to God (13 months old.)

 Late one evening little Alice walked alone for the first time, but Papa did not get to see the wonderful accomplishment, as he did not get home till long after “his baby” had fallen asleep.  Anna and I were very anxious to start her walking as soon as she was out of bed the next morning, but Papa said “No, we will put her in her little chair and not mention walking to her, and whoever she takes her first step to of her own accord will be the one she loves the best.  She never moved until we knelt at morning prayer beside the bed, and then our darling toddled over to Mama’s side, and I thought stumbled, but after trying to steady her three times found out that she was trying to kneel.  And how happy we all were, and Little Anna’s delight was indescribable.

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To Girlie No 2. (Alice M. Gleaves)

Her first dinner party, her first toast aged 3 months.
At the residence of Dr. S. C. Gleaves
Xmas 1885

Here’s one that was not here last year
And I have come to wish good cheer--
And wish that every body here –
Will have one just like me!!!!!!

Sunday School (Laura Keene Gleaves)

 My little Laura Keene started to Sunday School before she was three yrs old, learning a new question every Sunday, but when she reached the question “Why do you love God” she insisted upon giving her own answer.   “Because He will take me up to Grandpa when I die.”  No persuasion could induce her to learn the correct answer, and so the kind teach (Miss Barbara Sexton) permitted it to pass as a swell tribute to the grandfather who had been so good to them all.

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To Girlie No 2. (Alice M. Gleaves)

A form of grace, a face so fair
That sunbeams lingered in her hair!
And beauteous stars looked their surprise
When silly mortals called them eyes.

                                                Mama.