1891 Journal 3

Alice M. Gleaves.

 Little Alicewas a baby of her Papa’s raising and very appropriately call “the Boss”.  What “the Boss” told us to do, we all did.  She said her birthday was too long off, and she wanted a parasol for Sunday.  So she informed us all that “to-morrow” would be her new birthday, and very carefully placed a chair beside the bed for the expected presents.

 Sure enough the Parasol was there, and Mamma took her out with her the next day so that littleAlicecould keep the sunshine off with that new parasol.  That however did not satisfy her, and when Papa went down-town that night,Alicewent too, parasol in hand “to keep the moon-light off” she said.

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Laura Keene and “Grand – daughter”

 Grandma came to see us all, and each one endeavored to surpass the other in doing her honor.  Laura Keene however surpassed us all by naming her “bufullest” doll “Grand-daughter”.  Like some other older mothers, Laura Keene never realized the fading of her darling’s charms and “Grand-daughter’s beauty” had been a by-word ever since.  Her first disfigurement was L. K.’s pulling her teeth, the day thatAlice’s were pulled.  The next, her flaxen hair becoming a perfect mat, and the wax running off of her face, when she was placed too near the fire.  Last but not least, she fell into the bath-tub, and on her being pinned to the clothes-line to be dried, she developed the most peculiar of figures.  But L. K. still found her beautiful and today will tell you the most beautiful doll she ever had was Grand-daughter.

Girlie No 4. Belisa Gleaves.

This is Ber                                                                       (Ber-lisa)
Who sleeps in her Cur                                                        (cradle)
And drinks herMur                                                              (milk)
    In other words – Ber – lisa.

No 4, made up her own nick-name.  She called herself by the first syllable of her name for a long time before we knew what she meant.  Laura Keene was the one to solve the mystery.  She said “Mamma when you tell Berlisa to put her hand on anything she always does it.  I told her to put her hand on “Ber” and she put both hands on herself so she means Berlisa”.  We all then thought ourselves very stupid.

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Anna & her Sunday School.

 Anna was very fond of Sunday School and her Sunday school teacher, Miss Barbara Sexton.  Where other children studied one question she always knew perfectly a whole new page.  Before she could read it for herself her Mamma had taught her at five years of age through the 2^nd Commandment.  At six years of age, she could read for herself, and learned the whole Catechism.  Upon reciting it perfectly to her teacher, she was publicly awarded her little Red Testament.  The Rev. Mr. Vance introduced her to the Rev. Mr. McConnell as the little girl who always knew her lessons perfectly before coming to Sunday School.

Anna Gleaves at Longley Springs

 In the Summer of 1887, Anna,Alice, their nurse, Eddie Lortis, and myself all went to Longley’s Springs.  I had a very pleasant time and the children were in a second Heaven with so very many little play-mates, and all of them were very excited over some animals, a monkey in particular, that had been carved out of Peach Stones by a very little boy.  The carved monkey became quite a treasure in my eyes, when upon leaving, Mr. Longley presented to Anna, saying that in all the years that he had kept the Hotel, she was the best child that had ever visited the springs.

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Alice Gleaves Aged 4.

 There never was a more beautiful little girl than our darling little Alice.  I say more, because each of my daughters had some to pronounce her the prettiest.  However we were very much afraid that Lady Alice would be spoiled after hearing the following conversation.

Stretching forth her little hand she took the last biscuit.  “I’m not afraid of that making me an old maid.  Anna, for you know I’ve already had a proposal.”  Upon inquiry we found that a young Texan had gotten down on his knees to her, had told her that she was the most beautiful human being he had ever beheld, and that he was coming back to marry her when she was sixteen years old.”

Xmas Week 1894
Alice, Laura & Belisa – Watches

Of all the pretty toys that Santa Claus broughtAlice, Laura and Belisa, none delighted them more than a pretty toy watch apiece.  But alas!  Belisa was swinging hers around in great glee, and accidently struck and broke the glass of Laura Keene’s.  It was really pitiful to hear poor Lollie cry, and Belisa put her arms around her neck and cried as hard as she did.
Then up spoke gentle Alice–
“O don’t, don’t either of you cry so.  Sister will make it alright.  Here Laura Keene, hush, and take my watch” and she exchanged with her for the broken one.
  Everyone was so sorry for Laura Keene and Belisa than none but Mamma heard the unshed tears inAlice’s

voice, and realized that she had had the hardest time of all.  So Mamma writes it down, to remind her, whenAliceis grown, to give her a handsome watch in memory of her goodness.
And then to show you, how they love each other, the very next day, a lovely little doll watch came in the mail for Laura Keene from Keene Richards.  Laura’s eyes sparkled, and she danced about with delight, “Mamma must put a chain to it,” she said “and then her beautiful bride should wear it.”  But then, she happened to look at Alice with the broken watch pinned on the front of her dress, and a most angelic expression overspread her sweet face as she said, “No, I’ll give my doll watch to Alice, as Alice gave her Santa Claus watch to. Alice’s groom would look better with a watch than my bride, as he has such a cute little vest pocket.”  And thus it was decided, so I think Lollie will also have to have a watch when she is grown.

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How Belisa got her wagon.

 Belisa went up to see little cousin Lucian and was much pleased with his little wagon;  however we thought she had forgotten it, and did not think it worth while to buy one as there was already a wagon load of toys in the house.  She had a great way of putting her hand on anything she wanted and saying “Mine! Mine!” to let us know that she did, and one day when her sisters got out the story of the “Three Bears”, she put her hand on the picture of the bear’s little wagon until her Papa went down town and brought her home one and then she trundled it by the hour with her little doll in it to which she pointed with “See! See!”