Cornville, Maine
August 3rd, 1893

My baby is a year and a half old and I
Am going to keep a record of his little doings
And sayings. I wish I had commenced
When he was a tiny baby but as I did not
I shall copy many things which I have in my Diary.

I am sure this book will be very
Interesting to me in the years to come and
It may be so to him.

The Life of
        Little Earle Palmer,
                By His Mother,
                        Ivanella Palmer

Melvin Palmer

The preceding is the opening page of the

Diary of Ivanella (Smith) Palmer,
(June, 1870 – November 29, 1929)
Cornville, Somerset County, Maine
Daughter of Nathaniel L. Smith and Helen M. Holway
Wife of Melvin W. Palmer (January 15, 1862 – December 30, 1930)

As transcribed by Kathy M. Palmer, great-granddaughter of Melvin W. and Ivanella (Smith) Palmer, November, 2000.

It appears that Grandmother Ivanella copied entries from one book into another, as she begins at opening page with the date August 3rd ,1893
But begins her entries with the year 1892, the year my grandfather Earle Melvin Smith Palmer was born (dob January 11, 1892).

Baby was born at half past seven Monday evening, Jan. 11,1892.

O how I did love that little sweet bunch of meat.  He lacked two or three ounces of weighing seven pounds.

Emma washed and dressed him the first two weeks and then Mother did it.

Aunt Manda and Aunt Eunice used to come once in a while to see if he was all right.

[Am going to write in present tense] People think he looks very much like Mell.  His eyes seem to be dark gray. Hasn´t got any hair.

Feb 1st, ´92 Baby hasn´t been very well for a few days.  Constipation.  Dr. Patten came in.  His Papa went away this evening to see if he could get a new milch cow for him.

Friday, Feb. 5, ´92 The baby is so good.  The best little darling that ever lived.

Feb. 8 Baby has got canker his tongue.

Feb. 10 Baby´s mouth is so bad that Mell went to Skowhegan to get something for it.

Feb. 11 Baby had the cholic this morning.

Feb. 14 Mother is working very hard for baby.  She loves him as well as the rest, Little precious boy.  He has slept a great deal since he was born.  The baby has had lots of company.

Feb. 22 Baby is sick.  His bowels are not right.

Feb. 23 Dr. Patten came to see Baby.

Feb. 26 Mell got Baby some Mellen´s Food.

Feb. 28 Sunday.  Beautiful day.  Zettie W(orthen) and Blanche cam down to see him.  He sat with Blanche and laughed and was just as good as he could be.

Feb. 29 Mr. and Mrs. Tolman came up.  Have been up once before.  (Lena) Robinson called to see him a while ago.  Aunt Eunice has been up quite often.  Uncle Cy and Aunt Manda come quite often.  Uncle Charlie and Nellie came over.  He wasn´t very well then.  Emma Tuttle and Allie have called to see him, etc. etc. etc.

Mar. 3 Edie Weston called to see my boy.  He isn´t very well.  Canker quite bad.

Mar. 6 Ethel came down.  He is all broken out with "red gum."

Mar. 8 May Green called to see him.

Mar. 7 Dr. Pulsifer came up to see Mell and told us a great deal about the baby.  We have changed his milk, stopped giving Mellen´s Food and everything.  I hope he will be better now.

Mar. 9 Baby is better.  Little mouth almost well.

Mar. 21, ´92 Mrs. Fogg and (Slatira) Carr called.

Mar. 23, ´92 Mother finished Baby´s puff which "Grandsir" bought him.  He lay on the lounge most of the afternoon.  He is well and just as good all of the time as a little pig!

Mar. 27 Laura and Virgie came up.  Baby held his head up today.

Mar. 29 Baby weighs 14 lbs and 4 oz.  I have been looking over my Diary and found where I had written about him.  Papa (my Papa) wished me to write it.

When he was four weeks old I saw him laugh for the first time.  He was nearly two months old when he held his head up.  When he was four mos. old he could sit up by putting pillows behind him.  He began to examine his fist and hold his rattle up and look at it when he was about three months old.  He played peek-a-boo when he was four months and a week old.  He would lie on his stomach and hold his head up and look around when he was four and one half months old.

He has always been quite backward about handling himself.

When he lacked two or three days of being seven months old, he sat up alone on the floor.  When he was about seven months old he < > when we sang "O My Kitty" and < > "Away Down in Dark Dungeon." When he was five or six months old he could play on the piano, How he would make it ring! When he was nine months old he could "pat a cake," knew where the fire was, the kitty, would look out the window when we told him to etc.  When he was nine months and two week old his first tooth came through.  It was his right under tooth, of the two front ones.  When he was about ten months old his second under tooth came through.  When he was eleven months and one day old his right upper tooth was through.  He can understand a great deal now.  When he was ten months and about a week old (the) second upper tooth came < >.  When he was one year and a week or two old he began to talk.  He would say girl and teeth.  Would say "dir", "dir" for girl and "tee" for teeth.
He said Mamma before this.
When he was one year and one month old he took up kissing.  He did it so cunning.  Would kiss first one and then another.  He has held up his hand for me to put on his ring for three or four months, I should think.
Now I will go back to March.
I am writing this sitting by the cradle watching his blessed little face.

April 4 Mell bought the baby a (b)ar pin.

Sunday Apr. 24 Baby weighed 19 lbs.  Fred Rowell has happened here both times when we weighed him.  He has got a little cold.

Apr. 27 Birdie and Flossie came down to see baby.

May 5 The baby is so good this morning that it seems as if I should eat him all up.

May 8 Jennie Leighton and Mabel (her baby) came down to see Baby.

May 12 Baby is very sick.  Bowels aren´t right.  Dr. Pulsifer cured him.

May 22 I don´t see what makes the baby so good.

May 30 Charlie Moody and Nett and Uncle Martin and Aunt Eunice came up this eve to see Babe.

June 6 Mell and I went over to Ridley´s to get the baby carriage.

June 12 Mell and I took the baby to ride.  When we came by Horace and Laura came out to see him.  He took a great fancy to Horace.

June 16 Zettie, Blanche and Stella were down.  Virgie came up.  I was away.

June 19 Baby weighed twenty-one pounds.  Fred Rowell happened here again when we weighed him.

July 3 Mell varnished Baby´s carriage.

July 7 Della and Annie called to see Baby.

July 9 Baby´s Aunt May Palmer came to-night.  First time she ever saw him.  Thinks he is lovely.  She brought him a pair of shoes.

July 22 I don´t believe there ever was such a little precious boy before.  He is so good.

July 24 I think we have named Baby.  Shall call him Earle.  Susie Doyle wanted me to name him Earle a long time ago but the rest didn´t like it.  May spoke of it to-day and they seem to like it better.  I always liked it.

July 26 Zettie and Minnie Davis came to see him; also (L )ill Judkins.

July 31 Papa learned Earle to shake his head the other day.  He went up to Uncle Cy´s with Mell and me to-day.  Didn´t go in.

Aug. 1 Maude Lambert rode up her to-day.  She like Earle very much.  Said he had "good eyes to flirt with" and that she would wait for him! Dear little fellow.  I hope he will be no flirt.  I write this for him to read sometime for fun.

Aug. 5 Mother took Earle up to Fogg´s with her towards night.  He was as good as ever.

Aug. 7 Mell and I and Baby went up to Aunt Manda´s.  Stayed all the p.m.  He didn´t fuss one second.  Had a nice nap.

Tuesday, Aug. 9 Baby sat right up straight for the first time.

Aug. 14 Annie Davis and her mother called and wanted us to bring the baby out.  I took him out to see her little girl.  She doesn´t weigh but 11 ½ lbs.  I don´t believe Earle weighs less than 20 – they are the same age.

Aug. 10 The baby is awfully good.  He sat in his carriage a long time while I swept and dusted the sitting room.

Aug. 14 Nora Palmer and Jennie came over to see us.

Aug. 15 I hauled Earle down in the field < > then went in the barn.  Nice time.  Frank Morgan had a fit down in the field while we were out.

Aug. 21 (Lena) Robinson called to see Earle.

Aug. 21 Emma Tuttle called to see him later.

Aug. 22 Walter and Libbie came up.  Earle was awfully good.  Walter bro´t him a silver mug (with gold lined?).

Aug. 25 Baby isn´t well at all.  Bowels.  Uncle Charlie and Nettie are over here.  We couldn´t go down to Uncle William Wentworth´s and Mr.  Dinsmore´s because Baby was sick.

Sept. 9 Mother and Willie Trask took Prince and gave baby a ride.

Sept. 13 Mel and Willie are giving Baby a great many rides now-a-days.

Sept. 17 Papa came up to-night.  Baby was awfully glad to see him – held his little arms right out to him.

Sept. 18 Mell and I took Baby and went up to Aunt Manda´s.

Sept. 21 Mother and I took Earle to ride.  Went up to Aunt Manda´s.

Sept. 22 Emma and Jim Carr came to-night from the Athens Fair.  Baby was awfully good.

Sept. 25 Mell took Baby to ride.

Sept. 26 Baby has got a little cold.

Sept. 27 Baby has got quite a cold this morning, Dear little soul.

Oct. 2 Mala and all of Aunt Manda´s folks were here to-day except Uncle Cy.  Baby good.

Oct. 5 Birdie came down.  Earle has been awfully good!

Oct. 7 Mell came in when I was trying to get Baby to sleep.  He left his plowing and rocked him to sleep.

Oct. 8 Mell and Willie (Trask I mean always) took Baby to ride.  Jose Nay took him in the house and had a great piece of work over him.  Mrs.  Nay thinks he looks like Mell.  As a general thing people think he looks like me but I can´t see that he looks much like anyone but his own little baby self.

Oct. 11 Mother and I took Earle to ride.

Oct. 12 Mell and Will gave Baby a ride up to Mr. Palmer´s.

Oct. 13 Baby and I stayed alone to-day.  Mother went to have a dress fitted.  He never was so good in his life.

Oct. 15, Saturday Mell and I took Baby to Skow(hegan) and had his pictures taken.  We had more fun! Mell sat by him and Sturtevant and I tried to make him smile.  He would look just exactly as we wanted him to but his little right hand < > going up and down and he was having the nicest time.  Of course we couldn´t get his picture on account of his hand.  But before that we got one, I think.  I sat beside him then.

Oct. 20 Emma and Helen came down.  Baby was good but his bowels are wrong.  Mell and I went to see Dr.  Pulsifer this evening.  Constipation.

Nov. 3 Mell and I took Earle to ride up to P.O.

Nov. 9 Mell bought two pigs and when he got home brought them in the house for Earle to see.

Nov. 14 Mell rocked Baby to sleep as usual.

Nov. 17 Aunt Eunice came up.

Thursday, Nov. 24 Thanksgiving Day.  Papa and Mr.  Palmer were here to dinner.  Baby sat at table and sucked a bone.  Little angel.

Sunday, Dec. 4 Mell and I gave the Baby a ride.  His first sleigh ride.  He enjoyed it so much that we went up to store and down as far as Hiram´s.  How I do love his little face.

Dec. 8 Baby likes trash!

Dec. 20 Mell bought Earle home a rocking horse for Xmas and had to give it to him.  He could not wait till Xmas.  Mell I mean.

Saturday, Dec. 24 We had a Christmas tree this evening.  Such a nice time we had.  Baby enjoyed it immensely! Awfully good.

Dec. 26 Baby rec´d a beautiful gold pin from "Uncle Walter," also a silver knife, fork and spoon (frosted silver) from Emma.

Dec. 31 The last day of the year 1892.
The baby is the best little sweetheart that ever lived in this world.
When Baby was born his eyes were gray.  They changed until they were dark brown.  His hair is light.  I think it will be dark like Mell´s when he is older.

Jan. 4, 1893 Baby is sick.

Jan. 5 Mell went out to see Dr.  Pulsifer.  His tongue is coated very bad.  I guess he got a little cold the other day when I took him out in the sheep pen where Mell was at work.

Jan. 6 Earle is better but has quite a cold.

Jan. 9 Earle is just the same as well and so good.

Jan. 10 This is the last day the baby will ever be less than a year old.  I have been thinking about it all day.

Jan. 11 Baby´s Birthday.  A year old to-day.  Papa came up.  Darling little fellow.  He is so good I could eat him up!

Jan. 19 Mrs.  B.  Delia and Gussie called to see E.

Jan. 24 We went up (the road) this evening.  (Mell stopped at store) to get Earle´s miniature photographs.  Awfully cunning.

Jan. 31 The baby and the old cat had "big" time to-day.

Feb. 2 Emma and Walter came up.  Earle loves Emma almost to death – He sat in her lap a long time.  Will hold up his little face to be kissed.  She comes quite often.

Feb. 3 Baby hasn´t had but one nap for a long time.  He sleeps just like a little pig.

Feb. 4 The baby and I had a lovely time to-night playing with his little bare feet.  He does like to take off his shoes and stockings so well.  He has been wearing socks this week.  Mell went to the P.O.  this evening to see if his chamois skin moccasins have come.

Feb. 7 Papa came up towards night.  Earle was very glad to see him.  He brought him some nice earthen dominos.  Baby´s socks came to-night.

Feb. 8 Papa and I and Earle played dominos this evening.

Feb. 11 Earle is 13 months old to-day.  This a.m.  I put on his cloak and bonnet and hauled him all around through the rooms.  He thought it was lovely.  I played him a tune on the piano and he kept time with his little hands.

Feb. 12 Mell and Earle had a nice time down on the floor towards night rolling a china egg to each other.

Feb. 13 I bought Baby a rattle to-day of a Peddler.

Feb. 14 Papa came up to-day.  Brought Baby a set of cheap dominos that he can´t break.  We were afraid he would break the earthen ones.

Feb. 15 Mrs.  Robinso and Mamie came down this p.m.  Earle was a good as a little pig.

Feb. 19 Baby has got so that he goes to bed and sleeps all night.  He has his bottle when he goes to bed and that is all.  Doesn´t wake till morning.  He has been this way for two weeks or more.

Feb. 20 Mell fixed the baby´s box this afternoon.  Fixed it very nice.

Feb. 25 Baby is trying to say moon.  He said pie to-night.  He said "mamma," "teeth," "little girl," etc quite a while ago.  He says "tee" for teeth & "lit dir."

Feb. 28 Ethel, Mary Green and Clara Robinson came down this noon to see Baby.  He learned to say barn to-day.

Mar.  1 Mell and I went to Madison to-day and left Baby with mother.  He stays with her when we go away just as well as with me.

Mar. 2 Got home about 6.  Found Baby and Mother all right.  He was awfully glad to see us.

March 9 Baby said Dan this morning when he put his hand on Dan´s (the horse) nose.

Mar. 12 The baby is so sweet and pink that it seems as though I should have a fit.

Mar. 14 Mell brought the baby home some ankle ties this p.m.  He bro´t him three prs of boots the other day but neither would fit.  His foot is so fat that a shoe may be an inch or two long for him and still his heel won´t go into it.  We shall have to make the ties do.

Mar. 19 We intended to take Earle to ride but it is awfully cold and I was afraid he would chap his little face; so Mell took him out in his arms as usual.

Mar. 24 Earle is kind of fussy.  Little dear.

Mar. 25 Mell and I gave Baby a ride up as far as Mr.  Moore´s and down to Rowell´s.  He did have such a lovely time.
Uncle Cy and Aunt Manda etc were here.  Baby good.
They come very often and Earle is always good.

Mar. 29 Mr.  Wardman called to see Earle.  (Samuel)

Mar. 31 This forenoon Mother and I took Baby and went down to see Jennie Shummay (?) and babies.  Had a nice time.  Earle was good.

Apr. 2 Baby said Papa this morning just as plain as anyone can say it.  Has been saying it all day.  He is creeping forward now.  Guess he will begin to walk pretty soon.

Apr. 5 Baby is sick.  He is feverish and his tongue is coated.  I don´t know that he has a cold.

Apr. 6 Mell went after Dr.  Pulsifer for Earle.  He has got the Lung fever or very near it.  Dr.  thinks he can break it up.

Apr. 7 Baby is a little better, I think.  His lips are parched dreadfully and his is choked to death.  The rattling has left his lungs though.  Zettie Worthen came down this morning on the crust.  Did not know he was sick.

Apr. 8 Dr.  Pulsifer came again this morning.  He says the baby is better but is very sick now.  He is much brighter and tries to play a little.

Apr. 9 Earle seems brighter and smarter this morning.  The fever has left him but his tongue is coated very badly and I never saw such a sight as his lips are.  Mell went out to see Dr.  P.

Apr. 11 Baby is fifteen months old to-day.  He is better but his tongue looks awfully.  His lips are almost well.

Apr. 12 I think Baby went to bed to-night for the first time.  We have sat up every night before.  He has clung right to his Grammie ever since he has been sick.  Has always slept with her since he was a week or two old.

Apr. 14 Earle is well now.  To-day he went out of doors for the first time since he was sick.

Apr. 17 The baby is awfully good.  We had a nice time watching the hens this morning.

Apr. 20 Blanche and Stella Worthen came down this morning to see Baby.

Apr. 23 Baby had a ride on the wheelbarrow.

Apr. 24 Baby went down to Rowell´s.

May 4 Earle has been good [ - - - ].  He understands everything we say to him now.  He is just as bright and [ - ] as he can be.

May 7 This afternoon after Baby waked, I took him in the carriage and went down to Virgie´s.  Dreadful travelling.  Had a nice time.  Virgie and I brought him home in our arms.  Mother met me and brought him a juice.  Little bunch of love.

May 11 Earle is sixteen months old to-day.  So good.

May 12 Earle had a ride on cart tongue with his papa.

May 13 Earle called Harry Frost a "hard ticket" this evening.  He played on the [ - ] and was very cunning.

May 20 Earle has lots of nice rides in his carriage lately.

May 24 Baby had a ride on cart tongue.  He drove the horses and felt awfully big.

May 26 Little Rilla Williams came down to see Earle this evening.  They kissed each other and shook hands and everything.

May 27 For the past few weeks the Baby goes to bed awake.  He is just as good as a little pig.

May 29 Earle hurt his face a little to-day.  He fell on something on the floor.

June 4 About 10-15 this a.m.  Mell and Earle went to ride.

June 5 Mr.  Beede called this morning.  He took Baby who took a great fancy to him.

June 7 Baby and I went to ride up to P.O.  Nice time.  Mr.  Woodman (Samuel) called twice to-day.

June 8 Baby and I went to ride over to May Parsons.  Gwen´s folks wanted us to call so we did.

June 9 Papa came up to-day.  Bro´t Baby a [lap].

June 11 We took Earle to ride about noon.

June 15 Earle and I went to ride down to Jennie Malbon´s.

June 16 Earle and I went to ride up to Aunt Manda´s.

June 18 Earle and Mell went to ride around the ring.

June 19 Earle and I went to give May Parsons a ride.

June 20 Uncle Newell and Aunt [Hisler] came over.  Baby was awfully good.

June 21 Baby and I went to ride up to Aunt M´s & Mr.  P´s.

June 22 Baby and I went to give May Parsons a ride.

June 25 Baby and I & Mell went toride.  Nice time.

Earle and I and Elmer went to ride up to Aunt M´s.  Mell takes Babe to ride in his little carriage often.

June 29 Mother and Aunt Manda went to Madison B.  today and Earle and I kept house.  He was so good.  Mell was around the house.

July 2 Earle and I and his Aunt May went to ride.

Sun.  July 9 This morning Mell and I and Baby went up to Mr.  Palmer´s and stayed all day.  Baby good.

July 10 Earle and I went to ride over to May P´s and up to May´s.

July 11 Earle is 1 ½ years old to-day and he has a little cold.  The first he has has this summer.

July 18 Mr.  Wardman called to see Baby.

July 19 This morning we put Earle´s carriage in the hayrack and him in it.  I got on a chair beside him.  Mell drove Jim and [ -].  We had the mowing machine hitched on behind, the hayrack and Willie on it, the horse rake was behind the mowing machine and away we went up to Mr.  Palmer´s.  Stayed all day.  Baby just as good as a little pig.  May came home with us.  Jennie Palmer been down here to see Earle but we were away.

July 20 We all went up again.  Nice time.

July 25 Baby and I went to ride as far as Morrill´s.  Met Lucy and Libby Dinsmore when we came back.  Later they and May came down here.  Baby sucked his finger for the first and only time in his life! Libbie is making him a little worsted under shirt.  Very pretty.

July 26 I measured Baby´s feet for a pair of shoes.  His little blessed feet are so fat and short that it is almost impossible to get a pair for him.
Length of Foot – 5 inches
Ball of foot – 6 inches
Near instep – 6 1/8 in
Instep – 6 1/8 in
Heel (around heel and instep) 6 ¾ in

July 27 We got Baby a pair of shoes all made.  Katie and Virgie came up this evening.  Earle sat in her lap quite a while.  Katie´s lap, I mean.

July 29 Papa was going up to get Prince shod so Earle and I went with him.  Stayed all day.  Baby was so good, Aunt Manda had some little dresses etc.  for him.  He likes Aunt M.  very much.

July 30 Mell and I and Earle went up to Mr.  P´s.  Later me and May went down to Em Stone´s.  Little Pearl Collins was there, etc.  etc.

July 31 Earle kissed his Aunt May "good by" to-night as he would be abed in the morning.

Aug 1 Aunt Lizzie and Aunt Eunice came up but Earle had just gone to sleep and slept all of the time they were here.

This morning as Earle and I were shelling peas Aunt Manda came down.  Stayed all day.  Baby awfully good.  Nice time.  Earle has made the deaf and dumb letters A – Z – I and G for a long time.  Little sweetheart.

Aug. 3 This evening Mell and I and Earle went up to the Corner.  Nice ride.

Aug. 4 This morning Mell and I and Earle went out to see the Circus Parade.  Nice time.  We went to Emma´s to dinner.  Baby went to sleep coming home.  When we got here he opened his eyes & laughed.  I believe he is the best baby that ever lived.

Aug. 5 This evening Mell and I and Earle went over to Mrs.  Flanders after some butter.

Aug. 7 Mell and I and Baby saw 5 wild geese.

Aug. 9 Mell and I and Baby went up to Corner this evening.  Baby was very much interested in Sal´s music box.  The little fellow has know one time from another ever since he was a year old.  He has his particular times for me to sing or play just as much as anyone.

Aug. 15 Walter and Libbie came up.  Walter brought Earle a silver napkin ring and three picture books and Libbie brought him a little worsted skirt with blue ribon in the top.

Aug. 17 This morning Earle and I went out to Skow[hegan].  We went to Emma´s.  In the afternoon we went to see Dr.  Pulsifer about Baby´s ankles.  He was not in when we got there so I left Baby with Emma while I did some shopping.  When I got back they were in the Dr.´s office, Earle on Emma´s lap.  Emma said he had been just as good as he could be.  Precious little loved one.  The Dr.  said he thought his ankles would be all right.  Said they were weak.  I do hope he will not have any trouble with them.  He went to sleep coming home.  Little angel.  Baby knows most all of his letters.  He knows all about the pictures in his books.  He is awfully smart, I think, all but walking.  He can creep awfully fast though.  He is very active.

Aug. 22 Baby and I went up to Aunt Manda´s.  We intended to go up to Mrs.  Hopkins but it was too late when we got started.  Nice time.  Baby good.  Mell and I and Earle went up to the Corner.

Aug. 23 Earle knows most of his letters.  A – B – D – I – K – S – M – N – O – P – R – S – T and Y.  Mell and I and Earle went up after mail.  Nice time.

Aug. 25 This evening Mell and I and Earle went to ride up to Mr.  Palmer´s.  Enjoyed it very much.

Aug 26 This morning Mell said he was going up to Frank Stone´s to get the horse shod and wanted Earle to go with him, so I fixed him all up nice and they started.  When I saw him going off, I cried as much as half an hour! ‘Twas the first time he ever went away to stop without his mother.  What a perfect goose I am.  When he got back Mell said he had been just as good as a little pig.  He stayed with his Grandpa Palmer a while, "Arpa" he calls him.

Aug. 28 Earle and I went down to Virgie´s a few minutes this evening.

Aug 29 Baby can say most everything.  He said – Mell Palmer, Mamma and Earle Palmer just so plain as anyone at the supper table to-night.  Says "I tee yer" (I see you) and most everything he wants to.

Aug 30 Mr.  Pratt was here to-day.  He thought Earle was the smartest child he ever saw.  Earle said all of his letters etc.  and played on the piano and Mr.  Pratt thought it was wonderful.

Aug 31 Earle learned to say "Good-by" this morn and "O my soul", "O my Lord".  He has said "by" for a long time but just learned the "good."

Sept 1 Baby said "Grammie" "Bammie" this morning for the first time.  He has been calling her "Dubber".  Birdie came up to see Baby this afternoon.  He likes her very much.  Calls her Birda.

Sept 3 While Hiram was here to-day the baby got very much interested in his picture book.  Told Hiram all about the pictures and letters, etc.  Hiram thinks he wont live he is so smart.  Thinks him "a very interesting child." I am glad he is intelligent and bright but I guess it wont hurt him.  Precious little plant.

Sept 4 Dr.  Pulsifer called here to-day to see how Earle´s feet are.  He was going by so tho´t he would call.  Very kind of him.  He thinks we need not worry at all.  Told me of another baby whose feet, or rather his ankles were weak and he came out all right.  Mell got him a new pair of shoes to-day and he can stand as well as anyone.  The kid leather is kind of stiff.  He is Mamma´s little precious baby and I trust his little ankles will be all right.  He is very limber all over.  He will put one foot right over his head without bending his knee at all.  He will put both legs right out straight to form a right angles with his body and be just as comfortable as in any position.  I hope he won´t want to follow a Circus when he is a man!

Sept 5 Baby has learned in what county he lives.  He says "Tomerset." This evening we went down to Rowell´s with Earle.  Just as good as he could be.

Sept 6 The baby has had "lots" of callers to-day.  This morning Ida (Gilman) Stafford, her mother and two sisters came down and brought little Georgie Belle.  Earle loved her very much.  Birdie came to take a music lesson and he had a nice time with her as usual.  Later Emma Tuttle and Jennie Leighton called with her little girl.  It was a sight to see Earle and Mabel hug and kiss each other.  They loved each other almost to death.

Sept 8 O my precious little darling baby boy.  What should I do without his blessed face.  He is so sweet and cunning and loving.  Mother went up to Uncle Cy´s to-day.  Baby cried for "Bammie" this afternoon a little while.  He would go all over the room hunting for her and calling "Bammie come".  After a little while he got over it and we had a nice time.  He stood up in a corner to-day for the first time.  We went down to Virgie´s a minute.

Sept 10 Mother and Earle took a short ride this morning.  He stayed alone with Grammie all day.  Mell and I went to Camp meeting.  He was as good as ever.

Sept 11 While Earle and I were out to the barn this a.m.  the old cow came towards us.  I was afraid she would hurt the baby.  He said after – "cow scared Mamma."

Sept 12 Baby and I went down to Virgie´s to give him a little ride in his carriage.  She wants us to go down to-morrow afternoon.  We went out to see Mell milk as we do quite often.

Sept 13 This p.m.  Baby and I went down to Virgie´s.  Nice time.  Baby slept most of the time.

Sept 14 I washed, starched and ironed Earle´s little [ - ].  Had good luck.

Sept 16 Earle and I went up in the shed chamber where Mell was at work.  Earle enjoys it so much.  O my little baby boy.  I thank Heaven that I have got him.

Sept 17 This morning Earle and I went over to Mrs.  Flanders´ after some butter.  He drove and we had a neat time.

Sept 18 Baby has been a trifle fussy to-day but not very.  He is Mamma´s little pet.  He love his Grammie almost to death now.  He told her to-night that he wanted to go to sleep.

Sept 20 This afternoon we went to the Fair.  Baby was just good as he could be.  Let everyone take him that wanted to.  Uncle Charlie took him out of the carriage and carried him in.  Ella Walker Spofford took him around a good deal also Blanche Worthen, Nettie Holway, etc.  Uncle Horace´s father came over yesterday.

Sept 22 Virgie and I and the Baby went up to Aunt Manda´s.  Rainy.  Had a nice time.  Baby was awfully good.  Aunt Manda done him up in her big shawl to come home.

Sept 23 Earle and I went out to Emma´s.  Found her sick so didn´t stop.  Birdie and Flossie came down this p.m.  Earle very good.  Towards night we went up to Aunt Manda´s to tell her about Emma bing sick.

Sept 25 Baby has a bad [ - ] very little cold.  Is all right now.

Sept 28 Last night Mother thought Baby was going to have the croup.  We got up and put oil etc on him.  He did not have the croup.  I hope he never will.

Sept 30 Earle´s cough is nearly well.  I washed and put away my silverware and tea set this forenoon.  He helped me.  He told me I must "be careful" and not "hurt it."

Oct 2 Mala and Emma Merrill and Net´s baby came this forenoon.  Had been up to Uncle Cy´s.  Earle was awfully good.  He loved little Bessie Mala almost to pieces.  She is a cunning little thing and awfully good.

Oct 4 Josie Nay and her mother put their horse here when they went to Albion Fogg´s funeral, so called when they came back to see Earle.  He told them his letters and about the pictures, etc.

Oct 6 Virgie received a call this morning from Earle Melvin Smith Palmer and Mamma.

Oct 10 Papa brought Baby some safety pins when he came home from the Solon fair.  I have been making him some little flannel dresses and night dresses lately.  I made the night dresses of cotton flannel and lined the waists with cotton flannel.  I think he wont suffer any with the cold.  Bless him.

Oct 11 Baby and I went down to Virgie´s this morning to get the kitten.  We go down most every day so I wont write it again.  I take him out in his little carriage and there´s nowhere else to go so we eventually go down there and turn around.

Oct 13 Little Annie came up with Uncle Martin to-day and stayed half an hour.  Earle fell over the basket this morning when Mell and I were husking and
[ - ]ing the popcorn and hurt his nose.

Oct 15 Earle is learning to walk really fast.  Can push a chair all around and get up anywhere.  He can say most everything.

Oct 16 Mell and I put the carpet down this forenoon.  Earle helped, he handed his Papa the tacks.  He had a hammer and drove them.  We couldn´t have managed very well without his help.

Oct 22 Baby and I went up to Mr.  Hopkins´.  He and wife were both sick.  Em Trask was there.  She held Earle a little while.  Baby happened to see himself in the glass to-day and he said "Hello, Baby."

Oct 27 The baby can tell the stories about the "Piper and the P[ - ]" "Cross Patch" etc.  Is so good.

Oct 29 Baby and I went down to Uncle Martin´s.  Jennie and Nate and Sarah were all there.  Earle had a nice time playing with the children.

Oct 31 Towards night Baby and I went down to take Fannie´s music book home.

Nov 1 This morning while Earle and I were out for an airing, Aunt Manda came down after Mother to go up there and stay all day.  Earle has been the best little bird that ever lived.  At seven o´clock he told me he wanted his "nighty dess" on and at 7:15 he was sound asleep.

Nov 6 I believe it was this morning that Nell Judkins´ little baby died with Diptheria.  I pray Heaven that Earle will not have it nor any of us.

Nov 7 Emma Tuttle came down here to-day from her father´s to make a shirt for Charles on our machine.  Earle was awfully good.  Told her his little stories
And all his letters and everything.

Nov 8 Mell and the baby have fine times lately.  Mell takes him out with him when he does the chores.  Baby can take a few steps now alone.  He talks awfully cunning.  He is very smart and intelligent.  We are worrying now for fear he will have Diptheria.

Nov 11 Earle is 22 months old to-day.  The age of little Charlie when he died.  He was five day over 22 mos.  Papa has set Earle up on the work table and they are having fine times.  Bert Palmer and Arthur Woodman called to-day.  Baby was glad to see them.  He had two Youth´s Companions come to-night directed to Earle M.S.  Palmer.

Nov 12 Mell and Earle went over to Mrs.  Flander´s after some butter.  Nice time.

Nov 13 I cleaned four windows to-day with Baby´s help.  So much help, he is.

Nov 14 Mother and Aunt Manda went to Skowhegan to-day.  Baby was just as good as he could be.  Martha Varney wanted Mother to tell me that she thought my baby was a little [ - ]ly.  Said he was the [ - ] baby up to the Fair.

Nov 15 The baby seemed well until about noon.  He was very sleepy and went to sleep.  I noticed his head was hot and his pulse high.  He was so sick that Mell went out to see Dr.  Pulsifer about 4 p.m.

Nov 16 We sat up with Baby all night and he is pretty sick this morning.  Stalira came down a few minutes this morning.  He sat with her just as contented as he could be.  Mell went after the doctor towards noon.  Fever pretty high.  Pulse 120 but he is better, I think, than he was this morning.  Emma and Walter called.

Nov 17 Baby is much better.  He has acted about as usual this afternoon.  We put him to bed to-night but I am going to sleep on the lounge so that if he cries there will be a [fire].

Nov 18 Baby better.

Nov 19 Baby got a bad cold.  I guess he had a cold which caused the fever and it has broken now.  He is very quiet and looks sick.  Poor little lamb.  We killed two roosters for dinner but Baby didn´t want much.

Nov 20 Earle´s cold has stuffed him a great deal.  Uncle Cy and Aunt Manda were down this evening.  Earle sat in the rocking chair and played a little but he is sick.  I am so afraid he will have the croup, although he is not croupy now.  Aunt Manda told me to put some lard and mustard on a cotton cloth and put on his chest which I did.  I have kept hen´s oil around him a great deal.

Nov 21 Baby´s cough is so bad that Mell went after some medicine for him to-night.  I gave it to him all night.  We sit up with him every night.  He sleeps in his cradle.

Nov 22 Earle is better.  He is the brightest and smartest he has been at all.  His cough is better but still quite bad.  Little precious man.  He says his little cunning things just the same if he is sick.  Dear little pet.

Nov 23 Baby is much better.  He is almost well now.  His cough is loose.

Nov 24 Put Baby to bed to-night.  Didn´t get cold.

Nov 25 Earle is full of his little stories – "Little Boy Blue," "Old Dame Trott," "Old Mother Hubbard," etc.

Nov 30 Thanksgiving Day.  Earle is well again and we had a nice time.  Mother had a nice dinner.  Goose, etc.  Baby was much interested in the wishbone.

Dec 4 Baby has been so good to-day.  He has got back to where he was before he was sick.  Papa was so worried while he was sick.

Dec 5 Virgie and I went to Skowhegan to-day and left Baby with Mother.  He hasn´t felt quite so good [ - ] to-day as usual.  I brought him a little red ball with elastic hitched to it and he thought it was fine.

Dec 11 Mell and Fred S.  went up to Mrs.  Fogg´s towards night and got the Secretary.  The baby and I had a nice time looking it over.  He says "Cunning little drawer, Baby loves it awful well."

Dec 12 Earle has been saying to-day – "They all went up to the farmer´s wife – She cut off their tails with a carving knife, Did you ever see such a sight in your life, Three blind mouses." It tickled him most to pieces when he came to mouses.

Dec 14 Mell and I went to Skowhegan to-day.  Mell got Earle a pair of shoes with stifening in them.  $1.50.  They are nice ones.  They are a size too large so we will have to swap them.

Dec 16 The baby helped me make four apple pies.  He had a piece of dough and a wonderful time.  He said to-day that Mamma´s name was Ivamiller.  Bless him!

Dec 17 The baby has got so he can walk quite well.  He has pushed a chair for quite a while.  Now he is doing nicely alone.

Dec 20 He said to-day that he wasn´t a "fraud." I asked him what he was then, and he said "a little spoddynoddy."

Dec 22 Mother was hugging and kissing him to-day and she said "What would Aunt May say if she could see you now?" He said "Aunt May would say "Thank you." He called "I cling tenaciously to my own" "I cling ash hole to my own."

Dec 25 We had a Christmas tree this evening for Baby.  Fine time.  We had lots of little presents.

Dec 26 Earle and I cut out his pink dress to-day.  He is a great help to his mother.

Dec 27 [Anne] Davis Estes came her this forenoon with her little girl Gladys Marion.  She and Earle are almost of an age.  He is 7 days older but a head taller.  They got along well and had a nice time.  After they got most through dinner, Gladys got down.  Earle says "See that little thing poking along." It was enough to kill anyone.  Doubtless he felt somewhere near a hundred years old.

Dec 28 Baby´s Aunt May Palmer sent him a Circus Christmas.  Mell got it to-day at the express office.  Earle was pleased.  He and I took a ride up to the corner to-day.

Dec 29 This morning I washed alone.  Something I could never do without making me sick.  Baby stayed out there with me and talked about it.  Towards night I made four apple pies with Baby´s help (?).
This evening he made us give Henry Ward Beecher´s picture some "test" from his bottle.  He wanted to put vaseline on Celia Fogg to-day to make her get well.

Dec. 30 Baby and I ironed.  He can walk just as nice now.  He is so smart and cute and good.  Jimmie was sick to-night.  Earle wanted to put some vaseline on his leg to cure him.  He had the stomach ache.

Dec. 31 Mell and I and Earle went up to Grampa Palmer´s to-day in a snow storm.  We didn´t know that it snowed until after we started.  Earle chilled one cheek.  It is just as red.

Well, another year has rolled away and we are all well and happy.  That is quite well.  Papa isn´t very well, but is comfortable, although he worries a great deal.  He says he has no aches nor pains.  Is so that he goes anywhere etc and does some of the chores.

1894.

I have not kept this very well this year.  It is May now, and I can write only a few of his little sayings and doings.  In Jan. or Feb. one day we were at the table eating and I was asking Baby what he was going to have on his upper lip when he got to be a big man like his Papa, etc.  and he said a mustache.  Then I asked him what would he have on his chin and he said – whiskers.  I asked him if he thought they would look as well as his Papa´s.  He drew a long breath and looked over where Papa was and said – "Grandsir´s whiskers are good enough for the baby!"

He likes to help his Grandsir eat bread and milk.  He takes a teaspoon and dips it up and pours it into the big spoon.  Papa loves him so that he will cry in a minute just to speak of him.

His Grammie was bathing her feet, and he was watching her when he broke out with "Grammie´s washing the Highlands of Scotland."

March 23 He and Mell went down to Rowell´s to-day.  He was playing and having a nice time when he bumped his head on the table.  He puckered up his lip but managed not to cry and went along to Mell and said "Papa, I guess we´d better go home."

What makes me write his little sayings is because I want him to read in the years to come, and then he is so young to talk so.  He was two years old in Jan. He knows all of his letters and all about the pictures, etc.  He can tell the whole of that Alphabetical rhyme beginning, "A is Ann with milk from the cow," etc.  He know what town, state & county he lives in, how old he is, what his name is, who the President is, where he lives, and all such things.  He has known this for months.  He has got a great memory for a baby.  He has known my name, Mell´s, Papa´s and Mother´s for a long time.

He and I were going out of doors to-day & he turned around and said to Grammie – "Good-by Susan Jane!"

Apr. We were in the large middle room while the rest were out eating and he said to me – "The old folks are out eating supper."

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