Excerpts from the Caro A. Dugan Diary
[Courtesy of the Brewster Ladies Library]
Feb. 28. Sunday [1875] -- Nell P. and I spent a quiet day at home. The wind whirled the fine particles of snow about, till the air was full of the waving and glittering as of a magic veil, shot through with sunshine.
March 3. Friday. [1876] -- I have been busy for two weeks helping about an entertainment for benefit of our Ladies Library, which took place this eve. It was a clear, moonlight night, & Knowles's Hall was packed with people. We had a supper of baked beans, brown bread, doughnuts, &c., music, tableaux, and a play "The Old-fashioned Kitchen" . . . Mother wore an ancient green satin gown, with wide lace frills in the drapery sleeves and a white Martha Washington cap. Alice Crosby said to her, in a simple, honest, surprised way, "Why, I don't see as you look very old-fashioned, Mrs. Dugan; you look pretty!"
June 22. [1877] -- In the evening we went to the shore to see the unusually high tide that came up under our bath house, rocking it like a boat. It was wild and eerie -- the strong wind, and the black rushing waves.
August 3. Friday [1877] -- Addie Nickerson took me a drive to Cliff pond this P.M. The woods were fresh & green, owing to frequent rains. Slender sprays of golden rod begin to show along the grassy wood roads.
March 5. Tuesday [1878] -- Mother Goose entertainment at Knowles Hall to help pay for the new piano for the Sunday School. It was hard work getting it up, but most interesting the children were so bright & enthusiastic. Joey Lincoln, May Bangs, Freemie Crosby, Lily Clark & little Aggie Foster were the star performers . . . Seated on her “tuffet,” dressed in white with scarlet stockings, & a blue & white handkerchief arranged liked a pointed cap on her head, with her cloud of golden hair, the deep blue of her starry eyes and rich color in lips and cheeks, little Aggie had never looked more beautiful in her life. The picture was made effective by her unconsciousness & childish abandon, her evident enjoyment of the crumbled bread that served for "curds & whey," also by the contrast this lovely little vision presented to the immense black spider that came dropping down beside her. She was greeted with a storm of applause, which continued till the little scene was twice repeated. The acting was all in pantomime, each verse being represented on the stage as the children or myself sung the words.
Oct. 13. Sunday [1878] -- The north easter continued with almost unabated violence, until ten o’clock this morning. Quantities of lumber came ashore, and the beach was lined with men & teams. Win & uncle Alf got several loads & we (Hattie [Freeman], Emily, mother & I) went down to see the fun. Priscie & Addie [Nickerson] came after. The breakers were fine – a circular sweep of white crests, & single great racing waves that broke on the rocks in showers of snowy spray.