THE DIARY OF HARRY B. CLEVELAND APRIL 1900 SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 1900 - Clear and much warmer, although the wind is still strong and strikes one chillily. John N- and I rode about five miles awheel this morning. The first ride I have taken since last fall. Did not dare ride further for fear of stiff joints tomorrow. It is better to begin slowly. Twenty five mile rides will soon be but play. Ice and snow still mantles the hills hereabouts and it will take much sun or warm rain to remove it. NO ENTRY: APR 2 TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 1900
- Cold and raw. Snow flurries toward
night.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1900
- Cold and windy. Clearing at
night. Anxiously awaiting
the first real Spring day--
one with the temperature 60ø
or above. We have enjoyed
none such as yet.
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1900 - Played cards at Sackett's coming away about ten thirty. Still cold and windy. NO ENTRY: APR 6 SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1900 - Cold and fierce N.W. wind blowing, stirring up an insufferable dust. We are sorely in need of a warm rain. SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 1900 - Still cold and windy. The air filled with a stifling dust. Took a five or six mile walk today. Too much wind for wheeling. MONDAY, APRIL 9, 1900 - Very cold morning for this time of year. Thermometer at 7 A.M. 25º above. Snow flurries in the afternoon and a high wind. Walked to the Heights and back this afternoon. TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1900 - Considerable snow on the ground this morning. Snow flurries at intervals during the day. Rain is promised for tomorrow, but it will have to moderate materially before that can happen. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1900 - Somewhat warmer, the thermometer registering slightly above 50º. A cool south wind has blown most of the day and at night it has begun to rain. I hope sufficient rain will fall to remove the snow in the woods hereabouts. Rode up the Water Street Cinder path been eleven and twelve today; found it rough and sticky. This is the first ride I have taken outside the city limits this Spring. THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1900 - The Porto Rican tariff bill passed the house yesterday 181-173. It is a measure utterly opposed to the teachings of the Nation's founders and I believe very vicious. The President was obliged to make a complete change of front in order to give it his signature and in doing so, many think he signed his political death warrent. A few months will tell. FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1900 - Awoke this morning to find the ground covered with about an inch of snow and it was still coming down plentifully. Cleared shortly after noon for about an hour, then clouded up again and toward night rained quite hard. I have no recollection of a more backward Spring. Nothing except an occasional patch shows the slightest signs of life. An occasional robin and song sparrow. SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 1900
- Clear and windy; a trifle warmer
than yesterday, but too cool
for all that.
SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 1900 - Easter. A truly glorious day. The thermometer above 60º and a bright sun. Neglected to go to Church, sinner that I am; but instead went wheeling up the cinder path towards Big Flats. Everything looks grey and lifeless as yet. Occasional patches of snow could be seen on the hills. Rode about 22 miles before returning home. The fresh air did me good. MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1900 - Clear and warm (ther. 68º) most of the day. Clouded up toward night and looked threatening. A good warm rain will work wonders with vegetation. I hear Trailing Arbutus can be found now. Must try and gather some soon. In season it is very plentiful just above Fitch's Bridge on the flats lying near the river TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1900
- My 32nd birthday. Dark
and stormy. I hope that is no
augering for the coming year.
Received Mitchell's "American
Lands and Letters" from Nellie and
Tolstoy's "Ressurection" from my
Mother, as gifts of rememberance.
NO ENTRIES: APR 18 AND APR 19 FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1900
- A perfect day; mild and bright.
The lawns are commencing
to look quite summery.
SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 1900
- Warm and bright in morning
there above 70º. Cloudy
and threatening in the afternoon.
Heavy rain at night, which
will rush all growing things.
SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 1900
- Warm and cloudy in morning; clearing
at noon, and sultry in the
afternoon, with a sharp
thunder shower between four
and five.
MONDAY, APRIL 23, 1900
- Partly cloudy and threatening
during most of the day. Much
cooler at night when a sharp
north wind sprang up.
TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 1900
- Clear and bright with a
cold north wind. Vegetation
is coming on very slowly
being much behind last year.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1900 - Cold north wind still continues although the days continue bright. There is too much of the breath of Winter however to render it enjoyable out of doors. Bicycle rides after supper are tabooes until it grows much milder. NO ENTRY: APR 26 FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1900
- Cold blustery north winds still
prevail. The air has been filled
with dust all day, ditto my
eyes. The wind fairly stood
one still crossing the bridge,
and I made my way to the
office under difficulties.
SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 1900 - Somewhat warmer but still too cool for comfort, and the penetrating north wind still holds undisputed sway. Suffering from a disagreeable and lingering cold in my head. Cannot seem to rid myself of it. No fruit trees in blossom yet although last year the 27th saw one of ours in blossom and we considered that a cold Spring. SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 1900 - Very warm and summer-like the thermometer reaching 80º at 3 P.M. Walked over to Theo. Kolbs and enjoyed a visit with him and his wife. He starts South this coming week to accept a position with a smokeless powder concern. Spent the evening with Nellie. A brush fire on East Hill presented a beautiful sight after it became dark. The air was filled with the scent of burning wood. MONDAY, APRIL 30, 1900 - Warm in the morning, clearing at noon or shortly after and much cooler. The brisk wind has cleared the atmosphere of smoke quite thoroughly. The sun-set tonight was molten gold without a cloud. Sharp frost liable. Mr. Benjamin is busy moving and I have been alone at the office all day. CONTINUE |