Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, December 27, 1910

Tuesday Dec. 27
        This morning I became virtuous and started my composition that I have to write for German.  But it was hard to keep my mind fixed on it and I was glad when King called up, asking me to get Bill + Jim and come out in the afternoon to play cards.  A little later Mrs. Smith called up and invited us to a Kabal supper Harold was giving this evening.
        We all went out to King and played cards to our hearts content, but nothing unusual happened.
In the evening we went out to Smith’s. Wilbur was home from college and we all sat in the parlor talked about school and college. Mr. Smith astonished us by telling us how good a foot-ball player Harold Piersen (one of the jokes of the school) would make if he only was allowed; as he went on telling all his fine points, I began to wonder if Mr. Smith was a ronyon or not, when he said in an offhand manner:
      “Yes – to hear him tell it –“ Our shouts of laughter interrupted him at this point. Presently Mrs. Smith announced supper. At the table we were like we had always been – we talked and laughed in a most hilarious manner, still doing justice to our supper at the same time. Someone started talking about Edith Smith, who had tried to commit suicide. She was a cousin of our host. I didn’t know anything about it, so I kept quiet, Joe + Bill tried to frown others down, but Bud was not to be downed and capped it all of by remarking vehemently:
     “Well if the fool wanted to commit suicide, why didn’t they let her?"
     After supper we sat around and talked awhile. Presently Bill + Bud went to church where Bill had a date with the Prasidentin. Then Wilbur started off to a party and six of us were left. Smith I went thru several motions, during which He asked “Cards?” and I said “yes”. So we started a game of six-handed five-hundred. And the rest of the evening we spent in playing one game. No one could get a lead, and if they did, they only maintained it a short time. Day was my partner and gee but I would get sore at him! He would play against himself just to be a ronyon I guess. Finally I bid seven tricks on clubs and thru hard work I made it. Day said:
“Burchie and I are just getting started”
“Yes” I cut in “if I hadn’t got in we wouldn’t be anywhere.”
“It wasn’t your fault” Joe followed (to Day). After that Day played better. Smith and Jim finally won and at one o’clock we went home, so weak that we could hardly stand up.

Charles E. Burchfield, December 27, 1910