Elsie's Diary

The key in her hand was pressed into the elaborate black lock of the garden door. Her excitement at finally locating the old key that fit this lock, causing a slight tremor in her hand and sent her heart racing.

Two months ago, Charlotte had received a letter that changed the direction of her life. The letter read very simply, that her Aunt Gladys had passed away leaving Charlotte, her entire estate. Charlotte had never met her Aunt so this was quite an unexpected surprise. Charlotte had inherited 20,000 dollars, an old estate in Georgia and her Aunts’ 8 year old dog, little Rudy.

Little Rudy was such a sweet, lovable dog it was hard not to fall immediately in love with him. The estate Charlotte inherited was a prior plantation of close to 200 acres. Much of the land was sold off over the years leaving the old 5 bedroom, 2 bath mostly dilapidated but still livable house and a walled off garden that had walls well over 10 feet in height. Every day Charlotte would search through her Aunts belongings in the hopes of finding the key that might fit the lock to this secret place.

Finally, with the key she found fitting into the lock, she turned her hand and turned the knob on the door to feel it slowly give away. As Charlotte stepped excitedly into the garden which likely hadn’t had any care in many, many years, she was stunned at the ornate marble fountain and a beautiful high stone bench sitting facing the fountain which hadn’t held water in decades.

Even though the garden was teaming with weeds, thick underbrush and overgrown trees, Charlotte could see how spectacular this garden would have been when it was maintained and in use. Wandering over to the bench, she cleared off some leaves and sat down to take it all in. It would take some work to get the garden back to its magnificent glory but it may be worth it and perhaps increase the property value of the estate she really needed to repair and sell. She smiled and relaxed as the sun gently show down on her face. Hearing a few barks Charlotte laughed under her breath realizing Little Rudy didn’t know exactly where she had disappeared to. She watched for the dog she heard getting more and more frantic to locate her. Using his nose he caught her scent and ventured into the garden at full speed, ears flapping and his doggie smile shining in his eyes as he ran to her and leaped towards her. Unfortunately, Little Rudy often misjudged how high he had to jump and ended up jumping into the bench instead. Charlotte got up to pick up poor Little Rudy and that is when she spotted it. Underneath the bench, under many dried leaves what appeared to be a small black leather bound notebook.

Charlotte reached down to pick up the notebook and sat down on the bench with Little Rudy in her arms to see what was captured inside… The leather on the outside of the notebook suggested it was very old and weathered. Charlotte gently unwrapped the little velvet ties that kept this notebook closed for many years. She opened the notebook to the first page. It was a diary! The mysterious owner of the diary was a woman named Elsie. How exciting! The first page was an entry was from January 12, 1908. The words were written in a delicate hand, slightly faded over the years but still recognizable. Unbelievable that the diary remained relatively undamaged for all these years!

“January 12, 1908

Ms Elberg gave all of us children in today’s Sunday school class this black notebook and spoke about keeping a journal of our lives.

My name is Elsie Elizabeth Sawyer and I am 8 years old. I attend Graves Elementary school and in the 3rd grade with Ms Addler. My favorite thing to do is ride my pony, Saucer, down to the Apothecary to get a soda pop from old Mr Moses. My favorite flavor is Cherry Smash. Yum.”

Charlotte turned to the next entry from February 25, 1909.

“February 25, 1909

At school today, Missy called me a snitch for telling Mrs Oliver that Jimmy was the one who tripped me at lunch and then laughed at me, calling me such horrible names. I don’t care if Missy thinks I am a snitch. Jimmy is just plain AWFUL. I hate him!”

“July 9, 1917

It’s my 17th birthday today so I thought I would TRY to start populating this journal a bit more regularly. I am not much of a writer. Mommy and Lulu have gone shopping, so I am all alone sitting in our new garden that Daddy built for me when I was around 12 after I read my favorite book, the Secret Garden for the very first time. I miss Daddy so terribly. The last letter we received was 3 weeks ago from bootcamp at Fort McPherson in Atlanta. Daddy was being shipped overseas. I say prayers for his safe return continuously each day and in my prayers each night. Mommy took a job at a bakery and cleans for Mrs Brubaker. I am working at the factory sewing clothes. We are doing all we can to support our troops. God Bless America and God please bless and protect my Daddy”

“August 4, 1917

Daddy sent us a letter, finally. He is stationed in France and is in the 1st Division infantry unit along with Uncle Bud and Mr Chambers. At least he isn’t alone. Thank God. Praying for a swift end to this war so my Daddy can come home!

Oh, I met a gentleman by the name of Henry David. He is the owners son. He was very pleasant to look upon and he smiled at me multiple times today when he walked past where I was working. He walked over to me this afternoon, introduced himself and asked my name. I literally couldn’t say anything more than "Elsie" before my throat closed up from nerves. Gosh, I really think he is good looking. Sigh.”

Charlotte smiled and looked up at the waning sun. Slowly Charlotte placed the delicate velvet onto the page and closed the diary. She would return tomorrow for an hour or two and read some more. It seemed appropriate to read Elsie’s diary in the place where she put pen to paper. Little Rudy hopped down off the bench knowing it was time for dinner. Together they walked towards the entrance of the garden and shut the door, this time leaving it unlocked.