December 1, 1880 -- Wednesday
The weather was somewhat cloudy all day, rained and sleeted in the morning. I passed the day in my school, with twenty scholars present. Pap and Mother, with the assistance of Jake Snyder, Uncle John and Aunt Hannah butchered three of our hogs. As I went past the Hall in the morning, I bought of F.J. Pfoutz a cedar bucket for the school, for 75 cents. I also bought a Grammar and a third reader for my own use. I paid him for the History which I got some weeks ago. I passed the evening playing dominoes. I had 1075 and Pap 970. "Best again." I also spent part of the evening reading History.

December 2, 1880 -- Thursday
The weather was somewhat cloudy all day, with appearances for snow at times. It is said that we are yet to have eleven snows, one on the 26th of this month, and is to last for 17 consecutive hours and snow is to fall to the depth of 11 feet. "We shall see." if we live. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school. There were twenty-three scholars present. I had quite an interesting conversation with J.F. Deardorff, R.P. Zitzman and others in the evening as I came through the "town of Franklin." Pap was at George Coover's butchering. Jacob was at Etter's school, of which F.T. Snyder is teacher, a while in the afternoon. Mr. Comfort was here a while in the afternoon.

December 3, 1880 -- Friday
The weather was somewhat cloudy in the forenoon, but cleared off nicely till evening. I had quite a tumultuous affair in the afternoon, on account of the Boys washing Sophia Dornberger. She got very angry at the boys, and as I could not punish for it she got very angry at me, and cast some things up. She took all her books home, but will return again, I think. I was at the New Franklin Literary Society in the evening, got my supper at Grandmother's. The exercises were very interesting. The election was held. G.S. Coover President, F.J. Deardorff, Vice, Annie Snyder, Secretary, and D.G. Hoover Treas.

December 4, 1880 -- Saturday
The weather was very pleasant in the forenoon and part of the afternoon. It got quite cloudy towards evening and at night it rained almost all night. I cleaned the stables, cut wood &c in the forenoon, and in the afternoon Jacob and I got our went to town and got our pictures taken. I got 12 photographs taken for $3.00, which I will get on Wednesday evening by the mail. I also got 4 taken at Souder's and Jake 4. Jake went home with Sam Sollenberger and I went from town to see Miss Allie, and as it rained while I was there I did not come home, but staid all night, slept with Greenawalt.

December 5, 1880 -- Sunday
The weather was very inclement all day. It was raining almost all forenoon, and damp and foggy in the afternoon. I passed the forenoon at Shetter's very pleasantly. The "old folks" were not at home, and the saying proved true, "When the cat's away, the mice will play." Jacob and Alice and I were at Jacob Hoover's in the afternoon. I played several pieces on Annie's flutina, which is a nice one. Mr. Palmer and Sam West were also there. I arrived at home about six o'clock. Jacob was at the New Franklin School-house in the evening. There was singing, with a small audience present, Jacob says. I was not in attendance

December 6, 1880 -- Monday
The weather was quite pleasant especially in the afternoon. It was somewhat cloudy in the forenoon. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school. Sophia Dornberger came back again, and appeared ashamed of herself for acting in the way she did on Friday. Pap and Mother were in New Franklin helping Grandmother to butcher. I stopped there on my way home from school and got my supper, and after supper I played a long time on Uncle John's organ. It would not take me long to learn to play. I can play several pieces now. I can play on that organ any time I wish.

December 7, 1880 -- Tuesday
The weather was very cold all day. This was, I think, the coldest day we have had all winter. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school at Retreat. There were twenty six scholars present. I detained Charles I. Dornberger a while after school, and asked him concerning some things which he said at noon. I do not want to hear any more of that kind of talk from him or any one else. I bought of J.A. Pfoutz as I came past the Hall, five sheets of paper and some toys. I passed the evening playing "Muggins," and reading. The score of the games was Pap 400, Jake 260, and I 190. "Beat again. I was reading "some funny things," out of a book I got from J.F. Deardorff.

December 8, 1880 -- Wednesday
The weather was very cold all day, and the evening was extremely cold, cold enough to "freeze the horns from off a mooley cow." I passed the day very pleasantly in my school. I was expecting my photographs which I had taken last Saturday at Bishops. He promised to send them to me by mail, by to-day, but they did not come. Perhaps they will come by Fridays mail. I passed the evening reading and playing "Muggins," with Pap and Jake. I disremember how the game stood, as this is being posted on the 9th of this month, but I know that I came out of the struggle victorious like the "Credit Mobilier" man.

December 9, 1880 -- Thursday
The weather was very cold all day. It was nine degrees colder in the morning than it was yesterday, by Uncle John's thermometer. I think there is snow in the air. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school at Retreat. I suppose one week from this, that Ann Shetter will not be Ann Shetter any more, but Mrs. Greenawalt. She is now on the cape of "Good Hope," and will soon arrive at the "United States of Wed-lock." Pap was at Uncle Henry Snyder's helping to hull cloverseed. I passed the evening writing an Essay for Society to-morrow evening the subject of which is "A sketch of the life of Benjamin Franklin. It will require me 15 minutes to read it.

December 10, 1880 -- Friday
The weather was cold, but not quite so cold as it was the last three days. I passed the day in my school, have five days yet to teach to complete my two months and a half. I went from the school-house in the evening to New Franklin, got my supper at Grandmother's. I was practising a while on Uncle John's organ. I was at the New Franklin school-house in the evening. The Society convened, and the exercises were very interesting. There was vocal and instrumental music by J.W. Funk, select readings, essays, and the question, "Should there be a cash system" was debated. Decision in the negative.

December 11, 1880 -- Saturday
The weather was somewhat cool and cloudy in the forenoon. It cleared off towards evening, but still remained quite cool. I cut wood, cleaned stables, helped to haul corn fodder &c in the forenoon. I was out on the railroad almost all afternoon, was with four different gangs. I was in New Franklin a while in the afternoon. I then came home, and in the evening I went away, spent a very pleasant evening with Allie. I suppose this was the last Saturday night of Will Greenawalt's single days, also Cal Miller. I came home at night as far as New Franklin with my partner, Al Duffield.

December 12, 1880 -- Sunday
The weather was somewhat cloudy all day, and was not near as cold as it was last week. There were appearances for rain all day, and after sundown it did rain, but not very much. I did not arise in the morning until 1 o'clock in the afternoon, (I am almost ashamed to say it) but the cause is known to me, and that is all is required. After dinner Jake and I went out to take a survey of the new railroad. We went out to the end of Reilly's works. Dan Hoover was with us.  I passed the evening reading and playing the flutina. I read in the New York World a part of the story, "A Divided House." The end has not yet come.

December 13, 1880 -- Monday
The weather was cloudy in the forenoon, and in fact almost all day, but did not rain or snow. I passed the day in my school, had a very small school, only 16 scholars present out of 37. I do not think my percent this month will be more than 50. The school-board is to meet on Christmas day. I had quite an interesting conversation with J.B. Wingert in the evening at Zitzman's store, as I came through. I sent a letter with 10 cts inclosed to Lynn &c, 106 John St. N.Y. for songs. Jacob got a whipping in school to-day, for going out without permission. I think Jno. Wingert has his own time with those bad boys.

December 14, 1880 -- Tuesday
The weather was cloudy, and at times rained a little during the day. It rained a pretty heavy shower in the evening, and then cleared off very nicely, and the moon shone beautifully. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school, had only fifteen scholars. Pap was in town in the forenoon, looked after my pictures which Bishop was to send me a week ago. They would have come, but on account of bad weather they could not be printed. I gave Pap $1.26, I now owe him $3,61. Calvin Miller was married to Miss Beckie McCleary. I passed the evening playing dominoes with Pap and Jake.

December 15, 1880 -- Wednesday
The weather was clear and quite pleasant all day -- got a little cloudy at times. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school, which was well represented. I dismissed my school until day after to-morrow, as I wish to attend the wedding to-morrow. I received through the mail, a copy of the "Teacher's Companion," for December, and the "Detroit Free Press," which I read in the evening. I was trying to study out a numerical enigma, but as yet, have not found out the answer. I am this day eighteen years and six moths old. This is the birthday of a near friend of mine. W.F. Zumbro.

December 16, 1880 -- Thursday
The weather was somewhat cold and cloudy but not much signs for rain or snow. I did not have school to-day, -- this was the first day I missed yet this winter. I went to Shetter's about half-past ten o'clock, and staid there till about twelve at night. Ann Shetter and Will Greenawalt were married, -- "Joined in wedlock, for worser or for better." Sam Etter, Sam Miller and wife, Al and Martha Duffield, were there also. The waiters were Jacob L. Shetter and Beckie McDowell. Everything passed off nicely, and I enjoyed myself very much. This was the first wedding I was ever at. There was a band of serenaders there in the evening.

December 17, 1880 -- Friday
The weather was very pleasant all day. I passed the day in my school, very pleasantly. Clara E. Snyder was there a while in the forenoon, staid from recess till noon. She went to David A. Hassler's and again returned and she and I came to New Franklin together. I received my photographs from H. Bishop through the mail. I staid in New Franklin and got my supper, went from there to the school house, at which place the Literary Society convened. The exercises were very good. The best piece read was by J.W. Funk, sub. "Snyder's nose." The debate was good. Pap and mother were in St. Thomas, went up in my buggy in the forenoon, and returned in the evening.

December 18, 1880 -- Saturday
The weather was very cloudy and threatened for snow in the forenoon, but cleared off very nicely in the afternoon. I cut wood in the forenoon, and about 10 o'clock I went to town. I got a treat for my school, which cost $4.50. I also got a pair of cheap pants, a flutina for a gift, and a deck of dominoes, which last cost me 85 cents, but they are nice ones. After I arrived home from town, I took a survey of the new railroad now under rapid progress in regard to grading. I was at home in the evening, and we passed the time playing with the new dominoes, but it appeared that Pap was best.

December 19, 1880 -- Sunday
The weather was very pleasant all day, somewhat cold. I was at the Grindstone Hill church in the forenoon. There was Sabbath School, also preaching by Rev. W.H. Herbert. I went up with the rest in the carriage, and came part way home with H.A. Fleck. I took Miss Allie to the Hill in the evening. Rev. Shertz has a revival meeting started, but has as yet no mourners. There was a large crowd present, and the sermon was good. I passed part of the night with Allie. From this day one week, Christmas will be over again and the "old year" fast passing away into History, never to again be seen, or to return.

December 20, 1880 -- Monday
The weather was cloudy in the forenoon, and got very inclement in the afternoon. It began snowing at about twelve o'clock, and continued almost incessantly till night. I suppose this was the beginning of the eleven feet snow. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school at Retreat. Have now finished my two months and a half and in five days and a half yet I will be half done teaching for this winter. I received through the mail ten songs from Lynn P.G. 106 John St. N.Y. which I sent for about a week ago. I passed the evening making out my monthly report, and playing dominoes. Pap was best, I next, Jake came out last.

December 21, 1880 -- Tuesday
The weather was very inclement. It snowed all forenoon and part of the afternoon. Owing to inclement weather, Pap took me up to my school-house and came for me in the evening in the sleigh. I passed the day in my school,  had hardly anything to do, with only three scholars present. This was the least number present yet. The three were David Grove, Geo. Yost, and Sadie Yost. Pap brought Grandmother down when he came home, and she staid until Pap came up for me. We were playing dominoes in the evening, with Pap and Jake. Pap beat.

December 22, 1880 -- Wednesday
The weather was clear and pleasant all day. The sun shone very brightly and melted the snow somewhat. The sleighing is right good, but will be better when the roads get beat down a little more. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school, had eleven scholars. I came down as far as New Franklin in the evening and got the loan of J.B. Wingert's sleigh, and D.R. Zitzman hitched his horse into it, and he and I went to Marion, at which place the Literary Society of that place convened. The exercises consisted of Select Readings by several of the members, a Dialogue & Debate by J.J. Shaff, Dick Shaff, W.Q. Lantz and Mr. Carr.

December 23, 1880 -- Thursday
The weather was somewhat cool all day. There was a very heavy frost which lasted almost all forenoon. The trees looked bent fully. I passed the day in my school, had a visitor in the afternoon, Mr. J.W. Witherspoon, he came directly after dinner, and staid until evening. He seemed to be very well pleased with the school. I bought a string of five bells from F.J. Pfoutz in the morning, and got them in the evening. They cost $2.50. I only paid the half and will pay the other $1.25 some time else. We were playing dominoes in the evening. Pap was victorious both in Muggins and Euchre.

December 24 - December 27, 1880
These pages have been torn out of the diary.

December 28, 1880 -- Tuesday
The weather was somewhat cloudy all day, although the sun shone at times but dimly. There were appearances for snow toward evening, and in the evening, late, it did snow. I passed the day in my school. Luther Hipfer cleaned my stove pipe and part of the chimney in the evening after school. Pap, Jake and I went to Marion in the evening in the sleigh. The Literary Society of that place convened. The exercises were very interesting. I had "Hon. J.M. Stubbs views on the situation," and it was well received. Pap was a judge, on the debate, in which D.G. Hoover, A.J. Schaff, I.J. Schaff & W.D. Lantz participated.

December 29, 1880 -- Wednesday
The weather was quite inclement all day. It was right cold, and snowed almost all day, but did not snow much after all. I passed the day in my school, with ten scholars. Inclement weather was the cause of this small number. Writing just at this time goes very hard, as my right hand is so cold that I can hardly hold my pencil, my writing here shows. I had an interesting conversation with F.T. Snyder in the evening, at Zitzman's store, as I was on my way from school. Pap and Uncle John were making brooms in the afternoon. He says he cleared cleared about $2.00.

December 30, 1880 -- Thursday
The weather was very cold, the coldest day yet of the season. If it remains so the "old year" will certainly go out like a lion. Pap hitched up in the morning with the intention of going to Waynesboro, but as Uncle Jake did not go on account of the cold, Pap took me up to my school-house at which place I passed the day, with only twn scholars. Pap came for me again in the evening. There we[re] four men at the school-house, when school was dismissed, viz: Pap, Dave Hassler, Abe Rueneker and Fred Pfoutz, -- they came for their children. I spent part of the evening playing dominoes, in the muggins game I was victorious.

December 31, 1880 -- Friday
The weather was very cold all day. The thermometer, they say was down to 20 degrees below zero -- cold enough to freeze the "horns off a mooley cow." I passed the day very pleasantly in my school at Retreat, had eleven scholars present. J.F. Deardorff came to my school in the evening after school, and I came along with him in the sleigh as far as Andy Danzberger's. He wanted me to go along to a party to Quincy on next Tuesday evening, but I guess I can't go. D.G. Hoover was here a while in the evening. We were playing dominoes. Dan & I were beating. Good bye, Dear Diary. Farewell, old year 1880.

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