November 1, 1880 -- Monday
The weather was very clear and pleasant all day. I passed the day in my school, very pleasantly. I had a right large school, there were twenty-two present out of the twenty-six. I made the first trip to my school in my gum boots. I stopped in New Franklin a while and had a talk with Jno. Pfoutz, Doc. Grove, and others. I suppose there are two anxious and unhappy men this evening, and they are Genl. W.S. Hancock and J.A. Garfield. To-morrow will decide the question, but we will not know the result until two or three weeks after this. I hope our next president will be "the one of Pennsylvania's noblest sons, -- The hero of Gettysburg.

November 2, 1880 -- Tuesday
The weather was clear and pleasant, and the roads are good. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school. There was a great many in attendance, almost the whole number. John Pfoutz came to our place bright and early in the morning, and Jake took Pap and him to town, to attend their official business as inspector and clerk of the election, which took place to-day, all over the United States. They did not get home being kept, I suppose, busy the whole night counting the votes. I suppose there are scoundrels and rascals busy at work to-day, trying to cheat Hancock out of office.

November 3, 1880 -- Wednesday
The weather was very pleasant, although not very clear. I passed the day at my school , very pleasantly, with a pretty full school in attendance. There were twenty-four. I heard bad news about the elections. They say every man on the Republican ticket except Skinner for Sheriff is elected. This is indeed very discouraging. It is of no more use for the democrats to try. My candid opinion of the state of affairs is that the Republic of the United States of America will be no more. It will not stand for more than four years at the longest. It will not require me long to study to join the army.

November 4, 1880 -- Thursday
The weather was very cloudy all day, and about three o'clock it began to rain and continued raining till night, and perhaps all night for all I know. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school. I stopped a while in New Franklin in the evening, hoping to hear some election news, but heard nothing, everything appears to be very quiet. I suppose this election will be on similar to the one of 1876, but if it is, there will be War, and I do not think I will study long, till I will take a hand in it. I wrote a letter to Miss Mamie at noon, but would much rather have talked to her personally than to write.

November 5, 1880 -- Friday
The weather was very cloudy all day, but did not rain of any account and it was well it did not in the evening, for I left my umbrella in the Hall in the morning. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school, have now passed twenty-five days in that occupation since Oct. 4.  I passed the evening principally reading history and "that little republican sheet," The Herald. I will pay up my subscription as soon as I can, and then stop taking it, as it has turned out to be a "republican independent paper." The latest election news are that New York has gone democratic by about 6000, and if that be so, then Hancock is elected.

November 6, 1880 -- Saturday
The weather was very cloudy and damp all day, rained almost the whole afternoon. I was up at the Railroad in the morning after I got through with my work, and saw the men at work. They did not work in the afternoon. I was at New Franklin in the afternoon. A lot of the Railroad men were there also. When I came home I found Pap in an awful passion, on account of Sollenberger's dogging our heifer. She was dogged wonderfully. We passed the evening playing dominoes, but I was beat out, but not so bad as Jake. This is a very disagreeable evening, -- dark, stormy and raining very fast.

November 7, 1880 -- Sunday
The weather was very windy and cold. It was a little cloudy in the morning, but before noon, it cleared off nicely but still remained cold. I was at home the greater part of the day. Pap and I took a walk along the new Railroad at about 11 o'clock. Reilly has not done much this week but Whalen has made a pretty good week's work. I was at the New Franklin school-house in the evening. There was singing by R.L. Barr, Joe Pfoutz being in Baltimore. I walked up, as our horse has the epizootic. I had company up. Misses Annie Snyder and Maria Brathauer, the latter lady is "most awful proud." I heard some bad news from M.B.

November 8, 1880 -- Monday
The weather was very clear and pleasant all day and the roads are good, although there are some mud-holes yet occasioned by the recent rain. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school at Retreat. Two new scholars were admitted, viz: Sophia M. Dornberger and Ellie Tritle. My school now numbers thirty scholars. As I came past the Hall in the morning, I mailed a letter to the "Valley Spirit." It is an article to be inserted about Stover's going up Salt River. I bought from Mr. Pfoutz one of Ridpath's histories, which I will try and introduce into my school. I came past the railroad home in the evening. They put off some big blasts.

November 9, 1880 -- Tuesday
The weather was very clear and pleasant all day, and the roads are good. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school. It is now one week since the election and still we do not know yet, who is to be our new chief magistrate. The news come more and more in favor of our "illustrious hero of Gettysburg." I hope the news will come soon that Hancock is elected. After school was dismissed I got a saw from Hepfer's and sawed off about two inches from the desks, so they will not be so high. I passed the evening studying and playing dominoes, but will not play dominoes again for a while, as Jake does nothing but cheat.

November 10, 1880 -- Wednesday
The weather was somewhat cloudy. In the afternoon it looked as though it would rain every minute, but it did not rain until evening. It rained almost all night. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school. I stopped in New Franklin a while on my way home in the evening, and had an interesting conversation with J.B. Wingert & others. The article which I wrote on Sunday came out in the Valley Spirit. It is entitled "A Salt River Suggestion." I passed the evening studying my lessons for to-morrow. The saying, "He who teaches, often learns himself" is a true one, for I know that I can improve greatly this winter. W.F.Z.

November 11, 1880 -- Thursday
The weather was somewhat cloudy in the morning, but soon cleared off , and the afternoon was clear and pleasant. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school at Retreat, -- had twenty-four scholars. I wrote an essay for the Society to-morrow evening, the subject of which was "The man in the Moon." It is a queer subject and it is a queer essay. I will read it to-morrow evening. I passed the evening studying my lessons for to-morrow. I have a very interesting class in Arithmetic. They are now through Compound Proportion. I hope to-morrow evening will be a nice evening. I was in Zitzman's store a while in the evening, before coming home.

November 12, 1880 -- Friday
The weather was very clear and pleasant all day and the roads were good. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school at Retreat, had a right large school. If I had one more week taught, then I will have a weeks play. I came from the school-house home, and then went up to the New Franklin school-house, at which place the much renowned and far-famed Literary Society convened for the first time for this winter, with J.B. Wingert in the chair. The exercises consisted of Essay Select Reading and debate. I read an essay, subject "The Man in the Moon." The question "Resolved, that the multiplication of religious sects promotes the christian religion," was debated.

November 13, 1880 -- Saturday
The weather was very disagreeable. It was damp all day, and there was a good deal of snow fell, but melted almost as fast as it fell. Some however staid on the ground. I was at the railroad gang a while in the forenoon after doing the saturdays work. I was in New Franklin in the afternoon, in Zitzman's store. Some of the railroad hands were there, Sam and Kuhn, Breck and Nick &c. They are a clever set of fellows , and "bricks" don't forget. I worked out some of the problems in distributive proportion. We passed part of the evening playing dominoes, and I flatter myself to say that I came out of the game victorious. W.F.Z.

November 14, 1880 -- Sunday
The weather was cool and the air was raw all day. The snow had almost all disappeared by evening. I was at home all day. Joseph Gipe was here in the forenoon, and part of the afternoon. Pap was in New Franklin spending part of the day. John and Jake Shetter were here a while in the afternoon. They came about 3 o'clock, and staid till time for singing. We all went to Singing at the New Franklin school-house in the evening. J.A. Pfoutz was leader. I passed a very pleasant night with "my old gal," Alice Shetter. I have nothing for Mamie E. Kissecker, "she is a liar." I will now stick to Alice, knowing that I cannot better myself.

November 15, 1880 -- Monday
The weather was changeable, sometimes the sun shone very brightly, at other times the sky was overcast, and we were visited by snow-storms. I passed the day in my school at Retreat, had 2 new scholars, viz: Annie and Ellie Hassler. We had quite an interesting History lesson. The subject was De Soto's explorations and discoveries. He discovered thr Mississippi river in 1546 and was afterward buried in its waters. The St. Laurence river was discovered by James Cartier in 1534. De Soto was a spaniard and Cartier was a Frenchman. I wrote a letter to Clara E. Snyder in the evening, concerning disrespectful talk, which she did about me.

November 16, 1880 -- Tuesday
The weather was quite cool all day, and at times the sky was overcast by clouds, and it appeared as though we would have more snow, but we had not. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school, had one new scholar, viz: Sadie A. Yost. I received a letter in the evening, in answer to the one written yesterday from Miss Clara E. Snyder. I wrote one again in the evening, as the one I got did not altogether suit me to let matters rest. I passed the evening writing principally posting my diary as I had not posted since the 11th of this month. I saw my "once rival" Mr. Ditch in the evening, but I have nothing for him nor Mamie.

November 17, 1880 -- Wednesday
The weather was pleasant, somewhat cool. It was a little cloudy in the morning and there were some appearances for snow or rain, but all passed away. The evening was cool, or rather the weather was cool in the evening. I passed the day in my school, have now one and a half months taught and over one-fourth of the whole term taught. I passed the evening reading and writing. Pap took part of our flock of turkeys to Jackson Hall, for which he received 9 dollars and fifty-six cents. I had quite a lengthy conversation with Clara Snyder at the Hall on the "great question," now at hand. Five months ago, I passed a day at Mont Alto.

November 18, 1880 -- Thursday
The weather was very clear and during the middle part of the day was quite pleasant, but toward evening it got very cold. There were snow storms along the mountains. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school at Retreat. I have twenty-seven scholars. It was a little late in the evening when I arrived. I got for Grace Tritle a "Raub's Complete Arithmetic," as I came past the Hall in the evening. Sue Etter and Dan Heller were here in the evening. They came down for me to play on the flutina, and then Sue played some. We were playing dominoes then. From next Saturday six weeks will be Christmas, and seven weeks yet in this year, 1880. Uncle Hen brought a load of corn fodder.

November 19, 1880 -- Friday
The weather was clear and quite pleasant, although somewhat cold, especially in the morning. I got up early, and got at the Retreat School house at about sun rise, and passed the day there quite pleasantly. I have now taught seven weeks or thirty five days, -- two days over a month and a half. I will not have school next week, as I wish to be in attendance at the Teachers Institute. I was at the New Franklin school-house in the evening. The Society convened. My piece was a declamation, subject "Ben Buster's Stump Oration." After Intermission, Prof. C.C. Snyder entertained the audience by a short speech on the subject of "Language." He made a very nice little talk.

November 20, 1880 -- Saturday
The weather was cloudy and cold in the forenoon, and in the afternoon about three inches of snow fell, about three o'clock the sun came out. I was helping Pap to haul corn-fodder and husk corn in the forenoon. I also cleaned the horse stable and cut some wood. As it was snowing in the afternoon, I went to New Franklin and remained there till almost 4 o'clock, playing dominoes &c with D.P. Zitzman, J.S. Pfoutz, G.S. Coover &c. D.G. Hoover and Jake went with me out the new railroad as far as the "Big Cut." They will have a great deal of work yet before they will have that cut completed. It is a big cut, and no mistake. We had an ugly walk.

November 21, 1880 -- Sunday
The weather was clear but cold all day. It got very cold toward evening, and the night was "quite muchly so." I was at home in the forenoon. Mother and I, Pap and Jake hitched in the buggy and went to the Grindstone Hill church, at which place there were divine services conducted by Rev. W.H. Herbert. I went away in the afternoon about four o'clock and returned about two o'clock at night. I passed a very pleasant evening and night with my old gal Allie. It is of no use. I cannot suit myself better at any place, than I can with her. There was singing at New Franklin by J.A. Pfoutz.

November 22, 1880 -- Monday
The weather was clear all day, but it was right cold also all day. We were out trying to husk corn, but it is too cold, we quit. Pap and Jake were at it in the afternoon. It was not so cold then. Jake brought me to town about twelve o'clock and then returned. I will have for my home Fisher's Hotel now until Friday evening, -- the close of the Institute. The Institute convened at two o'clock, was opened bu prayer by Rev. Arthur and an address by Prof. Eby. The subject "How can we secure a more regular attendance," was discussed. 150 teachers answered to their names. I was at the Lecture in the evening. The Lecture was by Prof. Nathan Sheppard, Subject "Dickens."

November 23, 1880 -- Tuesday
The weather was clear but quite cold, especially in the morning. I was in attendance at the Institute which was of a highly interesting character. Prof. S.D. Hillman spoke on the subject of English Grammar. The subject of regular attendance was then taken up. 175 teachers answered to their names. The Institute was then addressed by Prof. Mark Bailey, Elocution, and Miss Hogan, Drawing. In the Afternoon. Prof. S.B. Potter spoke on the subject of "Mathematics," Miss Hogan on "Drawing," Prof. Hillman "English Grammar" and Mark Bailey "Elocution." I was at the Lecture in the evening. It was an illustrated lecture, sub. "The Yellowstone National Park," by Prof. W.I. Marshall, of Fitchburg, Mass.

November 24, 1880 -- Wednesday
The weather was about as yesterday, clear and cold, with great signs for snow. I was in attendance at the Institute, which was opened by Prayer by Prof. R.C. Patterson. The next period of time was given to Mr. W.C. McKnight, who spoke on Chemistry, and tried several experiments, the most of which failed. Miss Hogan took up the subject of Drawing, then Prof. Bailey, "Elocution," Prof. Hillman "Mental Science." Noon, Prof. Potter "Arithmetic,"  Dept. State Supitt. C. Houck made a very fine address, Miss Hogan and Prof. Bailey. I was at Lecture in the evening by Prof. Marshall, Sub. "The Yosemite Valley and the Big Trees of California." It was illustrated by what is called Calcium light [i.e. a magic lantern show.] WFZ.

November 25, 1880 -- Thursday
The weather was cloudy and damp. At about 11  o'clock it began to snow. I was in attendance at the Institute. Prof. Bailey made an address on Elocution. As this was Thanksgiving day, Prof. Eby gave the teachers free till 1:30 o'clock. I and several others were at the Central Presbyterian church. Prof. Bailey took up his subject in the afternoon. Prof. Houck made a very able talk on school management, Miss Hogan, Drawing, Prof. Hillman, Mental Science. I was at the Ref. Church in the early part of the evening. Uncle Humph delivered an address. I was then at the Court Hall, where Prof. Bailey gave a short elocutionary entertainment to a crowded house.

November 26, 1880 -- Friday
The weather was damp and cool all day. It began to snow in the forenoon, and continued snowing until evening. I was at the Institute. Prayer by W.H. Eby, address to teachers by Prof. Hillman, also by Miss Hogan, subject Industrial Drawing. There was an essay read by Dr. Suesserott, Mathematics by Prof. Potter. After a short session in the afternoon, the institute adjourned sine die. This has been indeed a very pleasant week for me, one that will not return again for another long year. In one way I am sorry that it is over, but I feel confident that I have benefitted by the proceedings. I got acquainted with a great many teachers, whom I had not known before.

November 27, 1880 -- Saturday
The weather was somewhat cloudy and damp the forepart of the day, and at no time in the day, was it clear. There were appearances for rain or snow. Mrs. Dan Wagaman came to our place yesterday, and remained overnight. I was at home in the forenoon. I was in town in the afternoon, went in in the sleigh, but sleighing is about done. The school-board met and I got my salary for 1 month, viz: $31.50. I got a lap-robe for $3.00, a hat and a pair of overshoes for $2.93, &c. I brought a little more than $25.00 home. I went from town to see Miss Allie, with whom I spent a very pleasant evening, "so I did."

November 28, 1880 -- Sunday
The weather was very inclement all day. It was raining and sleeting the greater part of the day, and was very damp. I was only out of the house but a little bit the whole day. The above sentence is not strictly grammatical but it cannot be helped this time. Jake Snyder was here a while, came up to get Pap to come and help them to butcher  on next Tuesday, and also to pass part of the day. I do not suppose there was a very big crowd at Singing in New Franklin owing to inclement weather. I got for myself last week a Diary for 1881, from M.A. Clendenin for $1.00, and "De Graff's School-room Guide" from an agent for $1.25.

November 29, 1880 -- Monday
The weather was somewhat cloudy all day, but no snow or rain fell. There was quite a crust on the snow in the morning, but the snow melted some. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school, and as the resolutions were, "I returned after the Institute with renewed zeal, to perform the task before me." I tried some of Mr. Houck's rules, "Never scold," "Do not threaten." I think they work admirably. I suppose the jolly "boys" of last week have this day each returned to their work. O, for another such a week. I passed the evening playing Muggins with Pap and Jake. I played best.

November 30, 1880 -- Tuesday
The weather was somewhat cloudy all day, with appearances for snow. It began to sleet, snow and rain about nine o'clock in the evening, and continued all night. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school. If my attendance keeps on at this rate, my percent will not be more than about 50. I have 79 days to teach yet this winter. One more month then: farewell 1880. I passed the evening reading and playing dominoes with Pap and Jake. The score was Jake 580, Pap 430, and I had 480. Pap was at Jake Snyder's butchering. Clara sent me a present of a message about four inches in length, -- "trying to be good."

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