October 1, 1880 -- Friday
The weather was very clear and pleasant all day. A good air prevailed all day. I did not do my work in the forenoon, watched the cows and read a little. Pap and Jake finished cutting off corn. Pap husked five bushels for Uncle Jake and took it up. Jake and I gathered in the pumpkins. I did not feel very well. After we had the pumpkins gathered, I watched the cows in the field, to keep them from getting up in the corn. From this evening one week, I will have one week school taught. It will not now be long, until I can again meet my little flock of disciples in the "little old school-house at Retreat."

October 2, 1880 -- Saturday
The weather was clear and pleasant all day and the evening was beautiful. I cleaned the stable &c in the forenoon. Pap and Uncle John went to Uncle Dan Grove's in the forenoon and bought for Grandmother two hogs. In the afternoon we sowed our little field. Jake followed the drill, and I sowed the timothy-seed. I was at home in the evening, but it was little a hard thing to do. Hiram Fleck came up and took Jennie to the revival meeting now being held at the Falling Spring school-house. I perhaps will go over to-morrow evening, if I can get a chance to go without walking.

October 3, 1880 -- Sunday
The weather was very clear and pleasant all day, although right cold in the morning and evening. The sun shone very brightly during the day. Pap and Mother went to St. Thomas in the morning, in my buggy, and returned in the evening. Jacob was at John Snyder's, he went down in the morning and staid all day. Jennie and I were at home by ourselves the whole day. No one came. D.G. Hoover and I walked to the Falling Spring school-house in the evening. There is a revival there. The house was crowded, not all being able to get into the house at all. There were 3 mourners.

October 4, 1880 -- Monday
The weather was clear during the greater part of the day. Towards evening it got cloudy, and rained all night. The schools of Guilford Town began. I passed my first day for this winter in my school at Retreat. I had eighteen scholars, and as I have the space I will write their names so that in after years I can recall my little flock: Florence Ruencker, Gertie Hepfer, Nellie Funk, Jennie Hassler, Lottie Somers, Annie M. Horn, Grace Tritle, Eliza B. Hassler, Sadie Etter, Frank Hassler, Bruce Wingert, Willie Grove, Harvey, Frank and Charles Dornberger, Beau McCleary, George Yost and David H. Grove. There will be more.

October 5, 1880 -- Tuesday
The weather was cloudy and damp in the forenoon. It soon cleared off and the afternoon was clear and nice. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school.. There were fifteen scholars present. The school-board of Guilford Twp. have adopted a new series of text-books and my greatest trouble now is to get them introduced into the school, but I am getting there slowly. A great many of the parents are opposed to the measure and the teacher will get part of the blame although he cannot help it. The Chambersburg Fair began, and will be in session for the next three days, but I will not attend it.

October 6, 1880 -- Wednesday
The weather was very clear and pleasant all day. The sun shone all day and at night the stars shone beautifully in "the azure expanse of the blue creo[...]m armory above." I passed the day very pleasantly in my school, had ninteen scholars. Two new ones entered, viz: Harry Pfoutz and Emma H. Pfoutz. I got four new books for my scholars at the Hall when I went past. Jacob was at the Chambersburg Fair. He says there was a crowd present, and some of the tame Indians from Carlisle there who shot marks and ran a foot race. The Republicans had a grand rally in town in the evening, a number of prominent speakers were present.

October 7, 1880 -- Thursday
The weather was very fine, clear and pleasant all day. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school, had eighteen scholars. One new one entered, viz: David C. Pfoutz. This was the big day at the Chambersburg Fair, but I did not bother the fair with my presence this year. Pap and I went to town in the evening in the carriage, and attended a political meeting. The crowd that assembled in the Court House was immense, and was addressed by Hons.M.R.Speer and Heister Clymer. Mr. Speer delivered the ablest speech that ever I heard. I could have listened to him all night. We met Uncle Cal there, and he came along with us out.

October 8, 1880 -- Friday
The weather was clear and pleasant all day, and the roads are very mice for travelling. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school. Have now one week of my this winters work done, and $7.15 earned. I wish I would have this sum now, but I must wait until to-morrow three weeks before I can draw any wages. Pap made cider in the forenoon, and after dinner he took Uncle Cal to town. We were preparing the apples for apple butter in the evening. I received a note from Miss Mamie Kissecker stating that my company is acceptable on next Sunday evening, if I call, which I will be glad to do.

October 9, 1880 -- Saturday
The weather was clear and pleasant all day. It was a little cold in the morning, but before noon it got very nice and warm. Pap and I husked about thirty-two shocks of corn, which made about fifty baskets full of ears, of which Uncle Jake got the half and Pap took it up for him towards evening. The Great Revival of Falling Spring is still going on. They have eleven mourners and they say the house was "crammed" full in the evening, but I, for one was not there. I staid at home in the evening, but as the evening was so nice it went a little rough to do so. I suppose Jennie is now a grass-widow, as her fellow, Mr. Fleck, has gone back on her.

October 10, 1180 -- Sunday
The weather was very clear and pleasant. The evening was beautiful, or to use the expression, "excruciating grand." The moon was shining the forepart of the evening. I was at the Grindstone Hill Church in the forenoon. There was Sunday School, Catechise, and Preaching. There was not a very large crowd present, owing I suppose to the funeral of Mr. Jos. Wingert, one of the oldest and citizens of our twp. which took place at 10 o'clock. It was a very large funeral. I hitched up in my buggy towards evening and took Miss Mamie Kissecker to Singing at the New Franklin school-house. After singing I passed a very pleasant night with Miss Mamie. She is a very nice girl.

October 11, 1880 -- Monday
The weather was very clear and exceedingly warm for this time of year. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school at "Retreat," had twenty scholars. One new one was admitted, viz: Elmer Somers. I have now twenty-two on the list. I received a programme of the next annual teachers Institute of our County. I am on to help to discuss the subject "What modes of punishment do you deem proper in a school." I do not know what I can make out of it, but I will do the best that I can. I think I can make a little talk on it. I also received a paper from the Eastern Business College in Poughkeepsie.

October 12, 1880 -- Tuesday
The weather was somewhat cloudy in the forenoon, and rained a little. There was a rainbow in the morning, which gives the sailor warning. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school, had seventeen scholars. There was a love-feast at the Antrim meeting-house at Brown's Mill, by the Tinkers, and I suppose there was a large crowd there. I was not there. I would very much have liked to have been there in the evening, as the evening was delightful, and no doubt there was a great deal of my acquaintances there. But as I am now busily engaged in teaching, I cannot be as free as I was before. I shall be kept down for 20 odd weeks.

October 13, 1880 -- Wednesday
The weather was very clear and pleasant all day. The sun shone beautifully, although it was not so very warm. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school, -- had sixteen scholars. I now have but three days to teach yet, then I will have my half-month taught, or one-eleventh of the whole term taught. Jacob was in town in the forenoon and witnessed the parade of "Cooper, Baily and Co.'s great London Circus." He says it was the best parade he ever saw. The election returns, as far as heard from, are Indiana and West Virginia have gone Democratic and Ohio has gone Republican. Of course, this may not be correct, but a few more days will tell.

October 14, 1880 -- Thursday
The weather was clear and pleasant all day. The roads are very good. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school, had seventeen scholars. I have only one day more, then another week will have been put in. I rode part of the way home from Jackson Hall, with Dr. Grove in his buggy, and we passed the "old wheel-barrow man." This man was wheeling a barrow that was all tied with rags. He bet $5000 almost 2 years ago that he could wheel from Albany to San Francisco in 2 years. He has 19 days left to complete his journey. He is travelling for Washington. Mother and Jennie and Jake were in town, got boots shoes and Mother got her teeth extracted.

October 15, 1880 -- Friday
The weather was very pleasant all day, somewhat cloudy at times. The evening was beautiful. I passed the day in my school, but dismissed at half-past three o'clock, and came home, got ready, and Jennie and I went to St. Thomas. We started at about sun-down, and arrived in St. Thomas at a little after eight o'clock. Jennie will now stay in St. Thomas, -- will live at Mr. Stewart's. She has been down for a period of ten weeks, ever since the seventh of August. I suppose we will feel very lonesome now for a while. Mrs. Wertz and her daughter, Annie were at our house for a little while in the afternoon. The new Railroad is progressing very rapidly. There is a gang working in Harmony's field.

October 16, 1880 -- Saturday
The weather was changeable. It rained a little in the forenoon. It was quite stormy in the afternoon and rained at night. I was at Uncle Charles' store in St. Thomas as in the forenoon, and got for myself on time a suit of clothes for $13.00, an overcoat for $9.00, and a buggy-whip for $1.00, making a total of $26.00 to be paid about the 1st of December. I left St. Thomas about half-past three o'clock and came to Marion, and from thence proceeded to Kissecker's and spent a very pleasant evening with Miss Mamie. I arrived at home at a little after one, and showed my clothes to Pap and Mother who got up to see them. Judy Kramer was buried yesterday in St. Thomas.

October 17, 1880 -- Sunday
The weather was very inclement in the forenoon. It rained the most of the time, which will be beneficial to the wheat in the ground. It cleared of in the afternoon, and the evening was beautiful. The moon shone brightly. I was at home in the forenoon. In the afternoon towards evening, I hitched up in and went to the Kissecker's and took Miss Mamie to singing at the New Franklin school-house, -- which was conducted by J.A. Pfoutz. There was quite a large audience present. I enjoyed myself very much. There was a fellow fooled through my doings, but I do not care, as I couldn't help it. I suppose Jennie passed a lonesome Sunday in St. Thomas.

October 18, 1880 -- Monday
The weather was clear all day, but was about the coldest day of this winter yet. It was somewhat windy at times. There was a heavy frost in the morning. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school. Three new scholars entered, Katie and Maggie and Willie Peiffer. I have now twenty-five scholars on the roll. This day finished my half month. I have now five months yet to put in. I have earned $15.75. I got from D.G. Hoover in the evening the loan of his "Wickensham's School Economy." It gives some good ideas in regard to my subject to discuss at the Institute. I passed the evening reading and filling up my report.

October 19, 1880 -- Tuesday
The weather was very cold all day. There were several snow-storms passed overhead, and in the evening, it moderated and rained a great part of the night, or perhaps "large" would be a better word to use than great. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school at Retreat, have now my first day in the new month. Pap was at Uncle Hen Snyder's husking corn. Pap and Mother were making sour krout, in the evening. I put in my spare moments at writing out my speech to be made at the Institute in regard to school punishments. I think I can make a kind of a short talk. Mr. Herbert began his meeting at the Hill, and will continue till over Sunday.

October 20, 1880 -- Wednesday
The weather was very clear and pleasant all day, not near so so cold as it was the last two days. The roads are somewhat muddy owing to the late rains. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school, put in my spare moments at writing my speech for the Institute. I have "Wickensham's School Economy" as a book, from which to get ideas. I received a letter in the evening stating that I can get the "Detroit Free Press" for three months for thirty cents, which offer I may take. Pap got through the mail a copy of the election laws of Pennsylvania. The railroaders are making rapid progress with their work. Pap and Mother were making sour krout in the eve.

October 21, 1880 -- Thursday
The weather was very nice and pleasant, but the roads are somewhat muddy. I passed the day in my school at Retreat, had exactly the same number and same scholars that I had yesterday. The number was twenty. I have in all twenty five so that eighty percent was present. Day after to-morrow a week is payday, and I do not suppose I will forget that. I think that will be the best day of the lot. I have neglected to post my diary, and am writing this on the 24th. I almost forget the events of the day, but for the sake of filling up space, I will write something.

October 22, 1880 -- Friday
The weather was very inclement. It was foggy in the morning and looked as though it would clear off, but about ten-o'clock it rained very heavily. It also rained in the afternoon, and the evening was anything but pleasant. I passed the day in my school notwithstanding the weather. I had seventeen scholars. After school I came down to New Franklin, and remained there until about 10 o'clock. The Republicans had quite a rally. The speakers were Messrs. Eyster and McKnight. The Junior Cornet Band of Chambersburg furnished music for the occasion. Everything passed off nicely, although the attendance was small.

October 23, 1880 -- Saturday
The weather was very stormy and cold all day. Pap, Mother and I were at the Grindstone Hill church in the forenoon at which place Mr. Herbert held his preparatory services, previous to his communion to-morrow. In the afternoon, I helped Pap to kill a hog, cleaned the stable, cut wood, and took the top off my buggy and put in the stays in the top. I will go without the top, now for a while. Pap and I were at the Hill in the evening. There was preaching by Rev. Dr. Kane of Williamsport, Pa.  D.G. Hoover was over at our place a little while in the afternoon. It is now one week since I left St. Thomas with my suit.

October 24, 1880 -- Sunday
The weather was very cold and windy all day. It was somewhat cloudy at times, but they were "wind clouds." This reminds me of one of Uncle Charles' sayings of last Summer, viz: "wind-clouds and star-drifts." We were all at the Hill in the forenoon, our denomination, that is the Reformeds had their communion. There was quite a large crowd there. In the afternoon, I was back at Foxtown inspecting the new railroad. At about five o'clock, I hitched up in my buggy, and took Miss Mamie to the Hill, at which place there was divine services. Rev. Dr. Kane preached. There was a large crowd present. I spent a very pleasant night with her.

October 25, 1880 -- Monday
The weather was somewhat cold in the morning, but got very pleasant in the forenoon. The sun shone very nicely. The recent wind has made the roads very nice again. I passed the day very pleasantly in my school, had twenty-two scholars, -- all in except three. I had an interesting conversation with J.B. Wingert in the evening, in regard to starting our Society again for this winter, and have decided on having it on next Saturday evening a week, if the weather is nice. That will be the principle gathering for this winter, and I hope we can get it started successfully. I got from him a document, entitled "Who robbed Jimmy Walls."

October 26, 1880 -- Tuesday
The weather was quite inclement the greater part of the day. It was cloudy in the forenoon, and rained a little shower in the afternoon. I passed the day in my school very pleasantly. I had quite an interesting conversation with C.W. Thomson in the morning as he went by my school-house, on his way to the Chicago School-house at which place he teaches. The Republican's had a political meeting at Greencastle in the evening. The Garfield and Arthur Club of our Twp. were to go, but owing to the weather they did not go. I hope to-morrow evening will be nice, as I would like to have our club go to Quincy.

October 27, 1880 -- Wednesday
The weather was somewhat cloudy all day. The morning was clear and pleasant but soon clouded up and remained so all day. It began to rain about 12 o'clock at night. I passed the day at my school at Retreat. After school I went to New Franklin, got my supper at Grandmother's and went with the Hancock and English Club of Guilford Township to Quincy. There was quite a string of us, with our banners and torches. When we got near Quincy, the club and band of that place met us, and we paraded through Quincy. I carried the "big Flag." The audience was addressed by C.M. Duncan and J.C. Shumaker, Esqs. of Chambersburg.

October 28, 1880 -- Thursday
The weather was very inclement. It was very cloudy and rainy in the morning, and remained so all day. I passed the day in my school at Retreat with but nine scholars present, and they only arrived at twenty-five minutes after the time for books. I stopped at the Hall in the evening as I was on my way home, also at New Franklin told Dr. Grove to go up to Henry Etters, as one of his children was sick. The roads were very muddy, and I got my feet wet, before I got home. This weather is very unhealthy. I suppose there was some one disappointed in regard to the weather, the chestnut party I mean.

October 29, 1880 -- Friday
The weather was very inclement. It did not rain much, but was cloudy and damp all day. This weather is not very healthy, the damp air is not good to breathe so much of it. As I am not very well-prepared in the shoe-line for this kind of weather, Pap took me to school, and brought me from that place, in my buggy. I passed the day in my school, have now finished my 4 weeks at Retreat. I had a conversation with C.W. Thomson in the morning. I passed part of the evening playing dominoes with Pap. I gained in regard to games, and Pap gained in regard to points, also I had one cat.

October 30, 1880 -- Saturday
The weather was very inclement all day. It began to rain in the forenoon and so continued until evening. I was in town. I went in, in the buggy in the forenoon, and did not get home until nearly evening. The Guilford Township School-Board met, and paid off the teachers for their half month. I received as my salary $15.75, and got $2.00 for cleaning the school-house. I got myself a pair of gum boots at Dyson's for which I paid $3.50, and a pair of fine shoes for $2.75. D.G. Hoover came out from town with me, he walked in after dinner. This is hallowe'en, but as it was so inclement, I suppose there was not much corn thrown.

October 31, 1880 -- Sunday
The weather was quite blustery all day. It stopped raining some time last night, and in the morning the sun shone. It was quite windy. Pap and Jake were up at the Grindstone Hill cut of the new Railroad. D.G. Hoover was here a while in the forenoon. We went up to Harmony's Hill, -- viewing the railroad. I was at home in the afternoon partly by myself. Towards evening I hitched up in my buggy, and took Miss Mamie to G.S. Hill church at which place there was preaching by Rev. A.H. Shertz. I had my Lap-robe stolen, but all my own carelessness. I spent a very pleasant evening with Miss Mamie. [Note: last sentence is almost completely erased] "L[...]

Continue to November