Wednesday, September 30, 1868

This has been a very disagreeable day. It has rained all day. Mr. Briggs came for Maria this morning, so she packed up and went. He bought a bushel of peaches at 2 dollars a bushel.

Melia and I preserved the grapes to day. We had 12 pounds.

Rob made a large rack to put over the hop house stove so we can dry as fast as we choose now.

Tuesday, September 29, 1868

This has been a splendid day. The girls got home to day at noon, and then I got ready and then Melia and I went down town. Just before we started, Mrs. Houchen and the baby came up and spent the afternoon.

I called on Mrs. Shepherd and she wants me to work in the shop for her this fall, and I think if I keep as well as I be now, I shall go.

Our folks finished husking the corn in the hop yard to day.

Monday, September 28, 1868

I have a visitor to day, so I don't feel well.

This has been a pleasant day. The girls did not come to day, either. I don’t know when to look for them now. Maria washed to day, and I done the work and picked up and pared apples to day. We are very busy taking care of peaches and drying apples.

Our folks are busy in their corn. They are husking that in the hop yard. They expect to finish to morrow.

Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27, 1868

Saturday, September 26, 1868

Oh dear me, how cloudy and cold it is! It seems as though we must have snow before morning. It is so cold to night!

We expected the girls to night, but they have not come, so I guess they have not finished. I am afraid they will both get sick.

It has been such very wet and cold weather all the time.

Rob came home to night, but he is almost sick with a hard cold. He cannot speak a loud word. He is so hoarse!

I gathered the grapes to day. We had about ½ bushel done. David came into the garden with us picking them.

Sunday, September 27, 1868

This has been a cold, cloudy day. I did not go to Church this morning. Maria went. I staid at home and wrote a letter to Add.

We expected the girls to day, but they did not come.

Mr. Foote came up to see if he could get Maria to work for his wife this winter, but she had agreed to go to Mr. Briggs as soon as the girls got home, so she did not go. Mr. Briggs came up this evening to see if the girls [are] back yet. However, he could get her.

Friday, September 25, 1868

Well, this has been an exceedingly dull day, and it has rained some of the time, but not bad enough to keep us from picking hops. John came up with a horse and buggy for Ella and I about 9 o’clock this morning. We finished picking 5 o’clock this afternoon. Ella and I picked 9 bushels to day, making in all 65 bushels apiece each at 5 cents a bushel. Made $3.25. Mr. Chappel paid them all, and then we had our supper and Rob took the horse and buggy and took Ella and I home.

Thursday, September 24, 1868

Well, this has been a very dull, cloudy day, and it has rained some, but we have kept at work all day. Ella and I picked 15 bushels apiece again to day. We pick just alike all the time!

They are having a dance to Mr. Chappel’s to night, but Ella and Rob and I came up home, for we did not wish to stay for their dance.

I have not heard from Melia to day either.

We expect to finish picking to morrow.

I have not seen David to day.

Wednesday, September 23, 1868

This has been a very windy and cold day, but we have been picking hops all day. Ella and I picked 15 bushels apiece to day! I tell you, we have gay times! We get 8 cents a bushel.

Rob and Ella and I went down town this evening a little while. I have not heard from Melia and Clara yet, nor we have not had a letter from Ruth yet. I expected one last night. I don’t see why she don’t write to me, as she agreed.

I saw David this morning. He was in the yard.