davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-14
4 Gsod story for he Ne,v Yca,.

In closing afi excellent New-Years SER
mon at the South Congregational Church
last evening, the Rev. Mr.. Parker related,
as illustrating the point of bis discourse,
the following story or parable, whose les
son may well be taken into every heart
| A little girl came down stairs one Christ
mas morning, eager to ascertain what gifts
| grinned to find that, while all the other
members of the family had received beau
tiful and costly presents, there was for her
only a large black bag of forbidding ap-
pearance. It was locked, and the key was
nowhere to be found. but on the lock was
this inscription 81 am worth much to
him who can open me-" While the child
was wondering how she could open the
bag, an angel suddenly appeared to her,
and told her that If she would follow, OBJ
serve, and be docile, the way to open the
bag would be revealed.
The child assentcd, and straightway the
angel carried her 10 the cold and cherries
house of a poor family, where the hungry
inmates We're toiling to obtain their daily
bread. "Oh," thought the child, eff I
could but help these poor people," and at
the thought the bag opened q little, and
scattered some upon the floor, and at once
a cheerful fire burned on the hearth, q
bountifully.laden table awaited the hungry
ones, and want was succeeded by comfort.
The child and the angel passed on and
came to a narrow room where a tired seam
stress was deyoting her leisure moments to
teaching the poor, halfclad children of the
neighborhood. "Oh," thought the child
agsio, eff I could but help this poor wo-
man," and the bag opened a little further,
and there was a glimmer of gold within.
Some of this she scattered upon the floor,
and Immediately the narrow walls stretched
away, and the apartment became a spa
cious, MISUNDERSTANDING school-room,
where rows of nicely-dresSed, happy chill
dren listened attentively to words of in
structlon from a sweet : faced, patient
teacher.
The child and the angel sped away on
the wings of the wind, across trackless seas
to a country where the sound of the church
bell had never been heard, where the words
of the gospel had never been preached.
The people bowed down before idols, and
the darkness of superstition and ignorance
shrouded the land. "Oh," cried the child,
''if I could but bring the knowledge of
Christ to this unhappy peoplel" Thereat
the bag opened wide and revealed within
a long coveted, lustrous pearl neck
lace, which was all it contained. A
moment the child hesitated, and
then she cast the treasure upon
the earth, and 10 the idols disappeared,
| churches sprang up, mission stations were
| established, and white-winged mission
| ships sailed over the seas. Then the child
was taken back to her home, and there she
found beautiful gifts awaiting her; gar
lands of flowers inscribed "The prayers of
the poor" golden goblets marked 1.-The
reward of the disciples" and the wished
for necklace of cleaning pearls, with, on
every gem, some such word as Joy, Peace,
Gentleness, Goodness, Love, Faith.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-14

4 SAVING CLAUsE.-Some years ago there
was a good deal of excitement among the
people OF q certain town i'll c. county,
VT, on the subject of religion, and almost
every man in the place was more or less
awakened to a sense of his sinfulness. and
made Il public declaration of his intention
to lead a different life. Among the rest
were three of the principal men of the viii
lage, whom we will call NJ, B., and e.,
who, being all present at one of the meet
ings. took part in the proceedings, to the
great joy of the faithful, and much to the
establishment of "the rest Of mankind"
her and there assembled. NJ. rose first,
and having made Il general confession of his
unworthiness, said, in conclusion, that he
had always intended to be an honest man,
but that if he had wronged any one he was
willing to make full restitution. B. fol-
lowed, speaking in pretty much the same
manner. G. arose next, and spoke of his
sins and wickedness in quite as strong
terms as the others had done, but coming
to the PROSTITUTION" clause, he remarked,
with a caution characteristic of himself,
"If there is any man that l have detraud-
ed. l shall be most happy to sit down and
talk it oyer with him !"
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-14
LATEST FROM WASHINGTON.


WASHINGTON. Jan. 13.-SenGte.-After an
executive stssion of four hours upon the
consideration of Porter's confirmation the
Senate adjourned to Monday.
House.-Private bills were passed relleV-
ing the Kentucky University and several
citizens Of Tennessee.
The bill authorizing the issue of $780,
900, 900 Of bonds passed, with an amend
ment leaving quarterly payments of interest
discretionary with The Secretary of the
Treasury. 1t now goes to the Senate Tor
their concurrence.
The appropriation bill was resumed. a
motion to abolish the Bureau CT Education
failed. Adjourned.
General News.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13.-Allen n. Benton,
of Kentucky, has been appointed secretary
to the Dominican convention, n has Sig
nifled his acceptance. -,
The Tennessee will leave New York with
the commission on Monday.
Judge Chase's restoration to health Is en-
couraging.
Sige1 declines the secretaryship to the
Dominican convention.
The Judiciary Committee voted down
the proposition that the 14th and 10th
amendments confer female suffrage, Lough.
bridge and Butler alone voting aye.
A large number OF notables attended the
| funeral of Perry Fuller to-day.
The President sent a message to the
| Senate to-day, with an abstract Of papers
i'm the War department, relative to outrages
in North Carolina and other southern
States. The abstract covers reports IRON
1867 to 1870.
Leggett has been confirmed as Commls
sioner of Patents. ~,
Admiral Porter was confirmed by tnt
| Senate yesterday-3o to ~.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-14

How VANDERBILT STARTED.-Every little
while the newspapers contain an account
of Vanderbilt's beginning. Most OF these
accounts are %apocryphal. His w state
ment OF his first real success is this: He
was a young man on Staten Island. He
was master of rowing. He was athletic,
strong, and daring. One night a stranger
came to the landing and wanted to be rowed
across to Gowann's. The night was dark
and stormy, and the wind blew q gale.
Not a boatman could be found who would
leave. The landlord said, "There is no.
body who can row you over but Corn. Van
derbilt"-for so he was called. 1t was
doubtful, he said, whether he would do it.
Vanderbilt was found, and, in answer to
the request, replied: cts pretty rough,
but if you'll give me ten dollars, lay down
in my boat and not stir, or do just what L
bid you, IN try it," he rowed the man
over and back in safety. As soon as he
landed ut Staten Island, the stranger said {:
"Young man, how would you like to run
would suit me BETTER" was the reply:
..Have you pluck enough to obey orders?"
said the stranger. 81 have" was the re-
Spouse. "suppose l was to tell you to run
into q steamboat, what would you do:"
"kun into her, by" The bargain was
sealed amid the storm that night on the
island, and Vanderbilt entered on his we'll
known career Us a steamboat man.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-14

DEATH OF A MIsER-He Makes a Mistake
of -Four Hundred and Nanety:fue Dollars,
end Drops DenG.-A correspondent Of the
Abingdon (Ill.) Democrat, writing from
Knoxville, thus relates the peculiar death
of Il miser residing in the latter place who
was reputed worth $50. 900. "He had a
nephew" says the correspondent, 81 very
worthy young man, who was going out
West to seek his fortune. A few days be-
fore he was ready to leave he went to the
old uncle to sell him some notes of hand
which he held the old miser would not
touch them, but said !: You have always
been a good boy, only 4 little too eXtrava-
CANT. I will make you a little present be-
fore you leave He drew a check on the
bank for s., as he supposed, but owing to
his bad eyesight and worse penmanship, it
proved to be $500. This ~unaccountable act
of benevolence soon became noised about
town. and, of course, came to the ears OF
the miser. He rushed to the bank, and
under much excitement asked n CT the
bank officials what the amount of the check
he had given his nephew was. Five hun
dred dollars said the clerk. what y said
the miser. Five hundred dollars said the
clerk. producingthe check. After reading,
and trembling in every muscle, he gave one
long-drawn Sigh. and exclaimed, My God
l am a ruined man. then sank down and
died d"
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-14
PORT OF RICHmoND, JAN 10, 1871.

.RIIvEr.
Steamer Ellie Knight, Travis. Baltimore, mel
chandlse and pisscngerS. VIM. 2. Brett.
schooner Naupousa, Somers. Philadelphia,
coal.
>chooncrs Hsce1la, Clegg, and Martin, -, Nor
folk, logs, Pearson, Alled & Co.
SAILED.
Steamer John Sylvester, Clifford. Norfolk, mer-
c~NHpItse and passengers. L. j. Tatum.
Steamer Isaac Bell. Boarne, New York, mer-
chandise and passengers, John W. Wyatt.
Schooner Fanny John ton. Mats Savannah,
Ga. merchandise, Curtis & Parker.
Schooner Portland Nelson, Rio Grande do Sui,
flour, Curtis q rarker.
schooner j. b. Flyers, Flwood, James river, TO
load wood for New York.
[BY TELEGRAPH
NEW YORK. Jan. 13.-Arrived, steamers -Abys-
synia and Virgo.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-14

VIRGINIA LEAF.-The offerings Of new
leaf on the Virginia "breaks" continue
light and prices are consequently firm. The
quality of what has thus far been marketed
is poor, and the opinion is gaining ground
that the proportion Of fine leaf to the en-
tire crop will be small. Still the fact that
the first offerings are usually the product
of isolated patches cultivated by small
farmers and negroes, taken in connec
ton with the %unfavorable weather,
may account for their inferior quality.
The planters assert that they have plenty of
leaf of Il good quality, but as yet we have
been compelled to accept their word for it.
The cold, dry weather of the past few
weeks has placed an efiectual embargo on
the preparation of the leaf for market, and
rendered the operations of "striking,"
"%stripping," "bulking," and "priZing,"
next to impossible. Even should the tenn
perature at once rise, and moisture,
and not frost, become the rule, it
would require all the remainder of
the month for these operations, and the leaf
could not he delivered on the "breaks"
before the 1st proXimo, il then. Meantime,
however. those of the manufacturers still
ut work must keep stocked UP, and thus,
for the time being, the demand somewhat
exceeds the supply. AS will be seen, every
thing depends on the weather during the
next tour weeks as to how soon the new
crop will commence to pour marketward i n
ANYTHING like large quantities.
We believe further sales Of cutting have
been made by jobbers, and also of priminSs
and Tugs BY Virginia samples ut 4c. and SIC.
delivered in Richmond, taken for export
Tobacco Leaf.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-14
Domestic Markets TBY TELEGRAPH

AAS ~ Gs' ks
NEW YORK. jan. la-Nosn. Flour a shade
and advancing. Pork quiet and firmer mess, SCI.
Lard frmer at l2ac. Cotton quiet and weak; sales,
2.tOO bales upland5, l5tc. naval Stores dull.
Turpentine, dc. Rosin-strained, S..
Frrights steady.
Ecening.-Cotton frmer and In fair dem and {:
sales. 8, 200 bales at l5fc. Flour-sOuthern active ::
common, 90. 256l$6. 85 choice to good extra. 1870
@ts. IS. Whiskey frm at o2c. Wheat feyerish
aud irmer; winter led and amber western, Sl.4S
%l.s2. Corn closed dun at 7o@lsoc. Pork timer:
old. $40. so new, S?l@t2l.25. Beef quiet. Lard
frmer kettle, l2}c. Turpentine, 4Sc. Rosin-
strained, $l.l6QS2.:0 20. Tallow dull at sj40c
Frelgbts active; per ~sail-wheat, 5tc. cotton,
9s0S3c; per stes m wheat and corn, etc. -four,
&c. ; cotton, 5-lGGBc,
BALTIMORE, Jan. 13.-Fl0ur active and favors
buyers. Wheat, corn. and oats frme-. Pork,
1921. Bacon more active: rim sides. lIic.; clear
rib, l2tc.; shoulders, l0c.; hams, l6Mlsc. Lard.
Virginia s's-old, SIT Did, SIG asked; 1868, 81
asked.
LOUISVILLE, Jan. 10 -Bagging tlulf. Flour firm.
Corn dull. Provisions active. Mess pork, $40. 50.
Shoulders, s3c.; clear sides, l2c. Lard. l2c. Whis-
key. SEC.
LOUISVILLE, Jan. 10. -Tobacoo firm at S.. 750
So. IS for common 10 good Tugs $7GSl2 for low to
medium leaf.
CINCINNATI, Jan. 10. Flour in good demand
buoysnt and unsettled at $50. Lard excited kst-
tie, lite. Bacon, a limited demand, 81 buoyant-
sh ,uiders, 9sc- clear sides, ll3c. Whiskey quiet
and unchanged.
TT. LOUIS, Jan. l3.-Flour-low grades scarce;
supe:fne western, y. 25@s $3.50. Corn hrlner at
A046c. Pork higher Ut 4l9.5c@S2p; shoulders
&c.; clear sides, 12c.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-14

AFEARFuL RIDE.-lFrom the Hartford
Courant, Jan. 2.l-Frank Trask, q fireman,
Iunning on the night freight train from
this city to Providence, had q most remark
able escape from death on Saturday night
last. AS the train was going on the down
grade east from the summit Of Bolton Noun.
tain, he went to the forward part Of the
engine to oil the piston. The oil is distri-
buted better when the train is going the
fastest, and he took this part Of the road,
where the train gets its highest speed, to at
locomotive he lost his hold, and was thrown
forward on to the cow-catcher, but instead
of rolling off and being dashed to pieces,
as he expected, the pilot caught him by
a few threads In the Cardigan jacket he had
N, SO that he was held fast with his feet
dragging upon the ground-dashing along
In that perilous situation from fifteen to
twenty miles an hour. He did not lose his
consciousness nor his presence Of mind, but
nerved himself to take the best chances for
his life. By desperate effort he succeeded
in keeping his head raised, so that 1t escaped
the ground, though he was hanging close
down, and the least depression would
dash him to pieces. The engineer, in
the meantime, had not discovered the
frightful position of his assistant, till, think
my pIfdt nc ndS gum loIlSCl tulu usuul, uC
looked forward, and there saw his shadow,
by the light of the moon, running a phan-
tom race with the iron horse. In an instant
he whistled down brakes, and the speed
began to slack; but in the sudden check
ing Of the train the tender threads of
Trask S jacket broke, and he was hurled to
the ground, pitching over and over, and
yet he retained his selcpossession, and
when his associates arrived by his side he
was as clcar-headed as ever. He had
notified the alarm for down brakes, and
felt that his position was discovered.
He was taken to Wilimantic, and
brought back to this city by the western
train, which reached here at 4b o'clock on
Sunday morning, and carried to the resi-
dence of his father, No. SO Walnut street,
where DR.. Storrs was called to attend him.
There were several cuts and Commissions on
his legs, and the lower part of his body, but
no fractures, nor anything Of a particularly
dangerous nature. Two or three months
ago he vas on the same train, coming from
Providence, when the locomotive ran into
a turn-table at Wilimantic, snd then had
his arm broken, which has not entirely
healed. He says if he had had the use Of
both arms he could have extrlcated him.
self.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-14
ME- WOMAN Is ENDOWED WITH

a peculiar organization. 1tiseasily impaired ana
requires medical treatment which will speedily
term nate her suffering and secure to her perfect
health and splendid spirits. Ladies Will hnd III
MISHLER'S HERB BITTERS n rare specific
and tonic for their sex, in every period of life,
from infancy TO old age. 1t Is a preparation which
will aid nature In the discharge of its functions,
impart strength to the system, tone to the digestive
organs, and will prevent lassitude and insure
physical regularity. Sold everywhere.
ia 9-eodlw&w1t
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-14
COMMERCIAL.
CORN AND FLOUR EXCHANGE,
RICHMOND, VA, Jan. IL, 1871.
OFFERINGS,

CORN AND FLOUR EXCHANGED
RICHMOND, VA, Jan. IL, 1871.
OFFERINGS.
WheGt.-White. 675 bushels. Red, S4 bushels.
C0rn.-Whlte, LIZ bushels. Yellow, none. Mixed,
none.
OGtS.-334 bushels.
Rye.-20 bushels.
Clover Seed.-50 bushels.
SALES.
Whed.-White, 500 bushels choice on private
terms 80 bushels very good at 81. 723 so bushels
mixed at $3.50 !; % bushels damaged at $l.l5 90
bushels very good at Sl.7s; u bushels at $l.es3-
total, 6S4 bushels.
WheG.ARed, IL bushels damaged at 81 81 bush
els fair on private terms; II bushels weevll.ea..n
and damp at $1.35 % bushels very good at 81. 60 (;
% bushels inferior al IL. IS 10 bushels at 81 so is
bushels inferior at 81. 323 ls bushels very good at
$l.6:1 81 bushels very bad ut 573c.; SO bushels very
inferior at 81. ~l5-:ctil, 334 bushels.
Corn.--Whtte,s 30 bushels good on private terms;
% bushels very good on private terms-total, 1T2
bushels.
Oats.-so bushels at &c.; 1873 bushels very good
on private terms; So bushels very good at 55c.-
total, 2G bushels,
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-14
Cotton Markets-GBY TELEGRAPH.

FRIDAY, Jan. l3.-NeD Orleans: Steady, with
fair demand middlings, A3@laic.; receipts, Ills
bales exports--t to Great Britain, 10 4s5 bales
sl3 bales. AuguSta: Quiet at l4s@l4t; sales, sla
bales 4: receipts, SIT b.les. Wilmington: Quiet
aud steady mlddlings, l4c.; ~rec.ipts, 400 baies
sales, 1922 bales stock. ., O9l bales experts coast
wise, ,s92 bales. S%ardnnah Light demand mid
diings, l4i@l4sc.; receipts, {. Id. bales exports.
to Great Britain, 5000 bales coastwIse, l:slC
bales: sales, $500 bales stock, 70, $50 bales.
Charleston !: Steady; miodlings, 14ac.; receipts,
l 40 bales /; exports-to Great Britain, l IA bales
coastwise, 1.sl7 bales; sales, 100 bales; stock, aa,
1913 bales. Mobile: Quiet; mlddlings, l4t,.; re
ceipts, 9 39i bales /; exports coastwlsc l95 bales
sales, l 500 bales stock, 3s, 561 bales.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-14
The s~snaterfaf Contest I'm ss,saosrs,

ST.. LOUIS, Jan. 13.-The vote In the
Democratic eaucus Of the Missouri Lerisla-
ture for Senatorial nominee Yesterday
stood :: Frank Blair, 81; Glover, Id; Phelps.
10; and Woodson, 10. Blair thanked The
caucus, announced himself as a Democrat
elected to use the utmost Of his ability for
the interest OF the people of Missouri.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-14

y New Political MovE.-Wc have ru-
uIor> from Richmond that Il paper is in cir
"~ulation there, signed by a few restless gen
tiemcn, calling upon the people to appoint
delegates 10 attend a popular convention to
be held in thai city in February. The OBJ
'rctS Of the call are not stated, and the
public i not prepared to pass upon the
question with the iESullicicn, lights before
tnem. II ii is the purpose Of the movers
party 10 that OF Democratic, We say TO
them, hold your horses. The people arc in
II" hulnOr now FOR Il convention, and it
would hc Il failure. Wait until the period
arrives Tor organizing Tor the Presidential
sweepstakes and sending delegates to the
National Democratic Conyeution-that will
be soon en0ugh.- Winchester Times.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-14

uE ELECTION or UNITED STATES SENATOR.
Il d"yolvHS on the present Legislature to
eject q Sonator-1he term "f the present in-
"'Hnhcnt expiring with this Congress. I'VE
:vi>h 1t was Lcwi>'S term expiring orevcn
Il it were Lewis himself. it would not be Il
great loss 10 the State! J Senator Johnston
seems 10 have given complete satisfaction,
au! ha, very much cndcarcd himself TO The
people hy his course while in o1ii"c. He
has been tried and found true and faithful,
and il the Legislature heetiS the voice OF
shc people. he will he retained IN the posi-
;iom h. has thus far held with so much
credit 70 himself and usefulness to The
state. He comes up to the full measure Of
. faithful, honest. and able representative
aud such mrn should be kept in the public
-"rNlcc. Not only do the prime considera-
lions we have mentioned endear him To the
people OF this section, but there are local
"reminiscences connected with his ancestry
who dwell among uS-the memory of whose
nobility and good deeds, and monuments
Of whose public spirit remain with us to
tic>s uS-which elicit an interest on the
part OF our people in his behalf. IL may
lie he Was born in this county. as we know
his itlu>triuus kinsman Gen. Joseph +.
Johnston was. At any rate he Is Of noble
old Virginia ~Stcck-aud to all intents and
purposes is II IoJdcc0cr0t. We go for him
IL. senator. -tQrmcsNe Comm nceaAh.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-14

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT DUBUoUE.-Chtcdgo,
Jan. 12.-At Dubuque, last night, the plan
ing mill Of j. L. Dickinson, cabinet factory
of Sadler, Hamlin g. Co., the factory Of the
Dubuque Cabinet Makers Association, and
five dwellings were burned. Loss about
$4,000. Insurance less than $4,000.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-14

each State be ascertained, and that they
shall DO collected by State authorities in
! the manner State taxes are collected, and
by them paid into the United States Urea.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-14
JNo. c. AaMIsTEAD, c. G..
COMMISSIONER A~RMISTRAD'S OFFICE,l
SnI.pn Non IN 1ain

Notice Is hereby given that I have appointed
SATURDAY, the I h day OF Fe 'ruary, ISL, at my
Off. e. 10 O'Clock a. d., IS the time and place for
carving Into II ct the foregoing dec zee.
All persons interested in the execution Of eaid
dec &c are warned TO produce and exhibit to me
their ,ertlficates Of deposit in the Mechanics
Savings Society on or before the tth day Of Febru-
acy, 1871; that no ~ceft'hca e will DC reported as
out: landing which Is not SO produced and ex-
stroyed. and proof thereof made before me. And
they are further warned that all who fall to pro-
fore me, or who fail to furnish proof Of their loss
or destruction on SAID day, shall be forever barred
sud pcecluded from participating in the assets OF
said society, rs no osher account Will be ordered
In tie cause.
Givea under my hand as commissioner Of the
Circuit Court CT Petersburg the date above.
4. -TusW JSO q, aR5IoTEAD Com'r.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-14

GOVERNMENTS TITLE TIC ARLINGTON
Especial telegram to the Cincinnati Com
merciGl.-H dShinJton, Jan. 9.-Mr. Slough
ton is preparing a report for the Military
Committee Of the House, upon the validity
Of the title Of the United States TO the Ar
lington property and other national ccme-
teries. There are scventy-iour of these
cemeteries, 4 majority Of which are in the
southern States, and the titles to all of them
are considered to be good excepting two
the Andersonville cemetery and the Ar
lington cemetery. Some negotiations are
now in progress between the War Depart
lnent and the claimant Of the ground occu-
pied by the Andcrsonville cemetery, which
will result in quoting the claim. The Ar
lington estate was sold at tax sale early in
the war, and purchased by the Government.
Attorney General Alderman is now pre-
pairing an opinion, at the request of the
War Department, upon the validity Of the
title by which the Government holds the
property. 1t is claimed by the friends OF
the Lee family that Mrs. Lee has a life in
terest in the estate, which the death Of Gen
eral Lee enables her TO assert.
[AKERMAN's opinion is not worth u but
toni
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-14

IMMATURE kLMANAC. JAN. IL, 1871.
Sun r.ses......,..,.. TOO Moon rises. ...,.,.. Il. 10
sun GetS..,,..,.... 4.6l Rtak tide.......... 10. II