davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1877-10-13

Referring to the above announce
ment of Mr.. ROhner, / take the lib
erty to inform the public that, after
an apprenticeship of five years in
the most prominent watch establish
ment of Bremen, Germany, at A.
Felsing's, and seven years of work
in some of the best establishments
of Germany as we'll as in the United
States, / may justly assert that / am
able to meet all the requirements in
the Matchmaking business. For the
last three months / was the only
workman at Mr.. L. Gauchat's in
this city, and those ladies and gen.
tlemen who, during that time, have
had their watches repaired at the
above place, may know what kind
of work l furnish. Being now de-
termined to work no longer as a
mere journeyman, / have entered
into partnership with Mr.. ROhner,
and therefore L request the public to
favor us with their calls.
HENRY AULING.
Postoffice, GAINESVILLE, Tenn.
Sept. 22-4w,
Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1877-10-13
NEW JEWELRY FIRM.
ROhner and AuIing, POStO6ficG
Building, CIarkSViIIe, Tenn.

ROhner and AuIing, POsfOffice
Building, CIarksviIIe, Tenn.
/ beg leave to inform my patrons
and the public in general that l have
taken Mr.. Henry Auling as part
ner in my business and that, from
the Goth of September, we will carry
on our business as Watchmakers and
jewelers. under the firm name of
ROHNER q AULING, at the old place
in the POstoffice, with Il fine selec-
ton of watches, clocks, spectacles,
etc.
Mr.. Auling is thoroughly prac-
teal matchmaker, fully competent
to repair the finest watches and the
finest French clocks or to make new
ones. What | am able to do is suf-
ficiently known to the public. My
customers may therefore be assured
that they will be waited upon by us
to their fullest satisfaction. All
work done and all goods sold by us
are warranted, and if not satisfac-
tory, money will be refunded.
Returning my hearty thanks to
my customers for the confidence
placed in me, l beg them, as well as
the public in general, to favor the
new firm with their calls. Respect
fully, THOMAS ROHNER,
Matchmaker and JeWeler.
Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1877-10-13

THE largest and most stylish
stock of Dress Trimmings and But
tons in the city at Mrs. Hodgson &
Maguire's.
EDITORS CHRONICLE: Please pub
lish the following for the good of the
needy. If you think it is well
clothed, you may call it poetry;
Fine and fresh as ever,
Fuller than ever,
Prettier than ever,
Cheaper than ever.
PITMAN & LEWIS.
Sept. 30, 1877-tf
Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1877-10-13
Tobacco Fair.

On December 18th, 1877, a Tobacco
Fair will be held in Allensville, KY,
by Messrs. Haddox & Bros, who
invite the tobacco growers of Todd
and Logan counties, KY, and Rob
ertson county, Tenn. to compete
for the prizes offered, which are as
follows:
Best GAINESVILLE Shipping Leaf-Premium
by Haddox & Bro, a Milburn Wagon.
Best Black Wrapper-Premium by Turn
ley Ely Il Kennedy, cash, SIS 90.
Best African-Premium by Haddox &
Bro, Fine Saddle.
These counties are noted for the
superior quality of the tobacco
which they grow, and they viii no
doubt show some fine sample at the
Fair.
EDITORS CHRONICLE: Now that
the Street Committee is at work and
putting everything in good condi-
ton, would it not be right for our
City Fathers to open up Second
street South to the corporation line?
There are thirty or forty families in
South GAINESVILLE who have no street
by which they can reach the town.
They buy eirsupplies in town and
spend their money here, and it does
look like wise policy to give them a
good street by which to come in and
go out. South GAINESVILLE is the To-
cality in which the city is to be next
improved and built up. 1t is grow
ing steadily, and it is the duty of
the City Council to encourage the
citizens in that section by giving
them good street.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-10-21

population. almost nothing has been douc for
the Advancement OF popular instruction. Al
though local taxes nave boon greatly Increased
since 1874. the fraction assigned by the district
assemblies to the support Of schools is lu-
dicrously small. and offers suggestive contrast
with the state Of things in Sweden and Den
mark, where the school system alsorbs so con
siderable a part of tho national revenue.
just how many primary schools at present
exist in Russia cannot be asceriained but nc
cOrdiug to Leroy Deaucu it Is hard to find
peasant in tho rural comlnunes who can either
read or write. The rcsuli is that the veri;anlo
arbitcr Of these communities is the pisnr, who
is merely hired servener. totally devoid Of
legal status or authority. The latc Official re-
port upon the communal systom is flied with
complaints OF the abuses committed 10y thr 60
scribcs, and the reactionists have not failed to
ask whether 1t was worth while 10 transfer the
serf from the guardia nship Of civilized nobo
to the hands OF n peitiiOgging clerk. Tho de-
gree OF sympathy really folt in court circles tor
the cause Of popular amrlorntiun may nc
guessed from the tone of some recent public
discussions ON this subject. Tho occasional
usurpatons and msdeeds OF village scrivcner
have been seriously put forward rs an argu-
mcnt. not for the multiplication Of primary
schools. but for the summary curtaimcnt Of tho
peasants franchises. We may W. vol rccog-
nize the truth that the emancipation Of the scrf
was only the first step out 81 barbarism. and
that another century may clnpsc before the
motyk Is trans formed into citizen.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-10-21

have said grouped cIposItions ~ tho elements
Affecting the doctrinnl development OF Chris
tahiiv, since thia IN ". Rcnans opinion, infiu-
cnec1 more or less the judgment Of tho compil-
era OF tho Gospels. AMI gave direction TO their
treatment of tho materials which they en-
pluycd Tie sketches. with n mnsterly hind. the
rise Of scots ana parties in the infant Church.
their relation to previously existing seets among
the Jews. and the controversies TINT went on
between the jewish Christians and the Grntile
converts. Tho original twclve disciples. no.
"urdiug 10 him. remained fixed Mt tcrnsaloin.
AMI mad" that city. Tor n long time the hend-
d1arers II tho Church The Grnt.les, on thu
other hand. rather tended to l.unc, rs did the
more literal OF The Jews; and a. the Church NJ
Jerusalem became mpre uni moro bgOted in
IL jewish eNciusivcnnss. The real life and soul
OF the new movement centred Mt Rome. I'm the
cour-" " his treatment ot Ibis point. VI. Renan
has great deal that is ishly interesting to say
Of the position and influence of the Jewish colo
nv IN the Iicruni city. lie SHOWS that durins
the rcigns al ycspasinn. Thus. and Dumitian tn
jews were nOtA numerous and r. spectrd there
Hcrod Agrippa H.. though ruler Of Judea
lived there in great pomp. ami his beautiful
sister. Berenlcc. WA the mistress of Titus. and
would have become his wife hut for the opposi-
ton of his cuunstl'ora Tho courly jewish
historian. fiavius Jos, p1lus. mingled with the
Roman aristocrecy. and sought hy his writings
to reconcile their philosophy and his religion.
certain form OF Judaism found adj er.rts
among tho more elevated minds who were dis
eusiod with polyt!icisu. and some of these
like Ilavius Clemens and his wife. Dontille
were related to the muern family crowd
OF humber Jews Carried ON various trades. anu
made themselves conspicuous by their OBJ
servance OF the Sabbath. The preachers OF
Christianity thus found the wav for their la
bors ready prepared nj Rome. and the city nat
uray became tho headquarters OF the Western
Church.
In tho Introduction TO the book there il
learned dissertation upon tho origin and au-
thsnticity OF the Epistl.s attributed 10 Clement
o. Rome. lcnatius. and Polycarp. and an ap-
"ndix treats 1T the family OF jesus. his
brothers. cousins. and other relatives who
nsure IN the early history OF the Church.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-10-21
PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN RUSSIA.

II L. not tho univ.rsiti,a ~ ., pa,o-A
and Moscow hut ,he comp,or schooi -, v,
Ru.sia which p,,,., ax ,b., A. >'.'
I Emnir, in tho s,lo NJ c,yui,a,ior a. A.,
! subi.,t English olservers-N aclar,'o N,,ti,,~
for cxampln-haye thrown very Iittle li,,h, o,,1
il may b. we'll therefore to mark ,on,. f.ut,,r...
+ Of the existing legislation. md IN uoip, IN, IN,
practical results.
Tho present scheme 81 urinary od,co,io,
was organized 10y the law of NAV d ,s-I /,
CONCENTRATES four kinds Of schnnls vi, ,noso
founded by the clergy. with or without s,,,,, mr.
private aid; those created bv clti.s vIla,n
communities. or individuals. thosn sueciaI 49,.
Establishments belonging IA hrap,h,s If ,hn ci,,i
administration; and. ln-,v SUNDAY scbo,l,
II ia Obvious that only th,, s,eond ca,..,.,,, ,.
responds To our notion of nuLl,c s.b,,ls mi -,
may therefore confne ourselves IA tho r.r,,,a-
t!r!s affecting it, The course Of Study in thoso
Institutions embraces sinply roadin,, wri,,p,,
aud the four rules Of arithmetic. and ,hcro H.
likewise a certain amount of reliyions ,ns,r,,o-
ton. The towns and communes which estoh
fish schools are nj liberty IN mako elrco,in,
gratutous or not. and children ure ndmis.ihia
without distinction of class or so,1 s. ar,,o
provisions seem liberal enough and il l. nossi.
BILE that an effective school syste,n mich, he d.
yclopcd in Russia If boards raprasontin,, ths
tnNpavers were intrusted with IT, ,,u..'I $50 '''N
The scope Of the Cars intentions in this
matter may be inferred from tho elaborate con-
tr.Nances for official Interference and superyis-
ion. Closely scanned. the law OF 1874 bears thu
same relation to a genuine scheme OF popular
education that the hollow concession OF the
Jems'No or district assembly. bears to suhstan-
'al srl-GoNernment. For school purposes the
whole OF Russia il divided into ten regions or
= - far nall. all 4.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-10-21

ability to touch the Same chords ~ human ono.
ton which @. Washington Chllds. A. ~, knovs
so well how to vibrato:
Have you heard nj the dreadful fate
Oi Mr.. T. +. Rii-s and wiici
% ih'ir death viii relate
An! also others lot their lie.
-Ashtniuin Bridg4 disaster.
Who're - many roopi, died
without q ihiu. ht that j, siruciion
Would plume tl,iu ~, au tho wheel N tto
1t would. perhaps bc unfair to critciso too
closely the technique OF Miss Moorc's wor;
Tho Gifted Singer of Michigan has seen oni,
thlriy-lour summers. and She strikes the moi.
ancholy harp with tho uncertain knucklcs n,
inexperienced youth. Even in her immaturi,v
however. she affords n carlv perfect tyne n
The tendencies Of the now school VI American
po"try-a school which would lave had no OK
isiencc had not q. ". Chids. A. NJ. sold ont Mi.
peanut stnnd years ago and gone into teratur,
for literutur@s sake
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-10-21
Two stronx American NnxeI.

0rurein tho aarIv bf.,or,. al ,ia gh,...h
-.'-.' y. ''e O"'iSn
-
-,
i"o''' "'e s'sh' 'hat the American novel
"U' er' '@en "rlt"n a'i"r ail Against the in
son'"us 'ieorirs whrh eNvlain ia essential
NM - ''iiy w. arr Obliged Ca set an awkward
mt Maintaining thn hard practical spirit
aT'rib'd to our society. the investiture Of
= hume native types with artistic form ~ Z.
hi=h order hns OF late been twice attempted
WITH creiiiable success. We refer to the
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-10-21
THE NEu scH00L or POETRY.
Two illustrations of the influence Of q. w.
thiids, a. VI, ON American Literature.

We have heretofore called attention 10 the
appearance and rapid growth of dlstinc,ivcly
American school OF poetry. Tho methods aud
motives OF this new school are unlike any that
have obtained in former epochs and Ne achieve
ments nre therefore OF their own kind. ".
| Tame would regard tho development OF the
American Muse ne the necessary expression OF
national character ind national conditions.
| We choose TO attribute tho phenomenon to the
influence of m individual genius, 80 surpass-
ing in lis potency. 30 broad in it. purposes. and
sothoroughly human in its synipathics. thai imi-
tation follows II a. naturally MS the little di,key
bird follows the whGlr.
One OF the closest and most meritorous imi-
iators of the unapproachnblc G. Washington
Childs. A. NJ is Mr.. II. Rice. citizen 81 Cam
bridge. \. Y. and an obituary poet OF much
promise. MI Rice sends IA a circular contain
Ing twenty-five specimens Of his work. We are
informed that the author. who is a man OF largo
means. Gun AFFORD 10 furnish obituary stan2as
at the merely nominal prico OF one cent each.
What ia q penny he asks. TO give for n
choice obituary. 10 commcmorntc the sleeping
d.pd. and hold ae n keepsake through life ?"
This is certainly n reasonable figure. ami. NJ
though the nssortnen, offered to tho public is
not SO large as that Of the philndelphia poet
Mr.. Rice having written but one hundred ohtu-
"ti'S III AL inc price ought 10 commend itself
to those who cannot afford 10 pay Tor the SUI
perior and therefore more expensive produc-
tons Of Mr., Chds.
While Mr. Rlccs poems possess a certnin de-
gree Of individually. tho critical reader can
easily discover the source OF his inspiration.
Tho following lines will Illustrate what W,
mean
prsih. The stcrr Monarch NJ The Tomb.
bd sweep my iu'nn, away
Gods trump shall wake him from his doom
And wait him home ~ endless inv
This s'anza has something OF that broad.
mehnchoiic swing which renders the poems Of
Nr. Chids 80 acceptable 10 tn ter.aved. Tho
figure Of the Monarch Of tho Tomb sweeping
away the infant son, un luuhtpdly with tilo
hesom OF WINDY collie or whooping cough. il not
unworthy Of tho master himself
We find in Mr.. Rices best efforts The evidence
OF severcr. moro ascctic nature than 10 dis
played in tho@" Of his greut model. Mr.. Rice
moralz"- where Mr. Childs consoles, He
sounds the loud buge blast Of eternal damna-
tion; Mr.. Childs's threnodiss breathe the softer
notes OF pity and sympathy. Mr. Rlce's muse
dwelis upon the dust. the worm. the moulderng
bones; Mr.. Chldss hurries the reader away
from these unpleasant accessories OF mortality
and pilots him to the foot Of the golden s.air.
M Rice writes:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-10-21

Childs sings In tcnderer strains 1--WE quote on,
OF his most familiar and Justly admired gems

ar ,ssu. ~, .I I,p.''. p.'- ~ ..'-'
linus SINKS " ''huerer Strains lwe quote one
vi us MOST iu'nllar ana justly admired gems
We mao Nhuc jim'ie ONCE,
v" lovsS hum ~" u, an" ,.-, h,'''
Angels called him traf, orr s.Ie
Conc up The golden .ta'r
Perhaps the inleriority Of Mr.. Rl,e's verses n
the qualities OF resignation and .onsol,tior a.
counts for the fact that they sell for only one
cent apiece. while Mr.. Childs's bring nrio,s
ranging from sI25to.375
We have room Tor bn. ono moro ouoation
from Mr.. H. Rlces published collection--nn
obituary which II itself ougltto give him con
spicuous sent In tie now Iarunssus.
Jolin Js.oh ,,t,rf.e
Aud wuAaa tell asleep.
s"~9i' s'sY IN -Hio
rne Re,irosd r,,o 49,, =" ','r.
when Death the 1yrnu, .cy d hi. pev
Before missing FROM AZ y p,,.
illustration If Nh, no,rslbo ,''es =, "i'".''I
from abiding 10 the fact that si,o,. h. n..,', -
y,oo tho f,,,,,... -. N ''"'' ~
' ''' 80 no NrlE"t lbs IN 'FcAstd,
rs we ar" informed - rnoro than Sn0 hounds.
The similar deNcllpinenf e Nh G. Mnshi,..t,,,
Ihilds's adj no 80 tissue hns i,..,, sr,,.,', I
marked by his admirers. Whether melancAolie
habits Of thought tend To induce corpulou~y fl.
al interesting auesuon. and one that invites ii a.
attention OF the phi,o,ophirnl
With the sudd.nnrss .. Il meteor there Inns
nnshcl n.ro.s fla. N..,,.,, L. ,..' 80
~" 49, '''' ;" "'i '~'h " h''W llGht,
N'"s 'V"'h" d" luminous record IN the
V' ~ - ,''uu'" 'hl'lNu 'nrrs OF the Gifted
'l"|'t VI -niNIllSdh. IN ui!s cNSo the CITED
Singer Is n lady iss Julia l. MOORE In her
remarkable work ih.r, is ,,,.,r .,..l1.,,I.,
the radical change which MIR. Cnllls's in1uon,c
efnkxly lut
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-10-21

There scom % be one or two trivial slips and
one important defect in the management Of tins
story II is not for instance made sufficiently
fiNnr to most readers why the dowagor Mar
ehlouess OF Bellesnrdr should give grand ball
by way 81 announcing hor daughters engage
uehl to Mr.. Newmln, when the intention OF dis
chrlns the latter and replacing him with her
own kinsnnn. Lori Deepm"r... had already
taken root ia the old schemers mind Another
Otl"etion Is Of more moment. How Is it possl-
Die thM N"wInan being the man he was should
undertake. t. corrcc the relatives OF Nine do
cintro by threat OF publishing their odous
crlmef Waving altogether tho moral quality
OF tho at. how could man possessing the mon
tal perspi cribod 10 this American, fail 10
see that even supposing the temnorary snc,...s
Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-12-11
VARIOUS CAUSES.

Advancing years, care, sickness, disap-
pointment, and hereafter predisposition-
all operate to turn the hair gray, and either
of them inclines it to shed prematurely.
AYERS HAIR VlGoR will restore faded or
gray, light and red hair to rich brown or
deep black, as may be desired. 1t softcns
and cleanses the scalp, givinE it healthy
action. and removes and cures dandruff and
humors. By its use falling hair is check.
ca, and new growth will be produced In
all cases where the follicies are not destroy
ed or glands decayed. Its effects are beau
itully shown on brashy, weak. or sickly
mir, TO which few applications will pro.
dncc the gloss and freshness OF youth.
Harmless and sure in its operation, Il is in
comparable as dressing. aud is especially
sal'ed Tor the soft lustrc and richness OF
zone II imparts. II contains neither oil nor
,aye' and will not soil or color white cam.
Irlc; yet Il lasts long on the hair, and
Aeeps ~ fresh and vigorous.
For SALE ny ALL DKALRRs.
sold by Mills & Purdy, Yanktou.
Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-12-11
WASHINGTON.
NOMINATIONS.


Washington, Dec. 1.-THE President
nom mated John Campbell, surveyor of Gus.
toms in Omaha.
THE TEXAS FRONTIER.
The senate committee on military affairs
to-day received an oral statement from Cen
eral Ord, and letters from the secretary of
war and Generals Sherman and Sheridan,
regarding the necessity of making perma-
nent provision for protection, by the estab-
lishment Of military posts. The committee
after brief discussion of the matter, au-
thorized Mr.. Maxey to report a bill appro-
priating 100000 for the erection Of suitable
posts on the Rio Grande, located at the dis
cretion Of the secretary of war.
THE MEXICAN BORDER.
Washington, Dec. 1.-THE house COM
mittce on military affairs to-day appointed
subcommittee TO take testimony in &C
cordance with the house resolution of YES.
terday on the subject of the Mexican border
troubles They will commence the investi.
CATION tomorrow and expect TO continue II
during the recess.
Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-12-11
FOREIGN.
RRyoLUrIoN IN ECouApoH

REVOLUTION IN ECUADOR.
New York, Dec. 1.-THE Star and Her
aid of Panama, says that the revolution in
Ecuador has collapsed, after eighteen hours
of hard fighting in Outer, where it is esti-
mated four hundred persons were killed and
large number wounded.
o. g. MINISTER WELSH
Liverpool, Dec. 11.-At Q 80 o'clock this
morning the United States consul and .
number of leading merchants boarded the
steamship Adriatic to receive U. 8. Minis
ter Welsh. After exchanging courtesies,
the party proceeded u the landing stage,
where the mayor, membsss of council and
other principal citizens were assembled. AS
Mr. Welsh landed, her majasty's steamer
Resistance and the New Brighton fort fired
salut s, the band played Hail Columbia, .
and the assembly cheercd. The mayor for
mally welcomed the minister, not only 10
the name of Liverpool, but on behalf Of the
country Ut large. He said he trusted that
Mr.. Welsh's mission would be productive
of most friendly and sgree table results. Mr.
Welsh replied, expressing his sincere
thanks for the cordial welcome. He re
ioiccd at the friendly feeling between the
two nations, and would do his utmost te
maintain and increase that friendship. The
party then drove off in the mayors state
carriage amidst cheers.
STRIKE ENDED.
London, Dec. 1.-THE strike of Pud
dlcrs, at Sheffield, which lasted six weeks
during which time many out,ages have beer
committed, ended yesterday. The mel
consented to reduction of wages.
Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-12-11
THE NEWS.
Several Extensive Reform Pro-
positions Before the
Senate.
An Appropriation for Military Posts
on the Texas Border.
The Deficiency Appropriation Bill Re-
ported Back From the House
Committee.
Minister weIch Formally Received In England.
CONGRESSIONAL.
SENATE.


Washington, Dec 11.-Nearly the whole
morning hour was occupied in the preaenta-
ton of petitions in favor of an amendment
to the constitution to prohibit states from
disfranchising citizens on account of sex
asking the appointment Of a commission to
to inquire into the alcoholic liquor traffic,
and urging congress not to take any action
concerning the revenue tariff, until it shall
have been acccrtained by inquiring into the
condition Of the business of the country, and
Legislation be such as in the opinion of
practical business men will promote the busi-
ness, prosperity of the country. All we're
referred.
A large number of bills were introduced
and referred:
By Mr.. Davis of Illinois, to establish a
court of appeals.
By Mr.. Kellogg, authorizing mail
steamphip service between New Orleans,
and certain ports named.
Mr.. Conkling submitted resolution
providing for the appointment of a COM
mittec OF senators to inquire and report
whether any, and what measures can be
divised to promote commercial intercourse
with Mexico; and to establish a a just and
peaceful condition of affairs on the border,
between this country and Mexico. 1t also
authorizes the committee to send for per-
sons and papera, and to visit such places as
is may think proper in max ing the inquiry.
Agreedt to.
Consideration was then resumed of the
resolution If Mr.. Matthews, declaring the
right of the government to pay bonds in
silver, and Mr.. Herman spoke in opposition
thereto
HOUSE.
Washington, Dec. 11.-Mr. Whltthorne
introduced bill providing that the naval
authorities shall remove the bodies of the
officers and men lost in the wreck of the
Huron, for burial in the naval cemetery at
Annapolis, and reimbursing the relatives
for expenses alread incurred in removing
the bodies from the coast Of North Caroli-
ma. After the bill was so amended go as to
inclupe the relatives of those men lost from
the wreckisg of the boat B. & I. Baker,
the bill passed.
Mr.. Durham, from the appropriation COM
mittee, reported back the deficiency appro-
priation bill, with recommendation to the
house to concur in certain senate amend
ments, and non-concur in Others Mr.. Dur
ham explained that when the bill passed the
house it appropriated $iO,049,00O; the sen
ate had added $1,139,000 to the bill. The
house committee on appropriation had
agreed to recommend the concurrence in
the amendment sppropriating 100000 for
the state department building, and non
concurrence in the amendment appropria-
ting $500OO for the Star service carrying the
mails.
Mr.. Atkins, chairman of the committee
on appropriations, fhtimated a desire to
offer some amendments, but subsequently
declined in order to not emharrass the bill