davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-10
LEGAL.
. UNI MON 81.

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE
l. Seventeenth judicial District of the
state OF California, in and for the
county OF Los Angeles.
samuel Meyer, piaintih, against j.
Cohn, defendant.
Action brought in the District Court of
the seventeenth judicial District OF the
state OF California, in anc for the county
OF Los Angeles, and the complaint filed III
said county of Los Angeles. in the Office
OF the Clerk OF said District Court.
The people OF the State of California
send greeting 10 ]. Cohn, defendant.
You are hereby required to appear in an
action brought against you by the above
named Plaintiff IN the District Court OF
the Seventeenth Judicial District of thu
state of California, III and for the County
OF Los Angeles, and to answer the COM
plant filed therein, within ten days lex
elusive of the day of service) after the
service on you Of this summons--if served
within this County; or, IL served out
OF this County, but in this District, within
twenty days; otherwise, within forty days
or Judgment Is default will be taken
against you, according to the prayer OF
said complaint
The said action is brought TO recover
Judgment for the sum of 1888 %, gol Id
coin, alleged to be due for goods, wares
and merchandise, SUI pplied to defen dant
by plaintiff, with interest thereon from
l5th january, 1875, at the rate of ten pei
cent. per annum, and for costs of SUIT.
Reference is had to complaint fol par.
ticulars.
And You are hereby notified that If you
fall to appear and answer the said com.
plant as above required, the said plaintiff
Will demand Judgment against you for
said sum OF S4sS rs, gold coin, with inter.
est as above mentioned, and costs OF
suit
Given under my hand and the seal o.
the District Court of the Seventeenth
Judicial District of the State of California
In and for the county of Los Angeles
this 18th day OF December. In the year o.
our Lord one thousand eight hundred anc
seventy-seven.
[Seal 18th District Court.
A. W. POTTS. CLERK.
By w. II. A. KIDD, Deputy Clerk.
dl6-2m-W
Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-10

ARLINGTON HOTEL.
Editor of the Press: 1 just picked
up the Press and looked over 1t
while. Now Cornell you seem to be
very hard on us poor tramps, would
you like to have u be quiet and die
Of hunger like sheep in California
or Sspoys In India? You would,
would you? Now we wont. Let
me tell you Cornell the greatest
and best men the world ever seen
were tramps. The SAVIOR Of the
world and his twelve apostles
were tramps and if they came to
st. Abarbary tomorrow in dis
guise you would drive them out or
have them in the lock up before
week all except Judas and him you
would drive around in buggy
to sell him real estate and to get
the thirty pieces of him. Now Cor
mel there is some good in Santabar-
bara, there il pretty women and
flowers, pepper trees and sunshine,
and the women God bless them are
as good as they are pretty. We like
them best in the kitchen in the
mornings. You say we are perse-
vereiDg beggars, now Cornell we
wont get rich off you, beg from a
bsggar and you will never be rich,
and We are cowardly too. You know
yourself Cornell twont pay to get in
the lookup for threatening every
fool that deserves it nowadays.
said the best men the world
ever seen were tramps and they
were too. There was Anthony the
Roman And Hannah Bell of Car
thage Old Bony Party of France
and Chris Columbus the discoverer
Of America and the Old Spanish
Missioners and conquerors of Peru
and Mexico and Californy and the
discoverers of gold in Californy
and silver in Nevada were tramps
too And Grant Sheridan and Sher-
man and all His boys that tramped
through Georgia were tramps and
very unwslcome ones too Stone
wall jackson and Shields too and
But for that boss tramp Governor
Standard built Railroad and |
put sleeping cars on 1t and run |
them right to your doors You |
stay-at-home foggies never would |
seen behind the ferst range of
mountains Now curnel the ferst
tramp that visits you take off your
hat to him invite him in hand him
your best brandy bottle and tin
cup give him five dollars and tell
him 60 and discover more COM
stock Leads Yes and if ever the
stars and stripe is hoistsd on the
North Pole twill be tramp will
do 1t.
Wouldn't it be good thing to |
have the pole itself moved to Santa
barbara and stood up where the big
grape vine was hurra wouldn't there
be rush Of Old maids & Editors
Congress man & sich to see the
north pole In sleeping cars
Yours at s B
JERRY WALKER
When come from Arisona will
see you a gain.
Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-10
SU M m Q N s.

TN the District Court OF the Seventeenth
i Judicial District, of the State of CAL
iIornia, in and for the County OF Los An
geles.
Harriet Lewiston, Plaintiff, against
Ghas. ]. shepherd. Administrator. ct al.
Defenuants.
Action brought in the District Court Of
the Seventeenth Judicial District OF the
State OF California, in and for the County
OF Los Angeles, and the Complaint filed
In said County of Los Angeles, in the
office Of the Clerk of said District Court.
The People Of the state OF California
herd, Administrator of tre estate OF
Henry Talbot. deceased, Elizabeth Mill
Ter, Henry A. Miller, samuel Jones Tai
Tof 59sah TaSot
Carroll Talbot, Rachel Clark, John
Clark, Maria Sanders. Joseph Sanders,
Mary j Morgan, p. Morgan, Ann eliza
Wadkin, A. wadkin and Dora Talbot.
defendants.
You are hereby required to appear in
an action brought against you by the
above named plaintiff In the District
Court of the Seventeenth judicial District
of the State OF California, in and for the
county of Los Angeles, and to answer the
complaint filed therein, within ten days
exclusive of the day of scrvice) after the
service on you of this su nlmons-lf served
within this county; or, If served out OF
this county, but in this District, within
twenty days; otherwise, within forty
days or judgment by default will be
taken against you, according to the prayer
of said complaint.
The said action is brought to obtain
decreo oftnis court for the foreclosure
q certain mortgage described in the said
complaint, and executed by the said
Henry Talbot on the third day of July,
4. ID. 1875, to secure tho payment OF u
certain promissory note Of even date
m ade by Henry Talbot 10 Harriet Lee
vision. for $500 co dollars, y. 8. gold coin.
with in terest at the rate OF X per cent.
per month, compounded monthly from
the 4th day OF July. 1875; that the prem
ises conveyed by caid mortgage may be
sold, and the proceeds applied to the pay
ment Oh the said note OF $500 w dollars,
SS .ss!p and 80 attorneys
that the said defendants and all persons
claiming claim by, through or under
be barred and foreclosed of all right, IL
tie, claim, lien, equity ofredemption and
interest IN and to said mortgaged prem
ises. and for other and further relief.
Reference Is had to complaint for partic-
ulars.
And you are hereby notified that II you
fail appear and answer the said COM
plant as above required, the said plaintiff
will apply to the Court for the relief de-
manded In said complaint.
Given under my hand and the seal of
the District Court OF the Seventeenth
] judicial District OF the State of Ca ifornia,
In and for the county of Ios Angeles, this
18th day OF December, In tho year OF our
Lord, one thousand eight hundred and
A. w. POTTS. Clerk.
JAMES C. KAYs, Deputy CLERK.
URANIUM & BROOKS, Attorneys for Plain
tits. DIS I'm
Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-10
Gus Aassles 4srald.
Circular.
WAR DEPARTMENT

WAR DEPARTMENT,
OFFICE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER,
WASHINGTON, Jan. l, 1878.
On and after January l, 1873, an
additional Cautionary Storm Sig
nal will be displayed, as occasion
may require, at all active Signal
and Display stations of the Signal
Service. The signal will be dis
played at and on the regular place
and staff, and will consist Of q
white flag with q square black GEN.
tire, shown above red flag with a
square black centre, by day, or q
white light shown above red
light by night. This signal will be
known as the "Cautionary Off
Shore eignal,n and will indicate,
when shown, that while the storm
disturbance is considered, at the
office Of the Chief Signal Officer,
as not yet passed the port or place
at which the signal is displayed,
and the winds may yet be high, and
there may be danger, the winds
are expected to blow from a north
ern or western direction, or "off-
Shore" at or near the port or place
where the signal may be.
The display of this signal will
often follow, and must be distin-
guished from, the display Of the
usual "Cautionary Signal" /. e., a
square rod flag with q square black
9entrs by day. or red light shown
at night-which retains, whenever
shown alone, its usual meaning.
The display of either signal is al
ways stationary
The "Cautionary Signal" l. G., a
red flag with black square In CEN
ire, by day, or q red light by night,
calls for caution In view Of an ap.
preaching storm, and is 30 "cau-
tionary" with reference to winds
blowing from any direction.
The "cautionary off-shore signal,
1. O., . white flag, with black square
In tho centre, shown above q red
Hsg with black square in the cen
tire, Gy day, or white light shown
above red light by night, ia "cau-
tionary" with reference to winds
expected to blow from northern
or western direction,or otf.shora at
or near the place which it may be.
ALBERT J. MYER,
Chief Signal Officer, U. S. A.
Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-10

SWALLOWED A CLOTHES PIN
DR. ]. A. Huntsman reports case
wherein child in this city, re-
Gently, swallowed a clolhes-pin
and came very near taking a trip
to the other shore. The obstruc-
tion was removed from the infant
by the skillful manipulations OF
DR.. Huntsman, and the youngster
is now in condition to tackle a
whole clothes line, and its ambi-
tion may yet be satisfied If it gets
an opportunity to swallow a couple
OF fat-irons, or q clothes horse, or
a wash. board or some similar trifie.
--Rsess River Reveille.
Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-10
Notice to Creditors.
OF ANNA WHITE, Deceased,

NOTICE Is HEREBY GIVEN BY
IN the undersigned, Administrator OF
the estate of n IN ma White, deceased, to
the creditors OF, and all persons having
claims against the said deceased to exhib-
IL tn, m with the necessary vouchers, with
in ten months after the first publication
of this notice, 10 the said Administrator,
at his ofire. room No. 81, Temple Block
in ths city and county OF Los Angeles.
Dated Leo. 18Th, 1877.
]. E. GRIFFIN,
Of the Estate OF ANNA
White, deceased. del9 4w
Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-10
LEGAL.
Constable's Sale.

By virtue OF an execution issued out of
County of Los Angeles, State
of California, dated the 3lst day OF be-
Gem Der, 1877, in certain action wherein
Louis Phillips, executor OF the estate of
George Blake, deceas ed, recovered judg-
ment against the Los Angeles Imniigra-
ton and Land Cooperative Association,
on the 3lst day Of Decem Der, 1877, have
levied upon the following described
property, to wit:
demand of the Los Angeles Immigration
and Land Co operative Association OF,
In and to those tracts of land known as
the Town of Pomona and the Pomona
tract, containing twenty seven hundred
(2700) acres of land, more or less, said
tracts Of land being a portion ofthe Ram
cho de san Jose, situated lying and. being
in the county of Los Angeles, State Of
California, and more particularly de-
scribed as follows:
Commencing ut the southwest corner
of land belonging to David Stein, thence
running easterly, following the souther-
ly line of the land belonging to the heirs
of Hgnacto P8lomareS, to the easUerly
line of the Rancho de San Jose; thence
southerly, following the said easterly
line OF said rancho, to the southeasterly
corner Of the said Pomona tract: thence
" esterly, following the southerly line of
said Pomona tract, to the southwesterly
corner of said tract; thence northerly, fol-
lowing the westerly line OF said tract, to
the place of beginning; being the right,
ute and interest of said Los Angeles
Ihmis ration and Land Cooperative AS
aociatisn held and owned by 1t on the
lSth day OF December, 1877.
Notice 10 hereby given that on the
Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-10
Notice to Creditors.
Els FATE of JACOB d. WETSER,
Deceased.

Notice is hereby given by the under
signed, administrator with the will an
nexed OF the estate of Jacob
ID. Weiser, deceased, to the cred
itors of and all persons having claims
against the said deceased to xhibii them,
with the necessary vouchers, within four
months after the first publication of this
notice, to the said administrator ut his
office, Room No. 81, Temple Block, In the
city and county OF Los Angeles.
Dated Dec. Ism, 1877.
j. E. GRIFFIN,
Administrator with the will Annexed OF
the Estate of Jacob ID. Weiser, de-
ceased. dlD.4w
Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-10
Constable'S Sale,

BY virtue ofan execution issued out OF
the Justices Court, of El Monte Town
ship, county of Los Angeles, State of
Der, 1877, In certain action wherein ST.
las Bennett as plaintiff recovered judg-
men against A. j. Phelps, defendant on
the 22d day of December, 1877, have lev
led upon the following described proper
", to-wt:
The NV quarter of Section IS, in Town
/, south of Range Ii West, San Bernardino
Meridian and Base Line, in the County OF
Los Angeles, State OF California.
Notice is hereby given, that on
Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-10
MONDAY, THE Goth DAY OF
NOVEMBER, A. d. 1877,

AT II O'Clock neon, proceed to sell
at the Court House door, in the city and
county of Los Angeles, State of Califor-
MIA, at public auction, TO the highest and
bert bidder, fol cash in US. currency and
gold coin to satisfy said judgment for
principal, costs, interest and all accruing
costs, all the right, title and interest Of
defendants NJ. g. Plummer and j. l..
Plummer, or either Of them, in and TO
the following described real estate, to
wit:
south range Il west s. b. NJ. the above
described real estate being situate in the
county of Los Angeles, state of Califor-
MIA.
Given under my hand, at Los Angeles,
this 3D. day of Novemb Der, A. d. 1877.
d. W. ALEXANDER,
n3 I'll Sheriff.
The above sale is hereby postponed I'M
III Monday the 81 day of December A.
flae ID. w. a LEX AMBER, Sheriff.
dated Los Angeles, Nov. 20, 1877.
The above sale is hereby POSTPONED I'M
I'll Monday, December 10Th, ISL, Mt same
hour and place.
Dated Los Angeles, Dec. 3 !, 1877.
The above sale Is hereby postponed
until SATURDAY, the AID day OF Decem-
Der. A. ID. 1877, at the. same time and
place.
d. W. ALEXANDER, Sheriff.
Dated at Los Angeles Dec. 10th. 1877.
The above sale is hereby postponed I'M
til Saturday the with day OF Decem Der,
A. d. 1877, at the same time and place.
ID. w, ALEXANDER, Sheriff.
Dated at Los Angeles, Dec. ed, 1877.
The above sale is hereby postponed I'M
til Saturday, January 9Th, 1878, at the same
time and place.
ID w. ALEXANDER, Sheriff.
Dated Los Angeles, dec 29th, 1917.
The above sale is hereby postponed I'M
til SATURDAY, the 18th day of anuary, A.
d. 1873, at the same time and place.
ID W ALEXANDER Sheriff.
Dated Los Angeles, Jan. 9Th, 1878
Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-10
Los Angeles Oil Company.
Location OF Principal Place of Business,
Los Angeles, ADMINISTRATORS OF
works, Ventura County, California.

LOS Angeles, administration OF
Works, Ventura County, California.
Notice is hereby given that at m eet-
Ing of the Directors OF this company held
on the 81 day of January, 1873, an as
sessment No. p of twenty fiyo
cents pe' share was levied upon the cap
ltai stock OF the conn any, payable i'm
mediately, in U. s. gold coin, o the Sec
Rotary. at room No. 10, Downey Block.
Any stock upon which this assess
ment remains unpaid on the 18th
OF Feb uary, 1875, will be delin-
quent and advertised for sale at public
auction: and unless payment is made be-
fore will be sold ON the 18th day of
March, 1878. to pay the DELINQUENT as
sessment, together with costs OF advertise
Ing and expenses of sale.
BY order OF the Board of Directors.
WIN. j. NELLY, secretary,
No. is D0wney Block.
Los Angeles, Jan. 7th, 1875. is 4w
Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-10
ConStabie'S Sale.

BY virtue of an execution issued out of
Justice l.. u. Corners Court, OF san Jos
county of Los Angeles, state
OF California, dated the 18th day OF De-
cember, 1877, in certain case wherein
Thomas j .Emfick, as plaintiff, recovered
judgment against the Pomona Water
Company, on the 18th day III Dece mber,
1877. have levied upon the following de-
scribed property, to wit:
All the right, title and interest, of, in
and TO the rights of water developed in
that portion OF the san Jose rancho
known as the PaIOmares tienegas, in
Los Angeles county, by the Los Angeles
I'm migra ion anu Land Cooperative AS
ISOLATION, together with the rights of all
future developments In said cientgas
which the said Pomona Water Company
acquired by deed from the above named
Los Angeles immigration and Land 70
operative Association, on or about the
14lh day OF March, A. d. 1876, and all
rights IN and to said cienegas and the de-
velOpments of water therein since subSe-
quently acquired, and also the bitches
and rights of way fol bitches constructed
and owned by the said Pomona Water
Company for the conveyance of the
wafer or waters arising and flowing in
from and on said oienegas and to the
town of Pomona and to the Pomona
tract OF Los Angeles county aforesaid.
The said rights, title and interest of, in
and to the waters and bitches above de-
scrlbed being the same owned and held
by the Pomona Water Company on the
18th day of Decent Der, 1877.
Notice Is hereby given that on the
Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-10
I WILL SELL THE ENTIRE
PROPERTY
YOUNG MEN

Who may be suffering from the effects
II youthful follies or indiscretion,
will do we'll to avail themselves Oh
|this, the greatest boon ever laid at tho
tltar of suffering humanity. DH
sPINNEY will guarantee to forfeit
1880 fer every case ofseminal weakness
| Jr private disease of any kind or char
|acter, which he undertakes and fails
| to cure, He would therefore say Il.
|Che unfortunate sufferer who may
read this notice that you are treadink
ipon dangerous ground when YOU'D
longer delay in seeking the propeI
'emedy for your complaint. YoA
nay be in the nrst stage; remember /
You are approaching the last. If yot
ire bordering upon the last, and are
uffering some or all of its Ill effects u
emem Der that If you persist in pro.
estimation the time must come when
he most skillful ply sician can ren-
Ter you no assistance; when the dooi
II hope will be closed against you
Vhen no angel OF mercy can bring you
eIief. In no case has the Doctor failed
!, success. Then let not despair work
lpon your imagination, but avail
ourself Of the beneficial results OF
lis treatment before your case is be-
ond the reach of medical skill, OIL
,efore grim death hurries you to a
.remature grave. Full course of treat
uent, $25. SEM money by Postoffi Set =
,rdsr or Express, with full description
# case.
Call, or address,
DIR. A. IL. kPINNEY,
janll-lyr No. II Kearney ST., s. F
Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-10

Of SALE OF REAL ESIA1E
IL appearing TO this Court by the petit
ton this day presented and filed by
Rafael l.. Bauchet, the guardian of the
person and estate oil Maria Elvira Fran
cisca winston, u minor, praying for an
order OF sale OF certain real estate belong
Ing to said ward, that II is necessary aud
would be beneficial 10 said ward that
such real estate should be sold:
IL Is hereby ordered that the next OF
kin of the said ward, and all persons In
ed in the said estate, appear before
this Court on
MONDAY, THE 18th DAY OF
JANUARY, A. d. 1878,
AT 10 O'Clock A. NJ. at the Court Room
OF this Court, at the curt House, in the
city and county Los Angeles, thon
and there to show ,ause why an order
should not be grartt for the sale of such
estate.
And 1t is further ordered
that II copy of his order be pub
lishcd at least tn e successive weeks
before the said day Of hearing,
in the Daily Los Angeles Her
aid. newspa per printed and published
In said county of Los Angeles.
Dated Decen! Der 9Th, 1877.
i. X. +. O'MELVENY,
Attest: A. w POTTS. CLERK.
BY K. ii. WIN. Deputy. dl2S
Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-10
LEGAL.
In the Probate Court,
or the County of Los Angelo.
State of Californja

In the matter OF the Estate and Guard
ianship OF Maria hlvira Francisco
Winston, IA minor.
Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-10
NOTICE..

All persons are hereby cautioned and
warned not TO purchase either of the fol-
lowing described promissory notes, exc
cpIed by me In, fnvoF of A. l.. Bush, to
'Fib ls77, for s4s0 in U.
I the rate OF
the lat day
- lst. 1879
OD-aa ZOO
s. gold Coz
one per cent.
lst, 1877, due tive
One dated Aug
s. gold coin with a..
per montb from the
1871; due July 25th, l6.s.
Tue entire considerable
n otes were given having ,.iiv,,
notes having been obtainsd iron,
said Bush by means of nlse reurc
tons, DO not Intend 10 pay any D.
either OF the said notes.
C0RNELIUS McOAR7
San Demanding, CAL, Nov. ri. ls7y
n25-3m
Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-10

A. s. Gray, the Executor OF the last
Will and testament OF Jacob Gray, de-
ceased, having filed his petition herein
duly verified, praying for an order OF
sale OF certain part OF the real estate of
said decedent for the purposes therein
set forth, IL Is therefore ordered by the
the estate Of said deceased appear before
the said Probate Court on Monday, the
4th dan Fe"ru,ry, 1878. at ten o'clock
In the forenoon of said day, at the Court
house, in the city and county of Los
Angples. to show cause why an order
I'll uld not be granted TO said executor
10 sell SO much Of the real estate OF said
deceased at private sale as shall be ne
ces airy; and that copy of this order lie
published tour successive weeks In the
Los Angeles Daily Herald, a newspaper
published and printed in said county.
Dated Jan 9th, 1873.
ALBERT M. STEPHENS,
j0td Probate Judge
Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-10
23d DAY OF JANUARY, 1878,

At IL o'clock NJ. of that day in front of JUS
geles, will sell all the right, title and
interest of said Pom ma Water Company
in and to the above described property.
Mt public auction, or cash in gold coin to
the highest and best bidder, to satisfy
said execution and all costs.
Dated at Pomona, the 3lst day of De-
cember. 1877. ID. X. LILLY.
j3law-3w Constable.
Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-10
SheriH'S Sale.

NJ artha Brown, Plaintiff, VS.. John Ham
rahan ct al, Defendants.-Sevent
District Court.
Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-10
Mortgage Sale.

Harris Newmark, Meyer j. Newmark,
Kaspar Conn and Morris A. Newmerk
partners comprising the firm of H.
Newmark b Co., Plaintiffs, VS.. F.. p +.
Temple ct al, DEFENDANTS Severn
teenth District Court.
Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-10
BLACKwOOD'S
EDINBURGH MAGAZINE

The British Quarterlies give to the reader
well-digested information upon the great
events in contemp0ransous history, and CEN
tain mastery criticisms on all that Is fresh
and valuable in literature, as we'll as sum-
mary of the triumphs OF science and art
The wars likely to convulse all Europe will
form topics for discussion, that will be
treated with a thoroughness and ability no.
where else to be found. Blackwo0d's Maya
zine Is fsmous for stories, essays and sketch
es of the highest literary merit.