davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-08-26
WashingtOn's Table.

A visitor to Governors Island, in New
York harbor, says: AS the writer looked
at the stand upon which his hand rested
he observed a quaint old table with
carved, crooked legs. The top was
square, except that the sides were cut in
for several inches, forming neat curve,
so as to permit four men sitting around
it to do so with greater comfort. 1t was
covered with red cloth. Each corner.
however, was bare, to rest cards upon,
for it was evidently card table. In
front of each player there was an oval
shaped hollow, or bowl, for holding
coins. This table had evidently been
used for poker playing, and the attend
ant was asked whose table it was.
cit was the property of General
Washington, he said, ''and was pre-
sented by him to Judge Berrian, of Rocky
Hill, New jersey, where the general
often used it, we are informed, while on
visits during 1880 to l1S3."
On this table appeared the name OF
Washington, each letter, representing a
neat scene from the life of the first Pres
ident. Upon the "W" appeared the
home of Washington at Mount Vernon ;
a likeness of Lafayette in standing at
titude was on the letter "a :" SIS" +" rep
resented Washington's headquarters at
Newburg; "H 1.-THE meeting of Wash
ington and Lafayette; 81" Washington
at Trenton; 8" N" his headquarters at
Trenton; "G"the capitol at Washing
ton; at" the Washington monument,
completed, as it was at one time ex-
pected it would be; 80" battle scene
and "N" the tomb at Mount Verno q
All was executed with a pen, by Lieu
tenant j.. Edward Blake, who wa,
killed during the Mexican war. ~
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-08-26
The Diamond Fraud.

A New York correspondent of the
Troy Times writes A view of metro
politan life, as afforded by the advertis-
ing columns, will give one glimpse of
many strange features, some of which
are worthy of attention. The diamond
fraud for instance. This is still extern
sively advertised, and no doubt occa-
sional hits are made, the bait beingf ound
in such notices as these:
A laly must have $3.50, and to raise said
amount will part with her diamonds, cost
$400. Please 10 call at once and inquire for
advertiser at $50 East Thirty third street.
A lady, whose diamonds and jewelry are in
pawn, is unabls to redeem them; will sell
tickets at sacrifice. Address Mrs. Hlvlin
Uptown office.
A lady having her valuable Jewels in pawn
would like some honorable gentleman TO lie.
deem and hold for a short time. Mrs. Sinclair
A lady having in pawn valuable diamonds
and jewelry, unable to redeem them will sell
tickets. Mrs. Tacott. Uptown office.
A lady having in pledge gold hunting watch
chain and diamond ring would like to dispose
OF tickets. Ad lress Mrs. Lyman.
1t need hardly be said that "thc lady,
mentioned is merely the tool in the
hands of professed sharpers. The best
illustration of the method was afforded
by the manner in which two Washing
ton market hucksters were fleeced.
They had snug amount OF surplus
funds and wished to make q temporary
investment. Having noticed an adver-
tisement of the aforementioned charac-
ter, they opened correspondence and
were met by Gladly" who told wo-
| full tale. The diamonds were worth
| $4,000, and had come from some royal
house. Could $4,000 be advanced il
would be only One-quarter their value,
and the money could be raised on them
at any time. A diamond broker $50
called) then appeared, who solemnly
averred that Simpson the pawnbrokel
would advance $4,000 on the jewels,
but his terms (twenty-four per cent pei
annum) were too high, The lady offered
| to pay ten per cent, returnable on call
| There is no sharper class of men thar
Washington market hucksters, bu
when taken off their usual track they
| are as weak as childhood. These mer
| fell readily into the snare, and advanced
$4,000 on what proved to be a mer,
| fraud. This revelation was made at tn,
| police office where the swindlers wer,
arraigned, but the charge failed for lacl
of testimony, and the hucksters becam
merely the ohjecU of ridicule. Not Ion!
afterward q kind-hearted clergymen
known as Father Fucker, fell into tn
same trap. He had some money, an,
the moving appeal of lady in distres
touched his heart. He responded t.
| the advertisement, was charmed anC
| affected by the tale of misfortune, an,
| advanced nearly thousand dollars OF
some paste diamonds which could o
| bought for trihe. .rf ..
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-08-26
Words of Wisdom,

There is nothing so sad as happiness
to the sight of the unhappy.
There is past which is gone forever.
But there is future which is still our
own.
A Christian is like locomotive. A
nre must be kindled in the heart of it
before it will go.
The gnarled and twisted oak has its
counterpart in the narrowed and strlnted
The human mind is like an inetriaie
on horseback--prop it ON one side and il
falls on the other.
What would be the state of the high.
ways of life if we did not drive oul
tbought-sprinklers through them, with
valve open, sometimes. - - -
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-08-26
United i'm Death.

An aged husband and his old wife
went hand in hand to the gate of death.
This touching incident is narrated by
the Oskaloosa Herald: Mr.. and Mrs.
Dickson, for convenience in attendance
during their illness, were placed in sep
arate bedrooms. The heads of the beds
were placed against a thin partition,
which having an open door, permitted
the old people to converse, though not
able to see each other.
The night before the husband died
his wife heard him groaning and was
very anxious to be with him, but was
unable to rise. Soon she was informed
that he was dying, and in order to be
near him the beds were moved so as to
bring them parallel with the partition,
the heads opposite the door.
This done, the fond wife reached ou
her hand, grasped her husband by th'
hand, and held it during his last mo
ments. Thus death found them, a
fifty one years before the marriage cere
mony left them, joined hand in hand
1t was a simple aud atfectionate tokel
of the love of long life, and the da
following the wife, too, folded her arm
in the sleep of death.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-08-26
Story of a Skeleton Skirt.

l was in the civil service at Rich
mond. Enough that l was there and
on honest business. That business done,
prepared to return home. And there
by hangs this tale, and, as it proved
the fate of the Coniederacy.
For, of course, wanted to take
presents home to my family. Very little
question was there what these presents
should be-for | had no boys or
brothers. The women of the Confed
eracy had one want which overtopped
all others. They could make coffee out
OF beans prs they had from Columbus
straw hats they braided quite well with
their own fair hands; snuff we could
get better than you COZ Id in the "old
concern" We had no hoopskirts-
skeletons. weused to call them. No in
genulty had made them. No bounties
had forced them. The Bat, the Gre g
hound, the Deer, the Flora, the J. G.
Cobb, the Varuna and the Fore-and-
Aft all took in cargoes of them for us in
England. But the Bat and the Deer and
the Flora we're seized by the blockade rs,
theJ. G. Cobb suak at sea, the Fore
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-08-26
TIMELY TOPICS,

A visit was paid to the house of COM
mons recently by two giants, Chanz, a
Chinese, eight and one-half feet in
height, and Won Brustad, a Norwegian,
eight feet four inches in height. They
were accompanied by Chez Nah, a
Chinese dwarf, about two feet in height.
The three distinguished strangers were
shown into the speakers gallery, where
they remained for while listening to
the debate.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-08-26

The railroad between Vera Cruz and
the city of Mexico is said to be marvel
of engineering. 1t ascends 1900 feet,
4,700 in twenty-five miles. 1t passes
from hot to temperate, and from the
latter to the cold country. 1t spans
ravines, scales precipices and plunges
through the bowels of mountains below /;
struct this line took thirty. six years,
forty presidents and one emperor.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-08-26

The American consul at Geneva says
American beef and live stock have pene-
trated as far as that region and the value
of choice cattle raised in large numbers
in Switzerland for Paris and the French
markets has been sensibly diminished
by the importation from America. Pre-.
served meats and fruits from the United
States are so well established and ad-
vertised that they may be left to take
care of themselves; but butter and
cheese could be sold in much larger
quantities in central and southern Eu-
rope and profitable market for more
nutritious brand of American flour
could be found.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-08-26
What l Love.

1 love the plowman's whistle,
The reaper's cheerful song,
The drover's oit.repeated shout,
Squirting his stock along;
The hustle OF the market man,
AS he HES him to the town,
The halo from the tree-top
As the ripening fruit comes down;
The busy sound of the threshers,
AS they clean the ripened grain;
The husker's joke and catch OF glee
Meath the moonlight on the plain;
The kind voice OF the drayman,
The shepherds gentle call
These sounds OF pleasant industry,
love-I love them all.
-Y0uth'S COMPANION
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-08-26

-
William M. Evarts' professional in
come is estimated at from $4,000 to
100000 year.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-08-26

Some of the French journals give very
fattering accounts of the progress of the
preliminary work on the tunnel which
is to connect Frame and England. 1t is
stated that the shaft is sunk to the
stratum in which the tunnel is to be cut,
and that those engaged in the work are
about to sink another shaft, and to
lower the machinery for boring under
the channel. The work on the tunnel
is expected tc be finished in two or
three years.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-08-26

On the other side of Jordan is the
town of Salt, ascertained to be the an
cient Ramoth Gilead, containing q pop
ulation of about 5000 nominal Chris
tians and Mohammedans. There are up
ward of l 800 vineyards in this town
and neighborhood, and also large fields
of corn land. 1t is a singular fact, as
credibly reported, that these people
know nothing of Intoxicating drinks,
and make their. grapes into raisins,
honey and kind of sweetmeat called
milban.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-08-26

Bret Harte says never see here in
Europe woman toiling in the hot
fields, or peasant working to reclaim
and fertilize few yards of s5erile noun
tain side, that l do not come home to
my room and abase myself before the
little American flag that hangs above
my head, and thank heaven that l live
in q republic where there are men
enough to plow and hoe and reap, and
which has room enough oa Level ground
for all its people.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-08-26

The manufacture of bottle 'corks is q
considerable source of wealth in France.
The annual production amounts to
1855, 900, 600, valued at about So, l00,0 ,0C0.
The value of the raw material is about
100000. The French government has
formed many plantations of the cork
oak in Algiers. Parts of the United
States are well adapted for the success.
full cultivation of the cork oak.
The Portland daily press., 1880-01-15

UFFICE HUI KS:
From 500 a. m. to $50 p M, Sundays excepted.
Sundays open for Carriers and General Delivery
from to 10 a. m.
The Portland daily press., 1880-01-15
PORTLAND POST OFFICE.


OFFICE HOURS:
From 500 a. m. to $50 p. M, Sundays excepted.
Sundays open for Carriers and General Delivery
from to 10 a.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF MAILS.
Boston and intermediate ofiices-Arrive at 1920
and II. 10 p. m. Close at 8.15 a. M, l2lo 800
and 900 p. m.
Boston and The West-Arrive at $40 u, m.
Intermediate or Way Mails, via Boston Il Maine
Railway-Arrive at 1920 and $40 p. m. Close at
Great Southern l. Western-Arrive at 1920 p. m.
and lilo p. m. Close at $40 a. m 1910, 300
and 900 p. m.
Bangor and connecting routes-Arrive at 90 p.
m. Close at I1.3O a. m.
Augusta and connecting routes-Arriye at 8. 80 a.
m. and LOO p. M. Close at 11.3O a. M and 4.35
Morning Northwestern, by Grand Trunk Railway
Arrive at S.35 m. Close at 700 a. m.
Lewiston and administrative at 2.O5 and $50 a.
M. and LOO D. m. Close at $50 and 1.3o a. m
Castine, Deer Isle, sedgwick, S. W. Harbor, Mt.
Desert Jonesport. Machias Machiasport, East Ma
chias AIillbrdge and Bar Harbor, via each steamer
Arrive at a. m Close at p. m.
Eastport via each steamer-Arriye at 600 a. m.
Foreign mails, via New York, day previous to sail
ing of steamers-Close at 8.15 a. m.
Express, Augusta Bangor and the East-Arrive at
2.05 a. Close at 500 p. m.
SkowIegan. intermediate offices and the north
Arrive at LOO p. m. Close at 11.30 a. m.
Skowhegan also closes at 500 p. m
Canada and intermediate offices, via &. L. R-Ar-
rive at 124o p. Close at 12.45 p m.
Nova Scotia and Prince Edwards lslaud-Close at
80 m. and 900 p. m.
Swanton, VT, and intermediate Offices via r q D.
r. R.-Arriye at 81 p. III. Close at 40 a. m.
Fryeburg Me-, and, intermediate offices, via p. Il
o. r.. R.-Arrive at 100 a. Close at 2.30 p. M
Worcester, Mass, and intermediate offices, via r
a. r.. r. R.--Arrive at 1.20 p. m. Close at ITO
a.
Rochester n. H., and intermediate offices, via p.
s. r. Il. R.-Close at ESQ a. m.
Carriers deliveries at 100 and 1000 a. M, and
1.3O and 500 D. NJ Collections at 7.G0 and HOO
q. m, and 200 and 500 p. m.
The Portland daily press., 1880-01-15
NOTES.
THE SKATING RINK.
A Remarkable Exhibition Of Roller Skat-
ing.

"A hSnldFkdDIS Vi ISOlISI OhctG-
ing.
The skating rink was filled with an audience
last night that numbered very many of our
leading citizens to witness an exhibition of
fancy skating by Mr.. Lalime, one of the man
ayers, and Prof. Purdy, a stranger to this city.
Every scat was occupied, including the chairs
usually reserved for the press, and every inch
of space that could be spared from the skating
floor was occupied by spectator. We would
not wish it inferred from the above that the
press were unaccommodated. Far from it. As
usual every attention was shown them.
The entertainment commenced with con-
cert by the Portland Band lin full uniform)
which was heartily applauded. Then Mr., La
lime and young lady gave an exhibition of
fancy skating. Their movements were ex-
ceedingly graceful and the audience seemed to
consider that their stay upon the floor was all
too brief. Then a large party INDUCED in
skating and were followed by Prof. Purdy.
The professor is a perfect master of his art.
Every conceivable movement was executed by
him, and pressure on our columns alone pre-
vents more elaborate description. His agility,
grace and lightning execution were all worthy
of the highest praises The evenings amuse
ment closed with general skating to the music
of the band.
As we have often said before Messrs.
Thompson & Lalme have established in our
midsta new, popular and beautiful amuse-
ment that has commanded the public atten-
ton and patronage of all our most cultivated
citizens and which is spreading its influence
more and more every day.
The Portland daily press., 1880-01-15
Location of Fire Alarm Boxes

NOOK, Portland Time.
9-Corner FOX anu hammond streets.
r Oxford and Mayo sts
s. Atlantic and Wilson SITS.
g. Merrill and Quebec sts
11-TEsT-at 212 P. N.
12-PortlaDd Co.'s Office
I3-Engine House, Congress, near North ST.
14-Corner Washington and Oxford SITS.
IS Adams Gnd Mountfort SITS.
16-Grand Trunk Depot.
17-Hook and Ladder House, India ST.
18-Corner Franklin and Cumberland SITS.
10 g Lincoln and Pearl SITS
81 Z" Franklin and Newbury sts
3D. =" Market and Commercial SITS.
24-Engine House, corner Market and Congress SITS
25-Corner Middle and Exchange SITS.
&C. % Chestnut and Oxford SITS.
81 &" Union and Fore SITS.
of Free and Middle Sis.
31-Corner Preble and Congress SITS.
33-AT i 45 A. NJ No afternoon session OF schools
34-Corner South and Spring SITS.
35- % Maple and York SITS.
So % High and Danforth SITS.
House, Congress near Oak st.
38-Corner Congress and Walker SITS.
So g Deering and Avon SITS.
4I-Engine House, Spring near State st.
42-Corner Danforth and Bracket SITS.
43- Commercial and Clark SITS.
45-Enginc House. Bracket near Pine st.
46-Horse II. r. Stable, Spring ST.
47-Corner Portland and Weymouth SITS.
4S- IS Pine and Thomas SITS
81 g Bracket and Vaughan st
52-Libby's Corner.
53-Forest City Sugar Refinery.
54-Corner Danforth and Vaughan SITS.
&C. " Salem and School SITS.
62- Park and Commercial SITS.
"a Foot of Green st.
65-Grove ST., near Saccarappa road.
The Portland daily press., 1880-01-15
Brief lettings.

Cold and bright day. Mercury GO at sunrise,
16o at noon, 100 at sunset; wind north, north
west.
The fraternity dance at City Hall was well
attended as usual last night.
The Portland Horse Railroad Company has
declared an annual dividend of 5 per cent.
At a meeting of the Mayor and Aldermen
held yesterday afternoon, Charles d. Starbird,
Charles III. Fling, and Edward Fl. Chase were
drawn as special jurors for the Superior Court.
The fair and festival given by the gentlemen
Of Chestnut ST. Church at the vestry last even
irg was well attended and many pretty things
offered for sale. Tonight will be a leap-year
festival when all the ladies will be accorded
the privileges that are their due.
A horse which had been left at the corner of
Congress and Center streets yesterday after
noon, got his foot somehow entangled in the
strap alta 3hed to the hitch weight, and, be-
coming frightened started to run, but was
probably seized by those present. and who
thereby prevented a lively runaway.
The Portland daily press., 1880-01-15
Mr.. soule on the Track Of the Argus.

Mr.. Soule on the Track of the Argus.
II g following letter from S. Soule of Win
throp appeared in the Kennebec Journal of
yesterday:
Editors Henaebec journal:
The Argus of the 10th heads It's leading cdi-
torial column as follows: Mr. s5oule's Case
Attended to-, and then proceeds to give what
purports to be an affidavit from Mr.. Mendall Of
Hartford, wherein Mr. Mendall says, or is
made to say that [, among other things, asked
him, (MendalD chow much it would take to
induce him (IendalD not to take his seat"
The Argus further says "that | am at liberty
to take the matter to the courts if | am net
satisfied Permit me to say, Mr.. Editor that
1 have placed the matter in the hands OF rella-
bic attorneys, with positive instructions to
bring an action for malicious libel against the
plup1lotors of the Argus at once, if their accu-
Stations against me, being entirely false as they
are, are actionable.
To the public and my friends who are more
particularly interested, let me say, that MI
Mendall in my presence and in the presence of
reliable witnesses, unqualiiedly stated that
there was no truth in the statement of the Ar
gus of the 9th, that / had offered him money
for any purpose, and further stated that in
no way, shape or manner, directly or indirect
ly, limited to him that he should,rece money
to stay away from the organization of the Leg
islalure or that L asked him chow much it
would take to induce him TO stay away"
S. SoULE.
The Portland daily press., 1880-01-15
Mines and Mining in Maine

The other morning the PRESS stated that
Prof Stewart of Nevada, had been invited by
many of our best known citizens, to deliver an
address on the Philosophy OF Mines and Min
ing in Maine, at City Hall, at time that
would best suit his convenience. Prof. Stew
art yesterday sent the following reply:
Messrs, George Walker, Nathan CIeaceS, Clar-
ence Hale and others.
Gentlemen,-Upon my arrival in your city
to-day / was pleasantly greeted by published
invitation, signed by yourselves and by many
other prominent citizens of Portland, request
ing me to deliver lecture here upon the Phi
losophy Of Mining and the Mines OF Maine.
Permit me to say in reply, that l will cheerful
ly comply with your request provided shall
be allowed to deliver the lecture free OF charge
For the past three months l have been con-
stantly in the service of the mining men of
Maine, and L therefore claim the privilege of
lecturing upon the new industry of your State,
without money and without price.
l would respectfully suggest City Hall, Mon
day evening, Jan. 10, as the proper time and
place for the lecture.
I have the honor to be yours truly
W. +. STEWART.
The Portland daily press., 1880-01-15
Canadian OVerShOeS
Men. Women and Children.

EVENING SLHPPERS for Ladies and Misses
TOlEFST SLIPPERS and Dancing Pumps
for Gentlemen and Youths.
NEWS ENG. GRAIN Walking fast Balls.
and Congress Boots.
ENG. GRAIN waterproof Cunning Boots.
CORK SOLE WALKING BOOTS for
I.alies in FIR. Calf and Goat also Cloth top walk
ing Boots.
SPRING HEEL BOOTS In all wldths Ior
Misses and Children
EXCLUSIVE SALE of Burts Boots and
|, Banister Il Tichenors Newark custom made hand
sewed Boots
CUSTOM BOOTS of every description made
to measure.
The Portland daily press., 1880-01-15

THOUGH THEY MAY OBsTINATELY RESIST
the action Of other external remedies, ulcers
containing proud flesh, swellings tumors,
leprous granuat;ons and scrofulous sores
speedily heal under he purifying and soothing
influence of HENRY's CARBoLIC SALvE, the
promptest and most efficient topical applica-
ton ever discovered or used. 1t is believed
that there is no chronic sore or eruption that
may not be eradicated by this incompatible
purifier Sold by all Druggists.
Oxygenated Bitters ure Dyspepsia.
las div
The Portland daily press., 1880-01-15
THE PRESS.
THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY is.
THE PRESS


May be obtained at the Periodical Depots of \. G.
Fessenden, Marquis, Brunei " Co., Andrews, Arm
strong Cox, Wentworth. Hodsdon. Hayden, W.. p.
Morris, corner Exchange and Fore ST.; Welander,
Boston & Maine Depot, and Chisholm Bros, on all
trains that run out of the city.
Saco of L. Hodstlon and H. b. Kendrick.
Bath. of j. o. Shaw.
Lewiston and Auburn, of Richard Foss.
Biddeford, +. VI. Burnham.
= ,Jelerson's bookstore.
Brunswick, b. 6. DennIson and w. II. Marrett.
Richmond G.. A. Beale.
Woodford's Corner, II. Moody.
Cumu. rland Mills, A. W. g. Cloudman,
Gornam, j. Irish.
Saecarappa, at the Post Office.
Rocgllnd O. G. Andrews ard Z. r. Spear. -
Damariscoua L. w. Dunbar
Freeport W. j. Parker.
Thomaston, S. Delano.
Vinalhaven, b. Lane.
WaldOhoro. G. Bliss.
Wseasset. Gibf8 g. Rundle-s
Yarmouth. e.. e. Coombs.
Auburn, V. X. Foss.
Lisbon, Z. f. .)ndkins.
Hall3well, II. Ill. Allan.
Augusta, f. Pierce.
The Portland daily press., 1880-01-15
MARRIAGES.

In Alfred, Jan IS. by Rev. B. P. Snow, Emmons
F. Stookwell NJ. d. and Miss Lucy e. Trip, poth OF
Alfred ~,
In Biddeford, Dec. 90 Daniel Davis and Miss
Emietta Bryant. n.,,
In Biddeford, Jan. TO- Herbert A. Mayo OF Bldde,
ford and Miss Winnifred NJ. Hutchings OF kockand
In Norway, Jan. 1, E. A. Lathrop and Miss Mary
Il. Newman. . o..s,,
In oxford, Dec. 81, Luduscar Z. Stone OF otishelo
and Edna Z. Wardwell of oxford.
In Thomaston Jan. 1, Capt. John L. Rider ana
Ella NJ. O'Brien. !,
In Union, Dec. 81 Frederick Z. Roolhsoh anu
Fostina A. Luce, both of Gushing.
In Camden, Dec. %, Frank Matthews ana Lizzie
B. stevens. both of Lncolnville , ,,;,.
In Bethel, Dec %, Charles u. Benson anu Miss
Helena A. Eames both of Newry
The Portland daily press., 1880-01-15

City Marshal Smith, of Lewiston, received
telegram from Marshal Bridges, requesting
the arrest of Frank A. Sylvester of Farming
ton, supposed to be in that city. Deputy Mar
shall Metcalf found Sylvester in boarding
house on Lisbon street and arrested him, Mon
day night. a Portland officer went up on the
morning train, Tuesday, and brought Sylves-
ter to Portland. Sylvester is charged with
embezzling about $500 from his former employ
ers, Woodbury. & Latham in Portland. He
was employed as a salesman by the Singer
Sewing Machine Co, in Lewiston when ar
ractoJ