davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-05-01

Whatever the situation of the OF.
chard, "the orchardist who cultivates
carefully viii in the end reap the prof
it." So says Josiah Hoops in the New
York Tribune, and no experienced cult
ivator will question his statement
Prairie Former.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-05-01

Ginger Cookies: One cup each OF
molaxses, sugar, shortening and sour
milk, one heaping teaspoonful soda.
one teaspoonful ginger, . little salt
-four enough to roll out.-Ezehonqe.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-05-01

~ Any person who takes the paper regu.
larry from the post-ofiice, whether directed to
his name or whether he Is q subscriber or not.
fs responsible for the pay.
The courts have decided that refusing to
take newspapers from the postof6ce or re-
moving and leaving them uncalled for n
prima facie evidence OF INTENTIONAL FRAUD.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-05-01

Swans have been known to live to
the age of 800 years, and Cuvier thinks
it probable that whales sometimes live
1000 years.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-05-01

IAN he needs is the art of obeying."
said Mrs. Linton.
"And that is what the rudder is to
the Ship" said her cousin, earnestly.
Mrs. Linton inly resolved to begin at
once to train her boy in that implicit
obedience which should have begun at
his cradle.
In the afternoon, while Clemmy was
las good as gold" he grew restless,
and was allowed to get up and dress in
his Sunday clothes. About four CLOCK
half a dozen of his playmates stopped
on their way to the Rink. He looked
wistful, but said nothing.
Il declare" said his mother, aside.
ait does seem hard on Saturday. aud
when he has studied so we'll all the
week, and has taken his punishment so
sweetly. And l want to go out with
you to return those calls, and l hate to
leave him with Bridget, she is 50 out of
humor. What do you say, Angelica?'
'.Oh. don't ask me. Fanny. You
know old maids children are always
spoiled by rule. Still
.'Clemmyr' said Mrs. Linton, impul-
slvely, II think VIII let you go after
all. Call the boys back. If l let you
off this once you must not disobey
again. Now be careful of those clothes"
AS he kissed Der rapturously-"and
be in at half-past five to the minute,
mindr'
She added, as he vanished: 81 say
half-past five, because he viii be sure
to be late. and his father likes to find
him when he gets home"
Mr.. Linton did business in town, and
had very little time at his pretty home
in the suburbs. But he counted the
short hours there with his wife and boy
as golden sands in the glass.
That afternoon Mrs. Linton was her
self little late, and found her husband
awaiting her. but not Clemmy. Mr..
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
THE BIG CIRCUS.
Barrett's Show Plastering the
Fences and Exciting the Town.

s. H. Barrett's New United Mons ter
Railroad Show, Triple Circus, World's
Menagerie, Museum of Living Wonders,
Elevated Stage and Grand Racing Carni-
val are coming, and will be with us and
will exhibit at Salt Lake City on Friday
and Saturday, June 18th and 18th.
The following very interesting notice OF
it is culled from the columns of the Ken
lucky Independent; it makes everything
plain: The circus and menagerie of 5.
H. Barrett & Co. is one of the best on
the road. The circus and menagerie
was here on Saturday. as per advertise
ment, and the verdict of this commu-
nifty is, that it is one of the few which
has and does the things it advertises.
The attendance was large, both at the
day and evening performances. The
street pageant was very fine. In adj
dition to the fine wagons and bands, as
well as the fine horses, there were herds
of elephants and camels in the process
sion, sight new as well as novel.
In the first tent as the visitor went In
was the menagerie, which contained a
good collection of rare animals, birds,
etc. Passing into the performing tent
we found 1t to be an immense affair,
having very great seating capacity.
1t was comfortably full, but was SO
large that everybody had seat, and
no one was compelled to stand.
There are certainly some as fine
actors in this circus as ever appeared in
the saw-dust arena. Mr.. James Robin
son, the worlds champion bareback
rider. Robert Stickney and Mr.. VIM. 81.
German can not be excelled as horse
men, while Emma Lake and Jennie
Ewers stand unrivaled among lady
performers on horseback.
The atheletc and acrobatic feats were
as good as we ever saw, and the troupe
of performers is a very large one, which
of course it must necessarily be to give
six acts at one time, on the elevated
stage, in the upper air and in the great
rings.
Taking the performance as whole,
we have never seen as good before, and
we doubt if we will ever see better. Our
people were agreeably surprised to re-
ceive more than the worth of their
money, for the big Barrett show ac-
tually exhibited more than it adver-
tised.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
PERSONAL.

W3 CARROLL, the Proyoite, is among
US.
w. {. RYDALcH came in on Tuesday s
train.
JUDGE FOREMAN came up from Beaver
last evening.
APOSTLE HI. GRANT returned from
the south last evening.
f. DIcKERT went south yesterday to
visit the sulphur beds.
W. o. YOUNG, accompanied by his
wife, leaves for Park City this morning.
C. S. JONES, wife and daughter leave
over the Little Giant this morning for
Bloomington, Ill.
F. FARGO, of the Buffalo Times, with
his wife, are passengers on the D. & R.
G. to-day, for Buffalo, n. Y.
JOHN w. TUrTLE, the stage man of
Eureka, Tintic, came to the city last
evening and remains over to-day.
W.B. DoUGALL, superintendent of the
Deseret Telegraph Company. made a
business trip to Nephi yesterday.
DR.. H. RoLLEN and wife are passen-
gers by the Denver & Rio Grande to
Washington, d. c., this morning.
T. H. BoRLAND, representing G.
Becker, clothing, of Chicago. leaves for
Kansas City to-day. per d. & K. G.
GEORGE WALKER, of Mendon, Cache
County, is in the city, staying with
VIM. Jennings and visiting friends.
JOHN READING left for Europe yester-
day morning via the Scenic Line He
has number of objects in making the
trip.
r. N. Smith and brother. of New
Zealand, leave for New York City over
the narrowgauge this morning, en- route
for England.
NJ. O'RouRKE. the genial representa-
tive of Franklin MacVeagh d Co.. of
Chicago. was seen rustling around
amongst our merchants yesterday.
A PARTY of forty globe trotters,"
from Australia. will arrive over the D.
Il G. to-day from the west. remain over
three or four days taking in the sights
of the city and vicinity and proceed
eastward.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
Nov York stock Market.

NEW York, May &c. = Stocks dull,
been Western Union, New York Central
and Lackawanna, while Jersey Central
advanced 1.
NEw YORK, May IS, noon.-Stocks
the past hour were quiet and steady, ex-
cept slight advance in Northwestern
and Union Pacific. At noon the market
was very dull and without change.
New YORK, May 26, p. m.-Stocks
were quiet and steady throughout the
afternoon and closed firm at quotations
which are generally only a shade below
the best figures of the day.
New YORK, May 26.-Governments
we're qniet and strong, the closing quo
tations showing a gain OF Il over the
figures of this morning.
Stocks we're practically featureless.
In no case did the total sales of any one
stock on the list amount to as much as
1900 shares. and the total transactions
in all the stocks bought and sold were
only 10000 shares. Extreme fuctua-
tions, except in three or four instances,
were within the range of per cent, but
prices we're well held all day, and the
closing quotations are generally Is to "a
per cent. higher than last evening. The
market showed very little change at the
opening, but early rallied fraction and
then continued steady throughout the
day without any important reaction.
A great deal of interest was taken in the
meeting of the railroad officials at Com
missioner Fink's, but no important news
was received from the meeting before
the close of the board. 1t is not gener-
ally believed that any decided action for
the restoration of the rates east of
Chicago will be effected at present.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
New York DIV Goods.

NEw YoRK, MAY 26.-Dry goods
AS usual on Tuesday, the market has
been quiet in all departments. The
volume OF new business is light, but the
movement of goods on account of pre-
yious sales was of good proportions.
The export of domestic cottons for the
past week has been 1928 packages, and
since January 1st the total has been
so 1893 packages against 72,079 packages,
the largest total in any previous year.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
10 1ghom it may concern:

10 1ghon it may concern:
THERE ARE DELINQUENT UPON THE
i following described stock, ON account
of Assessment No. l, levied February 18th.
A. D. 1886, the several amounts set opposite
the names of The respective shareholders,
ano "a aceOf9snce witnaa% ana an osneI o.
so many shares of each parcel of such stock
as may be necessary will be. sold atthe-office
of the company, in st George City, Utah, on
Monday. June Sth, 1885, to pay the deiin-
quent assessment thereon, together with
costs of advertising and expense OF sale.
Sale will commence at 10 q, m. STANDARD
IME. -i'A
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
Chicago Live stock.

CKIoAGo, May 26.
Cattle Receipts $500; duh, weak; 10
lover; shipping grades, 4.60@5.65; Tex
ans, 4.00@4' IS; stockers and feeders,
360@4.90.
Hogs-Receipts 22,OOs; dull. slow, SO
10 lower; rough packing, 3.75@3 95;
packing and shipping, S.95@4.l0; light.
3SO@4.45.
Sheep Receipts 5000; steady, rather
slow; shorn, 2.50@4.0O; wooded, $500
40; Texans, 2.25@3.75.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
New York Mining Market.

NEw YoRK, May 26.-Speculation in
mining shares was quite light Among
the few shares dealt in were California
and Virginia at 2.40@2 As; Horn Silver
L95@2.O0, LeadviIle IS, Union Consol-
dated 1.5O, Bulwer As, Central Arizona
100000; Alice 100, Sutro Tunnel II.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
AFTERNOON.

Wheat-Excited and lower; May,
S71s; June S7H; July S99S@891E.
Corn-Lower; 4634 May, 45% June, 46
July. ft,lft
Easier; 1925 May, s27S June,
321@ July. ff
Rye-DuIl, II.
Barley Nominal.
Pork-Lower, Ills June.
Lard-Lower; SIS June.
Boxed Meats Quiet; dry sailed
shoulders, 4.00@4.05; short rib sides,
5.371<@4.O0; short clear sides, 5.85@5.90.
Whisky-Firm LIS. ~
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
Chicago Grain Trade.

CHICAGO, May 26.-Wheat moder-
a.ely active, but lower, closing steady at
a decline; SO cash, May, S89s June, 90Z
July, 923 August.
Corn-Active. Steady; 47cash May,
1875 June, AN July.
Oats-SteaGier; S2% cash May-June,
321z July.
Whisky, lis.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
SAY Francisco. May 26.
, Foreign Markets.

LoEDoE, May 26.-L3o p.m.-Consols
opened 50 ZIG, now quoted for both ac-
counts.
LoNDos, May 26, 4p. m.-Consols,
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
British Grain Trade.

LIVERPOOL. May %. = Wheat dull,
poor demand; prices unchanged.
Corn-Dull; poor demand.
Weather fat but cloudy
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
Thin People.

wells Health Reviewer" restores
nealth and vigor. cures dyspepsia, I'm
potence. Sexual Debility. 81
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
New York Wool.

NEW YoEK, May 26.-Wool : Quiet,
heavy.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
JOSLIN & PARK,
$50 Main Street. Salt Lake City,
UTAH. 49, a1e
NOTICE.

OFFICE OF MOUNTAIN CHIEF MINING Com
PANY, ST. GEORGE. Utah.
May 18th, 1885
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
Bullion.

NEW YoRK. Nay 26, noon.-Bar silver,
1079s.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
Roston Wool Market.

BoeroN, May 26. - Wool = Moderate
demand; prices unchanged.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
MIR. JAMES ROBINSON.

The Most Fearless, Dashing and Daring
Bareback Rider in the world, whose name
has been soun1ed in both heInispheres by
the trumpet tongue Of fame.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27

In TESTIMONY wHsREoF, witness. my hand
jsxAL and seal. ct st. George City. Utah
this. the 18th day of May, A. %. 1885
G. T. HOLLADAY.
ms Secretary.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
.I;ougI, on Pam

Rough on PAIN"
Cure collie, cramps. diarrh@a; exter-
nally for aches. pains, sprains, head
ache, neuralgia, rheumatism. For man
or beast. 20 and SOC.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27

Can be consulted daily from O'CLOCK -
IL O'Clock g. H., and from 2 TO o'clock pm
Sundays from 10 am. to pm. He bss had
twenty-five years experience in the special
reatment of all Venereai, Sexual and
Chronic Diseases, and guarantees TO cure al
urinary Diseases Syphiitic or Mercuriak
Affections of the Throat, Skin or Bones
NERVOUS DEBILITY Impotency and Lost
Manhood, exhausted Vitality, Seminal
Weakness, Spermatorrhoea, Paralysis. and al
the terrible effects of Self-Abuse, youthful
follies and excuses in matnrer years.
Nocturnal Emission, the effects of which are
various, maddening and destructive 10 botk
body and mind, and unless cured VII ter
inmate fatally. The presence of the dissSss
causes continual consciousness OF stoW
and gradual decay of all the power OF body
and mind with loss of manly power and
vigor, defective memory. heart affections,
0ss OF sight, noises in the head and ears,
confusion of ideas, aversion 10 society, exces-
sive prostratiOn. trembling of the hands and
limbs, consumption, maraSmus and Ultimate
arrangement of the mind. The win power
becomes so weak that the person seams 70
lose control Of himself and cannot look ons
square in the face. II also causes Dyspepsia
Disease.
Tapeworm expelled in "a Hours
Piles treated and successfully cured.
Consultation at the office is FRHR aud IN
yited. Thorough examination and adyice.
including analysis of urine S. Come az
onee-do not put it of. All corresponAsnce
strictly confidential
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
A CARD.

To who are suffering from errors and
lndiscretions of youth, NERVOUS weakness,
early decay, loss OF manhood, ETC., / will
send recipe that will cure you, FREE OF
CHARGE. This great remedy was dis
covered by g missionary in South America
Send sel<-Sddressed envelope to REV
10 eth I. isMAS. Station d. New York
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
MISS EMMA LAKE,

A Most Graceful and Charming Lady
Equestrian, whose performances in the side
saddle ON the backs of her Trained Steeds
are actually poem in motion.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
-, york Money Market.

NEW YORK. Nay 26.
Money, easy l.
Prime paper, 4 q 8.
Sterling bills. quiet, $50.
Demand, 86H.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27

Our GRAND STREET E'AGEAN Mt
Many Bsndso Music Many
Combined with Myriad Scenes of SPlen-
Wonder
WORTH MORE
HE LII.
7. Arence
Mond
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
Mile. VIOLA RrvERs

The Equestrian Juggler. A Charming
and Beautiful Lady Rider, who is d Per-
feet Model OF Excellence in Aesthetic Eques-
trianism.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27

We have the Finest Line of Fancy Goods
and Novelties, suitable for Holiday Presents.
We are the largest dealers in the West and
buy strictly for cash, and are offering SPECIAL
INDUcEMENTs at this season of the year. We
ask our friends and patrons to call and see
our new stock, which is very complete.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
MONSTER FREE MENACERIE OF LIVING WONDERS

CO. Whole Droves OF Zebras. Hyenas,
Giraites, Glands, Camels. DIomedaries and
several other strange and rare beasts. Ele-
plants in Harness. Trained Girafes. Trained
Cameis, Trained Zebras.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
COMMERCIAL.
EASTERN MARKETS.

EASTERN MARKETS.
., stocks, Sraln and Cattle
Reports.
Petroleum.
Nvv YcRx. May IS. - Petroleum
Firm; closed SoH.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27
MIR. ROBT. STICKNEY.

d. THE IMPERATOR OF THE ARENA. the
wonderful Master of the Horse, the Best
General Athlete and Most Versatile Per
former living.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27

Of Prince K0 "
Equiibrtie unequed anywhere
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-05-27

Espeeial Attention Paid to Orders By Nail.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-11-01
LIFE WORTH LIVING.

How beautiful it Is 90 be alive.
TO wake zach morn. as u tne Makers grace
Did rs sfrash from moth ngness derive,
That we might sing, How happy Is our case,
How beautiful 1t Is TO DO alive!
TO read in some good book until we feel
Love for the one who wrote il; then to kneel
Close unto Him whose love our soul viii
shrive.
While every moments JOY doth more reveal
How beautiful it is TO DO alive.
Rather TO 20 without what might increase
Our worldly stRnding than our souls deprive
% frequent speech with GOD, or than TO cease
To feel, through having lost our heSlth and
peace.
How beautiful it is to be alive.
Not to forget, when pain and grief draw nigh'
Into the ocean Of time past 20 dive
For memories Of Gods mcTcI IS, or 10 Try
r bear al no ly. hoping stu TO cry,
How beautiful it is TO be alive!
Thus ever toward mans height OF noblenchs
Striving some new progression To contrlVe,
Till. Just rs any other friends, We press
Deaths hand, and, having died, feel none the
less
How beautiful it 10 TO he alive.
-Egcrz Ottsr Saturday.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-11-01
MATTHIAS SANDORF
BY JULES vERN E.
PART THIBD.

formulation copyrighted By 9. v. Hanna. 1885
The Red Cloud chief., 1885-11-13

Eight # these are Republicans: one
Justice Fields 4 Democrat. Togiyc
a Democratic ma .ority in the court viii
require the death or retirement Of four
members. The law provides iha' any
Justice who has been ten wears On the
bench and arrived a The age f seventy
year, may. if he 20 desire. retire on
full salary. There i no compulsion
about il. He can remain un;il death.
If hc prefers. p these nine gentlemen.
Justice bradley j. the only one eligible
for retirement n present, while Waite.
Field and Miller VII be eligible within
the coming year. Should these four ali
retire in lS-6. and their places b. filled
with Democrats. the court would stand
five Republicans and four DemocratS-
and, unless death removed Il Republic
an. would SO remain during Cleveland :
entire term.
There does no; seem 10 t~ any proba-
bility. however. that any If the three
Republicans Of the four Justices eligible
for retirement VIII take advantage of
the law. Justice Bradley. had he in
tended tn :. would undoubtedly nave
retired last year and so allowed Hrcsi-
dent Arthur 10 name n Republican size
ccSsor. Mr. Wai'e's health ], fulIg re-
stored 10y his European trip Miiler's
health is reported robust 30 il seems
that the Democratic dream of a liour-
bon supreme Court can not depend for
it, realization upon the retirement of
enough Justices 70 give their party Il
majority, and can only come true in
case OF uneXampled mortality amon-
the Judges.
There :. rs was before stated. but
one other contingency-Dcmocraiic
ascendancy in In" senate. and Il geor-
~ganIZation OF ia" court bv partisan
legislation. u feat which can ONLY be- &C
compl sed by adding eight @ Justices
to the bench, A. the Constitution gives
the Justices a life tenure. IL must bc
the task OF the Republicans OF the
Nation Ia proven, such di>Istcr--IO-
i,fO EtdtiJ.
The Red Cloud chief., 1885-11-13
4 GOOD INVESTMENT.
: Plan ~ Which u iisnkrr Was to- Saw"
Eighteen Dollars.

\ gentc,I. bat somewhat ,habbiy
dressed man. called at the office Of al
Austin banker. Ia whom he had prcyI-
ously addressed a rotc.
"You say YOU wish 10 tall with me
abou, an arrangement by which ! can
make none. p" a-kcd the banker.
Yes, IT. that i the obJec, of my
visit.
We'll. proceed
Il take it that YOU az n pubic
spirited man. and charitahiy d.
posed?'
Ne. modcratcly So
We'll. | iu,cur, to commit suicide
and leave nv family utterly destitute.
OF course. a collection " u be taken
up for my suffering family. and yo'
will be called on 10 subscribe. lou
can no; get ont ci i deceutly under
twenty dollars.
We'll"
Now. I'll agree 20 postpone nv rash
act indefinitely. I'll comprom~c til,
matter for two dollars. That ! only
ten per cent. If what Won would have
10 uay. All ! ask : the ord nary com.
mission. By this arrangement yuu
make eighteen dollars of hand. with
out investing a cent .'-Tcrds SutHys.
The Red Cloud chief., 1885-11-13
Farm Notes.


The CouIay County fruit exhibit u ,hs
Eate Cowlev County TAR was seat 20 the
Indiana State Fair n Indianapolis. ard
there took tie second prize, after whics
she commission in charge sold the CONVEY
exhibit 10 Michigan pa-sIes. who tooA II &c
She ~. Louis Exposition and there eNhtl.-
f.ed l. as Michigan fruitand took The ar>i
premium aEainSt all competitors III one oi
the best displays ever e-rlbi;ed.-C"S /,
iEaa.l EScLGsgr.
The Illinois MIk CondenSinC CoTrS2v
at Esiu has contracted fof ~ winter sup-
ply Of milk Tor five months 81 & per can -
thiriy-swo quarts, ~ cents per pound.
The farmers who have coMne1ced huSk-
ing corn rsy that tie yield sill be better
tbs was expected, ana that the crop Is
superior 10 that OF last year, having rip
4. eued better. and being free FROM sIsVt- In
acme localities the weld is estimate ed ~
q, -tty bushels 20 the acre, and il is very
eel ION III fifty are nc: obtained. The
price has gone down TO twenty cents a
bush.al within the past week.-4fcSisoa
(EGR.i Giobe.
Don't be deceived into feeding c~orn-,3eai
20 mich cows. Fed freely. /: at first in
cr.ases tie milk Gow. but soons goes 10 fat
aud lessons the milk. Many a valuable
? cow has been injured by oyertssd.ns i.
this ways-Iadiqgd Farmer.