davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-18
PRINTING STAMPS.
1t is Thought That the Government
VIII Do the Work.

1t is said to be almost a certainty that
hereafter the government postage stamps
will be printed at the bureau Of engraving
and printing. No decision has as yet been
reached by Postmaster General Bissell and
1T is not known that he has taken anybody
into confidence and explained his private
opinions about the matter. All the depart
ment officials, however, with whom The
Star man has talked think favorably of
the proposition to print the stamps at home,
and 1t Is fair inference that the same rea-
sons which induce them to this belief will
also bring Mr.. Bissell around. The question
has not been advanced much toward settle
ment, within the past two weeks, because
of the absence of Mr.. Bissell, out as he has
1t under advisement, a conclusion is ex-
pected soon. Bids for printing the stamps
were called for several weeks ago. Contracts
of this kind are let for a term of four years.
The lowest bid received from a private indi-
vidual was from a man named Steele. He
offered to do the work for 5 IA cents per
thousand. This is an exceedingly low bid.
Mr.. Steele is said at the department 10 have
great deal or experience and to be Il man
OF Known integrity. 1t Is also said that
there Is plenty of capital behind him But
the whole trouble with his bid is hat he
has no plant and no present facilities for
executing the contract, and relies on piom-
iseu packing IN procuring a suitable build
ing and machinery should the contract lie
awarded to him. rhe government is very
particular about the building in which the
printing Of its stamps Is done. Millions OF
dollars worth OF United States securities
are often massed there. They want their
stamps to be printed AMI stored in a build
ing which will be a nut for a cracksr,an to
crack. The next lid is from the American
Banknote Com oany OF New York This con-
Germ offers tn 10 the work for a fraction
under cents per 1000 This is a normal
bid and from an institution in which the
department has the greatest confidence. The
bid of the bureau of engraving and print
ing Is cents ger 100. This will be a saw
ing of $4,000 Ger annum, basel on S;-r:e's
bid The officials Say that a post STAIN, is
government security and the same rea-
son which dictates the printing of the note
or Dond by the government applies to the
stamp. They believe that the printing
should be done on COVER linent presses ard
at the seat of government.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-18
LATE NEWS BY WIRE.
Furious Gales Reported on the
Atlantic.
THE STEAMER AURANIA OVERDUE.
Some Uneasiness Felt for the H.
H. Meyer.
OLYMPIA'S ROUGH PASSAGE.

NEW YORK, Dec. 1S.-The Cunard
steamer Aurania, which was due here yes
terday morning was not reported I'D to
IL o'clock today.
She left Queenstown a week ago yester-
day, and usually makes the voyage in a
little over six days. The agents say she
must have met very heavy weather to keep
her back so much.
The II. H. Meyer of the North German
Lloyd company is now four days overdue
and some uneasiness is felt in regard to
her. She LETT Bremen December z, with
eighty-hve passengers for New York and
sixty-five for Baltimore. She is a staunch
weather vessel. and like most of the North
German Lloyd vessels, travels as well in
stormy as in pleasant weather The COM
pany's agents on Bowling Green feel some
what apprehensive about her. They think
she must have run into some unusually
severe weather.
By far the toughest experience of any
vessel that has come in from sea since
the terrific hurricanes of last week Is that
OF the British steamship Olympia. COM
manded by Capt. Coleman, which arrived
this morning. Her appearance was that of
vessel that had been mixed up in a cy-
clone on the coast of Greenland.
Capt. Coleman said on his arrival that he
has never before seen the wind SHIFT so
rapidly and retain such tremendous force.
The seas, too, were the toughest that he
had ever passed over in a long career at
sea- The cargo was uninjured as far as is
known.
ST. JOHNS. N. j., Dec. 1S.-The British
steamer Corean. about which there has been
some apprehension, arrived this morning
thirteen days from Liverpool. The Corean
encountered a succession of westerly gales
OF hurricane force. rendering any progress
impossible. High seas washed the decks
and made 1t extremely dangerous to move
about and navigate the steamer. when the
steamer got into the Arctic current she be-
came completely covered with ice, which
impeded her movements and for twenty-four
hours she made only nfty-two miles. Only
slight damage occurred to the vessel.
HALIFAX, y. s.. Dec 1S-The Dornin-
lon Coal Company's barge Alice, which.
with the barge Lizzie. broke adrift from the
tug Douglas 5. Thomas about week ago.
and which has been missing since. has been
heard from. The mail steamer Vancouver,
which arrived from Liverpool last even
Ing, fell in with her at pm. yesterday
twenty-five miles southeast of Halifax. The
barge was flying her ensign union down
and wished to be lowed, but this the Van
couver declined to do.
The captain of the barge preferred to Law
to. There was heavy sea running and
the barge was making but slow progress
but heading inShore. The tug Goliah has
gone out In search of her, and the steamer
Halifax has also gone out to try and find
her.
NEW LONDON, Dec. 1S.-The schooner
Jennie G. Pflsbury. Capt Pillsbury. ran on
the flats in New London harbor Saturday
night and Is in a sinking condition. She
was on her way from New York to Rock
land, with a cargo OF coal.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-18
RESTING PLACE WANTED
For Goats, Sticks, 0vershoes and Dynam-
ite Bombs at the Capitol
Curious Collection Left Over-Distrib-
uted Among Employees Public
Comfort Booths Suggested.

Col. Richard Bright, the sergeant-at-
arms OF the Senate. is seriously thinking
OF establishing a museum of curiosities
that shall contain the curious articles that
are left in the galleries and other parts
or the building by visitors. This morn
ing an elderly man Of ministerial appear
ance entered his Office and asked if any of
the attendants had found a can of oysters
that he had accidentally left in the gallery
or the Senate yesterday afternoon. Such
an article had not turned up, and the care
less tourist made bee line for a grocery
store TO replace the missing oysters At
the close of the extra session a large box,
filled with umbrellas, gloves, handkerchiefs,
vells, overcoats and Overshoes, was sent
down to the basement Of the Capitol and
distributed among the janitors men. This
collection comprised the articles that had
been left in the galleries during the short
new collection in the office of the sergeant
alarms, which includes an overcoat, in the
pockets of which were found Is cents and
a number Of car tickets, a pair of misfit
gloves, lady's veil, a mourning hand
kerchief. and a Knights Of Pythias' watch
charm. No call has ever been made for
these. and 1t Is probable that IL no owner
appear they will follow the fate of the
other lot.
For Public Comfort.
~ hdS pccu SUGGESTED tQat IL would be q
good scheme for Senator PETER, who is
fond of measures that look to the interests
of the people. to introduce a bill providing
for bureau of information and comfort,
to be established on the gallery floor, where
tourists could be relieved gratis Of their
impedimenta. This could be run on much
the same principles that govern the little
booths in museums or art galleries. where
suave and polite functionaries exchange
bits Of brass for umbrellas and canes and
other things that might do damage to the
statuary or paintings.
Leave bombs Outside.
1t has seriously been suggested of late,
especially since the bomb explosion in the
French chamber of deputies, that no tour
list should be allowed to enter the galleries
without being relieved of all suspicious
bundles or packages that might afterward
prove to be bombs or other explosives An
order to this effect was actually issued
during the height of the excitement over
the silver debate, and several visitors to
the Senate were turned away on suspicion
that they might be dangerous characters
Should such an order be revived and enforc-
ed strictly. there Is really no place where
the bundles taken from the visitors could
be stored and Systematically kept for re-
turn to the owners. The idea of a bureau
or booth is advanced seriously as being the
solution of this problem.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-18
CAPITOL TOPICS.
Contested Election Case

The House committee on elections post
poned until January the contested cleo
ton cases of ONeill against Joy, from the
eleventh Missouri district, and Williams
against Settle, from the fifth North Caro-
lima district. The argument in the case of
Moore against Funston, from the second
Kansas district, was set for February.
Senator Teller Arrives.
Senator Teller was in his seat in the SEN
ate today for the first time this session He
seemed to be in excellent health, but there
was less snap in him than during the lively
days Of the great silver fight
In Favor of Mr.. Cobb.
The House committee on elections Satur-
day decided the contested election case of
Whaaey against Cobb from the fifth Ala
bama district in favor of Mr.. Cobb, the
sitting member. The decision was unani-
nous, no division being called for. When
this case was disposed of the case Of
O'Neill against Jay, from the eleventh
Missouri district. was taken up.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-18
baltimore Markets.

BALTIMORE, Dec. 1S.-Flour steady xv.s.o-,
super. 10; do. extra, - 5a2 az: do ranaii
Z-SoaS2o; winter wheat patent g. 40a3 az. $500
DO do, 3@a4.2o; do do. straight AZ osS me
ceipts, 1850 barrels; shipments 1 ,iS9 lsp-i.
sales 400 barrels. Wheat steady-No D r.J s,
SS1tS!aoe; Decembel. Gf-4a6s; January, 65I,a6sL.
eelpts' S.,3 5s bushels shipments I6ooo bushels:
milling milling wheat at by ample. e5aes. Corn eaay|
mixed pot, 42Aa4S; new and old December. !2La
MAJ . !anu nG tl@a4lN February i15sa42s:
may, fft2 pa; steamer mixed. 41L bid-reeeir,ts
$40 bushels; stock, CO., 463 bushels: sales as s
bushels; white corn by sample, 4Oa AZ: yellow corn
by sample, 4Oa43. Oats inactiye-No ? white
western. S51 asked No. mixed western "a
asked-stock, $3.50 bushels. RYE dull-No > 10
receipts, 100 bushels; stock, e. 452 bushels usv
steady-sood to choice timothy s11 50a sr5 50
Train freigfts active, with rates steady-steam 10
Liverpool per bushel, I'd. asked; Cork for orders
per quarter, Ssa3s.3d.: cotton per 100 rounds rs
cents; Hour per 100 pounds. II cents Cotton quiet
-middiing. It's. Provisions quiet-mess pork Il 90:
bulk meats, loose shoulders. ~; long clear A:
clear rib sides, :; sugar picked shoulders "a:
sugar-cured smoked shoulders s: hams ill.,: lard
renned, va; Butter hrm-creamery. fancy. 20; do.
falr to choice 25a27: do. imitation. 24a25: ladle.
fancy 70 good to choice. 19a20: tolls. fine 2la22;
90 fair TO good, l9a20; store packed 16a17. Other
articles UNCHANGED.
BALTIMORE. Dec. 1s.-virginia consols. 10 40s.
DO. threes. 70 bid: Baltimore and Ohio
stock, I0aI1k: Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern
nrsts loi; Consolidated Gas stocks, 5il.ao4s-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-18
Officers Elected.

The following officers for Scott Council,
No. 45S, National Urion, were elected on
the 18th instant. Frank A. Warfield, presi-
dent; James p. Burrill, vice president john
III. Bell, secretary; Benjamin F. Chase,
financial secretary; w. w. Chase, treas
urer; Benz. NJ. Van Keuren, speaker; Geo.
Grindley, chaplain; j. g. Teicher. usher;
Otto Bauer, sergeant-at-arms; Thos. H.
Cole. doorkeeper; j. N. Sparks. ]. A.
Macauley, w. F. Wolfe, trustees; F. A.
Warfeld, ]. p. Burrill. j. N Sparks dele
gates to cabinet; w. F. Wolfe, delegate to
National Union Insurance Relief Associa-
ton: B. F. Chase. delegate to d. c. Asso.
F. B. s.
Saturday evening the following officers Of
Potomac Council. No. 2OS, National Union,
were elected: I. F. Roche, president; j. j.
Greble. vice president; w. z. Challice, ex-
president; l.. H. Lanman, speaker; F. w.
Larner, recording secretary; G. H. Long,
treasurer; K. Rogers, chaplain; NJ. Morgan,
usher; e. II. Williams, sergeant-at-arms c.
ID. Knight doorkeeper; X. p. Krouse w.
otto and A. Long, trustees; T. Roche, E.
Huck and l.. H. Lanman, delegates to cabi-
net; w. +. Challice, delegate to assembly;
L. +. Roche. alternate, and l.. II. Ianman
delegate to Immediate Relief Association
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-18
The New Superintendent of Iuds. n
SchOOla.

william n. Mailman, who is to be the
new superintendent of Indian schools. was
born In Zurich, Switzerland, in 1856, and
came to the United States ana settled in
LOUISVILLE. KY, in 1883 He entered the
Medical College at Louisville I'm 1856. and
held the position Of teacher of modern IAN
suages and natural science in the high
schoois OF the city. In 1873 he became pres
,ueh' OF the German-American Seminary at
nhmaukee' WIS, which, under his manage
ment' became the National German-Amer-
lean Normal School. In INN he hacams
director or the German-American Seminary
at Detroit. In 1883 the Ohio State Uniyersi-
", at tne instance OF DIR. David s. Jordan.
now president Of the Leland Stanford Uni
versity. conferred upon him the degree OF
IN u. In 1891 he was appointed a member
OF the board of worlds fair managers for
.noIana' ana was detailed by his colleagues
to make and install the educational ex5,h,t
for the state.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-18
NEWS FROM THE FAR EAST.
Damage and Death Caused by Fir.
and storm.

an0 storm.
The steamer Rio de Janeiro arrived at San
Francisco. bringing Yokohama advices uu
to December 2. Two hundred houses and
three jetties We're destroyed by fire AZ
Shanghai November ID. Thirty houses were
destroyed by fire at Canton on the 14th.
Sixty dwellings and the market were de-
stroyed by fire at Macao the 1ath.
more serious connagration was only
averted by the assistance of the marines
from Portuguese gunboat in the harbor
Fffty-three houses and a number of other
buildings were destroyed by fire at Hiuas-
ka November %.
On the 10Th a bomb was thrown into the
village office Of the Fugeta in Ashiga-Gun-
Tochigi-ken. totally demolishing the Office.
The perpetrator was not apprehended.
The Yomiuri hears that the restoration of
the monarchy in Hawaii is almost a GER
tainty, and states that i'm that case Minis
ter Irwin, who left Yokohama Friday last
by the Oceanic, will make efforts to obtain
political rights for the Japanese in that
country.
The following is a return of the damage
done by the gale November II: In Nagasaki-
Ken, number of houses totally destroyed,
80; partially destroyed, 1,30s; persons
Killed, twenty-three; injured, twenty-six;
missing, thirty. Estimated total loss, ILL.,
$50 yen.
kilograms from Picking announce the in
tention of the throne to appoint He Hung
Chao Yuan, Chinese minister to Italy and
Belgium, in addition to the duties of minis
ter to Great Britain and France.
Inc imperial parliament was opened Tues
day by the emperor in person. Mr. Kusu-
Eoto was appointed vice president Of the
house of representatives.
On the 18th Mr.. Adei offered the follow
Ing resolution: LAS the house has no con-
hdence in the presidence, Mr. Hoshi and does
not desire his remaining in that position il
calls upon him to come to decision on that
matter"
After considerable discussion the motion
was carried by 116 to 119.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-18
FINANCE AND TRADE.
BULL POOL FORCED 70 LIQUDLfE
Bear Raids on the Grangen Sue
cessful.
GENERAL MARKET REPORTS.
special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
NEW YORK, Dec. 1s.-Introductory ns-
ures in today's stock market reflected con-
siderable irregularity and were not improv-
ed by subsequent transactions. London was
Trading at about our closing and was with
out noticeable feature. Foreign houses look
ior no Improvement In the volume OF busa-
ness from the other side until after the hell
days.
New England was the feature Of the day
ana was more active than any stock I'm the
regular list has been for several veesxs
something more than 1900 shares chang.
ing hands during the FIRST hour. Openins.
at "a l-2. the decline was rapid ana con-
tinuous until noon. when a net REDUCTION os
8 Ia per cent was recorded. var1ous rea-
sons were assigned for the break, but the
one most generally accepted 10 that the
pool organized for the purpose OF bullins
this property suddenly found themselves
erampeo In other directions and were fore
60 10 hquidate their accumulated holdinRs
Bear RAIDS on the Grangers were moder-
ateiy successful and the prospects for i'm
proved earnings along these lines show no
encouraging signs.
st. Paul declined y-4 per cent 10 90 -
ROCK Island lost 1 per cent to % IL Bur
lington lost 81 per cent to 76 Ia ana Mis-
souri Pacific lost I per cent to e
The remainder of the list, although IN a
good measure neglected. was fairly STEADY
In the neighborhood of closing figures.
of the industrials Chicago Gas suffered
most from bear hammering, selling down TO
"a "a ex-dividend. a loss Of I Ia per cent
sugar lost l per cent TO ~ SIS and Ma
elonai Lead lost 3-s per cent to - rs on
small selling orders.
st. Paurs earnings for the saoo,a ,r-..
TINS month decreased sl7l,0Oo which is a
very snght Improvement over the week pre-
Vlous and is responsible for the present
change OF front by operators in this prop
erty who were promised better things from
now on.
Missouri .'acinc for the same period de-
creased $3O.On
me market for sterling ana continental
plils Is steady at unchanged rates The
supply or bills this morning was moderate
~ Improved. although reichmarks were
quoted at the gold shipping point Exports
OF the yellow metal IL any win he GOV
small amounts during the present week
Money on call was abundant at 1 per cen.
ana time loans are to be had at l-2 TO !
per cent with no increase in the demand
from borrowers '
The clearing house statement shows ex
changes, Ss,If0. 6aS; balances 81 s27 Oeo and
the subtreasury's debit balance sssI AKA
Inc sentiment Of the room during the af
ternoon was uniformally bearfsh hut nrtcea
rallied slightly from the low figures nreyau
ing about the noon hour. The manner IN
wnlcn the market took the liquida tion OF
upward OF 10000 shares OF New Engi.rd
was surprise to all concerned a, no ofhsr
STOCK was materially affected by the decline
Mess the shorts are driven TO cover ~.
OUTLOOK for higher prices in the imme6,s -.
nu'ure is far from encouraging.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-18
A TRANsCONTINENTAL RAILWAY.
1t In Said That an Opposing Line VIII
Be Built From San Ernncfsca

The San Francisco Call is authority for
the statement that ground will be broken
inside Of sixty days and work begun on a
competing transcontinental railway out OF
San Francisco. The company is said to be
the San Francisco and Atlantic. Frederick
Homer is president, and the other officials
mentioned are J.W. EisenhuIt, l.. r. Durand
ana Sir Douglas Fox OF - Victoria street
London. T. Z. Fox is said to be in southern
California now with a corps of engineers
III Is said that a number of interested ffnan-
ciers registered last week at the Adobe
rouse, San Pedro Point. Ii is also said
tnat plos are now being received for con-
struction of the San Francisco ana Nest
shore road, part of the system
Inc reported scheme is that the new road
VIII intersect the Atlantic and Pacific line AT
some point IN Los Angeles or Kings county
1t Is also said that contracts have hnan Ter
Tor the construction OF 800 miles of road
south from San Francisco
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-18

sales-regular call-I2 O'Clock m.-pso,as,. ~.
AZ In IL at 81 Columbia Fire Ins1rssce. -
Government Bcnds.-U. s. a. reS,ster.d ,so7
Iis,. bid Hay asked. Q. q &C. coapeS- 49, 10.
District Of Columbia Bonds.-2oyesr fund s.. ios
bid. Water stock 20, 1901. currency. Jig bid 81.
currency $50 bid ssss rundSs .sssr e isSs
M, MiscelianeOus Bonds. washinetoo and oeorse.
Washington and Georgetown r. RI conv n. "a
i Is BID, iSo asked Masonic Han Assocsatioa g.
bid Washington Market Commnr INN a. iSs
oid Washington Market Company EFT T. 100 bid
american ,an re Security and Trust s. 1905. A. ana o.
and A. 100 bid. Americas security and Trust q
iecd A and o.. 100 bid. wsshinstoa Iaehf Ia.
Light Infantry "a 7 o! sd s Mash,ns esaa'sss ss
COMPANY g. series a. 40 hid. washinrton oss
.'ss' Is, Ia la r s.,sy:.s & q:
d 1S asked; Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone O..
70 bid Jog asked Capitol and North Q Street r.
es. 100 bid q. 3. Electric Light COW. Sc. los bid
National Bank stocks.-Bank Of Washington sos
2ee bid. 2ss asked Central. 20 bid. sscood.
1921 bid. Farmers and Mechanics'. Us bid. Cst-
S tzens lao 20 be ITs asked oc'oms., Iis BID
100 hid. Ianccln. 90 asked. Ohio S asked.
Railroad stocks.-wsshinetcn and Georgetown.
bia, 15 asked Capitol and North Street. -
asked. Eckington aud soldiers Home. 3 asked.
SeDrgetoNn 1cunlittoWu- hsktu
Insurance stocks.-Pirrmen's. ssS hid Frank
lin. As hid. rs asked National union- IS asked.
Arlington. 10 hid. 10o asked Columbia, IL bd
Is asked. tierman-Amerfcan. $50 hid. Potomac
~ asked. Riggs. bid, ~ asked. PeoUae's. bid.
81 asked. Hncoln ~ bid. asked Commercial.
81 hid 5% asked
Title Insurance stocks.-R Real Estste Title. H.
hid I2s asked. Columbia Title. hid ~ asked.
Washington Title. hid. ~ asked.
Gas and Electric Lirht Stocks.-washinxton Gas.
so lid. sOk asked. Geerr-town Gss. 50 ND Y.
s Electric LIGHT. 112 hid 11s asked
Telephone Stocks.-Pennsylyania, ~ asked Cbes-
npeake and Potomac. AZ hid. 20 asked American
GraphOphone. bid
Miscalianeons Washington Market. "
hid Great Fails lee. 10 hid. 140 asked. Null
Rum Panorama. 10 asked. Pneumatic Gun Oar
riare leo asked. hncoln Hall, 100 asked. Inter
Ocean Ruid'ng. 100 asked.
SAFE Deposit and Trust Companies. National SAFE
DenosIt and Trust Comranv. 100 hid 100 asked.
waSbinytop Safe nercsit los asked. Washington
loan ara Trust. 1854 nd. liz asked. American
security and Trust. l27h lid. 1ss asked
cnscuro Grain and Provision Markets-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-18
A CONTEST FOR 100000. 900.
stephen Mast's Pennsylvania HEIR
Trying to Secure baltimore Property


Trying to Secure baltimore Property.
Many of Stephen Masts heirs live in
western Pennsylvania. The descendants of
Stephen Mast, who lived in Baltimore a
century ago, and at that time was one of
the richest men in that vicinity, the owner
or 80 acres of land. that since have become
the most beautiful and valuable part of
Baltimore city, have been traced and there
are only about fifty of them.
Those OF the heirs residing in Armstrong
and Jefferson counties have employed
George A. jerks to present their claim in
the Baltimore courts to determine the
ownership of this ground, which has a value
of $lOO.VOU,OOo
The property of Stephen Mast was swai-
lowed up by the rapidly growing city. Mast
did not sell outright but made leases; run
ming for ninety-nine years. at the end of
wnich time II was stipulated the land and
buildings upon IL should revert to mis- heirs
Many of these leases expire this year snd
next, and others follow at snort intervals
At the proper time ejectment suits will be
begun to settle the titles to the property
Attorney jerks has consulted a finn or
Baltimore lawyers and they will assist Rim
In the big legal battle. Mr.. jerks report
to his clients is very favorable, the records
at Baltimore being perfect.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-18
Col. Jones' Body to Be Sent East.

News of the death of Consul General
Alfred d. Jones on the steamer Rio jan
GIRO, while en- route from Shanghai to San
Francisco, was received at the State De-
partment this morning from Mr.. Cooper
United States dispatch agent at San Fran
CISCO MIR. Cooper said the body had been
embalmed and would be shipped to Raleigh
n. c., the home of the deceased. Senator
Ransom and Representative Bum called at
the State Department this morning and
made arrangements for having Mr.. Jones'
remains sent east. Mr.. Jones had been ill
in Shanghai and was coming home in the
hope of improving his health