davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Lamar register., 1896-10-31
A. N. ParrIsh,s AmdaxIt.
STATE OF COLORADO,
COUNTY OF PRowERs.

/, a. n. Parrish. being duly sworn, do
upon oath depose and say, that am sup
erintendent OF the Afnity canal. owned
and operated by the Amity Land * Irr1-
CATION Company. in Water Division No. .,
of the State OF Colorado. That on the
18th day OF June, \. ID. 1886. G. W Reece,
water commissioner Of district No. IA.
Of said water division No. ., informed
one A. Z. Bent and aiiiant at the city of
Pueblo, Colorado. that the Bessemer
canal, located IN said water district
No. IL. which has a subsequent priority
10 said Amity canal. except "a cubic feet
per second OF time, was locked down and
was only carrying 70 cubic feet of water
per second Of time. Tint the said a. +.
Bent aud afliant had examined said Bes-
semer canal on that date and that it was
carrying about lI5 cubic feet at the time
that the said O. W. Reece stated to affi-
ant and A. II. Bant that it was locked
down and only carrying 70 cubic feet.
That at tFat timo there was only $40
cubic feet Of water per second of time ia
the Arkansas river at the city OF Pueblo,
aud that the bitches of which aifiant had
charge. had a priority Of 327 cubic feet,
TO which the Bessemer was post dated.
and that they We're unable TO get water
that they were entitled 10 at that time,
owing to the negligence, disqualification,
or partiaitr Of tie said G. W. Reece,
water commissioner. That atfiant has em-
ployed watchers TO watch and report the
amount OF water in the Bessemer canal
and has ascertnined that said Bessemer
canal has been running large amounts of
water at night to which it was not enti-
tied, through the evident coeniyance
and with the knowledge OF said c. W.
Reece. That at various times the said
G. w Reece has informed aliiant, during
this irrigating season, that the Bessemer
canal. the High Line canal and the Ok
ford canal were not carrying water when
at the same time they were carrying
large quantities OF water to which they
were not entitled. evidently to the knowl-
edge and with the connivance of the SAID
@. W. Reece.
That from atlantis experience and per-
sonal knowledge OF the slid C. w Reece,
he has no hesitation in stating that the
snid @. w. Reece is partial, isunqualified
and is an utterly unfit person to perform
the duties OF water commissioner of SAID
water district No. II. Ailiaut further
states that the said c, w. Reece disre-
CARDS and refuses to carry ont the orders
OF the superintendent OF said water di-
vision No. ., George J. Rankin.
lSignedl A. n. PARRIsH.
Subscribed aud sworn to before me,
this DIST day of July, \. ID. 1896.
[Siguedl B. b. BRowS,
Notary SeaD Notary Public.
The Lamar register., 1896-10-31
J. Scott Robertson's AFFIDAVIT.
STATE OF COLORADO,l .

County or PRowERs.
III. Scott Robertson, being duly sworn,
do upon oath depose and say that l am
superintendent OF the KY Irrigating
Company's Canal. That during the pres
ent jrrigating season of 1896, have been
frequently up and down the Arkansas
river at different times; that have seen
the Bob Creek ditch and the ditch known
as the Rocky Ford High Line canal, run
ming large amounts of water, when there
was not sufficient water in the Arkansas
river, below the city of Pueblo, to supply
the bitches in district No. 81, that had
priorities to the use of water, which were
prior to those of the said Bob Creek
ditch and the Rocky Ford High Line
ditch.
ISignedl j. Scorr Robertson.
Subscribed and sworn TO before me
this 21st day of July, A. ID. 1896.
LSignedl B. B. BRowS.
Notary Seal) Notary Public.
CONTINUED on last page.)
The Lamar register., 1896-10-31
Petition for tho Removal Of C. W.
Reocr. water connp,lssionor OF
District No. -. water Division
No. 4, Stnts OF Colorado:

0AatfaCt NO. - WAtrf btNthN2N
No. 4, Stats OF Colorado:
To Hrs ExcgrA-rNcY. A. W. McISriaE.
Uiorernar - tho State q Colorado,
Nc. the nnIcrrirnc.i. your pctit,oners.
rfs1s-tfuliy r-prca-af thai Vc Frpreseut
ddrreat canal ssssens ia the Arkansas
ysIies. Eud Naicr consnusers IN Water
Diyisann Nn = and
ps hereby petition fpr the immediate
rutasrai * q W. EastAs-. Water Cumusi-.
slluey y Dssirist NJ, II. fnr the follow
inz, ugsssnsy yiz;
nat Tho ssid G ". Reocs i absolute.
d in1zosupeteni ard pnqusiiiiosi 10 hh
tie 1atis,s q his oliirst. and for tha fur.
tlss roasun that be hiss sfuwu gsaat
farSiaiity Ia the discharge of bis duties,
AMI hss permitted ditrhes uhcsa prioT
i,ila scfc subsequent II other dttches -
has. shs Water IA bis d3strici when the
diteiss that bal prior rights g the nse
q aater Were mol alloHHsi a. run water
10 their canals. and
That a., hss repeatedly Si@,rimiHstssi
and deprived ,litehe@ 81 their rights eon-
trury Is the orders % tho superintendent
George J. Rankin. Superintendent of the
said Maser Divisioa No. :, aui has shoNu
kimself utterly unfit 10 bold said Office
q Water Commissioner os District No-4
We respectfully refer you 70 afiidayits
Estsin attached, ~ eorrohos1tins the
sistsments in ihis petition, and
Your petitioners further sNy that uw
inc % tho unprecedented lack " EsteT
in ths Arkansas river during the present
easpn that II i absolutely necessary
that the righ;s of bitches and the con
susuers ~ water be impartially admin
i5tsrr,l without fear or favor,
That Tho water commissioners IN the
different districts shonh Se dniy quail.
tod, should be men ~ integrity, and
Ehuuld ba Absolutely impartial In the
discharge q thaih duties,
That e. W. Rsece i NOT such nlan
and we therefore ask for bis removal, rs
shove stated.
Dated July 81, 1895.
Signed A. N. PAEgtsH,
Snps Amity Canal Go.
j. ScoTI RoHEKrsoS-
Supt Ky Irrigating Canal 90.
a. E. BESr,
General Manager New La Junta and
Lamar Canal Co
The Lamar register., 1896-10-31

had given orders to have certain bitches
closed and that he was unable to get
then closed because the said c. W. Reece
failed to carry out his orders.
lSigned.1 A. T. BENT.
Subscribed and sworn to before me
this 2lst day OF July, A. ID. 1886.
ISigned JAMES X. DouGHIY,
Notary Seal Notary Public.
The Lamar register., 1896-10-31
w. c. aurko's Anndavit.
STATE OF COLORADO,
CoUNrY or PRowEIls

LAa&R. Cobo.. July 30, 1886.
W. C. Burke on oath doports and says
that until June 22nd, 1896, hoas receiver
had full charge and control OF the La
Junta and Lamar Canal, that on April
45iri, 1896, Geo. j. Rankin, Superiatenl-
dent Of Diyision No. notified = W.
CIessy, Water Commissioner Of District
Evening star., 1896-02-22
grave itself. for all the notice she took of

grave itself. for all the notice she took Of
HushT said Ben. laying his hand on my
you told me Of! Let us try and communi-
cate with her! It, is an excellent opror-
tunity, finding her here aloner'
.he But ean nhe is deaf and dumb replied;
Know the dumb alphabet" said Ben.
and doubtless she knows 1t, tool They
nave told You that If these jewels were
taken from the baronet's bed room. she
must nave seen it done, as she was pres
ent all the time! Let US try If she can tell
us anything about the matter!'
1T is useless" I, demurred; "if she could
talk with her fingers, they would have got
1t all out OF her at once"
And the upshot proved l was right We
went up to the grave and touched the
dwarf gently on the shoulder. She took no
notice at first but after repeated taps she
raised her head, and 1 saw that her eyes
were swollen with crying. The sight moved
me- Poor unhappy creature! Were her
bodily Affections not enough to bear. that
she was called upon to sorrow for the loss
Of her best friend?
Mustn't lie here!' I said, talking as II
she were little child, and pointing up to
the dull sky and down to the damp ground; |;
you will catch cold-be very, very sick
let me take you home"' pointing to where
the thatched roof Of The Gables was WIS.,
fble above the trees. She made some unin-
telligible reply and shook her shoulders
free from my IOucn, put she did not scream
in the painful manner in which 1 had
heard her when in. the presence Of Sir
Charles and Lady Elesmere. reiterated
my argument, and I saw she watched my
lips and gained some knowledge of my
meaning, for she shook her head aid laid
it down again upon the wet clay piled
above the grave. Around her and all over
the mound were scattered such wild flow
ers as one can find in late autumn, they
looked draggled and wet as herself, and she
had lain on them till they were all crushed
ed, pointing downward to the grave and
making such actions with my lips and
hands as to my ideas were emblematic of
affection, though Ben told me afterward
that i looked like nothing but the repre-
sentation of a windmill, and that he had
the greatest difficulty to prevent himself
bursting out laughing, which would, of
course have spoiled the whole thing.
I am sure the poor creature understood
that Of a wounded animal, and the tears
gushed forth from her eyes again. Sud
denly she appeared to be all comprehen-
sion, for she sat upright, and gazing up at
me, she pointed to her mouth and moanad
then turning to the grave, she scratched
the earth about with her fingers-turntnS
from the useless task with another moan,
and again pointing to her mouth, as though
she deplored her inability to speak to us.
What can she mean?" said, musngly.
Ben made no reply, but 1 could see from
the expression Of his face that he
struck by the coincidence, but finding after
awhile that we could not persuade Miss
Craley to leave her position, we strolled
away, and turned our steps again toward
the village.
Jack" said Ben. presently; "who was
Evening star., 1896-02-22

eyes. for all the world like a craven image
ard about as motionless. l thought ne
would have never done, but I knew him too
well to interrupt his train of thought. At
last, after a good hour or more, he opened
his eyes-stretched himself-yawned and
said:
Lets go for a walk and have look
1t was wet morning. not at all fitted for
a stroll, but 1 wouldn't gainsay Ben, SO
we sailed out side by side, and took our
way up the village street. until We reach
ed the open country.
You don't seem to catch on to the idea
of lover, Ben" ventured to say.
mo. mo. Jack! T., I don't" he answered briefly.
Because no lady would be such fool as
to meet a man, as she oughtn't to. in her
own grounds and before the eyes of her
servants. Mind! l don't say as they
but not such woman as you describe this
Lady Ellesmere, with determined char
acter and m;sterful will. If she went to
meet the man at all, which I doubt-and
you know how servants are always ready
to make the worst Of everything their en-
pioyers may do, especially if, as in this
case. they don't like them-she went to
send him away or warn him off the
grounds. Sir Charles told you he believed
that spy was set upon his movements,
which, as likely as not. Is true What If
this loafer were the spy, and her ladyship.
believing the young man was gone for
.
as likely notion as not
''Of course, it might be- answered, in
a dissatisfied tone, for I had felt so sure
that Ben would fall in with the ideas had
formed concerning the case; "but how,
then, do you suppose the jewels were alb
stracted?'
Have patiencev he replied. 'I haven't
come to tnat part OF the matter yet
We were walking along some fields as he
spoke and drawing near to the churchyard
where Sir Henry lay buried.
This is where they put the poor old
man." observed, as we entered the wicket
gate. ITS a pity he can't rise again for
an hour or two and let us hear what he
knows about the AFFAIR."
Ben grinned in his queer manner, and We
walked to the opposite side of the church.
yard, where the baronet was buried 1t had
been his particular wish-so I had been
tcld-not to be laid in the damp family
vault, with his moldering forefathers, but
out in the open space, where the light and
sunshine might fall upon his grave. So as
yet there was only mound of earth heap
ed above his remains, the monument which
Sir Charles had ordered to be erected to
his memory not being ready.
AS Ben and I came in Sight Of the grave
we were startled to see what looked like
nearer inspection to be the figure of the
poor dwarf, Miss Craley, VINO was lying
out there all of heap in the rain.
poor creature?' exclaimed; ''they told
me her love for the old gentleman was
more like that of a dog than human be-
ing, and so 1t must have been. No one but
a dog would have the fidelity to forget dis
comfort like this in its grief for the loss
Of what 1t loved. But she mustn't lie here
She will catch her death Of cold. Here,
Miss Craley." continued raising my voice,
Miss Craley! you must let me take you
home! You must not stay here in the
rain!'
But I might as well have spoken to the
Evening star., 1896-02-22

goodish bit better, and the doctor didn't
think there was any danger so Mr. Cod
dard left him for bit with little Miss
Craley, who couldn't be persuaded to leave
his side-she was that fond of him and
Master Charles-and came down to tell me
how he was a getting on. And then it was
he told me of the figger that he had seen
lettering about the premises some days be-
fore, and how he's seen it again that very
moment. entering the shrubberies.'
Nv hat did you say to that?"
why. sir, my first thought was for my
lady, who had left the house but a short
time before. Whatever would she do,
said, II she met the man, and he was rude
10 her. l had seen her in the hall, wrapping
dark mantle around her head and shoul-
ders, and l had ventured to say, surely she
was never going out at such time-half-
past G. sir. and such dark evening-and
she replied that she had a headache, and
must have some fresh air; so, of course I
said no more. Mr.. Goddard and me, we
watched at the dining room windows for
over half an hour, and then we saw my
lady coming out Of the strawberries by her
self. / went to meet her in the hall, and
her cloak was wrirging wet. said: 1t is
to be hoped that you won't catch your
death of cold. my ladyr And she said:
I'm so upset about this affair, Nelson,
thai I don't know If I'm standing on my
head or my heels But ] never saw moth
ing Of the man. sir. and when asked INV
lady II she'd met him, shs called me>a fool.
and said It was too dark to see anythinsi
Which 1t was. sir!''
ION what terms have you servants usually
been with the Dowager Lady Ellesmere,
Mrs. Nelson?" asked.
well. sir, not what you may call over
and above good! Many's the time I would
have given warning, II 1t hadn't been for
the old master. Her temper's high. and
she hayn7't much consideration for her
Evening star., 1896-02-22
Human After All.
m the Chicago Tribune.

From the Chicago Tribune.
First Reputable CitiZen-''It VIII be great
triuuph for law and decency IL the authori-
ties succeed in stopping that disgraceful
prize fight"
Second Reputable Citizen-''Thats what 1t
will! / hope they can prevent IT. There
would be some satisfaction. though. IL tho
two brutes could meet somewhere and XIII
each other"
Still. If they should have a fight believe
Maher would whip. He's the younger of the
two and"
Il know It, but look at Fitzsimmons'
muscular development. He has the most
enormous chest and shoulders q man OF his
size ever
blow that registers-"
Say. I'll bet you a fifty that Lanky BoA
knocks him out fn two roundsr'
TN 20 your
Evening star., 1896-02-22
"As certain a. / am that ztt here, Mr..

"As certain az am that stt here, Mr.
Crewer'
"And what did 1t arise from? Lady Elles-
mere says the baronet was well and hearty
the week beforev'
''She is right. Sir Henry was q remark
ably hale man for his time of life. But he
received a terrible shock at the quarrel
deplorable manner. 1t is not always pos
sible to account for such things. They are
attributable to the state of temperament in
which they find their victims. Had that
quarrel not taken place, Sir Henry might
have lasted for the next twenty years-as
it was, 1t killed him. He never rallied after
the attack"
"And nothing else but the shock could
have accounted for his symptoms?" in
Quired Ben.
Il do not understand you, Mr.. Crewe"
Then. to put it more plainly is it quite
impossible that the late baronet may have
been subjected to foul play-that similar
symptoms might not have presented them
selves on the administration of a noxious
drug, for exampleT
Good God! Mr.. Crewe, such an idea
never entered my head! Who would have
thought Of such a thing? Whom do you
suspect of so terrible a crime?"
IT'S not our business toetell you anything
further. DR.. Stone! We come here to ask
you a simple question. Could the symptoms
shown by the late baronet be produced by
the administratio ton of any poison? Will you
give us straightforward answery'
PART vi.
The doctor was trembling visibly as he
replied;
sons, the action Of which is to paralyze the
Evening star., 1896-02-22

that the jewels were hers. conceived the
cunning idea to secure them for Sir Charles
by putting them In the coffin with the
corpse, whence they might never have been
disinterred had not both Ben and gone on
wrong tack to find out the truth.
A brief examination proved that Sir Hen
ry had died from natural causes, and the
lody was rehuried with due solemnity. But
we cared little for the failure in that direc-
tion. We had unearthed the missing heir
loom, and we kept the rest of the secret TO
ourselves. All our suspicious melted into
thin air. Lady Eilesmere had not mur-
dered her husband-she had never had
lover or an accomplice-she had not pur-
lcined the jewels-we were almost re-iy to
believe that she had been a devoted wife
and stepmother! Sir Charles was delighted
with the recovery of his property-the little
dwarf screamed with pleasure when she
saw 1t back again-and Ben and l were
laden with compliments and congratula-
tions. So ended the robbery of the rajah's
heirloom.
'Ben,'' 1 said. solemnfy. as we wended
our way back to Scotland Yard TO report
proceedings. Ben. don't you think we had
better smooth this matter over a little to
the chief? We are considered the two sharp
est detectives In London. yet l made sure
the dowager had purloined those Jewels;
and you made sure she had poisoned her
! husband-but we were both mistaken.
don't understand 1t, but it is the case, isn't
1T. now?'
''Hum!-yes..' replied Ben. thoughtfully:
but we found the jewels. Jack, after all,
and that's the main tiing!''
''Trre-but now that we are alone tell
me. what was it that made you first think
of eXhuming the baronet's body"
Ben looked very grave.
Il can't tell you. Jack. / don't know my
self. But sometimes there comes to me a
knowledge can't say from whom OF from
where, but 1t fixes itself upon my mind
and / can't get rid Of il until rightly or
wrongly, have acted upon 1t. Don't laugh
at me, Jack, but 1 stood by the grave
with you, the first time we saw it, some
body said 10 me: 'Disinter tho body. Most
of my lucky hits have come to me in that
way. 1 wouldn't repeat ii to everybody.
but you'll respect my fancy, old chap, il it
is fsncy, and know that however rum il
may seem, 1 am in earnest in telling it to
you"
looked at rough old Ben, with his shay
gy beard ard hard features, and thought
he was strange subject to be inspired
from whatever source his information may
have come, but he was good and true all
through, and If the angels help any one in
tteir earthly work, they may have helped
him.
But in another hour / was in the little
cottage at Fulham, and Nancy and the SUD-
per she had prepared for me put every.
thing else out OF my head.
The End)
Evening star., 1896-02-22

We parted the best OF friends, but really
thought he had gone q bit dotty. The old
baronet may have been helped out Of the
world BY his missus, for could see that
Evening star., 1896-02-22
A Changed Man.

From Bro0kIyn Life.
Brown"Is young Smith as great a spend
thrift as ever?"
Jones-"By no means. His money 10
gone"
The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-01-02
Exit Kings go.nty.

BRooKLYN, Jan. AT midnight of Dec.
81 the limits of Brooklyn became coter-
mineous with the county of Kings The
government of the two divisions merged,
and the county of Kings for most pur-
poses, passed out of existence Kings county
has been in existence for PIP years. The
legislative body of the board is now ex-
tinct, and the board Of aldermen takes up
its work The offices Of the county clerk
register, surrogate, sheriff and coroner are
continued as co-oillces. Another co-insti-
tuition that has existed over POO years, the
court of sessions, died with the old year
That court had continued the organiza-
ton given to it in colonial times. The new
court will be simply the county court 80
The city court Of Brooklyn merged yestcr-
day into the supreme court, its judges be-
coming supreme court justices
The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-01-02
7yFEzzHsgs=s s=sE5aseszls.--IYFs-5v vss-rg7- CssFTgga
3lii { i2i'@sSt AyB.RAsss III
!sI !sSilEeAp d ! :ss
IN EFFECT NOVEMBER II, 1895.

Passenger trains leave Shenandoah for Penn
Haven Junction, MHuch Chunk, LehightOn
Slatington, White Hall, Catasauqua, Allentown
Bethlehem Easton aud WeatherlY, at OF, Z 3s
8 Is a, m, - l3, 4 O5, . p p. ~.
For New York and Philadelphia, OF, 49,
10 n. m, - i3, 4 O5 p. III.
For QuakHke, SwitChhacR, Gcrhards and llud-
sondale, 10 n. IN, and 4 Oj p.
For WilkosbaTc, White Haven, Pttston,
Laceyville, Towanda, Sayre, Wav,rly ant 2l-
mira, e o. Q l5 a. m, , 81, 3 % p. m.
For Rochester, Buffalo, niagara Falls aud the
West 10 a. m, > 81, p y, IN.
For Belvidere, Delaware Water Gap and
Stroudsburg, OF u. m, o. p. m
For l.ambertvillc and Trenton, . 10 Il. IN.
For Tunkhannock o. 9 Is a. m, 81 . p
For Ithaca and Geneva 6 OF, 9l5 a m 5 81
For Auburn, . Is a. m, . 27 p. m.
For Jeanesville, Lewiston and Beaver Meadow,
For stockton and Lumber Yard, 6 OF, IS,
Q - a. m, II %, , 81, 3 q, : 0s p. IN.
For Silver Brook Junction, Audcnred and
Hazleton, Ol, 3S, 0 10 a. m, II i3, 81, 8 p,
5 OS -.
For scranton, q o., 9 Is a; m, 2 81. . 2 pm.
For IIazlcbrook Jcddo, Drifon and Freeland
G OF, 3S, 9 Is a. m, u %, > 81, p p IN.
For Ashland, Girardville, and Lost Creek, 1 i0
o 10, 80, 9 49, 10 20 II. m, u 80, l 40 10, 80,
For Raven Run. Centralia, Mount Carmel and
shamokin, i3, Ii II II. m. 32, 20, 22, 10
p. m,
For Yatesville, Parl, Place, Mahanoy City and
Delano, 80, o. 8s, l5 II Oj "a. m, y i3, 81
1 o5, . p, S 0s 9 %, 10 SO p, m
Trains viii leave Shamokn at IS, IS, II 10
n m, 55, / 30, 9 80 p m, and arrive at Shenan-
doah at OF, - a. m, - 90, 81, ~ IL Is p
Leave shenandoah for Pottsville, 6 o., 8s,
9OS, IL %, II 30 a. M, II %, 81, 10, p, Us
p. m.
Leave Pottsville for Shenandoah 6 co. 40,
05, 70 10, II Is a. m, - 32, 90, 40, 20 Is,
5j, 9 10 p. m.
Leave Shenandoah for Hazleton, 6 o., Z IS, Q Is
u, m, II 49, > 81, 81 S 0S p. m.
Leave llaZlCtun for Shenandoah, 3d. 10 %,
II O6 a. M, - i5 5s, 30 25, SO p. IN.
SUNDAY TRAINS.
Trains leave for Raven Run Centruia Mt
Carmel and shamokin, % a, u,, 10 p. me- and
arrive at ShamuSin at 10 a. m., and 40 p. n.
Trains leave Shamokm for Shenandoah at
50 a. m and 90 y, M, and arrive at Shcuan-
dOuh at 5 40 "a me- and 50 p, m.
Trains leave for Ashland, GirurdyIllc and Lost
Creek, 9 10 a. M, aud ~ 30 p. m.
For Hazletou, Black Creek Junction, Penn
Haven Junction, Mauch Chunk, Allentown,
bethlehem, EUstou and New York, 10 %. H.,
1880, y 30 D. m.
For Philadelphia, y 80, . SOP m.
For NatesYilc, Park Place, Mahanuy city and
Delauo 40, II 80 a. m, u 30, 30, 5s, O3, 30
p. m,
Leave Hazleton for Shenandoah, S 30, II 80
a, M, l 05, 30 p. m,
Leave Shenandoah for Pottsvllc, o 50, 40,
Q 30 a. M, 10 p. m,
Leave Pottsvile for Shenandoah, 8 30, 10 40
a. M, 30, 10 p. m.
ROLLiN II. WILBUR, Genl Supt.,
south Bethlehem, Pa.
CHARLES 5. LEE, Genl. Pass. Agt.,
Philadelphia.
A. w NONNEMACHER, Asst. G. p. A.,
South Bethlehem, Pa.
The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-01-02

WAsmNGroN, Jan. 2.-Henrich Cayliug,
an editor of Copenhagen newspaper
called The Politiken, is authority for the
statement that the Denmark government
is anxious to dispose of her West Indian
possessions, the islands of St. Thomas,
Santa Cruz and st. John, and prefers that
the United States be the purchaser. Should
the United States refuse to consider the
proposition fnvorably Germany will be the
probable purchaser.