davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1897-06-09
Normal College Association.

Prof. J. Fraise Richard was chosen chair
man and James G. Kent secretary of a
meeting. which was held last evening at
the Typographical Temple for the purpose
of organizing the Modern Normal College
Association.
A committee consisting Of Prof. Richard,
DR.. Newberne, Mrs. Chapman and Messrs.
Kent and Wilmoth was appointed to draft
plans for permanent organization and re-
port at the next meeting Tuesday evening.
Another committee was appointed to Sc
cure the names. addresses and occupations
OF all students In Washington represent
ing the normal schools at Ada and Lehan-
on. Ohio; Valparaiso. Danviile, Mitchell.
LadoEa and Angola, Ind: Dixon, ILL.,; Fort
Scott. KAN, and other Independent normaia
In the west.
Evening star., 1897-06-09
Right. of CoIored Citixen.

IL was announced at the meeting of the
west End Mckinley Republican Club Mon
gay that the calls sent out by the club
for conference of the cclored republican
clubs OF the various states had met with
a favorable response from eleven states
Ihe time and place for the conference will
be shortly arranged. Prof A. b. Casey of
New Jersey made an interesting address
during the meeting.
Evening star., 1897-06-09
CITY AND DISTRICT.
THE STAR BY MAIL.

Persons leaving the city for any
period can have The Star mailed to
them to any address In the United
States or Canada, by ordering 1t at
this office, In person or by letter.
Terms: 13 cents per week; Is cents
Tor two weeks, or 80 cents per
month. Invariably in advance. Sub
scribers changing their address from
one Post-office to another should
give the last address as well as the
Few one
Evening star., 1897-06-09
National Lodge.

National Lodge No. 101, Order of the
Golden Chain, held its regular meeting at
5l4 9TH street northwest. last night. The
following officers were nominated for the
ensuing term: Commander. w. E. Dobson
vice commander. o. F. Wiley; assistant
commander. s. H. Turner; Drelate, R. S.
Denny; guide, F. A. Truan; guardian. ]. F..
Eastwood; sentinel, G. W. Mercer. Other
business was transacted, and remarks on
the good of the order were made by several
of the members.
Evening star., 1897-06-09
Divorce and AIimony,

Martha II. Tucker, who was married here
to Robert A Tucker, September ~, 1865
has filed petition for divorce They
lived together until 1880. when, she charges
her husband deserted and abandoned her.
She prays for alimony and counsel fees
and also asks to be awarded the custody
and control of their daughter, Martha NJ.
Tucker. Three OF their living eight children
are or age, the three girls living with Mrs.
Tucker, and she asks that her husband
may be required to support the said daugh-
ter Martha. Attorney Harry G. Kimoall
represents Mrs. Tucker
Evening star., 1897-06-09
For Divorce.

Alice A Donovan has applied for d.
Vorce from bed and board from Frank F.
Donovan The Parties were married here
November IA. 1SSS. five children being born
10 them. all but one surviving Mrs. Dono-
van charges her husband with intox:catfon-
cruelty and profanity. She asks tor suit.
able alimony and counsel fees. and for the
CUSTODY ana guardianship of the children.
She also asks that her husband he en-
Joined from in any way interfering with or
moiesting her She is represented by At
torneys Padgett and Forrest.
Evening star., 1897-06-09
Saturday and Sunday Excursions 4.
the Country.

The Baltimore and Ohio railroad has
placed on sale reduced rate excursion tick
cts, to be sold every Saturday and Sunday
during the summer season, valid for return.
until following Monday, from Washing ton
TO points on the Washington branch as
far as Annapolis Junction and points on
Ihe metropolitan branch and main line as
far Frederick and CharIestown- w Va
advertisement
Evening star., 1897-06-09
Dcmocrnts on the Eourth NJ I.,.

The local democratic organizations. in
cluding the National Association of Demo-
cratic Clubs and the democratic central
committee. will celebrate the 4th of july
at the Grand Opera House Monday morn
Ing, July =, with patoriotic meeting. The
arrangements will be perfected In a few
days and the full program announced.
Evening star., 1897-06-09

a meeting of delegates to the Nashville
reunion Of confederate veterans was held at
their hall last evening. and 1t was decided
that the members of the delegation, to-
gether with their families and friends
would leave for Nashville Saturday even
Ing. the 10th instant, at 10 O'Clock, via the
Southern railway. The reunion In to be
held June q, %, "a and u
Evening star., 1897-06-09
Claims DAMAGES.

George Kraft and his wife, Laura G. To.
day filed suit against VIM. F. Downey.
claiming 5000 damages for injuries re.
ceived in an accident the 21st of last March
Dy MIS- Kraft The plaintiffs claim that a
w o-norse carriage owned by Mr.. Downev
ana driven by one CT his servants, knocked
Mrs- sd hraft down at New York avenue and
LIN street and permanently injured her
Trey are represented by Attorney Tracy L.
Evening star., 1897-06-09

Frank R. Riley and VIM. w. Van Arnum.
trading as F. R. Riley & Co., conducting a
paper warehouse on D street northwest
between Sth and 9th streets, today made
an assignment for benefit of creditors to
VIM. II. Sholes. Assets are estimated at
S2,S4o, with liabilities amounting to
s., A,294.O3
Evening star., 1897-06-09
LOCAL MENTION.
AMUsEMENTs TONIGHT.

Columbia Theater.-The Columbia Stock
Company in His Little Dodge" preceded
by "One Touch of Nature"
Grand Opera House.-Vaudeville perform
aLce.
Kernan's Lyceum Theater.-Katie Room
ey's Burlesquers.
Lafayette Square Opera House.-'The
Little Tycoon"
Central Hall. 9th street and Pennsylvania
avenue northwest.-Concert Of the Moody
Choir
Evening star., 1897-06-09
Marine Hand Concert.

The Marine Band will render the follow
ing program Of music at the Capitol
grounds this afternoon:
March-'"The Old Club. ..Schrewser
Overture-"Jubilee" Weber
Fantasia-"Hungarian" Moses
Potpourri-"Italian Operas" .Kappey
Including gems from Verdfs "Ernani,"
Rossinfs william Tell" Donizettfs
Daughter Of the Regiment" Bellinfs
letto." Pacinis Last Days OF Pompeii,"
Donizettfs Count Of Paris," ending
with Verdfs "Rigoletto."
Polka-''The jolly Blacksmiths'. -. .sucIley
March-"El Captain. .Sousa
Gavotte-'F1irttns. .FanciulN
Hymn-"Hail, Columbia .Fyies
Evening star., 1897-06-09
$500 to Pittsbnrg and Return vim n
and u. X, n.

account annual convention, National
Council. Jr- o. L. A. NJ, tn. B. and q r
r. VIII sell excursion tickets to Pittsburg.
good, going. June 13, IA, =, 49, valid for
return until June ~. at rate of one fare
Advertisement.
Evening star., 1897-06-09
5000 To New York and Return x5OO
Via PcnnsyIvnnin Railroad

Special train. with sleeping cars. will
leaVe ashington at IL pm. Saturday.
June T. returning, leave New York at IL 80
pm Sunday, June l.. Low rate to Phila-
deipnia and intermediate points-Advt.
Evening star., 1897-06-09

The following properties will be sold by
uastees tomorrow afternoon at auction: At
4:30 o'clock, 1895 and 1877 18th street nortb-
west; al D o'clock, 2213 18th street north
west, and at 5::sp, 2u14. 2Ol6 and 2Ols Hut
tons court between U and " and IO,h
tisement for full description and terms
Evening star., 1897-06-09
EXCURSIONS TOMORROW.

Steamer Macalester for Mount Vernon
and Marshall Hall at 10 am. and 2:30 I'm
Steamer Newport News for Norfolk and
Fortress Monroe at pm.
Steamer River Queen for Glymont and
intermediate landings at $50 am.
Trains leave 1871 street and Pennsylvania
avenue for Mount Vernon at $50. 1905. II
am, and 12O5. lis. 2O5. 3. and 4:15 pm.
Trains leave 1874 street and Pennsylvania
avenue for Arlington hourly from Am. to
8 pm.
Trains leave B. and o. station for Bay
Ridge at 9:15 am. and 4:3Q pm.
Steamer Harry Randall for Colonial Beach
and river landings at am.
Evening star., 1897-06-09
"Ericsson Lime Excursions

BY WATER FROM BALTIMORE
To Philadelphia daylight trpsl, Mondays.
Wednesdays and Fridays. at 80 u III. :. 81 90
To Philadelphia and return (ten days). ..... 81 IS
To Philadelphia and return by rail. 81 90
To Cape May from Philadelphia by rail). SS .
To Cape May and return ten days.. ........ "a 70
To Cape May and return (season). 81 80
To Atlantic City (from Philadelphia by raiD. 81 rs
To Atlantic City and return (ten days. 81 rs
To Atlantic City and return tseason) q 90
To Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, Long Branch. $500
To Asbury Park. Ocean Grove. Long Branch
and return, ,season,from Philadelphia by raiDss 90
To New York (fronn Philadelphia by raf). 81 90
To New York and return eleven days.. SO 90
Tickets on sale lat the ofnce only for Albany.
Troy, Saratoga Springs, N Y. New Haven Bridge
port, Conn. Portland. Vineyard Haven and Cottage
City. Me-, and points in New England.
Daily steamers Except Sundaye from wharf,
Light and Pratt streets. at pm. Write for de-
scriptive pamphlet Of the route and the great isn-
ing grounds at Betterton Tickets for sale at
OFFICE ONLY. Music on day steamers. Meals,
Soc State rooms, 81. 80 and 81 extra. For
further Information apply write TO CLARENCE
sHRIyER, Agent. 2oa Light ST.. Baltimore. Nd.
myn6-tf
Evening star., 1897-06-09
EXCUHsE01s.

For those who csM leave the city for q
snort trip only. thezR II ~ way Of spend
ing vacation more's e'sn3oy1bly than to take
the sail down the PoADmax and Chesapeake
bay on the Norfolk a6d washington Steam
beat Company's stesnern to Norfolk. and
there board the OldaDominion steamships
TOT the ocean voyaO to sNew York. Last
early spring until well UNTO the winter.
Inose who are not DresaDd for time may
stay at Fortress MonlDe, q Virginia Beach,
either going to or retuming from New
Those who wish ma nasine the journey in
either direction by sail The Norfolk and
washington Steambaht GDmpany's steam
ers leave 7th street wharf every evening in
,ae year at o'cloc3 arriving at Fortress
Monroe and Norfolk early the following
morning.
The letter carriers excursion to Marshall
Hall last night brought out between six
and seven hundred persons Although the
threatening skies and cool winds dampened
.ne enthusiasm OF the excurstonists some
Mhat' most enjoyable evening was spent
Inc e1cursaontsts confined themselves to
the saloon and the inclosed parts Of the
peat while making the trip to and from the
aal'o out at that resort the dancing pavilion
vas crowded. and all of the amusemerts
dio rushing business Haley's Band fur
nlsneo the music on the boat while Pts
tcnas Orchestra played the dance music
q. tne nan. Those who held tickets for
Est night which they did not use will find
these available for the Indian Head ex-
cGrsion tonight.
tomorrow night the Crusaders Com
mandery. Knights of Malta, give their
regular excursion to Marshall Hail. The
Macalester leaves her wharf at $50 pm.
An erJoyapie time is assured all who ac-
company them and large crowd will, of
course, take III the event
sauPs sale of plants and greenhouse
SOCK, Thursday, June 10. at 10 am.
Br1ghtwood avenue. VIII be sold in lots
TO suit the trade.-Advt.
Columbia Commandery, U. o. G. C.
A regular meeting Of this commandery
was held in the Northeast Temple, corner
OF 18th and H streets northeast. last even
ing, Noble Commander Lady N. A. Cole in
the chair. Under good of the order" Lady
5. j. Deloe, after having given a very
pleasant little speech, made a motion to
appoint press correspondent for Columbia
Commandry, which was seconded by the
Rev. Ell. Hopkins, in a five-minute speech
This commandery has on its membership
roll the vice grand commander Of this juris-
dictton, Lady c. E. Sullivan, and among
other active workers are r. E. Harvey,
Dr. Sullivan, DR.. Bradley E. NJ Lewis
3. A. Howell, VIM. C. Cole and Others
AT the last meeting the commandery gave
a public entertainment and reception in
honor of Lady Sullivan's election to the
office of vice grand commander. After
musical program had been rendered, Lady
e. II. Sullivan was presented with a beau
tiful bouquet of flowers by the commandery
Tie Rev. E. ]. Hopkins made one of his
most felicitous presentation speeches, which
was responded to by Lady Sullivan in an
equally happy vein. The entertainment
closed with q collation.
Evening star., 1897-06-09

The nurseries Of the late John Saul will
be sold at public auction tomorrow at 10
am. See advt. in auction column.-Adyt
Evening star., 1897-06-09
women's Home Missionary Society.

The quarterly meeting of the Women's
Presbyterial Home Missionary Society is
to be held in Gurley Memorial Church to-
morrow at 1890 a. m. Mrs. Joseph Kelly,
who has recently returned from attending
the meeting of general assembly at Winona,
Ind, will address the ladies, and Miss Red
way, who has been teaching in the Ashe-
vile F'aun School. North Carolina, will
speak of her experience among the noun
taineers of the SOUTH
Evening star., 1897-06-09

Finest and Freshest Flowers
for graduates and June brides Decora-
tions for weddings and commencements.
GUIDE, 1924 F-Advt.
Evening star., 1897-06-09

Don't fail to attend the large furniture
sale by auction at 1881 and 1893 H street
northwest tomorrow at 10 o'clock.-Adyt.
Evening star., 1897-06-09

It matters little what It d that you wan
whether . situation or q servant.
want" I'd. In The Star will reach TIL
person who can MI your need.
Evening star., 1897-06-09

MackfntOsh In Mighty Handy
Whether you 80 on a summer trip or not
Useful. everywhere so ones reduced tc
%. Goodyear's, S07 Pa. ave.-Advt
Evening star., 1897-06-09

$1.25 to Baltimore and Return
via B. and o. r. R. All trains June 12 and
IL. valid for return passage until following
Monday.-Adyt.
Evening star., 1897-06-09

Florists, don't fail to attend Saurs s.1. .,
pants and greenhouse stock Thursday
June 10 at 10 am, Brigh:wood avenue
Advertisement
Evening star., 1897-06-09

Attend Crocker's shoe sale, Gs9 Pa. ave-
Advertisement
Evening star., 1897-06-09

Attend Crocker's shoe sale, $50 Pa. ave.
Advertisement.
Evening star., 1897-06-09
The Confederate Veterans,

Atterd Crocker's shoe sale. $50 Pa. ave-
Advertisement
Evening star., 1897-06-09
Norfolk 6 washington
Steamboat Co.

Every day in the year for Fortress Monroe,
Norfolk. Newport News and all points south
- BY the superb powerful steel palace steamers
Newport News," ''Norfolk'' and washing.
- ton on tie following schedule:
L 90 Lv
Lv. Alexandria. z 80 p.m Ly. Norfolk. $40 pm
Ar. Ft Monroe. @: 80 m Lv. Fl. Monroe.7 20 pm
Ar. Norfolk. q so Am Ar. Alexandria g 90 am.
Ar. Portsmouth & 90 M Ar. Washington. 80 a. m.
- Visitor. to Chamberlin's new hotel. The
Hygeia, and Virginia Beach III end this
- the most attractive Oute. .nsuring q COM
Portable nights rest
Large and luxurious rooms heated by steam
and lifted throughout with electric lights.
- Dining room service is a la carte. and is sup
Piled from the be~t that the markets OF
- Washington and Norfolk afford
.uckets on sale At U. 8. Express ofnce SIT
Pea OSylvania avenue; 5lS, 6lq, 1921 rtnnsyl-
- nh avenue; 3. and Q: ticket Once. corner
- 10th street and New YORK avenue, and On
- boarw steamers: where time tsble. map, etc..
also be had.
- Any other information desired will be fur
- nished on application to the undersigned at
- the company's wharf: foot OF 1th st.. WASH
- ington, ID. Q. Telephone No. TO-
H1s-4od JNo. CALLAHAN. General Manager.
Evening star., 1897-06-09

1t matters little what it is that you want
whether situation or a servant-a
want" ad. in The Star will reach the
person who can fill YOUR need.
Evening star., 1897-06-09
An Assignment.

Attend Crocker's shoe sale, $50 Pa. ave-
Advertisement
Evening star., 1897-06-09
Go to your doctor for advice; he

Go to your doctor for advice; he is
the best man to tell you what medi-
cine you need. Go to your druggist
for your medicines; he knows more
about drugs than a dry goods man.
Stick to your doctor and to your
druggist if you are sick man, but
don't go to your druggist for advice.
If your doctor tells you to get SCOTS
Emulsion it is because he knows it
to be the remedy in all conditions of
wasting, the one reliable, permanent
preparation.
Get what you ask for.
Evening star., 1897-06-09

LET US CLEAN YOUR CARPETS.
We clean 'en. Take out spots and stains
Store in fire-proof rooms. Mattresses re-
male finely. Martin Co., I31 9th. Tele-
phone l224
Evening star., 1897-06-09

Attend Crocker's shoe sale. $50 Pa. ave.
Evening star., 1897-06-09

BEST ICE CREAM IN THE CITY.
Only the choicest materials that can be
obtained are used in making 1t. Our latest
flavor is Peach Cream, made of fresh ripe
fruit. Big reductions on large orders
F. FREUND, SIS 10th ST.
Two Shop-worn. Refrigerators Reduced
from s. to $50 and $14.JO to S11
A. EBERLY'S SONS, 71S 1th st. NV,
Evening star., 1897-06-09

OLD CARPETS MADE NEW.
Our renovating process does it. Takes out
every spot and stain. Restores faded colors.
Makes carpets fresh as new. Wagon calls.
Empire Carpet Cleaning Wks. ,631-5 Mass. av.
Evening star., 1897-06-09
MEMS STRAW HATS

MEMS STRAW HATS
Excellent line of Straw Hats, all the up
to-date styles. Soc, 81, $780, s.
LEWIS & SON, 1921 New York ave-
Evening star., 1897-06-09

FOR CHATTER 10 PLEASURE PARTTDs- -sArrr
Ing echooner Humming Btra- For terms an1
petal Aatss aDpay 10 II. = MCHoLA SSS In.
-. ~. -. e1leSm
Evening star., 1897-06-09

TEN THOUSAND DIFFERENT THINGS
to rio your house of Bed bugs, Reaches
Centipedes. Croton bugs, and all the bal
snce of such household pests cannot equal
that one little giant called DEATH DUST.
AT all Drug Stores, 1Oc.
Evening star., 1897-06-09

You Can Almost Hear the Sigh
of our 5-lb. boxes best Butter as they 20 ou
at $llO. Price Eevcr so low before. Jane
F. Oyster, 800 Pa. ave.-Adyt.
Evening star., 1897-06-09

Two SO Gas Ranges. '97 pattern, reduced
to 81. A. EBERLY'S SONS, 71S 7th stn.w.
Evening star., 1897-06-09

Sauls sale of plants and greenhouse
stock, Thursday, June TO- at 10 am,
Br1ghtwood avenue. VIII be sold in lots
to suit the trade-Advt.
Evening star., 1897-06-09
CITY ITEMS.
ADJUSTMENTS.

Beechnm'sPills-No equal for constipation
Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1897-08-27
SHERMAN TO JAPAN.
An Answer TO the Last Note Relating
to Hawaii.

Washington, Aug. 23. - Secretary
Sherman has submitted to the Japanese
government an answer TO Japan's last
note relating to the annexation of Ha-
wall to the United States. Mr.. Sher-
mans answer is marked by it's friendly
expression toward Japan.
Two features are brought out by the
answer: IL reiterates the position
heretofors taken by the secretary OF
state ~ to the right and propriety Of
annexing Hawaii 10 the United States;
with this, however, is coupled an as
surance that the interests 81 Japan in
Hawaii will be fully safeguarded. il
alsg exprcsses satisfaction at the plan
Of arbitration between Japan and Ha-
waii on the question Of Japanese immi-
grafton to Hawaii.
The answer is largely an elaboration
Of Mr.. Sherman's former letter, and
the policies expressed in no way differ
from those previously laid down by
him
Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1897-08-27
Queen WIN Garry a Hotel.

Seattle, Aug. 23.-At 6:30 tonight,
the Al-Ki sailed for Dyea and Skaguay,
She carried l45 passengers and 600
tons of freight. Among the cattle on
board were 25 long steers.
Shortly after the collier Willamette
left for Dyea, the passengers organized
for police protection, the organization
being named the Willamette and Klon-
dixie Protective Society. Care was
taken to prevent fire and all suspicious
characters were watched. Before the
boat reached Dyea, eight suspected men
had been imprisoned,
Valentine scrip jumped in price to
$50 and $40 per acre, as the result OF
the rush to the Klondike gold fields.
Large blocks of scrip have been sold in
this city, the intention being to locate
property at Skaguay. Next Sunday
the steamer Queen leaves for st.
Michaels, with lumber. The A. S.
Kerry Lumber Company sends the
frame aGd lumber all fitted to build {
hotel there to accommodate l50 people
The Queen will reach there in three
weeks.
Deputy Sheriff Calderhead has let
ter from ex-Deputy Adam Baker, dates
Skaguay, August Z. He went on tn,
Rosalie. The passengers formed 1
company to unload Trouble ensue,
by one man assuming to boss. Th,
miners drew guns and then took thei
individual goods ashore.
The river, but mile from camp. i
500 feet wide and swift, and there i
continued loss of goods by horses fall
ing in the current, Packs must be cu
away to save the horses. Severa
horses were drowned August 6 and Z
Tired men are selling outfits at les
than cost. Thirty men are building
bridge half mile up. 1t is a privat
snap. All would be well if the pros
pectors would work together.
Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1897-08-27
Exclusion Act Eyaded.

North Tonawanda, N. Y, Aug. 23.
Uncle Sam is being defrauded and
the Chinese exclusion act evaded al
most every day along the Niagara from
tier. Lately the operations of the
smugglers have increased in volume 80
rapidly that the federal officers have
become alarmed.
The smugglers seem to be we'll in
formed as to the movements OF the Off
GERS, and through information fur
nished them. presumably by spies.
have been able to avoid all traps set.
The interdicted immigrants are brought
acrosss the Niagara frontier in consid-
erable numbers. When they reach
this city they are taken under cover OF
darkness to certain laundry, where
they are planted until arrangements
can be made to send them to interior
cities,
Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1897-08-27
knocked overboard In Excitement.

San Francisco. Aug 2S.-Early this
morning, while the schooner Christina
Stebbins, inward bound with cargo
Of lumber, was passing Point Bonita in
dense fog, another vessel was sudden
ly sighted bearing down upon her. The
schooner was Immediately put about
and the danger averted, but meantime
the forehoom, in swinging around,
struck A. Nording and knocked him
overheard. The blow broke his right
arm and almost scalped him, but, be-
ing good swimmer, he managed TO
keep atioat until picked up by boat
from the schooner three-quarters Of an
hour after the accident. 1t required
II stitches to close the wound on his
scalp at the waterfront receiving hos.
pital.
Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1897-08-27
One KilIed, Several wounded.

New York, Aug. ga dispatch to
the Herald from Constantinople de-
scribing the bomb explosion says: Dy-
Mantle was hurled through the lower
windows OF the council house OF the
sublime porte by Armenian hands and
iell just below the room in which the
telegraph Office is situated, shaking with
terrible force the entire building,
bursting walls and shooting up through
the floor above, which it lifted clear
away, and finally perforating the roof
with holes like those. Of pepper-box.
Every window in that part OF the
building was smashed, the glass cover
ing the broad corridor leading to the
grand vizierate being broken into an
extraordinary fineness. showing how
severe the conclusion had been.
One person was killed and several
officials wounded The bomb must
have been OF large and coarse kind.
Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1897-08-27
salt ON Its Inward Rise.

Saginaw, Mich, Aug. 23. -- The
Michigan Salt Association has ad-
vanced the price of salt in all the
markets of the West cents barrel,
and in the home market s cents bar
rel, which brings the price up relative
ly the same in all markets. The new
prices are: Packers, 5Sc; No l
steam, 53c; No. steam, 53c; No. |
granulated, 43c barrel; dairy and
solar remain at the former price. Salt
is moving fairly and in good demand,
and IL was thought advisable to ad-
vance the price because the amount on
hand is much less than at this time
last year, and the prospects for the
future bright.