davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-11-14

Henry Fox came in from Flnrcr,oo Saturday
with four carpenters and Mt once proceeded TO
the Ruby Chief, upon which property he has tho
contract FOR the erection OF the needed build
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-11-14

A large load of supplies was hauled out to the
Combination Saturday. Work viii be prose-
cuted vigorously all winter on this claim.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-11-14

VIM Pollard, who, in the early days of Crested
Butte, conducted the Elk Mt. Stables. died at
Peoria, H., on the inst. from arpendieitus,
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-11-14

A number OF she RebckNhs and their friends
gathered at the homo of Morris Click Monday
evening 20 bid Mrs. Click adieu and wish for her
safe return.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-11-14
3ess g. Slssan.
MINING APPLICATION NO. 249.
IrrrE spptrG


Notes T. hereby given. chat Jos. II. Block, for
himself and co-oWners, i. Nj, Buster aud Joseph
Gockcl. whose uo-t otiiCc address i Crested
Butte, Colorado, have this day filed their appli-
cation fur "a putcut Tor 1856 linear feet OF tho
Napoeon lode mining claim. the same being 15i
fu. y. tso lB L. and 551.6 IL. :. SO C} W. from
the difcovcry shaft thereon, bearing gold and
silver, with surface ground 800 feet in width,
situate in the Elk Mountain Mining District,
County of Gunnisun aud state Of Colorado and
described by the official Plat and lcd notes on
hio ia this olioc as Survey No. I33 %, follows,
UO-wit: Variation la' 81 e.
Beginning at Cor. No. /, whence The q. s. L.
NJ. Emma bcar- S. 30 iS j.. l5bGl f5. Thence
$ So % W. 1856 It. to Cor. No, ., thence \. 3l9
aJ W. 30i. p H. TO Cor. No. ., thcncc \. 6s' OB i.
1856 #, TO ror No. o. thence s. 80 3Y L. 317.32
Il. TO Cor. n. I, tine place of beginning Contain
ing son aces, cxcls Of Surs. Nos. 1929 Black
Hawk, Iqi2 Burpee mud 6i32 Maggie lndes. This
81 ". OF the IA =. N. Tho location certificate
of which Is recorded in book ~ at PAGE il2 Of
the records Of Guuuisou County at Gunnison,
Colorado. Adiuiuiur and conflicting claims as
above stated. Al others IL any, uuknuwn.
{. +. IfAfILIN,
Register.
First publication October p, lsg9.
Last publication December 70, 1899.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-11-14

Two carloads OF new machinery for tho Ruby
Chief arrived Monday from Hcndrie & Bolthoir,
OF Denver. Othos machinery will follow.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-11-14

Mrs. Dick Wilson and children returned to r.
win Saturday from Powderhorn, where she had
been visiting with her parents.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-11-14

Mrs james Estes, mother Of Mrs Eazlehurst,
came up from Gunnison Saturday to spend I
few days with her daughter.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-11-14

AGENTS wANTED-Vo Ell LlfH AND
@ Ae,fYgnen' g y S grn nnrH HI ~ l. the lifelong fend
and adnlircr oi the nations ia d. blggss' an ana nest
book 500 pages, sNlo inch. "''ii5 ~ ~ >
hatone Illustrations. Only 81. y. ag .no'' ,'e
nand Biz commissions Outfit te. lame rnahsu % ~ 4
lifetime. Write quick Tho pgmin 'p N"'hl"'S' oi'
Floor Cali0n Bldg, Chicago.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-11-14

Mrs. W L. Patchen and Yrs John MeIllwee
OF Florcsta, took the ballot box from that pre-
cinct to The county sent
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-11-14
State Ore SanpGDg Co,
DenYer. Colo.

We buy Gold, Silver, Lead, Cop
! (Ner Bismuth, Uranium. Wolfram
itt,, Cobalt, Molybdenite, and Anti
mol w ores.
" 2 have modern mills for samp-
Iino y, -e. We also test ores for the
new nr, ,cesses of reduction.
Our 10 rg experience in the mar
ket enable s,us to pay the highest
cash nrices Cor all marketable ores.
Write for on = Reference Book"
Send ANALYSIS Of your ore for prices
and informatioly'~.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-11-14

TO THE DEAF.-A rich lady,
cured of her Deafness and Noises
in the Head by DIR Nicholson's S
Artificial Ear Drums, gave $4,000
to his Institute, so that deaf people
unable to procure the Ear Drums
may have them free. Address No.
94S, The Institute, $50 Eighth
avenue, New York.
Following is the total unofficial
vote of Gunnison county for the
election of November 7, 1893:
Commissioner:
Eaton, R.. TIA
Block, D...............9J d .9J3
Hoffman, P, S. r. $40
Blocks plurality. .2l9
Clerk and Recorder:
Sharpe, R............... .S2S
Brothers, d., S. R........ .lOl6
bray, .....,. oOO
Brothers plurality .-..18S
Treasurer:
Whip, r., 1913
Scott, D., S. R............ 500
Whips majority. .lo32
Sheriff:
Watson, r. 924
Stephenson, D. .463
Wiley, P, S. R........7 1856
Watson's plurality. ,13S
Assessor:
Mckee, r. 1921
Thomas, p, S. R.. 730
Thompson, ID. .6S6
Thomas plurality. ..,..3
Superintendent of Schools:
Williams, r., 1914
Schmitz, D., S. r: ...... 921
Williams majority -. ...323
Surveyor:
Aikine, R., p, S. r.. %. .1184
Cuenin, d. D................702 702
Aikine's majority. ...4S2
Coroner:
England, R.. -. .943
O'Regan, d., S. r.. .957
England's majority...s6
The vote this year shows an in
crease Of about 200 votes over the
vote of last year,
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-11-14

Allen Hodges brought the Crystal ballot box
over Wednesday. A. IS, Rush performed like
service for Marble.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-11-14

Mrs Morris Click and baby departed today
for Cleveland Ohio, 10 spend tie winter with
relatives.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-11-14
Tuesday, Nor. II, 1899.
Local Pointers

DR.. Roclofellor went down to GunIlison sun
day, returning Monday.
Jos ngham und P. j. Hurley tookthe Crested
BUTTE ballot boxes to Gunnison.
Mrs. E. c. james and child en- departed Fri
day for Erie on a visit 70 her parents
Mrs. Kate Mclaughlin came up from Gun
nison Saturday, returning the same day.
Tie election dinnor and supper given by tho
ladies of the L. {. church netted about $50.
Mrs Dave Williamson and cLildrcn returned
Monday from a six weeks soiourn in Missouri
Mrs Thos. Hunter returned to Canon City
Monday, after pleasant visit here with friends
Geo D. sowles, father of Mrs. V. E. Metzler
came in from Ouray Friday to visit with his
daughter.
l. Il Ill. 4,I,x
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-11-14

Or. RocnofcllorNgeut down to GGnui=on sun
day, returning Monday.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-31

her husband with one delicate finger
pointing to the paragraph she had just
reread.
Husband, that girl never did this
deed. How can any one think it pos
sible? He is described as almost a
giant. She a a slender child like
creature that a boy of tea could have
overcome. He came 10 his death by
the seyering of a vein. Is it likely this
big, strong man would let a girl cut
his throat? She never did it. Poor
little frightened wretch, of course she
ran away"
Mr.. Desbrow crumpled the paper up
and flung it into the open fire. It's
presence in his home was aeflement.
my dear wife, we will not discuss
the legal points nor the moral posi-
bilities of this case. We are only in
terested in getting the child of these
wretches out of u house."
Mrs. Desbrow left her low easy chair
and drawing a hassock close to her
husband, folded her hands upon her
knees, looking up at him with a look
that always ~vanquished him.
mo, dear, more than ever that little
forlorn child needs the shelter we can
afford her. Her mother never did this
thing, Wilson. Time will prove that.
Perhaps she will come here some day,
CT some night, to get her baby. Not
finding it, she might go from bad to
worse. Such a great big home as we
have, Willie. and just you and / to fill
it,"
TITS not to be made into a reforma-
tory for all That, rest assured, my
love"
mo, l don't want to make it into a
reformatory. l just want to shelter one
tiny little innocent child that never did
a wrong thing CT had an evil thought
in all it's life. I would feel like a GRIM
inal myself, Willie, if l turned that
child over to the founding people.
Then she could never see it again"
"Why not? don't see that"
"She would be afraid to reclaim it at
any hands but my own 1t would lead
to her detection and arrest. Whether
she did this thing or not she knows that
she is a suspect. Think Of her wretch
edness, Willie, a wandering, homeless,
branded woman-so young, so pitifully
young, so friendless!"
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-31

And then his wife did what in all
their ten years of happy welded life he
had never seen her do. She dropped
her head Upon the hands that were
clasped on her knee and broke into hys-
terical sobs. He lifted her wet face in
both his hands and looked at her in
alarm.
alice, Alice, my darling, you must
be ILL.,"
mo, not III, not i'll at all, Willie, only
you have no idea how that girls face
haunts me. Such a sad, sad face. Such
heart hunger in it. But nothing vic
ious-nothing low! Absurd to think
she would kill. We will keep her little
child-until-until-"
Until what, my dear?"
Until she comes for It,"
"She may never come"
'Then we shall never send 1t away.
You need not ven see It. if you don't
want to, dear. But I think. yes, l am
quite sure, Willie, I should like to train
something higher in the intellectual
scale than a dog"
She had dried her eyes and mopped
her little delicate nose On a bit OF be-
laced cambria. Her husband adored
her. Weeping or smiling she was al
together lovely in his eyes. He kissed
her now on the cheek that was nearest
to him.
Il foresee the downfall OF His Lord
ship"
mo, His Lordship will be just where
he always was. We will keep the child.
won't we, Willie?"
Her arms were about his neck. There
was but one answer possible.
Whatever will make you happiest,
my love-"
1t was quite half an hour later when
Mrs. Desbrow, with a quaint pucker-
ing of her pretty brows, said:
1--WE must give it a name, Willie;
we can't go On calling it the baby or
that child forever"
Names are convenient on occasion.
l give my preference TO inherited ones.
however"
You suggest q nice name" she said
coaxingly.
Mr. Desbrow looked reaectiveiy at
the fire for a second. His wife watched
him ~anxiously. In view Of the baby's
exceeding prettiness she hoped he
would suggest something very nice, in
deed.
In consideration Of all the circum-
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-31

Rufus Hornb~ by name-and struck a
bargain with him to go outside IL
troll for bluefish.
I'll have to tap we for about ten
dollers for the day" said the sad-eyed
skipper, land you furnish your own
grub and drink. I'll throw in bait an
tackle. Ye kin put in a party of six
and that's make 1t little owe one fifty
each"
Mr.. McNaggett gave him a naughty
stare.
There is no party" he said. in an
icy voice. This is a private affair
simply myself and my wife"
"All right" said the ocean rover, as
he veered nor'-nor'-wezt. AN wen
leave Dickson's dock at A in the morn
ing"
But Mrs. McNaggett produced a won
derful show of spirit from some IN
known source, and absolutely refused
to go.
XIII me il you want to-" she cried.
Drag me to pieces with wild horses,
throw me off the top car Of the Ferris
wheel. but don't ask me to go on that
boat"
Was the poor lady beginning to lose
some of her splendid faith in the part
ner of her joys and sorrows?
1t was a dreadful thought, though
not an unnatural one, and Mr.. McNag-
gett was visibly discomposed by 1t.
Don't be a fool" was his ejacula-
ton. I've got the best captain in
these parts
But his wife became so much agitated
at the proposition that he gave up try
ing TO urge her, and went to bed, leav-
ing this mandate:
Call me at 3:30-don't fall"
Then he was dead to the world.
Poor Mrs. MeNaggett was so uncer-
tain of herself that she decided to sit
up al night in order that the cali
might not be neglected. and this she
did, yawning, sleeping, recovering her
self. ~nodding, reading and starting up
at unholy hours.
But after what seemed like two nights
rolled into one she saw that it was $3.50,
and shook her liege lord.
"Lemme alone" he gTowled. What's
the matter with you, woman? Is the
house afre?"
Its $3.50. dear"
"Well. what do / care? What kind OF
a tom fool are you to wake me up
and"
But you want to go fishing at 4.
dear"
Mr.. MeNaggert half rose at this, and
blinked at her unsteadily.
"Of course I do" he said, as he stag
gered to his feet. It's all right; I'm
awake.
He put on his shoes and clothes. and,
while he did so, his wife fell upon the
bed and was asleep IN an instant
She dreamed that Mr.. McNaggett was
so successful in his expedition that the
fish covered the deck and piled up with
such terrific apidity that her husband
VA u > fair way 70 be choked =,
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-31
death, while his groans could be plainly

death, while his groans could be plainly
heard.
She awoke to find Mr.. McNaggett
fully dressed-even to his hat-fast
asleep again on his bed-to which he
had returned in 4 kind OF stupor, and
snoring loudly.
"Twitt, DEAR" she cried, as she
reused him once more. You must &C!
l think the captain is knocking now"
1t was indeed that veteran despoiler
of the deep.
Must ketch the flood tide" he said,
"or we can't get I'VE the bar"
The slooD was soon under way, and
Mr.. MeNaggett selected several lines
and a quantity of bait with some en-
thusiasm.
Wen have to 'chum' a little at
first," observed the captain, as he
headed the tossing boat in the direction
OF a long, low line Of w~hite-cappeG
breakers. -
Mr.. McNagget drew himself I'D.
IL don't see any need of our chum-
ming he said, Laughtily. Il never had
a chum in my life, and l certainly
wouldn't begin with a man whom /
never met but once"
The captain roared.
Eye don't understand" he said.
"Chummin' is THROWN out cut up moss
bunkers for the fish to foIler. Hope
you're a good sailor"
He said this as the little craft pitch
ed viciously and then rolled violently.
Mr.. McNaggett turned a nile green.
Isn't this-a-very-rough?" he
gasped, as he hung onto the rail and
watched the turbulent green and white
water with bilious eyes.
"Rough?" laughed the cleaver of the
seas. why, this amt nothin'. We
may be snook up a little outside. Bet
ter git some O that chum ready"
But Mr.. McNaggett was too far gone.
Why had he eaten boiled onions the
night before?
The poets line rushed through his
mind:
And all tomorrow shall taste OF to-day.
With a groan he lay down upon the
dirty deck and prayed for land, even
for death, for anything except that
awful fealing-that-O, heayens! was
this the end?
There, We feel better now, don't yer"
asked the captain. Hang on tight,
for we're goin' over the bar now"
Then Neptune picked up the boat,
tossed it on its head, then on its stern,
flooded it with water, threw it away,
and then pulled it back, and as it
turned-or Mr.. McNaggett swears 1t did
it brought up on the other side in
time to meet a giant wave that struck
it a fendish blow.
Turn back" gasped Mr.. McNaggett,
with pallid lips. Turn back, quick
But we're jest gittin' where the
fish is" expostulated the captain.
Get where the dock is" Kissed his
passenger, land do Il IN 10 minutes, or
I'll be dead"
How about my s1e?" queried the
captain.
Three ought to be enough" groaned
Mr.. McNaggett. as he held himself
down.
For answer the skipper headed his
boat again into the seething breakers.
"Four-I1l give you four" gasped Mr..
McNaggett. as he felt the world Slip
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-31

growing fatter and prettier every day.
and His Lordship had almost complete
ly transferred his affections from his
patrician mistress to his plebeian play
mate.
at is great fun to see them romp to-
gether. DEAR" Mr.. Desbrow said one
day at the dinner table. Some even
ing you really must go upstairs to
look at them rolling yer each other on
the white bear rug"
But Mr.. Desbrow was quite willing
to take the entertainments of the nurs-
cry at second hand.
The following day he made a point
of summoning the detective to his Of
fee by telephone and offered to
double the reward.
IF you was to treble it I couldn't
earn it." the man answered ruefully,
"and I'm not counted among the folks
on the force, either. Pm inclined to
think it must have been jim Wood
rows WIFE"
who was Jim Woodrow"
"a man who wal killed by his wife
two months gone now, and the whole
force of New York City's police amt
been able to spot her yet"
Great heaven! A murderess:"
Looks like it. You'll find all about
it there" The officer laid A weeK-old
paper on the desk before his patron.
Il would have been up with it before,
but I've been wasting time over cold
trails for the last few days. If my
thing turns up you'll hear from me.
And IL you don't hear from me You'll
know I've nothing to report"
Mr.. Desbrow did not hear his closing
remarks. Did not hear him go out. He
had unfolded the paper and was read
ing the CHASTITY story of Woodrow's life
and death. 1t was all there.
How the man, two years before, had
married a pretty shop girl, Margaret
Slater by name, who clerked in the
same store he was floor walker for;
how, soon after his marriage, his M
ployers discovered he was engaging in
a regular system of peculation and Gis-
missed him; how the mans loss of re-
imitation and work recl-lteJ IN bie ro,o.
plete moral downfall; how things had
gone from bad to worse with him at
home; how about noon on a certain day
nearly two months ago he had been
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-31

found dead on the floor of his sitting
room. everything pointing to his wife
as the murderer; how her blood-staln-
ed dress had been found near the dead
man; how the neighbors only two
nights before had heard her wish that
he was dead because he had struck her
child. how or the morning of the MUIR
der the woman had been seen to leave
the house with the child and return
without it; how since the killing it had
been utterly impossible to get the
slightest clew to her whereabouts, al
though the entire city force had been at
work on the case without resting.
The CORY recital wound up with an
accurate description of the mans size,
weight and general appearance; also OF
the woman. Two wood cuts added a
touch of the sensational to the account.
They were pictures taken firm photo
graphs of Woodrow and his wife,
found by the police when searching the
fat for a trail.
Mr.. Desbrow carried the paper home
with him that night. 1t was not a
pleasant thing to do, but after dinner
ne would read it to his wife and then
some final disposition must be made of
the child.
He carried out this programme accur-
ately, waiting until they had left the
dining room for the cheerful brightness
OF the library, where 1t was Mrs. Des-
brow's practice TO rest he pretty slip
pered feet on the low brass fender be-
fore the open fire while he posted her"
on the news of the day.
She listened intently to the story OF
the Woodrow tragedy. Then she held
cut her hand for the paper. She was
very pale. 1t was a shocking novelty
in her experience to have to take q
personal interest in a possible MIR
deress. She looked at the wood cut
of the suspected woman with startled
eyes.
yes, that Is the very same girl. Oh.
Willie, isn't it dreadful"
my dear Alice, such things are hap
pening every day about US. 1t angers
me. though, that this tragedy in low
life should have been forced upon
your attention"
She did not answer him. She was
reading a certain paragraph in the
CHASTITY story. When she looked up
some OF the horror had faded on. of
her face. She extended the paper to
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-31
ping away from him.

ping away from him.
Deeper they plowed out into the roar.
ing surf.
"Fivel" howled the desperate man.
Five, but it's too muchi"
Now they were in the tumult OF the
sea, headed apparently for Liverpool.
Six" yelled Mr.. MeNaggett Seven
%, wait till l get you ashorel"
Cant help il il the tiller won't
work" said the captain, dryly, as he
luffed just in time to prevent their be-
ing capsized. Accidents will happen"
Eight" screamed the unhappy pas
senger. observation-disclosures. no, T
mean nine-nine's a lot OF money"
For answer the captain shipped a
virulent looking green and white wave
that must have weighed 10 tons. Then
they were tossed so high on the break
ers that the unfortunate McNaggett
viewed his own boot heels, obscuring
the sun.
"All right! All right" he gurgled
family. Ten 1t is. o, my stomach"
Then their one mast broke, and they
drifted about for two hours before they
reached the dock.
Its an old trick" said the captain,
but hadn't ye better buy a fish or two
TO make good?"
A boat lay alongside with a dozen
handsome blueish in It, and one OF
these Mr.. McNaggett sneakily pur-
chased.
Put It in paper for YET" queried the
p%iseatorial provider. 4
Mr.. McNaggett gave him a whitening
glance. \
Tie a string in its gills," he said
loftily, and then he turned away with
his prize, only to see Mrs. McNaggett's
amazed face upon the pier.
20, Twitti" she exclaimed. edo you
do tricks like that, buying a fish7"
He caught his breath and replied
sternly:
v "Trieks?" A pretty good trick. I
think. Sold that mar those IL blue
fish and kept this n back for YOU"
Then he saw the light OF idolatry
again shining in her eyes, and knew
that all was well except himself.-New
York Herald.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-31

stances" he presently said, with ex-
treme gravity, Il can think Of nothing
more appropriate than Diana Of the
Tower"
~Oh. Willie. for all the world like 4
cat"
Diana is a very dignihed name"
And Miss Towers wouldn't sound
very odd" she assented cheerfully az
ter bordering a second.
met half bad" said her husband,
mentally registering a vow that "Di-
ana of the Tower should be eliminat-
ed from his household gods long be-
fore any should be called in
to requisition.
Then that is settled" said Mrs.
Deshrow, with the laugh OF a happy
child.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-31
OUT ON THE OCEAN WAVE.

Tvfftt McNaggctt Longed to be q
fredericksburg the Neces-
sarry Money He Satisfied His AM
bition Observation-Disclosures of His
Cruise Are Such as He Would
Like to Have Kept Secret.
By slow degrees, and in attire that
did not absolutely shout for publicity,
the Twitt McNaggetts eventually be-
came steady patrons Of their bathing
beach, and really enjoyed it.
But Mr.. McNaggett thirsted for new
feids-cr rather water-and frequently
remarked:
What / want is to catch some fish
There are dozens of men fishing on
the pier, dear" suggested his wife.
why don't you go there7"
why don't / fish in the washbowl
with a nursery pin?" retorted her hus-
band. I'm talking about fish. not tad
poles. I want to catch the big sor you
see in the markets and on the fishing
banks advertisements, where two men
are staggering home under one fish
eight feet long"
They are professionals" said his
wife.
Professional liars!" snarled her hus-
band. Nobody ever catches such
fish,
"Then why do you bother to try?"
was Mrs. McNaggett's natural inquiry.
Don't pretend to be logical" replied
her spouse. Women always make a
mess of it. A four-fcot or even three
foot fish will do me very we'll. I'm
not looking for sea robins, sculpins,
skates, toadfish or horseshoe crabs, SO
I shan't try the pier"
He eventually found the captain OF a
weather-besten fishing sioop, a typical
gaunt, mahogany-colored Jerseyman-
Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1899-08-10

Boughtcn urged nooseveit I'd nom &C
as the line could be held and must be
held. Boughton said TO Roosevelt, 1--WE
can bold the line against anything i"
That was about 8 80 p. IN. Morton had
100 men all told, with about 25 rough
riders on his left and 10 OF 30 on his
right. Parker brought his Gatlings up
and opened on the Spaniards, who were
only 800 yards away in intrenched po-
sitions. The line was held without sup
port until 10 p IN. At midnight the
Spaniards made sharp attack, but
were repulsed. Next day they poured
shrapnel on the crest, but the line had
been intrenched, and the men held on.
The loss in the Third that day was
officers wounded out Of 16 under fire
and 81 men killed and wounded out of
334 engaged. From the time the skir-
mish line was formed behind San Juan
river by Jackson's squadron until the
farthest crest of San Juan hill was TAX
en- and secured against assault by Nor
tons the Third was in the front line
and much of the time in advance Of the
rest Of the division. A struggling Ia
hours fight it was, but plucky one
on the part Of these troopers
GEORGE L. KIIMER