davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-12-24

sian, Spanish, Italian and German gen
tlemen paid strict attention to the Ia
dies, who sat in the two upper parlors.
while the men appropriated the main
room.
Miss Laffan-Hanly, the very pretty
daughter of the host and hostess, play
ed Christmas carols on the piano. but
nobody listened, and it was a relief
when dinner was announced. 1t was
understood that this dinner was to be
representative of the Christmas in Eng
land, and so there was roast of beef
of astonishing proportions following an
enormous boiled fish on u wooden tray.
Two monstrous turkeys and chicken
pie filled the table. with the vegetables
and small things, such as pickles,
olives, etc. Everything was put on to-
gether save the dessert. Wines there
were and pure water for the Turks and
Persians.
At last everybody was seated. The
service was we'll done by three men
from the big hotel. The Greeks and
Armenians had come to dinner, and
they did full justice to it. The rest of
| the guests were more circumspect or
| had smaller appetites. The amount of
bread they consumed was astounding.
The Persian ambassador was the
guest of honor, with Hadji Rassim
Effendi opposite. The hadji was an
orthodox Turk Of the old school. Fuad
Pasha was the same. but he was in
some ways not so strict in his observ-
ances, so he took a little wine. AS the
first hunger passed. the wine began to
loosen tongues, and one would have
imagined oneself in a new Babel. JestS
and couplets We're made and toasts
passed back and forth in all the thir.
teen languages spoken.
The dinner lasted nearly three hours.
The dessert consisted of a great plum
pudding covered with blazing rum and
several fine mince pies. The Turks
seemed to have an instructive fear of a
pudding blazing with Satanic blue
lights and took mince pie or fruits.
AS SO much of Turkish cookery is
based on minced meats the Turks
thought the mince pies were safe The
Greeks and Armenians managed both
pie and fruits and ate with a good
) coming appetite" everything offered
, them. Then came coffee and cigars
J and the ladies went back upstairs.
. Mr.. Laffan-Hanly had his cue tt
bring the gentlemen all up as soon as
: he could, so that they might have some
l Christmas games. They had become Q
J little more sociable among themselves
5 but as soon as they were back among
r the women the different elements sep
arated again into their component
t parts, and 1t was desperate work to ge
i them interested in snapdragon. Thu
h Turks seemed to fear the flames OF, al
: cohol and would not even try to pull
e out the plums.
y Finally one Of the Greeks sang on
l. of the native seesaw caterwaulin,
Il songs, and after that the games wer
e given up in favor of an imprompt'
s. dance The Persian and the Turk
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-12-24
TOAST PASSED IN ALL THE THIRTEEN
LANGUAGES.

looked on gravely while the rest danced.
They maintained their impossible gray
ity until Hadji Rassim Effendi signi-
fed that he wanted to go home. He
was i'll. He had. secure in his belief
of the innocence Of the pie, eaten three
big pieces. And the crust was short
ened with the fat Of the "unutterable
fiesh!'
His departure broke up the party.
Not one of them had understood any
thing of the object lesson on an Eng
glish Christmas in spite Of all the Ian
guages spoken.
| The poor hostess hair turned white
that night. and next week her hus
bands newspaper type Yves distributed
in the Bosporus. Hadji Rassim was
the press censor.
GLADYS GEORGE JAMES.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-12-24
Revolution Imminent.

A sure sign of approaching revolt and
serious trouble in your system is ner-
vousness, sleeplessness or stomach up
sets. Electric Bitters will quickly dis
member the troublesome causes. 1t
never fails to tone the stomach, regu-
late the kidneys and bowels, stimulate
the liver, and clarity the blood. Run
down system benefit particularly and
the usual attending aches vanish under
it's searching and thorough effectiveness.
Electric Bitters is only soc, and that is
returned fit don't give perfect satisfac-
ton. Guaranteed by L. Van Werden
druggist.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-12-24

Money to loan On improved farms at
6 per cent interest for 5, 6 to 10 years
time. S. yARGA.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25
SURE CURE FOR PILES.

Iching Piles produce moisture and
cause Itching, this form as we'll as
Blind, Bleeding or Protruding, Piles
are cured by DIR. Bo-san- kos Pile
Remedy. Stops itching and bleeding
Absorbs tnmors. SOC a jar, at Drug
Write me about your case. DR.. Rosanko-
Phil. Pa.
n NATURAL RESULT.
It is very reasonable to suppose if the
foundation of a structure was removed
that the building itself is bound to come
down. The same principal can be ap-
piled to disease. Take medicine into
the system that will remove the cause
of sickness, and illness will leave of
itself. Dyspepsia, indeges tion, sick
headache and billiousness have their
move this weakness and the other
symptoms are no more. There is one
cure for this that all druggists sell for
Csc. per box, it Is Dr.Gun's improved
Liver Pills. They get right at the
beginning of the disease and make the
cure by taking away the cause.
OF Interest To Thin, Weak People,
1t is perfectly understood by every sick
man or woman that if they can get
some remedy that will stop the gradual
loss of flesh and strength, their recovery
and unsteady, with dizzy spells, weak
ened memory, and loss of ambition,
their blood is thin and watery, It
shows in their thin sallow complexion
and tired manner, soon as they COM
mence to gain flesh they look better and
sleep better. To gain to lbs. of good
solid flesh per week, the blood must be
made rich and pure. DR.. Gums Blood
and Nerve Tonic puts in the body the
very pith of what makes pure rich blood
in the most direct way, and cures dis
ease by making strength. This tonic is
n tablet form, to be taken right after
meals. Sold by all druggists for75c
per box or boxes for 81. For women 8
weakness a better remedy was never
made. For sale by the Hooper Drug
Co., G reat Bend, Kas.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

Kansas State Board of Agricul-
ture, Kansas State Poultry Associa-
ton, and Kansas Improved Stock
Breeders Association meet at Tope-
ka, Kansas January I1-16, 1904.
Tickets ION sale to January 13, 1904.
Rate S7.55 for the round trip.
G. H. MOORE, agt.,
A. T. & S. F. Ry.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

We use only the best genuine as
bestos on our Majestic steel ranges,
therefore no steel covering necessary
to protect the asbestos.-The Males
tic Mfg. Co.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

Miss Bertha Harris who has been
caring for her sister the past three
months, returned home Monday to
Perry Okla.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

Hot Chile, the kind that make,
you want more-the most elegant
cold weather dish made, Mcconnell
& Ewing's.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

Oliver Batman called last Friday
to renew on his DEMOCRAT, and to
send the paper year each to three
of his relatives in Indiana.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

Prof. VIM. Striker is to be married
at Wellington, Kas., this week.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

We promised Tom Brown not to
tell where they found Jake
Gustin's new suit, last Saturday
evening.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

The Hutchinson papers recently
announced the marriage of Mark
Jordon and Miss Maggie Shields.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

The best cigars, candies and con-
fections can be found at Klughardt's
& Sanderson, The City Bakery.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

w. o. Smith was over from Hois
ington Monday to cash in some vote:
on the Piano Contest.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

Mrs. J. A. MINIS and daughter,
Miss Helen, were up from Ellinwooc
last Friday to see Great Bend friends
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

Votes in the DEMOCRAT Piano
Contest received after p. m. Dec.
81, 1908, cannot be counted.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

Jake Gustin, of Galatia, r. Speck,
of north Stafford, and VIM. Essimiller,
of Buffalo township were callers at
this Office last Friday to renew on the
county paper.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

WANTED-A Jail that will "hold
'em for while.' Price no object.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

Most all of the Great Bend boys
and girls who have been away to col
lege are now home to spend the
holidays. May they have Merry
Xmas, is the wish of the DEMOCRAT
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

For SALE-A Horse, Buggy and
Harness, call on Mrs. c. w. Heller.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

When things don't run smooth,
and darkness pervades the house
phone ia, The OIL Man.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

A fine boy baby boy was born to
Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Baker, of the 3rd
ward, last Thursday night.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

You will find material for burnt
wood work for sale at The GreaI
Bend Imp. Cos.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

CoAL-Yes, all you want, at S. A.
Newcombe's.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25
New Train Starts With A
Rush.

The Southwest Limited, the
Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul's
superb new Chicago-Kansas City
train, ''took." When she made
her initial trip Sunday night, all the
available space was taken, and before
noon yesterday all the sleeping and
compartment car sections had
been taken for last nights trip. An
additional sleeping car was put on,
and it, too, was sold out.
"We are pleased with the reception
and treatment we have received from
Kansas City and Kansas City People, %
said General Passenger Agent Miller
before he left for Chicago. "They
have shown appreciation of our effort
to give them the best of service, and
we think they will be well pleased
| with it. Our new train has started
with boom of good feeling, and we
intend to keep it up. 1t gives the
| Milwaukee three of the best trains
in the country and we are proud Of
| them"
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

Holiday rates via Santa Fe Route,
dates of sale, December "a, 25 and
81, 1903 and January 1, 1904, final
limit January 4, 1904. Rate-fare
and one-third for the round trip where
the one way rate is So or less. Mini
mum selling rate so cents, maximum
selling rate $3.50, one fare plus SOC
for the round trip where rate is
more than So and does not exceed
Sc. G. H. MOORE, Agt.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

Piano Contest closes next Thurs
day..
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

A. J. Unruh writes from Haddam,
Kas., to pay up on his DEMOCRAT.
He says he has little ranch of $50
acres up there and it keeps him busy;
feeding 46 head of cattle and 95
head of hogs for the market; corn
about all gathered, his went 35
bushels to the acre; oats 80 to the
acre. He wishes all his old
Barton county friends Merry
Christmas and Happy New Year.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-12-25

THE DEMOCRAT
Twelve Pages. Dec. IS. 1908
Piano Contest closes next Thurs
day.
CoAL-Yes, all you want, at S. A.
Newcombe's.
Prof. VIM. Striker is to be married
at Wellington, Kas., this week.
WANTED-A Jail that will "hold
'em for while" Price no object.
For SALE-A Horse, Buggy and
Harness, call on Mrs. c. w. Heller.
w. o. Smith was over from Hois-
ington Monday to cash in some votes
on the Piano Contest.
You will find material for burnt
wood work for sale at The Great
Bend Imp. Cos.
A fine boy baby boy was born to
Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Baker, of the 3rd
ward, last Thursday night.
When things don't run smooth,
and darkness pervades the house
phone Ia, The OIL Man.
Votes in the DEMOCRAT Piano
Contest received after 6 p. m. Dec.
81, 1908, cannot be counted.
The best cigars, candies and con-
fections can be found at Klughardt's
& Sanderson, The City Bakery.
The Hutchinson papers recently
announced the marriage of Mark
Jordon and Miss Maggie Shields.
Mrs. J. A. MINIS and daughter,
Miss Helen, were up from Ellinwood
last Friday to see Great Bend friends.
We promised Tom Brown not to
tell where they found Jake
Gustin's new suit, last Saturday
evening"
Miss Bertha Harris who has been
caring for her sister the past three
months, returned home Monday to
Perry Okla.
Hot Chile, the kind that make,
you want more-the most elegant
cold weather dish made, Mcconnell
& Ewing's.
Oliver Batman called last Friday
to renew on his DEMOCRAT, and to
send the paper a year each to three
of his relatives in Indiana.
We use only the best genuine as
bestos on our Majestic steel ranges,
therefore no steel covering necessary
to protect the asbestos Males
tic Mfg. Co.
Jake Gustin, of Galatia, R. Speck.
of north Stafford, and VIM. Essimiller,
of Buffalo township were callers at
this Office last Friday to renew on the
county paper.
Most all of the Great Bend boys
and girls who have been away to col
lege are now home to spend the
holidays. May they have a Merry
Xmas, is the wish of the DEMOCRAT.
Kansas State Board of Agricul-
ture, Kansas State Poultry Associa-
ton, and Kansas Improved Stock
Breeders Association meet at Tope-
ka, Kansas January I1-16, 1904.
Tickets ION sale to January Is, 1904.
Rate S7.55 for the round trip.
G. H. MOORE, agt.,
A. T. & S. F. Ry.
Holiday rates via Santa Fe Route,
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-05-07
Needed Something Stronger.

Bishop Potter is an enthusiastic
golf player. Some time ago he was
on the links at Saranac, accompanied
by a caddie who was himself golf.
er of acknowledged skill. The bishop
made ready for a mighty drive, and,
with one tremendous swing, he top.
ped the ball. OF course, he was de.
prived of the consolation which in
such cases serves to soothe the tenn.
per of the layman. All he said was
"Sh-sh-sh-sh-sh-sh!"
1t was his way of relieving his feel
lngs. Then he tried again. This
time he scooped up some cubic feet
of sod. and once more the sibilant but
inoffensive and ineffective protest
escaped his lips. For the third time
the bishop teed his ball, for the
third time his driver missed the mark
and for the third time he unburdened
his oppressed soul as above. The
caddie could stand it no longer.
Hang it, man." he exclaimed, "sh
sh-sh.sh-sh won't send that ball where
YOU want it to go!"-St. Louis Post
Dispatch.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-05-07
The Brindle Steer,

Oh, what has become of the brinlie steer
WHO lazily lolled in the lot?
And the yoke he wore, with it's wooden
pins
Are these. and the wagon forgot?
Are all the old things of the other time
Engulfed in the shams of to-day?
Has the wind also. in its shifting course,
Blown these old idols away?
Oh. what has become of the brindle steer
Who toiled away in the bog?
Whose muscles We're taut, and swollen
with
The weight of the cart and the log?
But he chewed his cud, nor grumbed,
Nor faltered once in the day
Alas for the wind. in it's shifting course,
Has it blown all these away?
Oh. what has become of the brindle steer
And the big, tall man with the whip?
Snapped. alas! for a puff of steam.
The sail and the shrek of the ship!
And the old yoke rots out under the shed,
The wagon has gone to decay,
For the wind also. in its shifting course.
Has blown these things away.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-05-07
NOTHING TOO SMALL TO STEAL.
City Merchant Complains of the
Prevalence of Dishonesty.

"lSvdtSUCS OF OISnOneSCy,
The old saying that nothing is too
Small to steal is exemplified in our
BUSINESS, said a manufacturer of
custom-made clothing. Our thread
gives us lots of trouble. We have to
Keep a watchful eye upon it. The
case in which it is kept is under the
supervision OF our most trusted EN-.
ploye. If he chose to be dishonest
lie could rob us of $4,000 a year and
we would be none the wiser. We
would, perhaps, notice that we were
using more thread than usual but
the excess might be attributed to
other causes.
we have to check out every spool
We give to our tailors. Even at this
we are in danger of having a cheaper
grade substituted. The difference in
the price OF the spools may be only
one or two cents, but it offers a temp
tatlon it the scheme can be worked
on large scale. Some years ago
we were forced to the conclusion that
fence was being operated to dis
pose OF stolen thread The spools
were sold by peddlers from house to
house. This suspicion caused large
establishments to have each spool
stamped with dyes which cut into the
WOOD. stating that the thread was
stolen from such and such shop,
the name of which was stamped OF
The SPOOL"
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-05-07
SAVED MY LIFE"
Women Made Strong and Happy
Mothers,
catarrh of the Pelvic Organs is a
Frequent Cause of Barrenness
Pe-rv-na Eradicates Catarrh From
the System.

ITO the woman of ancient Israel not to
become a mother was regarded as
the greatest of earthly calamties.
To become mother-more especially the
mother of a strong, healthy boy was the
height of glory for the faithful woman of the
good old Bible days. Even now, when ma
ternity is not esteemed as of yore, the
mother of healthy children is an object of
admiration, and sometimes envy, by her
neighbors. AS compared with ancient
peoples, the average American woman has
a low appreciation Of motherhood. There
are, however, a great many exceptions to
this statement.
The accompanying letters from grateful
women who havebeen made strong, healthy
and happy mothers need no added words OF
ours TO make them convincing. Catarrh had
weakened and impaired their entire systems.
Peruna made them sound and we'll.
Mrs. L. NJ. Griffith, Arco, Idaho, writes:
Your medicine did me a wonderful
Amount of good. 1t cured me of barren
ness. l am 80 years old and never had any
children; but since beginning your medicine
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-05-07
LAWYERS WITH ONE CLIENT.
They Are the Fortunate Ones of the
Profession.

They Are the Fortunate Ones of the
Profession.
The poverty of brief1ess barristers
is as proverbial as that of the
church mouse. 1t would not be am
unnatural mistake to consider bar
rister with only one client hardly
better off than one with none But
the modern "one-client lawyer" is
usually a prosperous individual Said
man we'll known in the business
world some years ago to a friend: II
want young lawyer to put down at
desk beside mine. I'll familiarize
him with my affairs, and then l want
him to keep me out of trouble" The
counterpart of this lawyer, whose
duty 1T is to act as his own clients
ounce OF prevention, may be found
in the Office of many large concerns.
He is often connected with trust COM
panies, banks, banking houses, rail-
road and other transportation COM
panies and large wholesale mercan-
tile houses. When merchant found
himself in tangle, it was once the
custom for him to go to his lawyer
for advice. The results were a
written opinion" and a fee. The
business man to-day obtains a law
year who shall work for him alone.
Again the field of the general practi-
toner is narrowed.-The World $
Work,
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-05-07

gave birth to a 1o-pound baby girl. She is
now six months old and weighs Is pounds.
My friends we're all surprised. Some would
not believe it until they came to see me.
My husband says he never saw such a
change in any one as there was in me after
l had taken three or four bottles of Peruna.
I am stronger than have been since was
quite young. God bless you and your med
icine forever. can not tell you all. My
letter is too long already; but l will say
Peruna cured me. never saw or heard of
anything half so good. l can never thank
you enough for your kindness. In cases of
la grippeit works like charm. 1t cured
my baby when other medicines failed. She
was real bad with la grippe. Mrs. L. M.
Griffith.
Mrs. E. E. Thomas, Alpha Mo-. writes:
81 have used your Peruna and Manalin.
thad been doctoring for several years. but
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-05-07


kept getting worse. One day neighbor
woman brought me your book, the Ills of
Life. and wanted me to take your med
;cine. told her that I had given up all
hope Of ever getting we'll. l had tried so
much medicine. My neighbors thought 1
was nearly dead with consumption.
Finally concluded that l would make
last trial. So my husband got me bottle
of Peruna and Manalin. l commenced
taking them according to directions. That
was two years ago. A year ago last No
vember gave birth to 1o-pound baby
boy, who is we'll and hearty: and l am
doing my own housework. l can never
give Peruna too great praise. l think it is
the best medicine ever heard of. Mrs
z. +. Thomas.
If you do not derive prompt and satisfac-
tory results from the use of Peruna. write
at once to DR.. Hartman. giving full state
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-05-07

proposition means the paving out of
money for nothing, except to bind the
bargains the trainmen have made with
reads in other sections of the country
and which would postpone for an in
definite period the reduction in freight
rates to which we are entitled.
1t should be further remembered
that, in case the principle contended
for by the employees is once granted
there Is no knowing how far it NAV
extend. what other demands may be
made and which would have to be
granted, and how much longer a re-
duction in freight rates may be post.
poned.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-05-07
A Little Too Good.
The Matter Of Strikes.

Prospective Empioyer-You don't
brink?
Applicant-No, sir.
Don't gambler"
No, SIR"
Don't smoker"
No, Sir"
wouldn't touch the filthy weed
No. Sir"
Never swear?"
Never. SIR"
consider it a vile habit, suppose?
yes, SIR"
We'll, guess I'll try somebody
se' wouldn't feel quite comfortable
i had a coachman so much better
van am myself York Times
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-05-07
Do Your Feet Ae

Do Your Feet Ache and Burn?
Shake into your shoes. Aliens Foot
Ease, a powder for the feet. 1t makes
tight or New Shoes feel Easy Cures
Swollen. Hot, Sweating Feet, Corns
and Bunions. At all Druggists and
Shoe Stores. 25c. Sample sent FREE.
Address Allen S. Olmsted Leroy, N. Y.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-05-07
Not Appreciated.

bnnks-It certainly seems to ne
"a. man like Bjackson, who has
[o'Aea hard all his life and brought
Y family of sixteen children, de
yves a great deal of credit.
opnes-No doubt. But he cant get
81 tne stores.-Sommerville(M ass.)
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-05-07
Half and Half.

Smart Aleqk-Once upon time
there were three little children. Half
of them were boys an
Dumb Della-Why. Aleck! How
could there be one and half girls!
Smart Aleck-There weren't. The
other half was boys. too.-London lid
Bits.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-05-07
What the Steamboat Does.

One day little Archie, three years
of age, saw railroad for the first
time. and did not know what to make
Of it. He ran to his mother and said:
ooh. mamma, it's steamboat look
ing for water."-Washingto Star.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-05-07
Deserved Honor.

Brown-Has Smith named his new
country seat?
Jones-Yes, he calls it "Snizzled Sill
vers," after that breakfast food he
made his fortune on.-Detroit Flee
Press.
Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-05-07
Equally Divided.

Nv e00aIIy OIVtoe0s
~, lou allow no beer in the house?"
NO; my wife and I never drink
sy ~ but wine and water"
a, what proportion do you take IT."
,,a, uflnk the wine and my wife
zine. 1ppi"eo'' ~