davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-10-27
Mems Hats

Fedora and staple shape hats in
black and drab, an excellent $3.50
value. Come in all sizes and styles
Sale on,
Price .............. OJL
Mems Fedora and tourist shape
hats, selected from lots where
there were only one or two left;
and combined making total Of
about ESQ hats, worth up to $3.50.
During this sale your choice,each
Sale Oh
John B. Stetson, Knox and Dun
lap shape hats, in all colors and
styles, including the latest spring
styles, Co
Sale price .UJ
Famous brand hats in fancy
shapes, black and colors, standard
81 seller 2 On
Sale Price ................ EsJJ
About 35 dozen Of mems and
boys hats sold at 81 and s1.25, in
one offering, come and pick them
out at this mighty sale, 1Oc
Sale price ............... JJl
Hundreds of other styles of fine
hats including our assortment of
hats in various shapes and sizes,
placed on the counters and marked
at same prOportiOnate prices,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-10-27

Mercerized Japanette Silk Shirts
in plain or fancy colors, imported
materials, So values 4 N
Sale Price
Mems overalls in all sizes and
styles, heavy denim, SOC %
kinds, Sale price ............O LJ
Csc Neckwear &c. Mems neck
wear in hobby and pretty designs,
best silk, 25c sellers ~
Sale Price .................. ~
35c string ties and four in hands,
beautiful up-to-date patterns and
colorings, Csc values. 1ca
Price ....................... OC
soc and CSC Neckwear, all styles
all colors, dressy and stylish flow
cred. striped Or plain design ~
Price ZJC
All 75c and 81 Neckwear, four
in-hands, ascots, string ties, etc.,
latest novelties, bought to be sold
at $1.00 TO-
Mems $1.50 Vests, 29c. Mems
Vests, all sizes, of excellent all
wooden materials, worth Jno
s1.5o. Sale price ZJC
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-10-27


in
the
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-03

IN OUR GRAND RE-
MODELLING SALE
w L L PURCHASE
ANY $3.50 SUIT OR
OVERCOAT IN THE
HOUSE.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-03
TO FIGHT THE.
WHITE PLAGUE

TOPEKA KAN Dec. 3.-That KAN
sas will do it's part in the Worldwide
warfare an tuberculosis is assured by
the interest manifested in todays
meeting at Representative hall, called
nv Governor Hoch for the purpose of
organizing an association to cooper
ate with the national anti-tubuculosis
movement.
Governor Hoch is taking an active
interest in the movement. In his call
for the meeting he said
mo greater scourge affllcts the nu-
man race than the dread disease
known as the, white plague. One hum
dred and thirty-eight thousand peo-
nile succurnbed to this disease in the
United States in 1906. Because of its
latitude. its healthful climate. the alb
sence of large cities with their at
tendant conditions predisposing to this
malady. and the intelligence with
which our people have grappled with
it. the mortality from this disease in
Kansas is relatively less than in most
states.
"Yet the disease is sufficiently pre-
valent in Kansas to render its sta
| tistics most alarming and to incitt
every lover of his kind of the exer-
else of every possible precaution to
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-03
= PEOPLE YOU KNOW 4
O O . 6 o Q Q =.

V.B. Fisher, of Spokane, is in the
city today looking after business in
terests.
Frank Hoy is here today from Sc
attic.
Mr.. and Mrs f. l.. Leitch, of Ken
neWick, are visiting with Walla Walla
friends this week.
Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Grunwell arc
among the Prescott visitors in the
city this week.
O. Dickinson is in the city today
from Portland, transacting business.
Clifford Bellinger, of Pendleton, is
looking after business interests here
this week
F. w Whitney is among the Pen
dldton visitors in Walla Walla TOT
day.
Dr. H. A. Mount is down today from
Waitsburg looking after professional
business.
r. O. Stanford. of Eecho, is visiting
this week with Garden City friends.
Frank Sloan is among the visitors
in the city today from Echo, Ore.
Rev. Charles Quincy, of Pendleton,
is in the city today.
H. L. Stanfield is in the city on
business today from Echo, Ore.
w. G. Shuham, of Waitsburg, was
Garden City visitor yesterday.
H Kocplze is among the Athena els
itors here today.
E. w Dickson, of POmeroy, is look
ing after business interests in the city
this week.
James S. Bell, of Athena, is Garden
Cify visitor this week.
Mr. and Mrs. w. P. Laurence are
in the city this week from Carley,
Wash. visiting with old friends.
]. w McFadden is a Walla Walla
visitor from Pasco today.
NJ P Groom, of Waitsburg, was IN
the city yesterday on business and
pleasure.
7. E. Wood is in the city from Spo-
kane on business.
Mr.. and Mrs. Carl Lambert, of Pres
colt. were visitors yesterday with
friends in this city.
T. Fl. Sharry, a school director of the
Wallula district, is in the city to-
day.
DIR. e. H. Van Patten. of Dayton,
is visiting with his brother W. II. van
Patten of this city.
w, M. Scott and wife leave tonlght
for Long Beach. California, where they
will spend the winter.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-03
oAsToEEA.. :.
-. <,Ihe Kind You Have Always BougtA
Signature II zAsNzZx
Notice

Notice.
The representative of the success
Magazine will be here this week.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-03

prevent it's spread, and the application
of every known remedy to relieve Its
distress. In no field of medical re-
search has there been more crafty
ing progress in recent years than in
this one.
1T is now known that tuberculosis
is an infectious disease and therefore
always a preventable one. The old
theory that it is hereditary has been
practically abandoned The possibility
of it's cure in many case
thought incurable is now also recog-
niZed.
The task. therefore, is a hopeful
one and certainly worthy of the best
effort of the best minds and the best
hearts in Kansas"
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-03
HONOR ROLL
GROWS FAST

With an increase of Is names, or
33 1-3 per cent, the honor roll of this
month is announced at the high school
The honor roll is composed of students
whose every grade is above So per
cent. Besides these two more divisions
are made, those with no grade below so
and those with none below 95.
In the 95 per cent class, but two
names appear; they are Eva Colwell
and Cecile Gose. In the 80 per cent
class there are IL, whose names are:
Henrietta Baker, Jessie Cunningham,
Emma Colwell, Helen Cauvel, Otto
Houser, Ruth Hornaday, Eta Kennedy,
Meryle Kepler, Edith Melcher, Dilla
Morton, Maud Richards and Ida Stub
blefield
Those who have no grade below 50
per cent are: Willie Berney, Ida Bach
tod, Anna Bachtold, Eleanor Bowman,
Edith Bailey, Olive Campbell, Frank
Cox, Ruth Dice, Edmond Dean, Flor
ence Graves, Myrtle Huber, jeanette
Heikes, Leasta Hoel. Ruth Hunt, ions
Lowden, Jean Jaycox, Harold Lyman.
clyde Loehr, Abbie Loss, Hetty Muir
ray, Lulu Reborn, Mary Ringhoffer.
George Roberts, Beth Stevens, Lila
Smith, Eleanor Shaver, Allen Starry,
Sallie Taylor, Ruth Warner, Hanford
Waith and Charles Yeend.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-03

State of Ohio, City of Toledo, Lucas
County, SIS.
Frank J. Cheney makes oath that
he is senior partner of the firm of r.
J. Cheney & Co, doing business IN
the city of Toleda county and state
aforesaid, and that said firm will pay
the sum of ONE HUNDRED Doll
LARS for each and every case of Ca
Jarrh that cannot be cured by the
use of Halls Catarrh Cure.
FRANK J. CHENEY.
Sworn to before me and subscribed
in my presence, this 9Th day of De-
cember, A. D., 1886.
(SEAL.) A. w. GLEASON,
Notary Public.
Halls Catarrh Cure is taken inter
nally, and acts directly on the blood
and musous surfaces of the system.
Send for testimonials free.
F. J. CHENEY & CO., Toledo, O.
Sold by all druggists, 75c.
Take Halls Family Pills for con-
stipation.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-03
BILLS OF LADING
OF NEW STYLES

Agent Robert Burns of the 0. r. &
n. has received from r. B. Miller,
general freight agent, a circular an
nouncement which has been sent to
all agents throughout the country re-
garding a new system of bills of lad
ing
Effeffctive December 1, all railroads
in the United States have adopted this
new uniform bill of lading in comp1i-
ance with recent ruling of the inter-
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-03

state commerce. commission relative TO
the same. The new bills OF ladlne VIII
be of two kinds, as follows: straight
bills of lading, original and not nego-
TABLE" and "order bills of ladlnS'
negotiable
The former will be, used principally
by shippers consigning packages or
larger articles Of freight to short dis
tances, while the latter will be useu
, in sending carload lots of fruit or
other shipments to or from eastern
points.
The, new bills of lading can be Sc
cured from local transportation Off
Gals whenever so desired.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-03

Stoves Put Up and BIackened.
Stoves put Up and blackened. House
cleaning done. All other odd jobs n"
matter what, call Lyon. Phone 1S45.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-03

FOR SALE-WOOD SAVING W
fit at bargain. Enquire at Room .
or s Paine building.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-03
1888

IN OUR GRAND RE-
MODELLING SALE
w | L L PURCHASE
ANY $1,000 SUIT OR
OVERCOAT IN THE
HOUSE.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-03
S|77.77

IN OUR GRAND RE-
MODELLING SALE
w L l. PURCHASE
ANY $4,000 SUIT OR
OVERCOAT IN THE
HOUSE.
The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-03

Basketball, Friday Mighty. M. G. A
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09
$4,000 FIRE AT SMYRNA.
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE

Hudson's Big Basket Mill Endangered
At one time it was feared that the
Smyrna basket mill, owned by A. L.
Hudson, Jr., which was directly
opposite Hirons' store, would fall
prev to the flames but by turning a
stream of water on it occasionally, it
was saved. The Hose Company
kept close watch until daylight and
while the loss falls heavily upon
those who suffered from it there is
cause to be thankful that the fire
was no worse than it was. The Hose
Company is coming in for hearty
share of praise for their splendid
work. In addition to Mr.. Hirons, 1t
is understood that Sam Wilds will
rebuild. The origin of the fire is
unknown. MIR. Hirons and Leslie
saw that the stove was all right
ard the lamps were extinguished be-
fore retiring and the fire. cannot be
Isaccounted for. 1t appeared that II
started in the store and may have
caught from cigar stump or some
mice or rats getting into the matches.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09
fCommunieate11
Some "Trusty Ones" Yet

1t is evident that there are still
some trusty ones" living. A little
token of love from my father was
entrusted to an old man that lives in
the vicinity of Smyrna. This little
token was entrusted to the aforesaid
person when l was but six years old
and it was to be given me on my
eighteenth birthday. In the meantime
my father died, but not a word was
spoken about this love token, until
received it on my eighteenth bith-
day.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09
A Personal Appeal

If we could talk to you personally
about the great merit of Foley's
Honey and Tar, for coughs, COLDS
and lung trouble, you could never De
induced 10 expeiment with unknown
preparations that may contain some
harmful drugs Foley's Honey and
Tar costs you no more and has a
record Of FORTY wears Of cures. Sold
by VI. r. Keys & Co., Clayton, ana
all druggists, Smyrna.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09
NOTICE.

The Fruit Growers National Bank,
Smyrna, Del, Dec. 8, 1908.
The Annual Meeting of the Stockholders
of this Bank for the election of Directors to
serve for the ensuing year. will be held at
the Banking House on Tuesday, January
u. 1909, between the hours of II a. m. and
S. G. WILDS, Cashier.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09
Stock Turkeys for Sale,

If you want nice healthy gObbler to
raise from, come and see me. l have q
fine ones of the Mammoth Bronze variety.
Stock came from Pennsylvania.
Mrs. HERBERT 7. WRIGHT,
Near Kenton, Del.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09
NEW ApYERTIsEMENTs Sc

NEW ADVERTISEMENTS: See
new Christmas advertisements of
Mrs. John E. Phillips, toy notions
&C.. John E. Phillips, Gent s FUR
nisbing goods Mrs. Eva X. Boehm-
Ter, toys, candies &C.. }. E. DeForo'
ladies', clotbino shoes. notions, novel;
ties &c; Arthur T. johnson, Jewelry
and Christmas novelties Alfred Thigh
man nhonooranbs. William FAIRIES,
cutlery bric-a-brac. books &c; Gun
nings, fruit, candies, nuts, poultry
&c; M. Megary & Son, furniture &C.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09
FOR RENT.

CHESTER HOUSE Property. Posses
sion March 1st, 1909.
Apply to
Mrs. NJ. f. SMITH,
Smyrna, Del.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09

WANTED Lady or Gentleman of
fair education to travel for line OF
household articles and specialties.
Salary 49, so per day above expenses.
Address. The Alexander Supply Com
pany, 35e Dearborn Street, Chicago,
Ill.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09
Mhen pnhhels Reeoms NseeslaIy.

And your shoes pneh Aliens FQoi st Es's tb hing Pqm
DER % " S-s II for breaking in New Shoes i S9la
S verswbsre. ere 25e sample Free Address AsiI ny
: 'oiygoslead Leroy, n. T. Dost aecepl any W
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09

Everything new in fruit and nuts.
Cummings, Odd Fellows Hall.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09

Season backward, blankets and
comforts reduced. W G. Roe.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09
NOTICE.
The National Bank of Smyrni
SmVrna. Del Dec. 9. 1908.

The annual meeting of the Stockholders
of this Bank for election of directors TO
serve the ensuing year, will be held at the
Banking House. Smyrna, on Tuesday, jan
uary 18th, 1909 between the hours of eleven
a. m and two p. m.
CHARLES J. SUDLER. Cashier.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09

All letters to Santa Claus left at
w. T. Jef;erson's in. regards to nuts
and fruit will be promptly delivered.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09

Have you a member of your family
living away from home? Send them
the Times for a year. They will ap-
preciate home news more than any
thing You can give them. One dol
lar a year in advance. -
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09

One of the cheapest and best
Christmas presents you can give is a
years subscription to the Smyrna
Times Subscribe now and for $1.OO
we will send the Times until January
first 1910.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09

Buy your coal for winter of S. ].
Reynolds.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09

short Items OF General Interest Gathered
During the Week.
Ladies' and gentlemen's cleaning
and pressing establishment W. T.
jefferson, next door to post office. =
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09

Eugene Minner administrator of
Eliza Minner deceased will sell at
public sale on Wednesday December
18th at 10 O'Clock, lot of stock and
farming implements. See advertise
ment.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09

Choice late potatoes so cents per
basket at Cummings, Odd Fellows
Hall.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09
FOR RENT.

LARGE. AND SMALLER STORE
room for family.
Apply to
j. G. STOCKIY.
smyrna, Del.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09

A few hints for Chistmas gifts
Fountain Pens, Books, Silver Novel
ties, Photo and Card Albums, Music
Rolls, China, Xmas Cards and Book
lets.-Weldon' Pharmacy.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09
SMYRNA AND VICINITY.

SMYRNA AND VICINITY.
Short Items OF General Interest Gathered
During the Week.
Ladies' and gentlemen's cleaning
and pressing establishment W. T.
jefferson, next door to post office.
Buy your coal for winter of S. J.
Reynolds.
Everything new in fruit and nuts. |
Cummings, Odd Fellows Hall.
All letters to Santa Claus left at |
W. T. Jefferson's in. regards to nuts
and fruit will be promptly delivered.
Season backward, blankets and
comforts reduced. w G. Roe.
Choice late potatoes so cents per
basket at Cummings, Odd Fellows
Hall.
With each $1.OO purchase you are
entitled to one coal bucket for 10
cents while they last-W. G Roe.
Watch the LABEL If your subsrcip-
tion is due kindly remit. When attend
ed to promptly, it is easier to pay
and better appreciated. Watch the
label and do it now.
Ladies' and gentlemen's cleaning
and pressing establishment T.
jefferson, next door to post Office.
w F. Dunn has on exhibition an
unusual fine line of china, books &c.
Call and see them.
The Woman's Home Missionary So
ciety will meet at the home of the
president, Mrs. J. P. Hudson on
Thursday afternoon, Dec. 10, at 2. 80
o'clock.
All letters to Santa Claus left at
w. T. Jefferson's in regard to nuts
and fruit will be promptly delivered.
The Circle of Kings Daughters
will meet at the home of Mrs. Will
liam A. FAIRIES tomorrow, Thursday
evening, at 7.3O O'Clock Cor. Sec.
Consider the season of the year,
OF winter blasts drawing near;
All leaves turning brown and sere,
Lay in your coal and have good cheer.
Smyrna Trans. & Mfg. Co. :
All subscriptions coming in now
will receive the balance of this year
free and when paid in advance will
be dated up to January l, 1910.
A few hints for Chistmas gifts
Fountain Pens, Books, Silver Novel
ties, Photo and Card Albums, Music
Rolls, China, Xmas Cards and Book
lets. .-Weldon's Pharmacy.
Eugene Minner administrator OF
Eliza Minner deceased will sell al
public sale on Wednesday December
18th at 10 O'Clock, lot of stock anC
farming implements. See advertise
ment.
WANTED Lady or Gentleman O
fair education to travel for line o
household articles and specialties
Salary 49, so per day above expenses
Address, The Alexander Supply Com
pany, 356 Dearborn Street, Chicago
Ill.
Have you a member of your famil
living away from home? Send ther
the Times for a year. They will ar
preciate home news more than any
thing you can give them. One do
lar a year in advance.
L
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09

All subscriptions coming in now
will receive the balance of this year
free and when paid in advance will
be dated up to January l, 1910.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09

With each $1.00 purchase you are
entitled to one coal bucket for 10
cents while they last.-W. G Roe.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09

The Woman's Home Missionary So
ciety will meet at the home of the
president, Mrs. J. P. Hudson on
Thursday afternoon, Dec. 10, at 2. 80
o'clock.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09

All letters to Santa Claus left at
w. 7. Jefferson's in regard to nuts
and fruit will be promptly delivered.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09

Consider the season of the year,
OF winter blasts drawing near;
All leaves turning brown and sere,
Lay in your coal and have good cheer.
Smyrna Trans. & Mfg. Co.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09

Watch the label! If your subsrcip-
tion is due kindly remit. When attend
ed to promptly, it is easier to pay
and better appreciated. Watch the
label and do it now.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09

The Circle of Kings Daughters
will meet at the home of Mrs. Will
liam A. FAIRIES tomorrow, Thursday
evening, at 73O o'clock Cor. Sec.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09

Ladies' and gentlemen's cleaning
and pressing establishment T.
jefferson, next door to post office.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09

FAME has long since ceased to hand bouquets
low who does things the we'll other people
1t necessary climb above the level of win lau
rels.
This the have built up reputation for selling
such excellent Clothes.
We climbed the old order of things offered our
trade superior and better Clothes
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09

w F. Dunn has on exhibition an
unusual fine line of china, books &c.
Cali and see them.
Smyrna times., 1908-12-09
Table Linen.

Don't forget the Christmas Dinner. You will
want the table to look right We have the best
linen here in Table Cloths and Napkins
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-07-22
Preparing TO Receive Prince o
Wales.

Quebec, July %. Under two massive
arches emblszoned with the arms of
Britain and crested with the lion aud the
unicorn guarding the imperial crown,
George, Prince of Wales, will lie vel
coined to the tercenieunial of Oanada's
oldest city today.
When the cruiser Indomitable with
the prince aboard swings around Point
Lewis into the harbor at room from eight
British bsttleships and two French and
the American bst.Ieship New Hampshire
will boom forth a royal salute.
At the place where the prince will
land will be awaiting Earl Grey, Cover
nor General of Canada; Field Marshal
Lord Roberts, representing the British
army; Premier Laurier and his cabinet,
Vice President Fairbanks, representing
the United States; Admiral Cowles, rep
resenting the United States navy, aud
Admiral Jsuregib6rry and the French
enjoys.
10 the right of the landing place has
been erected a pavilion gorgeous with
the royal insignia, and in 1t the prince will
receive the address of welcome. Thence
he will he driven In an open carriage
through the streets to the fortress where
during his weeks stsy he will be lodged
in especially prepared apartments in the
citadel.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-07-22
The Olympic Games.

London, July 22.-With q lead of 8
2-3 points over the British at the be-
ginning of today's Olympic programme.
the American athletes entsred toe con-
tests With a determination to give the
stars and stripes another chance to fiut.
ter from the Stadium flag pole.
The running broad jump was the frat
thing on the programme. la sections
five and six, Frank G. Irons, OF the
Chicago Athletic Club, set new
Olympic record by hurling himself
through the air "a feet Ave inches, four
inches better than Myer Brnz.tain's
former Olympic mark and one half inch
better than the intercollegiate record of
A. l.. KraeDzelin.
When his mark was posted there were
cheers from all over the stadium. E. I.
Cook, of Cornell and Dan Kelley,
another of the Irish American contingent
of stars, won firsts in sections one and
two and three and four respectively,
with marks Of % feet 10 l-2 inches aud
% feet IA inches.
The athletes from the United Stetts
suffered their first disappointment of the
week today in the defeat of "Liitle JIM
mie' Rector in the final Of the 100 meters
Dash. Rector was forced to weld to
Walker, the South African. The Vir.
ginian was but half yard behind Walk
at the tape.
The Unied States gained 10 points
today, to one single connt for Eoglsnd,
and her lead is now rs to AZ l-3.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-07-22

JUSTICE MOEsCHAUsER, 81 the Ne"
York SUR mr Court, filed his decision
Al White Plains on Monday in the suit
brought by tde Benevolent and Protec-
tive Order Of Elks, granting an ioJunc-
tion restraining the Improved Benevo-
lent and Protective Order Of Elks Of
the World from using the name or title
of the plaintiff, cor any name or title
similar or identical thSreunto or color
able imitation thereof derived theretorm,
or in any way used as q part of the title
of the corporation, or the words 'Elk'
and 'Elks' or the initials b. ?. q. f. "
The defendant order is composed CT
negroes and Justice Morschauser says
10 his decision that the defendant
"seems to have practically appropriated
the name, title, seal, card, emblem and
color, and nearly everything else used
by the plaintiff in conducting its corPt =
rate affairs"