davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1914-02-12
Your Stomach Bad?
JUST TRY GNE DOS of
MayF0s Wonderful Gtona2t Remedy
and Be GongiRc24 That You Can
Be Restored to Eaalth

You are not asked 70 take Maybe Wonder
full Stomach Remedy Tor weeks and months
before you receive any beaeft-one dose is Gsu-
ally required to convince the most ~skcptical
sufferer of Stomach Ailments that This great
remedy should restore anyone so afflicted to
good health. Mayr's Wonac-ful Stomach
Remedy has been taken by many thousands Of
people throughout the land. 1t has brought
health and happiness to sufferers who had des-
paired of ever being restored and who now pro-
claim it a Wonderful Remedy and are urging
others who may be suffering with Stomach,
Liver and Intestinal Ailments to try it. Hind
you, Mayr's Wonderful Stomach Remedy is
so different than most medicines that are put on
the market for the various stomach ailments
1t is really in a class by itself, and one dose
will 90 more to convince the most s~keptical
sufferer than tons Of other medicines. Results
from one dose will amaze and the benefits
are, entirely natural. as it acts on the source
and foundation Of these ailments, removing thu
poisonous catarrh and bile accretions, and allay'
Ing the underlying chronic Inflammation in thu
alimentary and intestinal tract, rendering thu
same antiseptic. Just try one dose OF Mayr'a
Wonderful Stomach R~emedy-put 1t to q ties.
today-you will be o~verjoyed with your quick
recovery and will highly praise it as thousand,
Of others are constantly doing. Send for booklet
on Stomach Ailments to Geo. H.. Mayr. Mfg.
Chemist, 1s4-l56 Whiting St.. Chicago, Ill.
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1914-02-12

To keep the members of his congre'
cation from enjoying poor health, an
eastern preacher has his services
printed and sent to them when they
are too sick to attend church.-Toledo
Blade.
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1914-02-12

You know what you are taking when you take Groves Tasteles chill Tonic
as the formula is printed on every label showing that it contains the well known
tonic properties of QUININE and IRON. Iii as strong as the strongest bitter
tonic and is in Tasteess Form. It has no equal for Malaria, Chins and Fever,
Weakness general debility and loss of appetite Gives life and vgorto Nursing
Mothers and Pale, Srklv Children. Removes Bliousness without purgng.
Relieves nervous depression and low spirits Arouses the liver to action and
purifes the blood ATrue Tonic and Sure ppetzer. ACompete Stengthener.
No family should be whhoutit. Guaranteed by your Druggist. Wemeani it. SOC.
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1914-02-12
Man,a sunerlorltx EARLY Shown.

WAITS Superiority EaTIy O1VV"'
Rude sculpture dating back, scien'
tilc authorities believe, at least 2O0,'
900 years, show that primitive mar
made representations of other crea'
lures at a stage of human develop
ment when the conditions of exist
ence were little in advance Of those
prevailing among the higher NAM
mails of that period. But no other deni-
zen Of the earth manifested the slight
est desire or ability to make images
Of anything.
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1914-02-12
Local News.

il Mompbis
ca Ado,u, p no,,L.4
~ 49,, %@
r..St. 80 ' 49, '"''
~
Mf. Lolie Ga75 went over 70
"' ~
Aa!as E9r sale cheap.
A. I, ST0YALL.
The News Sc'niLar and O@o.o-
na Messenger one year tor $500.
See Adams & Neubcrt for Gas.
lire Engines. We always h2ve
chem In STOCK.
Ny, Stratton Daniels. Of Pom
toJoc. spent one dav last week
with friends here.
Mrs. +. D. IRVING has charge
of Stunt. W. NJ. C0X's classes
during his absence.
Mr.. Milton Davis has returned
bonoo of+or onond;nr oovorol
months in Kansas CITY.
meat by using Meat Preserver
for sale by T. M. Dean.
y n i,
M. c~no
Gates. first of this week.
~. II ,;u n.oooh
Wy - l10'"oi &c.
~" ' 400 -.
invited.
nj NJ.
lil''9 %-!@ eo'' I nI.o,O 4.a.
ln"'0 oi' TDI n.:J
Sunday
a.
!. 1oui "olN1 Do's
and renaired now. R. N. QUINN
: at MESSENGER office.
nn r., 3 M,. y
l-'iiT'-- 0''' 'D -
guest Of her mother, Mrs. Brad.
ford. this week.
,q., W uou.iu ,o,,os
NiiS' "" I-.'' - w
understand she exnects to make
: her home in the future.
| A.. u Ko.u NJ o.
mr. '0i,i' NY, ~
l''eu ,leiI 100 '..4L U 10y 1po>
Mr.. and Mrs, c., D. Kay,
Co1
80 '"- ''''
''O o Nn,,nrnn
WI y. T~ Tn%ed T llr9 ~
GIi"o0u VIZ ' oeo1 NJ D
T NJ "''u pes
"""0 III Oi'- 90
Amory IImes-Press, Feo' o.
hune "@iNei oN1l0~ ";
vlolJl'is lol-U - af aT
"e0N i"0'" ~ '''0 "oi's'' - -
Mr.. Earl Greayes has purchaS
ed the Wniteslde Market an
,i0' 0p0'I0'' ~ nv C:4@ N.Y.
T rI-o '.'l''O
Ol'i "e'
The boys basket ball teal
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1914-02-12

C-A.-I - r. NT.-sIs.-
oe'uluay li.Dlili'is lOi Ii0l 'u.~'.
ai11i 0poi'uils T y
@Itu ta'l % -
C~ii"'iiO0i'' anu l""i'y !" 'ii0
~''''
I'i' = oL'-ol0' D0y' D%oNoS
'p",' s"'i'5 49, VIZ 49,
~ 'o' - -. %'la
i'''hA''' ~1A1st''ADs ,%9o --loy
az "V'. w 'i.9 '0'~i ''-''-l ny "
score VI ~ ."
Eggs Tor HatontnG Iron 31It
Or'.-''@ 0o.i2 'No,-l - "'-Il CIV
""i.5 y "s'~' s.
o1'@lH' Ply ~. -
49, e. -
Tupelo Journal, Feb. 6.-W. s.
Vandiver, Of Okolona, was here
Tuesday and Wednesday on
oe,1' amoo ,.;+h . o,u wodnoa1ov
-, @..toa1ad h;a a,,h-orin+ion 70
1o1s
The High School girls basket
ball team went over 10 houston
Saturday afternoon anu playeu
Saoaon ,,;+h +ho Ho,,s+on oirlc
TLo oaono u,os a r. G IN favor If
+ho Ho,,s+on nirls
we are requested 10 y
That KeV' MI H. ATIhor, Oi'r!S7
tan Minister OIL lupelo' viii
conuuco a. 'il1 oIul
I11.OO A, NJ. and 300 P. M.
Evervbodv invited to attend.
we are Sole agents III JIG
Edlson monographs anu 'lcUo
GfapnopnoneS III ChiS ol'y we
hapoie al Che ldUeoC lh00i0 anu
comic SeIecCionS' Hor Soiii0 i0"l
gooo music anu u See u0'
Mrs w. H. lNloiioI9 "0ilV 0'Gi
70 CoLUlnouS o"O"l0%y y, %iiU Coo n
IN Inc Frlllce VI rol'si,'
Whlch was given ClleIe SATURDAY
hlghI' mr' Nlci'ol9 "7"' 0V0i
10 CoiuillouS ouuuay nv mig
ana returned WIN MIS- iNi''i0is
sunday night
OkoIona Chapter u. D. C,
meets the last Friday of each
month. The work OF the CHAP.
ter this year Is to care Tor anC
beautify the Soldiers Cemetery
and the assistance OF each mem
Der is urgently needed
MRS. M. &. MCDOWELL Pres
MRS. B. }. ABBOTT, Rec. Sec
The remains of Mr.. W. M
Buchanan, one of the Oldest citi
: gems of this CITY. reached her,
: Yesterday evening from Blu.
: Mountain where he died Tuesda,
at the home Of his sister Mrs
Gardner of rheumatism ID
S leaves a hoste of relatives an
S friends to morn his loss. Inter
/. ment this afternoon at the l. y
0. F. cemetery.
! Hon. A. T. Stovall. of this city
:. has been elected as a member O
: tbn Advisory Board of the Ma
+~ional Child Labor Committee
This nosi+ion was rendered Nh
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1914-02-12
To Prevent Blood Poisoning

apply at once the wonderful old reliable DR..
pORTER's A~NrtSEPTGC HEALING OIL a sur.
Qical dressing that relieves pain aud heals at
the same time. Not a liniment. 2Se. SOC. hoo.
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1914-02-12
WHENEVER YOU NEED
GENERAL TONIC TAKE GROVES

The Old Standard Groves Tasteless chill Tonic is Equally
Valuable as a General Tonic because it Acts on the Liver,
Drives OCT Malaria, Enriches the Blood and Builds up
the Whole System. For Grown People and Children.
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1914-02-12
prnmnt Armament.

Huh latter ten minutes Of it)--"Oh,
only a fool would argue with a WON
an" Wife--"Precisely."
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1914-02-12
For Sale in Qkolona, Miss. BY
BEARDEN & KING and Druggists
Everywhere.
Not In sIaht.

Hokus-"Do you think We shall ever
have universal peace?" Pokus-"Not
30 long as women continue 10 play
bridge for stakes"
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-11-04
Like the Explosion of Cannon

hands for the purposes OF his mas
MISUNDERSTANDING them shade Of
ebony upon which soap and water and
scmbbins had no effect whatever And
he had invented most eXcruciating
method OF revenging himself upon the
druggist who had taken advantage of
his confidence and sold him the in
eradiable dye-when he was reused by
the sudden fight of a magazine across
the car. missing his head by bare
two inches, and the bang of q chair
overturned by Judith as she jumped
up and flung herself furiously toward
the door.
Just what had happened en- the OBJ
servation platform Barcus didn't know,
but he could readily believe that the
lovers had just INDUCED in some espe-
cially provoking and long-drawn-out
caress.
He overhauled Judith none too soon.
In another moment she would have
had her sister b. the throat-if her
purpose had not been to throw Rose
bodily overheard. as Barcus suspected
Happily. he was as quick on his feet
as Judith on hers; and almost before
he had grasped the situation, he had
grasped her-had seized her arms and
drawn them forcibly behind her back.
at the same time swinging her round
and endeavoring to propel her back
through the doorway
1t was a man-siZe job. For the ensu.
ing five minutes he had his hands full
Of violently reScntful and superbly
able-bodicd young woman. Only with
the greatest difficulty did he succeed
il wrestling her up the aisle and to
the door of her compartment, where
an even more furious resistance for
some additional minutes prcfaced the
ultimate closing of the door upon the
maddened Judith. Even then he might
not draw a free breath: there was no
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-11-04

WITH word to Rose, Alan slipped
down beside Barcus, shifted his hold
to the body of the latter, and climbed
down over him until he was supported
solely by the grasp of his two hands
on Rarcus' ankles.
ping like snake down over the two
men till she in turn hung by her grasp
on Alans ankles, then released her
held and dropped the balance of the
distance to the ground. scant ten
feet, landing without injury.
A thought later Alan dropped lightly
to her side, staggered a trifle, recov.
cred and dragged her out of the way.
Barcus fell with heavy thump and
went upon his back, but demonstrated
his lack Of injury by Immediately pick
ing himself up and joining the others
in mad scramble for safety.
Overhead the special engine, hur.
Ting onward like some titanic bolt.
struck the caboose with a crash like
the explosion Of cannon. 1t collapsed
upon itself like thing of pasteboard.
That it had been constructed of
more solid stuff was abundantly
proved by the shower of tinbers, splin-
ters and broken iron that rained about
the heads of the fugitives.
For all that, the gods smiled upon
them for their courage: they escaped
without a scratch.
(To be Continued.)
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-11-04
CopyrIgh., 1914, by Louis Joseph vano

At GimoSt the same moment Mr..
Law, attempting to restrain the engl-
neer from going to the assistance of
his fellow-worker, ducked in under 4
vicious swing for his chin, grapped
with his foe, tripped him up-and went
with his to the ground on the oppo-
site side of the locomotive from that
occupied by Mr.. Barcus and the fire
man.
For the next several seconds he was
very busy indeed Keeping his face out
of the ballast. The engineer was q
heavy man, but active and Infatuated.
70 fought like 4 demon unchained. 1t
IS all very exciting. .tr. Law was
even beginning to enjoy it when he
heard woman ehriek. At the same
instant revolvers began to pop.
Mr.. Law released his fee almost as
quickly as he was released Both rose
as one man, to find Judith Urine be-
side them, little smile Of excitement
playing round her lips as she looked
up the track and watched the special
slow down to a stop-several persons
on the back platform plying busy trlg'
ger-fngers all the while.
AS these last threw open the plat
form gates and dropped to the ballast,
still perforating the air with many bull
lets, Mr.. Law. Miss Judith Urine. and
that late bel!igercnt, the engineer,
turned simultaneously and sought the
rear OF the tender.
On the opposite side they found
Rose Urine and Mr.. Barcus standing
uncertainty above the body OF the fire.
man, who, il appeared. had stunned
himself in falling and remained III
sensible.
The appearance of Law and Judith
from behind the tender, closely pur-
sued by the engineer, who was IN turn
closely pursued by gentlemen with re-
volvers, stirred Barcus and Rose to ac-
ton. Alan passed him at 4 round
pace, pausing only long enough to seize
Rose and drag her with him toward
the special. Judith flung him phrase
CT welI-meant advice in passing:
"Come along, you simpleton-unless
you want TO be shot down where YOU
stand,"
Mr.. Barcus acted on that advice. as
Immediately as resentfully. judith
Urine was little before him at the
steps of the Pullman: Mr.. Law had al
ready assisted Rose aboard. Mr.. Bar.
Gus ungraciously gave place to the
lady: his ingrained chivalry sorel2
strained by bullets that kicked
among the ballast round his feet.
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-11-04
CHAPTER xxxIII.
Pullman.

Pullman.
"Come inside" Law suggested, and
introduce me to the brakeman. | pre-.
sumo I've got to fix things up with
him"
IF there's really any doubt in your
mind as to that" Barcus said, rising,
Il don't mind telling you you're right"
He paused as Alan entered the car
before him and was greeted by a storm
of vituperation that fairly blistered
the panels OF the Pullman Mr.. Seneca
Urine, helpless in his invalid chair,
thus celebrated his introduction to the
young man whom lie had never before
seen whose life he had schemed to
take these many years. His heavy
voice doomed and echoed through the
car like tho sounding of q tocsin.
Allan made no effort TO respond, but
listened with his head critically to
one side and an exasSerating express
sion of deep interest informing his
countenance until Mr.. Urine was
out of breath and vitriol; when
the younger man bowed with the slight.
est shade of mockery in his manner
and waved tolerant hand TO Garcus.
He has, no doubt Alan inquired,
his own private cell aboard this carr"
Vas. suh.' Rarcus agreed, aping
well the manner of his apparent caste
and color Amt DAT de troof?"
take him away. then" Alan re-
uuested wearily-'if you please
"Yas. subj" Barcus replied, with
nimble alacrity Selling the back of the
wheeled clair aud swinging it round
for spin UP the length of the car.
Before Urine had recovered enough
to curse him properly. the door 10 his
drawing room was closed and Earcus
was ambling back down the aisle.
His grin of relish at this turning of
the tables on the monomaniac proved,
however, short-lived. 1t erased itself
in twinkling when Judith shouldered
roughly past him. wearing a sullen
and forbidding countenance, and flung
herself into the drawing room with
her father.
The cause of her temper was not
far to seek: at the far end of the car
Alan was bending solicitously over the
chair in which Rose was resting. One
of his arms was around her shoulder.
Her face was lifted confidently to his.
Barcus unused morosely on his APP
prehension of trouble a-brew. simmer
ing over the waxing fire of that strange
woman's jealousy. He didn't like the
prospect at all. If only Alan and Rose
hadn't been so desperately il love
that they couldn't keep away from one
another If only Alan had been SEN
sible enough to outwit the woman and
leave her behind when he started in
pursuit CT the special! If only there
had not been that light engine in pur
suit-as Barcus firmly believed it must
be-loaded to the guards with Trine's
unscrur-:l:us hirelings!. 80.
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-11-04

truding from the window of the spe
Gals engine, one on either side.
At q venture, she snatclled off he,
coat and waved it wildly in the air.
An arm answered the signal from
one window OF the pursuing locomo.
tive.
Marrophat, of course!
She turned and peered ahead. The
freight was approaching trestlc that
spanned wide and shallow gully.
So much the better!
Dropping down again between the
cars, she set herself to solve the prob.
lem of uncoupling the caboose.
In this she was successful just as
the last car rolled out on the tres.le
Its own impetus carried the caboose
to the middle of the trestle before it
stopped.
AS this happened, Alan and Barcus.
already warned of an emergency by
the slowing down of the car, and for
some time alive to the fact that the
special was again IN pursuit. leaped
out upon the ties and helped Rose to
alight.
Already the last of the freight was
whisking off the trestle. its crew thus
far unconscious of their loss.
And behind them the special was
plunging forward at undated speed.
There was no time to execute their
plan of the first desperate instant-to
run along the ties to safety on the
solid earth: the distance was too
great; they could not possibly make it.
With common impulse the two men
glanced down 70 the bottom of the
gully, then looked at each other with
eyes informed by common inspiration.
Barcus announced in breath:
Thirty feet--not more
Alan replied: can you hold the
weight OF the two of us for half a min
ute?"
Barcus shrugged: II can try. We
might as well--even If l can't"
While speaking, he was lowering
himself between the ties.
All right, he announced briefly.
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-11-04
no telling wicn ticcy might catch

NO telling Wncn Ky mlcht catch
up
The fear of this last catastrophe
worked together with his fears OF Ju-
dith to render that night a sleeplcss
one for Barcus. He spent it in a chair
whence he could watch both the door
to the compartment Judith had chosen
For her own formerly Marrophat's
quarters) and the endless ribbons of
steel that swept beneath the tracks.
But nothing happened. He mapped
uneasily from time to time. waking
with a start OF fright, but always to
find nothing amiss. Ever Judith
stopped behind that closed door. and
ever the track behind was innocent of
the glare of pursuing headlight.
Nor did anything untoward mark the
progress of the morning-unIess. in
deed, Judiths protracta1 sessions
with her father behind the closed
door OF the drawing room were to be
counted ominous.
Ever since luncil-tima the girl had
been closeted with her father: Barcus
had been getting some wcll-earned and
sorely-needed rest in his quarters;
Alan standing his watch on the obser-
walton platform, in company with
Rose; and the train booming along
through an uncouth wilderness of arid
mountains, barren mesas, and sun
smitten flats given over TO the desolate
genius of sagebrusi.
Whatever had been the tenor of the
communication between father aa'l
daughter, Judith eventually emerged
from the drawing room in an ominous
temper. Barcus, coming drow;ly
away from his compartment at the
same time, vas Jared wide awake BY
sight of the lorebodins countenance
she wore; and after moment OF DOUBT
followed her back to the lounge at the
rear Of the car.
He got there in time to see her ct
rigid standstill, staring steadfastly at
the two figures so close together on
the observation platform, But on
his appearance Judith shook herself
together, snatched up a magazine, AMI
plunged wrathfuliy into an easy chair,
burying her nose between the pages Of
the publication with every indication
OF deep interest in its text.
Mr.. Earcus, however. had learned
the lesson of bitter experience to the
effect that the outward bearing &C
Miss Judith Urine was 10 sure index
to her inward humor-unless. that *,
it might be taken to indicate the di"
rect contrary Of its sembance;
though even this was no reliable rule.
Reminding himself of this. he there.
fore invented u morbid interest in an.
other magazinc-round the edge Of
which he kept wary eye upon tho
young woman.
For all her evaporation, Judith cor.
tanned herself longer than might have
been expected. Her continued show
of placidity. indeed. lulled Barcus into
a dangerous feeling ct security. Per-
suaded that she meant to behave, he
gradually ceased to watch her as nav
rowly as at first, and lost himself in
morose reverie whose subject was the
seemingly permanent mourning into
which he had plunged his face and
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-11-04

way or locking mat door from inc crr-
side: and he dared not leave 20 the
handle, lest the Girl again fly out and
renew tho battle.
Waving aside Alan's proffer of as
sistarce, he acidly advised that gen
tleman to return to his post of duty
and not let his infatUation blind him
to what might at any moment loom
, up on the track behind them, Barcus
stoutly held the door against the girls
attempt to pull it omen and through
another period when she occupied her.
self with kicking its panels as if hope
full of breaking a way out. A long
pause followed He heard no sounds
from within And wearying, he Won
'jered what the devil she was I'D to.
Then her voice penetrated the barrier,
its accents calm and not unamiable:
Mr.. Barcus!'
'IIello!" he replied, startled. What
is it, Miss Judith?"
please let me out"
Not much"
.Oh-please!"
Struck by the fact that she hadn't
lost her temper on hearing his refusal,
lie hesitated. 1t was very true that he
couldn't stay there forever, holding on
to that knob.
VIII you be good if let you out?"
Perfectly
No more shenanigan?"
81 promise"
Word OF honor?"
IF my word of honor means any
thing to you-you have it,"
We'll y" he said obviously.
In the same humor he turned and re-.
leased the knob; promptly Judith
opened it wide and swept out into the
corridor, her mood now one OF really
fetching mockery.
Thank you so much!" she laughed
into his face OF discontinue; and drop
ping him an ironic curtsy, she turned
forward and swung into the drawing
room occupied by Urine.
Wonder what she put that on for?"
he. speculated, with reference to the
ankle-long Pullman wrapper which Ju-
dth had seen fit to don during her
period of captivity. Heaven knows
it's hot enough without wearing more
clothing than decency demands {.
But you never can tell about won.
an l bet dollar I've made a
blithering ass OF yself-letting her
loose at ALL"
He took his doubts aft, commune.
eating them to Alan and Rose.
And his long conference with Alan
and Rose On the observation platform
Afforded Judith ample opportunity in
which undetected to suborn the train
crew to treachery.
Whether she did or not. this is what
happened in the course of the next
hour: the special was forced to take a
siding to make way for the California
limited, east-bound; and when this had
passed. the engine OF the special
coughed alphabetically and pulled
swiftly out. leaving the Pullman stalled
on the siding.
From the rear of the tender the
brakeman and fireman waved affecting
farewells to the indignant faces Of
The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-11-04
Alan and Barcus when they showed In
the front doorway.
CHAPTER xxxiV.
Hand Car.

E1Shu Sdts
''Well!" Mr.. Barcus broke a silence
whose eloquence may not be translated
in print-"can you beat it,
Not with this outfit Alan admit.
ted gloomily.
"But-damn it.-we've got to-"
''Profanity-eveny yours. my friend
won't make this Pullman move without
an engine
"All the same, we can't stop here
like bumps on a log. waiting for that
gang of thugs to sail up in the light
engine and cut our blessed threats"
Mr. Law answered this unanswer-
able contention only with a shrug.
Then, stepping out on the forward
platform of the Pullman, he cast q
hopeless eye over the landscape.
Raw, rugged hills hemmed in the
right of way, hills whose vast TANKS
were covered with dense thickets Of
mesquite, cllapparal, sagebrush and
cacti, the haunt of owls and rattle
snakes and solitude. No way of es-
cape from that pocket in the hills 9th
err than by the railroad itself
He lowered his gaze to the tracks
and siding-and started sharply.
"Eh-what now" Barcus inquired
with interest.
Some thoughtful body has left an
old hand ear over there in tho ditch"
Alan replied Maybe it isn't beyond
service
With me supplying the horsepower,
l SUPPOSE
Horse isn't the word" Alan corr
rected meticulcusly; and escaped the
others wrath by. dropping down to tho