davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-19

ing tho latest dances. Miss Wilma
W!nn and Ernest Evans will probably
DC seen In Richmond Easter week.
when Mrs. Pacs Groncr expects TO
make a tour OF Southern cities.
Richmond people at tho McAlpin
Hotel. In New York. this week were:
Z. Is. Traylor. Mr.. and Mrs. S. f.. Waldo,
Stuart c. Leake Mr.. and Mrs. II. NJ.
Williams. X. Enslow. j. e. Cox. Thomas
" heelrisht, Wilfred Jessup, and c. NJ
Knox
Continental Dnll AT tichmono.
Several hundred fashionable society
people attended the big Continental
ball last evening at the Richmond Ho-
tel under the direction OF Mile. Nora
White The affair. which was modelled
after similar entertainments held In
cafes and famous hotels abroad was
one OF the most interesting OF the ser
les given at the Richmond this season.
and took place in tho beautiful ball
room Confetti and favors added to
: the charm OF the scene, and many
handsomely gOwncd women wese noted
Groups or palms aAu BAY trees were
arranged ~ background for the many
tables scattered about the cleared
space In the centre for dancing, and
yellow snapdragons and daffodils were
used everywhere Mile. White and
raymond Massey again did the Max
Ike. as special dance with great
applause from the guests present Mile
White wore lovely imported gown OF
pink chiffon taffeta, made with a girdle
or rose pink brocade and finished with
Illusion draperies and n hig butterfly
bow in the back. Her flowers wer.
pink orchids. and she wore a cap of
real al <,F al
fon and trimmed In tiny pink rose
buds
Another bali will be held at tho
Richmond on Wednesday next.
Returned from Washington.
Mrs. Newton McVeigh. Mrs. a. J.
Montague and Mrs. Royal have re-
turned from Washington. where they
nave been for several days as the
guests OF Mrs. Charles H. Senn OF
New York. Mrs SEMI has left for
her home In the North. after spending
several weeks In Richmond at the JET
ferscn Hotel, where she was much en-
tertained
Charles McVcigh will arrive In the
city shortly to spend the weekend
with his mother on Park Avenue. Mr.
McVcigh expects TO sail next month
Tor an extended stay abroad. and will
go at once to Egypt where he will re-
main for several months
Dnnsnnt Saturday.
a great many novel and intertain-
ing plans have been made By the com
mittee In charge OF the the -dansant"
to be held at the Jefferson Hotel on
Saturday afternoon from to O'Clock
under the auspices Of Lee Chapter.
United Daughters OF the Confedcracy.
and numbers OF tables have already
been reserved. This is the first of q
series 20 be given by the chapter. and
decorations VIII be unusually attrac-
tive. Mile. Nora White and Miss
French Patton have been Invited to
DO special dancing for the entertain
mcnt of the guests. and there will be
contest dance with huge silver cup
and several ribbons TO be awarded for
the beet dancers.
In and Out Of Town.
Miss Hattie HolcomD, OF Danville
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-19

London, March lS.-Prcmier AsQuith
to-day promised an Irish deputation
that he would appoint committee of
of the port Of Queenstown by bis,
steamships plying between England
and the United States.
The deputation was headed by the
Lord Mayor Of Dublin and the Lord
Mayor OF Cork
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-19
Observation-Disclosures.

Especial to The Times Dispatch.1
Alexandria, Va. March lS-Misa
Anna Elizabeth Barley. daughter OF
Judge and Mrs. Louis G. Barley, and
Frazier w. Baldwin formerly OF Chi
caGo. but now of this city. will bo mar
ried April 10 At Christ Episcopal Church
by Rev. w. j. Morton. rector.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-19
HOPKINS LEADS PLANT.
Elected President OF Newport RevYG
Shipbuiiding and Dry Dock CO.

Especial to The s-Dispatch.1
Newport News. Va. March lS.-An.
nouncement was made to-day OF the
election Of A. L. Hopkins as president
and II. l. Ferguson. as vice. president
OF the Newport News Shipbuildins and
Dry Dock Company. Mr.. Hopkins was
vice president. and succeeds TO the Of.
fee made vacant by the death of Wall
Ter a. Post two years ngo. Mr.. For.
Euson was general manager. and 10
made vice-president and general man
aGer
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-19
stuart WIN Address students.

BIacksburg, Va, March 1S.--GoVernor
Henry G. Stuart has accepted tho In
vitation from President Eggleston to
address the graduating class at the
Virginia Polytechnic Institute on We'd
nesdny, Juno II.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-19
Observation-Disclosures

Especial to The Times Dispatch
Weldon. n. G.. March lS.--Rufus A
bottom and Miss Mary Josephine De-
ltoisnc. both OF Beach Chesterfield
County. Va, were married here to-day
hN Mngisirntn y. II Stainhack
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-19

Mr.. and Mrs. NJ. r Sutherland and
Mr.. and Mrs. Fairfax Jones, OF this
city. arc spending several days In uar-
tisonburg.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-19

Mrs. Arthur Scrivcnor is leaving to-
day for Norfolk. where she viii be the
guest of friends for n short tino.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-19

Mrs. J. Nj. Ellison and Miss Elizabeth
Ellison have returned TO their home in
Crozct, after visit TO relatives and
iricnus here.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-19

Mrs. Bond, OF this city, tx whiting
Mrs. L. T. Macon at her home at tn,
University of Virginia.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-19

William Hope, who has Lcen in Rich
mond for few days visit, has re-
turned to Portsmouth.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-19

Mrs. James T. Minor. who has been
visiting relatives at the University OF
Virginia, has returned to Richmond
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-19

is visiting her uncle, W. II. Jones. at
the Chesterfield.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-19

Parrish Trant has returned to his
nome in North Can olina, after brief
stay In Richmond and Norfolk
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-19

Miss Elizabeth Jcrnigar. of Norfolk,
spent the weekend as tho guest OF
friends in Richmond.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-19

Mrs. J. Colin McRae, who has been
The guest OF Mrs. Andrew S Browne.
In Norfolk. since visiting In this city.
has returned to her home In Ashevilie,
N. c.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-19

hrs. Kemp Humphreys. OF Richmond,
is the guest of her parents. MIR. and
Mrs. l.. NJ. Haley, in Waynesboro.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-19

j. W. Everett, who has been visiting
friends In Charlottesville FOR n few
days. has returned to the city
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-19

Misses Grace and Marian Nelly arc
leaving for their home in Catunsvllle,
Md, on Saturday. after spending I,
month with Miss e. Fehsenfeld in this
city.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-19

is visiting her uncle, w. H. Jones, at
the Chesterfield.
Mrs J. Nj Ellison and Miss Elizabeth
Ellison have returned TO their home in
Crozct, after visit TO relatives and
irionus here.
Mrs Arthur Scrivcnor is leaving to-
day for Norfolk. where she Will be the
guest of friends for short timo.
Mr.. and Mrs. NJ. r Sutherland and
Mr.. and Mrs. Fairfax Jones. OF THIS
city arc spending several days in Har-
risonburg.
visiting relatives at the University OF
Virginia, has returned to Richmond
Mrs. J. Colin McRae. who has been
The guest OF Mrs. Andrew S. Browne
In Norfolk. since visiting In this city,
N. c.
Mrs. Kemp Humphreys. OF Richmond,
is the guest OF her parents. Mr.. and
Mrs. l.. NJ Haley. in Waynesboro
Misses Grace and Marian Nelly arc
leaving for their home in Gainesville,
Md, on Saturday, after spending "A
month with Miss e. Fehsenfeld in this
city.
j. W. Everett, who has been visiting
friends In Charlottesville FOR q few
days. has returned to the city
Miss Elizabeth Jcrnigar. of Norfolk;
spent the weekend as tho guest OF
friends in Richmond.
Mrc ~ - of.,
Mrs l. r. Macon at her home at tho
University of Virginia.
William Hope, who has tcen in Rich
mond for = few days visit, has re-
turned to Portsmouth.
Parrish Trant has returned to his
nome in North Ca olina nfLer q hrief
The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1914-01-17
BUILDING A RAILROAD.
What II Means When the Contractors
Begin Operations.

with the right OF way established,
a great army OF men enter into tho
field. The company dors not build Its
own road II IL turned over 10 contrac-
tors and IL usually lot In sections or
from 200 10 900 miles
The contractor must live up TO GER
uln specifications, Just ns though he
were building n house, and he fur
nlslrs everything men, teams. ina
chlncry, food nnd material Few pco'
pie realize whnt this means. A con
tractor must bc very near TO king.
For instance, there IL tho Hazclton
section IN tho mountains. II is less
than 200 miles In length. Before n
single shovel or pick was engaged In
the building OF this section the con-
tractors hnd to equip themselves with
a hcct of STEAMBOATS, ut cost or $780,.
600 they had TO build scores OF
camps ut from $1,000 10 $4,000 n camp.
Each OF these ccntcrs had 10 bo stock
ed with provisions. supplies ana nhte-
rinls almost before n builder was
brought In Before these contractors
moved shovclful OF earth or hrcd
single blast they hnd spent over So
nOO 900
Each contractors camp In like u
small city. with lts stores. hospital.
scores OF sleeping shncks. kitchens,
dining rooms. warehouses and barns.-
James oliver Curwood IN Leslie's
The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1914-01-17
FORMATION Or coAl.
Conditions on Our Planet While th'
Process Developed.


Conditions on Our Planet While The
Process Developed.
what may be said 10 DO the stran.
gcat period through which our earth
has passed IL the one that was respon'
slble for tho formation OF coal. The
planct In described an having been at
thnt time dat and smooth an TO surface
and peculiar as 10 vegetation. The
continents were Just beginning TO rise
above the ocean and tho land had not
yet become dry. Mountain ranges had
not arisen from tho swamps, and the
atmosphere was thick with fog. In this
state OF affairs there sprouted and
fourished tho plants which were later
To furnish the world with its coal sup
ply,
These plants grew an big M our lar
gest trees, taking deep root in the mo-
russ and nourlshlng like tho lush
grnsscs IN lnolst meadow land and do
yelopcd into the strange shnpes now
found In tropic vegetation. The forest
looked, the scientists assure us. like
dense growths OF weeds. ruahes and
enormous ferns Some OF them grew
In the shape OF cacti. having spines all
over them. This kind Of vegetation
was very rich In carbon. which II do
rived from the warm. moist atmos'
phcre. Then the millions OF years roll
ed by, the forests Of giant weeds were
buried by deposits OF earthly material
aud tho chemical change took place
which slowly changed them into coal.
This process cenaod with the carbon
ferrous age. No that when the present
supply Of coal is dug out OF the groupd
there win I've no more. Exchange.
The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1914-01-17
ORIGIN OF THE HARP.
Evolved From the Tyre Of the HIGH
Priest Of Osiris


The history OF the piano counts as n
day compared to the harp. We have
authentic records that MS early ms
1900 II. &. tho first Tyre was evolved
from the mind OF the high priest or
Osiris, who In one OF his daily walks
along the banks OF the river Nile found
an empty tortoise shell spanned with
dried ljgaments. Happening TO strike
IL, he noticed that II gave forth pleas
Ing sounds, and he at once made hp
Instrument on the plan OF the tortoise
shell
From the Tyre II was but m eas,
step 10 the harp. now the most famous
instrument In the world. MileeiDs, one
OF the PhoenlcInn priests, carried II
with him In his conquest 10 ireland.
and there he planted 1t among tha mu'
sic loving Celts In 1900 u. g. The roynl
instrument became controlling fea'
turo In druldlcal worship. aud the harp
list or bard ranked with royalty. the
prophet and the priest The druids
advanced the harp from eleven to thir-
ty.twO strings and crowned their ef-
forts ia It's Improvement by the eyolu
ton of the pillar, which has ever since
found universal adoption.
our modern harp consists OF forty
i've or forty-sevcn strings. seven ped
uls -ous for each note In the octave
aud the wonderful instrument shares
with the plano aud organ the faculty
u being autonomous j. to say. It
needs no accompaniment and furnishes
both melody and harmony.-Miss Lo-
retta De Lone Ia New York Tribune.
The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1914-01-17
Tn. Ru,.,., Frortlsr.

Ono feature In which the Russian
frontier differs from others is the com
plete ignorance OF those living near the
border OF what Hes beyond.
A correspondent OF the Autocar says
that he called NJ the Automobile club
In Breslnu. hoping to galn some infor'
nation "Thc members received mo
most kindly aud did AL they could TO
help but explained that they never
crossed the frontier md had no nrst
hand knowledge. Ths German customs
officer. living for ten yenrs within
yards OF Russia. spoke no word OF Rus
sian. and the Russians beyond the
chain spoke no German.
There Ii II neutral strip some three
or four yards wide between Russia
aud Germany. along which many Rus
sian scntrics nre posted, and mounted
Cossacks pass NJ short Intervals, rid
Ing the boundary, New York sun
The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1914-01-17
CRAFT ON THE GRIDlRoN.


In football fun Held run frnm Kick.
on ~ touchdown IN n rare play. uncc
Il was undo by Carlisle Indian. who
covered the loug distance In u game
against Harvard. oct. a. 1908. and did
so 10y the crnftlcst. wllicst strntngem
ever prrpctrntcd 10y II redskin upon
his pale faced brother,
The first hnlf hnd closed with the In
dlnns IN the lead fiyc points to none
Harvard opened the battle by sending
long kick 10 johnson on Carllsle'a
Ave yard llhc rho Indians quickly ran
back 10 meet Johnson aud formed n
compact mass around him within the
reccsscs of this mass " players John
son slipped tho ball beneath the hack
OF Dillon's Jersey, which hnd been es-
pccinlly made 10 receive and hold the
ball Then. the ball thus secretly
transferred and hidden. Johnson utter.
ed whoop such ns Cambridge had not
heard since the days or King Philips
war. and instantly the bunch OF In
dlans scattered ~ oil directions Some
ran 10 the right and SONG 70 the left,
some oblIquely and some straight up
the center Of tho 6eld. radiating IN all
directions like the spokes Of " wheel
The crimson players. now upon them.
looked IN vain for the bnll. dumfonnd
ed. I1inalpg from one opponent 10 an
other Mennwi,iIV pillon wns running
straight down the hcld s0 W 10 give
his opponents the lenst opportunity for
n side or rcnr view aud consplcuously
swinging his grms 10 show that they
did not hold Illc bnii Thus. without
being dctcried. be pnsscd through the
entire Harvard team. excepting the
captain. cnrl B Marshall. who was
covering the deep backncld
Obcylng Instructions, Dillon ran
straight ~ Marshall. Tho latter. as
sunng thut the Indian intended to
block hirl. npilely sldestepped tho Car
llslr PLAYER and M he did 80 he
caught ppli ~ the enormous and un
wontcd hulre Oh the back OF Dillon
Instantly dlylning that hes9 yas the
lost bali Marshall turned and sprang
nt Dillon lli the latter was well on
his way aud quictly crossed the line
for u touchdown -Pnrke ". Davis IN
st. Nicholas
The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1914-01-17
LONG TIME FARM LOANS.
Simple and Easy Credit System Ths,
Operates In Europe.


= he standard longth OF timo In Eu
rope for long time farm loan is ffty.
four years For such loan ut tho
present time the rate In ass per cent
divided ns follows; Interest per
cent. administration 30 per cent ana
amortization payment on principnD 90
pcr cent This rate win pay both
principal and interest and repay all
charges due 10 tho bank In nfty-four
years. As this will seem almost In
credible TO some students, Will give
n concrete illustration OF how II works.
II does not depend upon compound
interest, but upon the fact that, though
the rate Of yearly payment remains
the same, the charge for Interest ana
administration is constantly decreasing
because they are computed ON the
principal sum which IN constantly be-
Ing repaid; therefore the proportion
which IL applied toward the repayment
Of the principal is always increasing,
For Illustration, II the debt Is $1,-
900 the debtor will pay S2b.25 every
six months. or tho first payment, $50
win go for interest, $t.7o belongs TO the
bauk. ael $500 IL applied to tho repay
ment OF tho principal. When the debt
IL half discharged, however, this dis
trlbutlon viii be greatly changed. The
borrower viii pay S25.25. rs usual. OF
lhis amount only $40 will 20 for inter
,st. SO cents will be retained by tho
hank. while Si3,37 will be applied to
the discharge OF tho principal. The
innl payment will be almost wholly TO
tho payment OF principal. as the first
me went largely TO tho payment OF
interest In this way one-half OF |
per cent will repay the principal In
nfty-four years, provided constant
payment ls maintained on the prin'
clpal for interest during the entire
period. Representative Ralph w. Moss
In Worlds Work
The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1914-01-17
French Fairy Tales.

french nursery literature II poor I'm
rhymes 10 dngularly rich in fairy tales
Three Of the worlds greatest fairy
tale writers were French-La Fon-
taine. Charles Perrault, the Countess
DAulnoy. or these three the greatest
in this particular line was undoubtedly
Chaftes Perrnuit. TO whom We owe
Cinderella" "Puss In Boots" and
''Biuebeard." But the Countess D'Aul-
ncy gave rs the yellow Dwarf" and
Beauty and the Beast" TO Antoine
Gaiiand. another Frenchman. we have
to render yhanks for the first European
translation Of the ARABIAN Nights
London Chronicle.
The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1914-01-17
LARGEST KNOWN ICE CAVE.
Wonders Of tho Frozen orotto In tho
Daohstein M Mountains.

VcVueFu " WV FfVNVf w wv
Daohstein Mou0tsjps.
"A few years ago soma msmbers OF
the Austrian psychological society dis
covered In tho Dachstein mountains
some cnverns which are among the
largest In Europe One OF these groi
toes the longitudinal axis OF which Ia
fully 0.500 feet long. moreover turned
out 20 offer additional interest by its
truly enormous Ice masses and was
found 10 be the largest known Ice cave
In the world
Though n scorchlng sun may be
burning outside on the bare mountain
rock. there ~ always an Icy wind
blowing through this underworld,
freezing everything within its reach
Only sometimes. when the outside
temperature ranges between 32 and
III degrees @. and comparatively
warm ruin pcDetrntos through tho As
sures OF the rock. entering right into
the cavern, win there be temporary
calm ana distinct melting OF tho iGa.
The Dachstcln Ice cave comprises
several domes filled with Ice. which
communicate with one another through
a number Of frozen galleries. An Ice
crevico 80 foet deep and Ii6 foet in
width trnveracs the floor OF the cavern
I85 feet from the entrance, Gigantic
fee pillars were found 10 tower ON
both edges OF this cbasm, In the depth
OF which there unfolds falTy-lik0 ico
scenery. Beyond the abyss tho cavern
widens out into a mighty domo Girls.
tan dome. as 1t is called. where
plain leo sheet reaches from one wall
to the other. carrying ice stalagmites
Of the most fantastic sbppes.-scien'
tilc AmericPR
The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1914-01-17
GIGANTIC wATER WHEELS.
creaklns, Dreaming monsters That En-
lIven o City IN Syria,

Creaking, Dreaming monsters phat En-
iivsR . City IN Syria,
Hama. In Syria. says writer In the
Wide World Magazine, IL famed for
It's huge water wheels. locally known
as naura. There are four OF them,
and they are driven by the river Or.
ontes which flows through the tOwa.
Each OF the wheels bears a distin'
guished namR. and the visitor 10 the
city Is made aware OF their presence
long before he sees them by the creak'
Ing and groaning nOise which greets
his ear. At first It suggests a pips or
gan and later brass band practicing.
The wheels nre built OF a dark ma.
hogany. which gives them at a dis
tance the appearance OF Iron. The lar
gest OF them boasts OF diameter OF
seyenty-hve feet and IL declared 70 be
the biggest water wheel In existence
The naura are erected on what IL
known as the undershot principle
that Is to say. they pre- driven by the
water striking them At their base.
They serve not only to supply the town
with water. but also irrigate the ad'
jacent gardens.
The wheels never stop, summer or
winter, and day and night their creak'
ing and groaning are heard. In the
The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1914-01-17
Two idssa

Uri. n candidate for congress-, said
to Jonathan. another. during heated
debate: II think, sir, you have but one
idea In your head. II Is very small
one. and II 1t should swell your head
would burst"
Jonathan. looking at the bare and
venerable head OF his opponent. re-
piled; well. ! think you haven't one
In your head and mayer had. There
has been one scratching AROUND the
outside, trying 10 get IN. TIL v has
scratched nil the hair on your head.
But II didn't get in. and It never will"
Uri was silent.-Chicago News.
The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1914-01-17
Sealed Orders,

The custom of having warnhipe sai'
under aenlcd orders arose from the de
slre ~ ninritiinc powers to prevent the
plnns from brcoming known 10 the
enemy In the Americnn navy such
orders come from the president mud
are delivered TO u commander or ship
~ squadron by n confidential mcssrn
ger who knnws nothing ~ their con
trnIs Sometimes they nre IN cipher
hut they nr- alwnyr sealed with the
bilirnl scni OF the navy department
mi the package cannot he opened an
~ the tin. marked an II. which II
iSuall, several hours after the bout
4 leaving port lsy this prrcnntlon
he newspapers are prevented roin
H., s,"slng Irrlnnturrly the movements
,hi,h may he ~ the grcntrSt lhior
nnrr. aud the spies ~ the enemy nr"
,ndrrcd uSelcas ~ fnr m their nhll
~ H. discover the secret or such
movrmnnip IL concerned.
The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1914-01-17
Earth and Moon.

The diameter OF the earth is 5000
miles. The diameter OF the moon IL
2,1G2 miles. The nearest approach OF
the surfaces OF the tive bodies is 2l0.-
AZ miles. The mean distance from
the earth In 23s.s50 miles, the max
lmum distance which may be reached
being 252,s30 miles. Tho moop's sur
face contains about l4.8s5. 900 square
miles, or nearly four times the area OF
Europe
The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1914-01-17

The primrose ~ hid wna credit'T
with II nIrdls.nn ns we'll nH super
.llilous vnlne Eycu now In some
country pnrts n d,rWtion of primrose
rnvr~ ~ supposed Ia restore n failing
memory. aud In iGhA. when Culpeper
wrote his London Dispensary." the
primrose was regarded Ms an almost
universal pnnncen. curing 'convulHlons,
failing sickness. pnlsioS. etc." and
strengthening the brain. senses and
memory exceedingly And even the
healthy did moi disdnln Ia ont II. for
primrose past, was once n popular
Lancashire dcllrncy. Family Doctor