davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-01-14
"Help! IHelp!"

ry her. It's Just a fake ceremony,
and this gent here. Professor Daw-
born, will pretend to marry you. I'm
derstand? The public will think it's
a real thing, and it'll draw trade. It's
a new idea of mine. Remember, you're
Doctor Salerno, and you've come from
the Japanee islands, where you cap
tured and tanned the famous man-eat-
ing monsters, to marry Mademoiselle
Viviane. Don't be afraid; the beasts
amt got a tooth in their heads. You
have to prod :em~to make 'em love.
Wiser. - =.
I'm wise," said barrett.
Very we'll. If you make good your
Job stays for ever. We're starting on
the M night circuit tomorrow, and
you'll marry. Mademoiselle Viviane
every afternoon between here and
Milwaukee. Professor Dawborn here
does the trick, and. as l said. he amt
got no license. He amt a clergyman
nor nothing, but the people thinks he
is"
The seedy-looking individual raised
his head, and the first words he ut
tered convinced barrett that the pro-
lessor, too. had just bee taken on.
Il don't know Is I'll &C through
with it," he murmured. Lions amt
no treat to me. boss. Maybe I'd bet
ter think it over"
Come and see EN-" roared the
manager.
With one arm linked through the
professors. to keep up his courage
and keep him from running away. ant
followed by barrett. he led the way
to the lions precinct. They entered
a ramshackle shed near h circu:
tent. and inside barrett saw Made
moiselle Viviane amons her pets. with
in a spick and span decorated cage.
She was tickling the heads Of twt
enormous. sleepy monsters. But /
was not al them that barrett looked
but at Mademoiselle Viviane.
He had pictured a dainty. petit,
little woman He had reflected tina
the guilty job he had undertaken mus
always be a burden upon his con
science. He could hardly bring him
self to go through even a mock cere
mony. eve for another week of Lo,
mas company. But now thes
thoughts were utterly dispelied
Mademoiselle Viviane was stout
double-chinned. and fifty. She had a,
adiposity Of tissue which made he
bow Of recognition a lop. Her hands
which rested on the lions heads, wer
rolls OF flesh In which q few obscur
diamonds and ruhies were twinkltni
like plums In q pudding.
Are ron ONT" asked the manager
How much?" gasped barrett
Five Q night and no notice"
I'm on" said barrett feebly.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-01-14
New State Industries.

New State industries.
The following new corporations have
been organized in Mississippi recently
and will shortly present their charters
to the governor for approval:
Pontotoc Waterworks Cmpany, Pom
totoc, Pontotoc county, capitalized $685.
300: Pund-Kincannon-Elkin Company,
Tupelo, Lee county, capitalized at $780,
300: Marsalis & Douglas, McComb,
Pike county, capitalized at $4,000;
Hude Grocery Company, Vicksburg.
Warren county, capitalized at SO, 900;
amendment to charter OF Southern
Bank, Port Gibson, reducing capita
stock to $4,000.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-01-14
Burnina Meat Proved Fatal.

Warren, O.-Mr. and Mrs. Oliver
Pinkerton were found unconscious in
their home recently, overcome by
smoke OF burning meat. The police
broke into the room and carried out
the unconscious couple. Mrs. Pinker-
ton died soon after being taken to .
hospital and her husband was not ex.
pected to live.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-01-14

Pineapple Dinner From Soup to Poem.
From the first course until the last
pineapple was intermingled in the
luncheon. First came pineapple soup.
There was a goodly portion Of pineap-
pie fritters, and pineapple ice. and the
tables were decorated with pineapple
cans and real pineapples. In addition
to the pineapple speeches and pineap-
pie dishes there was . pineapple poem
read by James D. Dole.-Honolulu
star Bulletin.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-01-14
State Librarian Elected.

Mrs. William F. Marshall OF New
Albany, out of a total of nine starters,
has been elected state librarian to
succeed Miss Matte Plunkett, who
has held the position for 16 years. The
election was held by a joint assembly
Of the two houses.
Following her election. Mrs. Mar
shall was escorted to the speakers
stand. where she made a short address
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-01-14
Ex-convict Held Old Ticket.

Kansas City, Mo.-A man boarded q
train in Kansas City. Mo-, . few days
ago for Gallatin, Mo-, and handed the
conductor a ticket that had been pur-
chased In 1896. He explained that %
years ago he had purchased the ticket
for Gallatin, but that he had been ar
rested and taken to Leavenworth a. Z
federal prisoner.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-01-14
Prison Cotton Sold.

The state prison trustees have paid
into the treasury the sum of SGT 900 as
a further payment or the last lot OF
cotton sold, which. was bought by
Boyce & Co. Other payments will be
made as the cotton is shipped at
Parchman and weights verified and
checked. The trustees also report the
sale of another lot of cattle which
were at Parchman, receiving $3.50 for
some 80 head of old cattle and the
rate of three cents per pound on the
hoof for a smaller lot of steers.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-01-14
FEEDING the Colt,

Colts should be fed so as to be kept
in good flesh, but under conditions
which will admit of plenty Of exer-
taken not to lose the milk fat. This
loss will be felt in the first years de-.
velopment. and can never be regained.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-01-14
~. Of Farm Implements.

0f ordinary farm Implements. the
sulky olow has the shortest HE n
Years a ranks second only to the
walking plow in total days OF service
rendered. It's life Is Q little over eight
years. while its total OF days work
Is 1ss. az compared with TN years
end 224 days for the walking pillow.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-01-14
k,csina Habit Of Mu,e,

II . mule IL properly trained. he
win not develop the kicking habit any
more than q horse Will Mules have
. bad name N this score. simply be-
cause they are not ~ we'll broken ~
hosoes aro.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-01-14
OVER THE STATE EPITOMIZEp

A Rotary Club will be In
Meridian Jan. Is.
The Brookhaven board Of trade Is
making plans to launch an annual Lam
coin county fair.
The Associated Charities Of hatcher
will hold a big rally and organization
meeting Jan. 16.
The mussel shells OF Tombigbee riv'
erer is the incentive for Iowa capital
lat. who are in Columbus preparing t.
establish a button factory.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-01-14
seareaate Aiiina Ewes.

II any Of the ewes are not in the
best condition. separate them from the
main mock. and give extra care until
they are in proper form to return to
the flock.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-01-14
Taxes Alleged Due.

The state revenue department has
| filed a claim against Adams county
for $16,915, amount alleged to be due
for back ad valorem taxes covering
a period of six years.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-01-14
Mississippi Pardons.

Mississippi Pardons.
Gov. Brewer has granted releases to
the following convicts additional to
such as were granted since the new
year began:
Meritorious discharge for Grover S.
Smith, serving life term from Jackson
county for murder. on recommends
ton of officers in recognition OF con-
spicuous service in suppressing in its
incipiency a fire which threatened one
of the Oakley farm buildings.
Pardons for r.. c. Hastings, from
Holmes county, white man, sentenced
in 1911 to five a for assault to kill;
| John F. Byrd, white, from Greene couE-
ty in November, 1915, to two years
for forgery; Columbus, alias Lum
| Young, from Kinds county, in Deem
| Der, 1910, to 20 years for m~anslaughter
and Will Brooks, alias Will Thomas
from Scott county in December, 1913
to seven years for assault to kill.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-01-14
LEAVES
TO ASSUME DUTY
ROWLAND HEIDELBERG APPOINT.
Ed TO SUCCEED NEW CON-
GRESHAM ON BENCH.
BREWER DELIVERS MESSAGE
Governor Tells the Legislature Tina
He Leaves a Clean Financial Slate.
Recommendations Are Made
To Solons.

-JdShSOA.
Gov. Brewer. has received the formal
resignation of Judge w. w. Venable,
presiding over the Tenth circuit cour.
district, who lays aside the ermine in
order to take up his new duties OF
representative from the Fifth Missis-
Venable left Immediately for Wash
ington, where he his office.
Gov. Brewer at once appointed Row
land Heidelberg Of Shubuta. a we'll
known young lawyer of the district, to
act as judge pending the holding of
an election as provided by law. The
governor set the time for the special
election at March Z, or 60 days from
the date of Judge Venable's resigna-
ton.
Judge Heidelberg, the appointee. Is
a young man, in just about his twenty
ninth year, and is a son of Hon. D. w.
Heidelberg of Shubuta, a former state
senator. who served from 1904 to 1908.
Before an attentive audience Of sen
ators, representatives and visitors,
Gov. Earl Brewer has delivered his
message to the Mississippi state legis'
lature. The message in chief was
rather brief, but it covered concisely
all matters of interest pertaining to
the administration.
The governor, in calling attention
to the financial condition of the state
| cites that during his administration
the current expenses Of the state have
been met without floating additiona
| indebtedness. Careful watch on the
disbursements have held them within
the receipts, he says.
According to the governors message
one of the most needed institutions
in the state at thu present is an in
crease to the state charity hospital
He recommends that the present legis
lature take this matter up and pas
measures suitable to relieve the pres
ent crowded conditions.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31
NOT ENOUGH CHILDREN

.ver receive the proper balance of food .o sufhciently nourish both body and ulain during the growing period when naIure's demands are greater than in mature life. This is shown in so many pais iaees,. lean bodies, frequent colds, and lack of ambition.
 For all such children we say with SSnnistakable earnestness: They need oeotts Emulsion, and need 1t now. It possesses In concentrated form the very ,1ou .g elements to enrich their blood. It ..,nanges weakness to strength; it makes "sni sturdy end strong. No alpohol.
 Scott & Bowne, HloosnheIds NJ
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31
SCHOOL DRESSES.

These are washable. Compare the make, material and finish of these little Dresses with what you have been accustomed to buying at these prices. and you will at once declare them a bargain. You can not afford to buy the material and make them yourself at these prices. Sizes 6 to fl years,
 at ................... .i5c to 9Sc
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31
RED SEAL GINGHAM

Now is the time to buy Ging- ham for school dresses. We have just opened two full cases of the well-known Red Seal brand. All of the colors are new and differ ent from previous shipments. This Gingham is 2 inches wide and all colors. including solids, are absolutely fast. August price, per yard ............. .t21sc
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31
BILLIKEN SHOES.

We are exclusive agents in Mena for the noted "Rilliken Shoes" !" Americas highest grade children's Shoes, the wonder shoe of the goth Century. We have them in both patent leather and gunmetal but ton. Sizes 6 in misses to 6 in ladies.
 Priced at from. ... .$2.0( to $3.50
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31
BOYS KNEE PANTS.

We have a very complete line of Boys Knickerbockers, in many different colors and qualities. They are firmly sewed and made for the hardest wear by boys 6 to is.
 years. Prices. ....... 75c to S1.50
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31
PENCIL TABLETS.

Made of good quality smooth new stock paper, ruled pages and medium size. Every pupil should have one of these tablets.
 Price .....,.,.............5c .5c
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31
"RAH RAHo HATS.

Very popular with the young sters and can be worn either by girls or boys. We are showing them in variety of patterns.
 Your choice of big line for ;. 50c
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31
BOYS BLOUSE WAISTS.

Made of good quality of percales in assorted striped patterns. They have military collars. pockets and patented waist bands They are well made throughout and will stand hard wear and washing.
 Sizes to i2 years .,....... 50c
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31
WINDSOR TIES.

These Ties are inches wide and 10 inches long, Come in all solid colors and large assortment of Scotch plaids. Very attrac-
 tive and serviceable. Price. 25c
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Dr. F. A. Lee came from Wiekes Saturday afternoon to spend a short time with homefolks.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Dr. w. c. Vandiver reports the birth of a son, Wednesday, to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Stockton. on the Ashmore Dairy farm.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

NJ. w. Oglesby. now at Ritz, Scott county, was with Mena friends on Wednesday.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Allen and chil- dren spent Sunday at Potter at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Oliver.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Mrs. Smith Harwell came from Ringing, Ok. this week to be at the bedside of her sick father, John Beavers.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

J. I. McNutt of Eldridge. Howard county, is in Mena to look over farms near town with a view of moving to Polk county.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Roy Jackson of Umpire, Howard county, who had spent a few days with his cousin, J. A. Faulkner. re- turned to his home Sunday
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Homer Bales and Will Stephenson of Hatfield spent Tuesday in Mena on business.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Raymond Wilson, one of the merchants at Octavia, spent Tues day in Mena buying goods for his store.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31
RIBBONS.

Just the thing for the childrens hair bows. All silk and of good weight and finish. Coors white, isshsrtr mink. .rardinal, navy. laven- dag.-s. and safancy lowered and Striped. Special school price.
 per. Xard i6c
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Mrs. B. ]. Stuart went to Potter Wednesday in response to word that her sister-in- Mrs. C. R Cartwright. was very ill.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Mrs. Bratcher Grove and son. Lake. who had been visiting at the home of H. R. GroveInear Eggers re- turned to their home in Shady Point Saturday.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Dr. w. c. Nandiver reports the birth of fourteen pound boy on Sunday morning to Mir. and Mrs Jesse Philpot. living on South See-. Cnd street. r--rs-
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Thos. Harris, Jr, of Ida, Ok. who with Mrs. Harris. is visiting his father at Hatfield. since returning from a visit to relatives in Newton county. spent Friday and Saturday with Mena friends. MT. Harris made the trip from Ida to Hatfield and Mena in his automobile, but he did not attempt to go to Newton county with the ear.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

E. NJ. Sharp came from Prescott "Wednesday to spend a day or two closing his business affairs, and he will then return to Prescott to take active charge of the First State Bank. Mrs. Sharp and the children will remain in Mena until the first of the year.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Irving Demofest came from Salt Springs Tuesday afternoon and spent Wednesday in Mena on busi- ness.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

H. NJ Patterson and daughter ar rived last Monday from Waldr0n to make their home in Mena. Mr Pat terson has shipped his household goods and as soon as they arrive he will buy or rent property.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31
BOYS SHIRTS.

These Shirts are made of medi- um weight blue chambray and striped percales, with pocket, mill itary collar and faced sleeves.
 Specially priced at. .......... .50c
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Lingle are here from Clinton, Mo, to visit Mr. and Mrs. NJ. A. Stratton and other rela- tives. Mrs. Lingle is sister of Judge J. s. Kelly, and an aunt of Mrs. Stratton and Mrs. V. w. St. John.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Miss Blanche Harper, Easter Mount. Anna Casey and Bessie Roach. and Messrs. Chas. Grant. Ivan Rowe. Noy Blair and Howard Payne, composed a party of young folks that spent Sunday at Cherry Hill attending the Holiness pro- tracted meeting and then spending the remainder of the day in an out ing on the Ouachita.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31
CBurDHEN's HOSIERY.

For this occasion we made a special purchase of two we'll known brands of Children's Hos iery. the Round Ticket and Econ omy. These Hose are noted for their superior wearing qualities, appearance and absolute satisfae- ton that they give both mothers and children. All sizes for boys and girls.
 Prize. per pair ...... f5c and 25c
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

4. J. Owens. son of Ben Owens. living west of Hatfield. spent Satur- day in Mena with his father. Mir. Owens is in the mercantile bus mess in Kiowa, Ok. and he and Mrs. Owens and children have been spending a week with Polk county relatives and friends. Mrs. Owens is a daughter of the Rev. s. A. Neighhors of Potter.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Mrs. J. Hollister Full returned Tuesday afternoon from a visit at the home of her parents, Mir. and Mrs. J. R. Cavanagh in Indianapolis. She was accompanied on the home trip by Miss Esther Bassett of Indi- anapolis.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31
EXPRESS LEAD PENCILS.

Red polish with nickled caps and crasers. Medium soft lead. Spe- cial school price, ? for .....s.. .5c
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31
PERSONAL NOTES

r K Moore and Chester Messick /, icrannis were in Mena Friday
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

MT and Mrs. Levi Wimberly were in from Egger Thursday to call. on friends and to attend to matters of business. this having been their first trip to Mena since last April. Mir Wimberly reports that the first bale of cotton of the 1916 crop in the Egg ger community was to he. ginned that afternoon at the w. M. Vim herly gin.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Gregg Purvis has sufficiently re- covered from his recent illness to again take up. his work as teacher at the Oak Ridge school. northeast of Mena. During his illness, the school was taught by Prof. NJ. L. furgeson.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Mrs. J. c. Hilton. left Tuesday for Joplin in response to message an- nouncing the serious illness of her sister, Miss Mollie Webb. As soon as she recovers sufficiently, Mrs. Hilton hopes to bring her sister to Mena.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

ur and Mrs. Carl Fisher of Big cedar. Qks were ID Mena Tuesday Ia ppt supplies.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Dr. A. J. Robbins came in from Cameron. Ok, Thursday to spend a week with Mrs. Robbins and Miss Ruth, and to enjoy the cool noun tain hreezes and pure water He reports that it has been almost un- bearably hot in Cameron this sum- mer. the thermometer frequently registering i07 degrees, and with that it has been very dry, so that crops have suffered greatly.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

E Mir. and Mrs. Carl Bernhard, who had spent most of the summer at the home of Mrs. Nj. Profit, mother of Mrs Bernhard, and with other Mena relatives, left Friday after noon for their home in Port Arthur, Tex. ysa1
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Hamby has returned from Asber Ok. and will spend the fall at least. among his Mena friends.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Will Mccoy, nephew of Mir. and Mrs. w. J. Lauck. who had spent the summer with relatives in Hora- tio. is in Mena for a visit at the home of Mir. and Mrs. Lauck, before returning to his home in Coffeyville, Kas.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

-Hsa I Abernathy of Bigfork was in fMena Friday to do some trading,
 -Fefurning Saturday.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Mr. and Mrs. Howard Gift and two children, who arrived in Mena Sunday from Cooksviile, Tenn, and had spent last week with Mena rel atives and friends. left Friday aft ernoon for Elk City, Ok, to visit J. l.. Gift and son, Frank
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

J. R. Lambert of Egger and his nephew, visiting from Heavener, were in Mena Saturday. MT. Lambert says he believes the drouth in his neighborhood has cut the cotton crop half during the past ten days.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

j. F. Sanders of Hatfield, who had been prospecting in the vicinity of Big Fork. was in Mena Friday on his return trip.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Mr. and Mrs. Hardy Jones and family. of the Owens Chapel neigh borhood. Miss Hester Jones. who is visiting them and Mrs. c. H. Russell of this city, spent aa outing on Mt. Mena last week, returning to Mena Wednesday afternoon.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Mir. and Mrs. J. B. Dixon and children, who had spent the week at the home of Mr and Mrs. P. R.. Watkins, left Friday afternoon for their home in Mansfield.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Miss Toka Anderson left Friday afternoon for visit at the home of Mrs Mrs Thos. A. Bain, in Mt. Pleasant,
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Dr. c. C. Gunnels went to Little Rock to look after the automobile business recently organized by him and R. Golf.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Williams of Hatfield spent .4,,esday in Mena en business with lnlntY otllclals.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

J w. Sargent and D. T. Reyes of Board Camp were in Mena Saturday the latter to attend the meeting of the Republican county central com mittee Mr. Sargent says he be- lieves the cotton crop IS cut about half by the drouth.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Mir, and Mrs. Weldon HGrd of Womble spent Friday with Mena friends while en route to McAlester. where Mr Hurd has job with mercantile firm.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

w. H. Terry of Hatfield, was in Mona Tuesday to secure a load of ice rom the Mena Ice X Cold Storage nnn1nanN.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

poy H T. Howell and Mrs. How o,I " of opal were with Mena friends IhuredaY.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

MT. and Mrs. R. D. Whitaker and children are here from Fort Worth, Tex, visiting at the home of Mir. and Mrs M. F. Whitaker. living on the Middleton farm, northeast of Mena. They came overland in an automobile
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Willie Little. the eight-year- old daughter of Mir. and Mrs. D. E. Lit tie, died Sunday morning at the family home near Board Camp. The funeral services were held Monday, and burial was in the Board Camp cemetery.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Edgar Hon, who had spent a week with his sister, Mrs. J. J. Goker, at the Shady forest ranger station, re- turned to his home in Waldron on Friday night.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Master James Fucker Smith and Mss Helen Smith, children of Mir. and Mrs. J. s. Smith of Shreveport, former residents of Mena, came from DeQueen Friday to spend few days as the guests of Mir. and Mrs. w. k. Holt and daughter, Miss Kath- leen. They returned to DeQueen Monday afternoon.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Mrs. Robert Lindsay and two sons, of Foreman, and Miss Udley Jones of DeKalb, arrived in E Mena Wednesday afternoon to join Miss Hester Jones. who is visiting at the home of Mir. and Mrs. Hardy Jones, near Owens Chapel.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

Mir. and Mrs. c. w Petty left last Sunday morning for St. Louis, where they will spend week buying fall and winter goods for the Petty store.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

0. w. Thompson, who is engaged in mining enterprises near Wander yoort. spent Monday night and Tues dav in Mena.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

The Rev. w. J. Dunman was at Union Grove last week to attend the annual meeting of the Freewil Baptist Association.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

p c. Young. who recently moved from Scott county to a farm near Eagleton, was in Mena Thursday to get building material for a new house which he is erecting.
The Mena weekly star., 1916-08-31

J. T. Conway, a prominent busi- ness man of Paris, Tex. arrived in Mena Sunday to spend time here in recreation. Mir Conway was one of the heavy losers in the fire that swept Paris some months ago. and he had previously met financial re- vrses on account of the business de-