davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-06-09
ST'OW,E
High School Alumni Vote to Buy Field
for Athletics.

The 18th annual meeting of the
Stowe High School Alumni associa-
ton was held Wednesday evening The
business meeting was held at the ban.
iqnet hall and the following officers
were elected for the coming year
President, Robert Cleveland; vice pres
| ident Agnes Towne secretary and
treasurer, Florence Canning; executive
committee, Ruth aMcMahon, Clifton
Stafford, Dorothy Nelson. The associa-
ton voted to purchase two acres OF
land to be used for playground in
connection with the village school. The
following committee was appointed to
make the purchases: H. B. Forbes. Lola
B Douglass, Marion A. Pike. Clyde u.
Nelson and Charles Gale. Following tne
business banquet was served at the
Green Mountain inn There were 10
present. =. B. Forbes acted as toast
master. A welcome to the entering
class was given by Mrs. Mildred Russ
The response was given by Martha
Gale. Remarks were made by Mrs. Lola
B. Douglass and Principal G. J. Strand.
Musical members included saxopbone
HotO ny ABltOh tJtdnoiu dHu FlQiiU NIlO
by Floyd Sears. accompanied on the
piano by Arlie Wright; vocal solo by
Beatrice Kaiser, accompanied by. Miss
Jessie Southland. Mrs. Barbara Burt
Moody, who is passing the summer in
Stowe, represented the oldest class
present. 1902 Among those present
from out of town were Mrs f. l..
Goddard of Bakersfield, Guy Holden Of
Milton, Gordon Cakes Of Randolph.
Mrs. Mckinley Crossett died at the
Mary Fletcher hospital Tuesday after
an Illness Of about eight weeks She
gave birth to son Sunday but failed
rapidly. Mrs. Crossett was the daugh-
ter of Mr.. and Mrs. Harley Camiey,
who survive her. She was born in
Stowe and was in her Goth year. She
has always lived here with the excep-
ton of few months spent at Rich
mond and Montpelier. Besides her par
ents, she leaves husband and son,
Reginald, two years of age. the in
FAINT son, three sisters, Mrs Gerald
Martin. Alice and Shirley. and broth
err, Lyle; grandparents, Mr.. and Mrs,
William Camley, all of Stowe, and sew |
eral uncles and aunts. Much sympa
thy is extended the family in their
loss, prayer service will be held at |
the home Of her parents, Mr. and Mrs !,
Harley Camley at o'clock Friday att
ernoon, followed by a service at the |
Congregational church at | 80 p. m.
Mrs. A. c. Spaulding has closed tho
spring term Of school at the Forks. Mr.. !
and Mrs. Spauldins have gone to Essex
Junction. where they will reside with
her parents.
Mr.. and Mrs. H. S. Knight have re-
turned from their wedding trip spent
st Halls pond and vicinity. Mr.. and
Mrs. w A. Knight and family and Miss
Reba Smith motorcd Thursday 20 New
bury, where Mr.. and Mrs. Knight will
attend commencement.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-06-09
EAST CORINTH

Everyone is rejoicing over the fine
rains Of the last week and the first Of
this. The roads and fields were get
ting very dry; but since the rain
things have been growing by leaps.
f. b. Brown. who WAS in the nos
pital AZ Hanover for week. is az
home now. but very feeble, being able
10 sit up part of the time.
A. NJ. Bedell is failing. being able to
take very little nourishment.
C. " Metcalf was in Hanover Sat
urdsy aud had growth removed from
his ear.
J. A. Dimick received word Wednes-
day night OF the death Of his brother
in law, Mr.. Barley very suddenly at
Elizabeth. \. }. Mrs. Dimick left Tor
that place Thursday morning.
Demings will start up Monday
morning.
Owing TO the steady rain Saturday.
the game between Washington and
East Corinth was not played. This
week East Corinth goes TO South Rye
gate.
Wednesday, Mr.. and Mrs c. w
Page. W. r. Thompson. Mrs. A. c.
.Jackmsn. Mrs. H. A. Jackman and
Jack and Dorothy Reed attended the
Grafton Orange association at Oxford.
\. H.
Remember the W NJ L. meeting at
Mrs. Charles Sinclair next wednes-
day At s:i5-
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-06-09
MARSHFIELD

Owing to the absence Of the pastor
there will be no services At the Con
grega tionai church next Sunday
Christie Smith daughter of Murdc
Smith, was taken 10 Brightlook hos
pital ST. Johnsbury. last Monday
where she underwent an operation tor
appendicitis. She is reported as com
Portable AS could be expected.
A. w Clark has recently purchased
new Oakland car and Elbridge Rose
brook has a Maxwell roadster.
Mrs. Warner y. Smith left last week
for Dorchester, Mass.
Mrs. +. A. Rosebrook is in serious
condition with heart trouble.
Rev and Mrs. Brotherston left on
Thursday for few days visit with
relatives in Franklin.
Remember the band concert Satur-
day evening.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-06-09


Many people appear to make it a
practice to SAVE what they dom
spend. Naturally their savings arc
small The better way /, TO SPEND
what You don't SAVE. You viii .st
ahead faster that way.
This il the way one woman figured
il: She started by saving a dollar a
week and kept it up for year. Soms-
how she wasn't satisfied with saving
this small amount so she made aew
plan. She decided to first lay aside
her savings and then manage to live
on what was left The plan worked
and the second year her bank account
made. large increase over the first
year
4 SAVE FIRST is the best rule Tor
savings that has been found Save
first and let no fancied need or desire
prevent you from SAVING the amount
decided upon. Deposit your savings
in the Montpelier Savings Bank ami
Trust Company, where four per sent
interest will help to increase your
principal. Aadv.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-06-09
NORTH CALAIS

Pre- Memorial Sunday was fittingly
observed at Memorial hall with music
by Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Lawson
Clifford Bliss and Mrs. Nellie Smith
with sermon by Rev. Brotherston OF
Marsh6eld. Miss Sylvia Bliss presided
at the piano.
Miss Alma Leonard and Miss
Charlotte Peck of East Calais spent a
few days recently at the Iroquois
camp.
Mr. and Mrs. r. T. Jaekman Of
Cabot were callers in town Monday.
Mrs. Ada Cate was a visitor in Mont
pelier Tuesday
Harold Fair is working for vern
Wheeler in East Calais
Mr.. and Mrs. John Slayton and
daughters were Sunday guests at Fred
Orr's.
Mrs. Ida Burnham an daughter
were in Maple Corner Sunday.
orrin Jackman was in Barre on bu.i.
ness Monday
Daniel Smith of Worcester was a
visitor at John Fairs Sunday.
Andrew and Fred Orr were guests
of their parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Fred
Orr, Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. NJ A. Slayton and Mr..
and Mrs Byron Bullock attended
funeral in East Montpelier Tuesday.
G. f. Adams and son were in Hard
wick on business Monday
Mr.. and Mrs L. y. Bancroft and Mr..
and Mrs. Keith of Maple corner spent
Sunday at the Iroquois camp.
Mr.. and Mrs. Harry Adams are
stopping with Mr.. and Mrs. Dennis
Lawson for time.
Mr., and Mrs. Willard lawson Of
Morrisyille are visitors at Nj. A. Stay
tons.
Mrs. S. r. Daley returned home
Wednesday from East Calais.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-06-09
WARREN

Memorial day was fittingly observed
here Nav 30. At ! o'clock delega
tion from the American Legion, accom-
panied by the school children and led
by Walter Carpenter as drummer. dee.
GRATED the graves of all veterans in the
village cemetery and then went TO the
town hall. where the exercises were
held. They consisted of music by 4
quartet, patriotic recitations and eN.
ercises by the children of the schools
in town. There was banner driIl by
the grammar school; Lincoln's Gettys.
burg address by Vance Cushman and a
very fine address BY Prot. Peach OF
Norwich university. who gave very
interesting address, leaving all with a
good inspiration.
The Improvement society realized
s37 from their supper given Monday
night, May 20.
Graduating exercises will be held at
the town hall tonight for all the
grades i'm town.
Mrs Frank Carpenter was called 70
Barre last week by the illness Of her
daughter, Mrs. Leon Webster.
Memorial night for the deceased
members of Warren grange was OBJ
served Monday night. very fine pro-
gram was given. followed by the dec
GRAFTON Of the altar
Mrs. Emma belong accompanied
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Pierce to Mas
sachnsetts last Thursday 30 visit ner
grandchildren.
Church services for the week are an
nounced as follows; Subject for next
Sunday morning, A Great Work; for
evening, Church Unification.'
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-06-09
CAROT

Miss Phyllis Webster, Miss Abbie
Smith, Miss Vera Rogers and several
others went TO Montpelier Wednesday
evening to attend the banquet at the
seminary.
Mrs. William Kenaston is slowly re-
covering from her recent Illness.
A patriotic festival. entitled, s.The
Three Centuries of American Democra-
Cyl" will be presented by the Cabot
village school Monday, June II, at 8
p. m. in the Library hall. The cast
is made up of 100 characters. Admis-
sion, adults, 35c; children, l5c.7-adv.
Mr. and Mrs. John Crane and their
two sons, Charles and George, took an
auto trip to New York this week.
Supt and Mrs. Jackman we're in
East Calais Monday.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-06-09

Your face. docs il wear the content
ed expression of good health. or are the
features drawn and pallids In the at
ter rase. your story i read BY all wac
-ce you. and what woman Of spirit
wants 70 be Pitied for her physical
condition There j. a way 10 get the
nervous. tired lines out Of your face
and the slump out Of your body. The
use Of that standard remedy. Lydia p
Pinkham's Vegetable Compound. eill
strengthen the nerves and tone Up The
system 70 resist that excessive fatigue.
adv.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-06-09
FEST F.4IRLEE CENTER
Daniel L. cady Comes to West Fairlce
Center Fair Wednesday, Aug 9.

N~t'S~A 4 "a " <AtG.
/ The poet OF Vermont fam life, Dan-
| lei i. lady OF Burfinntoil, has consent
cd to come to- the West Fairlee tair
this year. He does not call him elf
an orator and will not deliver a speech,
but he will read some Of his poems
and make some remarks in connection
with them.
Rev. Arthur H. Sargent represented
the Center church at the meeting Of
the Grafton Orange association Of Con-
gregational churches at Oxford June Z.
Miss Sadie Southworth i improving
and is able to be up part Of the time.
The fortnightly meeting at The
South Corinth schoolhouse will be held
Tuesday evening, June l3. The COM
mittee in charge consists Of Fred San
born, Dana Huntington and Mrs. Bert
Slack.
Thomas Ward and James Lyford
have recently bought automobiles
The Sunday evening service June II
will be held in the Motherhood school
house
Children's day will be observed on
June IL, with music by the band, reei-
tations by the children and a service
of baptism for all infants who may
be brought by their parents for that
purpose.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-06-09

were in Waterbury last week to ut
tend the Sunday school convention.
Osmon Kane Of Randolph was re-
cent visitor at George Lawson's.
Mr.. and Mrs. George Wheelock were
recent visitors in Waterbury.
Schools in the village close Friday
for the summer vacation.
Mr. and Mrs. II. r. Brown were bust
ness visitors in Montpelier the first
of the week.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-06-09

dend based on the percentage Of his
purchases tao the total sales during the
period covered. Do not fail to have
your slips in by June "a 1922, if yca
wish to share in the dividend. No
slip will be honored after that date,
The patronage of new customers is
solicited. Watch for the announce
ment Of my next meeting Or call at
one of my stores and learn about Che
profit sharing plan. Get the benefit
of il for the present year. Remember
Smith stands the loss but shares the
profits. G. A. Smith.--ady.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-06-09
Customers of c. A. Standardization

Under the profit sharing plan effec-
tive May Is, 1921, all cash customers,
who produce sale slips TO the valne of
500 or over covering the dates from
May 10, 1921 to May 10, 1922, are en-
titled TO share in the profits of my
business as outlined in the plan. You
are hereby notified to present all your
sale slips at any one of my stores at
which you trade on or before June "a.
1922. You viii receive a cash dividend
fbeing your share Of the profit in the
businessl on all slips for the period
named which are presented by this
date.
have decided TO modify the plan
and extend the same opportunity TO
all my credit customers, with whom
have book accounts, for the first year
period. provided they pay their account
in fun to June 20, 1922. and present
credit slips on or before June "a, 1922
There will be ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS thou
sand FIVE hundred dollars $50 500
available under the profit sharing plan,
and each customer will receive a divi-
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-06-09
NORTH FAYSTON
Tuesdays Cloudburst Did Considera-
BILE Damage Hereabouts.

A terrible electrical storm ragrt
over this town Tuesday afternoon be
tween 1 and 5 o'clock, with torrents
Of rain falling, causing rivers and
brooks to run in all directions, doin.
great deal Of damage to roads and
crops. 1t was thought by many here
was cloudburst, the water coming
down off tile hills SO suddenly. Good
sized brooks ran through pastures anl
meadows, tearing crops and everything
ahead of them.
The main road in some places looked
more like river than highway The
road on Griflin's hill. so-called, was
made almost unsafe for travel from
the top of the hill to the next bridge
near the house In some places the
road was washed out half across its
width and from one to -four feet deep
along the side Some of the hill
roads are not passahle with a team.
Road Commissioner Harold Henry
had his work on the roads nearly COM
p!eted, but it will take some time now
to repair the damage done.
A meeting was held at the home Of
Mrs. J-~P. Boyce Friday, with good
number of ladies in attendance Miss
Mildred Boice demonstrated on the
first nutrition course
Samuel Little returned to his place
of work in Tarrytown, n ~, Monday,
taking with him his two boys. His
wife plans to go later, after few
weeks visiting among relatives in
and elsewhere Mr.. Little
and sons went by automobile, Mr.. Lit
tie purchasing new Overland ear
few weeks ago. His son, Roy, docs
the driving
Will Wheeler Of Mortified was an
over-Sunday visitor at the home of his
brother, Charles Wheeler.
Mr. and Mrs. James Neill and fam
lily Of Waitsficld were in town sun
day.
Mr.. and Mrs. Z. Richardson and son.
Guy. and wife OF Warren were in town
Sunday.
Miss Bessie Hoffman has returned to
her place Of work in Waitsfield, after
/ weeks vacation.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-06-09

Doing Well.
Hello, Tom. Got 4 job out here in
California
Yes. I'm doing pretty well at the
beach,
"Hnssos"
"The city has given me JOB censor
ing bathing costumes and also act as
scout for musical comedy show
Kansas City Journal.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-06-09
Things Age Quickly These paws.

A New York critic says that
shakespesre's plays are antiqusted. He
should remember that Shakespeare has
not written anything for several years
Boston Transcript.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-06-09
REPORT or CENTRAL ORANGE COUNTY COW TEST
ASSOCIATION FOR MONTH ENDING MAY

qualified for the
pounds Of bnterfat
by Benz Tucker Son This
Of high
ovne by George Answoh and Horace A
pounds buttertat each The
honor efourh below:
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-06-09
MIDDLESEX
Mrs. Charles Porter Hurt When Her
Horse Ran Away.

Mrs. Charles Porter met with bad
accident Wednesday morning When
driving down the SAift hill the UNI
brclla fell on the morse, which became
frightened and ran, throwing Mrs.
Porter out. She was assisted to the
home OF her sister. Mrs. Budesheim,
where medical help was summoned.
Her condition growing rapidly worse,
she was taken to the Heaton hospital,
where the N-ray was used. The rib
directly over the heart was found to
be fractured. Although suffering
great pain, she is as comfortable a.
can be expected.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-06-09

Mr.. and Mrs. G. r. Wilson, who
have been visiting their daughter, Mrs
Roy French, and family, went Wednes-
day night to Waterbury, where they
will visit before going to their nome
in Peru, n. X.
The village schools were closed on
Thursday on account of the circus.
Miss Beth Powers of Waterbury was
a guest at 7. J. Eaton's Wednesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. c. A. Bingham, Miss
Francis Conway, Mr.. and Mrs. +. J..
Eaton and children attended the scnool
play at Shady Rill Wednesday eve
ming.
Mrs. Minnie Richardson has been yis-
iting friends in Sheldon the past week.
Madam johnson, who has been quite
i'll with Brighf's disease, is gaining.
Childrens night was observed at the
grange Monday night, good number
were present and fine program was
rendered.
Mr. and Mrs. A. r Bigelow attend.
ed commencement exercises at Mont
pclier seminary Thursday, their dauga-
ter, Miss Mildred, being graduate.
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1922-04-28

activities ceased to operate by reason
OF his learning so much Of their prop
agahda aud ploltngs.
HIS home Is in Toledo, o., where
the American Legion has as its com.
Dalder this same GuStavulS Ohlinger.
The Legion convention was in full
blast In his home city when Il wealthy
I0ledoan burst in and announced that
ne would pay the entire expense Of
the eX-Scrvice mems gathering if they
would drop their bonus stand. What
ohIlnger told him was never learned
from fiye-foot shelf, but It was good
e'l"ngh to cause a hurried exit on the
part OF the Toledo business man.
That's why the Legonnaires like him.
Md gloves might be alright TO use
sometimes, but Ohllnger doesn't draw
them on when he tackles Legion prob.
lens.
Born OF German parentage In China
a close friend Of the late Theodore
Roosevelt, world traveller and famed
as having ridden a bicycle across
South Africa are few of the things
that show why Gus stands ace high
with the Legion men and also why he
must be reckoned with by any group
whose American!sm is questionable.
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1922-04-28
RALPH SINNERS is
SURE TO MAKE GOOD
Milwaukee Youth Works His Way
to New York Giants.
Tried to Get Tryout With Brewers,
but Owners Couldn't See-DeveI-
oped Into Real Star With In.
dianapoIis Team.

Back in the spring of 1920 Mil
wnukee boy tried to get tryout with
the Brewers, All he wanted was a
chance to show his wares, but the
club owners could nots see the boy
from the home town, says the Mil
Walkee Sentinel. Today this same
yolngSter, Ralph SINNERS, Is the
property Of the New York National
league club, bringing four players and
cash to indianapolis by the deal.
a star with the indianapolis club in
1871 and one Of the most promising
youngsters ever sent from the a. A. to
the majors, SINNERS was sought by
several big league clubs.
II was in 1920 that Jack Hendricks,
manager of the indianapolis club, was
sending his Indians against the Brew.
erS, that he was told about n lleet-foo
ed youngster Of the sandlots who
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1922-04-28

could hit at n terrific clip and was
stealing more bases than any other
two players In the circuit. Hendricks
looked him up and decided to give him
chance, He failed to show much
during the closing days of the 1920
season. He went South with the In.
club In 1921 and Il decided
Improvement was noticed in his play
ing.
Hendricks then decided to start him
as regular. He made good from the
jump Playing In Minneapolis last
fall, In the last series between the In.
dams and Millers, SINNERS was the
star. He got hit, was
MT by pitchers and very nearly got on
he paths every time he came to bat.
He Is II speed merchant, one of the
'astest that the A. A. has ever boast
I'd. He is six feet tall, weighs 100
pounds and Is only twenty-one years
I'D. Last season he played in 1914
,ames, was at bat 6S3 times. made 236
ITS for a percentage Of .347.
It's the old story of the athlete not
eing able to make good in his home
own.
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1922-04-28
DIAMOND NOTES

Charley Herzog has landed a fob
ms baseball coach in the army.
Honus Wagner for II consecutive
years-1S97 to l013--hlt 300 or better
in the National league.
Gorge Gibson In 1909 caught $40
consecutive games for Pittsburgh. His
team won the National league pennant
that year.
The st. Louis Browns have given
unconditional releases TO Pitchers Ed
iAnbling and Clarence Llllpop, both
st. Louis youngsters.
First the players strike out for the
South and then they strike out for the
North. Entirely too much spring prac-
flee In striking out.
They say that Lou Fonseca is play.
Ing such a dandy game at first base
Tor the Cincinnati Reds that they don't
care what becomes Of Jake Daubert
Edwin Eayrs, former Boston Braves
and Brooklyn player, has Joined the !
Brown university baseball coaching
stan to aid Coach Smell in developing
lhls pitching STAFF.
with both Browns and Cardinals
ecting to be In the pennant chases,
lions are being made to the seat.
capacity of Sportsman's park.
both teams play. II
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1922-04-28

cinched. Fred Mitchell made suc
cess of the Braves and put the Ma
tlonal League on the map in Boston
Bill killifer star catcher of the Cubs
Is the only playing manager among
the receivers. He started in mid.sea.
son last year after Johnny Evers
resigned, and he did as well with the
club as could be expected. Uncle
Wilbert Robinson is another good ey-
ample of the success achieved BY for
mer catchers.
Connie Mack Is Dean.
only two managers in the American
league can trace their career back TO
the mask and big glove days Connie
Mack, veteran manager Of the Athlet.
les, Is the dean Of them all. The
lean Lender Of the Philadelphia Amer
leans used 10 be the king of them all.
but he has been in the slumps for six
years. Lee Foil, who has built up n
pennant contender for the st. Louis
Browns, is the only other former
catcher handling II club in Ban John.
sons circuit.
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1922-04-28
MANY "0UT OF COMMISSION"
Nearly Dozen Destroyers Which Wore
Coveted sold Star on Stacks,
Are Doomed.

A typewriter has at last defeated
nearly dozen of the destroyers which
for four years zigzagged through the
North sea end in the submarine zone
of the Atlantic and gained notable vic
tories over German submarines. The
coveted gold stars. Worn on the stacks.
where all might see and know that
German sub had met death, were
awarded the Parker 0Brien, Cum.
mings, Porter, Davis and many others
which have been ordered "out of com.
mission by the Navy department.
"Out Of commission" means nothing
more or less than that the fast grow
Ing navy junk pile grows higher. Never
again, probably, will these greyhounds
or the deep circle around fleet OF
transports, suddenly dive off to one
side. sweep back again, drop depth
bomb, and then watch the oil come TO
surface that shows another German
submarine has gone down to visit Dayy
Jones.
The thrills of the deeds of these
star destroyers are bit overshad.
owed by the news that the Shaw is
slated for the scrap heap, too She was
escorting the huge British transport
Aquitania when the rudder damned
and the giant ship ran her down. The
Jacob Jones also brings back sad mem.
cries She is named for the first m.
lated torpedo boat of that name which
vas sunk while battling in the subma.
Inc zone.
Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1922-04-28
WORTH KNOWING

A survey of the housing situation
was recently made In Minneapolis by
the mail carriers.
More than 5000 miles of nets are set
nightly during the herring season In
the English channel.
Something like $4,000 stitches are
required TO make the ordinary suit Of
clothes.
A watch which took twenty men
years to make, and which is priced at
more than $4,000, has recently been
completed In London.
A man has succeeded in travelling
across France - from Paris to Mar.
sellles-by canals and rivers, and back
again, In paper boat.
In the British museum are specimens
Of boards and pieces with which the
game of checkers was played In Egypt
centuries before the Christian era,