davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wilmington morning star., 1946-12-11
E YORK COTTON

NEW YORK, Dec. 10 up =
Mill buying against textile orders
featured moderately active deal
ings in the cotton futures market
Tuesday. Prices at one time showed
gains of $1.20 a bale but consider
able hedge selling developed in
late dealings, along with profit
taking, and final prices we're I'M
changed to $1.05 a bale lower than
the previous close.
The nearby positions we're under
selling pressure in connection with
switching operations into the 1947
crop deliveries. The December,
1916 delivery was steady, follow
ing issuance of 5 additional trans
ferable notices.
Open High LowLast
Dec 31.25 3D. so 31.25 31.40 unch
Mich 31.17 31.35 31.16 31.26 up S
May 30.61 30.83 30.61 5000 up 3
Jly 1928 29.49 1920 29.46 up 81
oct 26.35 1852 1922 26.42 up 9
Dec $3.50 $500 28.8o 25.95b up 10
Mch (1948)-
25.3 $3.50 1913 Is. 45n up 10
Middling spot 32.27n, up 2.
The Wilmington morning star., 1946-12-11

up a little better than a point on
average and lower prices Were
taken for Chicago Great Western
4 lbs, Rock Island convertible 4
Us. St. Paul convertible 4 LIS,
Cleveland Union Terminal 4 LIS
Great Northern 2 5-8s, Lehigh Val
lev 4 LIS and Missouri Pacific os.
New Haven loans fi-med in ate
ending up a point or so
and better prices prevailed for
bonds of New England Telephone
New Orleans, Texas &
Ohio Edison, Pennsylvania EN-
rial Airlines. Peoria q Eastern
Pacific and West ohore
railroad.
The Wilmington morning star., 1946-12-11
Stock Market Encounters
Wave OfProft Castings

Goodyear, U. S. Rubber, Consoli-
dated Edison. Chesapeake & Ohio.
Standard Oil (NJ), Texas Co..
Union Carbide, United Aircraft
Allied Chemical and Eastman
Kodak.
The Wilmington morning star., 1946-12-11
Many Leaders Back Down
Fractions To Point
Near Closing
MARKETS AT A GLANCE

NEW YORK, Dec 10.-(P-
Stocks-Mixed; profit taking
slows recovery.
Bonds-Mixed; selective de-
mand for rails.
Cotton-Steady; mill buying
against textile orders.
CHICAGO
Wheat-Easy; light demand.
Corn-Firm; export buying.
Oats-Steady; with corn.
Hogs-Active and steady to
strong; top $24.25. Cattle =
Steady to firm; top $34.0O.
Evening star., 1946-04-07
"CALLING ALL HUSBANDS"
Continued from page seren

you've got to eat, kid - just hash?"
I'VE can't afford to live high"
Clara said dryly.
After dinner. Jim helped her wash
the dishes. Say. kid" he said.
you've worked hard today and so
have l. Come on. get your hat and
we'll take in movie"
mo, Jim," Clara said with tight
lips, I'VE need every cent we can
save for little Jimmy's education"
Next day, Jim brought home a
lavaliere with a modest amethyst
drop. Clara looked at it longingly.
smiled sadly. wrapped it up again.
"You take that right back tomor-
row, Jim. and get them to refund
the money. have no right to things
like that, now"
1t got to be so that Jim was
almost afraid to come home. for
fear of finding some new and un-
pleasant economy being effected.
Clara even asked him to give up
smoking. In January. he silently
showed her statement which
showed the two mems combined
savings to be almost $4,000, of
which Jim's was about $4,000.
There was a hard look in Clara's
eyes. "It only lacks a little over
$1,000 now" she said. do you
still intend to divide with him, Jim,
when the total is $2O,OOO?"
"Arch's havin' pretty hard sled
din" Jim said. "And don't forget
this, kid - l wouldn't be your hus-
band here today if Arch hadn't
saved my life in the Argonne."
Clara tossed her head. "All right,
then. l wrote to Leigh Grail that l
wouldn't do anything behind your
back. But I've had enough of this
agreement to give our money away,
Evening star., 1946-04-07

Uncle Noah did actually die and left
him $1,000. The next New Year the
accounting of the two friends showed:
Archibald Grail $2,995.0O
James P. Doxey 14,853.10
Clara excitedly added it up. "Oh.
jim! That makes over SIT 900. Why.
if you keep on the way you've been
winning -"
"I'll be able to pull old Arch out
of hole" said Jim happily.
"Oh. jim. after the way we've
worked and scrimped and saved to
get ahead! I've made my own
clothes. and we haven't had vaca-
tion in three years -" Up went her
handkerchief to her eyes. "Oh. it
isn't fair, Jim! 1t isn't fair!"
Jim's voice rose considerably -
for him. why. look here, kid. l
won't be broke, if we do divvy up.
III make money enough. tn be an
inspiration to know I've helped
Arch"
Jim Doxey." Clara said, do you
care more for Archie Grail than you
do for me?'
jim pleaded, Don't you want
your husband to keep his word?"
CLARA walked out of the room.
That night when Jim came home
from work, tired out. he found her
alone in the little kitchen getting
the dinner. whats the matter,
kid" he asked, "Jane sick?"
Il discharged her today, Jim. We
can't afford to keep a maid any
more" Clara didn't look at him; she
was stirring something in yellow
bowl. "If you're going to give your
money to Archie Grail, we'll have
to economic as much as we can."
When they sat down to dinner
Jim scowled at her. 'Is this all
Evening star., 1946-04-07
CONDUCTED ~ y II

and I'm going to leave you. jim.
Yes, I am! Don't you dare to touch
me, Jim Doxey! You've been good
to me, Jim. and - and we've never
had quarrel till now. But l won't
stand it." Clara was crying. And
you never told me the Grails were
here. You tried to get rid of me!
Yes, you did! All right. Jim Doxey.
you'll get rid of me for good. I'm
going to take little Jimmy and go to
Auburn with Ma
That was trying night for jim.
Clara wouldn't answer him. At
breakfast she said nothing but yes
and no. When he got home from
work she wasn't there. He wired to
Auburn to her mother. No answer.
For two nights. Jim tried to sleep
in the empty, desolate house. un-
decided what to do. At the garage
he got letter from Archie telling
him that he and Leigh were like
lovers again. and She d quit spending.
JIM went home determined to take
an evening train for Auburn. In the
kitchen he had a tasteless pickup
dinner. In his bedroom he was
moodily tossing shirts into a suitcase
when he heard the front door slam.
He charged out into the hall and in
an instant he had both Clara and
little Jimmy in his arms.
"Oh, Jim," Clara sobbed. clinging
to him, II thought l could leave
you, but | found / just couldn't.
can't help loving you no matter
what you do. I guess you're so
darned good and stupid you don't
realize what you've done" And
when they went in to put the little
boy to bed, Clara said, ma told
me lot about Pa, Jim, that I never
knew before; and it kind of helped
me to understand you better" She
was both crying and laughing now.
"And Ma says - she says you just
Continued on page 20
Evening star., 1946-04-07

President of the u. S. to mount the
Washington monument. For what p'sr-
pose did the President 90 up on top
of the monument?
To get an idea how a double or
single bridge across the Potomac
would look. - W.C.C., Biloxi, Miss.
I. NYLoN WARN" Con you
guess hov much yam is used tn one
nyIon stocking?
About mile and quarter!
s. WANTED: YISHERlgEN -. Why
are EXPERT fishermen being recruited
for ,cork in tie Marshall islands,
To determine the size and variety
of the fish population before the
Evening star., 1946-04-07

1. 0VERSEAS BRIDES More
than 10000 World War III se,rice-
men hare married foreign brides. How
does this compare sgith World W0r l.?
Only 5000 doughboys married
foreign girls. 1t is estimated that
four out of FIVE of these marriages
were success.
Mrs. J.R.M.. Detroit. Mich.
Z. PRIVATE PLANES What
state in the Union has more pripote
airblanes registered than any Other?
The state of Texas.
PC, Albany, Miss.
J. STAIR CLIll1ER President
Truman recently became the first
Evening star., 1946-04-07
FOR MORE
ENERGY
when ibiamin is lacking
in y0nr daily MeU

IN your da,ly dlej
When you feel tired and all-in, life
really isn't worthwhile. So do as
thousands of happy, energetic peo-
pie are doing. Take Nutrex to keep
up your pep and avoid that tired
feeling due to lack of thiamin. It's
swell to have all the energy you
want to do your days work and en-
joy your evenings besides. So don't
put it off! Get Nutrex at your
drugstore today, without fail, and
get results or you'll get your
money back. Widely recommended
by thousands of satisfied users
everywhere. Buy the economy size
Nutrex--it saves you l5H.
For fnedne,, dne ~ oiber san,e,. 'ee 4 ao,io,
Evening star., 1946-04-07
YOU CAN
FEEL Sw ELL
after IS If

You don't let constipation drag you
down! Nature has placed a marvel
Gus hydrogel substance in apples.
prunes and many foods to help you
keep regular. As you grow older,
you may need more of these foods,
but you eat less. That is why thou
sands of folks over 35 have turned
to Serutan. Serutan is concen-
trate of hydrogel substances-not
a pill, not salt, not an oil, but an
all vegetable preparation that pro
vides a smooth, soft jell to aid
more normal, natural elimination.
Why dose yourself with harsh pur-
gative or habit forming drugs
when it is so easy to enjoy the
tasty, toast-like granules of pleas
ant tasting Serutan right along
with your meals? Sold by all drug
stores on money-back guarantee.
For your own sake, start using
Serutan t0day!'
For OrganiC t0nSIIbaiiOn, see a dodor.
SERuTAN s.esr,!d." .sssa II
Evening star., 1946-04-07

atom-bomb tests this spring After
bombing tests will also be made.
8. STATE BONUSES Almost all
the states are considering bonuses for
World War II veierans. What states
hare already apbrosed them?
Vermont. New Hampshire and
Massachusetts,. Vermont's maximum
is $l2O; New Hampshire's, 500. and
Massachusetts, fiat 500 bonus.
7. FAST WALKS Why is Russia
planning to bniid "uosins Sidewalks"
rothe, than subWays?
Because they will be cheaper to
construct. The fastest Sidewalk
will travel at 9.5 miles per hour.
.. BEST SELLER What is the
best-selline trnit in the World?
Apples. AM, Albany. Ga.
.. LAST SALvo What Allied
ship fired the last s0leo Of the war
against Japan?
The USS Concord. a cruiser, fired
the last shot at the northern islands
of Japan while conducting an anti
shipping sweep in the Sea of Okhotsk
and along the Kuriles on the night
of August II.
-R.H.R., YI/C. Great Lakes. III.
CONDUCTED ' ~ M.>
NOTE: We will pay 81 in Victory Saw
ings Stamps for a question and answer
used in this column. Proof nsnsi accom-
pony the ansTsy Address: Tom Henry.
THIS WEEK, 42O Lexington Avenue
N. Y. c. II. Unaccepted contributions
cannot be acknowledged or returned.
Evening star., 1946-02-01
Barbara Vickerv
Engaged to We'd
Philip Bo1Uie

OF great interest to Washington
Is the announcement made today by
Vice Admiral and Mrs. Howard L.
Vickery of the engagement of their
daughter, Miss Barbara Willis Vic
kerry, to Mr.. Philip Somerven Bowie
Mr., Bowie is the son of Mr.. and
Mrs. G. Calvert Bowie of Rockville,
Md. Vice Admiral Vickery is we'll
known for his outstanding work
during the war as vice chairman
of the Maritime Commission. He
recently received the Distinguished
Service Medal from the Army in
recognition of his remarkable &C
complishments in that field. The
prospective bridegroom's family
have long been prominent in the
history of Maryland.
Miss Vickery is a graduate of Ma
tional Cathedral School for Girls
and attended Mount Vernon Junior
College, and she made her debut
at the Sulgrave Club in l941. She
Is the granddaughter of the late
Judge and Mrs. Willis Vickery of
Cleveland and Mr.. and Mrs. John
H. Blanchard of Boston.
Mr.. Bowie was graduated from
ST. Adams School and was in the
class of 1943 at Dartmouth College.
He served in the Army of the
United States as a first lieutenant
and was overseas a year in the
European theater. He recently re-
turned to civilian life. He is mem
her of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fra
ternity and of the Chevy Chase
Club.
No date has been set for the
wedding.
Evening star., 1946-02-01
Miss Hill Bride
IOf Mr.. Martin

A wedding of unusual interest In
both diplomatic and residential cir
cles in Washington took place Sat-
urday at st. Thomas Church when
Miss Mona Hill, daughter of Mrs
Russell Hill and the late Mr.. Hill of
this city, became the bride of Mr.
j. Howard Martin, son of Mr.. and
Mrs. William Thurl Martin of
Olympia, Wash. Mr.. Hill was known
in Washington as a concert pianist
and musicologist and Mrs. Hill is an
architect. The brides grandmother
is Nine. Albert Secouet de LAUDER
gere.
An old diamond cross, a family
heirloom, ornamented the white
satin gown which the bride wore.
The bodice of the gown was en-
broidered in pearls and her bouquet
was of yellow roses. She was given
in marriage by Mr.. Walter Nash.
Miss Helen Hereford was her maid
of honor and the bridesmaids were
Mile. Antoinette Chautemps, daugh-
ter of the former Prime Minister of
France and Nine Camille Chau-
temps; Miss Georgia Conlon, and
Miss Therese Exton.
Mr.. John j. Lang was best man
and ushers were Mr.. Norberto LIE
Calais, son of the Minister of Lux
embourg and Nine. Hugues LIE
Calais: Mr.. Robert j. MacBride.
1r., and 1t. George B. Newell.
Mr.. and Mrs. Martin will make
their home in WASHINGTON.
Evening star., 1946-02-01
By Ruth Dean

Mrs. Smith HempStone was re-
elected president of the Woman's
Army and Navy League at the an
nual business meeting of the group
yesterday in the Soldiers, Sailors
and Marines Club at 1015 L street
NV.
In making her annual report, Mrs
Hempstone, who was attired in a
chic red and black ensemble, de-
clared that with the decrease in
wartime accommodations for serv-
icemen there is a greater need than
ever before for the club, which the
league sponsors. She emphasized the
fact that the club was not of recent
wartime origin, but had long his
tory dating back to its founding by
the league in 1899.
The league president paid tribute
to those past members whose con-
tributions have made possible the
present large home with the two
annexes, and pleaded that the
league mot lose its identity" in its
work of sponsoring the canteen
through dwindling membership. The
league is one of the oldest organiza-
tions in Washington, existing for
the purpose of promoting the gen.
eral welfare of the enlisted men of
the Army, Navy and the Marine
Corps.
One of its oldest members, Mrs.
David Rumbaugh, who joined the
organization in 1899, was among
those attending the meeting.
Other officers elected included !:
Mrs. Homer Case, first vice presi-
dent; Mrs. Robert Patterson, second
vice president; Mrs. Alexander VAN
degrift, third vice president; Mrs.
Russell Wilson. fourth vice presi-
dent; Mrs. Ralph Lovett, secretary;
Mrs. w. P. T. Hill, assistant secre-
tary; Mrs. Douglas Plate, treasurer;
Mrs. Paul w. Caraway, assistant
treasurer; Mrs Oliver Spaulding,
membership secretary and treasurer
Newly elected executive members
for the Army were: Mrs. Walter C.
Baker, Mrs. Howard c. Davidson,
Mrs. Jacob L. Devers. Mrs. George
Evening star., 1946-02-01
Mrs. Bailey to Head
Red Cross Fund Uni

Mrs. E. L. Bailey has been ap-
pointed chairman of Motor Corps
Transportation for the 1916 Metro
politan Area Red Cross Fund Drive
with Mrs. Charles Eudy as her vice
chairman. AS their assistants they
will have Mrs. Lester Evans and
Mrs. Ernest E. Hermann, former
home service chairmen, and Miss
Dorothy Towns, chairman of the
night desk.
Transportation presents no new
problems to Mrs. Bailey and Mrs.
Eudy since it was due to their ef-
forts that the Red Cross mail and
supply service was so efficiently con-
Quoted during the war period.
All supplies for the drive-pamph-
lets, books, posters, cards as well
as displays, speakers, radio scripts
and news releases will be distributed
by the Motor Corps.
Another duty of the corps Is the
transportation, under heavy guard
of all funds for banking and audit.
Evening star., 1946-02-01
Caption Correction

Through error the caption of a
picture used last Sunday of the
Women's Club of Lyon Village
identified Miss Ellen Quistgaard in
center of group as a member of the
Swedish Legation instead of the
Danish Legation.
Miss Quistgaard, who Is acting
secretary to the newly appointed
military attache of the Danish Le-
cation, Gen. Christian Jacob Fors-
lev, worked with the Danish under
ground in Copenhagen until her
husband George Quistgaard, a
Danish author, was executed by the
Nazis. Miss Quistgaard then went
to Stockholm where she continued
her work with the underground un-
known to the neutral Swedish au-
thorities.
Evening star., 1946-02-01
Furry Of Parties Yesterday

The party pace yesterday was
geared to high speed. The Countess
de Marenches and her sister, Mrs
Henry S. Downe entertained in the
afternoon at the F Street Club and
the party was so successful that
several people stayed on for supper
and a game of bridge afterward
The affair was in the nature of a
farewell party to her Washington
friends as Countess de Marenches
will be leaving for France in a day
or two. This will be her first trip
back to her adopted country, where
she has home in Paris and another
in Normandy, since the beginning
of the war.
Naturally, a large contingent of
yesterdays guests included men,
bers of the French Embassy and
CSpitalites who have lived in France
and know it well. Mime. Henri
Bonnet, wife of the French Am
bassador, was there and Nine
Francis Lacoste, wife of the French
Minister. and also Nine. De Saint
Didier, wife of the French Military
Attache. Capitalites who have
known France well, of course, in
cluded Maj. Gen. and Mrs. Clifford
Lee Corbin, the latter looking very
lovely in a chic black satin suit and
pale blue feather hat; their daugh-
ters, Mrs. Charles Bruce and Miss
Dolly Corbin; Mr.. and Mrs. Carlton
Holdrege and Mrs. Robert Dunlap.
Mrs. Cary Langhorne and Mrs
Henry Latrobe Roosevelt were also
there, as were Mrs. Nicholas Long,
worth. who was hatless yesterday
Mr.. Frederick Roy. Mr.. and Mrs
William Littauer, Maj. Gen. Allen
w. Gullion and famous bridge au-
thority who Is also considered by
Evening star., 1946-02-01
luncheon to Honor
B'nai Birth Head

A luncheon in honor of Mrs
Arthur Laufman. president of B'nai
Birth Women. Supreme Council
will be given by B'nai Birth Wom-
en-, Argo, Monday at Hotel 24O0
The affair will also celebrate the
50th anniversary of B'nai Birth
Women.
Mrs. Maurice Bisgyer is entertain
ing at tea today at her home at
5000 Nebraska avenue NV. in honor
Of hostesses who have arranged
tables for the luncheon.
Other guests at today's tea in
clude Mrs. Charles Kotzin, men,
bership chairman; Mrs. Maurice
Malasky, chairman of the golden
jubilee membership drive, the goal
being 300 new members by the end
of March: Mrs. Harry Minkoff, Mrs
George Israel, Mrs. Hy Goodbinder,
Mrs. Jacob Miller, Mrs. Benjamin
Freedman and others who are work.
ing on the golden jubilee member
ship campaign.
Others attending the tea will be
Mrs. Nat H. Levy, chairman of res
ervations for Mondays luncheon,
and Mrs. Louis Dubit, president of
Bnai Birth Women, Argo.
Evening star., 1946-02-01
Ad Club TO Hear.
Miss Strauss

Miss Anna Lord Strauss, national
president of the League of Women
Voters, will be guest speaker before
luncheon meeting of the Women's
Advertising Club of Washington at
1890 pm. Wednesday in the Lee
Sheraton Hotel.
Miss Strauss, who has served in
many capacities in business and
Government. will discuss the OBJ
jectives of her organization and the
methods used toward obtaining
them.
She was the only laywoman to
be officially represented at the Food
and Agriculture Conference in
Quebec, having been appointed by
President Truman as adviser to the
United States delegate.
Julia Kiene, manager of the Home
Economics Institute, WESTINGHOUSE
Electric and Manufacturing Co., was
previously announced as guest
speaker, but was obliged to cancel
the engagement.
Evening star., 1946-02-01

many experts to be Americas best
player, Mr.. Charles Goren.
Another party worthy Of note was
the dinner given last night by the
Naval Attache of the Swedish Lega-
ton and his wife, Commodore and
Nine. Olof Angelin. Guests. who
were entertained in their home on
FoXhaH road, included Rear Ad-
miral and Mrs. Thomas B. Inglis
the Counselor of the Swedish Lega-
ton and Nine. de Aminoff, the
Naval Attache of the Australian
Legation and Mrs S. H. K. Spurgeon
Mr.. and Mrs. Carlton Holdrege, DR.
and Mrs. Leo Brison Norris and the
Second Secretary of the Swedish
Legation and Countess Wachmeis-
ter.
In the younger set there were two
parties on Thursdays calendar, both
of them all feminine. Miss Kath-
arine Elkins, the cause of both of
them, was entertained at lunch by
debutante Miss Edwina Pou Wad-
den and later in the day she was
the honor guest at a tea given by
Miss Graciela Sarmiento, daughter
of the Peruvian Military Attache
and Sonora de Sarmiento.
On hand to greet Miss Elkins,
who came down from Boston for
a few days between terms at Sim
mons College, were the Misses Elena
Gabriela Mora, the Misses Letizia
ana Dora Tarchiani, Miss Walden,
Miss Jocelyn Freer, Miss Hilda VAL
larino, the Misses Adelina and Ar
gentina Copello, Mrs. Owen G. Nc
kevitt, Miss Culema Fernandez, Miss
Maria Lima Julia, Miss Laurita Bra
den, the Misses Elenita and Dorothy
Dyer, Miss Jaime Saint-Didier, Miss
Dorothy Rutherford, Miss Peggy
Peoples, Miss Aura Godov and Miss
! Rosario Diaz.
Evening star., 1946-02-01

IC. Marshall and Mrs. Carl A
Spaatz.
Executive members for the Navy
elected included: Mrs. Julius A
Furer, Mrs. George F. Hussey, Mrs
Robert Lavender and Mrs. Arthur
Macarthur. Mrs. Field Harris and
Mrs. w. c. James were elected
executive members for the Marines
In making service awards, fol-
lowing her report, Mrs. Hempstone
commended Mrs. Rumbaugh for her
long service Others who received
concentrations were: Mrs. Patter-
son, Mrs. Baker, Mrs. Vandegrift
Mrs. Lavender, Mrs. j. B. Mauldin
Mrs. Lee Moberly, Mrs. Donald Lip
pincott. Mrs. Dewitt Peck, Mrs
Wilson, Mrs. NJ j. Schrode, Mrs
Caraway, Mrs. John Dahlquist, Mrs.
Melvin Hall and Miss Betsy Dis
singer.
In her annual report Mrs. Mont
gomery E. Higgins, retiring treas
urer, stated that the club had
ioNSCd 1o,OVu SCI dllO SCI fSO
1922 meals during the past year.
Mrs. Patterson introduced as her
guest Mrs. Robert Danforth, actine
president of the Jangos, who an
nounced a rummage sale to be held
by the Jangos April 10 and II in
st. Johns Parish Hall to raise funds
to start Jango Exchange which
will be thrift shop project. The
organization plans to contribute
funds from the exchange sale.
toward food packages which will be
distributed by the United Nations
War Relief to destitute countries
in Europe, she said.
Another guest present was Mrs
Luther Sheldon, a past president OF
the club, wife of Rear Admiral
Sheldon, district medical officer ot
the 5th Naval District, Norfolk, Va,
who is in Washington for a few
days.
Following the committee reports
and election of officers the grour
adjourned to the basement canteer
for luncheon.
Evening star., 1946-02-01
Mrs. Murdoch
Gives Luncheon

Mrs. John Edgar Murdock, the
former Miss Mariana Kyle, and
Miss Patricia Kyle, daughters of
Mrs. John j. Shugrue, were host
esses at a luncheon yesterday at
the Sulgrave Club in honor of Miss
Louise Shanahan of Pittsburgh.
Miss Shanahan attended Finch
Junior College at the same time as
her hostesses and among the guests
are other schoolmates. Those in
vited were the Misses Jewell Davis,
Abby Willard, Mariana Evans,
Dorothy Drayton, Mary Lou Miles,
Betty Huidekoper, Laura Allen,
Margaret Mechlin, Sue Hume, Lii
sette Littlehales, Bitsy Birney, Mrs.
Achsah Dorsey Smith, Mrs. Webb
Hayes, Mrs. Margaret Amussen, Mrs.
Mary Gibbons, Mrs. Mary Frances
Allen and Mrs. Harold L. Curtis.