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bages, and proklamashuns, and aspirations, and abominations. I hain't seen his last great bill of inditement, but from the sillybust of it which appeared in your paper, I'm prepared to say that I would like to experiment on him, and see if Solomon writ the truth in the 22d verse and 27th chapter of Proverbs. I would make the juice fly till I was satisfied, sartin. But I started to write a few paragraphs on the currency. Mr. Trenhome, I suppose, are a mity smart inan, and knows how to run the money macheen, but shorely he don't know how the last currency bill affects me and my naburs. I don't know nothing about bankin' nor finesheering, nor the like of that, but I can't be honeyfuggled as to how my money comes and as to how it goes. I know how proud I was of the first confederate bill that crossed the feel of my fingers. How keerfully I put it low down in my breeches pocket, and kept my hand on it all the way home. I felt proud bekause the Confederacy owed me. Think, says I to myself, this is a big thing sertin, and I'll invest my bottom dollar in this kind of money, and lay it away for hard times.

Well. After while, Mr. Memminger, or Congress, or somebody, got up a bill, the substance of which were about as follows: "Mr. Arp, Sur: I bought sum supplies from you for my army, and I give you my notes. Now, if you will consolidate 'em and wait twenty years for the money, I'll pay you four per cent interest. If you won't do it, I'll repudiate one third of the debt, and I won't take any of it for what you owe me for taxes." Mr. Editur, it didn't take two to make that bargain--it only took one. I hurried off to the Agency and consolidated. They took my money and give me a little sickly scrap of yaller printin' about the size of a thumb-paper, and I kep it, ontil I was obliged to hav some change, and I sold it to a white man for fifty cents in the dollar. I took my pay in a passel of hundred dollar bills, drawin' intrust at two cents a day, and having a pickter of an ingine pullen a train of kars rite under a telegraph wire, and the steam a bilin' out all over it. Think, says I to myself, this here is a big thing sartin and shore, for it's the right size, and it's drawin' intrust, and it's good for taxes durin' the war, for it says so on the upper left-hand corner.

Now, Mr. Trenhome, N. B., take notis. You came into offis, and then you, or Congress, or somebody, fixed up a bill which says in substance: "Oh! see here, Mr. Arp. We forget about them intrust notes when we made you fund your other money. You must come up in a few days and fund them too. If you don't you can keep 'em, but we won't pay you any more intrust after the first of January, 1865, and we will tax 'em five per sent, and we won't take 'em for any thing you owe us." Well, I concluded to hold on to 'em, intrust or no intrust, tax or no tax, for I've got to spend 'em very soon and they are more convenient than thum papers, I put 'em on the market, and the very best offer I could git was fifty cents on the dollar and the intrust thrown in. I thought that the merchants had combined to swindle me, but I got hold of a paper containin' your last big currency bill, and its language to me are in substance as follers:

"Mr. Arp, Sur: Since the seventeenth day of February, 1864, we've borrowed a heap of money, and give our notes called the new isshew. Now we want to make the holders come up and fund those notes, and we are going to mortgage cotton and corn enuf to secure 'em. As for them intrust bills of yours, we can't do any thing for 'em-the fact is, we have left 'em out in the cold. It will take all the cotton and

corn to sekure the new isshew. Oh! see here, Mr Arp, you'll have to bring over your cotton and grain to help us out, for we are bound to have it. Good morning, sur."

That's it, exactly, Mr. Trenhome. That's the way it works me and my naburs. We can't help ourselves, but it's a hurtin' us way down in our buzzums. I had six hundred dollars of the old ishew, and I promised Mrs. Arp some of it to buy her a cow. The fundin' business rejuced it to three hundred in them intrust notes. Your currency bill has put them down to one hundred and fifty, and it won't buy the hide and taller of a flatwoods heifer. I never hear my offspring cry for milk, but what I think of you affexionately, and exklaim, "Hard, hard, indeed, is the contest for freedom and the struggle for liberty," and I hav also thought at sich times, that if a man, a living man, had treat me in that way, if I couldent whip him, I would sue him in the big cowrts, and the little cowrts, and all other cowrts. I would sue him all over with warrants, and summonses, and subpenas, and interrogatories. He could get into jail for swindlin' just as the captain of the forty thieves got into the robbers' cave.

Then agin I git over it, and conclude that maybe it couldent be helped, but my deliberate opinyun are, that it is just as easy for a government to be honest as it is for a man, and it's a heap more important. If Mr. Trenhome thinks so, he'll buy Mrs. Arp a cow, and show his faith by his works. In the language of Mr. Milton: "I don't want nothin' but what's right." Yours trooly, BILL ARP.

P. S.-Mr. Editur: If you think the above will be any comfort to Joe Brown, just leave all the last part out of the paper you send to him.

B. A.

WIGFALL ON HONESTY.-In the rebel Senate, on the eighteenth of January, during the consideration of the impressment bill, Mr. Wigfall took occasion to give his views on the question of honesty. It was clear, he said, that if the prices of provisions, from the cupidity of producers, continued to increase, and the currency to expand at its present rate, the government would be confronted with the necessity of repudiation on the one hand, or of bankruptcy to the whole producing interest on the other. He then added:

"If repudiation is to be the result, he was prepared to lay down his arms and surrender at once, for the loss of liberty would be more tolerable than the loss of honor. If the country is ruined by the incontinent madness of the people, every man of them will be ruined; if it is dishonored, they will all share the dishonor. Let the leaders of the people and the press explain these matters to the people, instead of telling them that they will gain their independence but lose their liberties. Let Congress pass such a bill as he had indicated, and let the members, when they return home, tell their constituents the object of the bill, and they will receive the plaudit: Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

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fort at once, or should give the troops a day or two's
rest. The officers were in favor of resting. Grant
said nothing till they had all given their opinion; then
he said: There is a deserter come in this morning-
let us see him, and hear what he has to say.' When
he came in, Grant looked into his knapsack. Where
are you from?'
'Fort Donelson.' 'Six days' rations
in your knapsack, have you not, my man?'
"Yes,
sir.' When were they served out?' Yesterday
morning.' 'Were the same rations served out to all
the troops?' 'Yes, sir.' 'Gentlemen,' said Grant,
troops do not have six days' rations served out to
them in a fort if they mean to stay there. These
men mean to retreat-not to fight. We will attack at
once.'"

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AN ANXIOUS WIFE.-Literal copy of a letter received in the summer of 1863, at the Headquarters of General J. E. Johnston, Mississippi, addressed to him:

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"Last evening, as I was passing by the post hospital, my attention was arrested by the singing, in a rather loud tone, of itally 'round the Flag, Boys,' by one of the patients inside. While listening to the beautiful music of that popular song, I observed to a nurse standing in the doorway, that the person singing must be in a very merry mood, and could not be very sick. 'You are mistaken, sir,' said he; the poor fellow engaged in singing that good old song is now grappling with death-has been dying all day. I am his nurse,' he continued, and the scene so affected me that I was obliged to leave the room. He is just about breathing his last.' I stepped into the ward, and, true enough, the brave man was near his end. His eyes were already fixed in death. He was struggling with all his remaining strength against the grim monster, while at the same time there gushed forth from his patriotic soul incoherently the words, Rally 'round the flag, boys,' which had so often cheered him through his weary march, and braced him up when entering the field of blood, in defence of his country. Finally he sank away into his death-slumber, and joined his Will you do me an favor-inquire of General Jack-Maker's command, that is, marching onward to that son for my husband P. N. Smith. he joind Balentins Caveldry last fall in Hatcha then Chalmens-then you sent him to Jackson Cavaldrey the twenty-forth of last June. you mind he caim to you in Canten under A rest by order of Dr Baker in penoley (Panola) you sent him back to get his horse and give him A free pass. he brout me And my Boy-I was in Ward No 2 as matron under Dr right-if you can find aney thing pleas rite to me-my husband is none by Capt Brown-he rides A dark bay horse he cales stonewall Jackson-himself wares A green shirt with yelew braid on it he has red hair small black hat tied by a string-I no that you will Laf at me. All right. I want to no And I no you will tell me all you no And do All you Can

to General Johnson

ye humble suvant
Sarah Ann Smith
Matron Dr J. Buffington
enterprise

far-off, better land.

The last audible sound that

escaped his lips was: 'Rally, boys, rally once again!' As his eyes were closing, some dozen of his comrades joined in a solemn yet beautiful hymn, appropriate to the occasion. Take it altogether, this was one of the most affecting scenes I have ever witnessed in a hospital. It drew tears copiously from near one hundred It occurred in the large ward which occupies the entire body of the church on Cherry street. deceased was an Illinoisan, and had been wounded in

of us.

one of the recent skirmishes."

The

ENCOURAGEMENT TO FAT VOLUNTEERS.-Richmond, January 27.--Many of the fattest and bravest men in the Confederacy are afraid to go into the army lest they should be unwieldy or incapable of rendering service. This is a mistake, Some exceedingly fat men are now in the service. General Humphrey Marshall served for two years. But to set the matter at rest, we need only cite the example of Chiapin PRICES IN RICHMOND.-The following advertisement Vitelli, one of the ablest generals who accompanied appeared in the Enquirer:

PAPER-PAPER.-Just received, 100 Reams of superior Brown Colored paper, suitable for envelopes or wrapping purposes. Size 24 by 38-40 lbs. to the Price, $80 per ream. Apply at the Enquirer

ream.

office.

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Alva to the Netherlands.

Strada says of him: "He was equally distinguished for his courage, his cruelty, and his corpulence. The last characteristic was so remarkable, that he was almost monstrous in his perHis protuberant stomach was sonal appearance. always supported in a bandage suspended from his neck; yet, in spite of this enormous impediment, he was personally active on the battle-field, and performed more service--not only as commander, but as subaltern -than many a younger and lighter man." Be of good cheer, therefore, fat men; procure your bandages, and go in,

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We didn't used to think nothin' of it; but, you see, there's been so much talk lately, we got to thinkin' about it. Our master told us he'd give us all a hoss apiece and a new suit o' cloze if we'd stay with him, and I thought I'd stay; but, you see, the others left mor'n a week ago, and it was kind o' lonesome like, and I cut out too."

"Do you think it was right to leave your master, who always treated you kindly, with no help?"

66

Well, boss, it does look like a — trick; but then, you know, we must look out for number one. White folks does it, and nigger will too. We's done got in the crop, and the women and children must take it off. Besides, nigger's been at the bottom of this fuss from the start, an' it's nothin' more'n right for nigger to have a hand in the fightin'."

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Suppose you get killed? A grape shot would make an ugly hole in that hide of yours."

"Well, I've thought o' that; I'll have to run the chances. But if I stay at home, a tree might fall on me.'

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My shining colored friend smiled audibly at this sally of fatalistic wit, displaying a formidable row of ivories, competent to the pulverization of the hardest of hard tack, and I passed on. In a few moments I was arrested with:

"I say, boss, has you been a soldier man?" I pleaded guilty to a limited military experience, when my colored friend was urgent in his request that I should "tell a poor nigger all about it." I gave him an idea of what he might expect, for which he expressed his thanks, and struck off for the rendezvous, expressing a determination to see it through.

I asked another recruit if all the negroes in Kentucky were going soldiering. "Pretty much all of 'em that are able, sah," was the reply. "There ain't none left in our neighborhood."

People who don't own slaves, and are subject to the draft, appear to be delighted with the movement. "No more draft in Kentucky!" is the gratified exclamation with which they accompany the rubbing of their hands. Slave owners are generally sullen, and have little to say. One, however, whom I have met, appears to take a rational and philosophic view of the

matter.

"Confound their black hides," said he, "let 'em go. If they want to go and get riddled with canister or filled full of buckshot, why, let 'em. Mine have been more bother than they were worth for the last three years, and I am glad they're gone. They think there's hell now; but wait till the shells begin to fly around their ears, and they'll wish they was back on the old farm. I'd a sight rather a nigger would be killed than me, any how, and I wouldn't care if every nigger in Kentucky, male and female, would go." And he gave a gratified snort of self-approval, a look out of the stage window at a passing flock of blackbirds en route for Camp Nelson, and felt in his coat pocket for a small package of Bourbon.

GENERAL BEAUREGARD AND THE BLACK FLAG.-It was stated by Governor Letcher, in a speech at Danville, that Stonewall Jackson was in favor of the black flag. It appears, from the following private letter written by General Beauregard while recruiting his health at Bladen Springs, Alabama, after the retreat from Corinth, that he coincided in opinion with General Jackson. We find the letter in The Columbia Guardian, which obtained the writer's permission to publish it:

BLADEN, ALA., Aug. 3, 1862. MY DEAR GENERAL: I regret much to hear of being wounded. I hope he will soon be able to face the Abolitionists. In this contest we must triumph or perish; and the sooner we make up our minds to it, the better. We now understand the hypocritical cry of "Union and the Constitution," which means, and always did mean, spoliation and murder."

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We will yet have to come to proclaiming this war a war to the knife," when no quarter will be asked or granted. I believe it is the only thing which can prevent recruiting at the North. As to ourselves, I think that very few will not admit that death is preferable to dishonor and ruin.

Our great misfortune is, that we have always relied on foreign intervention "and peace in sixty days." No nation will ever intervene until it is seen that we can maintain alone our independence; that is, until we can no longer require assistance. England is afraid to admit that she cannot do without our cotton, for then she would virtually be in our power. France is unwilling to interfere, for fear of the treachery of the latter. She always remembers her as “la perfide Albion."

But if France concludes to take Mexico, she will require the alliance of the Southern Confederacy to protect her from Northern aggression. Nations as well as individuals always consult their own interests in any alliance they may form. Hence, our best reliance must be in our "stout hearts and strong arms."

I have been very unwell for several months, but could not rest until now. I hope shortly to return to duty, with renewed health and vigor. I know not yet to what point I shall be ordered. I hope to do something shortly by taking the offensive with a wellorganized army. However, "l'homme propose et Dieu dispose;" hence, I shall go with alacrity wherever I am ordered.

With kind regards, etc., I remain yours, sincerely, G. T. BEAUREgard.

Gen. WM. E. MARTIN, Pocotaligo, S. C.

The

ANECDOTE OF GENERAL GRANT.-A gentleman from the front tells the following good story of General Grant: A visitor to the army called upon him one morning, and found the General sitting in his tent smoking and talking to one of his staff-officers. The stranger approached the chieftain, and inquired of him as follows: " General, if you flank Lee and get between him and Richmond, will you not uncover Washington, and leave it a prey to the enemy?" General Grant, discharging a cloud of smoke from his mouth, indifferently replied: "Yes, I reckon so." stranger, encouraged by a reply, propounded question number two: "General, do you not think Lee can detach sufficient force from his army to reinforce Beauregard and overwhelm Butler ?" Not a doubt of it," replied the General. Becoming fortified by his success, the stranger propounded question number three, as follows: " General, is there not danger that Johnston may come up and reinforce Lee, so that the latter will swing round and cut off your communica tions, and seize your supplies?" Very likely," was the cool reply of the General, and he knocked the ashes from the end of his cigar. The stranger, horrified at the awful fate about to befall General Grant and his army, made his exit, and hastened to Washington to communicate the news.

A REMINISCENCE OF DONELSON.-A correspondent he had tested the river everywhere, and no spot had of the Memphis Appeal made the following state- he found that was fordable." ment, on the authority of a member of Congress who was one of the Fort Donelson Investigation Committee:

On Saturday night, before the surrender, a council of war was called. Pillow, Floyd, Buckner, and a number of brigadiers, composed this body. There was much confusion and exciting debate for a while. Some thought it necessary to surrender, and some did It was midnight, and no definite understanding was come to. General Floyd, seeing this, dismissed the council, requesting Pillow and Buckner to remain. The three sat down gloomily by the fire, to ponder over the sad aspect of affairs. A long silence ensued. At last Floyd said:

not.

"Well, gentlemen, it remains with us to decide this matter, and we must do it at once. It is now midnight, and if we retreat we haven't got a minute to lose."

"I say retreat," said Pillow.

"I say surrender! We have shed enough blood already to no purpose," said Buckner.

66

Well, gentlemen," said Floyd, "I see you are still divided; and as I have the casting vote, I will settle the matter at once. I favor a surrender myself, provided the duty does not devolve upon me. I cannot surrender, because the United States Government have indicted me for treason, and the probability is that if they were to get me they would hang me. So, you see, the thing is impossible. I transfer the command to you, General,"

"Well, gentlemen," said Pillow, "I'm in the same fix as yourself. The Yankees have got me indicted for shipping guns and munitions of war to the confederate government. So, you see, I can't surrender either. They would hang me as quick as they would you; and if you are excusable, I guess I am, too. So I transfer my right of command to you, General Buckner."

General Buckner bowed, but said nothing. At that moment a noise was heard without. The door opened, and the courier announced an officer who desired admittance. He was ordered to show him in; and the next moment Colonel Forrest, all splashed with mud and water, with high-topped boots and an old slouched hat, made his appearance. He walked to the fireplace, and seated himself without saying a word. After a few moments, Floyd said:

"Well, Colonel, have you any thing important to communicate, that you come here at this late hour, or has your curiosity led you to pay us this visit in order to find out what we have decided upon?"

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Both," replied Forrest dryly; then rising from his chair, he said:

"But is it possible, gentlemen, as I have already heard whispered this night, that you intend to surrender?"

"Yes," was the reply. "We have just arrived at that conclusion."

"But," said Forrest, "there is no occasion for it, gentlemen. The whole army can easily escape, without the loss of a man. Not an hour ago I crossed the river, on my horse, where it was not waist-deep. I crossed it going on horseback, and waded it coming back. It is free from Yankee pickets also, and there is no danger to be feared."

Yes; but, Colonel," said General Floyd, "my scouts have reconnoitred the entire river, and an officer who arrived not half an hour ago told me that

"I don't care, General, if he did," said Forrest; "he told you a d-d lie, as I am ready to swear that I waded the river not half an hour ago, as my wet clothes will testify. And now, gentlemen, as it is getting late, it is high time you should be acting. Will you take my advice, and make your escape? "No," was the reply, "it is too late."

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"I have one request to make," said Forrest; "I, have a fine regiment of cavalry here, and I want permission to take it out. Grant me this much, and I'm off."

General Buckner nodded his head, when Forrest bolted out of the house, took his command, crossed the river at the aforesaid place, and made his escape without the loss of a man.

A GOOD JOKE.-I must tell a good thing that occurred here, apropos of General Smith. On his arrival he made his way to General Magruder's office. But one staff-officer happened to be in, and, as young men sometimes will do, he was occupying a position more comfortable than elegant, with his back to the door, singing "Dixie." General Smith interrupted him with: officer broke off his song only enough to reply: “Yes, "Is this General Magruder's office?" The young

sir."

General S.-Is the General in?"
Officer-" No, sir."

General S.-" Will he be in soon?"
Officer-"Don't know, sir."

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General S.-" How long has he been gone ? Officer-" Don't know, sir." General S.-" Where is he?" Officer-Don't know, sir. It is not my work to keep him."

General S.-" Ahem! My name is Smith." been to see the General." Officer-"Yes. Good many Smiths about-several

General S.-" They sometimes call me LieutenantGeneral Smith."

Officer-"The deuce you say!"

The officer turned a very rapid summerset, and disappeared in a twinkling.-Mobile Advertiser.

A GALLANT FEMALE SOLDIER.- Doctor Mary E. Walker writes from Chattanooga an account of a singular case of female martial spirit and patriotic devotion to the flag:

Frances Hook's parents died when she was only three years old, and left her, with a brother, in Chicago, Illinois. Soon after the war commenced, she and her brother enlisted in the Sixty-fifth "Home Guards," Frances assuming the name of "Frank Miller." She served three months, and was mustered out, without the slightest suspicion of her sex having arisen. She then enlisted in the Ninetieth Illinois, and was taken prisoner in a battle near Chattanooga. She attempted to escape, and was shot through the calf of one of her limbs while said limbs were doing their duty in the attempt. The rebels searched her person for papers, and discovered her sex. The rascals respected her as a woman, and gave her a separate room while in prison at Atlanta, Georgia.

During her captivity, she received a letter from Jeff Davis, offering her a Lieutenant's commission if

she would enlist in their army.

She had no home and no relatives; but she said she preferred to fight as a private soldier for the Stars and Stripes, rather than be honored with a commission from the rebs. About two weeks ago she was exchanged. The insurgents tried to extort from her a promise that she would go home, and not enter the service again. "Go home!" she said; "my only brother was killed at Pittsburgh Landing, and I have no home-no friends!"

Dr. Walker describes Frank as of about medium height, with dark hazel eyes, dark brown hair, rounded features, and feminine voice and appearance. Dr. W. is well versed in human nature, as well as anatomy, and she believes that justice to the young woman in question requires that she should be commissioned a lieutenant in the army. The Doctor also argues that Congress should assign women to duty in the army, with compensation, as well as colored men, averring that patriotism has no sex. Whether the President will commission Miss Hook as a lieutenant, or Congress will draft Mrs. Walker's countrywomen into the service, we know not; but we are certain that the "Doctor" is thoroughly in earnest, and that the story of her new protégée is an interesting one.- -Washington Republican.

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THE ARMY TO THE PEOPLE.
MEN of the North! ye are true, ye are strong!
Give us a watchword to cheer us along;
Write on our banners, in letters of fire,
Words that shall hearten, ennoble, inspire-
Words that shall strike to the heart of the foe
Terror and trembling wherever we go;

Give us this watchword to hear through the fight: "Freedom and Fatherland, God and the Right!" "Freedom," for all that are weak and oppressed"Fatherland, God and the Right!" For the rest,

Leave that to us! With a watchword so true,
What shall be lacking that brave hearts can do?
Soon, from the Gulf to the Border, o'er moat,
O'er battlement, fortress, that banner shall float,
Blazoned all over with letters of light:
"Freedom and Fatherland, God and the Right!
Men of the North! ye are firm, ye are leal—
Firmer than granite, and truer than steel!
Loving and loyal, this only remains:
Strike from the bondsman his fetters and chains!
Then, then shall our legions go forth to the fray,
Invincible, clad in their battle-array;
And conquering angels shall lead on the fight
For Freedom and Fatherland, God and the Right!
FITCHBURGH, MASS.

CAROLINE A. MASON.

THE LAST STAR.

A REMINISCENCE OF MINE RUN.

BY E. J. ADAMS.

["Here, Sergeant, take this star. It is the last of thirty-four from our old flag; the remainder are shot away in the eleven battles through which I have borne it-Malvern Hill, Chantilly, SouthMountain, Antietam, first and second Fredericksburgh, Gettysburgh, Falling Waters, Bristow Station, Rappahannock Station, and Mine Run. And if I am not permitted to take it to the ladies who gave it, perform the duty for me, and tell them it never left the field disgraced !"-Color-Sergeant JEFFERSON FOSTER, of the Fifty-ninth New-York volunteers, to Orderly G. S. ADAMS, of the Sixth New-York artillery.]

All quiet now the battle clash;

No more the cannon's sound
Peals forth a requiem to the dead,

Or shakes the corpse-strewn ground;
But gentle night hath drawn her veil
O'er this sad scene of woe,

As if to hide from mortal ken
A sight they dare not know.

From dawn of day till eve set in,
The fearful contest waged;
Still viet'ry perched on neither flag,
But brooded where the "tug" had raged.
Begrimed and weary, wet with gore,

The separate armies lay

Upon their arms that solemn night,
Early to start the strife next day.

Beneath a charred and shattered oak
A color-sergeant lay,

And many a wide and gaping wound
Told of his work that day.

But not alone upon the plain

Was this youthful warrior left,

To be butchered by some thieving band
Of humanity bereft.

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