V What is aBackache? IT IS KATURESWARNISG TO WQMEM Diseases of Woirmn' Organism Curad and Consequent Pain Stopped by Lydia E. Plnkham i Vegetable Compound. " It seems as though my back would bres't." Women utter "these words over and over asrain, but continue to draff along and suffer with aches in the small ot the back, pain low down in the aide., " bearing-down" pains, ner vousness and no umbfiion for any task. They do not realize that the back is 'the jnainfiprinfr of woman's orpanism, and quickly indicates by aching a dis eased condition of the female organs or kidneys, and that the aches and pains will continue until the cause is removed. Lydia E. Tinkham's Vegetable Com pound has been for many years the one and only effective remedy in such eases. It speedily cures female and kidney disorders and restores the fe male organs to a healthy condition. " I have suffered with female troubles for ever two vears. suffering intenso pain each month, m'v back ached until it seemed as though it would break, and 1 felt so weak all over tbfct I did not find sn-enpt.li to attend to mywork but had to stay in lied a large part of the first two or three days every month. I would have sleepless nights, lad dreams and sewn headaches. All this undermined my health. "We consulted an old family phvsician, who advised that I try Lydia K. Finkham's Vege table Compound. I began taking it regularly and soon found that 1 could sleep and eat better than I had done for mouths Within two months I became regular and I no longer Sffer from backache or pain." Miss Mauds orris. Bee. Ladies' Aid and Mission Society, X. Hunter St., Atlanta, Oa. Oldest Waling Vessel. An old time whalpr, the oldest in tie world, the ship Canton, lately Bailed on another voyage to distant seas. She brought home on her last voyage 2,200 barrels of sperm oil in 16 months an exceptionally short voyage for a vessel of her size. The Canton sailed the whale grounds of the world long before the garish days of kerosene. She struck whale in waters almost unknown to the rest of the maritime world. And stout in ..every timber, able as the day when she was launched, with ribs so well preserved that they chip fresh and bright under the shipwright's adze, ehe promises to carry her white and blue house flag with the black letter "W" on the white and red ball on the blue field, the famous old pennant of the "Wings'' of New Bedford, around the World for many years to come. She was built more than half a cen tury ago, a typical whaler of the far off days when xmn built ships like Churches. She is about 250 tons burden, but she has the appearance of a big merchantman, for she tow? rs out of the water with bulky sidei and her fat bowsprit is almost as big as a mast. New England Magazine. Egg and Bottle. Take a boiled egg, remove the shell, have a bottle with a large neck; add a piece ot paper to the neck and light it. When in blaze put the egg on It, point down, and the heat will pull the egg with great force Inside. Now put again a blazed paper in the bottle and manage to have the egg In the neck point tip, aand the heat will push out the egg with an ex plosion. Hartford Times. OTTDOOR LIFE Will Not Offset the 111 Effects ol Coffee When One Cannot Digest It. Jt. farmer says: "It was not from liquor or tobacco that for ten years or more I suffered trom dyspepsia and stomach trouble; they were caused by the use of cof fee until I got so bad I had to give up coffee entirely and almost give up atlng. There were times when I could eat only boiled milk and bread and when I went to the field to work I had to take some bread and butter along to give me strength. "I doctored with doctors and took almost everything I could get for my stomach in the way of medicine, but It I got any better it only lasted a little while until I was almost a walking skeleton. "One day I read an ad. for Postum and told my wife I would try It, and as to the following facts I will make affidavit before any judge: "I quit coffee entirely and used Postum in its place. I have regained my health entirely and can eat any thing that is cooked to eat. I have Increased in weight until now I weigh more than I ever did; I have not taken any medicine for my stom ach since I began using Fostum. Why, I believe Postum will almost digest an Iron wedge. "My family would stick to coffee at first, but they saw the effects it had on me and when they were feel ing bad they began to use Postum, one at a time, until now we all use Postum." Name give by Postum Co., Battle Creek, Mich, Ten days' trial ot Postum In place Of coffee proves the truth, and easy and pleasant way. "There's a reo "on." Look In pkgs. for a copy of the famous 11 tils book, 'The Eoad to VaUvillB.' Old Book, Just Gome to Light, Tells Stirring Stories of Old Days When Women Pirates Were Abroad u a a a a a a a a a Pirates and petticoats on first blush do not seem to blend', but his tory, nevertheless, records the fact that less than 200 years ago there were real women pirates. Only the other day an old book detailing the dare-devil adventures of Mary Read and Anne Bonny was knocked down for $39 in an auction room at the sale of the library of the venerable comedian, William J. Le Moyne. Just "Robbers' Whims." Captain Johnson, the author, was an old English sea rover. The facts recorded he personally gathered from the participants and their as sociates. His recital has all the di rect simplicity, the indelicate truth fulness of scriptual narrative ol early Elizabethan drama. No pirate knew our waters better than this blunt old sea dog. The account of his own capture, detention and ransom by the In dians on the Ohio River in 1700 is now scarcel'less valuable American than his masterpiece, for which he apologizes in the preface for calling it a history, since he tells us "it's nothing but the actions of a parcel or robbers." This parcel of robbers is the quar ry from which Marryatt, J. Clarke Russell, Pyle and hots of leBser writers are said to have bnilded their sea romances, while Robert Louis Stevenson had more than passing acquaintance with the record. How Mury Read and Anne Bonny escaped their nets teemed 6trange. In bold ness and daring, no less than self sacrificing courage, these women pi rates were not surpassed by any of the picturesque freebooters with whom their fortune was cast and whose deeds are enshrined in song and story. Externally these first and only re corded women pirates had little In common with the gaily caparisoned feminine pirates of polite romance or comic opera. Despite the donning of real breeches, braving every hard ship and peril known to the twenty heroes of Johnson's history and with not a few of whom they fought hand to hand with sword or piBtol, Mary Read and Anne Bonny were genuine women is not "perfect ladles." They would have gone to their graves their sex unsuspected by their fierce and bloodthirsty companions bad not Cupid found them out. As with not a few of their tinsel counterparts, the little blind god was their undoing. Both were tried for their lives In Jamaica in 1720 and condemned to death, but escaped ex ecution. Both died in prison. "As to the lives of our female pi rates, we must confess," says the author, "that they may appear a lit tle extravagant, yet they are never theless true. As they were publicly tried for their piracies, there are liv lng witnesses (1724) enough to testi fy to what we have laid down con cerning them. "It there are some incidents and turns in their stories which may give them a little air of a novel, they are not invented for that purpose; it la a kind ot reading with which this author is little acquainted, bat as he himself was exceedingly diverted with them when they were related to him, he thought they might have the same effect upon the reader." Great Wealth. It is generally believed that Pro fessor Summer's prophecy has al ready been fulfilled, for John D. Rockefeller is credited with having a billion. In this connection it is In teresting to note, also that while in the early part of the last century there were only a few men of great wealti, today the multi-millionaires scattered throughout the country are to be counted id the thousands. In other words, the proportion of very wealthy men and women to those ot moderate means is as much larger as is the amount of money that is re quired to make a great fortune. A man with merely a million today cuts much less figure than did the man with one hundred thousand dollars half a century ago. He is fairly well to do, but is in no position to cope with the kings of high finance. On the whole, the term "great wealth" is very indefinite. What would be con sidered such by some would be re garded &b abject poverty by others. Perhaps tht time will come when all thrifty Americans will be millionaires and only those with a billion or two will be classed among those of great wealth. Hartford Telegram. British Autopsy of an American Joke. Out of the American packing in dustry springs one of the popular banterings ot the Briton who cannot see a joke. What he does not see Is really the American turn ot phrase. One of the usual anecdotes, for in stance, turns upon the strange phrase, "he put for the door," and the Englishman never sees the point, but then be does not know the idiom. The packing joke is this: A Briton, admiring the enormius pro duction of fruit in a California val ley, asks how so much is disposed of. "Well," replies the American, "we eat what we can, and we can what we can't." The inquirer is bewil dered, but only because he would have snid "tin" instead of "can." In some versions he is represented as repeating the sentence with "tin" tor "can," as a specimen of American humor. London Chronicle. Mary Read was an English girl. When Mary was four years old her mother put her into boy's clothes, and, taking her up to London, Mary and her mother fell Into dire dis tress. She was told at this crisis of lies- sex. She was now thirteen and handsome as a picture. She hired out as a footboy to a French count ess. But conventional lite soon wearied her and she enlisted on a man-of-war. After spirited engage ments she left the service and went to Flanders. There, as a cadet, she carried arms in a foot regiment and won praise for bravery, her sex never being suspected. While deserving a commission, she could not obtaiii one, as they were bought and sold, and this feminine soldier of iortuue was penniless. Spoiling for new fields to conquer, she quit the foot regiment and Joined a horse guard, where her bravery and good behav ior won the esteem if the officers. Her advance was assured when she fell In love with her messmate, a handsome young fellow named Fleming. Sailed With Pirates. When but a few days out the ship was captured by pirates. Being the only English person nboard, the pi rates kept Mary, together with the ship's plunder. She sailed with the pirate crew for some time, until the King's proclamation pardoning all pirates who voluntarily surrendered was taken advantage of by her cap tors. All went ashore and lived in apparent content until their money gave out. Hearing that Captain Wood Rogers, governor ot the island of Providence, was fitting out a pri vateer to cruise against the Span iards, Mary joined the crew. They had not sailed far when the crew, Mary included, turned against the commander and took up the old trade of pirating. Mary Read always declared she abhorred the life ot a pirate, and only followed It under compulsion. Men who sailed with her, however, swore under oath at the trial for her life, that there was no pirate afloat more resolute in undertaking hazardous ventures than Mary Read. In one of the fiercest conflicts with a manof-war, none kept on deck but Mary Read, Anne Bonny and one other. Eloped With Pirate. Anne Bonny's father, when she was five years old, put her into boy's clothes, installed her In an es tablishment, giving out that she was a relative's child whom he intended to educate to be -his clerk. Losing his business and repute soon after, the father left for new parts where, embarking as a merchant, he ac cumulated money, bought a vessel and sailed for the American coast. In his North Carolina plantation Anne, who had resumed petticoats, was much courted. She was widely sought, and her father had great matrimonial expectations for her. But Anne was captured by a worth- elss spendthrift, who, when he found her father disowned her, shipped with her to the island ot Providence In search of work. There Anne Bonny fell in love with the dare devil Captain Rackam, and, discard' ing her husband, donned trousers and Cloned with thA nlrntp Ronton Post. Bullet Struck Watch Charm. A watch charm of the Masonio variety, dented with a bullet, now hangs in a window in the Kimball House block, where it Is under the observation of all passersby who care to see It. That piece of gold upon which is carved the figures emble. ma tic of the secret order saved the life of W. R. Nash, a well known Georgian, a week or ten days ago at Woodberry. Descriptive stories of the duel at that place, in which James Clark used his pistol promiscuously, have been printed. In the gathering when lead was flying thickest and fastest was W. R. Nash. A bullet from Clark's pistol struck a watch charm swinging in front of Nash's vest. The charm gave the leaden pellet a deflection, and instead of penetrat nig the body the bullet glanced to the left and, clipping tho flesh on that Bide, went on its course until it found Its way into a telegraph pole, from which it was subsequently dug. The charm was badly battered and yesterday Mr. Nash, its owner, brought it with him to Atlanta to have It replaced in Its setting, from which it had been knocked by the bullet. He carried it to a Kimball House block jeweller, frc.u whom be purchased it originally and by whom it was placed on exhibition. Atlanta Constitution. Bird in the Hand. On a cabbage patch owned by a negro in a Southern community oil was found. Speculators offered the negro $20,000, which was accepted without waiting to consider another proposition, said to be worth $10,000 " What is this about your cabbage patch?" inquired a neighbor of the negro. "I understand you have sold it for $20,000?" "Yas, that's true, boss," replied the negro. "You see, men come picking round my place, an' dey say dar's oil heah. Dcy say, 'We gib yo' $20,000. I say 'All right.' " "I am told if you bad waited a day or two you might have sold it for $40,000." "Yas, dat mebbe so, but a bird In the ban's th' nobles' work of God!" Boston Post ' FI8H FOIKIHT TWO HOURS. Land Locked Salmon Weighing 14 Pounds 13 Ounces Beat a Maine Record. Tha Inlrln? nf ft Teenrit breaking fourteen pound thirteen ounce land locked salmon by Edward Hyde, ol Bath, Me., was the feature of a week of excellent fishing, writes the Klneo (Me.) correspondent of the New rorn Sun. Tlio fish Term not onlv a record breaker for the lake, hut the largest ever taken In northern Maine Inland waters. Rangeley's best is a fourteen pounder, taken about 1837, and a thir teen pounder, secured two years lat er. Mr Wvrtn started out at 4 B. m. to rtn ft llftlo trnlllne anil to whet his appetite for the breakfast which he proposed to catch. He paddled oft op nnelta Vila nrivntp r-imn alone In a canoe. He had barely got the trolling line out its length wnen me buikb mo nnd it wns not monv seconds before it was apparent that there was a big fish at the other end. A few minutes later the big fish went into the air, fifty yards away, and for a full hour from that time Mr. Hvils slmnlv held nn. Time and again the salmon left the water in savage, determined leaps, but the tackle neia fast and a taut line kept the fish mov ing. Then the nape heean to tell and twenty minutes later the salmon was brought near enough to the canoe to give the angler heart palpitation. He was prepared to see a big fish, but not the monster that was fighting thirty feet away. Ten minutes more of battle and the task of landing him began. At flrat Mr Hvdfi thought of tne landing net, but he soon saw that this would be useless. Then the possiom t, of ohnntine tKp flsh Dresented it self but was discarded, and finally, as a last resort, Mr. Hyde tired the nsn shpB and then made foi the sloping, sandy shore, grasped the line, dropped the rod, araggea me fish Into the shallow water of the tioonh onrl foil nnnn It bodily. u l in i. u..u - - r - Two hours had elapsed since ine bkIIto an A tfio fill si victorv and the struggle had also called for about all the strength the angler possessed, i ut eoimnn a 24 Inches long ana I aon tiw 11 number of visitors as it hung in state on the cabin door, wnere unfortunately, It was allowed 10 re main too long before steps were tak- n iic normnnent nreservauon. C II 1W1 ,LO , ' ' " ' ' trntho. Mir enlmon WaS UIKKU "3 - " i " , . Henry Capen, of Augusta, an elgnt nn,,n,ir nf svcellent strings thf ....iahs mut several of them HCCIV J II I 111 11 w exceptional, and both bait ana u have proved effective. Chinese Treatment of Animals. ThAv never nuntsh: hence a mule w in the hands of a foreigner wold be useless or dangerous to those about It becomes in me pu poQainn nf ft Chinaman as a lamb. We never beheld a runaway, a Jibing n n virions mule or pony In a China man's employment, but found the same rattling, cheerful pace main tained over heavy or light roaas, Dy means of a tur-r or cluck-k, the hoant turning; to the right or left, and stopping with but a hint from the reins. This treatment, is extenaea 10 nil thn animals they press into the service. Often have I admired the tact exhibited in getting a large til-ova nf sheeD through narrow, crowded streets and alleys, by mere- lv having a little boy lead one 01 thn nnletest of the flock In front; the others steadily followed, uaiue ,igs and birds are equally wen carea fnr. We met In Paris, in 1869, Mr. Burllngame, who was then our Min ister to China. We asked him wheth er a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals ougnt not 10 oe formed in China. His reply was that there was no such thing in Chirm as crueltv to animals: the Chinese were about the kindest peo nln In the world in their treatment of them. Geo. T. Angell, in Car Dumb Animals. Explains the Milky Way. Professor Barnard's recent photo graph of the star clouds ot the Milky Way, made amid the clear air on the summit of Mount Wilson, must rank among the most notable achievements ot astronomy during the past year. These photographs show with ex quisite beauty and perfection of de tail the Intricate construction of the vast annulus of stars composing the galaxy, and exceed almost everything that even Professor Barnard has pre viously effected with his photographic telescopes. They may be said to re veal the very "architecture" of the heavens in their richest regions where the starry multitudes are disposed, oot in a grand disorder, but with evi dences of a most complicated and wonderful design. Every one of these photographs affords hours of the most absorbingly Interesting study to the astronomer study which they enable him to perform seated at his desk and freed from the discomforts ol long night watches in the observatory. Prof. Garrett P. Serviss. Aluminium Books. A new use has been found for alum inium in the making of books for the blind books which are read by pass ing the fingers over the embossed letters printed upon the pages. It Is said that these books are much easier to read than the best paper books, especially by those who have become blind late in life and whose fingers are not very sensitlve. Cbambert' Journal. 8erpent Mound. The greatest monument of the mound builders, not only in Ohio, but In the entire country, Is the tierpent Mound, In Adams county. This Im mense mass of earth, probably plied up for purposes ot worship, has had a curious history in respect to changes of ownership In recent times. FITft,St.Vitus'DHnre:Nrvous Diseases per miint-ntly enrnd bv Dr. Kline's Great Nei vo Roetorer. 2 triiif bottle and trtmtiso free. Dr. H. R. Kliue, Ld., '.Ml Arch St., I'hilu., Pa. Of sll cities Rome hns most frequently been in the hands of enemies. Mrs. AYinslow's Soothing Syrup for Children teethinr,suf tens theRiiiiis,iTluceiiiilliiiii mo tion, allays pain,cureH wind colicSSo a bottle Casting Shoe After Bride. Casting an old shoe after the bride Is an old custom In England and Scotland, symbolizing the fact that the parents gave up all control over their daughter after her marriage. This practice is said to have origi nated in the custom among .the an cient Israelites of delivering a shoe as a testimony In the transference of a possession. In Psalms, lx, 8, are the words. "Over Edom will I cast out my shoe,'' when reference is made to the custom of throwing a shoe as a token of new ownership. UTTERLY WORN OUT. Vitality Sapped by Years of Suffering With Kidney Trouble. Capt. J. W. Hogun, former post master of Indianola, now living at Austin, Texas, writes: "I was afflicted tor years with I V, rki pains across me PSk loins and in the hips and shoul ders. I had headache also Ustej and neuralgia. Fiji T My right eye, " I ' from pain, was of little use to me for years. The constant flow of urine kept my sys tem depleted, causing nervous chills and night sweats. After trying seven different climates and using all kinds of medicine I had the good fortune to hear of Donn's Kidney Pills. This remedy has cured me. I am as well to-day as I was twenty years ago, and my eyesight Is perfect." Sold by all dealers. 50 cents a box. Foster-Mllburn Co., Buffalo, N. Y. Emperor Wants Clean Tea. The Emperor of China's tea is grown In a garden surrounded by high walls, so that none but the cul tivators can approach It. The pickers must bathe three times dally, wear special gl:ives and abstain from eat ing fish ltst their breath should spoil the leaves' aroma. BOY'S TERRIBLE ECZEMA. Moulh and V.jrt Oorrre.l With Crasts- Hands Tinned linwn Mirac ulous Cure by Cutlcura. "When my little boy was sir months old he Lid eczema. The sores extended so quickly over the whole body that we it once called in the doctor. We then went to another doctor, but he could not help him, and in our despair we went to a third oue. Matters became so bad that he had regular holes in his cheeks, large enoujh to pot a finger into. The food bad to be uiveo with a spoon, for bis mouth was rovtred with crusts as thick as a linger, Hnd whenever he opened the mouth they began to bleed and suppurate, as did also his eyes. Hands, arms, chest and back, in short, the whole body, was covered over and over. Wa had no rest by day or night. Whene7er he waa laid in bia bed we bad to pin his hands down, otherwise be would scratch his face, and make an open sore. 1 think bis face must have itched most fearfully. "We finally tbougtit nothing could help, and 1 bad made up my mind to send my wife with .be o' ild to Europe, hoping that the aea air might cure kim, otherwise he was to be put under tood medical care there. But, Lord be blessed, matters came differently, and we soou saw a miracle. A friend ol outs spoke about Cuticura. We made a trial with Cuticura Soap, Oint ment and Kesolvent, and within ten days or two week we noticed a decided im provement. Just as quickly aa the sick ness bad appeared it also began 10 disap pear, and within te.i weeks the child was absolutely veil, and hia akin waa smooth snd white as never before. F. tiohratb. President ot the C. L. llohratb Company, Manufacturers of Silk Ribbons, 4 to 20 Rink Alley, South Bethlehem, Pa. June 6, 1905." Oldeat Postmaster. Warren Belcher, for 53 years post master at Wlnthrop, Mass., ihas re signed to be succeeded by his son. David Belcher. In time of service he was the oldest postmaster' In the United States. Chickens Earn . Honey ! If You Know How to Handle f hem Properly. Whether you raise Chickens for fun or profit, you want to do it intelligently and get the best results. The way to do this is to profit by the experience of others. We offer a book telling all you need to know on the subject a book written by a man who made his living m Poultry, and in 2i5G to experiment nd spent much money to learn In' the best way to conduct the business lor tne small sum of 25 cents in postage stamps. It tells you how to Detect and Cure Disetse, liiamni. VAAS how to Feed for Eggs, and also fo ' Market, which Fowls to Save for Breeding Purposes and indred about everything you must know on the subject to make a success. 5EHT P0STPAIO OH RECEIPT OF 25 CENTS IK STAMPS. BOOK PUBLISHING HOUSE, 134 Leonard $t N. Y. City, An Old Document. The original commission of Thomas Lord Fairfax, Baron of Cameron, wa found several days bko at Winchester, Va., among some old relies and docu ments bought by Dr. Charles von Witt of that city. It. Is elaborately engraved on parchment, dated In Emgland, Arrll, 17:i8, and is in a fair state of piPSPTvatlon. AFTER ITS FIRST BATH WITH Physicians, Pharmacists.and Nurses endorse Cuticura Soap because of its delicate, medicinal, emollient, sana tive, and antiseptic proper ties derived from Cuticura, the great Skin Cure, united with the purest of cleansing ingredients and most re freshing of flower odors.' For preserving, purifying, and beautifying the skin, as well as for all the purposes of the toilet and bath, Cuti cura Soap is priceless. Abso lutely pure and may be used from the honr of birth. S.M llimiirliom fl world. Cntlruw ",. ., Oh. ai.nl. Me., Rnol.Mit. iWt (Is term of CkucoUi. Ctt lull, 2ftc pa !.! of WO. JT b hd " omnia, fotur rru Clinn. Corp., Solo rron., BoHw. l". aa-IUU.4 FtM, -All About Ik. Sola. Scl, ) liotf Drill for Wafer Protnsct lor Minerals Drill TtitsndBlaitHoles. Wo BllkO DRILUNQ MACHINES For Horse, fleam or a a 1 0 1 1 n Pawer. Latest Traction Machine. LO0MIS MACHINE CO, TIFFIN, OHIO. The UrralM o!nrdln CUW In the World. University of Notre Dame NOTRE DAME, MDMWL W (TMrMtoM two point Our fcudwrth tody and our Mudeute behave IhriinMTiwsi. II BulMfift. 75 Prtftttor. tOO tWL Ooarww In Anrlnnt and Modern LMfruaffm, RiMrllnh Hliitnry anil fewnomtaa, OhAmlHtry. biology, Pharmafv, CWII, Klfmtrlcal and dbantcal KnrinriiiR, Architecture, Law, BnorU baud, Book-keepltiK. Type-wrtUnjr. SPECIAL DEPAHTMKNT FOR BOYS UNDER THIRTEEN. TRRMfli Board. Tuition n4 1.mmm4ryt 9400. Mend lea crnla to the Becretary lor Cafftloffofi. LIOHTNINf EOO TFRTFR-flhowifrtllaf iMMl tK at aftUnrp. Tfnts five rpK at on time. Artificial llithl umiwpi.ry. All who uw brb" nhoiild have a tter In the runine. A pent wan !. Knmnla ?V,1vt?r). RnW. WllauiblKMajSt., buffalo, N.Y. Mention tbU pair. 60 Bushals Wintr What Pr Aor That'i the yield of tsnlier'a Red Crow Hybrid Winter Wheat. Bend ito In MAmpHfnr f rn nam pie of unma, ae el catalogue orwinler Wheat. Rye, Barley .Clovers, llmothy, lira. Hiilm,Tree, etc., for fall plant Irg. MA LAIk Bfcfcb CO., Box A. U LCroac, YVia. FOR 000B FARMS Delightful Homes, Id mild climate, at bai-gala prices. Send for description. Address, KERR ft TAYLOR, Denton, Maryland. w Tf IIT1 P- '"" frr- Hioiion raro. HA I I'll I 3a lmp1'n!. (Ilosorald I HI loll I W ACo.ltopt (.WMhlnst...D.a P. N. P. 89, 1UO0. DROPSY Slffi H, M ef ImUwiUU m Da jm IrstfiM Tee. tw Mm tttiCllt H ftORM, Bi e AllMta, , for 25 years in raising that time necessarily had I Coal m Ga ml 1 JOil. J -
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers