NUMBER 2.030. littered at the Post Office at South Norwalk as second-c lass matter. SOUTH NORWALK. CONN. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1894. f. 0“ ‘ TWO: Gum‘s MEIWlIli Iii THE LEAD. FIRST BALLOT OF THE REPUBLI- CAN STATE CONVENTION. The Colonel Receives 1“ Votes: Mervin. m. Bonn. 125; Porter. ae—nn the Situation Looked not Night—Caucus of Weld County Delegates. (Special to'l‘un Summer.) Han-recap, September ills—The Ro- publican convention met at Foot Guard Armory, at 10 o'clock this morning. The balloting for governor began short- ly after 12 o’clock. the first ballot result- ing as follows: Merwin, 131; Collin, 125; Cheney, 1334; Porter. 86. The second ballot was: Merwin, 140"; Coffin, 128; Cheney. 138i; Porter, 63}. HOW IT LOOKED LAST NIGHT. [airfield County helegates Decide to Go Into the Convention Unpledged. (Special tc’l'nr: Samoan.) HARTFORD, September _18.—This town is full of politicians, and the corridors of the Allyn House are crowded with good Republicans, whose chief characteristics are an absence of high hats and a super- abundance of good nature. Candidates are as thick as bad debts, but the rivalry, though strong, is without bitterness. The Marigold boom, which looked lively in the morning, was badly blighted in the early evening by a preliminary cau- cus held by the Fairfisld county men, who are determined to go to the conven- tion tomorrow unpledged to any candi- date, and a vote to that effect was passed, 19 to 4. Porter, of Pomfret. is in a good position at this stage of the game. and is in strong favor with the younger bloods, whose prominence was noticed by a good Republican named Clark, who has a book out for second place, when he remarked, “Lord. where do all the boys come from?" Merwin’s showing has improved wonderfully during the day, and the Coffin men don‘t like it, as they expect strong support from New Haven. Cheney stock is very quiet at this hour. but he is regarded as the best man by many of our old timers, including a prominent Re- publican from Norwslk, who also baz- ards the opinion “That this is the largest turnout of good Republican blood in many moons." Mead,for comptroller,and Judson, of Stratford, have a good show with Marigold out. R. H. 1". PRELIMINARY CA CCUS. John 11. Light. of South Norwalh. Placed on the Committee on Credentials. (Special to THE Sesrrsno.) HARTFORD. Sept. Iii-The preliminary caucus was held at the Foot Guard Armory, at 8 o'clock this evening. and Sinronds, of New London, was chosen temporary chairman and made a ringing speech. Committees were chosen on credentials, permanent organization, and resolutions. John H. Light. of South Norwalk, was chosen on the first. The ' regular caucus of Fairiield county dele. gates was held at it) p. m.. but no further action was taken. A delegate from each county was appointed to select the pool- tion of the counties in the hall tomor- row. Mr. Hall, of Bridgeport, drew first choice and selected the first five rows in the center of hall for Fairliold county. ... It.~ ll. F. YOUNbl MEN'S DEBATINU CLUB. They Hold their First Meeting or the Season Under Flattering Conditions. The first meeting of the Young Men's Debating club season was held last night at the homeof Charles R. Holmer. Jr., West street. fifteen members being pres- ent. The subject of the debate wrs “Re- solved. That the Bulge has a Moral Tendency." Wilbur Smith argued pro and A. N. Paddock con. The merits of the debate Were decided in favor of the former, and Mr. Paddock rel-wired the vote as to literary qualities. The next meeting will be held October lillh, at the home of Frank C. llundlo, in Winnipauir. The topic chosen is. "Re mired, That Women have Rights of equal Suffrage with Mon." Mr. Bundle will argue in the affirmative and Louis Cartwright in the negative. The subject for the November meeting will he ”R4:- 301ml, That Japan was J ustified in De- ciaring War upon China." William lia- ker for, Courtiand llilsdon against. Cmoers elected for the ensuing year werensfollowszl’residentJ-‘rsd il.Rowan; vice-president, A. N. Prlddockzsecretary. Leo Davis; neasurer. Wilbur Smith. it was voted to elect a chairman to preside at such meeting. and Wilfred H. Bods welland Robert C. Mitchell were op. pointed a special committee to look up matters of interest to the club, and report at the next meeting. "The Sins of the Father,” etch-Toms my (studying his lemonyai say, pa, wheredoestbelierrimsc rise. and into what use does it empty? Pa—l don't know. my son. Tommwaou don’t know? And wmorrowthe teacher will .wiw TWIN CITY FOLKS. Pleasant Parasraphs About lorwalh Poo. bio and Itheir Hands. The Norwalk relatives and near friends of Miss Anne Adele Walton Hamilton have receivi‘ad invitations to her wedding to Olivia Burr Kelloilil. at Emanuel church, Lyon’s Plains, Wednes- day, October 3, at 4:30 o’clock. The bride’s parents, Rev. and Mrs. Alexander Hamilton, will tender the, bride and groom and their friends a reception at the church parlors. immediately after the ceremony. Mrs. F. C. Lockwood, of Bellows Falls, is a guest of her sister, Mrs. Cito Batch, of Union Park. Before returning home she will accompany Mr. and Mrs. Hatch to Smith’s Island and enjoy the hospi- tality of‘United States Commissioner of Patents John S. Seymour and family, who are sojourning there. Rev. F. E. Robbins, James Walsh and W. F. Fillow, of the Norwaik Baptist church, and Rev. R. 0. Sherwood and E. R. Bennett, of the South Norwalk church, went to Stratford today, as dele- gates to the examination of Moses Tay- lor to the pastorate of the Stratford Colored Baptist church. Captain A. J. Blackwood and family are registered at the Norwalk Hotel. They are from St. Croix, West Indies. The daughter will be placed at Miss Baird’s seminary, and the son will attend Colonel Roberts’ Military Institute. Mrs. Robert Brown and children, of Bridgeport, returned home, last evening, afterafew days’ visit at the home of Mrs. Brown’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Walsh, Sr" on Chestnut street, Norwalk. Miss Annie Higgins, a New York belle. who has been the guest of Mrs. Horace Hubbell, of St. John avenue, the past week, returned home yesterday. Mrs. F. E. Stoddard has returned to her home in Chioopee, Mass, alter a visit with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. I“. Wardwell, Spring street. Captain W. 11. Hoyt, who went to Europe a month ago, is expected to ar- rive Friday at his home on West avenue. He is on board the Brittania. Miss Vivien May Tichenor, of Brook- lyn, N. Y., who has been a guest of Miss Jennie K. Nash,of North avenue, return- ed to her home yesterday. J. H. Burritt, assistant superintendent of the John Hancock Life Insurance company. of Stamford, was in South Nor walk, today. John McCraW, of South Norwsik, wrll move his family to Danbury in a few days. He has rented a house on Osborne street. ' Hon. John ll. Ferris, Colonel Russell Frcst and others are attending the State convention in Hartford today. Charles J. Belts, who has been spend- ing a well~earned vacation in Pittsburg, Pa., is expected home today. Rev. S. H. Watkins will lake his vaca- tion during October. lie will be away the entire month. Miss Maggie Tear-hen, of Brooklyn, is spending a few days with friends on Center avenue. Mrs. George DeWitt Thornton, of New York, is a guest of Mrs. E l’. Weed. of Wall street. Harry Bracken and family, of Acad— emy street, are spending a week in Brooklyn. Miss Kate Lamb, of Brooklyn, is a guest of Mrs. Bracken, of Arch street. Thomas Motion, of Norwaik. spent Sunday with friends in New York. Fred Betta has returned fromabusi- nrss trip to New York. Mrs. James Bowen, of Quebec, is visit- ing friends in town. Young ‘I'mrle in the ”Rolls. Last May Georgie Tools, of Norwnlk, wont to New Canaan to work for Benjr min Roscoe. as chore boy on his farm. lie found tholifo of an agriculturalist too irksome after a day or two and ran away. ills employer set out to catch him and take him back. The affair ended in a foot race in which Mr. Roscoe was beaten. After returning home he miss- ed his watch and some money and one peeled Tools of the their. He came to Norwalk and placed the cure in the hands of a constable, as was stated in The Summer. at that time. The young scapegrace could not be found sud has just returned to Norwalk. Yesterday be was placed under arrest and taken be fore Justice Stillman at New Comm Attorney Austin, the boy‘s guardian. de- fended him. Mr. Roscoe was not ready for the trial and the caucus adjourned a week. Tools is mentally affected, and will probably have lobe sent to on any- It'll]. People are usually willing to do their duty. but they do not like todo too much of it. "Youdon'tseemtothink that was a mmmlimoldm”hafl his toes. "Oh. 1,9! io- replied comes» w. "helium” link . WM” ’did not join his family in Saugaiuck. but BENEDICT 3330838. it is laid he Will Not Accept the Nomi- nation for Governor. It is said that within a few days E. C. Benedict has declared that under no circumstances would he accept the nouri- natiou for the governorsbip. Why he undethisdecisionia no longer a secret. Some time ago it was suggested that he become a candidate for governor and he was assured that he would receive a un- animous nomination. This was before the New York Sun began its attack upon him. At that time he was reluctant to give his consent to. become a candidate, stat- ing that he preferred to see the nomi- nation go to another and that he would be quite willing to contribute liberally toward campaign expenses. He. how- ever, finally decided. after consultation with the Democratic leaders, that he would accept the nomination, provided it was practically the unanimous desire of the Connecticut Democrmy that he should do so. The day Mr. Benedict took the poll- ticians out on his yacht he read the bitter editorial in the New York Sun concerning his candidature for the governorship, and it is said that be ex- pressed the opinion at that time that he should withdraw from the gubernatorial contest entirely. Last week Clinton B. Davis, chairman of the Democratic State Central Commit tee, went to New York and had a long interview with Mr. Benedict, during which he urged him wit gall the elo- quence for which he is amo to re- main in the race. Other leading mo- unts have also labored with Mr. Bene- dict. IS CONliilliS A FIRE Bilii ?. ACCUSED or assume smarts as!) GRAND euro. Au 0M" of the Wutehsstos‘ County 'air Association Mobil. up the Inn's Record in lorwnlh. where he was tinder luspieion as an Incendiary. H. W. Bruce. one of the managers of the Westohester County Fair Grounds. at White Plains, N. Y., was in Norwalk yesterday, looking up the record of Joseph Connors, who is under arrest there. charged with setting fire to the stables on the Fair Grounds, which were burned Monday night. September 10, and also for firing the new grand stand, which was totally destroyed about three weeks ago. The total loss by the two fires was about 32.000. Mr. Connors’ Nor-walk record will be used as evidence against him. Connors. it will be remembered, for- merly lived on Hoyt street, Norwalk, and was suspected of being the fire bug who caused the incendiary fires in Nor. walk. three years ago, when a barn near Arnold & Co's foundry. the Hogan, Kel- ieher and Dr. Acton barns and a number of others were destroyed. Connors was afterwards arrested for throwing a stone through one of the windows of Michael Fahan's saloon on Main street, Norwalk, and was sent to jail. During his incar- ceration the mysterious fires ceased, After his release he went to Saugatuck. where he was employed on Gershom Bradley's farm, occupying one of his houses on the old Saugatuck road to Norwaik. One cold winter night the house was destroyed and his family came near perishing in the flames. He was arrested on suspicion of setting fire to the place, but it could not be proveu against him and he escaped conviction. He was, however, sentenced for drunkenness, by J ustics of the Peace Smith. It was stat- ed at that time that Connors had a mania for kindling fires when intoxicated, and it was this fact that brought him under suspicion. When Connors lived in Songs.- tuck, several incendiary tires Occurred there, but ceased when he was sent to jail. Upon being released from jail Connors The “Aurora" Now on the Bonn. The propeller ”Aurora" made a trial trip from New York city to South Nor- walk, yesterday afternoon. and went down this morning in the place of the steamer “City of Albany." Such excel- lent satisfaction did the vcssel give that it is very Probable the will be placed on the route next Monday. and continue to make daily trips for several weeks to come. The steamer is comparatively new, will carry comfortably seven hun- dred passengrrs. and is by far the best equipped boat that ever came in the harbor. The interior is finished in cy- press wood throughout, and is illumi- nated by incandescent electrrc lights, even to the signals on top of the tall flag stills. The dynamo is located in the engine room. The boat has three decks and two handsomely appointed cabins. The engine ion fore and aft compound. and there are two Scotch corrugated bullets. The company are to be con- gratulated on their enterprise and the public should show its appreciation by patronizing the line. went to Port Chester, where he was em- ployed as a hustler. From there he went to White Plains and secured employment in a similar capacity at the Fair Grounds. Mr. Bruce said that they had enough evidence against Connors to hold him. but he wanted, by his visit to Norwalk, to strengthen it. He interviewed the present police force, exChief of Police John H. (”lormiey and ex-Ofiioers Charles Adams and T. J. Howard. From here he went to Westpott to look up the court records concerning Connors' trial. Mr. Bruce told a Summer. reporter that feel- ing ran very high against Connors in White Plains and all sorts of threats had been made. The Westchester i'ounty Fair, it is ex: period, will open next week. To get the buildings in readiness, a force of two hundred carpenters are empioyml. A Case of Appell. Them was a large attendance at the meeting of St. Philip's l'hapter, in the liuild room of (Bruce church, last night. After the astral business had been trans. acted. the titular. Sir. Watkins, presided as judge in a merit trial. Master illistmui WM sued for slander by Master P. llewsbury. At a former trial the ver- dict was for thc defendant. Theirsse was llron apmnlmito the higher court. At this new trial Master (instead was do. fended by Master Edward (iould, and Masters Roach and Grumman were wit- her-mi. Master Lockwood pleaded for ileivsbury. and called Masters SCOflilld and Cornell to the witness sumd. After the charge to the jury, the judgment of the lomr court was sustained. The dc- lrndant won. The Chapter, in business session. unanimously voted to apply for a charter to income a branch of the boys‘ department of the llrotherimod of St. Andrew. Master Oustced was elected captain of a football team. and Master Roach manager. The team wish in meet any eleven “alumni of boys under six- tern years of age. “ER HOOD DEEDS lil'ltHVl‘. "Eli. Death of Mrs. llarrintt l. Iloyt at an Early "our this Morning. Mrs. llarriott E. Hoyt died this morn- ing at 5 o'clock at the home of her sister. 17 Concord street. She had berm sick the past summer with a tumorous ale fection that for several weeks kept her confined to the house. She was sixty- cne years of age. Mrs. Iloyt, with her husband. united with the South Norwalk Congregational church during the great revival eigh- teen years ago, having previous to that time been an Episcopalian. During her connection with the church «he was one of the most indefatigable workers in everything that pertained to its welfare. She was a member of nearly all the vari- ous societies connected with the church. and was a teacher in the ilebbath school for many years. She took a great inter- est in the floral decorations. and arrang- ed the flowers for the pulpit every bun- dsy, with but few exceptions, until her late sickness, and always displayed ex»: cellent taste. Outside of the church she did much charitable work, relieving the poor and encouraging those in trouble. This feet, together with her cheerful dis. position,had endeared her to many in the community, where she had lived and labored so long. She leaves two brothers. Philip Locus. of Mt. Vernon, and Alfred Lucas, chief of the sanitary department, New Tm Connecticut lnriurlrles. The factories located along the limm- trmh' river are reriouvly attracted by the low water. The water has been running low for two weeks and there in m-lrcely mmgb in the river to supply the laminar. which are running now on shorter time in completion of the limited supply. if the water continues to fall it is quite like- ly that some of the factories further up the river will be oblige! to shut down. All the bet “curries in Bethe! are run‘ ning on full time and the full number of hands are lningemployed in all the show The hot workers are engsged in getting out the fail styles and until the latter part of November it is said that there will he plrmy of employment. After ihotdate the working force will be re» dosed. m iludsonwAtthenext meeting of the lodgeyouwilibe let into number he. portal-rental the order. Judmn~ Yer? awry; they will explain howthsygotyou hours Tuesday night. one: said Ilr. YW, .mebeffislsclotbeshsphasgotahols la the bottom of it.” “Wilt Miss W Va Wt any duties tags.” “Wmfl'riltl'vsba‘ my” ANOTHER FORGED CHECK PASSED BY A BLEEK CWINDLER ON A NOBWALK MERCHANT. Teller Charles I. Hoyt, of the l'olriield County National Bank. Detects the Son. rious Sin-lure, Which Purported to be That of P, W. Bates. the Marble Dealer. A clever forgery was detected yester— day, by Charles E. Hoyt. teller of the Fairfleld County National bank, while he was looking over the morning ex- changes of the local banks. It was a check for $12 50. payable to Robert How- ard, and purporting to be signed by P. W. Bates, the well-known marble dealer. The check was dated September 15, and numbered 410. The filling in and signa’2 ture were in a clear, bold hand. a good imitation pf Mr. Bales' handwriting. The blank was one of the bank’s counter checks, not taken from a stub book. The fact that the check was numbered also aroused Mr. Hoyt’s suSpicions, as Mr. Bates never numbers his cheeks. He compared the signature with that of Mr. Bates’ on other checks, and found there was considerable difference. although, when taken separately, the difference was hardly perceptible. He pronounced it a forgery, and Cashier L. C. Green was of the same opinion. Mr. Bates was summoned, and told them that he had drawn no such check. He had no idea, he said, who Robert Howard was, unless he was a brother of Cornelius Howard. He had not seen him nor made any check out to him. The ‘check had evidently been cashed by s. H. Holmes, as it bore his signature across the back, just over Howard's. The latter was written in a porn hand that bore no resemblance to the one on the check. It came into the bank through the exchanges of the Central National bank,where Mr. Holmes had deposited it. The check was stamped a forgery and returned to the Central bank. They, in turn, notified Mr. Holmes. and he went to Mr. Bales. but he could give him no satisfaction. A SESTINEI. reporter called on Mr. Holmes. this morning, and was shown the forged check. Mr. Holmes said he cashed it Saturday night, for a well. dressed and rather good-looking stranger. The check was handed to him. and though he does not generally cash checks for strangers, he thought he would accommodate the man, as he saw Mr. Batee'name on it. and thought he recognized the handwriting. Mr. Bates is a good customer of Mr. Holnies’, and he did not wish to put a friend of Mr. Bates to any inconvenience. He could not give a good description of the stranger. It is not unlikely that some swindler used Mr. Bates and Mr. How- ard’s names to gain his object. Mr. How- ard is now residing in White Plains, N. Y. It is not known whether he was in Norwaik on Saturday, but prob- ably be was not. as he is a bartender and could not get away. Mr. Holmes is of the opinion that the check will have to be charged up to his profit and less ac. count. Mr. Hoyt, who discovered this forgery, also discovered the forged chock passed upon the l. T. l’rowitt company, by E. l'}. Benedict, at the time of his swindling operations in Norwaik. richlrusrirussu DOWN. The Delegation in for Waller, Not for lienodiol. Among the political incidents ofnots is the “throw down" of Senator i“. W. llohiou, of Armenia. a bright young man who has frequently been in Norwuik us the grunt of Palm". Commissioner scy- mour. Holder is fond of lxmsting of his intimacy with 1'}. i3. Benedict, and. an the story goes, on the little voyage from New liavcn to Greenwich that succmaiml the junhcl tendered by Mr. “l'flilillilf. in themnatc and its officials. Mr. licldon made promises to ilimrdivl. Holden and Fox, or New Haven. were the only senawrs that did not leave the "i molds," at New Haven. Mistaking his within and iniluoncs iiolden. according to the story, promised Ihincdict that he would come to the convention with four other delegates all solid for ilenodiot. The first surprise came when ‘iioldnn was not mentioned as a ward delegate to the city convention and that was followed by his being inhabited in the Election of delegates to the stats con~ vention. The delegation was instructed for Waller and Senator Holden was severely left. m for;;pmi:l_iull into is Well. Mrs. Sherman Gilbert. a weli~known lady of Newtown, went out into the yard to draw some water. The chain attached to the bucket was old. and while milling the bucket up the chain parted. and llirs. Gilbert fell into the well. She saved heri- ssif from being drowned by grasping the storwworkinthewell,aud held enun- tiloneoftbsmemhsraefthefamily die- eoversd and rescued her. in the tall lira. (illbar'tbroke several hours in her left l1 and um, and was otherwise so badly he“ that her mm at the m W a sunrises “uMHHMWWr-somm POPULAR AMUSEMENTS- ' Dramatieal and Musical Events in Mitt ‘ Nolwolk People Are Interested. The Western comedy drama. entitled "Sis." was presented last night, at : 1'1", Hoyt’s Theatre, by the Babb Cornell: company. The Lewis children danced very prettily, and won applause noden- cores fully deserved. The orchestra reu- dered Schubert’s "Rosamunda" sun opening selection, and the descriptive composition, “A Day at the Circus,” re- ceived much applause. All their selec- tions were well rendered. The shadow- graphs were repeated and created much amusement. Tonight the company will play "Uncle Jethro." There is no name on the American stage so familiar to fun seekers as that of Gus Williams, who will appear at the Norwaik Opera House on Saturday even- ing next, in his mirthvprovoking farce. "April Fool." Mr. Williams’ name has been a household one to theatre-goers, for a number of years, and each season seems to strengthen the tie which has so long existed between him and the fun. loving public. He is one of the few comedians who originates and never copies. His songs, jokes and recitations are always new and original and conse- quently received with delight by the thousands who visit his performances. This season “April F001" is almost a new play, being re-wrltten and in the hands of an entirely new company,all of whom are artists of extraordinary merit. Among them is Miss Fenton. the operatic singer, and the celebrated Cohan family. Btreet Dresses. Rough surfaced stuffs of mixed colors rival plain smooth cloths in the street gowns imported for autumn and winter. Boucle cloths have soft curly loops of black mohair as glossy as silk on loosely woven grounds of bluet, dark red, green, or brown. Zibelline and fleecy camel’s- hair have tufts of rose or cerise on checks of two shades of brown or gray, or else light bluet on black .and green blocks. Coarse bourette threads are effective on plaids or stripes of darker shades. Blue and bro on are loosely woven in basket squares and fiecked with tan-color. The trimming for these stuffs is velvet, some- times ot the prevailing color, but more often of the color least used in the fab: ric. thus ar-centuating the (:Jntrast. Ladies' cloth with smooth glossy surface comes in very striking colors, the new bluet, caries and other purplish reds, and bright green among them, which are often made more showy still by a contrasting color being used for the velvet collar. Thus a sage-green cloth dress has a collar of mauve velvet, one of tan cloth has a bluet collar, and a cerise cloth is also topped off with bluet velvet. Sleek mirror velvet is preferred for these collars, which are cut bias, in stocklike folds, and are much trimmed on the sides with rosettes or bunches of box pleats, or else swallow bows with pointed wing-like beeps that reach up to the ears. Chiffon takes a new lease of favor, and, incongruous as it may seem, trims cloth gowns. ’l‘lmse who like quiet colors will admire a gown of black cloth. with a skirt bordered with gray chin- chilla for an inch wide on the pelt. The full round waist has a yoke of pale gray satin. shallow and straight across front and back, and wiulcd deeply on ‘ll" simuldors. This yoke is g rm. in mile the collar in one plum with it. and is edged top and bottom with gray fur. The cloth below the yoke is oddly pleated, and striped diagonally with insertions of open cord gnlioou over gray satin, giving the effect ofswnthlug the figure. Points of this trimmiogplarwd diagonally on the skirt appear to mnilnue timeout the waist. Muttonlvg sleeves of the cloth have also diagonal stripes of black crer gray. The boltis two nurrowiulda of gray satin tandoori-running iwil, separate from the dress, and fastened in front by‘a. buckle covered With satin, and litilnllilr ed by two loops that form a large bow. A rc-iim .1 dress of vhm'ohlllwbrown cloth hasnlighlor sirloin-colonel niotll border lit the font, strapped with tile chemists cloth cut in bands and appliquud Iii ltsrirves. Asuparats not of the Suede cloth is worn under a wry stylish mat of the dark cloth with light rovers and up. phone lmnds.»—-ilnrtmr‘s linear. flatwaik'fiefilrmmw. The Price it lecrompnny have deliver- ed the Norwallr directory for 1894. As usual. it is a mint complete volume. it contains 8,913 names, an increase of eightyteight over the preceding year. Its advertising pages have been liberally patrouired by our merchants and the book contains much valuebic informa» tion outside of the some. it is timely printed and neatly bound. A line new map upon which are distinctly outlined the taunt streets, adorns its opening pages. The street directory is a value- ble adjunct to this convenient public» lion. On the whole. it scrotum any directory previously med.- Bummer: a new or into dweouutvy,bevure “spot a box of Ayrsfs Pills in yourvalhe. You may mm bunker for this trial. Tum m, moss-as sari sure. m,“ ”h“ h H .._ . . awn...» M Manhunt“
Norwalk Chronicler