davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1871-04-25
THE PARIS INSURRECTlON'

,,,r GENERAL, ATTACK AGAIN posi- 49,, o-,
ropr va1ERIES STILL BoMBARplNG. ,nS ARnIy-
GENT POsITIoNs-RE-ENFoksI,,s,S CIT OFF AT
ING AT yERsAILLEs-SUffLiI'
ST. DENIS. LONDON. Monday, April "a, 1871
vorsa;Ilos state that the ex-
IDso, at,ack upon the insurgent posuohs
P..1, paris has not yet begun !rol' uu V"'
,n.;o continues to cannonade Neu'ily, OnhonS'
., ports Maillot The firing is slow ana oeiDel"'e'
.on,o of the shells still fall within the ranpar.S
anu sun" Tho ;rsnrgent batteries reply, but their
6re is feeble and Ineffective.
'i ~ " ~, of the Assembly is continually increas-
~ .,nmbers. Many new troops arrived yester-
Is a,a to-day. and were at once forwarded 10 the
front. v. -. o,,oorotoa
rort Charenton, and that it has been occupied py
thn Government troops, is officially contradlcted'
The Prussans at st. Denis yesterday stopped at that
no;nt all supplies for Paris from the north
President Theirs gave reception to deputation
t,or tbe Masonic lodges of Paris who asked for an
armistice on behalf of the people OF the capital lh
rs,Iv ~ their request NJ Thers said that Gen. Lad
ujrault had power to grant truce whenever IL
sheuld become necessary, but that the Commune
yronld never be recognized by the Government.
Prince Bismarck stated in the German Parliament
to-day that even though the French should pay
the first installment of the indemnity immediately,
Abe forts north and east of Paris would not be evac-
mated until the final treaty of peace was concluded
He also stated that the negotiations at Brussels
made only slow progress. the French trying to bet
ter the conditions, but Germany was iniiexible'
The movement of the Commune entailed sacrifices
on Germany, but she would not meddle with the
internal affairs of France.
In consequence of a disagreement between the
French and Germans, the transports which were
waiting at Hamburg to convey the Freuch prisoners
back to France have been obliged to return Hayre
empty.
New-York tribune., 1871-04-25
THE WOMAN SUFFRAGE "AGITAToRs" AT WORK

WAsHINGTON, April H.-Mr' "a u NiuuIe' 10
counsel for the who made application 10 register
- ,,a,r hebalf tomorrow as follows: Mrs. Spencer
int the Board OF Registration, for refusing TO enter
Ssr name as voter Mrs. Griing against the superin
~ Election OF the First Precinct, XXth Dis
,rt aud Mrs Webster against the superinte ndens OF
Eisc,on of the Fourth Precinct, XIIh District, fo re-
s,tan n receiye their after having made appca
lion to ~ giser The damages laid at e. 500 in each
N the cases are decided adversely in the Circuit
Ca,t they will be taken " the Supreme Court VI the
limited States
New-York tribune., 1871-04-25
THE MISSOURI, KANSAS, AND TEXAS RAILROAD.

THE MISSOURI, KANSAS, AND TEXAS RAILROAD
CHEToPAH, Kansas, April A.-The Hon, H. s.
Btevens General Manager Of the Missouri, Kansas and
Texas Railroad accompanied by the officers of the Com
pany and party Of gentlemen from New-York and
Kansas arrived at this place to-day, route 70 the In
dian Territory The Missouri, Kansas and Texas Rail
road has "a miles of iron laid in Indian Territory and
nine miles graded. They will lay about nine miles Of
track per week during the next few months and be south
81 The Arkansas River by July Adyces from Northern
1xas sta that Quantities of cotton awaiting
New-York tribune., 1871-04-25

shipment by this read 1t Is estimated that the number
OF Texas cattle shipped north this will reach haf
million The Company are building extensive yards
for the reception Of CATTLE and have supplied all the
necessary facilities for their reception. daily line OF
stages from the end Of the track TO FL Paso via
Sherman
New-York tribune., 1871-04-25
JAPAN.

TIE ASSASSINATION OF HIRosAwA sANGI, A
MINISTER OF sTATE-ITs POLITICAL sIGNI1-
New-York tribune., 1871-04-25
GENERAL FOREIGN NEVIS.
ENGLAND.

EXCITEMENT AMONG THE MATCH MANUFAC-
TURERs-ALMOST A RI0T-THE BUDGET DE-
Middletown transcript., 1871-03-18

mcnts aud noble patriotism Of John So
bicski. however, the prosperity Of Poland
came to nm end. That admirable soldier
aud statesman died in 1000, and the coun-
try rapidly declined during the eighteenth
century. The first partition took place in
I'LL. the second in 1898. snd the third in
l705. In TO The 1886. the city Of Cra-
COW, with small amount Of surrounding
territory, was suffered to exist ar a so-call-
ed independent republic but the Poland
Of old times was dead long before. The
causes Of it's lamcntablc ruin lie on the
surface. The government Of tho country
was purely aristocraiical; tho king was
the puppet Of the mobiles; the people were
utterly neglected, miscrsbly oppressed
and reduced to the condition. without pos
sessiug the comforts, Of slaves. Sobieski
cndcavorcd TO remedy these grievances,
forcsceing. with tho melancholy intuition
Of genius, that without reform his country
would assurcily decay: bu, the bcsct,ed
aristocracy refused to hear him. After
the FIRST partition, an nttcmp: was made 10
emancipate the scrfs but the Diet thwnr-
ted il. The pcasantry. in their poverty
and wrctchedness-a condition rarely O.
qualcd--cared little about defending tho
land from the foreigner the mobiles. dc.
bauchcd by their extravagant privileges,
quarreled among themselves for preceden-
cy, while the enemy was advancing into
the heart Of the State, and the rottenncss
Of the social system was incapable Of with
standing the attacks Of Russia. Prussia.
and Austria. The fate Of Poland is a
lesson to the world. The great causes Of
the decay Of empires are to be fonnd in
the dishonesty Of governments, aud the
depressing or degcneracy ofthe governed.
Prodigacy alse has its evil influences,
but mere proaigncy never yet ruined n
State. as long as it was combined with
forces Of will and energy Of character.
The greatest : IN Of the approaching ruin
Of any pcop. is certain frivoity which
plays and dallics with vice in all the Ian.
guid wickcdncss of scnili,y. When va
tons, or even the inhabitants Of a ruling
city, have arrived at that pass, the day Of
their trial is at hand, and sometimes from
the trial they arise rcgencratc.
Middletown transcript., 1871-03-18
SINCERITY.

Give me sincere friends. or none. This
hollow glitter Of smiles and worls-com-
plimcnts that mean nothing -pro,cstations
Of alec,a'ion as solid as the froth upon
champagne invitations that are but prc,-
ty sentences, uttered because such things
are customary, are worthless There is
no need of them 1t is proper to be civil
aud courteous TO the most indifferent
stranger. but why assume frienisLip's
outward show when no rcai,, undcrics
il? Whcs ole iccis friendship, the object
Of that sentiment cannot suffer, and leave
our hearts acknowledgements be slanaer.
ed, leaving US unharmcd TO see our
friend successful, even beyond our own
powers of success, is great JOY to us, 70
hear our friend applaudcd is n pleasure.
Yet, every day, men who fancy themselves
friends, show mean envy Of each others
lucky hits; and women, who kiss on both
checks when they meet, will whisper
trcacherous little stories on each other
yes, and whisper them to men. So that.
when most women say TO me. 1--WE were
talking OF you just now / wonder only
for one is not sincere enough TO say |,
out-whcther i, has been possible 10
squeeze one drop II scanda, into the hum
drum story of my life; or, failing that.
how mcny times they been multiplying
my age by ten, to prove me older than
confess myself to be. But it is no, sincere
to praise everybody II sounds am;ablc
but men cannot all be j" charming p and
women all =" so sweet like to know
from the speech of man or woman that
this one is friend that. mere ac-
1nantance. think warm-hcar,cd people
are never general admirers. All canno,
be loved sincerely; all cannot really even
be pleasant. Constant lauda,ion ofcycry
body may be pleasant form Of insinecri.
~ but it is insincerity, after all, for me.
II heaven will help me. | will be sincere.
| will not abuse my intimate friends when
their backs are turned | will not prai
anv one | do not like will not kiss wo.
men ! hate. nor give men loving looks and
loving smiles when ! do no, like them.
And ms | do unto others, may they do un-
to mo, tor ! deserve no hcttcr
Middletown transcript., 1871-03-18
Selett Qottrp.
THE Last MILE srGsE.

Sixty years. through shine aud shadow
Sixty years, my gentle wife,
You and have walked together
Down the rugged road Of life.
From the hills OF spring we started,
Aud through NIL the summer land,
Aud the fruitful autumn country,
We have journcycd hand Ia hand.
We have born the heat and burden,
Toiling painfully aud SLOW
We have gathered In our harvest
With rejoicing, long ago.
Leave the uplands fos our children
They are strong TO SOW and reap;
Thrgugh The quiet winter iowlands
Now our level way we keep.
It's drcary country, darling,
You and are passing through;
But the road lies straight before us,
And the miles are short and few
No niorc dangers to encounter
No more hills TO climb, true friend
Nothing now but simply walking,
Till We reach our journey . end.
We have had our time Of gladness
TWAS proud and happy day
All ! The proudcst OF our journey
When We felt that we could say
or the children God has given,
Looking fondly on the ,en
Lovely women are our daughters
And our sons are nehc men =
We have had our time Of sorrow
Our time OF anxious fenrs,
When VIC could not see the mile. .sioncs
Through the blindness OF our tears.
In the SUM. summer country,
Far behind us little May
And Willie, too, grew weary
And We left them ON the way,
Are YOU looking back Ear,i mother,
That YOU stumble in the snow?
J am still your guide and s,ail, dear,
Lean your weigh, upon me, so
Our road is growing narrow:
And, what is IL, wife, you say
Yes know our eyes are dim dear,
But we have no, lost our way.
Cheer thee cheer thee fai,hful-hcnricd .
Just little way before
Lies the great Eternal CITY
Uf the king that we adore.
can see the shining spires
And the King, ',a King. my dear,
Wo hav0 served him long and huDby,
lie will bless US, do no, fear.
All the snow falls fast and heavy,
How you shivcr with the cold
Let me wrap your mantle closer,
And my arm aroud YOU fuld.
We are weak, aud faint, and weary,
Aud the suns low in the West.
We have reached the gates, my darling,
Let US tnrry here aud rest
Middletown transcript., 1871-03-18
Popular Atlistrllanp.
THE DECAY OF EMPIRES.

1t is several years since the world has
seen SO extraordinary collapse Of power
as that Of France during the present war
Indeed, it may be doubted whether any
thing exactly like it has ever been known
The disasters of 1893 were not, on the
whole. equal to those of 1870. and al
though in the reigns of Edward the Third
aud Henry the Fifth the wholi framework
Of French society fell into ruins beneath
the assault, OF English legions, the France
Of those days was not the mighty empire
which We have just seen shattered before
our eyes. Still, there have been many
remarkable instances Of the decay Of m.
iions once great, and of the shifting OF do.
minion f;op capital to capital.
The majestic shades Of old Assyria, Bah
ylonia aud Persia move like phantoms a.
cross the dim spaces of ancient history
That they fourshcd for while, aud then
lapsed into obscuriiy, we know from many
records ; but the causes OF their fall remain
undisclosed. They had probably no prin-
ciplc Of coLesiop beyond tie temporary
success OF some military family. and when
that came to an end, is in the eases Of Sar-
danapalus in Assyria and Belshazzar in
Baby ylonia, the whole empire dissolved in-
to chaos. Those two mighty agglomera-
tions Of varied nationalitics split up into
fragments when their respective capitals
were destroyed, aud their military s,rcng 9Th
overmatchcd. The ruins of their palaces
and temples have been uncnrthcd in our
own days, but we still know little, aud
shall probably never know much, of the
general social condition which existed be-
meath the magnifcence Of royalty and the
splendor of arstocratical and priestly cas-
ties. Doubtless there was back ground
Of poverty and diecontcEi behind the gilt
tering pageantry. for Dives always has his
Lazarus at the gate; but wyctchedncss
possesses few means Of perpctgai;ng the
memory Of its sufcrings, and the relics Of
the past show little but the pride and pomp
Of Eastern courts. and nothing Of the ac-
compauying misery which may have con-
tributcd to their fall.
The decay Of the Roman Empirc is with
in the broad light Of history. II proceed.
cd not SO much from bad laws for the
laws were better than those Of any other
ancient State). or from tyranny (for, when
once nation had submitted 10 the imper.
ial eagles. the Roman rule wss fair and
impartial. as from the sheer mpossibility
Of permanently holding together such a
vast accumulation Of distinct countries.
and SO many widely different races. Rome
trained and nourishcd number Of ns.ion-
alities, some Of which, in tipo, surpassed
her in stvcpetb-at least. on their own
ground. As the future nations Of North
ern and Western Europe grew from youth
TO maturity. Rome herself was passing
from maturity and dccrcptitudc. Tho
governing classes became eifctc with long
prosperity, with the traditions Of dominion
and the routine Of power. Indulgence in
sensual pleasures sapped the forces Of the
State, lind soldicry devoid Of the princi.
Middletown transcript., 1871-03-18
HUSBANDS COMMANDMENTS.

Thou shalt love no other man but me.
Thou shalt not have daguerrcotype or
any other likeness Of any man but thy
husband.
Thou shalt not keep it in secret and
worship it, for |, thy husband. am a jea.
lous husband
Thou shalt not speak thy husbands
name with lcvi,y.
Remember thy husbands command.
mcnts to keep them sacred
Honor thy husband aud obey him. that
thou may'st be long in the home he has
given thee
Thou shalt not find fault when thy hus-
band chcws and smokes.
Thoa shalt not scold.
Thou shalt not permit thy husband 10
wear n buttonlcss slirt-but shall keep
his clothing in good repair.
Thou shalt not continually CAD about,
ncglccting thy husband aud fa,nils.
Thou shalt not strive to live IN the style
Of thy neighbor, unless Thy husband 10
able to support II.
Thou shalt not covct thy neighbcr's 6ns
house. nor bis 6ne furniture. nor his siie's
thousand dollar shawl. nor her 8ily dollar
handkerchief, nor anything that 10 thy
ncighbor's.
Thou shalt not 60 to Womcn's Rights
meetings. neither to speak thyself or to
hear others speak. .zz4
Thou shalt not scold IL thy husband
stays out till after ten o'clock at night.
Thou shal, not run up large bills At The
stores which thy husband Is unable 10 foot,
for verify he knowc,h his means.
Middletown transcript., 1871-03-18
WoMES SHOULD READ NEWSPAPERS

WOMEN SmorLp READ NEWSPAPERS.
It is great mistake in female education
to keep young lady's time and attention
devoted only to the fashionable literature
of the day II you would qualify her for
conversation, you must give her some
thing to talk about. give her education in
the actual world aud its transpirinc
events. Urge her to read the newspapers
and become familiar with the present
character and improvements Of our age.
History is Of some importance; but the
past world is dead; we have nothing 10 do
with It. Our thoughts and our concerns
should be for the present world; to know
what II is aud improve its condition. Lc,
her have an intelligent opinion, and be
able to sustain conversation according to
the mental. moral and religious improve
ncnt Of our times.
Middletown transcript., 1871-03-18

shs tianph " issslliessss bsee tesss
iussllsct dswnsd spoa yos Wls6suA ttjosst
display. without uppsssas knvwlsd0e thst
endowmsnt of uisa wss ! gstsu1s giA.
sdded ehasas indsseribls y hse pa1sog
and presence. A. vosnaa. yesa9, sod
comcly. whose somewhat checksssd sasllss
life cast no shade pcrccptiblc. for tie -.
aged sovrows we're .bedlsd TOO 1ssp y
warm true heart for vulgss ssssy iGoseiss
her ovp woes 10 tho sdsrts ssads ~ seAssi
hsppiness. vli.. ..,e,,.H La
fair prototype in person cf the m6lhet
Who gave bee life. mild n maxbes.
thinking il, hss Ysiss wsy Of sthessyeds.
ludcd, innocent child vith The filssr idsa
doubtless. that life must be ,uoes joyovs
to those of more demonstrating u6e6tsi.
little dreaming that heart lovc vas llblli
tcndersd her, 10 fsll lowered nsassjA q
others. gi ..ii f.Ifa s,ai.iHs III - w
Fair Lilly, how clearly vsrs the, sweet
girl fnncics written on thy 6oyer-kks lace
whose young check so on wore tho ross
blush--awskc TO the dulcst musis which
floats around thee, aud may thy life
barquo be ever guided BY hsssss = true.
aud arms ~ Isvi0g- sad ssross sstbss.
Lcnor! | 500 thee now ~ when Grst
thy radiant dark eyes flooded ny vision
with their rcsplendept light, and Thy
jewellcd nrm rclicd on my shoulder. md
thy breath sweet % the inecuss Of soUih-
sru dales famed my bros with % inteu-
sity Of sympathy. loved elder sister ofthy
happy home. s..
The graceful head crowned BY dia-
dem Of trcsscs. proud form. sylph like
movements. splendid pulse Of 6ssrc. is
photographed on the old mans memory.
She was not beautiful perhaps to the cas-
ual observer, for the mind shone through
the generous acts OF her high soul. and
ono n,nrvcllcd at the indc6nablc charm 50
winning. yet ceased to wonder when they
saw the cmbclish menis Of the toilet oar
ried SO grandIy, and knew her heart frli
kindness.
She was cmincntly gratiacd to compete
with wommcn more fair. dangerous rival
but generous foe. Possessed Of no nseau
talents, destined to shine. a living fra.
grant flower rndiating the dews OF her
inner thoughts, winning by tho creation
Of her fascinating fancies.
The waves Of time have rolled their
pillows, cresting the foam on lilies break.
crs, surging dark days aud bright mo
mcn,s a,hwnrt mcmory's sea, but the glory
Of my fair visitants. looms up as emerald
isle. cool with balmy brecxcs, coral reef.
rainbow hued, spanning the arch Of the
old man, mind.
see the soft wane Of moonlight. tho
splendor Of the day-god bursting forth to
midday light, airy clouds cleaning as
ETHEREAL jewels. xin,illating rays cclipsing
minor glories. but the forms Of beautiful
girls warm with ,in,s Of life and lovclincss.
rich in health, unsulled by worldly contact
step before me. and | awake from other
and all beauties Of drcam-land 10 the BE-
wildering charm Of mclodious voices.
Days since then have fed, time hrs
furrowcd check and stamped his seal on
form. whitening hair. bowling spirit. but
his inaexiblc power has failed to mar tho
imaged picture craven by those happy
spirits. who for little while lightened
the uonotonomy Of the bachelors home
Middletown transcript., 1871-03-18

Recent experiments upon the human
yiscera. conducted by DR.. Cyon, show
that the liver Is not only the producer Of
the bile, but that II manufactures fat. Il
has long been known that good livers are
more or less manufacturers Of fat and il
was upon this fact that the principles Of
tho Banting practice were based.
Middletown transcript., 1871-03-18
REGISTERS ORDER.
PEGIsTRRs OFFICE,
IL Nrw cAsrLg torSry, Feb. 25ih, 1871. .
March ll-3m.

DEGISTRRs OFFICE,
IN Nrw cAsrLr torSry, Feb. a5,h, 1871.
Upon the application of Eliza L. Whiihy. Ex-
ccuiriy of John Whi,hy. late of 81. Georges
Hundred in said County, deceased /, Is Ordered
and directed by the Register that the Exccu'rix
aforesaid. give notice of The granting Of Letters
Tcs,anen,ary upon the Estate Of the deceased.
with the date ot granting thereof hy causing
advertisements 10 lie posted within forty days
from the date OF such Letters, IL six Of the most
public places OF the cagD,y of New Castle re-
luiring all pcrsogs having demands against the
Estate, 10 present the same, or abide by an Ac,
Of Assembly in suc', ease made aud provided
And also cause the same TO bc inserted within
the same period in the Middlc,own Transcript,
a newspaper published in Midalslown and To be-
continued therein two months
- Given under the hand and Seal OF Of-
n flee oi the Register aforesaid, at New Cas-
tie, in New Castle County aforesaid, the day aud
year above written. j.. GlBBS,
Rtasrra
NOTicE.--All persons having claims against
the Estate Of the deceased must present the same
duly aiicstcd 10 the Exccuirix on or before Feb
ruary 25th, 1877? or abide the Act of Assembly
In sach case made and provided
ELIZA l.. WHITLEY,
Execniriy
Address, Ode "a, Del.
March ll~-2m.
Middletown transcript., 1871-03-18

TALxERs. man Who talks over.
las,ingly and promiscously y--vho seems to
have an cxhaustlccs magasiue Of words
instead Of crowdiag thoughts into his
words. crowds 70 many words into his
thoughts that he always ebssusss. and
very frequently entirely eosesals sheq.
Middletown transcript., 1871-03-18
Casolins Co. Land Association,
9Th, and King 6ts.
WILMINGTON DEL
THE CAROLINE PEARL

wll - mt y sll psschasers yass Tor ,ess quar-
~ - apgllcaa,ea. u will give detailed ac-
eeaat q COR psuceedings from time 10 time.
NsUsrnpsss wlshlag 10 advertise for 10, will
ploass ssad ~ their lowest rates.
1~ss, cAsSsdss q. ~, Vt Fsys~y, 1871.
-. ~
Middletown transcript., 1871-03-18

A. H. Stephens is said to weigh bu.
seventy -four pounds yet, he was always
considered in the South as man OF weight.
Middletown transcript., 1871-03-18

A would-be school teeshsr u Alahama
replied 70 question By one Of ~ exaani.
ncrs. " 10 you think the vStjd d .boood
or Asty" "Wsll, ss1s psopos tAeGA leus-
way and sems saslhss. 81 N H61eh
roaud o. Aat jsse = ~ pesssts plness.y
Middletown transcript., 1871-03-18
HENRY HARPER,
No 722 CHESTNUT STREET.

Formerly $50 Arch Street,
Opposite !" Old Masonic Hail." PHILADELPHIA,
Has a large Stock Of ...
AMERICAN ana S<e ISIS GOLD and SILVER
WATCHES. Opera, l.iontien and Vest
Chains, French Clocks,
Opera Glasses and Fancy Goods
Fancy aud Pinin Solid Silvcrwarc and Rogers
Cclcbratcd Spoons, Forks Tea Sets, Ice Pitch
ers, Cas,ors, kc. all OF which are selling at rca-
sonablc prices.
March lily
Middletown transcript., 1871-03-18
FOTAL VALUE
OF the $4,000 GIFTS 500. 900.

The drawing will take place. as soon Us en-.
cravings enough are sold 10 distribute the tick.
cts, before ~ many ticket holders as choose 10
be present, and to 10 under their control.
: We refer TO
Thomas II. Kemp, Clerk Of Caroline Co. Court
George II. Rossuln, All. at Law, Dcnton, Md.
II. X. Richardson, Sheriff Of the County.
william Fell, ESQ, Of Denton, Nd.
Maucha 3 Bro, Real Estate y KRIS, Ridgcly, Nd
The above gentlemen will act as Supervisory
COmmittee.
Relss also 70 Charles Gooding, Esq, Speaker
OF The Delaware Senate, all the Leading Men, the
Ranks, the Ediior Of this Paper, aud the Press
Of the Peninsula generally.
We want active mcn aud women, everywhere
to wopk for vs., with whom we will make liberal
arrangements, namely, after their ordering their
.uamplc apgraviae, 40 will give them one en-
craving and one iisksi YsEs, for every four names
,ihey ssad " with - 20.
10 order an Engraving, seni US s? 90 In a
registessd letter, Of BY Post Office Order, and
We viii ssnd hy return mail, the engraving aud
the ticket vaRs.
Send all your orders for enesavIngs, money
and drai,s, and all correspondence 70 our gen.
ssal c1les, addfs1sed thus
uosoline Co. Land Association.
Middletown transcript., 1871-03-18
FOR RENT.

A ROOM on Main Street. one door east Of
"A Katioqsl Hotel. Apply TO
JOHN T. HAYES,
Niddlciown, Del.
Jan il-0
Middletown transcript., 1871-03-18
ARCH STREET HOUSE.
No. 4. Arch st.
Philadelphia,
q. W. LOCKE,
. Proprietor.
H. R, 81 co.

H. n. 81 co.
HAVING evidence that the PERSiCATOR'
l. l. is cheap aud valuable Manure and sub
siitpie for Wood Ashes, We have accepted the
Agency for this locality Il seems TO be an cx-
celleut Manure for Peach trees and corn-costing
from o., 10 %, per acre. For sale at Factory
prices, freight added, -
by II. T. EVANS,
March 4-tf. Middletown, del.
Middletown transcript., 1871-03-18

10000 liqsor asalss kssp = - -
~ cf thc Pcsssylss6ltao.