davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-11-02
REFORM.
BY F. MEG.

The day of truth was f,siling fast,
" hen though an oppres'd country pass'd
A knight, who bore, not to resign,
a banner with the strange design,
Retermi
His brow was sad; his eye beneath,
Flashed like falchion from its sheath:
And like 4 silver clarion rung
The accents of that Well-knOwn tongue,
Reforml
In happy homes, once warm and bright,
Corruption now has set its blight;
Around, about, but fraud is shown,
And frem his lips escaped 8 gr0sn,
RefOrml
TRY rot to passr' old Slander said;
Dark is your record DER your lead;
You can't resist the roaring tidel"
And loud that clarion voice replied,
RefOrml
oh, stay your health demands some rest;'
Said something heavy in his breast;
He paused, and thoughts of others CRY.
But still be answered, with a sigh,
ReformI
Respect the rules that we have laid!
Respect the laws that We have made
Your cry IS not the cry of rightly
A voice replied from up the height,
Reform
The Capitol, the workman's sight
Attracted, with its visions bright;
And there was joy for every home,
And Ger the CapitoPs proud dome,
Reform
Yes. Tilden, on its giddy height,
Stood there, the champion of right,
Still graspiDg, in his hand of ice,
The banner with the strange device,
Reform!
The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-11-02
Something Tangible.

A near-sighted man out on South Hill
went wandering around among his cur
rant bushes yesterday afternoon and
stopped down aud pulled live Centsn-
NAL Wasp's nest up by the roots to see
what it was. He didn't get it anywhere
near the focus of his eyes before be had
an idea that it was fat iron that some
of the women had set outside to cool;
then he thought it might be concsn-
trated case of priekly heat and then 1t
daWned upon him that be had picked up
raw thuuderbolt, and finally his heart
went clear down into his boots as he re-
allied that he had got hold Of the dan
gerous end Of the He'll Gate explosion
and pulled it of-B,rIingtoH Hdlskeye.
The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-11-02
A Romantic story.

Forty years ago there lived in Provi-
denee, within stones throw from
where Grace church now stands,a young
man of great Intelligence and wonderful
mechanical ability, who spent a little
fortune IN the vain attempt at making .
perfect representation of Russia iron,
and after as many failures as attempts in
this undertaking he became utterly
ruined, financially. His ambition for
the secret increased as his fortune
grew smaller and smaller, aud when
absolute want stared him IN the face he
became possessed with the determination
to accept of the only means of obtaining
one of the greatest secrets in mechanical
art, and to obtain this be must suffer
penal servitude In the dungeons of
Russia, the rulers of that country being
the only pOssessors of the art of making
what is known as glazed Russian iron,
used extensively for all kinds of stoves
and stoVspipe work, and which has for
nearly a century been made il Russia 8
underground prisons. None but life
conVicts were allowed TO be initiated into
the secret of manu- facture of one of the
principal means of income to the Rus
sian government, and when within the
walls no one need ever hope for pardon,
for mona has ever been granted, while
but one has been ever known to have
escaped, and when the door IS once shut
TO the outside world it is never known
what has been the fate of the unfortu
nate. So this, then, was the Providence
mans last resort for gaining possession
OF the secret which had become his only
ambition. He left his home for Europe,
and the simple rumor of the attempted
assassination of the Gar By an Amer
can, supposed to be insane. was all that
was ever known to his friends of what
become of the ambitious mechanic, and
as nearly half a century has ratified on
since be started out on his perilOus an
dertaking, hardly a person living will
remember the circumstance which is
here recorded. But there is one person,
however, in Providence, who rsuem-
bsrs well the day the hero of our
sketch bads her a fearful farewell,
promising that before she reached her
10th birthday be would return to her
and fulfil his promise. All through
these long years she had never forgotten
her promise to wait for her lover, nor
ceased to believe that be would come
yet for her. She now lives within
moments " ak of the chimes of Grace
church, and is still well preserved, and
her grace and beauty make her far more
attractive than many whose years are the
sama as were hers when her lover sepa-
rated from her so long ago. Last week
she received the glad tidings frsm far
away over the water that he who had so
long kept her patiently waiting was on
his way to fulfil his promise Of forty
years ago, and let us hope he NAV hiring
the secret and may live to see some re-
ward for his great sacrifce-P
{ r. I EUening Post
The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-11-02
DEMOCRATIC.
A TIMELY ADDRESS TO THE
PEOPLE OF OUR STATE.
The Vital Importance Of the Pres
emit National Contest.

The Vital Importance Of the Pres
ent National Contest.
The following timely address was is
sued by the State Democratic Executive
Committee on thd 2lst:
TO THE PEOPLE OF TENNESSEE.
The attention of the people of Tennes-
see is called to the Importance of the
pending political contest All who are
opposed to the present Radical rule; all
who are opposed to the continuation of
the fraud and corruption which mark
the present political cram era that will
hereafter be known in history by it's ap-
propTiate name of 'Grautism' an era
approved by the National Republican
Convention held at Cincinnati, AID COM
mended by the candidates of that Con-
ventinn for the Presidency and Vice
Presidency-all who favor reform, econ
OmY and honest gaVernment-are earn
estly urged to come to the ballot box on
Tuesday, the seventh of November, and
deposit their votes for TIlden, Hendricks
and reform; for Porter and the regular
Democratic ticket for Congress; for zen
ato"s and representatives in the legisla-
ture. Cor large majority in Tennessee
has caused feeling of indifference and
apathy in the prosecution of the canvass
in the minds of too many of our most
deeply interested citizens. Certainly
reResseeans have not lost their rever-
snce for constitutional prIncip Is, have
bot yet become so subdued in spirit as to
have abandoned all hope of perpetuity
of our Union in the spirit and with the
intent for which it was framed as to
sit idly by aud permit themselves to be
bound hand and foot to the chains of
political bondage. Tennesseeans, tbe
appeal is m Ide to you as descendants Of
hberty-iOving and patriotic sires, 80 coma
out from your fresides and take an ac-
tive, energetic working interest in this
contest You are called upon not only
TO go to the polls yourself, each one of
you, but let each see that his neighbOr
is furnished with the means of raching
his precinct and casting his vote. EE-
cry one whose physical condition will
| permit should be at the polls when open
| ed, and stay there until they are closed
Devote one day to your country and the
/ preservation CT your liberties. Let as
all work for the champions of the peo-
! pies rights, for economy, honesty aud
reform, for the prosperity and happiness
of our people and the perpetuity of our
| Union.
JOHN W CHILDRESS, JR-,
Chairman Democratic State Executive
Committee.
The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-11-02
State Credit Wreckers.

The Republicans are the wreekers of
State credit While they had possession
of the Southern States, from 1865 to
1872, they issued over 800 100000 of
State bonded indebtedness, mortgaging
the ten States of the South for that
frightful amount. For this vast amount
there wa5 little or nothing to show. Most
of it was robbery ont and out But
robbery to such an extent wrecked"
the credit Of the States affected Bonds
Of those States which had been pur-
chased by Savings Banks for an invest
ment, became almost worthless. In fact,
they did not pay any interest, and hence
ruin followed and was vi sited upon the
investors. Most of these bonds were
negotiated at the North, and now We
are feeling the effects of this swindle.
State Credit Wreckers have done their
work Not only have the holders of
State bonds been swindled, but limo
cent depoitors in the wrecked savings
bank have also beea swindled.
State Credit Wrecking is one Of the
great crimes of the Republican party.
Albany AT0Ws.
The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-11-02
DON'T SCRATCH.

Heed not the whispers of diseontentsd
men, butvote for every name found upon
she State and National Democratic tick
cts. You have a right to do otherwise,
and to do as you choose, but what do
you gain by scratching7 Nothing at all
But you make your party loose and its
OPT onsnts win. That surely 40 be no
consolation to you in moments of sober
reflection. No fellow Democrats,go to the
polls determined to perpetuate by your
vote the unity and integrity of your
party throughout the State and the ooun'
try at large To do other than thus
you would be recrsant to the high trusts
Of the hour.
Be certain net to vote for an Indepen.
dent. He may be a good man individu-
ally, but his political tendencies and
Affiliations are anti. Democrs tic, aud
clearly in aid Of the Radical party
Come from the pol5s on the 9TH with {
clear conscience.
The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-11-02
Cooperative Stores.

DR.. William Elder, of Philadelphia,
says: 1.-THE possible savings of this poll
cy are not easily calculated, but q safe
basis for es timation may be founded up
Oh the report of the mercantile agencies
of New York, which gives one store and
storekeeper for every one hundred and
twenty three persons of all ages in the
United States This would give one
family 90 be supported by every twenty
four This statement does not however
embrace any but such OF these agencies
as rank as merchants who purchase their
goods in the principal cities; leaving out
of view the mass of small traders, ped
ders, tTansporters aud other middle
men, all of whom live better and more
expe1 sively upon the profits of their
trade than do the labOFing class which
contributes so large a proportion of their
gains. 1t seems not eXtravagant to say
that every ten or twelve families who
live on wages must support ons other
family in far better style than they can
I've themselves, under the prevalent
hand to mouth system of supplies
through the multitudious machinery of
the retail trade To get the idea fully
impressed, one need only to walk the
business streets of our cities, towns aud
villages, and observe the unbroken
blocks of retail stores, held at high rents
employing hosts of dealers, and support
ing their families and their lawyers,
doctors and c,ergYmen, with their luzu-
rious indulgence of leisure, and of dissi-
patton added, to form some idea, or, al
least, feel some of the force that the last
and poorest purchaser of their goods
| and wares must bear. To get rid Of
this prodigious tax, cooperative stores
offer themselves, in theory at least, as &
remedy more er less coextensive witt
| the evil Industrial Age.
The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-11-02

HEADQUARTERS DEMOCRATIC AND Cox
sERvATIvE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE,
MEMPHIS, Tenn, Oat. &c, 1876.
Messrs. Arnsistcads, Editors
GETLEMEN-A Grand Mass Meeting
and Torchlight Procession of the De-
mooraey of Tennessee, and the adjoining
states, will be held in this city on Sas-
urday, November 4th, 1876. You are
earnestly and cordially invited to be
present, and participate IN the cereme-
MES on that occasion 1t is our inten-
ton to have the largest and most impos
ing demonstration which has taken
place 10 the South since the war.
Very respectfully,
n. B. FORREST,
IRVING HALsLBT,
A J. HAYS,
Committee of Invitation
The above polite and cordial invita-
zion is extended TO the Conservatives and
Democrats of Hardeman county. jus
previous to the general election which
is the 7th, the Memphis Democrat
leaders are preparing to inaugnrate eere
monies bsftting 80 urgent al event il
the political annals of the country. w
need to have the great body Of the pee
pie nervSd 1P to appreciate the solem
and sacred duties of an American voter
In the client majesty of the ballot
wrapped up the present and future de-
tiDy Of the Republic No citizen ca
afford TO triAe with OF lightly esteer
the ELECTORAL franchise. 1t is an inner
lance Of ines Unable value, and shout
be exercised to the selection of the tr'
ess aud best men TO work out the in
portant problemus now demanding >
luton.
The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-11-02
Congressional appointments.

Hon. CASEY YoUNG and Col W. NJ
RANDOLPH, candidates for Congress,
'Sill address the citizens of the Tenth
Congressional District of Tennessee at
sthe following times and place s, viz
Memphis, Exchange Building, We'd
eoesday, Nov. LIST
BsrtIett, Thursday, Nov ID
Withe, Friday, Nov. 81
Lucy, Saturday, Nov. 9Th.
Memphis, Opera House, Monday
RovaSsa
AZ Fech OF the above appointments,
except Memphia, the discussion viii be-
gin at I o'clock p. m, and at Memphis
at7i o'clock, P. m.
NJ. D. L. STEWART,
ca N Dem Elk Com 10th Dist.
The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-11-02
THE Sc GOODS

have been purchased at the low
est Cash rates, and will be sold
cheap for Cash. Examine the
following items of interest :
Best brands Calico, 81 cents, cash.
Dress Goods, MeIanges, Debeges, Ser
ges, Cashmeres, black and colors, in all
the new shades in fac assortnents.
Black Alpaca and Mohair
White and Red Flannels for 25Q6O
cents.
Good assortment of Opera FIanneIs.
Check Linseys.
COrsets, 60 cents to $3.50.
Ladies' Hosiery. Cotton and Wooden
Fine assortment of Misses and Chill
;1en's Cotton and Wooden Hosiery.
Bleaehed and Brown Canton Elan /
loops cents.
Jeans, 1880 cents, cash.
Twesds and CassIneres.
BIeacbsd and Brown 1O-4 Shsetings.
Bed Tickings, all grades.
Bleschsd Domestic 6@l21 cents
cas-
Brown Domestios. SOLO cents, cash
Boots aud Shoes, ali kinds and quail
tiles.
Lowell Carpets,
Gents Furnishing Goods, all kiads.
Msrino Undsrsbirss, 5O@s2. 90, cash.
Linen Bosom Shirts, $I.OO@25O, cash
Paper and Linen Collars.
Linen Hendkerchisfs.
Umbrellas.
Full Stock of ClOthisg aaa Hats.
dRF1 " are.
Queens ware.
Farmers and Ne ehanies' Tosls.
Saddlery and Harness.
Trunks;
Blankets, brown, grey and white.
Gum Betting, 3 to inches.
Grass and Cotton Rope.
You will save money by Civ
ing US 3 call before buying.
The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-11-02
Escape From scrubbing Floors.

a lady writer. in QUE of her letters to
the Christian Weekly, tells how she sue
cseded in obviat,ng almost entirely the
drudgery Of scruboing. She says she
procured from o druggist three quarts of
boiled Hnseed oil, and the same amount
of shellac varnish. This quantity OF
msterill will cover as much floor as
forty yards Of carpet, and costs only
So so. The floors are cleaned as thor
eughly as possible, and all spots that
will not wash off ought to be planed off
We put on the first coat of oil in the
evening, and the next morning it was
dry. The following evening we pus on
q Goa of the shellac varnish, which was
dry by morning And after two or three
days we put on the final coat of oil,
but as the wood will absorb but very
little oil this time, we put it on with
a flannel, and rub it In as thoroughly
IS possible. 1t was soon dry and ready
for use. Now we have beautiful floors.
easily kept clean by wiping off the dust
with cold water Once 10 three or ak
months we can go over them with lit
tia of the boiled OIL and have then look
as well as ever again Such floors
would rob cleaning time" of half its
terrors, and add largely to the purity of
the atmOspheres of our houses, already
poisoned by alright stoves aud furn-
aces. 1t is cheap reform and easily
The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-11-02

Party lines are being efaced in the
Palmetto State. 1t Is no longer ques-
ton of Democrat or Republican, but a
question OF Reformer or Robber.
The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-11-02

YardIeY, Nancy and Thomas are the
triune republican deities in this campaign.
False Gods.
The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-11-02

The Union Veterans oil the war scath-
ingIy rebuke Gen. Dix Tor using their
organization for partisan purposes.
The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-11-02

illinois people have renowned Peter
Cooperism and gone for Tildsn in
whirlwind
The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-11-02
JUST RECEIVED.

We have just received from
the East a large and varied
Stock of the most desirable
Goods.
The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-11-02

Tildea stock is high in the ascendant
in the East.
The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-11-02

Long experience in Merchan-
dizing justifes US in saying we
are now prepared to offer the
best and cheapest stock ever
seen in Bolivar.
The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-11-02

Dorsey Thomas is the Republican
monkeys convenient cats paw.
The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-11-02
s. O.. MILLER,
BOLIVAR LIVERY STABLE.
BOLIVAR, 4HRNHssH2.

The underlined have opened in Bolivar and we'll
Horses
elers railway
be Ct HOR KEPT BY THE DAY, WEEK
sale and trade Rates Lire
call STABLES ~ p. COR COURT SQUIRE ~ give uF.
The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-11-02

HEADQUARTERS DEMOCRATIC AND Cox
sERvATIvE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE,
MEMPHIS. Tenn, Ost. 26, 1876.
The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-11-02

You will save money by Civ
ing Us 3 call before buying.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-18
SITTING A cRhEK ON FIRE.
Whit Came OF Throwing II Fire Ball into n
Catfish Run.

OIL CITY, Pa. May ia singular phe-
nomenon can now be seen In Clarion county,
IA, within nifty miles Of this city, on a small
stream known as Catfish run. For long time
the inhabitants Of that locality have noticed a
commotlon on tho surface OF the water. liLe
that made ~ Ras bubbling to the surface. Ihese
bubbles have been seen for many years, but No
particular notice was taken Of them untiI
recently, when the quantity Of escaping gas in
easod, and the surface II the stream for sew
eral tods WAS covered with bubDle.. A strong
vicinity. " Wv
L. ~ month he place WAS visited by several
gentlemen who mad heard Of tue phenomenon,
100, ~, tlhe convinced th,t 1t WAS gas ana ue-
.V.'ineu ~ irNl llS burning qualities. bunch
W inE9 WIS "hl 'lhed At farmhouse, and tnO-
io"knN hdlulh,"i with kerosene. To this a
niatCn W. applied, ana the ruiulng ball thrown
NV t"e Fllr@h' bei"re II reached the surface
" the yer, l g ras lgnled a d a slight eNplo-
SION lolioMed. Ia NV moments lie body of
We IA, bnlntd steaullN. aud IN every portion OF
.no rlte"lI small flame, sprang up where the
"a. osoap'd IA modeTdte quantities Since that
Wy we Z % has continued to burn, Hnd the urra
800, a"' lnhh covered by IL has inoraast d. until
uown run. ' w """
o,N,Sath-h run Is sluggish stream bounded on
thaaot "'"p Nv erp, W. idcd bluns. Al nj nj
oant "nphe tlo banning 81 can is mannln-
wit 4he ures hght up Tue dark futo.Ls- I'D
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-18
coUSrERFEIr RAILRoAD III CKETs
Several Roads Leading North and East from
~. Louis yiciimized.

ST. LOUIS, May 17.-It has been known
for n week or two past that counterfeit railroad
tickets have been in circulation here, and that
some OF the roads leading North and East have
been vctimized. The matter has been In the
hands Of detectives some days, and In
formation obtained which led to the arrest
last night Of J, iferson A. Drolaski for
being engaged In making and uttering
these countcrfcits. Brolaski IL n clerk In the
Illinois and It. Iolis Bridge Comp'ny's ONCE
hcle, aud very respectfully connected In this
city. Erwin NJ: u ker, who was recently In I II
nt Chicago, IL also mpicated, and will doubtless
be speedily captured. In the room OF BrOlask
and u ker were found flates, stamping ma
chimes. uies, INK, &c, and about $4,000 worth OF
spurio IA tickets. These latter are coupon tickets
from Lawrence, KAN, to New York over Tho
Missouri Pacific, Chicago and Alton, l. Ike shore
ami Michigan S,utncrn, and Erie roads also.
from 1Opek, Kan. to Phil ,delphia over the
Atchson, Iopeka. and Santa Fe. Missouri, Pact
nc, ONO and Mis- s>ippi, Little Miami, Columbus
and Pittsburgh, and Pennsylvania roads.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-18

sparkle on the waters, making a spectacle rarely
witnessed, This stream Ia contiguous to OIL ter
ritory, and the only satisfactory theory OF the
source OF the Gas II that II arises from peIo-
leum deposits beneath the water. as the same
phenomenon, although the gas was In less guam
tity, has been noticed on OIL Creek.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-18
BRAZILIAN Diamonds for the Centennial.

PHILADELPHIA, May lG.-DamOnds said to
be worth over ten millions Of dollars were sent
TO this country as part Of Brazll's exhibit, an
q great safe and a handsome showcase we're pre
pared their rcrcpticcs by night dy -Four IRA
u 'ns were to acc rs constant gnird over tne trca
IRE. rcsu ton lwcver. preyenls the van ltr VI
the diamonds from the custom IL u'e 10 tue tNhl ".
ton. a bond ct double tncir value !. req urea As =
guarantee int they viii not be so IN tai. cOu TRY
without lhs duty hcng pad, and inc Brazuin Nonl.
miss.Oners cannot comply. Dom Pedro made wnen
here personal efIrt 20 arrange the busintss pu
he 70 That evel Secretary Bristow had not the
4 % the rule.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-18
ddlantsO- .flal,s.

GENTS wanted IN town ana country to sell our pure
n teas 10 IA miles, hDte o. an large cOnsu nrrs; Oet
terms aud largest stock IN the county ABBY TO tne
Wells Tea Company, POI Fulton st.. between Church
anu GreenWich S. sew YORK..
A GEN - % 0All handsome mounted chromos
hiOf VI largest sort nent Ia this city,
GEORGE l., FELTON, co. ITO Nassau g..
A GENTS to tui llurrel's patent lamps; equal to
"A gas btOrcs aud dwellnps supplied
ID. BUHkELL, As Barclay 1t.
ttNT-.- 90 ONll mounted chrO nos for 81 largest
,ntnt ia toe worli CIV u, call. COAtinenA
Nulom' company, 80 Nassau 81. room i0
A MAO HlNI~F may secure emniorment third in.
A tereH1 ia buslno D. by yesung Al,OOO
BROOKS OK lbO sun cflce.
A Fih-T- GLASS PANTHEON and cost maker,
A IAlI 81 10 aNn De.wecn lJ7th and 1853 II ia
,. II. DOMLING.
A GENT- MAKE 80 daily by re Ing RAIsBECK's
N latest novelties Ia show cards R70 Canal 81.
CUTTER on CHI iren's shoes also man ON nice
N chcAs, 300 Griham Az, Wllhaulsburgh.
A tENr>mlke ~ MY selling Amory's Centennial
IN snow oards, lll}s BOwerV above tho bird store.
A HfOOND HAND 10 hel0 Ia a carriage paint
A Ah"o oEol'uE VAN koSrEAAD. Flushing. l. L
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-18
Boots anO Sbu,s.

CO Will BUY A PAIR Of NEAT, SERVICE.
sSt ABLE BOO : for LADY or GE ,TLEMAN.
IRON CLADS"-A s,rnns. serviccahlr SHOE for
BOYS. CANrRELL, 239 ,nd "a. An ay.