davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The herald., 1895-07-07
A Ring Cut Out of a single Diamond,

"A ring, so cut, was exhibited at tho
Antwerp Exhibition, when 1t was the ad.
miration Of the diamond cutters and mer-
chants, being the first successful attempt
to cut ring out Of single stone. Therg
are a great many difficulties in this
method of cutting diamonds, as the stones
have a certain cleavage and particular
veins all Of which have to be carefully
studied in order to prevent the splitting
of the stone Just as success seems within
reach. After several unsuccessful at
tempts and three years labor, the feat
has been accomplished by the patience
and skill Of M. Antoine, one of the best
known lapidaries Of Antwerp. The ring is
about six-eighths of an inch in diameter.
In the Marlborough cabinet there Is q
ring cut out of one entire and perfect
sapphire.
The herald., 1895-07-07

character of this particular beauty
changes with every hour. Sometimes that
nose is almost Greek; that is when its
owner is in deep thought, with trick of
pinning down her upper lip with her
teeth. Sometimes it is impudent to in
science; but usually it is expressive of
fun, love of laughter and the capacity OF
saying witty things with a dash of pert
ness in them. This is the ideal of the
snub nose.
1t is the victim of circumstances, how
ever, ana, when these are not favorable
to ideal development, the turned-up nose
is almost an affiiction. More especially is
this so when the owner is a business man
in a serious line of life. His nose prevents
him expressing himself and his opinions
upon people as he would wish to do. Had
his sense of the ridiculous been cultivated
as it ought to have been, he would be able
to allow for the effect of his own nose
and to take measures to counteract it.
Parents of snub-nosed children should
send them to special classes for the study
of the ludicrouS, as part of their equip
ment for business life; otherwise, they
will be at disadvantage with the large
nosed. The first impulse of these latter
is to decry the snub-nosed. This is in
stinct, and it is so far justified by facts
that the possessors of small noses are
usually found to be lacking in acuteness,
discrimination and accuracy of perceptlon
But is it not Mr.. Thomas Hardy who tells
us in his Tess" that we may inherit
characteristics of exterior without the
qualities they denote?
Physiognomists surmount any difficulty
of this kind by balancing against the in
dications given by any one feature those
of half a dozen others The nose says
something to them, but that something
has to be discounted by the message of
the lips, the eyes, the eyebrows, the chin,
the jaw, the shape of the brow, the color
and texture of the hair.
A man with a snub nose may be man
of strong individuality and force of char
acter, though his nose proclaims the con-
| trary to all who see it. He has to be
| aware of it's treachery before he can take
measures to defeat it, and not until he
| has acquired a true sense of the quality
of fun and frolic, of which his principal
| feature conveys an impression, can he
succeed in overcoming that impression.
| Kosciusko had snub nose, but he
achieved greatness in spite of it. Murat
Richard Cromwell, James l., and George
I. had all turned-up trivial noses; so had
Boswell. He retained his childish nose
all through life. Some men do, and with
it very often a certain quality of lovable-
ness that is not always associated with
more perfectly fashioned features. But
even in mems noses, fashion has turned
away from the portentous Roman, such
as the Iron Dukes, mountainous ridge
of bone and cartilage in the middle Of
the face. Something less pronounced Is
now preferred. Even a certain vagueness
of line is not now objected to. The only
sort of nose that never has its day is
the red nose.
AS to women, the prettiest, most ad
mired formation of the nasal organ i.
Greek for half it's length, and then turn.
heavenward with a kind of guilty grace
1t must be very white and very smooth.
The herald., 1895-07-07

an almost continuous conversation. This
goes on in all parts Of the theatre, and II
there are any other actors or actresses
on the stage unfortunate enough to be as
sensitive as am, the performance suffers
in consequence, and these same first
nighters condemn and often kill f. play
that they themselves have ruined. In all
other audiences 1 have ever played to
have been able locate some one kindly
intelligent face before have been on the
stage five minutes, and from that moment
l play to that one person and gauge my
work by the play of emotions / see on the
face. l can tell in a moment If l am not
making all my points with my audience
by the way my one friend takes my
efforts, and, strange as it may seem,
that one person can be an index Tor the
entire audience, yet such is the fact. L
think this is tribute to my knowledge
of human nature.
MRS. D. P. BOWERS.
The herald., 1895-07-07
A PARISIAN IN AMERICA.
He Gives His Opinion Of the Amer
tcan Woman.
SHE DIFFERS FROM EUROPEANS.
In That She IL self-Reliant and Well
Able to Take Care Of Herself
at All Times.

In America they are far from being the
sentimental and tender heroines of some
European countries, timid and submis.
sive young girls. pretty society women
lazy, languid. living on the tea of senti-
ment and dreaming-until they die of II
of aristocratic and forbidden love.
This gracious hive of women, SO fair.
so delicate, too ideal, perhaps, like
Shakespeare's Ophelia, but worthy of ad-
grafton. however. is replaced by solid
little battalion of modern women. The
American woman is neither languishing
nor romantic; she lives on rare meat and
live doings, and doesn't have much time
for dreaming.
She is vigorous and practical, as the
woman of the Bible. sometimes compli-
Gated, provided, however, that complica-
ton does not turn her from her end. She
cares less to be beautiful than do the
women in certain European countries, but
she wishes much more to have brains.
She is also more susceptible to goodness,
honesty and friendship.
She does admit that the men like to live
in her intimacy and like her society with
out throwing themselves at her feet
through love. Her coquetry is very styl-
ish without any insignificant grimaces or
childish language.
And then love plays a very little part
in the life Of the American woman. In
older times 1t was the only occupation of
women; today their occupations are di-
versified. The American woman has no
time to dream. Horses. tennis. hunting, gar
den parties, skating, rowing, etc., absorb
all of her time without leaving a moment
for day dreaming.
The men are obliged to renounce the
role of protector, so dear to their vanity
in Europe. An American woman, feel
ing herself full of suppleness and elas-
ticity, does not care for protection. She
H.. 80 I,xxv Alf 81, - -f-I
more cleverly than those to whom she
would be obliged to trust herself other
wise.
Has the American woman less grace
than the European. Perhaps r.. But,
The herald., 1895-07-07
The Meat Was Tough.

Diner-Isn't this meat rather tough?
Waiter-There's no denying that, sir;
but, then, we serve extra strong tooth
picks with it.
The herald., 1895-07-07
Fond of Big Words.

Sympathetic Lady of the House-How u
your wife today, Perks?
Pompous Butler very fond of big words)
oh, Mrs. Perks is much better, thank
Won. madam. chartered a vehicle yes
terday and removed her to the dentists.
and-would you credit it?-when the Of
Tending molar was extracted, she entirely.
lost conscientiousness!
The herald., 1895-07-07
A Hard RAd.i

"Good morning, Uncle Charles. Did
you sleep well? I'm afraid your bed waR
rather hard and uneven, but"
"Oh, it was all right, thank you. goe
up now and then during the night ard
rested bit, you KNOW"
The herald., 1895-07-07
SAYS SHE Is SENSITIVE.
Mrs. ID. p. Bowers Thinks the Critical First
Nighter u ScOurge.

First nights are my most trying times,
because it is so hard to find in an audi
ence of regular first-nighters the kindly
glance and attentive attitude that l al
ways look for when I first go on the
stage, until find that 1 never am really
at ease. First-nighters always look bored
or cynical and, by their very pronounced
inattention, cast chill over me. As a
rule they know their immediate neigh
bors, and do not hesitate to carry on
The Louisiana populist., 1895-12-06
EDITORIAL OPINIONS.

The people will declare in 1896 tha
the American government can max,
money. Southern Mercury.
The career of Calvin S. Brice is (;
romance in corruption, paradox II
politics, travesty on craftsmanship
blot on the record OF the Democrat,
party. New York World.
Cuckoo organs are confident thar
the presidents forthcoming message
will contain some of the most patri
otic platitudes ever uncaged in thi:
free country. City journal
The bankers talk about the whole.
some influence" of sound cur.
rency. That Influence means more
interest money for the banker, more
debts for labor to pay. Chicago FIX.
press.
The charge that the Populists los,
in every state Is false; the truth is
they made gains everywhere. bat
where the Republicans and Demo-
Gratis combined, OF course they beat
us.-Grecnville Independent.
The Armenians must be almost as
numerous in Turkey as pensioners in
the United States. or they would have
been exterminated before now, and
tho great hypothetical casus belli re-
moved. Texas Farm and Ranch.
United States Senator Brice had an
of year the other day. He is DEM
ocrat Of two States, and both went
Republican. He is now qualified to
instruct his party in the conduct OF
campaigns.-New Orleans Picayune.
The loudest mouthed critics OF the
Omaha platform are those who never
read it. A man who has studied the
plauks of that article OF human rights,
either Endorses it in whole or in part,
or has not got enough sense to get iu
out OF rain storm. .-Waxa hachie
Peoples Paper.
We often give our notes for money,
because we cannot make money. Not
so with governmet, its sovereign
and can create. This being true. no
excuse for issuing bonds and borrow
ing money can be given except ras-
cality on the part OF its officials.
Corsicana Truth.
Rockefeller, the Standard Oil mag
nate. has announced that be will en-
dow . Chicago university with q mil
lion dollars about Christmas. This
may have nothing to do with the mat
ter, but oil has gone up five cents per
gallon since the announcement.
Wood ward %. ~ News.
The Louisiana populist., 1895-12-06
On the Splice

A doctor of South Dakota has sue
ceeded in splicing the tail OF one
snake on to another of a differ species.
producing very healthy specimen OF
the composite snake. Great poss.bili-
ties are opened before that man. lie
can new supply the shows with snakes
with heads on each end, and varied
combinations OF snakes unique and
varied. There may be convivial read
ers who see nothing but snakes in
this; but the splicing is really remark
able on account Of its happening in
South Dakota, which is more famous
for divOrcing.
The Louisiana populist., 1895-12-06
Just as you are pleased at finding faults
you are displeased at finding reflections.

The revolver championship OF the
South London Rife club has been won
for the eighth year by Mr.. Walter
Winuns. an American. His aggregate
score for the season was 324 points
out OF possible S26, for five scores
at twenty yards and three at fifty
yards. At the twenty yards two OF
his scores were highest possible ones.
and at the fifty yards one was a score
OF forty out of a possible forty-two.
the highest score made at the club
this year. The total beats his last
years record by two points.
The Louisiana populist., 1895-12-06
Apostr0phe to f.ibertjt

Oh. Liberty, thoa art The god OF my
idolatry! Thou art the only deity
that hates the bended knee. Ia thy
vast and unwalled temple beneath
the rooaess dome, star gemmed and
luminous with suns--tny worshipers
stand erect. They do not cringe or
crawl or bend their foreheads to the
earth. The dust has never borne the
impress Of their lips. Upon thy altar:
women do not sacrifice their babes,
nor men their rights. Thou askesl
naught from men except the thing,
that good men hate-thc whip, the
chain, the dungeon key.-Eobert G,
Ingersoll.
The Louisiana populist., 1895-12-06

the government will pay one thousand
and forty dollars for work that Goa,
only one thousand dollars, and the
forty extra dollars goes to a man who
did not strike one lick OF work.
The treasury note or greenback,
when it was first issued, would pass
for a thousand dollars. So would the
bond. Let us suppose, now, that il
should be necessary for the govern
ment to promise to redeem either one
in gold. Would it not be easier fOl
the government to get one thousand
dollars in gold to redeem the treasury
note than it would be TO get one thou
sand and forty dollars to redeem the
bond?
Let us apply this question to the
last bond issues. 1t will be remem.
bered that Cleveland and Carlisle
have issued 1852, 100000 worth o.
bonds which we will say are TO rur
for thirty years at 1 per cent interest.
This means that at the end OF thirty
years the bonds must be paid back,
and in the meantime the goyernmen,
must pay about 1926. 900. .0O0 iu inter-
est, making u total OF 1857, 900. .0OG
paid out for the use OF the 1852, 000.-
900. How is this money to be gotten ?
1t is gotten by taxing the people di.
rectly and indirectly. The people
must pay it all.
Suppose, now, instead OF issuing
1852, 100000 worth OF bonds that
Cleveland had issued $l62. 900, 900 in
treasury notes Clearing no INTEREST,"
redeemable in gold in thirty years.
The notes would have been just as
good money as the people want. The
faith and credit of the government
would have been behind them, and
that is all there is behind the bonds.
The government could. within thirty
years time, get 1852. 900, 900 in gold
to redeem the treasury notes just as
easily as it can get that amount OF
gold to redeem bonds. and in the
meantime the people would no. be
paying sl95, 900. 600 to the gold uss
and bondholders as interest.
Now. consider these statements for
awhile. Study the principles involved
in them. See how much of juggiery,
injustice and rascality is shown by
them, and remember that instead OF
wishing to decrease the evil, the pres
ent Democratic administration is
seeking to increase it; for, as stated
above. its plan is to destroy the $346,
100000 Of treasury notes now in cir
culatiou and issue bonds in place OF
them-for what? For no other pur-
pose than to give these bonds to the
money power and gold bugs OF the
country, and make the working pco-
pie OF the country work longer and
toll harder to pay these nOn-working
bcndholders aud goldbugs more
money as interest. In the name of
God. what of Justice and right is there
in any such system? And we want
to ask, in the name OF "equal rights
to all and special privileges to none,"
if the manhood OF America will sub
NIT to it?
The Louisiana populist., 1895-12-06

The wrong that produces inequality,
the wrong that in the midst OF abu nd.
ance tortures men with want, or har
ries them witt - fear OF want; thai
stunt them pdys.srey, degrades the m
Intellectually, and distorts them NOR,
ally. that alone prevents harmoniou:
social development. H henry George,
The Louisiana populist., 1895-12-06
What u Sliane.

A London pauper picked up an APP
pie in the workhouse orchard last
summer and ate it. He was arrested
for larceny. and has just been dis
charged from Jail. after two months
confinement
The Louisiana populist., 1895-12-06

Laws are all right in their way, but
common sense Is the only protectio
against the various something Cor
nothing sche mes now flooding toe
country. -Wsxshaohie Mirror.
The Louisiana populist., 1895-12-06

Johenuisberg, South Africa. propo-
ses 10 have big international expo
sitior in 1896. and President Cleve-
,and has received letter from its
manager .rritiug Americans 10 por'
ticjp~ %,
The Louisiana populist., 1895-12-06

Hon. j. w. Bailey. congressman
from tbs fifth district, came through
Dallas or his way to Washington.
MIR. Bailey did not care to discuss the
result of the recent election. but said
the Democrats would have Q fighting
chance next year If the favor OF God
Almighty could be regained. II the!
Is the only hope. 1t is no hope,
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31

Notice is hereby given for the redamp-
ton of warrants for the Board OF Ed
ucation OF the city of Wichita, Kansas
registered in my Office and numbered
1164 to 1883 inclusive GreaSurers num-
bers) said warrants will be paid upon
presentation at the Sedgwick County
Bank on the 1st day of April, 1895, and
interest upon said warrants will cease
upon said date.
OTTO G.. ECKSTEIN,
Treas. Board OF Education
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31
ADVICE To MOTHERS.

Mrs Winslow's Soothing Syrur
should alyaws be used for children
teething. 1t soothes the child. coftens
the gums. allays all pain, cures wind
coic, ana IS the best remedy for
diarrhoea. Tweatv-:ive cents p hot
tie Used by millions of mothers.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31

All members OF the German league Of
Wichita. Sedwick county are here.
byby requested TO meet at Sons of Her
man hail on Sundey. March 81, at 5 D
II. Business OF Importance will ne
brought before the meeting. Holt
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31

Miss Blanche Barrett now occunies
the Millinery Psrlors' at $50 North Msin
Grand Opening next Friday and Sasur-
day HOLT
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31

The stock OF notions. ladies and gents
furnishing goods at the corner of Doug
las and EInporia aves. has been pur-
chased by Mrs. DIR. Stitzeil- The stock
has been TepieniShed with many fresh
articles Everything at popular pri-
csS- 1i5-1t
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31

Picture Frames cheaper than ever.
the latest styles at Martins Art Store.
Isl y. Main. lf6-lt
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31
Ladies Kid Shoes.

Ladies Kid Shoes.
Ladies kid shoes, Globe price 1 e5
Ours CSC.
Ladies' big button shoes, patent
tip, square toe, Globe price 81,
Ours $1.25.
Ladies' cloth top, patent tip dom
COLA. Globe price So.
ours $1.59.
Ladies' dongola Oxfords, plain toe
Globe price 81 %,
Ours IS.
Ladies' patent tip Oxfords Globe
price 81 %,
Ours SIC.
Ladies' Prince Albert shoes, Globe
price
Vur ) OC.
Ladies' patent tip Oxfords, Globe
price So,
Ours $50.
Ladies' fancy Oxfords, Globe price
Sc 50
Ours $1.25.
Ladies' Prince Albert shoes, pat
ent tip dongola, Globe price 81,
Ours 99c.
Ladies' wine co!ored Oxfords,
Globe price 81 30.
Ours S9c.
Infants shoes, Globe price doc,
Ours 14c.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31

Builders Hardware. nails. garden
tools, New Boston spray nozzfes. al
Meningitis Ii0 Y Main. ll6-lt
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31
Wichita Nursery.

You can get your prescriptions filled
at Wall2ce's drug store at any time of
the day or night e9-tf
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31
H.25 buys 100 10 choice Patent -four,
guaranteed. Rock Island Grocery.
di12-St
Notice.

Notice.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Office of Comptroller of the Currency.
Washington, d. c., Jan. 16. 1895.
Notice is hereby given to all persons
who may have claims against '-AhA
Wichita National bank of Wichita, 80
kensas, the same mutt be presented to
w. N. Ewing, receiver. with the legal
proof thereof, within three months
from this date. or they may be disal-
lowed. JAMES II. ECKLES,
Comptroller OF the Currency.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31

Poultry Netting makes the cheapest
and best fence. Mcknight can supply
YOU lie N Main il6-It
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31
Notice.

Hammocks, base ball goods. fishing
tackle guns, etc, at Meningitis 40
N Main. Holt
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31

iii the standard medicines. surgical
appliances and toilet requisites at Wal
lace's drug store. es-ti
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31
Our Former EForfs

In Millinery will be surpassed in our
Display April 4. Music. % Main.
Warren'S. 1865
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31

Mrs n. 2. WiiInan has sold her entire
stock OF millinery and fixtures TO Miss
Barrett, 49,,
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31

Yards al 90 West Douglas.
lll-Jf GORDON HILL. Manager.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31

Childs' Cashmere plain and embroid-
cred hats. Globes price from 80 to 75c,
our price 15c.
Chiids' lace cap OF every style and de-
scription. some slightly soiled. Globes
price from SOC to 81. our price 23c
Boys and girls Yachting Caps. Globes
price 35c. our price l0c.
Boys and girls Yachting Caps, Globes
price soc. our price 2lc.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31

LACES.
Every kind. any kind. narrow laces,
wide laces. dress iaces.
Oriental Flouncing As inch,
Globes price 75c, our price l9c-
30 inch Spanish Lace all over
Globes price 75c, our price &c.
40 inch Black Silk Lace.
Globes price $3.50. s.. our price SIC.
45 and 65 inch black and cream Laces
Giibe's price $3.50. $500, our price sl23
yard.
45 inch Valenciennes Lace,
Globes price s1.50. our price 49c a yard.
Trochon Curtain insertions,
Globes price 75c. our price 15c yard.
Valenciennes Lace
Globes proce sc, our price 1c yard.
Trochon Lace.
Globes price 25c dozen. our price sc
dozen yards
Fancy Lace.
Globes proce 35c. our price 14c per yard
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31

Seed potatoes s5c-Roek Island Gro
Gerry. Giia-et
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31

Granite steel ware. durable ard neve
50 cheap as now. Meningitis lie =
Main. 1851
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31
Secret Societies.

1 90, F--Ne>t Sid" 10 &c No. S45. meets every
h Wednesday evenil-. N Martinson block
i q a. E--No;th " ichita iosl.e. No Is rleefs
a. every Monday evening AT ~ North Main -
W Il NAfS- y O. q. q. NoRDNaRk, va
] 4 Ban E. lee. Ss-c-v- 4. +. SN.Tfi per Nec'y
! d EEBEVcA, M la, 10. ~ r. meets every
4 friday evening
- - - -sUufcweV lodge meets IN l,...,.s
IL. block, West Side, every second and fourth
tuesday.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31

Seeds of all kinds at ". T. Puckett's.
l19 West Douglas. Gift
y boss meal at Lindell hotel
d l12-6t.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31

Summer Lap Robes and Stable Sheets
Whips. Curry-comhs and Horse Brushes
fine single and double Buggy Harness
and all kinds Of horse furnishings AT
YOUR OWN PRICE al the great adj
nrinistratc-'s sale. corner Douglas and
Topeka avenues lfs-it
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31

We have always lead in low prices on
| best goods Rock Island Grocery
dIte-St
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31

Seed potatoes-ali kinds Rock Is
land Grocery. dlls-st.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31

OF All wool. in straight or round cut; dark
d y gray or a hair line mixture.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31
GLOBE SHOES AND SLIPPERS
Going at RidicuOusly Low Prices.
Read and Note Carefully. Such Values Have
Never been Offered in this City.

Men S Shoes.
Mems shoes, Globe price s1,25
Our Price 75c.
Mems dress shoes, Globe price Sc
Our Price 99c.
Mems satin oil shoes Globe price
1925
Our Price $1.25.
Mems Satin Calf shoes, Globes
price $3.50
Our Price $3.50.
Mems calf shoes, Globe price $3.50
Our Price 1.9S.
Policemen's shoes, Globe price 81,
Our Price $1.99.
Mems kangaroo shoes, Globes
price 81 so
Our Price $2.49.
Mems fine cordovan shoes, Globe
price s. and S,
Our Price $2.9S.
Bows shoes. sizes 3 to 3. Globes
price 81 %, 81 70 and 50 80,
Our Price Csc, SAC. $i.49.
Misses shoes, fine donsola and
school SHOES (sizes 8 to ~ Globe
price SIC, 81, 81 % and 81 80.
| Our Prices 39c, 59c, 75c, S2c.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-31
Marren.> Di.n,z,

OF Millinery. Thursday. April ith. day
and evening &C. Main lisZa