davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10
Presbyterian ChronicIings

Preaching services next Sunday
morning and evening at the hours Of
1880 and 7.3O respectively. All are
welcome and the seats are free. The
subjects Of the sermons are: "Our
Talents, their use and abuse
"Rsligious Fervor.
The prayer meeting topic for
Wednesday evening is, "Fleeing
From known Duties
Plans are being made for union
service one week from next Sunday
evening The service will be in the
interests Of temperance. The speak.
er, who is very highly recommend.
ed, is Mr.. Emmett d. Nichols, Esq
of Wilkesbarre, Pa. Further men
tion will be made next week.
The pastor has just come upon a
good suggestion in one of the church
papers and which may prove of some
value to our readers. The article
speaks of "Go to Church Banu"
which is organized among the chill
dren of the Sunday school Of the
Westminster church of Brooklyn.
Our superintendent offers a prize to
all the children of our Sunday school
who do not miss a Sundays preach.
ing service each quarter But might
not this suggestion for a band of
church goers be extended to the
older people? Why would 1t not be
a good idea for some one at the
different hotels and boarding houses
to do some work in this line for
their respective churchesP If you
favor our church let the pastor know
of your willingness to aid him in
this direction and he will b. very
happy to render any assistance
within his power.
This is the time of year when
informal musicales and entertain
ments have been given at the differ.
ent hotels for the benefit of the
church. These occasions have
brought the guests in our village
and the church people together in q
social way and we hope that it has
been beneficial TO all parties con
cerned. We will be pleased if any
thing can be done in this direction
during the remainder of this month
or in August.
The pastor would be very happy
to meet and to render any services
desired to those of our denomination
and who lmay be sojourning il
Milford for the summer or briefe
period of time. He would appreciate
the honor if approached as freely Al
such would GO to their own pasto
if he were here.
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10
SILVER LAKE

Joseph II. Bromley, wife and son
Joseph arrived at the lake on Sun
day. They made the trip in their
automobile.
Jacob ]. Seeds and family are now
occupying their cottage
Several large rattlesnakes have
been killed in this vicinity this
summer
A few city guests are being enter
tained at Huntingtower.
Allen L Albright. the Dingman IS
Ferry merchant, makes a trip to the
lake twice "a week delivering
groceries, etc.
Edward f. Hoffman returned to
the city on Tuesday.
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10
A Sustaining Diet

These are the enervating days,
when, as somebody has said, men
drop by the sunstroke as if the Day
of Fire had dawned. They are
fraught with danger to people whose
systems are poorly sustained and
this leads us to say, in the interest
of the less robust of our readers,
that the full effect Of Hoo s Sarsa.
parilla is such as to suggest the
propriety of calling this medicine
something besides a blood purifier
and tonio,-say, a sustaining diet.
1t makes it much easier to bear the
heat, assures refreshing sleep, and
win without any doubt avert much
sickness at this time of year.
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10
SAWKILL

Charles B. MoCarty, tax-collector
of Dingman township, called on
residents of this place Tuesday.
Miss Ophelia Goble visited Milford
last week.
Miss Hattie Bradford of Woodtown
passed through this place Tuesday.
The repairing of VIM. Littlefield's
house is nearing completion
Several residents of this place
spent the Fourth in Milford.
We wonder how many of our
farmers expect early crops? ETC.
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10

There is a family in Milwaukee that
possesses the secret Of a process where
by sealslsin wraps and Buffalo robes
can be made from the skin Of a sheep
The secret has been in the family for
years, having been discovered by q
member Of the family who worked in
q taunery in Australia. BY this process
the finest furs can be initiated by the
use Of any old pelt with hair on IT, He
says that in making sealskin jacket
out Of the hides OF Belgian hnrea the
imitation Is 50 good It would defy an
expert. The change is in the dyeing
process and the chemical action on the
hair refines it without injuringit
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10
PUBLIC AUCTION

The undersigned will sell on the
Premises, Wednesday, July Is, 1908,
at p. m. The farm known as the
Ira Mulock farm, about one mile
north of South Centerville, part in
the town of Greenville and part in
the town of Waywayanda, Orange
county, N Y, containing about 1877
acres all good tillable land and we'll
divided between plow meadow and
grass land and about II acres of
wood land of good growth. This
farm will keep 25 cows and 2 teams
all the year round. Land is very
fertile and in high state of cultiva-
ton. A good dwelling house of 8
rooms and 2 big halls. Good eleva-
tion and splendid views. A new ice
house built this year, barn and
wagon house 66x36 #. with lean to
20 # wide. A young orchard. The
best of water Near good markets
also good roads. Sold because in
herited from owners mother. Said
owner being in other business.
JAMES E. CLEARY, Owner.
Sale rain or shine.
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10
sruiaIIr Tortured

A case came to light that for
persistent and unmerciful torture
has perhaps never been equaled
Joe Golobiok OF Colusa, Calf, writes
"For IS years / endured insufferable
pain from rheumatism and nothing
relieved me though I tried every
thing known. 1 came across Electric
Bitters and it's the greatest medicine
on earth for that trouble. A few
bottles of it completely relieved and
cured me" just as good for Liver
and Kidney troubles and general
debility. Only SOC. Satisfaction
guaranteed by all druggists.
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10

Excursion to Denver and Colorado
Springs
On account of 5he International
Convention United Society of Chris.
tian Endeavor, to be helix at Denver,
Colo, the Erie will sell special
excursion tickets from Port Jervis
TO Denver, Colorado Springs, or
Pueblo, Colo, on July 9Th, 9TH and
Sth, good returning to August 31st,
at the low rate of S42 for the round
trip.
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10
Three Dollars Better
Than Thousands
Dr. Kennedy's New Medicine, Cal-cura Sol
vent, Did More Than Many Doctors

Dr. Kennedy's New Medicine, Cal-cura Sol
vent, Did More Than Many Doctors
Your pocketbook as well as your health
needs consideration, but often both suffer
through ignorance Of the right thing to
buy. Thnt was the case with the gentle
man who wrote the following letter;
Thousands Of dollars have ! paid out
to doctors during my life ana 1 don't
complain of the doctors; but DR.. Kenne-
dy's new medicine, Cal-cura Solvent
beats them all Three bottles Of it cured
me last spring OF heart trouble and terri
bio pains in the side, back and head
Am better than for thirty years "-H. J.
Brandow, Jewett Centre, N. Y.
For 50 90 invested in Cal-cura Solvent
Mr.. Brandow got what he had spent
thousands for in vain. Your case may
be like his. It costs only Sl.O0 for a bottle
of Cal-cura Solvent at any drug store
Write to the Cal-cura Company, Ken
nedy Row, Rondout, n. Y, for free
sample bottle.
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10

The San Francisco Wasp, which
stands at the gateway Of the Orient
and looks back across the country at
the Hearst string Of saffron colored
journals, the San Francisco Exami-
ner, the Chicago American, the New
York Journal aud associates, in
speaking of Mr.. Hearsps recent
marriage and his social and presiden-
tial aspirations remarks that "You
cannot be a successful newspaper
publisher, a successful candidate for
Office, a member Of the social smart
set, and an ally Of all the anarchists
socialists, demagogues and agitators
in the country at one and the same
time.U
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10
On the Scrub.

"Yes, sab, when All was at Yale, All
was, on the scrub team, sah!"
what Did you play football?"
mo, sab; All was connected with
the Commons laundry, sah!-Yale
Record
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10

'1 have bnilt up a great many thin
people" said the man with chin
whiskers.
"Do you sell health food?" asked
the curious crowd.
"No, 1 make padded overcoats."--
Chicago Daily News.
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10

The Ingenus-What did the man
ager say when you asked him for a
raise2
The soubrette-He offered to give
me a raise Of fifty a week in the
press reports, II I'd accept a redue-
ton of five n week in cash.-Puck.
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10

81 want some bird seed" said the
customer in the seed store
'No, ye don't smarty," replied the
new clerk, recently acquired from
the country, I'VE can't joke me. Birds
grows from eggs, not seeds?"-Phila-
delphia Press.
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10

May-How did Jack Menleigh be-
have when you refused himP
Calamity and courteously.
May-Why, how?
Moud-He insisted upon kissing me
good-by.--Town Topics.
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10

B. Gruff-Get the check you expect.
ed?
A. Bluff-No; another one. Cover
nor said if I don't spend less must
come home.-Pennsylvania Punch
Bowl.
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10

He-Here's this invitation to the
masquerade ball tomorrow night.
wonder what disguise I had better as
sumo?
she-Why not just look PLEASANT
Omaha World
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10

Mr. When all the fools are
dead, ] don't want to be alive
Mrs. Bacon-Well, don't worry; you
won't Yonkers Statesman.
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10

For a lazy liver try Chamberlain s
Stomach and Liver Tablets. They
invigorate the liver, aid the diges-
tion, regulate the bowels and pre-
vent bilious attacks. For sale by
Balch & Son, Matamoras, all general
stores in Pike county
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10
OFFICE, Browns BUILDING BROAD ST.
Advertising Rates.

One square( eight lines) one Insertion -ti.OO
Each subsequent insertion 80
Reduced rates, furnished on application
will be allowed yearly advertisers.
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10

He las the clock strikes ILLS that
clock right? One of US must be off
She-I'm sorry you have to gol-
Harvard Lampoon.
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10

Almost half of all railway travel in
Germany is third-class. More passen-
gers use fourth-class than second and
less than one in 20 rides irst-class.
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10
Legal Advertising.

Administrators aud Executors
notices 800
Auditors notices 400
Divorce notices 500
Sherif's sales, Orphans court sales,
County Treasurers sales, County state
nent and election proclamation charged
by the square.
J.H. Van EtteB, PUBLISHER,
Milford, Pike County, Pa.
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10

Twelve per cent. of all deaths in
Switzerland, which is supposed to be
a paradise for people afflicted with con
sumption, are caused by that disease.
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10
oauIa AfIord . HoIa La oheap.

Hell kill himself" the Major said
with naughty look and air
zone life may 60" the other said,
But, then, he's eight to spare"
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10
Not He.

"Does he interest himself in
booksY
mo" shifted Mrs. Newrich. my
husband has clerks to do that for
him. Detroit Free Press.
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-07-10
.aiT iiliIII q B!

Our fee returned If we fail. ANY one sending
sketch and description Of any invention will
promptly receive our opinion Tree concerning
the patentability of same. How to Obtain a
Patent" sent upon request Patents secured
through us advertised for sale at our expense.
Patents taken out through us receive special
notice, without charge, in TIE PATENT REco-D
an illustrated and widely circulated journal
consulted by Manufacturers and Investors.
Send for sample copy FREE. Address,
VICTOR j. EVANS & co.
Patent AttorneYs,)
Eysrs BUILDING. viASHlNnroN. o. c
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-09-16
Bankruptcy Notice.
PETITION FOR DISCHARGE.

In the matter of
Eugene o. Wilson, In Bankruptcy.
2l,s. Bankrupt.
To the Hon. Hoyt H. Wheeler, Judge Of the
District Court of the United States for
the District OF Vermont.
Eugene o. Wilson of st. Johnsbury, in the
County of Caledonia and State of Vermont
In said District, respectfully represents:
That on the 26th day of April, last past.
Acts of Congress relating to bankruptcy that
he has duly surrendered all his property, and
rights of property, and has fully complied
with all the requirements Of said Acts and OF
the orders of the Court touching his bank
ruptcy;
Wherefore, he prays that he may be de.
creed by the court to have full discharge
from all debts provable against his estate
under said Bankrupt Acts except such debts
as are excepted by law from such discharge
Dated this Goth day Of Mar, A. d. 1903.
Eugene o. Wilson, Bankrupt.
ORDER OF NOTICE THEREON.
United States District Court for the Dis
In re Eugene o. Wilson, Bankrupt, Dis
charge.
Notice is hereby given that Eugene
Q. Wilson, Bankrupt, has filed his Pc
tition, dated March 26th, 1903, pray
ing for discharge from all his debts In bank.
ruptcy, and that all creditors and other per.
appear before me at my Office in st. Johns.
bury, aforesaid, on the oath day of Sept.
1908, at 9 O'Clock a. M, and then and there
present their objections, il any, to such dis.
charge, with their proofs thereon.
MARSHALL MONTGOMERY,
Referee in Bankruptcy.
st. Johnsbury, VT. Sept 14th 1903.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-09-16
SteepIe Jack" rIurphy.

"Steeple Jack" John Murphy who did
the work on the Notre Dame church,
which has the tallest spire in the state,
has had interesting and varied expert
ences during his career as steeple jack.
His first climb was up church steepe
in Getters, N. Y, when he was but IA
years old. Soon after he climbed several
more lofty heights. At the top of the
spire on Old Trinity church in New York
City he has perched and watched the
passers by on the street below. He has
also climbed the tallest smokestack in
Boston, which is on the city refuse build
ing on Atlantic avenue, and also glded
the dome of the Mormon Temple in Salt
Lake City. Murphy did not have to
learn steeple climbing, but having love
for the sea learned the ropes, then in
short time firing of the briny deep drifted
into this work. He speaks rather brag-
gadocio of his work and claims that be
is one OF the greatest climbers if not the
best in the business, but he did skillful
job in St. Johnsbury in climbing such an
almost inaccessible spire. The art of
first raising the ropes to the top of the
spire,' and taking the ropes down, is a
professional secret and Mr.. Murphy did
all this in the early morning hours when
no one saw him. During his work here no
one was allowed to stand beneath the
church lest it would attract his atteu.
ton, and he sang constantly while at
his lofty perch to take bis mind from the
thought OF his hazardous position. Mr..
Murphy has had varied life, and the
days work has once included his par.
ticipation in prize fight and at another
time trip 1000 feet towards the sky in
captive balloon. That he has never
had an accident or fall speaks we'll for
his GOODNESS and ability,
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-09-16

Howe and have been most cordially
greeted by their old friends. 1t is 16
years since Mr.. Nelson left here for
southern California and he was one OF
the pioneers to Pasadena which has since
received so many of our good people.
Mr.. and Mrs. George Simpson and her
mother, Mrs. Lloyd Of Los Angeles, CAL,
arrived in Vermont Saturday from the
Pacific coast and are now visiting bis
parents at White River Junction, who
are pleasantly remembered as former
residents of this town. Mr.. Simpson
has a good position in the leading dry
goods store of Los Angeles.
Col. and Mrs. Frank L. Kendall of
Rochester, N. H., and Mrs. c. W. Plum.
mer of Lakeport, N. H., are visiting their
mother, Mrs. L. L. Kendall.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-09-16
FLOWING OIL WELLsI
A PROFITABLE INVESTMENT

These wells are estimated tn An,
200 or pump 500 barrels per day, A M
at well now worth 600. per barrel oo W.
Of pumping, about 80. to 90. per bar ,.1
Net earnings per day, $375OO ~, m
S1l, $4,000 per month. A net anuualis W
come on the par value Of outstandi :,
stock Of So per cent. On stock NM,
chased at Soc. per share, 70 per a aa,+
On stock purchased at 75c.-the pressn.
selling price, 5 per cent. Let Us ', aa
aside one-half Of this for surplus lea s,'
ing the other half as a very satisfactory
income on our investment.
S. III. SPARTA VIZ d IN
ST. JoHNsBURY, "
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-09-16
WANTED, FOR SALE, ETC.

COMPETENT GIRL WANTED for general
homework. Inquire of Mrs. Fred E.
Potts, Webster Street. St. Johnsbury.
TEACHER wanted at once for a rural
school. Apply to c. H. Dempsey, St.
Johnsbury.
For SALE Secondhand Stanley Auto.
mobile for sale. Has black body, red
running gear and is in good condition.
Inquire of DR.. w. J. Aldrich, St. Tohns-
bury.
WANTED. Work by the day. Mrs. Cath
crime Brown, 9 Bank Place.
GIRL WANTED. Apply at &c Summer
street.
ENGRAVED CARDS, stylish and at a
reasonable price at the CALIFORNIAN
office. Ask to see samples.
WANTED IMMEDIATELY. A single man
to take care of cows. Permanent place
to right person. Loon Lake House,
Loon Lake N. Y.
CARPENTER WORK, wood carving and
general repairing done. E. D. Brown,
lO7 Railroad street.
WANTED-A reliable middle aged man
for permanent position. Good posi-
ton for the right party. References and
securities required. Apply at the Gale
DOMAIN Office.
INVOLVEMENT HOUSE and seven acres
ofland for sale, all together or in lots.
CLAPBoARDs are scare and probably
will be- all through the fall, so get
your orders in early. We have plenty
now, all grades from $12.0Oup. Follens.
by & Peck.
LARGE PLEASANT ROOMS with excellent
board can be procured at Main street.
Large lawn, broad veranda, everything
up-to-date.
For SALE-A covered milk wagon.
nearly new, also good top buggy. N.
A. MCDONALD, Bay street
YOUNG MAN wants position as team.
ster. A. Z. Howe, Breton Woods Inn.
Breton Woods, N. Fl.
For SALE-Sixteen shares OF Newbury
Bank stock of Wells River, Vt. Henry
E. Foster, Derby Line.
FOR SALE-A secondhand open buggy,
Cortland Co.'s make; price low. Call at
b. f, Weeks on Pearl street.
FOR SALE. Pneumatic wagon, Con.
cord, cheap. Apply at this office.
r. A. SCOTT & Co. want Is cars of
maple sugar, for which they will pay the
highest market price.
EDGAR F. ELLIOTT, Magnetic Healer,
IA st. John st.
Rooms TO LET for light housekeeping.
Inquire at this office.
WANTED: To correspond with parties
who have cows to sell. Address A. A.
Flint, Tyngsboro, Mass.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-09-16
Commissioners Notice.
WILLIAM WILSON'S ESTATE.

The subscribers, having been appointed by
the Honorable Probate Court for the district
of Caledonia, commissioners to receive, ex-
anime, and adjust all claims and demands OF
all persons against the estate of William
Wilson, late of Peacham in said district,
deceased. and the term Of six months from
by said court to the creditors Of said de-
ceased, to exhibit and prove their respective
claims before us: Giveno that we will at.
tend to the duties of our appointment at the
late residence of William Wilson in Peacham,
in said district, on the Bird day of October
and the 22nd day of February next, at two
o'clock, in the afternoon, on each of said
days. c. A. HUTCHINSON,
A. WHITEHILL,
Commissioners.
Peacham, VT, Sept. 8, A. D. 1908.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-09-16
Danger Signal.

Everyone knows that cough is the
danger signal of consumption, and yet
some will go carelessly on in the danger
GUS way, although the signal bell is con.
tinually sounding the alarm.
Downs Elixir is the safe and only ref.
uge when cough has become at all
severe. Downs Elixir will cure anv
cough, cold or throat trouble, and even
consumption has many times been cured
by it's timely use. Do not neglect a
cough, and especially at this season OF
the year. Get Downs Elixir at any
drug store.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-09-16
MARRIAGES.

At Worcester, Mass, Sept. 8, by Rev. DR.:
Willard Scott, George D. Gibson formerly OF
St. Johnsbury and Miss Helen Mae Kahn.
At st. Johnsbury, Sept. IA, by Rev. J: A.
Boissonnault, Aliver Blair and Miss Alcine
Tousant.
At McIndoes, Sept. 9, by Rev. G. w. Hunt,
George L. Hunt and Miss Mabel A. Ford.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-09-16
Report of the Condition
OF THE
First National Bank

First National Bank
At st. Johnsbury, in the State of Vermont,
at the close OF business, Sept. 9th, 1908.
RESOURCES.
Loans and discounts S33s. GAG. e5
Overdrafts, secured and unsecured, 177
| U. S. Bonds to secure circulation $50. 900 90
U. s. Bonds to secure U. S. Depos-
its 100000 90
Frem'ums on y. 5. Bonds 41,437 so
Stocks, securities, etc. 1O4156 AZ
clearinghouse, furniture, fixtures 1s,5OO.OO
Other real estate owned 215OOOO
Due from National Banks mot
Reserve agents. 17.164 60
que from approved reserve agents 21,1S4 95
Checks and other cash items +745.52
Notes of other National Banks 3.57O.OO
Fractional paper currency, nickels
and cents e5.15
Lawful money reserve in bank, viz:
Specie 15,486'5O
Legai-tender notes 1,145.00
Redemption fund with U S. treas
urer, five per cent of circulation, 100000
Total $949. 7s4.4o
Capital stock paid in $500, 900. 90
surplus 1und 100000
~ and taxes paid, e,o7e.9s
National Bank Notes outstand-
ing, 100000
iings banks 11,11S.47
Individual Deposits subject to
check 1873, 500 80
Demand certificates of deposit o20O M
Cashiers checks outstanding 1So 6O
U: S. deposits 100. 600 IN
Bills payable, including certificates
of deposit for money borrowed, rs 900 90
Iotai $949, 7S4.4O
STATE OF VERMONT, |
Caledonia County S.
I, Homer B. Smith, cashier of the above
named bank do solemnly swear that the above
statement is true to the best of nv KIN Wedge
and belief. HOMER E. SMITH, Cashier.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this
18th day of Sept, 1908.
c. S. ADAMS, Notary Public.
Correct-Attest:
J. c. CLARK,
WALTER P. SMITH, directors
FRANK II. BROOKS,
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-09-16
Golf Match at North HatIey.

The return match between the mem.
bers of the Old Pine Golf Club and the
summer visitors at North Hatley was
played Saturday afternoon on the pic
turesque links on the shores OF Lake
Massawippi. In the morning a series of
foursomes were played off and in the
afternoon the match was played and the
North Hatley boys won by a score OF
33 to /. Following is the score:
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-09-16
Deaths.

At Lyndonville, Sept. 9, Florence Cleary,
aged 3 years.
At St. Johnsbury, Sept. Z, Mrs. Gideon
Corriveau, aged II years.
At Danville, Sept. 9. Marshall ]. Morse,
aged 81 years.
At Danville, Sept. 10, Mrs. Mary Gilbert. a