davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-14
DIRECTORS VOTE
To SELL LOCAL
TROLLEY LINES

Philadelphia, Dec. IA transaction OF
vast Importance to trolley interests in
Rhode Island and Connecticut and to
United Gas Improvement shareholders
was virtually closed yesterday, when the
directors OF the company voted TO recon-
mend 10 stockholders In the Rhode Island
Securities company and the Connecticut
railway and Lighting company, a propo-
sltlcn made by the New York, New
f4aN en- and Hartford Railroad.
This proposition contemplates in the
case OF the Rhode Island company sale
Of stock 10 the railroad and In the case
OF the Connecticut company lease OF
the properties.
rs the control OF both these interests
now rests with the United Gas Improve
ment company. the action OF the directors
doubtless closes the deal
The outside stockholders OF the two
companies Will act upon the proposition
two weeks hence. Full details of the
plan will not be made public until IL is
placed before the stockholders
Eefore the lease OF the Connecticut
properties is concluded an assessment OF
$40 will be made on the stock which will
then be full paid. The New York, New
Haven and Hartford railroad will then
guarantee per cent. on II. The stock
IL now selling at 20. which the assess
ment viii make So and per cent on
par Will be equivalent to per cent. on
tkis price
The Connecticut Railway and Lighting
company controls los miles OF track in
Bridgeport and a number OF lines in
other cities and towns in Connecticut and
lines connecting them. The Rhode Is
land Securities company controls lines
In Rhode Island. The United Gas I'm
provement company owns most OF the
stock In the two companies
UNANIMOUS ACTION EXPECTED.
Negotiations have been pending with
the New York New Haven and Hartford
Railroad for the past several weeks, but
10 official confirmation that the deal was
TO be made could be obtained until the
boards action was announced. although
officials of the L. @. l. admitted from
time TO time that overtures looking
toward the transfer of their holdings
had been made by the New York. New
haven and Hartford.
On the strength of the assumption that
the deal would be advantageous to the
United Gas Improvement the stock during
the past month has advanced several
points.
The meeting OF the shareholders will be
held in two weeks, when II is expected
that they will without a dissenting vote.
| ratify the recommendation OF the board
OF directors. Arrangements for the
transfer Of the stock will then be made
without delay.
The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-14
BADLY
INJURED BY FALL

Olaf Lorsen, 81 years old. teamster for
Humphrey 3 Cornell, living at 9i Pearl
street. is at the Rhode Island hospital
suffering from an injury to his head re-
ceived last night when he fell from the
high seat In backing his team TO unload
goods at the store OF Margaret Gala
CHAN. Is Whipple street
As Lorsen had cramped the truck so
that the rear wheels were against the
curblng. the rig commenced 20 slide down
hill. the sudden slipping OF the wheels
causing Lorsen 20 lose his balance and
pitch heavily to the icy pavement. striking
on the left side OF his head and shoulder
Henry Crossin OF Is Balakava street
saw Lorsen's fall and with the aid OF an
other man carried him 90 the house OF
Mrs. Gallaghan. Or r. j. Jones OF 15l
Orms street after brief examination ad-
vlsed immediate removal TO the hospital.
The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-14
Coaster Injured

Alton T. Churchill. aged IL. who lives at
70 Atwelrs avenue. while coasting down
Bourne street ran into the curbing. His
nose was cut and his right shoulder in
jured re vas attended by Or n. j. No
Dermott at 201 Washington street
The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-14
Robbed Laundry Wagon

Complaint is made by Charles Donahue
OF $40 Wickenden street, that while he was
making laundry deliveries on Bellevue
avenue. Cranstor or Harrison streets. late
yesterday afternoon. someone took several
bundles from the wagon.
The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-14
Watch Lost in Car

Gertrude B Barlow OF 1867 Eddy street
has reported to the police OF the Central
station that she lost a watch, valued at
s25, in an Eddy street car.
The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-14
BASKETBALL GsMES
ST. ANDREW's GLUE SO, PRO-

ST. ANDREWS CLUB S6, PROVI-
DENCE BOYS CLUB 4.
The st. Andrews club won from the
Providence Boys club in the formers
gym on North Main street last evening
by the score of &c TO 4.
The boys team was completely bewil-
dered by the fast passing and the accu-
rate shooting of the st. Andrews team.
Bob" McAleer has been secured to
coach the team and his work was mani
tested in last evenings contest The
score:
sr ANDREWS. PROV. BOYS CLUB.
Laird, r. I. .......................r T., Dias
Dobson. !. Z. .....................l T., Allen
Aidred c........................... Murphy
Dunbar, r. e. ...............,.r. g., CASSIDY
Jenckes, l. x .........l. e.. Doods, Moore
Goals from foor-Laird s. Dobson .,
hldred g. Dunbar 4. Dias. Goals from foul
Laird @ Allen q Referee-Drummond
Timer-H. Aldred. Scorer-Lane. Time
- and Commute halves.
WOONSOCKET BEAT ENGLISH
Woonsocket high school won a very fast
game of basketball at Wnonsocket Y NJ.
G. A. bail last evening from English Hign
OF Providence to the tune OF Is to5 Han
DIV and Kettlety both scored seven points.
The game was more interesting and ex-
citing than the score would indicate. The
score:
w H. 8. L II g.
Gilbert, r. 2. ...............l b., Atkinson
Handy L. Z. ........r. b., Ballard, Saxon
kcttlety, c. ..................c., McCracken
Cook, r. b. ......................l T., Hastle
Cleveland. / b. ..............r. T.. Cameron
Score-W. II. %, r. II. S. 8. Goals from
loor-Gilbert e. Handy 3, Kettlety 3.
Cleveland. Cook. Hastle 81 Goals from
fouls-Gilbert. Hardy, Kettlety, McCrack-
en- Referee-E. w. Kettlety. Scorer
Mcintyre. Timer-Rocheleau. Time-2O-
minute halves
The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1906-03-01

with this issue closes the editorial eiortsoi the writer
As editor Of the pioneer newspaper the great section
known as the northern pouono The Indian territory he
has witnessed tie mighty transformation tiat has been
seadlly going on for generation From ,taggilug
town Of scarcely hundred ynlta has grown be the
metropolis Of the north country with boandless aud
ever widening future Ee has witnessed the man with
the hoe gradually work his way through many dlneal.
ties TO paee Ia front lie has seen the vast unicnced
praiucs over which roamed al vii the numberess herds
Of the oattlemen turned into happy homes It has been
great privilege and be interested participant
in this wonderful development Tae future just nov
seems big with events The dawn Of a splendid day ap
proaches The finest section Of the habtable globe is
about to be freed from the last hndennce and TIE on
ward sweep o. mighty immigration s even nos set.
ting in
The ohieftain passes into the control q clean
getc aud capable newspaper man already wellknoWn 70
tho people Of this section We bspeak or thenew man
agement the hearty anseash support hitherto enjoyed
and thar The paper viii have an enlarged Geld q useful
ness
The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1906-03-01

NEW DAY DAWNfNG FOR INDIAN TERRITORY
Tlss senate committee on Indian analn has anally
agreed 70 the terms o. the penaiug Curtis bal sin
amendments and ths sams Is 10 b reported % ,s seu.
oncs Il seems liAsly IN sisw q this action thar
are 70 have legislation Il ts hands q is pfesent
session Il tha session uhieh wlll dsposs Of Tie tfauts
some Indian question over in Indian Territory
The amendments agrssd upon by tie senate commit
may ao meet with approval all because q the d..
ssriIy Of oplaou both Ia Congress ard cut regarding
tie legislation needed bat t Is prolabls there ~i b.
little rsusFa complaint il ths bIl goes Through IN sob
stantallg TIE cunaltlon 70 IS no~ 10. Ties amend.
msnts prohibit fall.hlooa Indians fram selling their
hometeads under ans circumstances but give them tie
privilege Il daping o. thsh surplus Apd. as ts con
ssnt Of TIE secretary q TIE interior Tribal member
other than fabloos afs required 70 obtain shs con-
.sat q TIE secretary q tiss interior 90 ss their hone
stead but the restrictions are entirely fsmofca from
their surplus lands
This salation q the matter ought % = reasonably
satisfactory 10 All concened Though there mas II
some question As 20 tie siiom q keeping tribal mem.
bs other than fun hloods ted % tbs scrstarys aprou
strings there ~iIl b little disposition complain Il
seems Il tie protecting hand Of s general government
eft over he faIibooas many q whom need Tie ssf.
We Of guardian antl tlel beeoms les sophisticated
Tls efscI q ms sgsk,oa win te 10 make subject
q alienation thousands Of acres q as pe agricultural
land n Indian Territory as lies out q doors This land
vii quickly pas 70 tie hands Of Industrious farmers
Who w legin the great woSk of dessloprg thar section
ard t reasonable TO anticipate in consequences here
Of The coming q oi pfogrsn unprecedented IN
the history Of the nation In Short We foudy hope that
tbs legislation all opents 70 tum Indian Territory
oase that the American citizen MAJ take hold and
develop iis mAchle rsoaFoos and Ia thai event il vii
rapidly take nna among the great agricultural Ard
manufacturing regions of TIE country whefe It belongs
-okahoHan.
The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1906-03-01
rnE PASSING rnRoNG.

There Is no bette, ses point from which 70 olserss
the weaknesses ioblss aud idossncrases oi humanity
than the ordinary country newspaper enee II man
las bad plaee hts composition he sars bring Il
70 the oce Of The paper 70 exhibit e hut this 5
not all Tie most excellent traits Of human character
at is best and ths way the prntshop some Of ths
brightest minds sud genial souls iud entertainment
10 oanglng the editorial poms q tie daiy PAPER
ia country town. Men uho rad everything Al r.
member everything from Plu,archs Lives 70 The Con.
grsssoual Record ind ths wspaper once ~ith is es-
ehange tables is Washington girls, Of department lore
and is magazines nesersndng soares Of pleasure and
entertainment.
What = panorama passes in rsviss before tie editor
The people eorna and 90 Ths visit Il ne ,iark 10 oas
home must Be recorded while .saaihs must b bo,sd
elsewhere Thai long silent procession sl rstehns slows
along brings up at ne esmstsfg and familiar asun IS
missed from TIE streets and there IS crege 81 sfs door
That small baek por carried ou, and teodef, placed n
ne heare contains the loved form d baby and again 10
TIE evening aioase aWfrlg stili Ard ne ele.s tiels
louder than befofe What an endless procession h pass
lng. And has kalsldoseopie TIE man sho q tea ears
aso vent armed 70 iis tes,h AMI saay to aght las
passd and until be IS meek and silent ola
man sitting standing alone tie street corner That
hie.bsadsd Tvodooklag girl seems . be 10 ne yery
eacY Of strong and radiant ssisgsnce and getting The
cream of hle nut watch lttis while and gas
natran Win growaup girls and boys Of Ter Own Is sen
quietly taking hsr plaes Ia the lns o, march Yondsr
comes heavy redfacsd man Ike mad ball bslloslng
and paving tsrfpf "a the toen Loot again. ana The
big brutal feow waks carefully with cane. Or naylAp
erutch ard seeks e side oi tie street keep oat ol
ths va Of the iast hafrylng throng Yoader comes
tanker whO figures and figures and figures Interest and
IS reaching out and getting more until be isa ssry rich
man. he has iorgottsn everything else n bs mad
scramble ior dollars Turn again and hs Is gone from
TIE street md his family ara lighting over The estate
That lettering old walking with to canes fought
dusl on TIE streets ones and e another tire assd
tie ie Of child n runaway nat his hsfole daya ass
over and nea hs seams 70 ls waiting fof samsthlue
The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1906-03-01

NobdF wio las tssn keeping trass Of lhe Esvuth q
oalanoma and ne Indian TERRITORY u + SURPRISED a.
- asurss relating o than sel haze lnss tesn ssnt
oas from wa.hinstoa. bat lheg ~llls revelation 20.
the eeuniFy ss ~tole According 10 10 estaaa bu.
Fsau tozs tao territories hsAasd ts t u Amsrloan
communities ii ihe rAto q tlsF expansion IL manetae
turss IN ts a., ass ysa II Oklahoma there was IN
increase q ssi ~ esn, a is capital Invested 10 auu-
tactufng in tat time - psf csns n ths rAas q pro
dacss a7 psf osat n he numt~r q establishments asd
- pr cen, 10 tie nanleF q emploYss
Tie Indian territory ranls nsst 10 Oklahoma II ths
proportion Of her srosth IL 81 tle.s elements aud ss
lads ~ ne = ,hs euuntY Nss to lsf IN tis o.
der ans Nevada Idaho ana usah This 4 striking
tfhats e ss rruvti q the trans Mississippi Fegion IN
ne past ass ssars Il particularly complimentary to
Nisseafs nsghbons q the tsh territories TO sssFy-
boaY wa has besn watching things IN tloss communal.
tiss tie story uhle ne batvaas agures tel wl
not b F4FtissafiS usw ssesps tlat j, measures ~lth
some approach q dsanltsaeaa 81 snpeaon ID actstss
ehich known - b lssgc
OF couns. statehood VII eiso ; new mpetas 10 ths
growth of OkahoHa and is partner Whatever nsay -
ts fate Of Afsoaa And Nsw Nsxeo tsrs should l. ~
doubt about tie admission 81 ths twn territories 4
state Jointly theg have several times TIE population 81
ths other Two territories and their rapid growth ii ths
future s assured There afe excellent a. 10 believe
tat tAsE wll bs admitted Ia tlls sson of coasrus.
There opposition sa OF uezs 70 thsf erection into
statehood Tho ony doubt as % vlslhss shls wil taks
place a once or not : dus 70 tc gh on ths Arizona
New Mexico section of the general statehood bin Fos
ths coming state q Oklahoma fortune la soms ID
prizes In store Globs Democrat
The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1906-03-01

And 70 The judges have turned 10 their railroad passes
EmnsutlY proper The Eagle does noi believe there IS
ans man On the Oklahoma bench sho would permit s
little matter Ike annua pas warp hs decisions
but some attention should Be- paid 20 appsAnnees No
man acting in Judicial prosecuting capacity should
be permitted 70 a rass, and IL might not be had
Idea T. hass Aw making il usasmsanoF panisllabe
with forfeiture Of once for anyone holding such psi
tlon q even ook Ike he wanted pass Elld Eagle.
The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1906-03-01

patabe newspapers. WheFan issue that concerns tle
public discussed considerable warmth may result and
newspapers mas argue with less aerimony, bur
ths bitter personal anlmosles that ossd 70 creep into
Tie newspapers have been Ions since discontinued The
dawn Of better dsg plainly visible IN the amenities
Of decent journalism. Il hes been enc of The rules oi
the Chieftan 70 print nothing that could not be read
aloud It the afesas Of The most cultured home nvna
ana in hearing Of Innocence and purity
The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1906-03-01

ynlta ought to Be the center Of democratic Influence
ought TO and ono Of her citizens IA congress The very
nsst election From her strategic ocatlon vInisA can
always b factor n ths politics Of The slase and
should not ail 60 get har share Of The oses Buf "a
order e achieve hs desirable eonsummatou these must
be political harmony Thsrs must b ne bosses ia
ahe tlsre mnat Be democracy N iIsamplielsy. Demoe
ef proceeds upou ths theory lat sseFF has right.
ana sIaala iass selss N shs eounails q the party
The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1906-03-01

The Indian territory portion Of the nes stats S uot
excited over the location oi the state capital iol TIE
present Eventually they expect 70 ocate Il anyway.
and It stands Oklahoma haaa ast uhaieysf ss can
in the enabling act within i've years the Indian tsfri.
tory side sill east large majority of The votes held
majority of TIE Offices and dictate The pocg sf tie pe
commonwealth
The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1906-03-01

The crowd that seifed The funds Of the nlemarrlea
citizens and thus sought handicap and FaIn them
tie prosecution Of their snt against the nation s
bunch that claims 70 BE- the democratic party q
vinita. THIS is scrap Of Cherokee history that vii
net Be forgotten soon
The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1906-03-01

Il asked 70 select representative Of yiuta %
pose for the inspection Of visitors sould you select the
onerest whelp IN town, would you pick out clean,
honest gentemang This rule might properly b. applied
newspapers
The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1906-03-01

The democrats Of Yinita can have harmony q they
have the other thing. biafeated iocai organla
tlon and republican administration preferabe 70 gag
rule and demagogic methods
The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1906-03-01

Men are passing avs Ia ueAriy essry stats against tie
uss Of 'ouaeeo By boys Il kso detrimental to boy.
how : y that = don't hurt msnf Men are only bo,.
grown tai"
Specially worth oi ne attention of The logal citizen
are tie eAaeas and The primary By means q tha ea6
eos and Of ths primary sw nsn are often ass 10 NJ.
pose their will upon ahgls parts. Thess auire pull
esand stats mAAe's ,AIs .ts paos Of Tie peopIs, ana
iuaifa'e popular aanfaee bishop Ireland
The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1906-03-01

IFs number Of hyplenated newspapers that come 70
essry exchange table indicate clearly the trend Il le
times toward consolidation and combination.
The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1906-03-01

Politics. nzssi i about he most worthless thing
newspaper coad uwh TIE average business manearea
nos shit about Tie palseaof religious belisf Il news
papsL
The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1906-03-01

That's lovely hight over the shoes OF Arch query,
deceased in the eighth recording district
The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1906-03-01

Ang man ought % = ashamed - et the lllaA bloom
IN hs i'oat yard Without cleaning ap Get out with e
aFst notes q ls re bird md clean up clean Up clean
N.
The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1906-03-01

As tie sprug election approaches tie not begins q
boil issblf hat hy and b mag b lasea INTO foam Ard
spray
The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1906-03-01

Aa sssaanrs @ssams 'qs, q. abolish psssuyr Al
right here foeA
The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1906-03-01

ri's sAls q uuo IA sloa,lonof ,s las. Of ne vs
en district
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-11-02

up against the wall fast asleep, and all
shook the building but it never woke
him. He must have been dreaming, for
when he struck the floor he hotlered,
care there any more seconds?" That
is what we holler at the cooks when
we want the second plate of slum or
anything, and l guess he was dreaming
of eating. There was so many funny
things mixed up with our misery l will
have to tell them when I come home.
We don't expect to be here only up
to April lst or before, for the longer
we stay here, the more Cuba has got
to pay the United States, and they
don't want to run into debt too far.
We may have an election of president
here by December, if we do we will go
home soon after, for Cuba will be a
republic again and we will have no bus.
mess here. 1t has cost Cuba now over
million and half dollars to bring
us and our supplies to Cuba, and they
can't stand the expense.
Lieutenant Comstock told me this
morning that L did grand thing last
night when every one had to look out
for his life, by standing out in the
fercest storm he ever saw, and guiding
my comrades to place of safety. He
said he had told the colonel about it
and he should remember it. l was
about the only one of the men who had
an oil lantern, and he said it looked
good to him when he saw it looming
up like big electric light.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-11-02
SPRING ISLAND DOTS.

Mrs. Elva Hoff and children are Wis.
ting Mr.. and Mrs. Crockcr.
James Bates is able to be out after
a long and painful attack of infamma-
tory rheumatism.
Mrs. Irving Crandall has been quite
ill lately
Mr.. and Mrs. j. Record drove to
Jaynesvill Saturday, returning Monday.
Mrs. August Switzer was quite i'll
last week.
Harry and Fred Williams returned
from Vernon yesterday.
Mr. and Mrs Fred Knoss visited
friends in Good Thunder the 18th.
The new depot at Rapidan is nearly
finished.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-11-02
WORK WEAkEKS The
KIDNEYS.
Doan's Kidney Pills Have Done Great
Service for People Who Work
in MankatO,

Most Mankato people work every day
in some strained, unnatural position
bending constantly over a desk-riding
on jolting wagons or cars-doing labor
ious housework; lifting, reaching or pull
ing, or trying the back in hundred and
one other ways. Ali these strains tend to
wear, weaken and injure the kidneys
until they fall behind in their work of
filtering the poisons from the blood.
Doan's Kidney Pills cure sick kidneys,
put new strength in bad backs. Man
kato cures prove it.
John Wircking, living at 42l Second
St., North Mankato, Mimi, says: "My
business takes me on long rides through
out this section of the country and the
result was that my back and kidneys
were affected from the Earring and jolt
ing, and have suffered great deal on
this account. My back would get so
tired at times and the pains would be
so intense that towards nightfall l would
hardly be able to move about, and l
got little sleep. Every jar and jolt went
straight to my back and though 1 doc
tored and doctOred, wore plasters and
used liniments, nothing did me much
good. 1 was nearly discouraged when a
friend advised me to use Doan's Kidney
Pills and 1 got some at j. G. Thro's
drug store. l had used only few doses
when 1 began to realize that they lwere
helping me, and the aching began to
grow less and less. l continued taking
them and the result is that my back
has not ached for months. Naturally l
can heartily recommend Doan's Kidney
Pills."
For sale by all dealers. Price so
cents. Foster Milburn Co., Buffalo, New
York, sole agents for the United States.
Remember the name, Doan's, and take
no other.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-11-02
Chicago
Milwaukee
est. Paul R'y.

No. Al departs at 9:55 a. M, to st. Pau
Minneapolis, Chicago and Milwaukee
No. 43, departs at 700 p. M, to st. Paul
Minneapolis Chicago and Milwaukee
No. 40, arrives at 800 p: m, from 9
Paul, Minneapolis, Chicago and MI
waukee.
No. A, arrives at 9:15 D. m. from St
Paul, Minneapolis, Chicago and MI
waul1ee.
MANKATO-wELLS LIMB.
No. 122 departs at $3.50 a. m.
No. 40 departs at 1905 p. m.
No. IA departs at 9:25 p. m.
No. 141 arrives at 9:45 a. m.
No. 1913 arrives at 1:45 p. m.
No. 43 arrives at 6:55 p. m.
No. 122 and No. 40 connects east anf
west at Wells, also for st. Louis. Chi.
cago, Milwaukee and Kansas City. Din
ing car serving supper on No. 40 Sleeper
for Chicago and Milwaukee. No change
of depots at Chicago for st. Louis.
No. 141 and No. 43 direct connections
from Chicago and Milwaukee.
d. E. WALKER, Agent