davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-11-10

OCTOBER rs, 1913.
The meeting of the city council
was called to order by Mayor Daub-
ney, Members present, Graham,
Knatson, Caldwell, Engbretson, and
Hislop. Mr.. Helwig and Mr.. Baker
absent.
The following Resolution was Of
fered. On account of the weather,
the action of the city council on the
resolution of necessity, notice to be
acted upon at this date, now pend
Ing, be postponed and extended to
April 1st. 1910 at 1880 o'clock D.
IN.
Motion by Hislop. seconded by Cad
well the resolution be adopted. Roll
call vote. yeas: Graham, Knutson,
CALDWELL. Engbretson and Hislop, 5
yeas, no nays. Motion was carried.
The report from Mr.. Kenney of
the State Board of Health on the
analysis of the city water was read.
Motion by Caldwell. seconded by
Graham the report be received and
placed on file. Motion was carried.
Motion by Hislop, seconded by
Engbretson, the Upper Iowa Power
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-11-10
Road Is Established.

Monday the Board of Supervisors
voted to establish the boulevard
road petitioned for by the citizens
of Deecorah, extending along the
bluff which contains the Ice Cave,
north of the city, all expenses of
building the road to be paid by the
petitioners. The money will I've
raised by subscription to construct
this road, which has been talked of
for years, and it will make beau
tiful drive about the city. 1t Is
probable that work will be started on
the road this fall.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-11-10
Blys Fine Horses.

Mr.. E. G. Gibbons departed on
Monday for Berlin, N. H., with car
of horses which he had purchased
Of Roman Bros. of this city. He
represents the Berlin Mills Co.,
which uses some 900 horses, and he
has been buying horses from Roman
Bros. for some years. There were
90 head in the car this year, weigh
ing 1000 to 1850 pounds, and We're
fine animals.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-11-10
Improving Russell Cemetery.

DIR. B. Harmon made a trip to
Russell cemetery Monday, to look af-
ter the improvements which have
been going on there this summer.
The cemetery is now in splendid con-
dition, and will be still further i'm
proved next year. Here Is the grave
Of the first man who died in the
county, and it is proposed to i'm
prove the monument of stone and
marking the grave with something
permanent.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-11-10
YOu VIII Not

Do justice to yourself if you neglect
to see the array of fine overcoats'
plush-lined overcoats and fur coats
which We are showing and selling.
We know ours are the best clothes
in the west" and every garment we
sell is guaranteed. BEARS
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-11-10
Surprised Their President.

Last Wednesday evening the la
dies of the Wednesday Sewing Club
happily surprised Mrs. Lawrence
Keefe, president and treasurer, pre-
senting her with set Of cut glass
water bottles in token of their APP
probation of her services. The
gathering was a very pleasant one in
every way.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-11-10
Horse Steps on Foot.

On Monday as j. C. Gillett was as
sisting in the water works extension
work on the west side, he met with
a very painful accident. He was lead
ing a horse hitched to scraper
which was used in filling up the
ditch, when the horse stepped with
it's full weight on one of his feet,
crushing it badly. The horse was
sharp shod, and the injury is very
painful one.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-11-10
Shoemaker is Burned.

Mr. Nels Erickson, a shoemaker
at Quandahl, Iowa, met with seri-
Gus accident one night last week, by
tipping over a lighted kerosene
lamp, his clothing caught fire and
he was badly burned. But for the
timely assistance of the neighbors
the building would have. been burn
ed-Spring Grove Herald.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-11-10
Installs New Show Cases.

Wangler Bros. drug store has been
much improved this week by the in
stallation of some fine modern show
cases, made of mahogany, with plate
glass front and tops. This has ne
cessitated a Encouragement OF the
store, which greatly improves its APP
pearance and facility in the display
of their stock
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-11-10
Shooting Gallery Re-Opened.

j. H. Kennedy, the gentleman who
conducted shooting gallery here
last winter, has returned to DEBORAH
and opened an up-to-date automaticI
shooting gallery in the McClaskey
building east of the WinneshiekI
hotel. Mr.. Kennedy always con-
Quoted first class place, and his
gallery will afford some good sport
for our people during the winter.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-11-10
An Attractive Window.

Mr.. Soukup has very attractive
window this week, advertising Victor
monographs. 1t is a representation
Of the ship John r. Bradley" and
the conquest of the north pole by
Dir. Cook. as told by him through the
photograph. 1t cannot fail to a.
tract the attention of the passers.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-11-10
Su&Gc ChIos1,m
= By HARRY j. GREEN.
DEBORAH, IOWA. NOV. 10. 1905
Football Game is a Tie.

The football game on Friday after
noon between the DEBORAH high
school and Valdez College resulted
in tie. score 6 to 6. 1t was hard
fought battle between the opposing
teams. and the score shows how
evenly matched they were.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-11-10

Co. be instructed to pump the city
water from the North station &C
cording to contract. Motion was
carried.
Moved and seconded to adjourn,
carried.
F. M. HUGHES, City Clerk.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-11-10
Wedding Anniversary Surprise.

A number Of the friends and
neighbors of Mr.. and Mrs. A. E.
Tavenir perpetrated a most happy
surprise upon them Monday night.
in honor of their fifth wedding ami
versary. The evening was delight
fully spent in social pastimcs, and
Mr.. and Mrs. Tavenir were pre-
sented with a purse of money as a
memento of the occasion.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-11-10

Olive Oil is more widely used
each year. We sell the purest oil
1t Is possible to obtain. Brunt q
Parman.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-11-10
Auction Sale.

The undersigned will hold an auc-
ton sale on the Erick P. Styve
farm in Glenwood township, Tues
day, Nov. 30th. Horses. cattle, hogs.
grain machinery etc. Free lunch at
noon.
ASP SELMER STYVE.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-11-10

-Furs, Fur Coats, and Fur-lined
Goats at Mott & Co.'S. Cold weather
is coming. Don't forget us wneh
YOU want something in the Fur iihe'
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-11-10
Council Proceedings.

NOV. 8, 19O9.
The meeting of the city coun-
Gil was called to order by Mayor
Daubney. Members presentr Ora
ham, Helwig, Baker. Knutson, Cad
we'll, Engbretson and HislOp.
The minutes of the previous meet
ings were read and approved.
The report of the city treasurer
was read and accepted.
Resolution of the Finance COM
mittee whereas: The following
claims have been examined and
approved by the finance committee;
therefore,; be it resolved that they
be allowed and the money necess-
airy to pay the same be, and hereby
is appropriated and the Mayor and
clerk are directed to issue orders on
the city treasurer as follows.
Upper Ia. Power Co., lights. .329.55
Upper la. Power Co, pumping 240.04
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-11-10

SELMER STYvE.
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-10-23
SHOOTS UP SCHOOL ROOM
PANIC ENsUEs AMONG PUPILS,
WHO ARE ouiETED WITH
DIFFICULTY
SON OF PORTLAND MAYOR
FACULTY LOSES NO TIME IN ST.
LENcING ARTILLERY AND
ORATOR, roo

Portland, Me-, Oct. 23.-The realism
which Philip Hamilton son OF the
mayor of South Portland, injected in
to the usually quiet Friday afternoon
oratorical exercises at the Portland
high school, created panic yester-
day in which several pupils mar
rowly escaped serious injury.
Hamilton chose "The Charge of the
Light Brigade" for his selection, and
repeated this stirring poem in clarion
tones. When he reached the line,
cannon to right of them" ETC., he
suddenly produced revolver from
each pants leg and gave realistic
artillery effect, the shots lying in
every direction.
The artillery and oratory were
'ilenced before any one was hurt.
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-10-23
WILL GET BIGGER SALARY
DEMAND FOR MORE PAY, WHICH
THREATENED DISRUPTION,
COMPROMISED
TY COBB IS ALSO SIGNED
STAR oUTFlELDER WILL PLAY
WITH TIcF RS ANOTHER
THREE YEARS

Detroit, Mich, Oct. 23.-It was an
nounced here today that Hughey Jen,
nings has been engaged to manage
the Detroit baseball club in the Amer
lean League again next season. The
demand made by Jennings for a big
increase in salary was compromised
with the club owners, and while he
will get, more money than heretofore,
he will not get all he asked for.
In addition to retaining Manager
Jennings, Ty Cobb, the star outfielder
of the American League, has also
signed contract to play with Detroit
for another three years, at a hand
some salary. Pitcher George Mul1iIl
and Catcher Schmidt will also play
here next season.
Jennings had an offer to manage
The Philadelphia National League club.
but turned it down, preferring to re-
main at Detroit If he could come to
satisfactory terms with the owners of
the local club.
The retaining of Jennings was de-
by the Detroit fans.
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-10-23

right member about three inches
above the ankle Joint. The young
mans right hip was also dislocated.
The accident rhat befell HazIett in
the discharge of duty was indeed a
horrible one, yet 1t was not so bad
as the one that fell to the lot Of Con
ductor Mike R. Jones in the railroad
yard here few months ago. He was
also run over by number of cars,
having accidentally slipped under the
revolving wheels while examining an
air brake. with the result that it was
necessary to amrutate both limbs
near the hips, instead of below the
knee, as in the instance of Hazlett
Mr.. Jones bore up bravely and is
now nearly himself again, though he
is compelled to hobble around on a
pair of crutches.
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-10-23
GOVERNOR CURRY EN7ERTAINS
SECRETARY OF The INTERIOR

This morning the secretary received
callers. To a newspaper represent
ative he denied the rumors that the
department of the interior was not in
accord with Governor Curry and his
administration of territorial affairs,
and spoke in complimentary terms
of the territorial executive.
Secretary Ballinger stated the gov
ernment would push to completion
the Elephant Butte dam and other
large federal reclamation projects in
the southwest. He also took occasion
to say that any attempt to defraud the
government in the acquisition of
either lands or water rights would be
vigorously prosecuted.
q Mr., Ballinger win leave tonight for
the east on the Chicago limited, he
being forced to cut short his visit to
the territory by an urgent summons
back to Washington.
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-10-23
Especial Dispatch)

( Santa Fe, N NJ. Oct. 2S.-Secretary
ofvthe, Interior Richard A. Ballinger,
OF Washington, who has been touring
the west and southwest, reached this
city last evening from Albuquerque,
making the trip from Ashfork, Ariz-
cna, in the private car of General Man.
ager A. G. Wells of the Santa Fe
Coast lines. The secretary was ac-
companied by Delegate to Congress
w. H. Andrews, Hon Solomon Luna.
OF Los Lunas, and other prominent
republicans, including Territorial
Secretary Nathan Jaffa.
Upon his arrival here, Secretary
Ballinger went at once to the exeeut-
i've mansion, where he was Welcomed
by Governor Curry. He denied him
self to all visitors last night, wish
ing to retire early and get a good
nights rest.
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-10-23
SMALL DAMAGES GIVEN
IN $4,000 LIBEL SUIT

Albuquerque, N. M, Oct. 23.-The
somewhat sensational and long drawn
out case of William Phillips versus
the Sun Publishing company, which
occupied the attention of the district
court for four days, came to an end
yesterday afternoon when the jury re-
turned verdict in favor Of the plain
tiff, finding that he was entitled to
Judgment in the sum of $255 as COM
pensation for injury to character and
reputation, alleged to have been sus-
tanned as the result of alleged libelous
articles published in the Albuquerque
Daily Sun in June, 1908. Phillips
asked for $4,000 damages, attorneys
fees and other costs, the defendants
being the Sun Publishing company,
Mrs. H. M. Bennett, owner, and G. c.
Hendrick, editor. The jury was out
less than an hour when it brought in
its decision.
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-10-23
ASKS WRIT OF HABEAS
CORPUS TO RESCUE WIFE
Especial DispatcR)

Santa Fe, N. M, Oct. 23.-John AL
len, of Aztec, San Juan county, today
appeared before Judge John r. NC
Fie and sued out a writ of habeas
release of his wife, who he allegesAN
release of his wife, who he alleged is
now an unwilling prisoner of her
mother, Mrs. Abbie S. Young, wife OF
Brigham Young, a Mormon.
The action taken today by Allen,
adds another chapter to his sensa-
tional elopement with the daughter of
Mrs. Young, whom he married against
the mothers will, and who has per
suaded her daughter to- return home.
A week ago Allen had Mrs. Young
arrested for threatening to kill him.
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-10-23
HELD TO GRAND JURY
FOR WHOLESALE THEFTs

At the conclusion of the prelimin.
AIRY hearing before Justice of the
Peace D. R. Murray yesterday after
noon, Atanacio Chaves and Julian Gal
legos, accused of the recent wholesale
daylight burglaries in this city, were
held to await the action of the grand
jury. The bond of Chaves was fixed
at $1,000 and that of Gallegos, against
whom the evidence is not so conclus-
i've, at $780, Both were remanded to
the county Jail In default of bond The
Chaves boy was already at liberty on
a $500 bond, having been arrested
some time ago for burglary.
Despite the confession of young
Chaves, duplicating the Gallegos boy,
the latter steadfastly denies any con-
nection whatsoever with the robber-
les and it is said is prepared to prove
an al1bi when the time comes for
trial.
The officers are still at work on the
case and believe that If the Chaves
boy will tell all, that it will result
in the arrest of several more boys and
perhaps one man, who are believed
to have been concerned in the thefts,
which netted altogether property val
ued at upwards Of $1,000. -
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-10-23
GREETED BY REBEL YELLs
DAUGHTER OF coNFEpERAcY
PINS A BADGE ON CHIEF
EXECUTIVE
ADDRESSES HUGE1 CROWD
AFTER SPENDING SEVERAL
HOURS THERE HE CONTINUES
TRIP TO DALLAS

Houston, Texas, Oct. 23.-President
Taft reached here at Z O'Clock this
morning and after breakfast on the
train, he addressed a huge crowd from
the balcony of the Rice hotel. After
a ride through the city the president
left for Dallas Mt 1O:3O O'Clock.
The president was given a most
enthusiastic reception, being con-
stantly greeted with old-fashioned
rebel yells. He was presented with a
badge by Miss Kate Daffan, president
of the Texas division Of the Daughters
Of the Confederacy.
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-10-23
LITTLE Girl ACCIDENTALLY
SHOOTS BROTHER With rifle.

A lad named Benito Ortega was
brought to Las Vegas late this after
noon from the vicinity of Ell Porvenir
mountain resort suffering intesely
from an accidental shooting by lit
tie sister yesterday.
Full particulars of the affair could
not be obtained, but it seems the
girl was handling Winchester care
lessly. Fearing danger, the boy, who
is only about fourteen years old, had
the presence of mind to stoop over
till the girl took his advice and point
ed the rifle in another direction or
ceased to handle 1t altogether. But
she persisted in having her own way
about 1t, with the result that the wea-
pom was discharged. The ball tore
its way through the lads thigh, enter
ing from the rear and passing entire
ly through. gFs
1t will be necessary to perform
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-10-23

uously in the legislature. He was
elected to the senate in 1891, but two
years later was defeated. Elected
again in 1895. it was to stay until his
death.
The qualities which, in the opinion
of his friends. contributed most 10
his success in politics, were keennees,
tenacity of purpose, personal fidelity,
perfect self control and patience. He
was sometimes called a hard man, de
void of sentiment.
Il had a romance, once,' he said
to a close friend. when ] was a
young man l fell in love with I girl
and we were married. We lived very
happily. We had FIVE children When
I was 81 I had buried my wife and
five children"
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-10-23
LEADER OF TAMMANY HALL
ROSE FROM HUMBLE COOPER TO
BE POLITICAL POWER IN
NEW YORK
HAD A ROMANCE ONCE
FELL In LOVE WITH GIRL AND
MAR RlED--BURlED WIFE
AND FIVE CHILDREN

New York, Oct. -23-Patrick H.
MoCarren, state senator and den1n-
cratic leader of Brooklyn, died at st.
GATHERINGS hospital, Brooklyn, at
1:15 o'clock this morning, never hav-
ing completely rallied from the ef-
fects of an operation for appendicitis
October 13.
His death was not unexpected. The
senator himself realized Throughout
yesterday afternoon and the earlier
part of last night that the end was
near.
One Of the pathetic features Of Sen
ator McCarren's illness and death
was that his aged mother was not ap-
prised of his condition. She thought
that the campaign had kept him from
home and Senator McCarren had in
sisted that she be kept in ignorance
for fear that the shocgSelouid be too
great for her
Patrick Henry McCarren, by trade
cooper, by PROFESSION a lawyer, and
by vocation politician, was one of
the most picturesque figures in the po-
litical history Of Greater New York.
No leader was ever more roundly con-
demned, yet at the close of sixty-one
years of his life he was probably the
most strongly entrenched leader in
New York state and had welded in
fluence in national politics.
Having mastered the cooper's trade
he answered the call to something
more intellectual. He took up law
and from the law went into politics.
In 1882 he was sent to the assembly
and had since served almost contin-
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-10-23
CATTLE RUSTLERS TERRORIzE
new MEXICO and COLORADO

Denver, Oct. 23-Cattle rustlers are
terrifying northern New Mexico and
southern Colorado. Ranchers in the
outlying settlements of northern New
Mexico have reported the loss of hun
dreds of cattle through the work of
thieves, and Hugh Wallace, of Albu-
querque, is in Denver and will engage
Pinkerton men in the work of running
the rustlers out of the country. 1t
is some years since thieves have oper-
ated in the northern New Mexico
country to any extent, Or since the
late Col. Max Frost, of Santa Fe,
drove them out with the territorial
militia.
At this time of the year the cattle
on the ranges are in the best condition
and hundreds of them are being
their hides taken from
the carcasses and the flesh of the
animal is then wrapped in hides of
other cattle and shipped over the line
into Colorado, where they are dispos-
ed of at Conejos and other points in
southern Colorado. The hides taken
from the stolen cattle are usually
burned to do away with the only bit
Of evidence which might be gathered
to convict them. msa
"f have lost about 1000 head with
in the last two years" said Mr.. Wal
lace. This season l brought in 25.-
900 head to feed and something
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-10-23
= \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ 4 = + \ 4 \
= SANTA FE is ALL AGoG \
OVER PENDING DIVORCES \
Especial Dispatch)'

4 Santa Fe, N. M, Oct. 23.-The \
y capital city is all agog over a r
+ number of surprise divorce cases r
4 which are said to be pending 4
\ and which involve some people y
\ who are moving in elite social \
4 circles. In several instances the \
= causes that have led to breaches +
4 in some families are common \
4 street gossip. The filing of \
4 these suits for separation at an 4
4 early date is expected to bring =
4 to light details of an extremely \
\ sensational nature which will \
\ shock even those more or less n
= accustomed to the practices Of \
\ indiscreetness which are COM \
= mon in the second oldest \
y y y y y \ \ \ \ = \ \ = \ \ 4
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-10-23
INJURED SWITcHMAN
WILL LIKELY RECOVER

At last accounts from the hospital,
late this afternoon, Cy Hazlett, the
switchman who suffered the amputa-
tion of both limbs, as result of hav-
ing fallen off box car in the local
railroad yard, Thursday night was do
ing nicely enough to satisfy the at
tending physicians that he will pull
through all right, unless unlooked-for
complications set in.
The left leg was taken off about
three inches below the knee and the
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-10-23

more than 500 of them have been TAX
en- by rustlers about the country. The
settlers are powerless to stop them,
and as matter of fact some of the
ranchers are in with the thieves and
feed them when they are travelling
through the country.
"r found more than 200 hides with
my brand on them cached away in a
dugout about 25 miles south of Mon
roe, and have not been the heaviest
loser. 1t is easy for the thieves to
ship the hides over to Colorado and
dispose of them in this state. We
have not been bothered with rustlers
for the past few years, but now there
are several bands of them all in the
northern part of New Mexico. II
There are not ranchers enough in
my part of the country to wipe the
thieves out. and we have finally been
forced to engage the services of a
private detective agency. will put
the work in the hands of the Pinker-
tons or some other reliable agency,
and it is our hope to have them out of
the country by the time we bring
our cattle in next spring"
According to Mr.. Wallace's state
ments there is no trouble between the
cattle and sheep men in New Mexico
at the present time, but the thieves
are costing the ranchers thousands of
dollars. t
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-10-23
EXPRESS AGENT RoBs
HIMSELF; ARREST FOLLOWS

Peoria, ILL.,, Oct. 2S.-Driven by a
sudden impulse to get rich quick,
James Mahan, night agent here for
the American Express company, rob-
bed the safe of $4,000, then called for
the police and told story of being.
held up at the point of a revolver and
robbed. Mahan had sewed $1,000 in
bills in the sleeves of his coat and
the suspicion of a detective was
aroused when one Of them happened
to grasp him by the arm and heard
the rustic of paper. Mahan confessed
and returned the $4,000.
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-10-23
EMPEROR NICHOLAS ON
A VISIT TO ITALY

Raccingini, Italy, Oct. 23.-From the
time Emperor Nicholas of Russia, en-
tered Italy through the famous Mont
Conis tunnel, he passed through two
solid rows of troops until he had en-
tered the royal castle here. Extra.
ordinary precautions were taken to
protect this monarch and soldiers
stood side by side throughout the en-
tire tunnel. The emperor was met at
the station by King Victor Emanuel
and was warmly greeted by the peo
pie. although violent ADMINISTRATIONS
had been feared.
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-10-23
DR.. JAMES p. BOOTH
DEAD IN Los ANGELES

Los Angeles, Oct. 2S.-Dr. James
Pinckney Booth, we'll known through
out the southwest, and who served
under General Lawton during the
campaigns against Chief Geronimo,
died here yesterday. Booth once con-
quered an epidemic of small pox which
threatened to depopulates Randsburg
in South Africa