davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1911-07-13
"SWIPES" SURELY MADE GOOD
Judge wilkins Story Of the Wait Who
., Became Prosperous Brook
lyn Citizen.

Robert J Wnkin. a Justice OF tie
court Of special sessions who was The
first Judge Of the childrens court N
Brooklyn. IN a speech the other even
ing told several interesting stories
There vas boy dropped from
somewhere into the heart OF New
York some wears Ego" said Justice
Wiikin He drifted down 10 the
South Brooklyn waterfront and earn
ed bis living there by selling bran
water 70 the great sweating longsnora.
men. One Of these, becoming interest
cd In the lad asked him his name
"sWipes. that's ell. said the boy
The 'longshoreman told Henry A
Moore. superintendent Of the docks.
who IL son OF the late Judge Henry
A. Moore. about the boy Mr. Moore
spoke TO me about the youngster. and
We got him a lodging. and by and by
q place In an Office Then for years
lost sight OF him
"A few evening" ago" continued
Justice Wilkin. j WAS taking dinner
with some friends IN the Crescent
club. A stocky. good looking and pros
porous appearing man came up 20 our
table. In reply 10 HE question. told
him ! was Judge Wilkn
Well. Judge. said the man. DO YOU
see that gentleman over there point
Ing % one ~ 'he bes; known men 10
the city he r. my business par'ner
Tn going away 'or a long time 10
few days. and before : 20 want you
10 draw no my will
That was sulpes"
The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1911-07-13
WE'RE NOT DOING OUR BEST
Ole In Order 20 Reach
Heaven.

How mankind de'crs from day 10
dhy the best II car DO and the most
beautiful things n can enjoy. said n
" Mabie most truthfuny u does
seem that many good people are pm,
ting On real enjoyment uutil they get
20 Heaven. never thinking that that l.
a very slow and risky Vay ~ getting
there Some people think that getting
into Heaven IL going 20 make a treat
change when the fact IN the ascent
will be- 90 gradual ~ TO make little
difference Tie Bible 10 full ~ this
f,,f
The doctrine that an Old cfusty. sel
hsh. deceitful. nsghborhaung man
viii turn into On angel az the pearly
gates 10 not scriptural and n does not
stand 10 reason No Or. man gets
10 Heaven because he bs'ongs there
because be has made tho best Of liie
has done the kindsst things helped
the veAk hllsd his dsys With cheer
good vii and good works. and deoked
bic NE With the beaiiiudss Of bis Mas
ter
We are not doing n 90 we'll A. ~e
might. a. Mr. Mabie suggests No
one does bic best No one enjoys the
most beautiful things n we did. Ne
would not have 10 die o. get "a heay
en-. We would then be- doing our part
IN answering me PRAYER. Thy King
dom come on earth ~ II IA In heaven
Ohio RiAte Journal
The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1911-07-13
FORGOT HER SECOND WEDDING
Name 10 Banb Check and Much
Trouble Resulted.

y Loot my Identity once for the tine
heinz nftef ! vas married 10 my sec
0nd husband. said a woman Nho FOR
merly lived IN New YORK city. and
Vho nov dWells 10 Sew England
town Soon after my second mar
-iage she added 4 vithdrsw ny
rersonal funds from Nes York banf
end deposited The money 10 the town
where ! nov I've Twins ny present
name Of course and leaving my slgns
lure had no occasion 20 draw
against the deposit for nearly two
months. md when ! tid 90 ! signed
my hrst married name 10 the chscb
The person 70 whom I rave the ohscb
80 no, bno. ! vas married 20 ny
fressbt husband ~ the transaction
Saf one that I'D not require any moo
Ton ~ nv second marriage
When the check ust sept 10 ny
bank IN the town where 1--we n ~s'
returned. marked No funds Tn.
cbeok wAs forwarded 10 mo hv the
nerson n whom 7 rave e. and y wfs
addressed 70 ne 40 hsd signed y
one o. the curious things IN eonnec
ton with Il was that my present hue
band :, a director ~ the bank but -
course the cashier never ftourh' r.
asb him. although no hauk ofcla'
knew ny other married name n 10
The sort - mistake that vomsn
makes only once
The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1911-07-13
NEARLY AS GOOD AS TITLE
+srry Was Colonel on oovctnor's star
and Could Wear Most Gorgeous
Uniform.

81 Have you ever thought tina, you
would care 10 marry a man with a
'ltle7 be asked
Really. she replied pretending 20
make lieht Of II = have never
bought much about H.
"stlll suppose 81 man attn a
tile were % come along YOU would
rot treat him cody merely because
be- happened 10 have a hapdie 10 BIS
1ame?'
Well ! have no doubt mat there
.re zone very good men VINO posfess
ut.es
Let W. suppose Tor instance That I
rad title
y can't imagine such ming
But 70 such a thing could be-"
y hardly know what you mean
Why n ] had title and came 70
YOU With a proposal Of marriage. would
YOU be disposed 20 listen 10 me
hudly7"
But you haven't any u'Ie and you
are never likely 10 have one
You are mistaken have % tte
silly Why do Won tay that"
"its n fact I've been appointed
colonel on the governors stan
Why YOU cant be forioYs7'
- am serious II hos you nv
commission 10 you vi-h 10 zoe o.
DO you Ct salary FOR beng a
colonel on the governors staf'"
"Ho. but ! have tle rishf 20 wear \
splendid urI.0rm a. public tune
tIus
"Ch Harry p'l von really mean
n when sou proposed moment asoY
The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1911-07-13
ANY BRIDE SATISFIED Hin
In india, When the Croor1's Fi.st
Choice Baked, Re Accepted
Volunteer

The Youths COMPANION lrc0un's p
story Of wedding dcscri.sd ~ ur
Ninifred Hetton's a Bluesiochng 90
India
Yesterday went 10 "a native Chris
tian wedding MANY guests had a..
scrubbed and the ceremony bad pro
gr"fs'G 10 the point where NJ Grey
asked The bride
DO you take this man 10 love
cherish and obey when he young
woman IN 'he case responded With a
surprising and unmistakable 40
Mr. Grey labored With her 10 40
urdertone but 70 no avail The mar
riGFc had ~ usual been arranged by
the parents without consulting the
daughter But Il T. almost an IN
known thing for girl 20 be 90 bod
and disobedient The situation Nas
then explained 20 the 80 embed
guests. ana volunteers were asked 70
supply the vacancy A young woman
promptly came forward and the cere
mony proceeded as n nothing had
happened
"Aiterward the bridal pair ls't the
alter ~ different aiflef % hold a r.
cepuou under tree where congrst
ula'i0ns ard rice we're poured upon
then Tho gfoom placed o. silver riug
upon The great Zoe Of fhc brides eft
foot and o Best man Tied the grooms
neck scar O. 'he brides flowing gar
rout and TINS they tat iu state Tor
some hours
The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1911-07-13
ART OF CONVERSATION LOST
Bot u O, Forgotten In Modern
LIE.

with all our learning IN our race
70 The great battle ~ liie. have se
not lost just Tor lack - time but
Oh. he pity Of It. the art % conycrsa
ton Does anyone really convene
now 70 tax shop. 10 use slang 90
be always and ever 90 the endless
fu'h are not these the modern fash.
on How graceful vas the measured
speech ~ our grandparents Ia those
days. too a. 20 ours. wsre 20 be found
ne gesiaL the bright the clever How
iid at shine and repErtse polish II
self aEainsf repartee
The bishop,of CORR vas a celebrated
teetotaler Shortly after he vas made
bishop he ~as invited 10 dine With the
bishop % Ossory
Ny lord said the bishop % Os'
sorf even though you are John Cork
you must not stop the bottle I see
my lord replied the new bishop.
that you sant 20 dras ae out
This NAV be- chestnut but u be
longs 20 time when brilliant speech
vas matter - every DAY Let us.
Slth al our tremendous advantages.
not quite forget the little coufiesies
and The gay ait Of the old times
Find tire therefore happy modern
CTR '1r charm - briEht and capti
W inF are her fairy wings that she 10
sorih pursuing
The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1911-07-13

II takes uu, a little push 10
start a stone rolling down hail.
and many a heavy-hearted human
being has been sent into the
depths because % a push in the
wrong direction. II may be
because II is easier % push than
10 pull that We move along
with the crowd saying inwardly
each one for himself and
scarce think il worth while 20
lend a helping hand whore IL is
most needed.
The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1911-07-13

Clarence Thomas, nephew Of
our townsman Colby Thomas. is
visiting here a few days. Mr..
Thomas spent several weeks in
our city last fan and is known
by a number Of our people who
are always pleased 20 have him
with US again.
The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1911-07-13

Read the ad Of the Lubbock
Sheet Metal Works in this issue
They have a special sale on and
are Offering a fine chance 10 the
trade 20 secure sheet metal
products az low prices
The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1911-07-13

Mrs. Phillips accompanied by
her little son Felix. who have
been here visiting the family Of
Chas 4. PGVN the past month.
left SUNDAY al srnoon for their
home in Fort " orth.
The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1911-07-13

y A. Douthett and family.
formerly Of this place bat now
e Olney. Texas. are visiting the
family Of Ollie Wilkinson.
The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1911-07-13

Fred Crum and Il. X. Haley
returned from a business trip
10 Snyder. Lubbock and other
points Wednesday moring Ros-
coe Times.
The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1911-07-13

One Of our town girls recently
sent twenty-five cents for
a receipt 30 promote and pre-
serve beauty. She received the
following reply: Mind your
mother and stay home nights. -
The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1911-07-13

Joel kincannon, an uncle Of
W. d. Kincannon. Of this place,
is visiting here this week and
looking for a location. He comes
from BruceyilIe. Texas.
The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1911-07-13

W. y. Benson left Thursday
for Navasota. where be went on
businessmatters Of considerable
importance.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-05-12
From Another Point of View

shall the alarm clock as the original goat'
he'll
does?
fallen
OF
reeourceful De-
troit why enforce antspiting ordinancef
the position
theirs there would be at least chance
An
that
called
head line morning
r. three
be the patrons
when Ii operating this line profit
49,
husband
team
afternoon these days
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-05-12

ADVERTISING copy of this
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-05-12
ADVERTISING TALKS.
tcoatinued from page L,

ran only occasionally and con-
sisted merely of the name and
address of the firm, with pos
sibly a mention of the merchan-
disc for sale and the prices at
which it was to be sold.
But the merchant who follows
this style of advertising in these
days will not meet with much
success.
THE ADVERTISING COPY
OF TO-DAY must be something
more than a mere price list to
bring results.
1t must have HUMAN IN
TEREST. 1t must tell a run
ming story every day about the
merchandise that is offered
why it is good merchandise
why it is worth the prices asked
for it-and it must be TRUTH
Full.
ADVERTISING copy of this
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-05-12

know there are limitations that suf-
fering will fall upon us In the south
II we secede. My people are not ter
rified by any such considerations.
They have been governed. not by cow
ardice, but by very strong attach
ment 10 the union. They have no
fears for the future II driven TO rely
on themselves. The southern states
have more territory than all the
colonies had when they seeded from
Great Britain. and a better territory
Taking its position. climate and Ter
tility into consideration, there Is not
upon earth a body OF territory superior
10 IL. Everybody knows II would sup
port population OF 3OO,OOO,OOO IL
II were as densely settled as parts OF
Europe, that from personal observa'
ton I know not TO be superior to II.
The southern states have. too. al
this day, four times the population
the colonies had when they seeded
from Great Britain. Their exports to
the north ana TO foreign countries
were, last year. more than $S0O,oOo,-
600; and a duty OF 10 per cent upon
the same amount Of imports would
give $50 900 900 OF reyenue-twice az
much as Gen Jackson's administra
ton spent In its first year. Every
body can see, too, how the bringing IN
of $30,000,000 OF imports Into the
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-05-12
essage in the U. $. senate. Dec. 4. 1890

southern ports would enliven business
In our seaboard towns.
have seen with some satisfaction
also, Mr.. President, that the war made
upon us has benefited certain branches
OF industry In my state. There are
m II u I a C uring establishments In
North Carolina, the proprietors OF
which tell me that they are making
so per cent annually on their whole
capital. and yet cannot supply one
tenth OF the demands for their pro
auctions. The result OF only 10 PEI
cent duties In excluding products from
abroad would give life and impetus IA
mechanical and manufacturing indus
try throughout the entire south. Our
people understand these things and
they are not afraid OF results II
forced TO declare independence.
Indeed. do not see why northern
Republicans should wish to continue
a connection with us upon any terms
They say that our institutions are
disgrace TO the political family, which
they intend to remove. They declare
African slavery to be crime, and
that II must be abolished. III we and
they separate. their consciences Will
be freed from all responsibility Tor
this sin. They want high tarins ike
wise. They may put on 500 per cent
II they choose, upon their own I'm
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-05-12

SAULT STE. MARIE. Ont, May
.12.-After celebrating 40 minutes, a
Jury found William Carroll, 60 years
old, a woodsman, guilty OF killing
George Thibault. He Will be sentenc-
ed today TO hang, by. Justice Britton.
Carroll, after accusing Thibault,
much younger man, Of persistently
annoying him and stealing his cloth
ing. practically decapitated him with
an ak, while the two were In the
bunk house of lumber camp, SO
miles northeast Of Blind River, Ont,
on Jan. Is.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-05-12
"HON0R THY FATHER
AND THY MOTHER

Mothers Day. will be celebrated
on Sunday, May Ia. II was founded
by Anna Jarvis, OF Philadelphia as
a simultaneous observance through
out the world OF the love and grati'
tude men. women and children owe
their mothers" On that day white
carnation is worn In honor OF TINS
mother. +.
Last year Mrs. John b. Dodd, OF
Spokane, Wash. took up the cause Oh
the neglected "old man" and inaugur
ated Fathers day" II Will be ceie'
brated this year on June 18th ana,
Il is believed. 5000 towns and cities
Will observe II. A colored hover VIII
be worn for the living, a white mower
for the dead.
On both occasions thousands OF ser
mons will be preached from the text
Honor thy father and thy mother.
that thy days may be long upon the
earth which the Lord thy God giveth
thee"
IL Is a beautiful and touching idea
springing In part from real need OF
revival of filial love and respect-a
need more urgent, perhaps, In Amer
ica than in any other place under the
sun.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-05-12
Friday. May II
1911

uorts. and nobody on our side win
complain. They may spend all the
money they raise on railroads, OF
opening harbors, or anything on earth
they desire. without interference rom
us: and Il does seem TO me tina.
they are sincere In their views, they
ought TO welcome a separation.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-05-12
Gems of Wit Wisdom and Eloquence
SECESSION'S BRIGHT PROSPECTS.
BY THOMAS /. CILNGMAN.

Ianie clngman
In
Of
In
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-05-12
nature WILL BRING BUSI-
NESS TO ANY FIRM-if it is
done PERSISTENTLY an d

CONSISTENTLY.
This is true of every COM
munity-it applies equally to
Houston, Tex, as well as New
York.
Get out of the rut, Mr.. Mer-
chant-you who have followed
custom just because it was GUS
tom. Shake off the shackles of
TRADITION" and you will pro-
gress in the right direction.
go be Continued.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-05-12

Hoes ana n " suddenly downward and behind the
Eli Down. cupOla and the string in way
became fastened and broke
Stone after and stick after stick hurled to the barn
roof an effort kite still
there
aAw on Wesley" boys 1T won't come
down. We get
But Wesley kept with and clubs
saw you wesyi" urged other boy again and
sgain
And still Wesley stuck the job
Finally boy quit and home.
Wesley picked up another stick the alley hurled it with true aim
the mark
The kite came sliding roof wsy and he
away in triumph
superstition case of these two boys to
forward day another Edison, MarcOni Wright
from with invention that will start
sasnoe
The newspapers will print picture magazines
pages to his discovery
will pick magazine and there ne
I Win triumph of his playmate.
"wer things" him exclaim "why he and played
together boys What do you know about thatP
Thats the way goes" Gust happened hit
right Now why couldn't have thought Of thatf
boys who trying free the kite the
hns top you pick destined
fortunes
Do you pick the boy tenacy patience
nunaton or boy who whined:
saw on Wesley won't down We can't get 1T"
reading about discouraged who tried
10 hang himself and cut down in time
all jets the turned but
ooebody broken into and he carried
out into the open and revived
he selected next the poison
and again he failed in his purpose
position he had held for Is
And all this seemingly in preference getting out and hustng for
another job,
own life
job viii and make half the
ought become the worlds
big
great Of his make
ID hut the Of application n the right direction.
Either ought attempt
and BE- successful
unkndest thing said the discouraged who
wants who nothing nor less than lazy
4 that 10 couldn't make of suicide
There only one way great big busy
pia
We keep stiff upper lip
We must be willing 10 take the hard knocks. t
We must upon only greater
Keeping everastingly at wins
Il brings caught barns boys
<obs who want them
The in whining boodng bemOaning
Without action which the other fellow
4 turning good advantage
Adolf Tries to Appear Impor'
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-05-12

When | see Lucy's fluffy puffs
Why do / always think
or shiny cue OF ebon hue
That one time graced Chink?
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-05-12
Which One Of These Boys
Is More Likely To Be
Heard From as a Man?

One Gave Up When Their Kite
Came Down On a Barn; the
Other Stood BY, Hurting
# Rocks and Clubs Tilt
the Kite Came
Down.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-05-12

Two boys out our way were haul
ing in their kite last evening.
The white-winged bird was com.
ing down slowly and gracefully as
the Irvine reeled up neatly and
evenly on the stick
But when over a barn it darted
suddenly downward and behind the
cupola, and the string in some way
became fastened and broke.
Rock Island Argus., 1911-09-13
AB0RIGINE LAST OF TRIBE
Government Bureau Figuring on
What to Do With Yana Indian.

Washington, D. c., Sept. 13.-Ofi-
cials of the Indian bureau are figuring
on what they shall do with the lore
survivor Of the Tana tribe of Indians.
who was capturei near OroviIla, Cal,
recently. A report WAS received from
Charles L. Davis, Que OF the agents
of the bureau, in which he recommend
ed that the lone yana be cared tor by
some member of an allied tribe. Mr..
Davis reported that the Indian is sell
treated by the University of California
authorities, who now have him in
charge The Yana tribe always va.
small and of distinct linguistic fam
lily. In 1864 neighboring California
miners, annoyed at some depredations.
massacred all but 80 of the whole tribe.
which then numbered about ?, 900. in
1902 only six or seven remained
Rock Island Argus., 1911-09-13
AVIATOR WARD IS ON
HIS WAY TO PACIFIC
Rises Early This Morning at Cover
nor's Island-Fowler May Be
Delayed a Week.

New York, Sept. 13.-James J.
Ward started at sos this morning
from Governors island for a flight
to the Pacific coast for the prize OF
$4,000.
Ashbrook, y. J., Sept 13.-Aviat-
or Ward landed here on his coast-to-
coast flight, having mistaken Lehigh
Valley railroad for the Erie. He
arose Immediately and retracted the
course toward Jersey City to start
again for Middletown.
Alta, Cal, Sept. 13.-Aviator Fow-
ler has not yet decided when he Will
resume his flight to New York. 1t
may be necessary to send 10 a fac
tory for repairs for the wrecked ma
chine in which he will be unable to
leave for a week.
Rock Island Argus., 1911-09-13
DELAYS PAROLE OF WALSH
Board at Leavenworth POstpones
Consideration Until Sept. 10.

Leavenworth. Kan, Sept. 13.-
Owing to the inability of r. V. La
dow, superintendent Of United States
prisons. to arrive at the penitentiary,
the session of the parole board to
consider the application for parole
for John r. Walsh was postponed un-
til Sept. ] 5. In view of the further
fact that his application will be con-
sidered in numerical order, accord
ing to the prison number. it is quite
probable that his case will not be
reached the first day. There are ap-
proximateIy $50 of the 1000 prison
ers eligible for parole. Walsh's num-
Der, 6s6I, places him near the end
of the list.
Rock Island Argus., 1911-09-13
DIECLE PENNINC
FULL CONFESSION
Columbus Grand Jury Will
Summon Legislators in
Bribe Scandal.
WAITING ON AN EXPOSE
Convicted Sergeant-at-Arms Report
ed to Be at Work on Document
at French Lick.
WAITING ON AN EXPOSE

Columbus, Ohio, Sept IS. -
With the grand jury of Frank.
lin county ready to convene
next Monday for the regular Sep
tember session, 1t is expected that
process servers will be busy in var
ious parts of the state for the next 10
days.
II was admitted by representatives
of the state attorney general and of
the local prosecutor that the confes-
sion which Rodney J. Diegle is said TO
be preparing at French Lick, Ind,
promises TO open up the widest field
of investigation that has developed
since the bribery scandal broke at the
Rock Island Argus., 1911-09-13
GOTHAM TO ST. LOUIS
BY TROLLEY: 5 DAYS
New York Policeman Obliged to Use
Railroad Only At Miles Dur
ing the Journey.

St. Louis, Mo, Sept. 13.-New York
10 st. Louis by trolley in five days,
travelling only in day time, is the rec
ord made by Lieutenant william y. J.
Koenig of the New York city police
force and his wife. They will start
on the return trip tomorrow. Koenig
said the trip cost him $l9.05 in street
car fares and only between Lafayette,
ind, and Danville, ILL.,, AZ miles, was
he Obliged TO use railroad train. He
left Syracuse Sept. 3, and arrived here
last Saturday.
Rock Island Argus., 1911-09-13

prepared for trouble, the Chinese gov
ernment has been quick to dispatch
troops into disaffected districts and to
deal with the situation with d strong
hand.
OTHER OUTBREAKS EXPECTED.
1t is believed the Sze-Chuen uprising
is only precursor of other outbreaks in
different parts of the flowery kingdom,
for the fact is the struggle now going
on is really a test of relative strength
and power of the central government
as opposed to provincial governments.
CHENG-TU ATTACKED.
London, Sept. ia dispatch re
ceived from Tsu-Chau says the perfect
of police there attempted to communi-
cate with Cheng-Tu by messengers. but
the latter were unable u ge: through
the lines of rioters who we've attacking
the city at four points. Troops line the
walls of Cheng-Tu defending the city.
There was fighting within the walls of
Cheng-Tu Sept. I, when several per
sons on both sides were killed and
wounded. The rebels were repulsed.
Rock Island Argus., 1911-09-13
New Geneva School Head.

Chicago. Sept 15.-Miss Margaret
Elliott. superintendent OF the Chicago
Nursery and Half Orphan asylum
1882 Burling street. for the last two
years. was yesterday appointed super
intendent of the state school for de
linquent girls at Geneva by the state
board OF administration She succeeds
Mrs Ophelia Amigh. Miss Elliott has
spent the greater part OF her life IN
The care OF children. For a nTm Der Of
years she vas supervisor at the state
home at Geneva