davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02
Daddy Bedtime
n Why Pussy
.0f0TV- Ran Away IL
.y From Home

vELYN had mother the little white kitten
= which friend offered tt
"And mother said couldn't have though the kitty would have
Kittens OF
swn," Evelyn complained daddy =.
nice and
kittens wash themselves well White become sed
said daddy @5o"a
cou wash
body" Jack
a
daddy :.
mistress
is e
thinking
had closed the after ~
crack
Mistress Pussy calmly licking
Q
punished darted
q maple sirup
downin the celia
would believed white
md md -
Of stout and
until clean ~.
full Of milk She
white suky hen the company some must have let h
mistress looked for And
she evef T. :.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02

Pride IL q mans endeavor to live up
10 his good opinion of himself. Every
man 10 proud, but some cases are more
severe than others. Some men are so
proud that they will starve to death
rather than ask for help. Other men
ere so proud that they will borrow all
the money their friends have and new
4" nay 1t back rather than accept one
through charity.
'e men are so proud that
is beneath them. After man
LIS been too proud to work for few
years, however, nothing else is be-
meath him az rule.
Pride hits men in many different
ways. Some are proud Of their money,
some Of their children, some Of their
cattle and some just Of themselves.
When q man Is very proud of him.
self It saves the rest OF mankind a
great deal OF trouble. 1t doesn't have
to be proud OF him.
A great many people are very proud
of their ancestors. It must be fine to
be an ancestor and to know that In
few centuries your descendants will
be SC. proud Of you that they would die
with shame IL you were to come back
to life and sit around in your shirt
sleeves in, their palatial summer cot
tago.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02
Ponderous Personages
@ By GEORGE FITCH
y Author of AT Good Old Siwash"
p r l d E


A little pride is very fine thing for
a man. 1t puts reinforcements in his
backbone and sand in his disposition.
When a man spends his life attempt
ing to live up to what he thinks of
himself he is likely to be success.
But when he thinks so much of himself
that It Is entirely useless for
him to start the task Of living up to
it he will be failure and the bill col
lectors will cluster around his door.
Pride is all right when it stiRens
the back bone, but when it 'stiffens
the neck and causes the nose to curl
up it is a great nuisance. A proud
woman with pair of eye glasses
hitched to stick and an absolute zero
stare will never distribute much hap
piness about the world until she is
utilized for an ice making plant.
/ Pride is more sensitive than any
other portion of mankind. and when
person is wounded in his pride he
suffers exquisite pain. Those who do
not keep their pride wrapped up in
thick layers of common sense lead
sad lives and are always shrieking
with agony and woe. If, you have a
pride, laugh at it yourself. Then it
won't hurt so much when the other
fellow laughs at 1t. ,- ,s-. s
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02
RARE HOG PLAGUE
N E A r p E r. r Y

Perry, Aug 30.-Wbat , is believed
to be a case of the old-fashioned swine
plague has broken out at the farm OF
Albert .Alborn, few miles southwest
Of Perry. Sixty Of his heard of 100
hogs already have died.
Twenty-six were found dead when he
went to the hog lot this morning. All
known remedies have been tried, but
there has been no improvement in any
of the cases. Once hog contracts
the disease he dies within few days.
The symptoms are different from
cholera and seems to affect only the
lungs The animals start coughing and
after few days are unable to get their
breath Mr. Alborn is taking every
,precaution@to prevent the spread of the
plague among the hogs belonging to-
his neighbors.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02
GROCERS WILL NOT
USE MEASURES

Clinton, Aug. 30.-Beginning Thurs
day morning members of the Clinton
Retail Grocers' association ceased the
use Of measures In the sale Of fruits
and vegetables. Hereafter bananas,
potatoes, onions, peaches, apples. etc.,
will be sold by the pound. No more
will the householder receive bananas
by the dozen from members Of the as
ISOLATION. In fact the provisions OF
the state pure food and weights and
measures laws are to be strictly OBJ
served by association members. Liquid
measures are to be exact and the
scales are to be used in selling all dry
commodities Furthermore the asso-
citation urges that all violators 5. OF
the law be reported to the county at
torney and the county attorney prose-
cute all cases Of violation Of the law
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02
BROWN is
ADMINISTRATORS

s 3
Burlington, Aug. 3o:-An application
was filed in the Office of County
Clerk Demling asking that H. A.
Brown be named as administrator in
the estate of Theo. W. Barhydt, who
passed away recently at Los Angeles,
Cal. Letters will no doubt be issued
soon. .
1t develops that Mr.. Barhydt did
not make will, but disposed Of his
estate before his death by means OF
trust deed That portion to be ad-
mintstered5 will be comparatively
small No doubt this trust deed will
be placed on record in this county in
the near future.
It will be recalled that Mr.. Barhydt
left $4,000 in trust to Burlington hos
pital and $1,000 to the Y. w. c. A.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02
MARDI GRAS AT
\. COUNCIL BLUFFS

Council Bluffs, Aug. 3O.-A marul
gras feature introduced at the Council
Bluffs carnival made fun for 10000
people congregated on the downtown
streets. One hundred automobile
loads of people drove in two columns
while serpentine rolls of paper on all
colors were thrown from them. 1t Is
claimed to be the first time this fea-
ture has ever been introduced In the
west 1t produced the carnival spirit
to the highest degree and for an hour
the streets were crowded with fantas-
tically arrayed funmakers. Despite
the heat the festival and carnival Is
the hest vet held.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02
ARTICULAR FEVER :
" .-.a FROM THE HEAT

Macedonia, Aug. 30.-Several cases
of articular fever, said to be caused by
the sun heat, have been reported
about here. Lynn Miller. east OF town
suffered an attack several weeks ago.
He was unable to walk without the
aid Of crutches for some time after
leaving the bed. OF late, Lester Coons.
the young son of H. G. Coons, west of
town, has been taken belfast by the
same ailment. He has been confined
for nearly two weeks. ,ss.... ...o
Robert Graham. who operated a
threshing outfit west OF town, SUI
fered like stroke a week ago. A
few days later he was sufficiently re-
covered to be about but has later suf-
fered a severe attack, which has con-
fined him to his bed.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02
CLOSE BIG LAND w..
.~ DEAL AT CRESTON

Creston, Aug. 3o.-One of the big
gest deals that has been closed in
Creston in long time was eliminated
through the agency of John NJ. Car
son, when c. NJ. Dewey traded his 600
acre farm near Shannon City, TO Jo-
sian Miller for an 500, acre farm
situated in Kankakee Valley, Indiana.
The deal involves 100000. Mr.. Dew
ey will remove with his family to his
new possession in Indiana, while Mr..
Miller's son, who is now living on the
Indiana farm, will move to the Dewey
place near Shannon City. The Dewey
farm was exchanged at $40 per ARE
and the Miller land for $50 per acre.
Miller paying a difference of $4,000 In
cash 49, -- -
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02
CRESTON TO HAVE
BIG HOMECOMING

Creston, Aug. 30.-The big home
coming celebration to be held at Cres-
TON Wednesday, Thursday and Friday,
Sept III, 18 and 49,. will be one OF the
most elaborate occasions Of the kind
ever held in the state Of Iowa, and IN
many respects will be unsurpassed:
The busin ess and professional men OF
the city have subscribed $500, all OF
which will be spent on attractions and
on decorating the business section OF
the city. The celebration will be unique
inasmuch as everything Is to be alb
solutely free and not one cent 1s to be
taken from the peoples pockets Tor
any Of the attractions.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02
RESERVES ORDER
FOR DEPORTATION

Sioux City, Aug. 30.-An appeal fol-
fair play, made directly to Secretary
Of CommercA Wilson, has resulted in
an order to release Frank Hamamoto
q young Japanese here from the coun
ty Jail, where he was held under a
deportation order.
Hamamoto had been working in the
restaurant OF Wong On, Chinaman
accused of conducting an immoral re-
sort. He had been working only twelve
days and Wong gave Hamamoto 2
clean bill ... ..'
The appeal resulted in reopening
OF the case, presentation Of affldavits
and An order reversing the finding of
the immigration agent who conducted
the hearing here. ....
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02
slNGDoN.

Glen Myers, Arthur Hudson, Paul
Mowery, Will Kiews, Lowell Degood,
Harold Gobble, Ben Peters and Perry
Snider left Sunday morning for Des
Moines to attend the state fair a few
days this week.
Mrs. Ina Lincoln and little son Of
New London, is spending the week
with her friend Mrs. Rollie Degood.
Mr. and Mrs. w. G. Campbell and
children returned home last week ,ac-
companied by Mrs. Campbell's sister.
Mrs. Esther Lambert and son Lester OF
Sheridan.
Miss Edna Caldwell returned to her
home in Hedrick Sunday morning after
spending the summer at the j. S.
Snider home.
Mrs. J. w. Flindt, son and daughter
Paul and Miss Laura returned home
Friday after q visit with relatives and
attending chautauqua at Fairfield.
T. g. Smith Of Milton, is visiting
relatives here this week.
Dewey Ramey Of Galesburg, ILL.,, re
turned home after pleasant visit with
his grandma, Mrs. Lucinda Davis and
other relatives.
Mrs Sallie Mcdowell accompanied
by Mr.. and Mrs. McElvain left Friday
for wisconsin to visit their son and
daughter, Mr.. and Mrs. Walter Mo.
sDowsll.
Billy Fleener broke his wrist Thurs
day while cranking his car. He il
getting along nicely.
Mrs. H. NJ. McCreary and Ed Nc
Creary and family made an overland
trip to Fairfield Saturday.
Mr.. and Mrs C. B. Campbell and
Ross Caldwell and family attended the
101 Ranch show Thursday at Ottum-
wa.
Mrs Mamie McReynolds was Sun
day visitor at the J. w. Flindt home.
Look at the date on your name on
this paper, and be sure to renew
your subscription before 1t expireA
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02
DUBUQUE COUNTY
AFTER $4,000
MAKES A STRONG EFFORT TO
GAIN SHARE OF GOVERNMENT
ROAD APPROPRIATION.

Dubuque. Aug. 30.-The prospect
grows brighter each day for Dubuque
county to secure the /$10,000 appro
priation from the United States FOL
work on county roads. A year age
the department of agriculture appro
priated 100000 to be spent on roads
of the various states, it being the In
tent to select one county in each
state, to give it $4,000 If the county
would make an additional appropria
tion of $4,000, the 100000 to be ex
pended in building approximately
fifty miles Of permanent road, each
mile of the road to be traversed by q
rural mail route. The board Of super
visors of Dubuque county got busy
on the matter early in the winter,
made it's appropriation of $4,000 and
then petitioned the department for
it's $4,000, but before this was done,
Story and Boone counties had Joined
and made similar request from the
department, having the recommends
ton of Governor Carroll at the same
time. Their claim went through and
1t seemed that Dubuque county had
lost out. However, when Congress
man Connolly went to congress ne
took the matter up with the various
department heads and 1t was found
that several states had made no re-
quest for their part OF the approprla-
ton, so there is still a considerable
part Of the 100000 available Tor
those who want it. The fourth as
sistant postmaster general was re-
Gently in Iowa and Supervisor NC
CULLEN and others journeyed to wat;
erloo. expecting to meet him there to
again impress on him the validity OF
the claims, of Dubuque county, put
for some reason or other he did not
20 to Waterloo as anticipated and the
hoped for meeting was not had. Mr..
McOuillen communicated these facts
to Congressman Connolly. who, IN an
swer. in addition to other things, has
the following to say on the subject:
"The prospect for obtaining the ap-
remains very good. IN
fact. 4 feel that we have every assur-
ancse in this matter 1t, has gotten to
the point. now where they have abso-
[utely promised me this Appropriation
In the event that any Of the states
fall down on propositions submitted
10 them. and some Of them are right
On the ragged edge. OF course, 1 can
not absolutely guarantee. but we Will
know within. week or so whetner
some of the states have failed to com
ply with the requirements mentioned,
IN which event we will at once come
in for the appropriation. ! believe we
will; get it, 1S ss ,tssg ~ ,sr, Gf
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02
WINTERSET% MAN
HELD PRISONER

Winterset, Aug. 30.-George Keith
er yesterday failed to secure his re-
lease from the Winterset Jail where he
is being held pending his extradation
to New Mexico to face charges of
arson. Reither attempted to secure
release yesterday through habeas cor
pus proceedings and Judge McHenry OF
the district court decided he must be
held pending the outcome of the fight
to extradite him. ' =.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02
PERRY YOUTH
e..' IS !, DROWNED

Perry, Aug. 30.-Everett Green 10
wears old, who lives southeast OF Wood
ward was drowned while bathing In
the Des Moines river near the new
Milwaukee railroad bridge. He step
ned into a hole where the water was
about seven feet deep and his COM
panions were unable to save him.
:. The body was recovered about an
hour after the accident, after nifty
men and boys had made search over
the river bottom for distance OF
seyeral. hundred yards.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02

away this week visiting with relatives
at Iowa City.
: Mr.. and Mrs. Winslow,, who was
here last week visiting at the home
of Mr.. and Mrs. Harvey Hevern, nave
returned to their home at Wellman'
Ia.
Mrs. ]. Kurths, who has been away
for few days visiting with relatives
at Ottumwa, is now home.
E. j. sieh, of Sutherland, Iowa,
who was visitor here last week at
the home of his sister, Mrs. Ralph E.
Jones, returned Saturday.
Fay Rugg of Wellman who was up
last week visiting with his friends
Thomas johnson and F. G. Rock, re-
turned Saturday.
Elias Roberts and wife Of York Cen
ter were in the city Saturday visiting
with various friends.
Z Mrs. David Williams, in response to
telegram announcing the serious
illness of Mrs. Arthur Williams, her
sons wife, at Moline, ILL.,, left at once
for said city.
Mrs. Gertrude Albert who has been
here for several days visiting at the
home Of her parents, Mr.. and Mrs. I.
q. Gittins has returned to her home
at Mason City, Ia.
John Filter OF Pilot township
transacted business here Saturday
and called for visit at the home OF
his sister Mrs. J. U. Tanner.
Albert Evans of the Williamsburg
Savings Bank, is having his vacation,
and is away visiting with his brothers
Ed and John at Minneapolis, MINI.
J. F. Lyth is having his residence
in the north part Of the city re-
painted and other substantial i'm
provements made.
Mr.. Harrington of York township
of his brothers Walter and Orson of
was a Saturday visitor at the homes
this city.
Frank Newkirk of Iowa township
transacted business here Monday and
visited his German friends.
Mrs. Edward Hughes and two child
rem OF Columbus, Ohio. are here this
week visiting at the Hon. Hughes Jr.,
and Mrs Ida Mae Evans homes.
MRS. Minnie Bowman of Maquoketa,
Ia, who has been here for several
daps visiting at the home OF her uncle,
w. F. Williams returned Monday
~ g. Nicaler left Tuesday morning
for Wellman to vista day at the
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02
FREMONT VOTERS
ARE NO MORE

Keokuk, Aug. 30.--The Fremont
voters of Keokuk and vicinity are no
more. ,..-.s -#
The organization was formally aban-
doned at a meeting today. Only fifteen
members were present. ..
The records Of the association will
be turned over to the state historical
association to be placed in the htstori-
cal building at Des Moines. according
to the resolutions which were passed.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02
EMERSON REFUSES
ELECTRIC FRANCHISE

Glenwood, Aug. 30-People of Emer-
son turned down the proposition to
grant a twenty year franchise. to the
Red Oak Electric Light, &C., for polling
and wiring in the city. j.. ~: ~, -
The Mills county board Of supervis-
ors, at their last meeting, granted a
franchise to this company. ~ a-S
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02

ing alone six miles west of here, Dali
tons body was found on the floor Of his
home, dead from self-inflicted bullet
wound in the head. He was last seen
Tuesday evening, and It is believed he
took a bath, put on fresh clothing and
shot himself with a rifle that night.
He was about 80 years old. He has
relatives at Tabor.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02
KEOKUK employees
ARE GIVEN MEDALS

Keokuk,4 Aug. 3O;-Employes of the
power company, who are acting as
guides over the power house and dam
are proudly displaying medals present
ed them by Hugh l.. Cooper, engineer.
The medals are of solid gold and
have an appropriate inscription. One
face shows the dam and power house.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE
NEAR MAQUOKETA

. Maquoketa, Aug. 30.-A $4,000 fire
on the farm Of John Bentley, south of
Maquoketa, burned several barns, a
granary, farm machinery and grain.
One hundred and fifty tons OF hay, a
team valued at $500, harness and bug
gies were consumed
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02
HARDIN FARMERS
SUED FOR $4,000

Eldora. Aug. 3O.-Action was brought
here today against John Littschwager
and other prominent farmers OF Buck
eye township asking $4,000 damages
for injuries received by H. A. Weather
ly, who says he was hurt by falling
into an open ditch, alleged to have
been left unprotected by the defend
ants.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02
, WILLIAMS BURG.N

J. H. Leadsure who has been away
for several weeks visiting with his
son at Haigler, Nebraska, is now
home.
Mrs. Ella Parr of Mt Vernon. Iowa
has purchased a lot Of G. J. Simmons
in the Yoss and Wallace addition and
viii build a new modern residence at
once.
Mrs. Wilson Ragan and son are
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02
Press Comment.

Burlington Hawkeye: And it is the
belief Iowa, in spite Of the drouth, viii
harvest the best crop OF corn, this year
of any state IL, the union.> That fact
fully answers the question: Why is
Iowa?'a III H. = zT II, ta 81 s& &z,t - IA
Marshalltown Times Republican!
Boone and Story counties are getting
national prominence because they took
road offer and are thus advertising
Iowa. Pretty progressive pair Of coun-
ties, Boone and Story, and a credit to
the state Of Iowa.
Dubuque Times Journal: In an ex-
perimental test track near GAINESVILLE,
Wis. an inspection just made showed
that hemlock and tamarack ties put in
the track without preventative treat
ment were decayed after five and one
half years service. Those which had
been treated were practically as good
as when first laid.
Davenport Times: AS it does not ap-
pear now to be worth while to waste
American lives In a war of interven-
ton, none is contemplated by the
president; but a warning Is contained
in the message--a warning that Huerta
will do we'll to, consider. and that is
that IT will be made plain that this
country shall hold responsible any one
assuming authority who may place in
jeopardy American lives. If the warn
ing is disregarded-well, that may pc
another chapter of the story to be
written later.
Meanwhile the president has the
solid support of this country IN his Mex
lean policy.
Hannibal Courier Post: Parents that
would have their children become good
students In school by taking the prop
er interest in their studies should have
them ready to enter school the first day
OF the term. The body or girl who is
not permitted to get an even start with
other boys and girls in his or her
classes will be put to great disadvan-
tage and will probably become discour-
aged and dissatisfied and finally lose
interest in school altogether.
Clinton Herald: There will be no ex-
tension Of the capitol grounds at Des
Moines, carrying Herewith extensive
II the ruling by Judge
Applegate shall be upheld by the SUI
preme court which is anticipated. Like
Judge Hunter who recently ruled on
the Nnjunctian proceedings brought to
restrain the authorities of Van Buren,
county from levying the millage tax,
Judge Apologize of Guthrie Center,
who heard the main case at Des Moines
has held the act Of the legislature I'M
constitutional, holding that by that
act a debt was created that was In ex-
cess of the amount which the constitu-
tion permits the legislature to create.
! & war . s. Il, 2
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02
MACEDONIA MAN
TAKES OWN LIFE

Macedonia. Aug. 30.-When a neigh
Dor woman sent her young son to the
hons Of Fred Dalton, bachelor liv-
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02

home of his parents and other rela-
tives. 3&,, ..=
Thomas Bell Of Wellman transact
ed business here Tuesday and visited
with his many friends.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-02

Burlington Hawkeye: And it is the
belief Iowa, in spite Of the drouth, will
harvest the best crop OF corn this year
Of any state in the unions That fact
fully answers the question: Why is
Iowa?"7 rr .ss sr7,g " 81 e. ~, gz,t ~
The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1913-01-10
SPRAY FOR SAN JOSE SCALE.
r. II. Mediation, Professor of
Horticulture.

Horticulture.
Question-When would you spray
for San Jose scale?
The orchards should be sprayed
with concentrated lime and sulphur
in November Boil 40 pounds stone
lime, so lbs sulphur and so gallons wa
ter together one hour, contributing
water as it boilS off to have an even
fifty gallons at the end. Test with a
hydrometer that can be secured at a
drug store, to see if it stands % to
80 degrees baume, or if specific graVi-
ty is shown on hydrometer to see if
it tests from 1.2003 to 1868 Make
tests by floating hydrometer in liquid.
For use in spraying for San Jose
scale dilute the liquid with water until
hydrometer reads 4 10 to ) degrees
baume or 1895 specific gravity.
If hydrometer can not be Sc
cured, boil Is pounds" sulphur, Is
pounds lime with 80 gallons water
steadily for one hour, keeping up to
so gallons by contributing water to
offset evaporation Strain and apply
while warm, with spray pump If
badly infested make two applications,
one in November and one in Febru-
airy. If only one application is need
ed November is preferable.
The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1913-01-10
7heGelmga.
FARMER -
HOW BLOOD WILL TELL
EDITED by THE STAT
STATE COLLEGE eSAGRICUL TURE
ATHENS GEORGIA = = :
President Andrew M. souie.

An illustration Of how blood will
tell may be seen on the college farm
at Athens. Several years ago a group
of native COWS was purchased as a
foundation for tests in beef raising.
These animals were understood and
showed evidence in their markings
that they were at most but one de-
gree removed from the poorest type
of the scrub dam. A pure-bred Here.
ford OF the very best strain was plac-
ed at the head of the herd. The
progeny from crossing this sire on
native COWS was a revelation to many.
In single generation such a trans,
formation was brought about as to
seem almost unbelievable. The Here.
ford, as all know, is red and white
in color, and has other characteristic