davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-05-27

"Oh, 1t wasn't /. but saw the
whole thing" replied bnldhead 1T
was when was with surveying
parry down on the coast of the gulf
of California. There was a Chicago
lawyer with us who had come down
to look at some mining claims. He
separated from us. We went back
to look for him. After while We
heard him yelling--such. shrieks as
you would not think could come from
a human being. There he was, sunk
TO his armpits- and the tide within a
few feet of him. And we all knew il
was certain death for any man to GO
out to help him.
But you did not leave him there
to die?" gasped the man with the
dyed mustache.
NO; we got him out. There was
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-05-27
PERU

Mrs. w. II. Burroughs and Miss
Evelyn spent Sunday in Rutland.
A. NJ. Lyon of Boston spent Sunday
with his parents, Dea. and Mrs.
Lyon.
Mrs. A. A. Phillips OF Westminster
is visiting her son, ID. f. Stone for u
few days. r.t
Grass is looking very well this
spring and early fruit trees are be
ginning TO blossom again.
Mrs. A. ]. Simonds is confined TO
the house with sprained knee as
the result of fall down stairs.
Frank Stowell OF Londonderry is
painting and ,papering for A. NJ.
Best. who expects to bring his fam
lily from New York about June Sth.
II is expected that Mrs. Susie Mil
lineton will read at the morning
church service next Sunday and that
Gov. Allen NJ. Fletcher win deliver
an address the following Sunday.
Hon. NJ. j. Hapgood attended the
State conference of Congregational
churches at Rutland two days of last
week, and conducted the service at
the Universalist church in London
derry last Sunday, where be made
reference to the uplift character Of
his friend, Mrs. Gleason, who was bul
led last Thursday.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-05-27
SOUTH sHsFrssuRY

f- -
Hugh BOitum OF shaftsbury visited
IN t0~n SUNDAY.
:. T. Hawkins ~ss In Poulmey on
business. Friday.
Harry Farnum OF Manchester vas
In town saturday.
Mrs c. r. Hawkins has returned
from a visit In Burlington.
Miss Nellie Millington OF Cam
bridge, \. Y. Is visiting al her home
herr.
Miss Sarah Harris has returned 10
Dalton. Mass. after spending Saiur-
DAY aud sunday At her home here
Mrs. Carl Madison was IN Mont
l,eiier last week as a delegate from
Crescent Rebekah Lodge 10 the RE
bekah assembly.
Mr.. aud Mrs. ]. A. Tester aud
children spent Saturday in Troy. The
trip was made In their auto. J. Brad
ish accompanied them.
Edward r. Ball OF Piitsneld. Mass,
was in town Monday on business.
Samuel Galusha and Chris JepsOn
have returned from Montpelier. VI.
They who desire TO have thsir lots
In the cemetery, cared for this sum
mer. please consult the secretary OF
the Cemetery Association. H. II, Mir
field.
There viii be a special meeting OF
Crescent Rebekah Lodge Friday eve
ming. May 29. II is hoped that all
members will make a special efiort To
be present
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-05-27

an Arizona cowboy with us and he
threw q rope over the fellows should
ers. We had to draw him nearly 200
feet before he got solid footing"
The crowd all looked relieved.
but the queerest part of it all was
the self-possession that the man
showed as soon as he found he was
safe resumed the story-teller.
What did he do?" eagerly asked
this man with dyed moustache.
why. he told the cowboy that il
was assault and battery. punishable
by two-years' Imprisonment. to lassS
n man with n rope. and proposed thai
the rescuer pay him $40 as a retainer
to defend him from the charge. Tit
man was a Chicago lawyer, yol
| know
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-05-27
EAST RUPERT


Everyone is very busy blowing.
planting. etc.
Quite a number attended the mem.
oral services at Dorset Sunday.
George Black OF Pawlet has been
Stating Wallace Towsley's house the
pas; week.
John Dennison and wife and Mrs.
Shaw were Sunday guests OF Charles
Perkins family.
Root Herrick. who is working over
Ia Rupert spent Sunday with his
mother and other relatives.
Schuyler Towsley and wife OF Paw
let spent Sunday with his parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Towsley.
Clayton Towsley and niece. Grace
Root went to Troy Sunday to see
Leonard Rogers who is still in the
hospital there.
Quite a number attended the social
at Burr Phillips in Dorset last Fri.
day evening and all report having
spent an enjoyable evening.
Mrs. Chapman of Dorset and Mr.
Elmer and family OF Manchester. al
so Mrs. Peltler and daughter of Dor
set were guests OF Earl Hills family
Sunday.
Miss Pauline Danrorth OF BennIng-
ton is staying with her grandmother,
Mes Emily Danforth for afew weeks
Mrs. Danforth has been i'll for long
time, but In slowly improving.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-05-27
cAsrLEroN NORMAL SCHOOL
Large Registration for Entering
Glass in September

Large Registration for Entering
Class in September
Present indications are that the
Castleton normal school will nave
one of the largest entering classes in
its history next September. Already
thirty-six girls have registered and
the dormitory is almos; filled. Last
fall the entering class numbered a
few more than fifty. but at the cor
responding time last fall, not half as
many had registered as at the pres
ent time. Those registered include
girls from Essex Junction. Cam
bridge, East Ryegate, Montgomery
Center. lrasburg Montpelier, Wilder
Calais. ST. Adams, Milton, Barre
Brattleboro, East Dover, Boston
Mass, Proctorvile MiddletOwT
Springs, Shoreham. Proctor, Poult'
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-05-27
Men and Women

Women as well as men are made
miserable by kidney and bladder
trouble. DR.. Kilmer's Swamp-Root,
the great kidney remedy, is highly
recommended by thousands.
Swamp-Root stands the highest for
the reason that so many people say
It has proved to be Just the remedy
needed in thousands OF even the
most distressing cases.
At druggists in soc. and sl.0O sizes
You may receive sample size bot
tie of Swamp-Root by Parcel Post
also pamphlet telling you about it
Address Or. Kilmer & Co, Bingham
ton, N. Y, and enclose ten cents, al
so mention the Bennington Evenini
Banner. ttt
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-05-27
SALISBURY

Mrs. Vincent Tllen and her two
children of Hoosick Falls are visiting
at the home of her parents, Mr. and
Mrs. ID. w. Harrington.
An unusual large congregation was
present Sunday at the Memorial ser
vios and two OF our old soldiers. who
fought in the civil war, VIM. ]. Har-
rington and Moses Hulett gave ad-
desses. The room was tastefully
decorated with flowers for the occas'
ion.
The following officers have been
elected for the parents-teachers as
sociation: President, Mrs. A. s. Hu
lett; vice president, Mrs. FLOYD Sher
win; secretary, Miss Gracia Peck,
treasurer, Mrs. c. l.. Hulett.
Miss Gracia Peck entertaind Sun
day four of her friends from Sand
| gate and Camden Valley.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-05-27
LAWYER FROM CHICAGO

who Figured in the story Told at the
tys qe+~s Club
The group at the club were telling
of strange adventures which they
had encountered or heard about in
various parts of the world.
.'But the most horrible experience
OF ali,r said the baldheatled men. lis
to be mired in "A quicksand, feeling
yourself slip inch by inch, deeper
and deeper, powerless to escape
while you watch a rising tide come
rolling toward you."
The, crowd oil shnddered.
show did Won finally get out?
asked the man with dyed mustache
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-05-27

the entering class, twenty-four arr
from outside Rutland County. and all
but one live so far away from the
school that they must live in the
dormit0ry. Nb
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-05-27
Rnnert. Salisbury

ney, Brandon. Rupert, Salisbury,
West Pawlet and Fair Haven.
The above list shows how thorough
ly the school is a state institution.
or the total number registered in
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-09-01
INCIDENT is NOT
El:AKDE.D As UNUSUAL,


WASHINGTON, August 30.-Statc De-
partment officials did not regard rs un-
usual the reported removal OF German
and Austrian reservists from American
ships OF IionEkonE, provided tho in
cidcnt occurred within the three mile
limit of the British port. lnnsmuch as
lionEkonE Is under British jurisdic-
tion. her warships could arrest the
nationals OF any belllgerent within
territorial waters.
What might be tho opinion OF the
American government IL the rcservists
were taken from American vessels on
the high seas is undetermined. State
Department officials said tonight no
complaint of that character had been
placed before them. The right of
search for contraband cargoes on the
high seas Is accorded BY all nations
TO belliBerent ship3; but tho right TO
take passenger from neutral ship
on the high seas long has been In
dispute. and no official OF the depart
mcnt was willing TO express an opinion.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-09-01
VERA CRUZ PORT CLOSED
BY ORDER OF CARRANzA
Funston Transmits Long Report on
Complications That May
Result.
OFFICIALS NOT DISTURBED
Fail 10 Share Disposition to Regard
Attitude as One of Resentment
Against Continued Occupancy by
American Troops,

WASHINGToN, August 3l-Provi-
sional President Carrauxa has ordered
the port OF Vera CRUZ closed. accord
government General Funston trans
rnitted long report on tho complica-
tions which might result. but state De-
partmeut officials were not inclined to
regard II "a m unfricndly action.
During tho IIucrta regime. Vera Cruz
was similarly closed. but foreign vcs-
sells paid little attention TO the order.
Carrauzas decree would prevent
Mexican ships from putting In at Vera
cruz, aud. ii enforced In an unfricndly
way. might exact heavy penalties from
foreign vessels entering amy other
Mexican port after they touched at
Vera cruz. General Funston called at
tention TO the possibility that foreign
shipowners desiring not to incur the
displcasure OF the Carranza administra-
tion. might hesitate to send cargoes
to Vera Cruz. diminishing the food
supply of the city
In Some quarters there was dis
position to regard Carranza's attitude
as one OF resentment against the con
tinued occupancy of Vera Cruz by
American troops. hut State Department
interruption in railway traffic between
Vera Cruz and Mexico City recently
occurred, but as soon as General
Funston announced he would keep all
rolling stock in Vera Cruz until traffic
was resumed. the Mexican authorities
explained that they were using the
trains TO transport troops and imme-
diately adjusted the schedules.
Paul Fuller personal representative
OF President Wilson, is due in Mexico
City tomorrow TO discuss with the
government there questions relating to
the American occupancy OF Vera Cruz
rs we'll as differences between Car
ranza and Villa. Although admlnistra-
ton officials have not announced their
position In any formal way, il IL gen
orally understood that recognition Will
be withheld until n complete agree
ment between the two chieftains has
been reached. and arrangements made
for n constitutional election
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-09-01
.|MPOL|T|C AT THIS TIME
TO DISCUSS PHILIPPINES
Consideration of Pending Meas
ure i'm House.
CONDITIONS TOO DISTURBED
Seizure by Japan OF All Gernany's
Pacific Possessions. II Is Declared,
Would Cause No Surprise-U. 5.
Warned Of Danger.

WASHINGTON, August 3i.-"The nh :
tions involved in the Far Eastern
struggle have many interests and ter
ritorial possessions in close proximity y
to the Philippines. and to discuss the
disposition OF the Philippines at this
time would bc impolitIc and extremely
unwise." declared a minority report OF
the House Insular Affairs Committee
to-day. on the pending Philippine in
dependence bill
The report. signed by the Rcpuhli-
cans of tho committee. declares Japan
might seize all of Germanys Pacific
possessions.
"a distinguished Japanese" said the
report. "once observed that the Phillip
pine Archipelago is but n continuation
OF their own. Terrtorially, we arc in
close relations with Japan, one Of the
nations now at war"
still closer are our territorial rela :
tions with Germany. The Samoan Is
lands in the South Pacific are divided
between England. Germany and the
United States.
Hawaii, with 191 900 population. has
So 900 Japanese and only TO- 900 Ameri-
cans. This group OF islands, I'm the
centre of the Pacific. probably is tho
most desirable strategic point In the
world.
SEIZURE ny JArAN WOULD
NOT CAUSE SURPRISE
TT is true Japan has stated that her
offensive operations would be confined
to Kiauchau. but why should they.
from Japans point OF vicw2 If, an
gered by stubborn resistance, severe
losses and pressed by an already
aroused war spirit among her people,
Japan should seize all OF Gernany'a
Pacific possessions. no one would be
surprised.
"T . enter on debate in which nil our
relations and interests in tlc facihc
would be discdss scd and oar rights in
the Philippines. Hawaii. Samoa and
Guam challenged. wuld he to encouraS &c
disregard to our interests and lead ma
tiors with opposing interests to be-
| iicve that the United states would
go far in defense of possessions so
! lightly regarded by those In control
OF this government. TO make the
wurll believe we are anxious to set
rid OF the Philippines IS to Invite ag-
grcssion. which would mean war
The report was signed by Represent
atives Towner. Iowa; Miller. Minno-
sota ITess. Onto; Young. North Ia
kota; Peters Maine. and Frear. OF VIA
consin. who advocated immediate leg
islation to meet commercial emergency
needs In the Philippines.
no OPPOSITION TO
| CONSERVATIVE FEATURES
The report declares that the minority y
10 not object to the conservative fea-
lures OF the Jones b!ll which provides
for recognition OF Philippine indcpcn
den &c when the Filipinos arc able 10
| Continued on Second Page)
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-09-01
REACH NO AGREEMENT
IN NEWPORT NEWS CASE
Members OF State Board OF Education
Adjourn Without Electing
District superintendent
ELECTIONS AT NIGHT SESSION
Offices mt Franklin and Bristol
filled-Action Also Taken I'm Pc
tersburg Casc-Name Committee
TO Distribute Fund of 5000 900.

with all of tho eight members pres
ent, the State Board OF Education failed
last night TO agree upon a district su-
perintcndent of schools for Newport
News 10 succeed Willis A. Jenkins, re-
signed, but elected new superintcnd-
cnt for the district OF Franklin and
supplied the superintendcncy nj Rris-
tol for The next full term,
The board assembled shortly before
noon. IT was past IL o'clock at night
when adjournment was ordered. the
date OF the next meeting to be agreed
upon later.
The elections were hold ut the night
session. W. p. Rucker was elected SUI
permit cndent of the Franklin District
10 succeed II. n. billiard. resigned lie
was opposed by four candidates-Mal-
colin Peters, s. \. Mcdonald. H. c.
Prilliman and Captain A. w b Hale
FITZPATRICK ELECTED
HEAD OF BRISTOL. SCHOOLS
F. s. Fitzpatrick. who has been act
ing as superintendent of schools at
Bristol for the last year, was elected
for the term ending June 90. 1917. He
was the unanimous choice OF the board
and had no opposition. When he was
appointed to the superintendency la
year. tho board was acting under an
opinion rendered by the former At
torney- General to the effect that only
resident of the district could be
legally elected superintendent OF
schools. Attorney General Pollard.
however. construed the law differently.
holding thnt the board has power to
choose superintendent from outside
the district in which the vacancy IS to
be supplied.
The board also took action in tho
Petersburg case. where the supcrin-
tendent OF schools has resigned be-
cause his wife is in i'll health, and he
contemplates moving out of tho State
temporarily. il was decided to retain
the superintendent If possible, per-
mitting him to absent himself for n
year. Accordingly. Superintendent oil
Public Instruction X. G. Stearnes was
instructed 10 appoint substitute for
the Petersburg schools for that period.
WILL HAVE COMMII'rEF: TO
DISTRIBUTE S200.000 FUND
Tho board adopted resolution au-
thorizinB Superintendent Stearncs TO
appoint committee to formulate q
plan for distributing the fund OF 5000.
600 appropriated by the last Legisla :
ture to be expended in providing bet
ter educational facilities for the re
motely situated country districts of tho
state. This money will be expended
chiefly on the one-room and two-room
schools.
II is probable that the board will not
mcet again until November. No inti-
nation OF tho time for the next meet.
ing. however, was given last night
Tho failure OF the board to take nc.
tion in the Newport News contest was
(ContInued On SIKH PogeN
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-09-01
OutdIstnnccn Cruiser.

SAN FRANCISCO. CAL, August al
Tho Japanese liner Chiyo Maru, which
arrived here to-day. reports that on
the night OF August 20 she was chased
Tor four hours by n German cruiser,
but escaped by crowdmg on all speed.
Tho cruiser appeared about $50 T. NJ
and throw her searchlightton tho Chiyo.
(Continucd on Scccnd Page \ -
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-09-01
nIsCoNTISUANCE GRASS WIDowERs,
TRAIN. CIIESArEAkE ANn nlIIn HN

The Grass W!dowers Special Train Monday
mornings from Waynesboro 10 Richmond win
be discontinued west OF Charlottesville after
Monday. September T.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-09-01
.REsERvIsTS REMOVED
FROM NEUTRAL VESSELS
der Germans and Austrlans on
Way to War.
HALTED BY BRITISH wARsHIrs
State Department Officials DO Not
Regard Incident as Unusual. Pro-
Nided II Takes Place Within Three
Mile Limit.

HONOLULU, August 3i.-Thc Ameri-
can liners Manchuria and China, of the
Pacific Mall Steamship Company s
Oriental feet, were halted by British
warships off ITonskong, and forced to
surrender sixty German, and Austrian
reservlsts bound for the European war
from tho Philippines. This was the
news brought by Captain Thompson and
Purser Landers. of the China, which
arrived here to-day bound for San
Francisco.
According 10 officers OF tho China. tho
Germans and Austrians before start
Ing on their journey. asked for and re-
celvcd assurances from Washington
that they could not be molested on an
American registered vessel. Then they
took passage for San Francisco. via
llonGkong, Shanghai Nngaski and
Honolulu.
On arriving ut Hongkong. the vcs-
sells were halted by ships OF the British
fleet the passengers were summoned
for inspection and'requircd to give their
nationality at the call or the purscr's
roll. Those who appeared 10 be Ger
mans or Austrians and could not prove
otherwise were taken to Stone Cutters
Island for detention. Two Germans
aboard the China claimed Swiss citizen
ship and were not held. All the Ger
man residents of Hongkong have been
held, Captain Thompson reports.
Manila newspapers OF August s, ar
riving here. confirm the captains story.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-09-01
,nErAnr>n ron ,,conors

Y mrtNSn or CAPITAL
L PARIS, Atnun - lstpS i I).-All
r h rs f.sm ,he south and
ir re hr"r arriving
p.i5l a1 ~ s9ing by rail
.'Ep -, q thc locations IN the
leirsilars ttihcetioiis 70 which they
~ ,epu tad@nod
e x le.fe -,4t af,iyitS On tic part
cue IA pst "iYsS a,Iwtn;stra
i,N eu.asmi - = eiis al The
-lstt 3s Ire jef,re~ - Paris
Z 80 s,iF.se -. 5f.u.tsi5n regarding Tic
= 'Fade public
II, annsuai animation noticed in the
sstrSe:s niav was caused chiefly hy
oavc the ,api'al MANY families are
lepaitins 81 matter OF prudence. II
.e' ~ az, .nS ~ ,ht 80 - ''o"'o'" 'a
T,,ir. liz. w., ,a .o,,,
'Alno -, '''7 80" 'o"'''
TVS 4, .,e,.l. .,r,,c,,.5 a. ,,o..,,s
r., -, ,,!, $50
, loIn w ~ al.''o,'s l'' 70 ~ ~
l,.'. ,f.,
.'. w. 49,,
/. ,.,o's ~ e., ,,'
5So ~ epeAt. ~ " LION ="
1 siilo.nInk, g. w p'aees on "
Sear,ims i,, 'o.us ~ oepn a so'u ,olc
Il a'ni"ss' WIZ ,heH hahd pssht &c
nor meals @N' s'Sp' ~ ocs' icy
'on.a. me-. ~ ., s,.
rue Snai 2 V.tas S'a.'oh w"b - 'en
" noon. ~ sro"n o. perhans '"o
SONS 'HeI li nv 'ntie Nt!e ~
Aa, no mo- l.Ns's Mouto oe -"
- ohi, ieW ~. W ~
ne o.neto f,cu the''s' ~
81. oi gig hours'
es,aems ,o''lSs,r. "mu -, ~ -. -
''eeH gu. ia'e'S ~ puo4tc s'he .ho ~
'esau, cttn8 oNefou,",n.u "I'n W. :.
vounded An ,,n,nnnse ,ro,yd ou,sloe
he place rcspnctfiilly salutcd no chief
executive as he arrived and dc tr'cd.
k3xPEnT treasures
CITIZENS CT PARIS
p.prr . ;.,o Nn
!. ,a,,,. 1fuSust e,S ,,,,,,
arv c,,,t,c ~ ,ha pat.t p i-n re-
ssures ihosn ,,.hn ,av ho trfo-niAned
tho nossih,a !, ensir , NJ paris
dac,ares.
Id for uenrlv 0yo month fs m
ttons mnch differant tn r7E. o.
day.
SECOND. that ,be C;ermans sa q ee
sposition. nj laast as far Nateuil-
,r-Marne. Of ina strass irg- paris
rough railroad lines Will, at pres
II they have not We. been able 10
uch the eastern fortified frontier,
ID have been driver back OF Nortagne.
jrth of valenc,enncs.
Third, that their sole line or COM
lunication, which passes by Eel GUM.
at this point so precarlo'!s that Il
an be destroyed IL. momen~
The investment OF Paris. r. declares.
I IT should occur. would bt notning
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-09-01
FRENCH CAPITAL
MAY Be REMOVED
TO CITY ON COAST
tficials Consider ~ ging
Seat of Government ON
Paris to Bordeaux,
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE
ON APPROACH OF GERMANS
Great Activity in Preparation
for Vigorous Defense Of
Threatened Town.
MANY LEAVE TO AVOID SIEGE
American Ambassador Will Not
Depart, Even i'm Case of
Investment.
2RECAUTl MEASURE
ON APPROACH OF GERMANS
MANY LEAVE TO AVOID SIEGE
American Ambassador Will Not
Depart, Even in Case of
Investment.

WASHING TON Angus Ji.--Frnnce
Is considering the advisabiiity. Of
rov.ng tho aeat ot her government
rom Paris 10 RordcauE a. a precau
iionary measure. according TO official
asv!ces received here to-day.
The French Foreign ohice has dis
cusg"d the flea Of moving the capital
viii foreign diplomats. SO that they
nay make propcr arrangements
u is considered most probable that
smSafselor lierr!cil would rcmain in
'aris - order 70 better care FOR Amer
an ahculi that ci,y be invested b.
hc German af7rS.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-09-01

LONDON. August 81 (4:4I
Taken at Its face value, 4
official announcement issue
day which mentions til hsasd
OF the German right wv
the allies to yield furtHs&
would seem to indicate that
mans. Notwithstanding repulsS
making daily advances toward
Tho statement on Sunday ot
Marshal Sir John French. com
of tho British forces, however
OF lighting on the French left. i
according to one report, resulted
German right being slightly TIL
The Austrian invasion of RI
the Luhlin district. which arou
apprehension of the allies has.
sian dispatches are to be relied
been blocked. and the Muscovlte.
TO have turned the RussianS de
into nm offensive action, Thesey
confirmation of the report s4th
Russians nre in Koenigsberg.
If silence means that there.
inG doing. Sir John Frenef
ment on Sunday that the
not been molested since
still holds good. NothiId M
by the public inAondor.f
ing either III
!! !; !. !, 3 !. , Y
France.
From
South
will sol 20
Some l|]
ready X
In,
not
bat
I'll
81 =
q a.