Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 February 1874 — A Disheartened Insurance Agent. [ARTICLE]

A Disheartened Insurance Agent.

A family named Kemper moved into a house in our row last week, writes Max Adler, and Benjamin P. Gunn, the life insurance agent, who lives in the same row, was the first caller. He dropped in to see if he could not take out a policy foi Mr. Kemper. Mrs. Kemper came down to the parlor to see him. “ I suppose,” said Gunn, “ that Mr. Kemper has no insurance on his life?’ “ Jfo,” said-Mrs. Kemper. “ Well, I’d like to get him to take out a policy in our company. It’s the safest in the world; the largest capital, smallest rates and biggest dividends.” “ Mr. Kemper don’t take much interest in such things now,” said’ Mrs. K. “ Well, madam, but he ought to, in common justice to you. No man knows when he will die, and by paying a ridiculously small sum now, Mr. Kemper can leave his family in affluence, l-’d like to hand you. fdr him, a few pamphlets con taining statistics upon the subject; may 1?” “ Of course, if you wish to.” “ Don’t you think he can be induced to insure?” asked Gunn. “I hardly think so,” replied Mrs. Kemper" “He is in good health, I suppose? Has he lately of being sick?” “ Not lately? 1 ’ “ May I ask if he has any considerable wealth?” “ Not a cent.” * “ Then of course he must ’insure. No poor man can afford to neglect such an opportunity, I suppose he travels sometimes; goes about in railroad cars and other dangerous places ?” “ No, he keeps very quiet.” ” “Man of steady habits, I s’pose?” “ Very steady.” “ He is just the very man I want,” said Gunn, “ I know I can §ell him a policy.” “ I don’t think you can,” replied Mrs. Kemper. “Why? When will he be home? I’ll call on’him. I don’t know any reason why I shouldn’t insure him.” I know,” replied Mrs. K. “Why?” “ He has been dead twenty-seve* years 1” said the widow. 4 Then Gunn left all of a sudden. He will not insure any of the Kempers. Dbop Ginger Cake One ctfp of molasses, half a cup of butter, half a cup of water, three cups of flour, two teaspoonfuls of ginger, one of soda. Drop with a spoon on a buttered tin.