Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 April 1877 — A Disappointed Canvasser. [ARTICLE]

A Disappointed Canvasser.

A young man from St. Ixniis arrived in this city about a month ago, and, after trying several lines of business, read in the 7'ribuno that Presidents of life instance companies received salaries ranging from |67,000 to SOO,OIO. “That’s Just about my size.” said this misguided young man. ami forthwith set to work and obtained a situation as canvasser for the Great Mammoth Consolidated Life Insurance Association. He had a good deal of buoyant hope when he ret out yesterday morning, for he had figured out that no would take four applications by dark, the average premium on which would be, say thirty-eight dollars, on which his commission at 80 per cent, would be $45.60. Then he went to the door of an office, and. after introducing himself, asked the proprietor if he would insure his life. Before he could get any fhrther, the proprietor threw a paperweight at him and jumped for a niler. At tie next place he was called (by a man who had formerly been insured in the New York Security) a swindler of the widow and orphan, who ought to be shot down like a Spitz dog. At the next Since, where the clerk in charge was eaf, he was informed categorically that they wanted no peanuts, suspenders, potlifters, core-salve, ate. Finally, at 5:80, he found himself cold, hungry and discouraged,, without having been permitted to tell anyone anything more than that he represented the Great Mammoth Consolidated Life Assurance Association. At this critical moment he met a portly and benevolent gentleman, whose gold-bowed spectacles and ruddy, smiling face encouraged the canvasser to attack him. Accordingly he began (in accordance with Rule 7 of the “ Book of Instructions to Canvassers”) by some casual remark as to the weather. The benevolent gentleman said the weather in Chicago was very uncertain. “ Yes,” said the canvasser, with a sigh, “ and so is life.” “ True, true," saiathe old gentleman; “and it behooves us to make provision for our families, for we know not the day nor the hour when we may be lying under the beautiful snow-white daisies." “Life insurance," said the canvasser, instinctively dodging for fear the old gentleman would hit him with his benevolent, gold-headed cane, “ life insurance is not a bad thing." “ Life insurance is a praiseworthy, an excellent, an admirable, I may say, a big thing," replied the benevolent gentleman, warmly. “ Perhaps you_ are not insured?" said the canvasser, “for, if so, you might find it to your advantage to patronize the company I represent.” The old Sutleman asked him what the name of at company was, and, having been informed, asked him many questions as to its solvency, amount of new policies issued last year, the salaries of its officers, etc., then’ (for by this time they had arrived at his residence) asked the canvasser to enter, and told the servant he would be engaged with a gentleman in the library for some time on very important business. Then he and the canvasser sat down, andthe canvasser showed him precisely what it would cost for a policy of $20,0®, with participation in the proffis, and how long he might be expected to live, and, just as he thought he had him booked, the benevolent old gentleman said: “My friend, I am delighted with your knowledge of the business and the energy you have displayed. lam the Western General Manager of the Great Mammoth Consolidated Life Insurance Association, and I shall not fair to notice your career hereafter. You will probably become —nay, youcannot fail to become —one of our most successful agents.” “ So,”’ said the canvasser, in a low, but hissingly distinct tone, “you are the Western General Agent?" “lam, young man, I am,’" proudly replied the benevolent okLgentleman. “Then here is my resignation,” said the infuriated canvasser, ana he dealt the Western General Agent a blow on the noee that sounded like a kiss at a country depot, and fled from the house. — Chicago Tribune. , - j