Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-05-29
An In.urance Agent . soId.n

Borem was the soliciting agent of the Gotham
Life Insurance Company In this city. His BUSH
ness was to induce as many Of the mortal popula-
ton of this world possible to insure their lives
in his company. Of course, it was good thing
for them, better thing for the company, and the
best thing for Borem. Because, according to b.
rcm's bargain with the company he was entitled to
ten per cent on every policy taken out by any man
whom he solicited, and five per cent. on every
years renewal. No sooner was this agreement
made than Borem commenced and carried out a
system Of visitation and solicitation SO extended
and thorough, that, in the course of two or three
years, there wns not live man in the community
whom Borem had not bored almost to death to in
duce him to insure his own precious life. Every
day he compared his own books of memoranda
with the records of the company, and when he
found that man was down with whom he had
spoken with, even if 1t were months or years be-
fore, he claimed him as his man, showed his en-
tries, and pocketed his premium.
In this way It was fast coming to pass that all
the parties insuring in the company were yielding
a profit TO Borem, whose per centage was eating up
the profits of the business. So far did he carry
his system that he would stand in the street near
the Office and whenever he saw man entering
he would address him, Going to insure, sir ?"
Then taking his name and address, would book him
AS one Of his men, and demand his per cent. on
the score of having solicited him. The company
him of, by paying him $4,000, and giving him
handsome policy on his own life. With this sum
he has now bought him splendid farm, and Is
living q nabob on the previous profits he had made
out of this very profitable business.
Many very cute stories are told Of his opera
tons to seduce the careless into an insurance
against the ravages of the destroyer, by securing
a provision for their families in case Of death. One
of these instances is worth relating:
Mr.. Lively had q dry-gOods store above Cham
bers street, and, moreover, had an interest in
brokers' store in Wall street. Now, Borem had
often seen the merchant up town; for Mr. Lively
was part Of the day in one place and part of the
dly in the other. 1t had not occurred to Borem
that the Lively of one latitude was the Lively of
the other; and so, calling in at the Wall street
Office, he says:
"Mr Lively, believe, SrS"
"That is my name said the gentlemen ad-
dressed.
"Ahl yes, sir; you have brother have you
notf"
"Yes,n said Mr.. Lively, al have twin brother"
"Oh, yes, know him. said Mr.. Borem, "he is
merchant up town. He Is about insuring bis life
In our company and | called to ask IL you would
not like 70 insure at the same time"
Mr.. Lively knew what Borem was up to; and
saving that he would think of il, turned away;
-Borem isft the Office. Mr.. Lively followed him
out, passed on the other side Of the street. and
reached his store few minutes before Borem,
who was on his way up. Mr.. Lively was reading
the Newspaper when Boren entered, and coming
up TO him, said: ast
"Mr Lively, believe, sirr
aThat is my name" said the merchant.
"Ah yes, sir; you have a brother, have you
notf"
"Yes," said Mr. L., ~ have twin brother"
"0h, yes, / know him, said Borem; "he Ia
broker In Wall street. He Is about insuring his
n = a
would like 10 insure at the same time
Mr.. Lively said be would think Of e.; and Bo-
rem took his leave, after pressing the subject with
his customary volubility and impudence. The next
day he called on Mr.. Lively the broker, and the
day following on Mr.. Lively the merchant; and
this visitation he continued for two weeks, making
six Gala at each place Of business In all twelve
times that he bored poor Mr.. Lively, without sus.
pccting that the two brothers were one and the
same man. At last the Mr.. Lively up town agreed
thai II his brother would meet him next day at
Mr.. Wights--a mutual friends, who Borem said
was going TO insure--he would apply, and all three
would take out a policy at the same time. IL
have just discovered" said Boron to Mr.. Lively
"bow TO distinguish you iom your brother-there
is little bit more Of protuberance on the bridge
Of your nose"
range for the meeting Of the brothers Lively
"The brothersl" said Mr.. Wright. What
brothersT
"why, the merchant over here and the brother
In Wall street."
Its the same man, Borem; you've been
sold"
81 hsve-I see II all its fact. I'm done for.n
And rushing back TO Mr. Livelys store, he looked
in, and putting his finger the handle Of his face,
he said, lsughingly, Come to think of II, Mr..
Lively, your nose Is just about the same size as
your brothers."
But Borem never recovered from the mortifca-
ton Of hs trckcry exposed, and IL probably helped
10 bring him to terms In his settlement with the
company.-Harper's Magazine.