True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-03-17
q RAGAN, Editor and Proprietor,

plan is 10 insure manageable girls,
against the great evil of their existence
against being old maids"
"Hum-m-m," ruminated the man of
wealth, again fixing round him his robe
de chan,bre, which the slight irritation Of
the momen. had displaced
"The idea is ingenius."
"You perceive that natural desire,
which must arise in every lady's bosom
10 avoid celibacy, will incline her to
insure, and the profits must be enormous"
"Yes that is clear enough but how
will you manage the rate Of insurance."
"That must be graduated, according to
the beauty, fortune and talents of each.-'
The chances of old madhood cannot be
the same for all, nor do l propose to
insure all for the same age ;one may be
fixed at twenty, another at twenty five,
and third even so late as thirty .ive.-
But after the expiration of the time agreed
on, if the lady remains without husband,
the indemnify must be paid, and this will
constitute fortune, which in many cases
will obtain for her the partner she desi-
res."
"But will the company reserve TO itself
The power Of acting in any way it may
deem advisable, to procure husbands for
the insured before the term fixed on"
| "Most assuredly: the company Of
course cannot repounce any means of
bringing aboRt its object but must employ
all which may seem advantageous: in
fact, the indemnity will scarcely ever be
required 10 be paid, and, that is the rea-
son why the speculation is so splendid" ="
"Yes, see that there must arise some
gains" ..
"Immense profits and not a single oss,"
interrupted the advocate Of the new insu-
rance company, seeing that his host was
balancing towards the project ''If an
insurance is effected against death, moth
ing can hinder persons from dying if il is
made against fire, how can you prevent
houses from burning? if you insure
against the perls of water, how can ship
wrecks be put stop to! But insuring
against remaining single; all you have to
do is to marry off as quickly as possible
your customers.
IL suppose that the company will take
care TO have always at its disposal num-
Der of gentlemauly bachelors, of good
character and education, physicians, sur
geons, literary men, barristers, merchants,
and scientific men, whom il may employ
10 gain the hearts Of those who are to be
married."
"That is an indispensable condition Of
success, and I interd taking on myself
the care Of that particular duty"
"Well, then, | am your man. Let the
matter rest between us two-no noise
no puAiing-nothing but secrecy, activity
and cIeverness. Get the bond partner
ship prepared, and ge, the act constituting
the society duly passed through the
proper forms. am willing 10 advance
eight hundred thousands francs, which
. will be amply sufficient for the capital
You on the other hand will throw into
the stock your zeal and activity, and the
profits shall be divided / ac. generous.
ly, as you may perceive" r.le
The young man took his leave exceed
ingly satisfied with his visit, and spring
ing into his cabriolet, returned 10 Paris.
In a few days he brought the necessary
papers, and the matter was speedily ar
ranged.
After M. Lebrun had signed and re.
turned them to the young speculator, he
addressed him thus s'g. b
"Monsieur, you are now director ol
the new company, and l need scarcely say
that wish you success. Toprove to you,
however, that | really have deeply at
heart the success Of our speculation. | in.
tend to commence the business myselfby
iasuring my daughter. She shall be first
in the list Of young ladies' to obtain hus-
hand. Fill up the blank Of the printed
form" n u.'' 'i ..s,j - iI
sage" demanded the director, a
"Seventeen."
"Name and sir name 7" '@'a."
"Euphemia Lebrun.' aa,'
"Face 4 In ,.~p.
Decidedly pretty"
"Iaents 7"
emusic, dancing, horticulture"
"Forlune 7" HH.
"All that l posses when | die, and
eight hundred thousand francs on the day
: of her marriage"
: "That will do, Monsieur"
"You may fix the rate yourself, and the
age at which the indemnity shall be paid,''
said the father proudly, as he thought oI
the charms of his only daughter. gus
7 "There is every reason to hope thai
Mademoiselle Euphemia will have nc
claims on US for indemnity" said the
young partner as he collected his papers
/ and departed.
As he passed through the pleasure
grounds which surrounded the villa, in
{ order to reach his csbriolet, which he di.
: rected to wal, for him OF the gate OF the
park. he preceved a young and lovely
Q girl in the midst Of the flowers on which
she was lavishing her cares. Unaware
THAT any one was near, she was singing