Birmingham age-herald., 1895-03-23
A MATTER OF POLICY

A MA IEh UT fULlC |
 Milton J. Tonteen was young insurance agent who was naturally very anxious to get business for his company There was one man that young Mir. Tonteen wanted very much to get, and that was old Bolus, the millionaire. He felt that if he could rake in the old man, who was not so very old after all, it would be good name with which to getothers. because everything that Dolus touched seemed to turn to gold, and people were very much in the habit of try ing to get into the schemes in which the old man Bolus was interested. Tonteen had tried and tried again to get Mir. Bolus in terested in life insurance. but his efforts had all been without avail. He was talk. ing one time about this millionaire to friend of his, a young physician, when the latter said:
 Look here, Tonteen, one good turn de. serves another. Now, if you make me one of the examiners for your company, I'll agree to help you rake in old man Bolus."
 Its bargain" said Tonteen, and forth with the young physician was appointed
 Now" said that gentleman to Tonteen, ''you go to Bolus and offer him S10,000 in- r1rance for nothing"
 "Oh. but can't do that" said Tonteen; "the company would never sanction such proceeding"
 That's all right" replied the doctor "you go and offer him that and see how quick he will jump at it."
 Why, if you offered old Bolus a cent he would take it quicker than wink"
 You offer him the insurance and tell him there will be nothing to pay and send him to me to be examined"
 So the next time that Tonteen went into the office of Mir. Bolus he said to him, not withstanding that gentlemans frown and wave of the hand: Look here, Mr. Bolus, business is business I will not conceal from you the fact that if I got you on our list 1t would be very good thing for our company. Our company recognizes that, and so they authorize me to offer you e10,0Oo insurance on your life for nothing. We will take the risk for the advantage it will give us to carry you. Of course you understand that this thing has to be kept quiet; we wouldn't care to have anybody else know it."
 That's all right" said Bolus genially. "Now, young man, you are talking sense l will accept that proposition, and some time perhaps will take a little more in your company"
 II am sure," said Tonteen, "when you see the advantages of carrying life insurance that you vii. have more of It. Now, if you can call around on our examiner, Dr. Bones, corner First and Blank streets, he will ex. anime you"
 "See here," said Bolus, "I haven't time to go fooling round a doctors office. Can't you send him up here."
 All right" said the insurance agent. ''I'll see about it. What time would suit you bestp"
 "Oh, l don't know Any time in the forenoon" and so it was arranged.
 Young Dr. Bones was kept waiting some time for MT. Bolus, but at last he was asked to step into the private office, and the door closed behind him. He stood the old man up and made him breathe long breatbs, and then thumped him on the shoulders, and listened to his heart, and placed his ear back of him and front of him in different positions, and finally stood up and looked at the millionaire severely.
 Ever been rejected by any insurance company" said the doctor.
 Certainly not, sir." answered Bolus hot ly. Never applied for a cent of insurance in my life."
 Well, am sorry to say, Mir. Bolus, that cannot recommend our company to take you as a risk. There is something the mat. ter with your heart. You may drop dead at any moment, sir"
 Old Bolus turned pale and then sank into his office chair again.
 "Oh, it may be nothing serious" said the doctor, "only our company is very careful about such matters, and of course have great responsibility. If you should drop off three months after have made this ex- animation, then would be in trouble. l wish you good morning, sir"
 Old Bolus sat for some time looking into space and paid no attention to the knocks at his door. Finally he called up his boy and told him to telephone to Mr. Tonteen. When that gentleman came he found the millionaire in state of mind.
 ''See here," he said, what do you mean by offering me slo,ooo insurance and then having your physician reject me9 What do you expect to make by that sort of conduct, sir?"
 Really" said Tonteen. "has he rejected youP Why, l wouldn't have thought it. You look to me as healthy man as walks the streets"
 And so l am, sir, and so am."
 Well, see here," said Tonteen conflden- tially, this is rather serious, you know. Perhaps Bones is mistaken"
 "Of course he's mistaken" cried the mil. lionaire, smiting his fist on the desk
 Well, the trouble will be that if you ap- ply for insurance anywhere else you will have to tell them that you have been re- jectcd by our company"
 But, sir, haven't been rejected. Inever nude application to your company, and refuse to have it considered so"
 "I nm sorry to say" said Tonteen, that your application has already gone ii You remember you signed it' Now, l'lilelI you what we had better do. ,-r. ColGs. --u