The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-22
NEW KIND OF GRAFT.


Washington Star.
'They frame up some new kind of a
grating game about every twenty minutes
over in the old town." said a New York
insurance man who was in Washington last
week. ''but a job that was recently put up
by dissolute chap in my business-life in
surance-and the sequel of the job came
pretty close to making a story
This fellow had been selling life in
surance of and on, for fifteen years, and
he's a corking good man at the work. too.
when he keeps himself in shape. But rum
and the ponies got him going, so that he
at length found himself unable to attach
himself to any OF the companies as a regu-
lar man and picked UP a precarious liveli-
hood by healing live ones occasionally for
the different life insurance companies of
New York.
about six weeks ago, after a prolonged
jamboree, this reckless chap found him.
self down and out, without the price of a
shave. Then he began to get busy as to his
thinking apparatus One of his running
mates was a dissipated sculptor, man OF
fine talent, who had done some splendid
work already and could easily become dis
tinguished were 1t not for his frequent
huge sprees. The insurance man and the
sculptor had been swirlng around New
Yorks together on their toots for a good
many years. The sculptors wife had been
compelled to leave him on account OF his
irregular habits.
We'll, when he awoke without the price
in his clothing the life insurance man dug
up his pal, the sculptor. and found that
talented artist on the water wagon for the
reason that he hadn't a soumarkee where
with to take the drop from the sprinkling
cart.
"'Chum,' said the insurance man to the
sculptor, I've got a scheme. I'm going 10
get you to insure your life for $1,000
Don't make me laugh-my lips are
chapped,' replied the busted sculptor,
I" For $4,000 repeated the insurance man.
And you can throw that nice little policy
in your wffe's lap as peace offering. and
If that don't get your happy home together
again I'm bum guesser.'
} IS dream on dismally said the sculptor
Its easy said the insurance man.
You're a big. well-muscled and healthy
proposition, and locker. You're a dis
tinguished sculptor. engaged in making a
big name for yourself, and with the pros
| for the st. Louis fair. You're a sound risk
and man of pretty fair means. You've
got the buds to put up front-top hat and
all that, and / can rig IL up so that they Il
| salaam before you when / take you over
to the Office of the company TO be looked
over and examined by the doctor. You
thing, that, eh?-for I'm pret certain that
| I'll be able to get you three months time
| on your note for the first premium. How
! about it,?
Amy old thing said the sculptor
1.-The insurance man hfked right down
| TO the Office Of one OF the companies with
which he had been doing business for a
number of years. and where he was known
| as hustler and digger when he kept
| himself right, and told the manager that
| he had snagged a toppy live one-sculptor
4 OF reputation. designer OF such-and-such
| statues etc. and that he was going 10 In
sure him for $4,000 That sounded pretty
good TO the manager. for the dissolute in.
| surance chap with the scheme on hand
was a manipulation of sound wind In class
| A
Fetch your sculptor along for examina-
| tion.' said the manager.
I'm have him down this afternoon.