The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-06-23
Now the Mortgage Was Paid A
True Story

1859, an agent of the Old Line Bankers
Life Insurance company drove into
the farmyard of John Ottersberg, llv-
ing near the town of Adams, in Gage
county, Nebraska. Mr.. Ottersberg
was at work repairing his farm wagon.
Near him stood his wife, bright ap-
pearing young German woman, and
about her were three small children,
the Oldest not over sever years.
The agent presented his business
end received the interested attention
OF husband and wife, while the baby,
In the mothers arms, patted her
cheeks with itc little hands, and
looked askance at the strange man.
The appealing eyes of the wife as they
rested on one or other of the children
added force to the agents argument.
1t was just such a situation as an
agent likes. 1t is indeed poor man
who will not listen attontivcly to a
proposition which will, at very little
cost to himself, leave his wife and
children we'll provided for at his
death.
When Mr.. Crum had thoroughly ex-
planned the plan and demonstrated its
benefits, came the inevitable question
will you take it," 1t was now John
Ottersberg's turn to talk. Admitting
1t was good-that he needed it-tbat
his wife and children needed it, he
said: 1T is impossible. Last summer.
bought this eighty. / paid down all
! shad-S50O. / still owe $4,000. To
pay the interest and reduce TIE prln-
clpal little each year will tax us
to the uttermoct. Hannah and | will
need to work Early and late to de- it,
and unless God smiles we vii, fail"
1T is true" said Mr.. Crum, that III
will require economy, good manage
ment, and hard work to paysyOur debt,
but suppose you die this year or next,
do you think your wife, who must hi1e
man to take your place. paying ni1r
three or four hundred dollars year.
will be able to pay it easier? Is it not
true that, II you die, she, being with
out relatives or interested friends in
this country, will lose the farm? She
and the children will certainly. suffer.
Is il not also true that when she ad-
vertises the Gale of personal property
and stock, to pay funeral expenses,
the neighbors will come, not to pay
her fair price, but to lid 1t III at a
bargain? Bill, as he hears the place
of sale, will meet Joe and say. Now.
Joe, | don't want you TO bid en- that
yeaTling bull. | want he bull All
right says Joe, if you don't bid on
the colt, you can have the bull We'll,
why not. Why should The Ieighbors
be more kind Or considerate to your
wife and children than you, their nat
uTal protector? &
You are twenty-eight years or age.
For less than three per cent more in
terest than you are now paying, you.
can insure the payment of tie mort
gage If you die, and leave the wife and
children seven hundred dollars aGJi-
tional in cash. In other words, three
thousand of insurance will cost you
S64.S0 PEI annum for twent, years.
Ii means home for your wife, and
an education for your children"
John ottersberg took the policy and
paid s64.so. May 25. 1899. The wife
smiled. Putting her hand on her hts
bands shoulder. she said: We will
work a little harder. joan. Nothing
Of treat value can ever be chtalned
without great effort The children.
though not understanding why. knew
their mother was glad. and bashlully
responded to the efforts Of the agent
10 make their acquaintance As ne
las ina ffttfa npa a., a. ,..atha,.,. ......