The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-09-15

wife remarked that she should thinf
he would be afraid to carry So muct
money around in that way. =.
"Yes," he replied; "but am NOR
afraid of banks, and for that reason, i
want to invest in something that will
make me good paying business"
At this juncture, a young man raped
at the door, and when admitted, began
introducing a wall bracket, in which tc
place newspapers, etc. He explained
that he travelled with horse and buggy
and was taking orders, to be deliverei in.
side of 30 days, whereupon the insurance
man asked him in which direction he
was going. The bracket man, pointing
south, said: 'This way"
"How would you like company for a
short distance?" asked the insurance
man. lam going south, but ain tray
cling on foot, and if agreeable to you,
should like to ride with YOU"
Very WE'LL" said the bracket man,
'only too glad of your company"
After taking the farmers order for a
bracket, he remarked that he was ready
to go. The insurance man, turning to
the farmer, inquired the amount of his
bill. Being Informed that there were no
charges, he politely invited the farmer
to accompany him to the gate.
"You may slip your valise under the
seat" said the bracket man. This the
insurance man did, and after cordial
good-by to the farmer, and assuring him
of his prompt return within three or
four days, he entered the buggy. But, in
stead of going south, the bracket man
turned about and started directly north.
Hold on" cried the insurance agent.
"This isn't south; you ere going north,
and must go SOUTH"
Bringing his horse to a stop. the
bracket man apologized profusely for his
blunder, and declared that north was the
only direction he could go, as the terri
tory south didn't belong to him. OF
course, there was nothing else for the in
surance agent to do, but get out, and,
reaching under the buggy seat he brought
forth his valise.
BY this time the farmers wife and all
the children were at the gate, and all
were interested and amused over the in
cident. The insurance agent once more
babe them good-by, and started off on
foot. Suddenly, however, he turned
about, and, in hesitating way, scratched
his head, then returning to the gate,
where the whole family was still congre-
gated. he said:
"See here, really don't like to be
carrying this stuff around, and want
you to take this valise, and lock it up un-
til l return. have money enough in my
vest pocket to last me until l get
back"
Only too glad of the opportunity, the
farmer did as requested, when once
again the insurance man babe them an
other goodby, and started off.
The farmer, now absolutely sure OF
making the deal, Immediately hitched up
his best team and drove pell-mell to AL
rora, where he found the general agent
in his room at the hotel, in business up to
his ears. There were before him charts
and letters galore, from all sections OF
the country, some wanting one county,
some another, and all in desp erate
straits for more or less territory. Un-
der much excitement, the farmer ex-
planned that he wanted 20 counties at
once, and produced slip of paper with
the names of those desired.
"Have you the cash to pay for them:"
asked the general agent.
Il can get it within 20 minutes" gasped
the farmer.
WELL" replied the general agent, Il
hate to do it, because am certain it will
spoil the other deal; but go ahead get
your money right away, and will make
out your papers, and have them ready
on your return"
The money was forthcoming, and the
deed duly executed and witnessed, and
the farmer fastened home to await the
return of the insurance agent. At the ell
piration of four days there was anxiety
depicted on the face of the farmer, and
an II told you so" look on the face of the
wife. Another day, and both were walk
ing the floor Two days more and all
excited visit was made upon my farmer
relatives, when the entire transaction
was fully narrated and discussed.
The farmer knew that he had the cash.
and possibly hundreds Of dollars, If not
thousands more than was due him, there
in the house, locked up in that valise, but
the question was, why should the man
stay away, and if he didn't return, what
would be the proper and legal procedure
to take. :;
Two days before my arrival, the farm
er again visited Aurora, to find that his
general agent had flown. He consulted
a lawyer, who advised him to Immediate
ly return home, call in two or three
as witnesses, and break open
the valise.
His advice was followed, and when
opened, the valise was found to be filled
with three or four old shirts, in which
were wrapped two or three bricks. The
balance of the space was stuffed with ex!
celsior. <3s
The reader will readily understand the
state of mind my dear farmer relativeS
were in. to receive and entertain me, a