Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-12-15
DIDN'T GET THE POLICY.
Case of Farmer Who Wanted to Have
Fun With Insurance AGENTS.

1t was Harry Borland's first trip in
the employ Of the Pan-American In
surance company. He had talked
much, but little business had come
his way. He had just come to realize
that it takes an exceptionally good
man to interest a farmer in life or ac-
cident insurance, when he chanced on
good lead
ITS no use wasting your breath on
me-" said a rural prospect" But
! I'll put you next to some sure busi-
ness"
The eternal hope sprang within
Borland's breast as he gasped,
"Where?"
go up along the lake and walk by
the white pine forest. You will come
to a farm next to the trees. That's
Dunwoddy's place. Dunwoddy takes
out policy with every insurance man
that comes his way"
Borland hurried along the hot and
dusty road.
Dunwoddy was sitting on his porch
when the insurance agent approach
ed. The farmer was long and slim,
with the look Of the confirmed pessi-
mist. Rorland sized him up as an
easy victim, and with confidence and
self possession he unloosened his
opening-speech.
Dunwoddy listened patiently. lis it
the biggest and best company in the
world?" he asked languidly.
Certainly" said Borland. 1--WE
have ten millions in reserve. We paid
out two millions in claims last year.
The agent, enthused, opened his
satchel and produced a bunch of in
with our company, sir. No trouble
for the unfortunate widow and or
phans. And the rates, Mr. Dunwoddy? :?
Now, what will be your age at your
next birthday"
The farmer whitfield a stick of
wood and contemplated, in an absent
manner, the little pile Of shavings.
1T wasn't myself l was thinking
Of" he said, dreamily.
Daughter, sir?" queried Borland,
sorting his forms with nervous fin
gers. What age is she, sir?"
Dunwoddy, stood up and turned to-
ward the door of the house.
Come inside and We'll talk 1t
over" said he.
The agent was happy. His face
glowed with delight while his heart
throbbed with visions Of fat COM
mission.
Dunwoddy motioned him to a bro
l,A, hn1 oh ha
himself on q stool between the visitor
and the door. The farmer seemed to
be pondering over some difficult prob
lem, and Rorland, seeing that he did
not hear his remarks about the bene-
fits of life insurance, stopped talking
and waited developments.
After a few moments Of silence
Dunwoddy drew his stool closer and
leaned forward.
wish you had turned up last
week." he said, hoarsely.
Better late than never" said Bor-
land, cheerfully. I'm in time II your
good lady is willing"
That's just It," said Dunwoddy,
moodily. She's dead"
The agents backbone seemed to
collapse with his nerve as he dropped
forward.
II thought you wanted to insure
her." he stammered.
$50 I do," said Dunwoddy, quietly.
Rorland's face was white and ghast-
ly He thought of the two miles Of
sandy road that separated Dun
woody's place from that Of the near
est neighbor. The mournful sobbing
of the pines seemed now not only
weird but actually oppressive.
But you cannot insure her now
it's impossible!"
Mr.. Dunwoddy moved nearer, grasp
ed the trembling knees Of the terrified
salesman and whispered: mo one
knows she's dead!"
The agent could not speak. The
Weird dirge Of the pines increased in
volume. A lean, toll battered hand
pointed to a long box beneath
stretcher on the other side of the room.
She's in that, and want you to in
sure her for $4,000. Wait and I'll show
her to YOU" He released Borland's
knees and pulled him by an arm to the
long box, kicking the lid off and re-
vealing a figure wrapped in canvas.
Il fixed her with this" said Dun
woody calmly, patting the large blade
of the knife he had used In his medita
tive whiting. She has been giving
me too much trouble of late and I got
tired of it,
The agent showed signs Of a col
lapse. Dunwoddy, knife in hand, push
ed him backward He landed on
chair in a heap.
Come wake up" said Dunwoddy
with a peculiar glitter in his eyes.
Get out your forms and We'll insure
her. I'll give you $500 when get their
check"
He let the knife drop, point down.
ri or, In hn 10
saw a chance in humoring the unarm-
ed madman.
Yes, sir, will. Five thousand dol
lar policy? Yes, sir, certainly" The
fountain pen Travelled with speed
across the printed form.
"What-what name. sir?" asked Bor-
land.
Julia Mary Dunwoddy," said the
farmer.
What age will she be on her next
birthday"
Dunwoddy looked puzzled. He con-.
templated the ceiling.
rapidly.
Yes but we must write it in the
policy.
All right" said Dunwoddy. I'll
see what age she was on her last birth
day. It's entered in the family Bible"
He moved across the room to the
parlor door to consult the volume that
graced the handicapped center table,
and the agent saw his opportunity.
With a leap that cleared the stool he
was in the doorway, and in less time
than it takes to tell it he had dashed
down the green path and made flying
handspring over the stone wall, leav-
ing his satchel with the forms and
fountain pen i'm the Dunwoddy man.
sion. A mad shout came to him as a
stone whiZZed by his head.
An hour afterward BOrland, with
clothes dust coated, breathlessly relat-
ed the story of the murder of Mrs.
Dunwoddy to the constable in the
nearest town. When he had finished
the thrilling narrative the officer
laughed until the tears came to his
eyes.
Did you run all the way?" he asked.
Borland stammered a mechanical
yes"
We'll, that a shame. You're a nerv-
ous-looking man and maybe you have
heart disease. I'll have to be speaking
Ito Dunwoddy or he will be killing one
of you fellers. You are the fourth in