The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-08-12
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BEFORE AND AFTER
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BY BERTRAM LEBHAR.

office door, which bore the gilded leg
end: Lawrence Goodale-Real Els
tate
This looks like good one saiC
Sammy to himself There's some
thing about the name which sound;
promising Without ever having seer
him, I'll wager Mr.. Goodale is a nice
easy-going gentleman, who'll listen u
my proposition and turn me away
with kind word and a smile, even
if he doesn't fall for my spiel Here
goes"
He pushed open the office door, soft
ly entered and closed it after him
The stout, iiery-faced man seated al
the roll-top desk did not much resem
BILE the mental picture of nice, easy
going gentleman Nevertheless, the
young man was not abashed.
Mr. Lawrence Goodale, presume.
he began boldly, taking seat near
the desk without waiting for an in.
vitation.
Let me know your business, and
I'll tell you whether you presume or
not, young man, growled the other,
looking at Sammy suspiciously.
"Ha, ha." laughed Sammy Good
joke that! I'm glad to see you're in
such fine spirits, my dear Mr.. Good
ale. You're looking splendid, too-a
veritable picture of health, if | may
be permitted to say so.
Huh. Did you come here to dis
cuss my physical condition." demand
ed the other angrily.
Yes, sir, | did A mans physical
condition is something well worth
discussing, Mr. Goodale. A man ought
to be thinking about his health all the
time. Now, you're looking pretty good
today; but week from now you may
get caught in the rain and contract a
severe cold. Pneumonia may develop,
and in a few days your family may
be deprived Of"
"Aw, cut it OUT" interrupted Mr.
Goodale angrily Il thought | had you
sized UP right. You've got something
to sell, of course. Well, | don care
whether it's patent medicine or
new kind of raincoat Whatever 1t is,
don't want it, I'm very busy, and
you're wasting my time. Get out Of
my office before throw you out. You
peddlers are growing to be an awful
pest.
"Peddlers!' cried Sammy reproach-
fully. my dear Mr.. Goodale, how could
you? You do me a grave injustice |
assure you | am not peddler,"
What are you, them"
An honored and respected repre-
sentative of the greatest, wealthiest,
and most liberal life insurance com.
pany in the world That's what
am, sir; and | have come here to-
day to make you one Of the biggest
and most generous propositions you
have ever had placed upon you
have come to tell you about the new
policy my company is issuing. Nothing
like it has ever before been offered
to the public. Everybody who hears
about 1t jumps at the offer immediate
ly. | am going to show you
You are going to show me how to
close that door from the outside, young
man. interrupted Mr.. Goodale savage
ly Il don't want to hear another
word from you. I'm not interested in
your new policy or your confounded
company, | don't want any insurance.
l hate insurance agents. Get out OF
here quick, before lose my temper
and throw you down the elevator
shaft.
BE calm, my dear sir, implore YOU"
cried Sammy. Just see how very cas-
lily you lose your temper That's a
convincing argument why you should
take out one of our policies. People
with quick tempers like yours seldom
live to a great age"
"Contound you, you young loafer!"
shouted the other, rising wrathfully
from his chair III you give me any
more of your impudence you'll regret
1t. Are you going to leave this office
Immediately, or are you not?"
"Of course I'm going to leave it,"
replied Sammy calmly Il couldn't
very we'll take it with me- you know.
III also take the liberty of leaving you
one of my business cards. Perhaps
later on you may change your mind"
If ! change anything, 1t will be
tNa outline of your fresh face de-
clared Mr. Goodale, clenching his fist
threateningly. IN change that so
that your own mother won't know 1t,
if you aren't out Of here by the time
! count five"
Il won't trouble you to count five.
sir. The mental operation might ex-
hanst you" rejoined Sammy III go
right now"
He flew out of the place just In time
TO escape the ink-well which the en-
ragged Mr.. Goodale hurled at his head
What a mean disposition that fell
low has" Sammy said to himself as
he stepped into the elevator. "A man
like that really doesn't deserve to
have one of our life insurance poll.
cies."
Fifteen minutes later the door of
Lawrence Goodale,s office again