University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1915-06-18
of the entertainment.
COPYRIGHTED The Bosss- MERRILL COMPANY


Lets hear it," doomed the relent.
less Thacker.
Lord Harrowby writhed in his
chair
81 am sure you will pardon me-" he
said, "if l preface my-er-propOsi-
ton with the statement that it is ut.
terly-fantastic. And if, / add also
that it should be known to the fewest
possible number"
Mr.. Thacker waved his hand across
the cleaning surfaces of two desks.
This is my assistant manager
Mr. Richard Minot," he announced
''Mr MinOt, you must know, is in on
all the secrets of the firm. Now, let's
have it,
Il am right, am l not" his lordship
continued, "in the assumption that
Lloyds frequently takes rather un-
usual risks?"
'Lloyds," answered Mr.. Thacker,
lis chiefly concerned with the for
tunes of those who go down To
and sometimes down into-the
sea in ships. However, there are a
number of non-marine underwriters
connected with Lloyds, and these men
have been known to risk their money
on pretty giddy chances. It's all
done in the name of Lloyds, though
the firm is not financially respons-
ible."
Lord Harrowby got quickly to his
feet.
Then it would be better" he said,
relieved, "for me to take my propo-
sition to one of these non-marine
underwriters"
Mr.. Thacker frowned. Curiosity
agitated his bosom.
You'd have to go to London to do
that" he remarked. Better give us
an inkling of what's on your mind"
His lordship tapped uneasily at the
base of Mr.. Thacker's desk with his
stick
IF you will pardon me-I'd rather
not" he said.
"Oh. very WE'LL" sighed Mr. Thack-
er.
How about Owen Jephson?" asked
Mr.. Minot suddenly.
Overjoyed Mr.. Thacker started up
by gad-I forgot about Jephson.
Sails at one o'clock, doesn't he?" He
turned to Lord Harrowby. "The very
man-and in New York, too. Jephson
would insure T. Roosevelt against
another cup of coffee"
Am to understand" asked Har-
rowby, that Jephson is the man for
me to see?"
Exactly" beamed Mr.. Thacker.
"Ill have him here in fifteen min
utes. Richard, will you please call up
his hotel?" And as Mr. Minot reached
for the telephone, Mr.. Thacker added
pleadingly: "Of course, l don't know
the nature of your proposition"
NO" agreed Lord Harrowby po-
litely.
Discouraged, Mr. Thacker gave up.
However, Jephson seems to have
gambling streak in him that odd
risks appeal to-" he went on. "Of
course, he's scientific. All Lloyds'
risks are scientifically investigated.
ut-occasionally-w Jephson in
sured Sir Christopher Conway, X. C.
B., against the arrival of twins in his
family. Perhaps you recall the liti-
cation that resulted when triplets put
in their appearance"
Il am sorry to say that do not"
said Lord Harrowby.
Mr.. Minot set down the telephone.
owen Jephson is on his way here in
taxi" he announced.
Good old Jephson," unused Mr..
Thacker, reminiscent. "Why, some of
the mans risks are famous. Take
that shOpkeeper in the Strand-every
day at noon the shadow of Nelson's
monument in Trafalgar Square falls
across his door. Twenty years ago
he got to worrying for fear the statue
would fall some day and smash his
shop. And every year since he has
taken out a policy with Jephson, in
surfing him against that dreadful con-
tingency"
81 seem to have heard of that" ad-
mitted Harrowby. with a ghost of
smile.
You must have. Only recently
Jephson wrote a policy for the Dow
ager Duchess of Tremayne, insuring
her against the unhappy event of
rainstorm spelling the garden party
she is shortly to give at her Italian
villa. l understand a small fortune
is involved. Then there Is Courtney
Giles, leading man at the West End