Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1916-01-20
The Insuring Of
Mrs. Harrigan
BY JAMES FRANCIS rwYER

employ OF the Gotham and Glory Life
Assurance company. He had talked
much, but business had not como his
way. 1t requires an exceptionally good
talker to interest farmer in life in
surance. Fenwick had just begun to
realize this when he chanced to meet
Maloney.
IT'S no use wastin' yer breath on
me-" said that individual, "but I'll put
you wise to some sure business"
Within Fenwick's breast Hope fared
up and made him gasp. "Where?" he
cried
Turn up by the lake and walk along
by the pine woods till you strike Har-
rsan's place. ITarrigan takes out a
policy with every insurance man that
zones his way"
Fenwick shut his bag with snap
ard hurried up the long. hot and dus-
ty road.
Harrigan was sitting before his
open door when the insurance agent
approached. The farmer was thin,
consumptive-looliinS man. with the
weary look of the confirmed pessimist.
Fenwick summed him up as an easy
victim, and with much confidence he
unloosened his opening speech.
Harrigan listened patiently. rs it
the biggest and best company in the
world?" he asked languidly.
Certainly" cried Fenwick. I'VE
have five hundred and eleven millions
in reserve. We paid out ninety.sev-
en- millions in claims last year. No
humbueging with our society, sir. No
trouble for the unfortunate widows
and orphans" He unlocked his bag
and pulled out mass of insurance lit
orature. and the rates, Mr.. Harri-
San! Now, what will be your age at
your next birthday"
The farmer Whitfield a piece of pine
and contemplated the little pile of
chins
1T wasn't myself I was thinking Of"
he said. dreamily.
Wife. sir?" queried Fenwick brick
ly. sorting out his forms with nervous
fingers. what age is she. sir?"
Harrigan stood up and turned to-
wards the door of the shack. Come
inside and We'll talk it over" he said.
The agent was iubilant. His face
cowed with delight His heart throb-
bed nightly as visions of fat com.
mission foated before his mind.
Harriean motioned him to broken
backed chair near the fireplace, while
\" perched himself on a stool between
his visitor and the door. The farmer
seemed to be pondering over sonfe
problem, and Tcnwick. seeing that he
was not listening to the remarks
about the benefits OF life Insurance,
stopped taking and waited for him to
speak
After few minutes silence, Harri-
gan drew his stool closer and leaned
forward
Wish YOU had turned up last week."
he murmured.
Better late than never" said Fen
wick cheerily. I'm in time II your
good lady is"
That's just IT," interrupted Harrt.
gan moodiIy, She's dead"
The agents backbone seemed to
lose its stiffeninG force, and his body
saggcd. The information startled
him.
Il thought you wanted to insure
her" he stammered
so | do" said Harrigan quietly.
Fenwick tried to smile. but fear
smoothed out the wrinkles that mirth
tried to create. and left his face white
and CHASTITY. He thought of the two
miles OF dusty road that separated
Harriean from his nearest neighbor,
and the mournful sobbing of the pines
tautened his nerves
"But-but you cannot insure her."
he spluttered: cts impossible"
Harrigan reached forward and tap
ped him hard with n hony forefinger.
No one knows she's dead" he whis-
pered
The agents throat became suddenly
rarched. and he breathed painfully
The weird song OF the pines increased
in volume.
Again the farmer leaned forward
and tapped him impressiyely. A toll
battered hand Tointed to a long box
beneath the stretchcr, and Fenwick
shivered.
shes in that" he murmured; "and
I want you to insure her for a thou
sand dollars. Wait a moment and I'll
show her to you"
The limp and perspiring agent
glanced towards the door, but Harri-
gan read his thoughts. He reached
forward and grasped Fenwick by the
collar, and then, STOPPING down. kick
ed the lid off the box. A figure wrap
ped in canvas lay inside 1t.
Good Lord!" shrieked the insur.
ance man. "What-what happened to
her"
u fixed her with this axe" said
I(arriCan calmly "She has been talk