The Insurance Agent
An agent of an accident insurance company entered a smoking car on a western railroad train a few days ago, and, approaching an exceedingly gruff old man, asked him if he did not want to take out a policy. He was told to get out with his policy, and passed on. A few minutes afterwards an accident occurred to the train, causing a fearful shaking to the cars. The old man jumped up, and seizing a hook at the side of the car to steady himself, called out, “Where is that insurance man?” The question caused a roar of laughter among the passengers, who for the time forgot their dangers.
—Harper’s Weekly, May 8th, 1880.