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.