Weakness Of Human Nature

"Do yon remember me?" inquired the man as he quietly siipped up to the city editor's desk. 'I can't say that I do," replied the city editor, looking him over carefully. "You remetnber I was in here some time agro giving policies of insurance ou bunches of keys?" "Oh, yes, I remember now. I took one." "Of course. All wise men do. At the same time, if you recall it, I told you I had a great scheme for insuring umbrellas on the same plan?" "I believe I do recall it. How did it come out?" The man threw up his hands hopelessly. "Well," he said, "before that week was out I had my umbreHa insurance compaiiy at work, with agents all over towc The success was immediate aud phenoinena.1. Everybody wanted to insure his uuibrella. The premium was 50 cents a year. The amount to be paid 1o persous returning lost umbrellas was $3 - about the average price of an umbrella a man doesn't like to lose, you know. Agents turned in policies by the pocketfuls the first week. I hadn't any idea there were as many half dollars in circulation as I received at my office. Second week they kept coming, and I began to think of plans for a great building on Woodward avenue for the accommodation of the business, to be known as the Umbrella Insurance building. Third week it was still going. Fourth week it rained. Fifth week umbrellas began coming in. I didn't know there were so many umbrellas in the world. 'Sixth week it was worse, and I began to investígate. Watched the people who brought them in and got the $3. lostly people above suspicion - to look at. Discovered they had been stealing hem: alwavs picked out one with our ;ag on ït. Didn t know there were so many people who thought it no sin to teal an unibrella; never thought of that when I got np the company; wasn't an umbrella in the lot worth $3; didn't mow so many people wore cheap umjrellas; something rotten in Denmark. Fust come up here froni rny office; string of people there reaching half way around ;he block waiting to get in. There isn't inoney enough left in the fund to buy a !erry ticket with. Tve come here to see ïf you won't lend me that aniount. I'm not going back, but I notice in the aper that Mr. Dingbat, the well cnown president of the Umbrella Insurance company, having been suddenly called to Ctiina, left this morning by way of Windsor and Quebec. Do I get ;he price of a ferry ticket? Thanks." And he went out, leaving the city editor