the endowment plan, we may ourselves receive the full amount stated in the policy at the end of a certain period which is also mentioned in the policy, usually ten, fifteen, or twenty years, if we live that long. Should we die before the period expires, then those who benefit by the insurance, called the beneficiaries, receive the full amount of the policy without any further payment of premiums. Just as in the case of fire insurance, the premiums that we and other policyholders pay to the insurance company make a fund, which is greatly increased by investment, from which all losses are paid.

We may also insure ourselves or our dependents against loss through our injury while at work or otherwise. This is known as accident insurance. There are many other forms of insurance besides those mentioned here. In placing any insurance we should do so only through reliable agents, or brokers.

The business of insurance companies is regularly investigated by the state government, and many laws have been passed for the protection of those who are insured. Many large corporations all over the country issue lifeinsurance policies to their employees free of all charge. In many of our states every workman is protected against loss of wages resulting from injury while he is employed. He is also repaid for expenses for doctors and medicine. This is known as workmen's compensation insurance. The employers pay for this insurance, not the workmen.

Corporations. Companies of business men called corporations do a large part of the business in America. When a group of men want to form a corporation, they go to the state legislature or to some state officer and get a charter. This tells what kind of business they want to do. The laws tell them how they must do it.

These companies usually sell shares in their business to the public. These shares are called stock. If the value

of one share is $100, we can buy it at that price. At the end of a year, if the company has done a good business, the profits are divided among the stockholders, that is the people who own the shares. Their part of the profit is called the dividend. If they want their money back, they can sell their share or shares to someone else. If their dividend was large, they can get more than $100 for each share. If their dividend was small, they may have to sell for less than they paid.

Receipts. When we pay a man any sum of money, we should always get a receipt from him to prove that we have paid it.

1. Is it proper for people to fail to carry out agreements they have made?

2. When the agreements have been made according to law, what will the courts do?

3. Why should you be careful about signing papers?

4. If you cannot read or understand an agreement, what should you do?

5. What may this save you?

6. What is a contract?

.7. Have you ever made any? Describe one.

8. Which are safer, verbal or written contracts? Why? 9. Under the law, what contracts must be in writing?

10. Name some contracts that will not be enforced under the

law.

11. Is there any special form for a written contract?

12. What is credit?

13. What is a bank check?

14. What must we have in the bank before we can issue a check?

15. What may happen to a person who issues a check without a sufficient amount in the bank?

16. When is a note used?

17. What is interest?

18. What is a deed? A lease? What should be done with them?

19. What is a mortgage?

20. Why do some of the children in your community always wear insufficient and ragged clothing?

21. No matter how little you earn, what should you do with part of your wages?

22. What do you mean by a "rainy day"?

24. Is it safe to carry a large sum of money in your pocket? Why?

24. What is the safest thing to do with money v?

25. What does the bank do with our money?

26. What do they pay us?

27. Before you deposit money what should you be sure of about the bank?

28. Where else may you deposit money?

29. Is the United States Postal Savings Bank safe? Why? 30. What is the safest way to send money?

31. What is a corporation?

32. How are they organized?

33. What do you mean by insurance?

34. Do you carry any insurance? What kind? Why?

35. When you pay your first premium what should you receive

from the company or its agent?

36. Why is insurance one way of saving money' y?

37. What is workmen's compensation insurance?

38. Does our state provide for this form of insurance? 39. Why is a receipt for payments necessary?

CHAPTER XV

THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE

Postal Organization.-Under the United States Constitution Congress alone has the right to establish and maintain post offices and to make regulations concerning them. All who work in post offices throughout the country are employees of the United States Government.

At the head of the postal service is the PostmasterGeneral, whose office is in Washington. He is a member of the President's Cabinet.

The post office does a large amount of business apart from selling postage stamps and receiving and delivering letters.

Registering Mail.—It is advisable to register at the post office all valuable letters and sealed parcels sent anywhere in the world. The fee for this special service is ten cents in addition to the regular postage. Upon request by the sender, he will receive a receipt signed by the person to whom the mail was sent, showing that it was delivered.

In case of the loss of or damage to registered mail addressed to a person living in the United States, the Government will repay the sender the value of the contents up to $50. If the mail is addressed to a person living in a foreign country, the value of the matter lost is paid for up to $9.65. Very few registered letters are lost because every employee who handles such letters signs a receipt and must be able to show to whom he gave them.

Parcel-Post Service.-Not many years ago Congress passed a "parcel-post law" which permits the Post Office Department to accept and deliver packages as well as letters. This affords a very cheap, convenient, and quick way of sending packages containing merchandise, including farm and factory products.

Parcel-Post Insurance.-The Government is not responsible for the safe delivery of these parcels unless they are insured. They may be insured against loss or damage by paying a very small extra fee. A person who sends such a parcel will be paid for it if it is lost or damaged before it is delivered to the party to whom it is addressed. You must tell the clerk at the post office if you want a parcel insured. You must also state what is in the package and its value. After you pay the charges, you will be given a receipt for the insured parcel.

If the goods are worth $5 or less, you pay but 3 cents for the insurance; 5 cents for a value between $5 and $25; 10 cents for a value between $25 and $50; and 25 cents if the parcel is worth between $50 and $100. This fee for insurance, you must remember, is in addition to the regular postage for mailing the parcel, which is based upon its weight and the distance it is to be carried.

Be sure to keep the receipt. In case the parcel is lost or the contents damaged, go to the post office with the receipt and make your complaint to the proper clerk.

The post office will send you a receipt from the person to whom you send a parcel showing that he has received it if you mark on the wrapper "Return Receipt Desired." There is no extra charge for this service.

Special Delivery.-Special delivery is a very quick delivery of mail by special messengers. By affixing a ten-cent special delivery stamp or by using ten-cents worth of ordinary stamps and adding the words "Special Delivery," the letter or parcel will be so forwarded.