Great calamities cannot be foreseen. No actuary has yet appeared to forecast the acts of Providence, but on the whole our fire insurance companies are well managed and prosperous. ACCIDENT INSURANCE We have insurance against storms, against the breaking of plate glass and even against loss from burglars, but the best known of the minor insurance societies are those known as "accident companies." Accident policies are of many kinds, and there is no reason why the companies, under their charters, should not extend their risks indefinitely. Accidents against property are insured much as is destruction from fire, but the nature of the accident as "hail," "explosions," "tornadoes" and "insect destruction" must be specified in the policy. The most popular form of accident policy is that which is sold to travellers, and which can usually be had at the office where one buys his ticket. The method here is simple, and the purchase may be made in a minute. "I want a policy for $1,000 for ten days," you say to the clerk. He tells you the amount, you pay and get your ticket, and there you are. Prudent men have a stamped and addressed envelope ready. Into this they push the policy, and the wife gets it. No, it does not startle her. It is just Harry's prudence and she is used to that. CHAPTER XXI PARTNERSHIPS If properly conducted, there is much to commend the management of a business through partners. Never go into a partnership with a man who puts in his experience against your capital, unless you know him like a brother. "It lasted about a year," said a man who had done this. "Now the fellow, who has cleared out, has the capital and I have the experience." A partnership is an agreement between two or more persons to associate for the purpose of carrying on a certain form of business. Each member of a copartnership must contribute a stated contribution to the establishment of the enterprise, but each need not give the same amount. Neither is it necessary that the contributions of each to the firm shall be of the same character. One may contribute a building, another machinery, or material, and still another money. The shares in the profits are based on the cash values of the different contributions. The work of the different parties may be estimated as contributions, but in such cases it is better to pay the worker a fixed compensation, and charge this to the expense account. PREPARE AND SIGN Never go into a partnership based on a verbal agreement, unless it be for the distribution of fish, game or nuts, when out with a friend for a holiday. Have the copartnership articles carefully drawn up and signed before you put a cent into the undertaking. A document like this can be appealed to should disputes arise; and should a partner die, his heirs may find it of the greatest value. The articles should contain: 1. The amount to be contributed by each. 2. The nature of the business. 3. The time which the partnership is to last.