The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-07-10
SAFE OPENING HUMoRS.
Some Incidents Showing How Great
Troublea Arise from Little Causes.

There are many amusing incidents
connected with our business" said a
safe manufacturer one day. 1T is to
be expected that in the ordinary course
of events circumstances will arise when
safe will have to be opened by an ex-
pert. Locks, like any other piece of
mechanism, are not infallible. The
best of them are liable to fail at times
through some slight defect in manu-
featuring, same as the handspring OF
the most valuable watch may give out
Unexpectedly.
Not long ago firm wanted a man
to fix their safe. 1t was open. but they
could not shut the door far enough to
throw the bolts. The man went to the
place, and after a brief examination
saw penny resting on one of the bot
tom fanges. Taking this off, the door
shut and locked all right. 1t is forgot
ten how much it cost the firm to have
the man 90 to their place and pick up
that little coin, but it was enough to
prevent its being repeated no doubt.
A similar case happened recently. We
were sent for at about the close of BUSH
ness hours to see what was the trouble
with our safes. The bolts would not
throw far enough to turn the lock.
The result was the finding of a cloth
button from lady's dress in the lower
bolt hole This removed, all was
right. As the victim was a staid
bachelor, and supposed to occupy his
Office alone. he begged that it should
be kept quiet.
Some years ago we had delivered a
new set of vault doors for bank about
two hundred miles away. Just before
they were ready to occupy their new
quarters we had telegram to send a
man at once. The bolts of the outer
door would not throw far enough to
lock it. Our. man went, and this is
what he found. The bank officers had
fitted in board for the tread of the
yestibule but had omitted to bore holes
in it to allow for the throw of the bolts.
An au9er and ten minutes labor made
everything all right, but made that
piece of board a rather extravagant
luxury.
"Epicurean-iike, we have reserved
the best for the last. For fear this may
reach the ewes of the hero of the in
cident. / will substitute for his correct
address that of Calais. Me. 1t was not
a thousand miles from there. The let
ter read to come at once and open Il
safe, as there were important docu-
ments wanted for immediate use. With
his kit of tools, our man took the next
train and arrived on the following
evening. 1t proved to be an old
fashioned safe, with a large key lock.
There said the man, is the safe.
The lock has been working harder and
harder for weeks, until now l am
locked out. | am in hurry to have
it opened. Never mind the damage,
if you will only break into it in short
order Our expert took the key and
tried it, but it refused to work. He
then took small wire and picked out
half tbimbleful of dirt and lint from
the key, tried it again, and better
working lock was never seen. How
much is your bill?' As this involved a
trip, to and from Calais, of about 600
miles, and time and expense in proper
ton, he replied $40. Taking roll of
bills from his pocket he said: That is
satisfactory, on conditions. Does any
one in the place know your business
here?' The reply was No one All
right, then; get out by the next train,
and keep mum; for l would gladly pay
800 rather than have any of my
friends know that | was fool enough to
90 to Boston for man to pick the dirt
out of my kew. m-BOst0n Courier.