The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-08-29
JOB DEPARTMENT.
SAFE OPENING HuMoRs.
Some Incidents showing How Grea
Troubles Arise from Little Causes.

"Therc are many amusing incidents
connected with our business" said
safe manufacturer one day. "It is to
be expected that in the ordinary course
of events circumstances will arise when
a safe will have to be opened by an ex-
pert. Locks, like any other piece of
mechanism, are not infalliblc. The
best of them are liable to fail Mt times
through some slight defect in manu-
featuring, same as the handspring of
tue most valuable watch may give out
unexpectedly.
Not long ago a firm wanted a man
to nix 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 Il brief examination
saw a penny resting OH one of the bot
tom tianges. 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.
similar case happened rv..sntlfv.~3II1p-
were sent for at about the close of b,,si-
ness hours TO see what WAS the trouble
with our safes. The bolts would not
throw + enough to turn the lock.
The result was the finding of cloth
button from ladv's dress in the lower
bolt hole. This removed. all WAS
right. AS the victim was staid
bachelor, and suppose to occupy his
Office alone. he begged that it should
he kept quiet.
Some years ago we had delivered II
new set OF vault doors for Il bank about
two hundred miles away. Just before
they were ready to occupy their new
quarters we had Il telegram 10 send "a
man at once. The bolts of the outer
door would not Throw far enough to
lock it. Our NUT went and this is
what lie found. The bank officers had
fitted in II board for the tread of the
vcStibnle but had omitted to bore hole,
i'll it to allow for the throw of the bolts.
An augcr and ten minutes labor made
everything all right, hut made that
piece of board rather cXtrayapaut
luxury.
"Epicurean-lkr. we have reserved
the best for the last. For tear tIi, NAV
reach the eyes of the hero of the in
cIdent, will substitute for Ills correct
address that of Calais. Me. 1t WAS not
thousand miles from there The let.
ter read to come at once aud open IL
safe. rs there were important docu-
ments wanted for immediate usr. With
his kit OF tools our man took the next
train and arrived OH the following
evening. 1t proved to be an old
fashioned safe, with IL large key loc..
There. said the man. is the safe.
The lock has been working harder al
harder for weeks, until now am
locked out. am in Il hurry to have
1t 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 a small wire and picked o,n,
half Il thimbleful OF dirt and lint from
the key, tried it again, and Il 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 propor-
ton. he replied $40. Taking II 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 would gladly pay
elOO rather than have any of my
friends know that was fool enough u
go to Boston for man to pick the di
out Of my key. ."-BOston Courier.