The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-11-27
TOM kAST'S CHEST
He Fooled a Boarding.
House Man.
But he Thereby Managed to Lose
His Kit, Which Was the Apple
Of His Eye.

Tom Kast bad chest. he hasn't 1t now, but
he would give good deal to get il back. 1t is
remarkable chest and has Travelled from Nor.
way TO South America and from the north pole
to the south.
Toms chest was built on the model Of a
shooters ark, and looked like the upper works
of the old rebel Merrimac before she got into
The hands OF the artists and was pegged at by
the Monitor. II is rugged forward and aft with
rope handles, is double decked and two inches
thick on the bottom. 1t would defy the inge-
nuity OF a baggage-smashcr who has not been
brought up in the business from childhood. and
smells like ship chambers cellar. 1t was the
pride OF the whole whaling fleet when Tom was
up north and the apple of its owners eye.
Tom thought as much of that chest as be
does OF his Sewing-ktt. This is not said to his
credi'. for the able seaman who does not
cherish as much regard for his mending-gpar
as he does for the last picture his girl gave him
is hot much of a man after all.
When Tom stepped ashore from his ship
several weeks ago II was all but "Droke." lie
speaking is still coming. but practically speak
ing isn't moving III Toms direction worth a
cent
lie came ashore and brought his chest with
him, went to a clearinghouse on the front,
stood the proprietor OFF for few days board
and then proceeded 10 search his kit for sal
able articles.
Pieces OF ivory, skins, clothing. books.
everything was sacrificed TO raise money until
Tom had apparently exhausted his property:
go upstairs and take a lift at the end OF that
sailing chest" said the clearinghouse man
one day TO his boy. STRIKES me he's getting
lid Of everything he owns, and first thing we
know we will be out his whole board bill and
have nothing 10 hold for it.'
The kid" did as he WIS told and returned to
say that Inc chest was as heavy as lead.
Good said the old man.
Days slipped by and each morning as the sun
rose, ON was observed bundling off various
parcels 10 the pawnshop.
go up and heft around a bit at the stern end
OF that mans kit again aud see If IT'S heavy"
KID departed, only 10 return quickly and aver
that the thing was so Weighty that IL was i'm.
possible to move It.
Must have iron in it-perhaps gold bricks
anyway, he's good for credit few wees s
longer" said the boarding man, eXpectorating
at the hotel stove that looked as If the nearest
approach 10 fire IL had ever had was when
some one struck match on it.
Another week passed and Tom still kept
carrying things out every morning. The pro-
prtetor was sorely puzzled.
'Trot up TO the bow end OF that clothes hulk
and gin it tilt," said he, with decisive kick
ar stray dog as the kid hove In sight.
Cant stir ii. Think she's the heftiest piece
of travelling gear ever tried to tow" said the
Kid, returning ont of breath. III he ever went
10 move Ii lie viii bave TO rig a pair of shears"
Soon thereafter Tom disappeared. He left his
chest behind him though and for a few days
the boarding man did not worry about the
money which the able seaman owed him. But
as time fled he thought II better TO look into the
matter.
The kid and the old man went upstairs. They
both got hoG OF The chest aud pulled. The old
man pretty nearly broke all his fingers clawfng
at a handle OF the thing He tugged, he swore,
he perspired. The kid worked fully as hard,
but all TO no purpose-the chest was too heavy
TO bulge.
But an idea suddenly struck the old man,
he commenced to look worried.
go down and ret me a crOwbar and an az"
he commanded the kid.
Two minutes later the lid was off the chest
and the old man had tainted The kid was
rushing for glass OF water.
Tom had nailed the thing which was as
empty as a rified grave, to the floor.