Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-02-21
THE IRON VAULT.
4 MYSTERY OF THE PAST.
Story of a San Francisco Lock.
smith.

am Locksmith by trade. My calling
is strange one, and possesses certain
fascination, rendering one of the most a.
greeable of pursuits. Many who follow it,
but labor-tbink of nothing but its returns
in gold and silver. To me it has other
charms than the money it produces. lam
called upon almost daily, to open doors and
peer into long neglected apartments; to
spring the stubborn locks of safes, and
gloat upon the treasure piled therein; to
quietly enter the apartments of the ladies
with more beauty than discretion, and pick
the locks of drawers containing peace de-
stroying missives, that the dangerous evil
dences of wandering affection may not
reach the eye of husband, or father, in
possession of key; TO force the fasteniDgs
of ash-boxes, and repositories of records,
telling of men made suddenly rich, of cor
poratiops pluudered, of orpeans robbed,
of hopes crushed, of families ruined. Is
there no charm in all this? ?-no food for
speculation-no scope for the range of
pleasant fancy? Then who would not be
locksmith, though his face is begrimmed
with the SCOT of the forge, and his hands
are stained with rust.
But have story to tell-not exactly a
story, either-for story implies the COM
pletion as well as the beginning of a nara
tive-and mine is scarcely more than an in
PRODUCTION TO one. Let him who deals in
things of fancy, write the rest. In the
spring of 1861 think it was in April
l opened a little shop on Kearney street,
and soon worked myself into fair bust
ness. Late one evening lady close
ly veiled, entered my shop, and pulling
from beneath cloak small japaned
box, requested me to open it. The lock
was curiously construceu, and l was all Of
an hour in fitting it with key. The lady
seemed nervous at the delay, and at length
requested me 10 shut the door. l was a
little surprised at the suggestion, but of
course complied. Shutting the door and
returning to my work, the lady withdrew
her veil, disclosing as sweet face as can
well be imagined. There was a restless
ness in the eye and pallor in the cheek,
however, which plainly told of heart i'll
at ease, and in a moment every emotion for
for her had given place to that of pity.
"Perhaps you are not well, madam, and
the night air is too chilly9" said rather
inquisitively.
l felt rebuke at her reply: ain reques-
ting you to close the door, had no other
object than to escape the attention of pas
sers"
l did not reply, but thoughtfully con-
tinued my work. She resumed: "That
little box contains valuable papers-private
papers-and l have lost the key, or it has
been stolen. should not wish to have
you remember that I ever came here on
such an errand," she continued, with some
hesitation, and giving me look which 1t
was no difficult matter TO understand.
"Certainly, madam, if you desire it. 1t
l cannot forget your face, l will at least at
tempt to lose the recollection of seeing 1t
here"
The lady bowed rather coldly at what l
considered fine compliment, and l pro-
ceeded with my work, satisfied that sud
den discovered partiality for me had moth.
ing to do with the visit Having succeed.