Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1861-04-17
gtl1s.t.,.,.,..
THE IRON VAULT.

lam locksmith by trade. Ny calling is
strange one, and possesses certain sort o'
fascination, rendering it one of the mostag-ee-
able Of pursuits Many who follow it see
nothing in it but labor; think OF nothing but
its returns in gold and silver. To me 1t has
other charms than the money it produces. l
am called upon, almost daily, to open doors
and peer into long neglected apartments; to
spring the stubborn locks of safes, and sloat
upon the treasure piled within; to quietly ell
ter the apartments Of ladies with more beauty
than discretion, and pick the locks of drawers
containing peacedestroying missives, that the
dangerous evidences Of wandering affection
NAV not reach the eye of a husband, or father,
in possession of the missing key; to force the
tsstenings of cash-boxes aud GcpositoreS OF
records, telling of men made suddenly rich, of
corporations plundered, of orphans robbed, OF
hopes crushed, of families ruined. Is there no
charm in all this I? no food for speculation? :?
no scope for the range Of pleasant fancy? :?
Then who would not be locksmith, though
his face is begrimmcd with the SCOT OF the
forge, and his hands are stained with rust
But have story to tell-not exactly
story, either-f1r story implies the compile
ton as we'll as the beginning of mar
rative-and mine is scarcely more than
the INTRODUCED III to one. Let him who deals
in things of fancy, write the rest. In hesrIing
Of ls56.-I think it WAS in April opened u
little sho, on kearney ystrcet, and SOFA worked
myself into fair business. Late Que even
ing, lady, closely vailed, entered my shop,
and pulling from beneath Cloak SIN I'll
iapauned box, requested me to open 1t. lhe
lock was curiously constructed. and | was all
Of an hour in fitting it with key. The lady
seemed nervous at the delay. anl at !c'sth re-
oues,ed me to close the door. was Il Little
surprised at The suggestion, but Of course
complied Shutting the door and returning
to nv work. tie lady withdrew her vail dis
closing as sweet face as can well be mag
incd. There was y restlessress in TIC eve anu
a pallor in the cheek, however, which plainly
told of heart i'll at case, and in moment
every en- o,i9n .or her had given place to that
Of pity.
"perhaps you are not we'll, madam, and
tn, night air is too chilly2' sal! rather III
qaisi,ivey.
| felt a rc5ukc in her reply: " In reqnes'ins
YOU to clos. the door, had no other object
than to escape the attention of passerS."
did not reply, but thoushttully continued
nv work. She resumed: Tia; little box
contains valuable papcrS-private papers
and have lost the key or it has been stolen
T should not wish to nave you remember that
7 eyer came here on such an errand,' she con
t;nued, with some hesitation, and giving me
q link which it was no difficult matter to un
derStaud.
"Cer;aiulv, madam, if you desire it. If
can not forget your face, will at least at
tempt to lose the recollection of ever seeing
it here.
The lady lowed rather coldly at what CON
s;dered a fine compliment, and proceeded
with ms work. satisfied that a sudden discov
cred partiali,y for me hal nothing to do witt
the visit. Having succeeded, after much I'll
ing and fitting, in turning the lock, was selz
ed With curiosity 80 get glimpse at The