The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1861-03-13
: The iron Vault.
lAstOry A ef the Past.
sroav OF a sAI FHAHctsco LocksxlrH.


cination, rendering it one Of the most agrees
ble,o pursuits Many who follow it, but
labor-- think Of nothing but its. returns in
gold and silver. Tome It has other charms
than the money It produces. / am, called
upon almost daily, to open doors and peer
into loDg neglected spsftments; to- spring
the siubbotn locks Of ssfes, and gloat upon
the treasure piled therein; to quietly enter
the apartments 81 the ladies with more beau
tgi than disereilop.l and pick the locks Of
drawers containing peace destroying mis-
I aiase that she dangerous evidence of wans
derMg sffectlon may not reachthe eye Of a
husband, or father, in possession OF q key;
Ito force the ,restenings of cash boxes, and
repositories OF records, telling of men made
suddenly rich, of corporations plundered, Of
orphans robbed, OF hopes crushed, of fsmi.
lies ruined. Is there no charm in all this!
mo food for speculatiou-no scope tor the
range of pleasant fancy? Then who would
not be a locksmith, though his face is be-
grimmed with the SCOT of the forge, and his
hands are stained with rust
But have story to tell-not exactly
story, either-Ior u story implies the COM
pletion as well as the beginning Of rarrO-
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 Aprl-1
opened little shop on Kearney street, and
| soon worked myself into fair business
Late one evening lady closely veled, en-
tered my shop, and pulling from beneath a
cloak a small japoned box requested me to
open it. The lock was curiously construct.
ed, and | was all of an hour in fitting it with
key. The lady seemed nervous at the de
lay. and at length requested me to shut the
door. was little surprised at the sug.
gestion, 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
restlessness in the eye and pallor in the
cheek, however, which plainly told of a
heart III at ease, and in a moment every
emotion tor her had given place to that oI
pity.
"Pprhlps you are rot well, m dam, and
thp night uit is too chilly!" said ather in
quisl'veiy.
| felt rebuke at her reply. "ln request.
ing you to clu,e the door, had no other oh.
THAN to escape tn" attention OF Passers. y
did uot reply, but thJuaht'ully continued
my work. She resumed: "Tnat little box
contains v ,uable pap-rs-privats papers
and have lost the key, or it has been so-
len. should not wish to have you remem
Der that ever came here on such an er-
rand" she continued, with some hesitation,
and giving me look which, it was no dth-
cult matter to understand.
"Certoinly, madam, il you desire it. Ii |
cannot forget your face, ! will at ieast at'
tempt to lose the recollection OF seeing it
here'
The lady bowed rather coIdIy at what |
considered fine compliment, and pro-
ceeded with my work, satisfied that sud-
den discovered partiahty tor me had nothing
to do with the visit. Having succeeded at.
ter much filing and fitting in turning the
lock, was seized with the curiosity to get
glimpse at the precious contents OF the
box, and suddenly raising the lid, discovered
bundle of letters, and Daguer.otype, ns
l slowly passed the box to its owner. She
seized it hurredy, and placing the letters
and picture in her pocket, locked the box,
anu drawing the veil over her face. poi nted
to the door. opened it, and she passed
into the street, she, merely whispered ere :
member!" We met again, and have been
thus particular in ascribing her visit to the
shop, to render probable subsequent rec
ognition.
About 3 O'Clock in the morning, in the
latter part of May following. I was awoke
by gentle tap upon the window of the
shop in which lodged. Thinking of bur.
glars sprang out of bed, and in a moment
was at the window, with heavy hammer
in my hand, which l usually kept at that
time within convenient reach of my bed
side. .. ,uuo,E ,... ...
"Who's there!" l inquired raising the
hammer and peering into the darkness-for
it was as dark as Egypt when under the
curse of Israel's God.
'"Hist!" exclaimed figure stepping in
front Of the window; "open the door have
business for you" ........
"Rather pest business hours, should say I;
but who are you!"
"No one that would harm you," returned
the voice, which I imagined was rather fem.
mime for burglars. I'd. 81. ILL.,.
"Nor no one that can!' I replied rather
emphatically, by way Of warning, as tight
,ened my grip upon the hammer; and pro.
ceedsd to the door. | pushed back the bolt
and slowly opened the door, discovered the
stranger already upon the steps.
"What do you want?" I abruptly in
quired. a.t.a.sg,st.y s..-~
IL will tell you," replied the same soft
voice, "if you dare open the door wide
enough for me to enter"
"Come in,' said /, resolutely throwing
| the door sjar, and PtoceediOg 70 light can
dls. Having succeeded, / termed to axam.
L.. .hS v;.itorl .Ha was a small and neatly