The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1861-04-03

am a locksmith by trade Ny
calling is strange one, and possesses
a certain fascination, rendering it enc
of the most agreeable pursuits. Ma
ny who follow it see nothing but labor
think of nothing in it but its returns
of gold and silver 70 me it has 9th
or charms than the money it produces.
l am called upon, almost daily, to
open doors, and peer into long neglect
ed apartments to spring stubborn
locks of safes, and gloat upon treas
ures piled within, to quietly enter the
aparth ents of ladies with more beau
ty than discretion, and pick the locks
of drawers containing peace destroy
ing missives that. the dangerous evil
dences of wandering affection may not
reach the eye of husband, or father
in possession of the missing key to
force the fastenings of cash boxes, and
repositories of records, telling of men
made rich, of Corporations plundered,
of orphans robbed, of families ruined.
Is there no charm in all this ?-no
food for speculation-no scope for the
range of pleasant fancy 'rLen who
would not be a 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 ex-
actly story either-for a story i'm
plies the completion as well as the te-
ginning of a narrative-and mine is
scarcely the introduction to one. Let
him who deals in things of fancy write
the rest. In the spring of 1861
think'it was in April opened a lit
tie shop on Kearney street, and soon
worked myself into fair business
Late one evening, lady, closely veil
ed, entered my shop, and pulling from
beneath a cloak small japanned box,
requested me to open it. The lady
seemed nervous at the delay, and at
length requested me TO shut the door.
I was little surprised at the sugges-
ton, but of course complied. Shut
ting the door and returning to my
work, the lady withdrew her veil, and
disclosed as sweet face as can well
be imagined. There was a restless
ness in her eye, and pallor in the
cheek, which told of heart i'll at ease
and in moment every emotion for her
had given place to that of pity.
/" Perhaps you are not well, madam,
and the night air is too chilly 2" said
/, rather inquisitively.
felt rebuke in her reply +" In
requesting you to close the door had
no other object than to escape the at
tention of the passers."
did not reply, bnt thonghtfully
continued my work She again re-
snmed-
"That little box contains valuable
papers, and l have lost the key. or il
has been stolen. / should not wish
20 have you remember that / ever
came here on such an errand, T" she con
tinued, with some hesitation, and Civ
ing me look which was no difficult
? matter to understand.
Certainly. madame, if you desire
it. If cannot forget your face,
will at least attempt to lose the rec
election of ever seeing it here"
The lady bowed rather coldly a.
what / considered fine compliment
and proceeded with my work, salts
fed that q suddenly discovered parti
atty for me had nothing to do will
the visit. Having succeeded afte1
much fling and fitting, in turning thu
lock, / was seized with a curiosity t.
get a glimpse ofthe precious contents
of the box, and suddenly raising tn
lid discovered a bundle of letters ant
a daguerreotype, as | slowly passes
the casket to its owner. She seize'
it hurridly, and placing the letters ant
pictures in her pocket, locked the box
and drawing the veil over her face