The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-04-05


Of pity.
/ "PrrhaPs you are not well, madame, and
! the night air is too chilly 90 said |, rather in
quisiiivefy.
! felt Tebuke IN her reply ain requesting
you 10 close the door, had no other object
than to escape The attention OF the passers."
did not reply, but thoughtfully continued
my work. She resumed
"Fhat fitlle box contains valuable papers,
and have lost the key, or it has been stolen.
L should not wish to nave you 10 remember
that ever came here on SUCH an errand," she
continued, with some hesitation, and giving me
look which was no difficult matter 10 under
stand.
"CertaIny, madame, if you desre it, If
cannot forget your face, will al least attempt
to,lose the recollection of ever seeing it here"
The lady bowed rather c1ldly at whit con-
sidersd line compliment, and | proceeded
with my work, satisfied that suddenly DIS
covered Pariialty Tor me bad nothing TO do
with the visit. Having succeeded, after much
filing aud fitting, in turning the lock, was
seized with curiosity to get a glimpse al the
precious contents OF the box, aud suddenly
raising the lid, discovered bundle of letters
and daguerreotype, as | slowly passed The
casket to lis owner. She seized IL burriediy,
aud placing the letters and pictures in her pock
ct, locked the box, and drawing the veil over
her face, pointed to the door. / opened il, and
as she passed into the street she merely Whisper
ed, "Rememher :" We met again, and have
been thus particular in describing her visit to
the shoP, TO render probable a subsequent re-
cognn0n
About t*o O'Clock one morning, in the lat
ter part OF May following, I was awoke by
gentle tap on the window of little room back
OF the shop, IN which | lodged Thinking OF
burglars, sprang out of bed, and in moment
was at the window with heavy hammer in
my hand, which usually kept at that time
within convenient reach OF my bedside.
"Who's there 2" l inquired, raising the ham-
mer and p'ering out into the darkness for it
was as dark as Egypt when under The curse of
Israel's God.
"Hlst % exclaimed the figure stepping in
front Of the window "open the door | have
business with you"
FRather past business bours. should say
but who are you 20
"No one that would harm you," returned
the voice which ] imagined Was rather femi-
nine for burglar.
"Nor one that can :" replied rather en-
Phatlcally, as warning, as | tightened my
grip on the hammer, and proceeded to the door,
pushed back the bolt, and slowly opening the
door, discovered the stranger already on the
steps.
'Whai do you want % abruptly inqui-
red.
'H will tell you," answered the same soft
voice, if you dare to open the door wide enough
for me to enter"
''Come n," said /, throwing the door aiar,
and proceeding TO light a candle. Having
succeeded, turned 10 examine the visitor
He was small and neatly dressed gentleman,
with heavy Raglan round bis shoulders and
blue navy cap drawn suSpiciously over his eyes
As advanced toward him, he seemed 10 hesi-
safe moment, then raised the cap from his
forehead, and looked me curiousy in the face |
did not drop the candle, but / acknowledge 10 |
little nervousness as | hurriedly placed the |
light upon table, and silently proceeded to
invest myself with two or three articles of clo- |
thing. As the Lord iveth, my visto. was a
lady, and the same for whom had opened the |
little box about moath before Having COM
pleted my haSty toilet, attempted to stamner
an apology for my rudeness, but utterly failed |
The fact is, | was confounded.
Smiling at my discontinue, she said
"Disguse is useless presume you know
me 30
81 believe told you, madam, | should not
forget your face. In what way can | serve
you Z"
"By doing nalf an hours work before day
light tomorrow and receiving five hundred
dollars for your labor" was the reply.
SIS i! not ordinary work." SAID |, inqulring-
y, 'that commands so munfcent comp ensa-
ion."
''It is labor common 10 your CALI" returned
The lady. "The price Is not SO much for the |
abor as the condition under which IT must be
"And wba, is the condition 2" inquired.
f'Fhat you will submit to being conveyed from
md returned TO your own door, bindfolded."
Ideas of murder, burglary, and al most every
ther crime known TO vilany, hurriedly pre-
en:ed themselves IN succession as politely |
owed and said
81 must understand something more OF the
.hara cter of The employment, as we'll as the !
onditons, 10 accept your offer"
"Wil not FIVE hundred dollars answer in
leu OF any explanation % she inquired.
"No, nor FIVE thodsand."
She patted her foot nervousIy on the hoor.-I
could see she had placed ent rely TOO low an
stimate on my honesty, and Eel. some gratifi-
alton in being able to convince her of the fact.
"Well, then, if 1t is absolutely necessary
" me to explains" she replied, 81 must tell |
ou that you are required 10 pick the lock of
auit, and
"You have gone quite far enough, madame,
nth the explanation" I interrupted al am
ot at your service" J.
GAS said," she continued, you are required (
9 pick the lock of vault, and rescue from
cath a man who has been confined there for |