Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-01-29

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A Story OF n San Francisco l. oc ksmith.
am locksnith by trade. NV calling
Is strange one, and possesses IA certain
fascination, rendering it one of the most
agreeable Of pursuits. Many who follow
II, see nothing in it bu. labor-think of
nothing bot its returns in gold and silver.
To me 1t has other charms than the money
1t produces. | am called upon, almost
daily, to open doors and peer into long neg
leeted apartments; 20 spring the stubborn
locks OF safes, and gloat upon the treasure
piled within to quietly enter the apart
ments Of ladies, with more beauty than
discretion, and pick the locks of drawers
containing peace destroying missiyes, that
the dangerous evidences Of wandering af,
lection MAY not reach the eve of husband.
or father, in possession of the missing kew
to force the fastenings of cash boxes, aud
repositories of records, telling of men made
suddenly rich Of corporations plundered.
OF orphans robbed, If hopes crushed, of
families ruined. Is there no charm in all
this mo food for speculation-no scoue
for the range Of iancy2 Then who would
not be a iUcksmith, though his face is be-
grimmed with the SCOT of the forge, and his
hands are stained with rust?
But have a story to teil-nOt exactly
st ry either-for story IMPLIES the COM
p!etion as well as the beginning Of nara
tive-and mine is scarcely more than the
introduction of one Let him who deals in
fancy, write the rest In the srring of
1851 think it was in April opened a
little shop on Kearny street, and soon
worked myself into fair business Late
one evening, lady, closely yelled, entered
my shop, and pulling from beneath cloak
smal! Japanned box, requested me to oren
1t. The lock was curiously constructed,
and | was all of an hour in firing it with
a key. The lady seemed nervous at the
delay, and at length requested me to close
the door. was little surprised at the
suggestion, hutOf course complied, shutting
the door and returning to my work, the
lady withdrew her veil, disclosing az sweet
face as can well be imagined. There was
a restlessness in the eye and pallor in the
cheek, however, which plainly told Of a
heart Ill at ease, and in a moment every
emotion for her had given place to that of
pity.
Perhaps you are not we'll, madam, and
the night air is too chilly?" said |, rather
inquisitively
1 ielta rebuke in her reply: "In re-
questlne you to close the door, | had No.
other object than to escape the attention of
passers."
did not reply but thuughtfullyc continued
my work. She resumed:
That little box contains valuable naners
private papers-and have lost the kew
mr. n ha tnIo I -
have you remember that ever came here
on such an Grand" she continued, with
some hesitation, and giving me a look
which 1t was no difficult matter to under
stand.
" Certainly, madam. if you desire it. If
L cannot forget your face, | will at least
attempt to lose the recollection of ever see
ing you here"
The lady bowed rather coIdly at what |
considered 6ne compliment, and | pro-
ceeded with nv work, satisfied that sudden
discovered partiality for me had nothing TO
do with the visit. Having succeeded. after
much filing and fitting, in turning the lock,
L was seized with a curiosity TO get a
glimpse at the precious contents of the box.
and suddenly raising the lid, discovered a
bundle of letters and daguerreotype, as l
slowly passed the box to the owner. She
seized 1t hurriedly, and placing the letters
and picture in her pocket, locked the box.
and drawing the veil over her face, pointed
to the door. | opened it, and she passed
into the street. She merely whispered:
Rememberl"
We met again, and | have been thus
particularly in describing her visit to the
shop, to render probable subsequent rec.
IGNITION.
About two o'clock in the morning in the
latter part of May following. | was awoke
by gentle tap upon the window of the
little room back of the shop, in which
lodged.
Thinking of burglars, 1 sprang out of
bed, and in a 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 ?" l inquired. raising the
hammer, and peering out into the darkness
for it was as dark as Egypt, when under
the curse of IsraeFs God.
Hist F" exclaimed figure, stepping in
front OF the window "open the door;
have business for YOU"
Rather past business hours, l should
say but who are you ?"
Not one that would harm y0u." re-
turned the voice, which | imagined was
rather feminine for burglars.
Nor one that can ~ | replied rather
emPhatically, BY way of a warning, as /