Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1862-02-20
ylGii5eellaneu,ls Artitles.
THE IRON VAULT.

ssygSsSSyAh1k'Rssstas11 J6sSSa*S""''s
THE IRON VAULT.
/ am locksmith by trade. Ny calling
is 9 strange one, and possesses certain
sort Of fascination, rendering it one of the
most agreeable of pursuits Many who
follow it see nothing in it but labor; think
of nothing but tsreturns in gold and silver
To me it has other charms than the money
it produces. I am called upon, almost
to open doors and peer into long neglected
apartments; to spring the stubborn locks
Of safes, and gloas upon the treasure piled
within; to quietly enter the apartments OF
ladies with more beauty than discretion,
and pick the locks of drawers containing
peace-destroying missives, that the dan.
gerous evidences Of wandering affection
may not reach the eye of a husband, or
father, in possession of the missing key;
to force the fastenings of cash.boxes and
despositories 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 no food for speculation ? no scope for
the range of pleasant fancy? Then who
would not be locksmith, though his face
is begrimmed with the SCOT ofthe forge, and
his hands are stained with rust?
But have story to tell-not exactly
a story, either-for story implies the
completion as we'll as the beginning of a
narrative-and mine is scarcely more than
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 little shop on Kearney-street,
and soon worked myself into fair business.
Late one evening, lady closely .veiled,
entered my shop, and pulling from beneath
a cloak small japanned box, requested me
to open.i The lock was curiously con-
structed, and I was all of an hour in ft-
ting it with a key. The lady seemed ner-
vous at the delay, and at length requested
me to close the door. was little sur
prised at She suggestion, but Of course COM
Piled. Shutting the door and returning
to my work, the lady withdrew her veil
disclosing as sweet face as can we'll be
imagined. There was arestlessness in the
eye and pallor in the cheek, however,
which plainly told heart i'll at ease, and
In a moment every emotion for her had CIV
en- place to that of pity.
"Perhaps you are not we'll, madam, and
the night ar is too chilly" said l, rather
inquis;tigely.
felta rebuke in her reply: 'sIn re-
questing you to close the door, I had no
other object than to escape the attention of
passers :"
Ibid not reply, but thoughtfully contin
ued my work. She resumed: "That little
box contains valuable papers-private pa
pers-and I have lost the key, or it has
been stolen. I should not wish to have
you remember that I ever came here on
such an errand, she continued, with some
hesitation, and giving me a look which it
was no difficult matter to understand.
"Csrtainly, madam, if you desire it. If
lean not forget your face, will at least at
tempt to lose the recollection Of ever seeing
it here"
The lady bowed rather coldly at what
considered fine compliment, and 1 pro
ceeded withsmy work, satisfied that sud-
den discovered partiality for me bad moth
ing to do with the visit. Having succeed
ed, after much filing and fitting, in turning
the lock, 1 was seized with a curiosity to
geta glimpse at the prescious contents OF
the box, and suddenly raising the lid, dis,
covered bundle of letters and a Daguer-
reotype as l slowly passed the box to its
owner She seized it hurriedly, and placing
the letters and picture in her pocket, lock
ed the box, and drawing the veil over
her face, pointed to the door. opened
it, as she passed into the street she merely
whispered Remember v'~ We met again,
and 1 have been thus particular in de-
scribing her visit to the shop to render
probable a subsequent recognition.
/, About two o'clock in the morning, ir
the latter part of May following, was a
woke by gentle tap upon the window o
the little room back of the shop, in which
I lodged. Thinking of buglars, | sprans
out of bed, and in moment was at the
window, with heavy hammer in my hand
which 1 usually kept at that time within
convenient reach Of my bedside.
"Who's there ?" Inquired, raising the
hammer, and peering out into the darkness
for it was as dark as Egypt when under the
curse of Israels God.
"Histw exclaimed figure, stepping
in front Of the window "open the door
have business with you"
"Rather past business hours, l shoulc
say; but who are you? ?"
sNo one that would harm you" return
the voice, which I imagined was rathe
feminine for burglars.
"Nor no one that can % replied, rathe
emphatically, by way Of a warning, as
4:-L.onod rou grin uncn the hammer. ant