Maryland free press., 1866-06-21
The California LOcksmith.

l live in San Francisco, and am lock-
smith by trade. My calling is strange
one, aud possesses facination rendering
it one of the most agreeable of pursuits
Many who follow it see nothing in it but
labor--think of nothing but its returns in
gold and silver. To me it has other charms
than the money it produces 1 am called
upon. almost daily, to open doors and peer
into long-neglected apartments; to spring
the stubborn locks of safes, and gloat upon
the treasures piled within; to quietly enter
the apartments of ladies with more beauty
than discretion, and pick the locks of draw
ers containing peace destroying missives,
that the dangerous evidences of wandering
affection may not reach the eye of a hus-
band, or futhcr possessing the missing KEY;
to force tie fastenings of cash boxes, and
repositories of records, telling of men
made suddenly rich, of corporations plum
dered, of orphaus 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 Il locksmith, tho
his face is bcgrimcd with the SCOT of the
forge, and his hands are stained with rust?
But have a story to tell-not exactly
story, either-for story implies the
completion as well as the beginning of a
narrative-and mine is scarcely more than
the introduction to one. Let him who
deals in fancy write the rest. In the
spring of 1861 think it was April
opened little shop on Kearney street
and soon worked myself into fair bust
ness. Late one evening, a lady, closely
veiled, entered my shop, and pulling from
beneath cloak small japanned box re-
quested me to open it. The lock was Gu
riously constructed, and was all of an
hour fitting it with Il key. The lady
seemed nervous at the delay, and at length
requested me to close the door. | was Il
little surprised at the suggestion, but of
course complied. Shutting the door and
returning to any work, the lady withdrew
her veil, disclosing as sweet face as can
well be imagined. There was restless
ness in the eye and pallor in the check,
however, which plainly told of heart i'll
at case, and in 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 1 rather
inquisitively.
/ felt rebuke in her reply: "In re-
qucsting you to close the door, had nc
other object than to escape the attention Of
persons. r...
] did not reply, but thoughtfully continu-
cd'work. She resumed. "That little box
contains valuable papers-private papers
.--and I have lost the key, or it has been
stolen. should not wish to have you re-
member that ever came here on such an
errand," she continued with some hesita-
tion, and giving me look which it was
not difficult to understand
Certainly madam, if you desire it. Il
cannot forget your face; will at least at
tempt to loose the recollection of ever see.
ing it here" @ ,f .-
The lady bowed rather cooldly at wha
I considered fine compliment, and pro-
,ceeded with my work, satisfied that sud.
den, discovered partiality for me haG
nothing to do with the visit. Having sue.
ceeded after much filing and cutting, ii
turning the lock, 1 was seized with curl
osity to get glimpse at the precious con.
tents of the box, and suddenly raising the
lid, discovered bundle of letters and q
daguerreotype, as I slowly passed the boz
to itsowner. She seized it hurriedly, and
placing the letter and picture in her pock.
ct, locked the box, and drawing the veil
over her face, pointed tOthc door. Iopen-
,'.Ht f $3.50