The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-08-07
I HE IRON VA ULT.

/ live in San Francisco, and am lock.
man by trade. My calling is strange
one, and possesses a certain fascination
rendering it one Of the most agreeable Of
pursuits. Many who follow it see moth.
ling it but labor-think of nothing bu:
its returns in gold and silver. To me il
has other charms than the money it pro.
duees. am called upon, almost daily ,tc
open doors and peer into long neglected
apartments; to spring the stubborn locks
of safes, and gloat urEn the treasures
ipiied within; to quietly enter the apart.
ments of ladies with more beauty than
discretion, and pick the locks of drawers
containing peace destroying missives, that
the dangerous evidence of wandering af-
fsction may not reach the eye of hus-
band, ,er father, in possession of the mis-
sing key; to force the fastenings of the
cash boxes and repositories of records,
telling of men made suddenly rich, OF
corporations plundered, of orphans rob-
bed, of hopes crushed, of families ruined
Is there no charm in all this?-no food
for speculation?--scope for the range Of
pleasant fancy? Then, who would not
be a locksmith, though his face is begrim-
ed with the SCOT of the forge, and his
hands stained with rust?
Butt have story to tell-not exactly
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 s.think it
was in April opened little shop on
Kearpey street, and soon worked myself
into a fair business. Late one evening, a
lady, closely vailed, entered my shop and
pulling from beneath cloak small ia
panned box, requested me to openit. The
lock was curiously constructed, and I was
all of an hour fitting it with key. The
lady seemed nervous at the delay, and at
length requested me to close the door. /
was little surprised at the suggestion,
but of course complied. Shutting the
door and returning to my work, the lady
withdrew her vail, disclosing as sweet a
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 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" said I rather
inquisitively.
felta rebuke in her reply: SIN re-
questing you to close the door, had no
other object than to escape the attention
Of persons"
did not reply, but thoughtfully con-
tinued my work. She resumed:
aThat little box contains valuable pa
pers-private papers -and / have lost the
key, or it has been stolen. | should moi
wish to have you remember that / ever
came here on such an errand," she con-
tinued with some hesitation, and giving
me a look which it was no difficult matter
for me to understand.
'sCertainly. madam, if you desire it. Il
cannot forget your face, | will at least
attempt to lese the recollection of ever
seeing it here.
The lady bowed rather eoldlv at what
considered fine commitment and T nro.
ceeded with INV work satisfied that sud. l
den discovered partiality for me had moth
ing to do with the visit. Having sue.
ceeded, after much filing and fitting, in
turning the lock I was seized with 3 a. en-
r;os;ty ~ get al;mnsa ~ tba nrec;o,.
contents Of the hoy and suddenly raisino
1.-THE lid discovered bundle Of letters and
daguerreotype as I SLOWLY nassed tb,
Ibox to its owner She seized It hurriedly
and nlacine the letters and nict,,re in he,
nocket locked the box and drawino tn,
/ vail over her face noInted to the door :
+ onenea s. and 40 sbe n.ssed ;nto III
lstraat she wb;snarad aRemembarrs "
! met apain and + have been thus nartieu
liar in a describing her visit to the shop t
render probable Z a subseouent recognition
About two o'clock in the morning, in tn
latter part Of Nav following I was awok
lbva gentle fan -, tho w;n5ow of tho l;t
tie room back Of the shop in which
llodoed Tbink;ng Of burglars 7 snran,
Iont of he'd. and ia moment was at II
window. with heavy hammer in m
hand which 7 usnallv kant a. that tim
within conyen;ent rescb IF NV bsds;de
sWho's tbere?n I inouired. raising I'll
hammer and neerino ont IN The darkness
for twas IS DARK as Egynt when nm
,, der the curse of Israel's rod rod.
uHistEp exclaimed a figure. stepping j
|, front of the window. oopen the door.