North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-06-20
. gelect gtury. @, E
9HR R@4M WAWARs .

| live in San Francisco, and am a lock-
smith by trade. My calling is strange
one, and possesses certain fascination,
rendering IT one of the most agreeable of
pursuits. Many who follow it see nothing
in it but labor-think of nothing bat its re
turns of gold and silver To me it has other
charms than the money it produces. l am
called upon almost daily, to open doors and
peer into neglected apartments to spring
the stubborn locks of safes, and gloat upon
the treasures 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 dangerous evidences of wandering af-
fection may not reach the eye of husband
or father, in possession Of the missing KEY;
to force the fastening of cash boxes and de-
positories Of records, telling of men made
suddenly rich, of corporations plundered, Of
orphans robbed, of hopes crushed, of fami-
lies ruined. Is there no charm in all this !;
no food for speculation ?-scope for the
range of pleasant fancy Then who would
not be locksmith, though his face is be-
grimmed with the SCOT of the forge, and his
hands stained with rust.
Aut Ehave story to tell-not exactly a
story, eithtr-for a story implies the com
pletion, as well as the beginning of mar
rative 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 a little shop in Kearney Street, and
soon worked myself into fair business
Late one evening, lady, closely vciled,
entered my shop, and pulling from beneath
her cloak small jappanned box, request
ed me to open it. The lock was curiously
constructed, and was all Of an hour in fit
ting it with a key. The lady seemed
nervous at the delay, and at length reques-
ted me to close the door. was little sur
prised at the suggestion, but of course com.
piled. Shutting the door and returning to
my work, the lady withdrew her veil, dis
closing as sweet face as can we'll be imag-
| ined. There was restlessness in the eve
| and pallor in the cheek, however, which
plainly told of heart i'll at ease, and in a
moment every emotion for her bad given
place to that Of pity. ......
"Perhaps you are not we'll, madam, and
the night air Is too chilly 2 said !, rather
inquisitively. $50. .... ..-..
felt o rebuke at the reply: an re-
auesting you to close the door, had no
other object than to escape the attention Of
persons" .... ..
did not reply, but thoughtfully contin-
ued my work. She resumed; ...
"That little box contains valuable pa
pers-p,ivate papers--and / have either
lost the key or it has been stolen. I do
not wish to have you remember that ever
| came here on such an errand," she contin-
| ned with some hesitation and giving me
look which it was no difficult matter to IN
| derstand.
"Certainly, madam, if you desire it. If
I cannot forget your face, | will at least at
tempt to lose the recollection of ever seeing
| it here" M ....
The lady bowed rather coldly at what I
considered fine compliment, and I pro-
ceedcd with my work, satisfied that sud
denly discovered partiality for me had moth
ing to do with the visit. Having succeeded
! after much filing and fitting, in turning the
lock, was seized with curiosity to get
glimpse at thF precious contents of the box
and suddenly raising the lid, discovered a
bundle of letters and daugnerreotype, as
| / slowly passed the box to its owner. She
seized it hurriedIy, and placing the picture
and letters in her pocket, locked the box
and drawing the veil over her face, pointed
to the door, I opened it,and as she passed
! . ~ Il s.D
member " We met again, and Ihave been
thus particular in describing her visit to
the shop to render probable subsequent
recognition.
About two o'clock in the morning, in the
latter part of May following, Twas awoke
bv gentle tap upon the window Of the
little room back of the shop, in which I
lodged. Thinking of burglars, I 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. go
"Who's there p inquired, raising the
hammer, and peering out into the darkness
for It was as dark as Egypt when under
the course of Israeis rod. 4-.'. .'
"HiSt," exclaimed ngure, stcppihg III
front Of the window "open the door; |
have business for you"
| Rather past business hours, should
say but who are you p
"No one that would harm you, 70 returned
the voice, which l imagined was rather fem
inine for burglars,
"Nor no one that can" replied rather
emphatically, by the way Of warning, as l
tightened my grip on the hammer, and pro-
ceeded to the door. I pushed back the
bolt, and slowly opened the door, discover
ed the stranger upon the steps.
"What do you want p / abruptly in
quired.
81 viii tell you," answered the same sott
voice, eff you care to open the door wide
~ r "