Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1866-06-16
TALES & SKETCHE ES.
THE IRON VAULT.
THE LADY AND THE IocKsMrTH.

THE LADY AND THE LoCKsMTTH.
I live in San Francisco, and am lock-
smith by trade. My calling is q strange
one, and possesses certain fascination, rem
dering it one of the most agreeable of pur-
suits. Many who follow it see nothing in it
but labor-think of nothing but its returns
in gold and silver. To me, it has no other
charms than the money it produces. l am
called upon, almost daily, to open doors
and peer into long neglected apartments;
to open the stubborn locks of safes, and
gloat upon the treasures piled within; to
quietly enter the department of ladies with
more beauty than discretion, and pick the
locks of drawers containing peace destroy
ing missives, that the dangerous evidences
| of wandering affection may not reach the
eye of husband, or father; to force the
fastenings of cash boxes, and repositories
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 f-no food for
speculation2-no scope for the range of
pleasant fancy2 Then, who would not be
locksmith, though his face is begrimed with
the SCOT of the forge, and his hands are
stained with rust'
But have a story to tell-not exactly a
StOiy ClthCI-lOi stOly ehS So"-
pletion as well as the beginning of narra-
tive; 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 in
April, opened little shop on Kearney
street, and soon worked myself into fair
business. Late one evening, lady, closely
veiletl, entered my shop, and pulling from
beneath q cloak a small japanned box, re-
quested me to open it. The lock was Gu
riousy constructed, and was al of an hour
fitting it with key. The lady seemed ner-
vous at the delay, and at length requested
me to close the door. I 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 q face as can well be i'm
agined There was restlessness IN the eye,
and pallor in the cheek, however, which
plainly told Of 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 ], rather
inquisitively.
felt rebukc in her reply: "In request
ing you to close the door, had no other
object than to escape the attention OF per-
sons"
1 did not reply, but thoughtfully con-
tinued my work. She resumed; THAT
little box contains valuable papers-private
papers-and have lost the key, or it has
been stolen. I should not wish to have you
remember that ever came here on such an
errand," she continued, with some hesita-
ton, and giving me look which 1t was no
difficult matter to understand.
Certainly, madam. if you desire it. If
Ca II xx-th LAT laoc =
tempt TO lose the recollection of ever seeing
it here.
The lady bowed rather coldy at what
considered fine compliment, and pro-
ceeded with my work, satisfied that sud
den discovered partiality for me had moth
ing to do with the visit. Having succeeded
! after much filing and fitting, in turning :he
, lock, was seized with the curiosity to gel
, a glimpse at the precious contents of the
, box; and suddenly raising the lid, discover
, ed bundle of letters, an6 daguerreotype
,, az slowly passed the box to the owner
q She seized it hurriedly, and placing the let
{. tiers and picture in her pocket, locked th'
!. box, and drawing the veil over her face
u pointed to the door. opened it, and al
:. she passed into the street, she merely whis
: pered, Remember ~
!, We met again, and have been thus par
to render probable subsequent recogni
ton.
About two o'clock in the morning, in tn
!. latter part of May following, l was awok
by gentle tap upon the window of tn
l. little room, back of the shop, in which
% lodged. Thinking of burglars, Isprang ou
!. of bed, in a moment was at the window
! with a heavy hammer in my hand, which
usually kept at that time within convenien
reach of my bedside.
"Who's there7" l enquired, raising th
hammer, and peering out into the darknes
for it was as dark as Egypt when unde
the curse of Israel's God. .
"Histp exclaimed figure, stepping
ID front of the window open the door, ha'
sn business for you"
"Rather past business hours, ! shout
say: but who are you."
y i'No one that would harm you" returne
the voice, which l imagined was rath
is. feminine for burglars.
.ss "Nor no one that can !" replied, rath
emphatical!y by way Of warning, as
Is, frightened my grip on the hammer, and pr
t., ceeded to the door. i pushed back u
bolt, and slowly opening the door, discove
ed the stranger already upon the steps.
"What do you want9" I abruptly Q
quired. ..
oI will tell you," answered the same &C
voice, "if you Care open the door WI
rt. enough for me to enter" .-- t..--"
* "Come in" said I, resolute!y, THROWN
III the door ajar, and proceeded to lights ca
die. Having succeeded, l turned TO G
ins anime the visitor. He was small a.
neatly dressed gentleman, with a hea
Raglan around his shoulders, and -bl
% navy cap drawn suspiciously over the ey
"a As advanced toward him, he seemed
So hesitate moment, then raised the cap frt
80 his forehead, and looked me curiousiy
10 the face did not drop the candle, bu
a, acknowledged to little nervousness
40 hurriedly placed the light on the table, a
is silently proceeded to invest myself with :
IS or three very necessary articles of clothil
10 As the Lord liveth, my visitor was a la'
| an, 1o and the same for whom had opened
ms. the little box about month beiorei
8 at ing completed my hasty toilette, Iattemp
stananer an anoloey for my rudenl