The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-07-21

live in San Francisco and am q lock
smith by trade. My calling is strange one,
and Possesses 3 certain fascination, render
ing it one Of the most pleasant pursuits.
Many who follow il see nothing in IL but Ia
bor-think Of nothing but its returns in gold
and silver. To me 1t has other charms than
the money it produces. was 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 drawers
containing peace-destroyi0g missves, that
the dangerous evidences Of wandering affec-
ton may not reach the eye Of husband OF
father, in possession Of the missing key IL
force the fastenings Of cash boxes, and de.
positories Of records. telling of men grown
suddenly rich, of corporations plundered, oI
orphans robbed, Of hopes crushed, Of iami.
lies ruined Is there no charm in all this
no food for speculationI no scope for the
range Of pleasant fancyg Then who would
not be a locksmith, though his face is be-
gimmed with the SCOT of the forge, and his
hands are stained with rusty
But have q stery to tell--nOt exactly a
story, eitheF--for story implies the com
pletlon rs well as the beginning Of q nara
tiEe--and mine is scarcely more than the
introduction to one. Let him who deals in
things Of fancy, write the rest. la the
spring OF 1851 think IL was in April
opened little shop on Kearny street, and
boon worked myself Into a fair business
Late one evening, lady closely veiled, en-
tered my shop, and pulling from beneath
cloak small japanned box, requested me
to open il. The lock was curIously con.
structed, and vas all Of an hour in fitting
it with key. The lady seemed nervous nj
the delay, and at length requested me 70
close the door was little surprised At
her suggestion, but Of course complied
Shutting the door, and returning to my
work, the lady withdrew her veil, disclosing
as sweet a face as can well be imagined
There was a restessness in the eye and a
Dallor in the cheek, however, which plainly
told Of a heart i'll at ease, and in a momen,
every emotion for her had gwen way to thai
Of pity.
-"Perhaps you are not well, madam, and
the night air Is too chiIlyy" said |, rather
Iinqusitisely
felt rebuke IN her reply ain request
ing you to close the door, I had no ethc,
object than to escape the attention of per
sous"
Ibid not reply, but thoughtfully Continued
my work. She resumed "That little box
contains valuable papers--private papers
aud / have lost the key. or il has been stolen.
! should not wish TO have you remewber
that came here on .sich an errand," she
Icontinued, with some hesitation and giving
me look which was no difficult matter to
understand IS
certainly, madam. if yoa desire it, III
cannot forget your face, will at least at
tempt to lose the recollection Of ever seeing
II here"
The lady bowed rather coldly ut what
considered fine compliment, and proceed
ed with the work, satisfied that a suddsr
discovered Partially Cor me had nothing te
do with the visit Having succee.hd, aftes
much fling and fitting, 10 turning the lock
I was seized with curiosity TO gssa glimps>
at the precious contents Of the box, and sud
denly raising the lid discovered bundle Of