The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-05-24
TEEE FROT FT.SEET.
THE LADY AND THE LoCK5MTTH.


r l live in San Francisco, and am a
locksmith by trade. My calling is a
strange one, and possesses a fascination
rendering it one Of Tie most agreeable
Of pursuits. Many who follow it, see
nothing in it but lsbor-think of moth
ing but its returns ingold and silver
To me, it has other charms than the
money it produces. am called upon,
almost daily, to open doors and peer in.
to ng-noglected 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 destroying missivcs, that the dan
gerous evidences of wandering affection
may not reach the eye of husband, or
father, possessing the missing key; to
force the fastenings Of cash boxes, and
repositories of records, telling of men
made suddenly rich, of corporations
plundercd, Of orphans robbed, of hopes
crushed, of families ruined. Is there
no charm in all this no food for spec.
ulation mo scope for the range of
pleasant fancy? Then, who would not
be locksmitb, though his face is be.
grimed with the SCOT Of the forge, and
his hands arc stained with rust?
But | have a story to tell--not exact
ly a story, eithor--for a story implies
the completion as well as the beginning
of narrltiYc--apd 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 shor
on kearney street. and soon worked my.
self into a fair business. Late one eve
ming, a lady. closely yelled, entered my
shop, and pulling from beneath a cloak
a small japannod box requested me tc
open it. The lock was curiously con.
structed, and I was all of an hour fitting
it with a key. The lady seemed ncr
vous at the delay, and at length request.
ed 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 veil, disclosing as sweet Q
face as can well be imagined. There
Was restlcssness in the eye and a pallol
in the cheek, however, which plainly
told of heart Ill at ease, and in mo.
ment 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 inquisitivoly.
| felt rebuke in her reply: In re
questing you to close the door, I had nc
other object than to escape the attcn
tion Of persons"
I did not reply, but thoughtiuly con
tinued my work. She resumed, "Tha
little box contains valuable papers
private papers-and I have lost tn,
key, OF it has been stolen. I should no
wish to have you remember that ever
came here on such an GRAND" she con
tinued with some hesitation, and givin!
me a look which it wos not difficult t
understand.
Certainly, madam, if you desire it
If | cannot forget your face, [ will q
least attempt to lose the recollection 0
ever seeing it here"
The lady bowed rather coldly at wha
I considered a fine compliment, and
proceeded with my work, satisfied tina
a sudden discovered partiality for m
had nothing to do with the visit. Hay
ing succeeded, after much filing and cut
ting, in turning the lock, I was seize
with curiosity to get glimpse at tn
precious contents of the box, and sud
, denly raising the lid, discovered q bur
die of letters and daguerrootype, as
slowly passed the box to its owner. Sh
seized it hurriedly, and placing the LEI
ter and picture in her pocket, locke
the box, and drawing the veil over he
face, pointed to the door. 1 opened i
and as she passed into the street, sh
merely whispered" Remember -
We met again, and have been thu
particular in describing her visit to tn
shop, to render probable a subsequer
recognition.
, About two o'clock in the morning, i
the latter part of May following, l WI
awoke by gentle tap upon the windo'
of the little room back of the shop, i
which lodged. Thinking of burglar
, l sprang out Of bed, and in momer
was at the window, with heavy han
mer in my hand, which l usually kel
, at that time within convenient reach
, my bedside.
/, "Who's there 2" I inquired, raisir
, the hammer and peering out into IL
! darkness-for it was as dark as EgyI
when under the curse of Israels Go
, "Hist " exclaimed figure, steppir
in front of the window; "open the doc
: l have business foryou."
! A" Rather past business hours,
should say; but who are you
q "No one that would harm you" r
turned the voice which was rather fem