The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1866-06-14
IT II Il IR ON VAULT.


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 re,
turn in 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 long neglected apartments; to
spring the stubborn locks of Safes and gloat
upon the treasure piled within and quiet.
ly enter the apartments of ladies with
lnore-beauty than discretion to 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 in possession of
the missing key; to force the fasteniugs of
cash boxes and the repositories Of records,
telling OF men made suddenly rich, of cor.
porations plundered, or orphans robbed, Of
hopes crushed, OF families rnined Is there
no charm in all this 2--no food for specu
lation-no scope for the range OF pleasant
tancy I Then, who would not be lock
smith, though his face is beyrimmed with
the SCOT of the forge, and his hands are
stained with rust Z
But l have story to tell-not exactly
q story, elther-ior q tory implies the com
plction as we'll 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 on Kearney street,
and soon worked myself into fair busi.
ness. Late one evening a lady, clio: ely
vailed, entered my shop, and pulling trom
beneath cloak small japanued box, re.
quested me to open It, The lock was Gu
rioualy constructed, and was all of an
hour In fitting it with key. The lady
seemed nervous at the delay and ut length
requested me to close the door. l was a
little surprised ut the suggestion, but OF
course complied. Shutting the door, and
returning to my wo. K, the lady withdrew
her vail, disclosing as sweet face as can
we'll be imagined. There was restless.
ness in the eye and pollor 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 we'll, madam, and
the night air is too chilly said rather
inquisitively.
l felt a rebuke in her reply: ain re.
questing you to close the door had no
other object than to escape the attention OF
persons"
l did not reply, but thoughtfully contin.
ued my work. She resumed '.TLe little
box contains valuable papers-priva,e pa
pcrs-and l have lost the key, or it has
been stolen. / should not wish to have
you remember that ever came here on
such an errand," she continued, with some
hesitation, and giving me a look which it
was no difficult matter to understand
"Certainly, madam, il you desire it. If
| cannot forget your face will at least at.
tempt TO lose the recollection Of ever seeing
it here"
The lady bowed rather coldly at what
considered fine compliment, and | pro
eecded with my work, satisfied that sud
den discovered parliaity for me had moth
ing TO do with the visit Having succeed.
ed after much filing and fitting, IN turnin.
the lock, was seized with curiosity to
get glimpse at the precious contents o.
the box, and suddenly raising the lid dis
covered bundle Of letters, and da,;uer
rcotype. as | slowly passed the box 10 her
She seized it hurricdly, and placing the
letters and picture in her pocket, locked
the box, and drawing the vail over her
face, pointed to the door. opened it, nd
as she passed into the street. she merely
whispered-". ememberw We met again,
and | have been thus particular in dcscrib
ing her visit to the shop to render proba
BILE subsequent recognition.
About 2 o'clock in the morning, in the
latter part of May following, was awoke
by gentle tap at the window of the little
room back Of the shop, in which lodged
Thinking OF burglars, sprang out of bed,
and in q moment was at the window, with
heavy hammer IN my hand, which / usu.
ally kept at that time in convenient reach
Of my bedside.
"Who's there ?" inquired, raising the
hammer, and peering out into the darkness
for it was as dark as Egypt when under
the curse Of Israel's God
"Hist p exclaimed figure, stepping in
front Of the window "open the door,
have business with you"
"hather pass business hours, should
say; but who arc you?"
"No one that would harm you" returned
the voice, which imagined was rather
feminine for burglars.
"NGr no one that can r Ireplied rather