Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1867-01-30
sflisttIlantous 2caamp.
THE ssca VAULT.
A THRILLING STORY.

/ live in San Francisco, and | am .
'ocksmi,h by trade. My calling is a
strange one. and possesses certain fas
clnatipn rendering it ore Of the mos,
pleasant of pursuits. Many who follow
it see nothing but its return in Gold and
Silver To ME it has other charms than
the money it produces. l .as called up
on almost daily, TO open doors ard peer
into long neglected apartments; to spring
the stubborn locks Of safes, aud gloat up
on the treasures piled within; 20 quietly
enter the apartments 0: ladies with more
teauty than discretion, and pick the locks
Of drawers containing peace destroying
msssives, that the dangerous evidences OF
wandering affection may not reach the eye
oil husband or father, in possession Of
The missing key; to force the tastenincs
Of such boxes, and repositories of records
telling of men grown suddenly ri,h, of
corporations plundered, of orphans rob
bed, Of hopes crushed, Of families ruined.
is there no ch .rm 10 all Of this mo
food for speculation no scope fer he
range .cf pleasant fancy. Then, who
would not be iocksmith, though his
face is begrmmed with tie SCOT Of The
brcc and bis hand are starred with rust ?
Bu. have story to ,ei!-not exactly
story, eithcr-for story implies tie
completion as well as the beginning Of
narr.tivc-anl niue is scarcely more
than the intIoduc;ion TO one. Let him
who deals in things Of fancy, write the
TEST
In the spring Ct 1856, l think it vas
IN April opened little shop on Kear-
ney street and soon worked myself into a
fair business. Late one evening, 4
lady, closely yelled, entered my shop and
pulling from beneath cloak, small
japanned boz, requested me to open it
The lock VAS curiously constructed and | |
vas al! Of an hour in fitting it with a key
The lady seemed nervous at the delay. |
and at length requested he to close the |
door. "as little surprised at the
but &c course complied.
the door, and returning to my
work, the lady withdrew the vel, disclos.
Ing as sweet face as can well be immag-
ined. There was restessuess IS in the |
eve and Il pallor in the cheek, however,
which plainly told of a heart iii at ease,
aud in a moment every emotion for her
had given way to that Of pity.
Perhaps YOU are not well, madam and
the night air is 100 chilly" said l, rather
inquisitively.
l felt rebuke in her reply. "In re.
qaesting you to close the door l had no
other ooject than to escape the attention
Of persons"
l did not reply but 'houghtlully con-
tiuued my WORK. She resumed:
That little box contains valuable pa
papers-and l have lost
he key. cr it has been stolen, l should
40 wish to have YOU remember thst l
,ame here on such an errand," she con-
nued, with some hesitation, aud giving
look which it was no difficult matter to
understand.
Certainly madam # you desire it
# | cannot forget you face, will, at
east attempt TO lose the recollection of
,ver seeing it here"
The lady bowed rather coldly at what
[ considered a fne. compliment, and
proceeded with my wo.k, satisfied that u
sudden discovered partiallry fol me had t
nothing to do with visit.
Having succeeded after much fling
md fitting in turning the lock, | was