The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1867-02-07
THE IRON VAULT.

I lived in San Francisco, and l am
lock-smith by trade. Ny calling is
strange one, and possesses a certain fas-
cination rendering il one oc the most
pleasant of pursuits. Many who follow
it see nothing in it but labor-think OF
othing but its returns in gold and silver.
To me it 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 stub
born 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-6estroying mis-
sives, that the dangerous evidences of
wandering affection Inay not reach the eye
of husband or father, in possession of
the missing key to force the fastenings
of such boxes, and repositories of records,
telling uf men grown suddenly rich. OF
corporations plundered, of orphans robbed,
of hopes crushed, of families ruined. Is
there DO charm In all this ?--no food for
speculation mo scope for the range of
pleasant tancyI Then who would not be
locksmith, though his face is begrimmed
with the SCOT of the forge, and his hands
are stained with rust?
Brc l have story to tell-not exactly
story, either-tor a story implies the
completion as we'll as the beginning of e
narrative-and mine is scarcely more than
the introduction TO one. LIE: him who
deals in things of fancy, write the rest.
In the spring of 1856, think it was In
April opened little shop on Kearuey
street, and sooL work ed myself into fair
business. Late one evening, a lady, closely
veiled, entered my shop, and pulling from
beneath cloak a small japanned box,
requested me to ppen it. The lock was
curiously constructed, and l Was all of an
hour in fitting il with key. The lady
seemed nervous at the delay, and at length
requested me to close the door. | was a
lutte surprised at the suggestion, but of
course complied. Shutting the door. and
returning to my work, the lady withdrew
her veil, disclosing as sweet face as can
well be imagined. There was a restless
ness in the eye and pallor in the cheek
however, which plainly told of heart i'll
at ease, and in a moment every emotion
for her had given way to that of pity.
"Ierhaps you are not we'll, madam, and
the night air is too chilly ?" said l, rather
inquisitively.
felt rebuke in her reply. "In re-
questing you to close the door, had no
other object than to escape the atosn lion
OF persons"
/ did not reply, but thoughtfully con-
tlnued my work. She resumed "That
little box contains valuable papers-pri-
vate papers-and | have lost the key, or
1t has been stolen. | should not wish to
have you remember that | came here %
such an erraud," she continued, with some
hesitation, and giving look which it was
no difficult matter to understand.
Certainly, madam, if you desire it. IF
cannot forget your face, l will at least
attempt to lose the recollection of ever
seeing it here"
The lady bowed rather coldly at what
l considered fine compliment, and L
proceeded with my work, satisfied that a
sudden discovered partiality for me had
had nothing to do with the visit.
Having succeeded, after much filing
and fitting, in turning the lock, was
seized with curiosity to get a glimpse
at the precious contents oc the box, and
suddenly raising the lid, discovered a
bundle of letters, aud daguerrcotype, as