The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1868-10-14

But L have a story to tei1-no, not
exactly a story, for that implies ihe
completion as we'll as the beginning oi
q narrative-and mine is scarcely more
than the introduction to one Let him
who deals in fancy write the rest.
Iu the spring of 1861 think it
was in April opened little shcp
on Kearney street, and soon worked
myself into a fair business .-
Late one evening, lady, closely
veiled, entered my shop. and pulling
from bereatb her cloak a small japan
ned box, requested me 10 open it The
lock was curiously constructed, and
was all of an hour fitting it with key.
4 The lady seemed nervous at the oelay.
aud at length requested me to close the
door. was little surprised at the
suggestion, but of course complied
Shutting the door anq returning to my
work, the lady withdrew her veil, dis
closing as sweet face as well can be
imagined. There was a restlessness in
the eye aud pallor in the cheek, how
ever, W lich plainly told of heart i'll
at ease, and in a moment every emo
tion for her had given place to that of
pity.
"Pcrhaps you are not well, madam,
and the night air is too chilly I" said
L, rather inquisitively. L felt rebuke
in her reply:
"Iu requesting you to close the door
I bad no other object than TO escape
the attention Of persons passing"
I did not reply, but thoughtfully
continued my work. She resumed !:
That little box contains valuable pa
pers-private papers and have lost
the key, or it has been stQl6n.-I
should not wish to have you remember
that l ever came here on such an er-
rand" she said, with some hesitation,
and giving me look which was no
difficult matter to understand.
Certainly, madam, if you desire it.
IF 1 cannot forget your face. will at
least attempt to lose the recollection Of
ever seeing it here,
The lady bowed rather coldly at VIII at
[ considered fine compliment, and |
rcesded with my work satisfied that
sudden discovered partiality for me
had nothing to do with the visit
Having succeeded. after much fling
and fitting in turning the lock, l was
seized with curionity to get q glimpse
at the precious contents Of tie box,
and suddenly raising the lid discovered
bundle Of letters and daguerreoipye,
as.I slowly passed the box 10 its oyp
er She seized it hurriedly, aud pla
cling the letters aud picture in her
ocket, locked the box, and draw ing
the veil over her face, pointed to the
door, openedait, and as she passed
into the street she merely whispered
Remember - We met again. and l
have been thus particular in describ,
ing her visit to the shop to render
probable a subsequent recognition.
About two O'clock in the morning,
iu the latter part Of the May following
1 was awakened by a gentle tap Oh the
windoW of the little room back of the
shop where I lodged. Thinking of
burglars, spraug out o! bed, and in a
moment was at the window, with a
heavy hammer in my hand. which L
usually kept at that time within conve-
nient distance of my bedside.
"Who's there ?" I inquired, raging
the hammer, and peering into the
.sarkness.
Hist !" exclaimed figure stepping
in front of the window, "open the
door, have business for you"
Rather past business hours, I
should say but who are you 2"
mo one that would harm you," re-
turned the voice, which imagined was
rather feminine for burglars.
"Nor no one that can," 1 replied
rather emphatically, by way of n wsrn
ing, as I frightened my grip on the
hammer, and proceeding to the door 1
pushed back the bolt. and slowly open
ed the door, discovered the stranger al
ready upon the stairs
"What do you want ?" 1 abruptly
inquired.
"I will tell you" answered the same
voice, "if you dare open the door
wide enough for me to enter
"Come in" said I resolutely. throw
ing the door ajar, and proceeding to
light a candle.
Having succeeded, I turned to e1
anime the visitor He was a small and
neatly dressed gentleman, with heavy
ra : Ian around his shoulder, and blue
navy cap drawn suspiciously over his
eyes. AS l advanced toward him, he
seemed to hesitate a moment, then
raised the cap from his forehead and
looked me ,curiously in the face. I did
not .d,op the candle, but acknowledge
to little nervousness as l hurriedly
nIaoad tho lio5t on fable apa cilantlu
proceeded to invest myself with Two or
three necessary articles of clothingf
My visitor was a lady, and the same
for whom I had opened the little box
a month before. Having completed
my hasty toilet. 1 attempted to STAN
mer an apology for my rudenes-, but
utterly failed The fact is. I was con-
founded. Smiling at my discontinue,
she said {:
Disguise is useless 1 presume you
recognize me 7"
"I believe told you madam, 1.
should not soon forget your face. In
what wny can I serve your
"By doing half an hours work be
fore daylight and receiving ,iue hund-
red dollars for your labor" was the re-.
ply.
"It is not ordinary work.. said in
quirlngly "that demands 30 muni6oent
compensation
sit is labor common to your call
ing" replied the lady I'The price is
not SO much for the labor as The condi,
tion uLder which it is to be performed"
"And what is that condition 2" I