American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1868-09-12
Sf(stellanp,
THE IRON SAFE OF SAN FRANCISCO.

/ live in San Francisco, and am a
locllsmith by trade. My calling is a
strange one, and possesses certain
fascination, rendering it one of the
most agreeable pursuits. Many who
follow it see nothing in it but labor
think of nothing butits return in gold
and silver. To me it has other
charms than the money it produces.
| am called upon almost daily, to
open doors and peer into long neg.
lected apartments to spring the
stubborn locks of safes, and gloat
upon the treasures piled within to
"Nietly enter the apartments got
.,.,,.os with more beauty than 2uIs.
erection, and pick the locks of draw.
ers containing peace. destroying mis-.
sives, that the dangerous evidence OF
wandering affection may not reach
the eye of husband or a father pos.
sessing the mystic key; to force the
fastenings of cash boxes and depOsi-
tories Of records, telling of men made
suddenly rich, of corporations plum
dered. or orphans robbed, Of hopes
crushed, of families ruined. Is there
no charm in this-nO food for specu-
lation? Then. who would not be a
locksmith, though his face is be-
grimed with the SCOT of the forge,
and his hands are stained with rust.
But / have a story to tell-nOt eX-
actly--a story implies the completion
as well as the beginning of a nara
tive, and mine is scarcely more than
the introduction to one. Let him
who deals in fancy write the rest.
In the spring of 1S56-l think it was
in April opened little shop on
Kearney street, and soon worked my.
self into a fair business. Late one
evening, a lady, closely veiled, en-
tered my shop, and pulling from be,
meath her cloak a small japanned
box, requested me to open it. The
lock was curiously constructed, and
l was all of an hour fitting it with a
key. The lady seemed nervous at
the delay, and at length requested
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
a face as can well be imagined.
There was restlessness in the eye
and q palor in the check, however,
which plainly told of heart ill at
ease, and in moment 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 inquisitively, l felt a
rebuke in her reply:
SIN requesting you TO close the
door, | had no other object than to
escape the attention Of the persons
passing"
I did not reply, but thoughtfully
my work. She resumed;
"The little box contains valuable
papers-private papers-and l have
lost the key, or it has been stolen. l
should not wish to have you remem,
Der that | ever came here on such an
errand," she continued with hesita-
ton; and giving me look which was
no difficult matter to understand.
Certainly, madam, if you desire
it if cannot forget your face, l will
attempt to lose the recollection of
ever seeing it here"
sThe lady bowed rather coldly at
what | considered fine compliment,
and | proceeded with my work, salts.
fed that a sudden discovered par.
tiality for me had nothing to do with
.he visit. Having succeeded, after
much filing and fitting, in turning
the lock, was seized with curiosity
to get glimpse at the present con
tents of the box, and suddenly rails.
ing the lid discovered a bundle of
letters and daguerreotype, as |
slowly passed the box to its owner.
She seized it hurriedly, and placing
the letters and picture in her pocket
locked the box, and drawing the veil
over her face, pointed to the door.
opened it, and as she passed into
the street, she merely whispered
" Rememberw We met again, and
| have been thus particular in de.
scribing her visit to the shop, to rem
der probable subsequent recogni.
ton.
About two o'clock in the morning,
in the latter part of the May follow
ing, was awakened by a gentle tap
on the window of the little room back
of tie little shop where l lodged.
Thinking of burglars, sprang out of
bed, and in a moment was at the
window, with a heavy hammer in my
hand which l usually kept at that
time within convenient reach of my
bedside.
"Who's there p l inquired, raising
the hammer, and peering out into the
darkness, for it was as. dark as Egypt
when under the ours q Israers God.
. Hist !" exclaimed a figure, step
ping in front of the window; "open
the door, l have business fol- you."
"Rather past business hours |
should say; but who are you %
"No one that would harm yOu,"
returned the voice, which | imagined
was rather feminine for a burglars.
"Nor one that can," replied
rather emphatically, by way of a
warning. as I tiuhte led nv grin on
the hammer, and proceeding to the
door, l pushed back the bolt, and
Slorlv nnanad tho door and diScOy.