The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-02-13
FHa IRON VAULT.
TIE LADY AND THE LoCKsmITH.

strange one, ana possesses certain fascI-
nation which renders it one of the most
agreeable pursuits. Many who follow ii
see nothing in it but labor-think of no.
thing but its return in gold and silver
To me it has other charms than the mon
ey 1t produces. l am called upon, almost
daily, to open doors and peer into long
neglected apartments to spring the stub
born locks in 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-destroying mis-
sives, that the dangerous evidences OF
wandering affection may not reach the eye
of a husband or father possessing the miss
ing key; to force the fastenings of cash
boxes and repositories of records, telling
of men made suddenly rich, of corpora
tions plundered. of orphans robbed, of
hopes crushed, of families ruined. Is
there no charm in this ?-no food for spe-
cuIation mo scope for the range Of pleas
ant fancy2 Then, who would not be a
locksmith, though bis face is begrimed
with the SCOT of the forge, and his hands
are stained with rust?
But have a story to tell--not exactly
story either, for stery implies the COM
pletion as well as the beginning Of mar
Fative, and mine is scarcely more than the
introduction to one. Let him who deals
in fancy write the rest.
In the Spring of 1861 think it was
in April opened little shop on Kear-
ney street, and soon worked myself into
fair business. Late one evening a close
Ly yelled lady entered my shop, and pull
ing from beneath her cloak a small japan
ned box, requested me to open it The
lock was curiously constructed, and was
all Of an hour fitting it with key. The
lady seemed nervous at the delay, and at
length requested me to close the doer l
was a little surprised at the suggestion,
but Of course complied. Shutting the door
and returning to my work, the lady with
drew her veil, disclosing as sweet a face
as could well be imagined. There was a
restle8sness in the eye and a Pallor On 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 well, madam,
and the night air is too chilly 2" said 1,
rather inQuisitiEely. felt the rebuke in
her reply:
''In requesting you TO close the door, l
had 40 other object than to escape the at
tention of persons passing"
did not reply, but thoughtfnlIy con-
tinued my work. She resumed:
'"That little box contains valuable pa
pers-and l have lost the key, or it has
been stolen. l should not wish TO have
you remember that ever came here on
such an errand," she continued with some
hesitation, and giving me look which it
was no difficult matter to understand
Certainly, madam, if you desire it.
If cannot forget your face, [ 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 pro-
ceeded with my work, satisfied that sud
den discovered partiaIity for me had moth
ing 20 do with the visit Having sue
ceeded, after much filing and fitting in
turning the lock, was seized with n Gu
riosity to get a glimpse at the precious
contents of the box, and suddenly raising
the lid, discovered bundle Of letters and
a daguerreotype, as | slowly passed the
box to its owner. She seized it hurried
ly, 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 che merely whispered-"Remem-
Der !" We met again, and l have been
thus particular in describing her visit to
the shop, to render probable subsequent
recognition.
About two o'clock in the morning, in
the latter part of May following, L was
awoke by a gentle tap upon the window
of the little room back of the shop in
which l lodged. Thinking of burglars l
sprang cut of my bed, and in a moment
was at the window, with heavy ham
mer in my hand which l usually kept at
that time within convenient reach Of my
bedside.
"Who's there :" Inquired, raising the
hammer, and peering out into the dark
ness-for 1t was as dark as Egypt when
under the curse of Israels God.
"Hist y 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 %
''No one that would harm you" re>
turned the voice, which l imagined was
rather feminine for burglars.
''Nor no one that can % / replied,
rather emphaticaIly, by the way of
warning, as 1 frightened my grip on the
hammer, and proceeded to the door. l
pushed back the bolt and slowly opened
the door, discovered the stranger already
upon the steps,
"What do you want p abruptly in
quired,
81 will tell you,'' answered the same
soft voice, "if you dare open the door
wide eaoSgh for me TO erter,"