The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1868-06-25
ssIett storu.
STORY or A LOCESMITH.

] live IN San Francisco, and am
lccksaiilh BY trade by calling IS =
strange, one aud posscssosa certain fasci.
nation, rendering il ono Of The most
agreeable pursuits. Many who follow
il see nothing Ia Il but labor think Of
nothing but iss return 10 gold and silver
To nc ithas other charms than the mon.
ey Il produces. am called upon almcst
daily q open doors spd peer into long
neglected apartments; 10 spring the
stubborn locks Of safes, and sloai npon
tho treasures piled within; % quietly
enter the apartments Of ladies with
more beauty than discretion, sud pick
she locks ef drawers containing peace.
destroying missises, that the dangeroa.
evidence u wandering affection may DO,
reach the eye Of husband or father
possessing tlse mystic key; to force tho
fas.eniugs Of cash.boxcs aSJ dcposilo.
rlea 81 records, telling Of men made
suddenly rich. Of corporations piauder.
ed, Of orphans robbed, Of hopes crushed,
Of families ruined II there no charm
in this--no food fgr speculation 7 Thea
who would net be lprksmith, though
his face . begrims,l With tho SCOT o.
the forge, aod biz hands arc stained
with rust.
but | have a STORY 10 iell---uol ex
aclly "a story implies the compilation
as well as the beginning Of a narrative,
and mine is scarcely more than the in.
PRODUCTION 70 one. Let him who deals
in fancy write the rest. In the spring
of iss6--T think Il was 10 April
oPened little shop On Kcaraey street,
and aoon worked myself into fair bus.
mess Late ona evening" lady. closely
ycilcd, entered my shop, nod pulling
from bcneath her cloak a small japanbcd
box requested me % open it. The lock
was curiOualy constructed, and was
ali Of 40 hour fitting Il with tcy.--
The lady seemed nervous At the delay,
aud .. length requested mc e shu, che
doors was little surprised at the
suggestion, but Of course complied.
Shutting tho door and returning to my
work, the lady withdrew her veil, dis.
closing - sweet a iaro ~ cau we'll bc
imagined, There was a rcstlessness Ia
'-thc eye and pallor IN the check, how,
ever, which plainly told Of heart III
at case, and IN q moment every emotion
for her had giyoa place 70 tha, Of pity.
Perhaps you are not well, madam,
and the night air Is Too ehilIyig said /,
rather iaquisitively | felt a rebuke in
her reply
In requesting yon 10 close the door,
| bad no other object than to cscapc
the attention Of The persons passing
did not reply, but thonghtfully con
tinued my work She resumed
THAT little box coatains valuable
papers private papcrs--and | havc lost
the key, or il has been stolen, Ishnuld
not wish TO have you remember that ]
ever came here On such an crrand, she
continued with hesitation, and gising
me look which was no difficult matter
to understand,
Certainly, madam, if you desire Il; /;
il ] ceunot forget your face, | will at.
tcmpt to loose the recoIlcciion OF ever
seeing Il here
The lady bowed rather coldIy at what
! considered d iinc compliment, and /
proceeded with my work, satisfied that
sudden discovered partislity for mo had
nothing to do with The visit. Having
succeeded, after much fling and fitting,
in turning the lock, | was auddenly
seized with curiosity to get a glimpse
at the present contents Of tile box, and
suddenly raising the lid discovered. q
! bundle Of letters and daguerro;ype, as