The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-04-07
THE SAN FRANCISCO LOCKsMITH.

ttlll ~ lOChSl1llll ny tIdtt. M iS
a strange one, and possesses q certain tascina-
ton, rendering it one Of the most agreeable
of pursuits. Many who follow it see nothing
in it but labor--think of nothing but its re-
turns in gold and silver. To me it has other
charms than the money it produces; consist
ing of occasional calls to open doors and
peer into long neglected apartments to
spring the stubborn locks of safes and gloat
upon the treasure piled .Mithin; to quietly en-
ter the apartments of ladies with more beau
ty than discretion, and pick the locks of
drawers containing peace-destroying mis-
sives; evidences Of wandering affections, too;
to force the fastenings of cash boxes and de-
positories of records telling of men made
suddenly rich, Of corporations plundered, of
orphans robbed, of hopes crushed, of fami-
lies ruined. Is there no charm in all this?
no food for speculation? no scope for the
range of active fancy9 | am happy in being
a locksmith though my face may be begrim-
ed with the SCOT of the forge, and my hands
stained with rust.
But I have a story to tell-not exactly q
story, cither-for q story implies Il compile
ton as well as the beginning of a narrative
and mine is scarcely more than the introduce
ton of one. Let him who deals in things of
fancy write the rest.
In the Spring of 1861 think it was in
April opened little shop on Keamcy
street, and soon worked myself into q fair
business.
Late one evening a lady, closely veiled, en-
tered my shop, and pulling from beneath her
cloak u small japanned box, required me to
open it. The lock was curiously constructed,
and | was all of an hour in fitting it with Il
key. The lady seemed nervous at the delay,
and at length requested me to close the door.
was u 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 face Us can be im-
agined. There was 4 restlessness in the eye,
and 4 pallor in the cheeks, however, which
plainly told of u heart i'll at ease, and in {,
moment every emotion for her had given
place to pity.
''Pcrhaps you are not well, madam, and
the night air is too chilly ?" said | rather in
quisitiyely.
Sir, in requesting you to close the door |
had no other object than TO escape the atten-
ton of passers by
I felt the rebuke in her reply and did
not answer, but thoughtfully continued my
work
THAT little box contains valuable papers
private papers-and have lost the key, or ii
has been stolen. | should not wish to have
you remember that | ever came here on such
an errand," she continued with much hesito-
ton, and giving me look which it was no
difficult matter to understand.
.Certainlv, madame, if you desire it. If I
cannot forget YOUR face, [ will at least at
tempt to lose the recollection Of ever seeing
it here
The lady bowed coldly at what I consider
ed a fine compliment, and | went on with my
work, satisfied that no Sudden partiality for
me had anything to do with the visit. Hay
ing succeeded after much filing and cutting
in turning the lock, ! was suddenly seized
with q curiosity to get q glimpse at the
raising the lid, discovered bundle Of letters
and a daguerreotype, as I slowly passed the
box to its owner. She seized it hurriedly,
and placing the letters and picture in hel
pocket, locked the box, recompensed me for
my trouble. and drawing the veil over her
face pointed to the door. | opened it, and
she passed into the street, she merely whis-
pered ''Remembern and passed on towards
the Plaza In few days the incident had
entirely passed from my mind,
About two o'clock in the morning, in the
latter part of the May following, l was awokc
by gentle tap upon the window of the little
room back of my shop, in which lodged
Thinking of burglars, for they were frequent
in those days, sprang out OF bed, and in a
moment was at the window with 4 heavy
hammer in my hands, which [ usually kept
at that time, within convenient reach of my
bedside.
"Who's there ?'' | inquired, raising tho
hammer and peering out into the thick dark.
ness-for it was as dark as Egypt when under
the curse of Israers God.
''Hist!' exclaimed a figure, stepping in
front of the window; "'open the door, have
business for you"
'Rather past business hours now, is it not
but who are you ?'
''No one that would harm YOU" replied the
person in a soft, whispering voice.
''Nor one that cant" | replied rather en-
pkatically, by way of warning, as frightened
my grip upon the hammer, and proceeded to
the door, pushed back the bolt, and slowly
opening the door, discovered the stranger al
ready upon the steps.
''What do you want?" l rather abruptly
inquired.
II will tell you," answered the same soft
voice, ''if you dare open the door wide
enough for me to enter.''
"Come in," said l resolutely, throwing the
door ajar, and proceeding to light candle
Having succeeded, turned to examine the
visitor.
lie was q small and neatly dressed gentle
man, with heavy raglan around his shoul-
ders and blue navy cap drawn suspiciously
over the eyes AS | advanced towards him
he seemed to hesitate q moment, then raised
the cap from his forehead and looked me Gu
riously in the face. did not drop the candle,
but ! acknowledge to a little nervousness as
l. hurredly placed the light upon the table,
and silently proceeded to invest myself with
two or three very necessary articles of cloth
ing. AS the Lord lvcth, my visitor was y
lady, and the same one for whom had OPEN
ed the little box about a month before Hav-
my completed my hasty toilet | attempted to
stammer an apology formy rudeness, but ut
terly failed. The fact is | was dumfound-
cd.
Smiling at my discontinue, she said,-
disguise is useless; presume you recog
nize me?"
II believe told you, madam, that / should
not soon forget your face. In what way can
I serve you?''
''By doing half an hours work before day
light, and receiving five hundred dollars tor
the labor" was the response.
"lt is not ordinary work? said |, lnquir-
ingly, ''that commands so liberal compen-
satiOn."
''It is labor commo on to your calling" re-
turned the lady. 1.-The price is not so much
IL. ~. 80.