The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-04-29
TAG IRON VAULT.

smith by trade. My calling is 9 strange
one, and possesses o osrtain fascination rem.
dering 1t one Of the most agreeable pursuits.
Many who follow It see nothing in il but
laoor-thInk OF nothing but it's returns in
money. 10 me 1t has other charms than
these. an called upon almost daily to
open doors, and pseE into long neglected
apartments; to spring the stubborn locks OF
sales, and gloAt upon the treasures piled
within; TO quietly enter the apartments OF
ladies With more beauty than discretion AND
pick tho locks of drawer containing peace
destroying missives, that the dangerous syi
dence of wandering affection may not reach
the eye of husband or father possessing
the mystic key; TO force this fassenings of
cash boxes and repositories Of records; tell
ing of men made suddenly rich, of corpora
tions plundered, of orphans robbed, of hopes
crushed, oftEnilies ruined. Is there no
charm IN this no food for specuiation-no
scope for the range OF pleasant fancy !?
Then who would not be locksmIth, though
his face is begrimed with SCOT of the forge,
and his hands are stained with rust
But l have a story TO tell-not exactly a
story either, for that implies :he completion
as well as the beginning of a narrative, and
mine is scarcely more than the introduction
of one. Let him who deals in fancy write
the rsst.
In the spring of 1861 think it was in
April opened a little shop on Kearney
street, and soon worked myself into fair
business. Late one evening, = closely yelled
lady entered my shop, and pulling from be
meath her cloak small jApAnned box, asked
me to open it. The lock was curiously con.
structed, and was q whole hour fitting it
with key. The lady seemsd nervous a.
the delay, and at length requested me to
close the door. l 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 q face as can well be imagined.
There was q restlessness in the eye and q
pallor in the cheek, however, which plainly
told Of q heart i'll at ease, and in . moment
every emotion for her had given place to
that Of pity.
perhaps you are not we'll, madam, and
the night air is too chilly?n said rather
inquisidvely. felt rebuke in her reply
ain requesting you to close the door,
had no other object than 10 escape the at
tsution of persons passing"
l did not reply, but thoughtfully contin.
ued my work. She resumed:
THAT little box contains valuable papers
private pApers-aad have lost the key
or il has been stolen. should not wish tc
have you remember l ever came here on
such an errAnd," she continued with some
hesitation, and gave me look which was
no difficult matter to understand.
Certainly, madam, if you oesire if
cannot forget your face, will at least at
tempt to lose the recollection Of ever seeing
il here
The lady bowed rather Coldly at what
considered g fine compliment, and l pro
coed with my work, satisfied that q suddenly
discovered pArtislity for me had nothing Il
do with the visit
Having succeeded, after much fling AnC
fitting, in turning the lock, Was seized will
a curiosity to get glimpse ct the preciou
contents OF the bCx, and suddenly rslsInI
the lid, discovered bundle of papers and
daguerreotype, as | slowly passed the box t.
its owner.
She seized it hurrisdly, and placing tn,
letters and picture in her pocket, locked tht
box, and drawing the veil over her face
pointed to the door. ! opened it, and as sht
passed into the street she merrily whispered
Remember We met again, and hAv
been thus particular in describing her visi
to the shop TO render probable q subseq uen
recognition.
About o'clock in the morning, in tn,
latter part of May following, was awaken
ed by gentle tap upon the window of tn,
little room back Of the shop in which lodg
ed Thinking of burglars, sprAng out o
bed, and IN Q moment wss at the windoV
with heavy hammer in my hand, which
usually kept at the time within convenien
reach of my bedside.
"Who's there" l inquired, raising tn
hammer and peering out into the darkness
for il was As dark as Egypt when unde
the curse of IsrAels God.
Hist !" exclaimed q figure, stepping il
front of the window, ''open the door | hAy,
business for you"
"RAther past business hours, should say
but who are yoa?"
"No one that would harm you," returne
the voice, which l imagined WAS rather Eel
mime for burglars.
"No one that can ~ rep lied emphAticAll!
by way of warning, as frightened my gri
on the hammer, and proceeding to the doc
pushed back the bolt and slowly opened j
and discovered the stranger already upo
the steps.
"WhAt do you want p l abruptly iEquire'
II will tell you, if you dare open the doc
wide enough for me to enter" answered ii
same voice.
"Come in" said /, resolutely THROWN
the door AjAr, and proceeding to light
candle.
Having succeeded, turned to exAmir
my visitor. He was small and neat
dressed gentleman, with 3 heavy ragla
around his shoulder, and blue navy ca
drawn suspiciOusly over his eyes. As q
vAnced toward him, be seemed to hesita
moment, then raised the cap from
forehead, and looked me. curiOusly in q
face.
did not drop the candle, but ! confess
little nervousness as hurriedly placed Il
light on . table, and silently proceeded
invest myself with two or thrre necessa
articles Of clothing. As live, my visit
was lady, and the same for whom h'
opened the little box q month before Ha
ing completed my hasty toilet, / attempt,
TO stammer an apology for my rudenes
but utterly failed. The fact was, | vi
COMPOUNDED, Smiling at my discom6tu
"Disguiso is useless. presume you reco
nize me ?"
II believe l told you, madam, 1 shou
not soon forget your face. In what way CT
serve you ?"
"By doing half an hours work before da
light and receiving five hundred dollars +
your labor" was the reply.
at is not ordinary work, said l lnqu
ingly, "that commands so munifcent col
pensAtion."
at is labor common to your calling
replied the lady. "Tae price is not so NUT
for tbs labor as the condition under viii
it is to be performed"
sand what is the condition ?" inquire
THAT you will submit to being convey
from, and returned to your own door bin
folded"
Ideas of murder, burglary, and Almo
every.Other crime of villiainy, hurriedly pr