The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-05-01

bennington had not devoted much attention
to the subject of cryptography, or he would
have known that there is nothing more
transparent than cipher which merely con-
sists of the substitution of one letter for
another. He was, however, soon to learn
this fact in a very unpleasant way
One evening Mary dropped a note which
she had received by mail, and it was picked
up by her father. The old gentleman was
wild with horror. There was his trusted
laughter actually corresponding with some
unknown villain in cipher. Obviously the
cipher must have some shameful secret He
Eat in his armchair with the open note in
mis- hand, and serious thoughts of immediate
lpoplexy in his mind, when his son Tom, a
young fellow just home from college, entered,
and, frightened at his fathers expression of
face, asked and received an explanation.
Tom was a bright young fellow, and he at
once remarked that it was hardly worth
while to take to apoplexy until it was really
apparent that the mysterious note contained
something wrong. He suspected that it was
written by the mystery-loving Smythe, and
he did not doubt his ability to read it. The
note ran as follows:
CRSM PSMX: II TBDS XBC SYC
STFSXN FHTT. OSYYHYDUBY NPX-
ULS.
In less than ten minutes Tom had trans
lated this innocent mystery into the words,
Dear Mary, love you and always will.
Pennington Smythe," and thus banished his
fathers doubt and wretchedness. However,
the old man was angry enough to desire to
give the unfortunate Pennington lesson
which he might remember. So when the
young man made his usual evening call he
was awaited in the parlor by the incensed
father and his greatly amused son, and adj
dressed in the following stern and cruel
words:
''Mr. Smythe, what do you mean by
writing to my innocent daughter in such
infamous style as this, sir?'' and he shook
Pennington's letter before his astonished
eyes.
Sir replied the youth, " it is not infa-
nous. 1t is an entirely proper note. All
the world might see it.''
Then why the devil did you write it in
this Outlandish lingo?" returned the father.
''She is not to blame" hastily urged
Pennington, judiciously shirking the main
question. | assure you she never can read
them without my help, and when she writes
them she makes so many mistakes that often
l can't make head or tail of them
by them | suppose you mean the letters
written in cipher" replied Mr.. Morris.
"Well, / won't add to your trouble. Only
let me advise you not to write any more
cipher notes, my boy. Tom, here, read
your note almost as easy as if it had been
written in print There, go along now, and
don't be silly again-at least, any more
than you can help, you know" And the
old man, quite recovered from his anger,
went laughingy away.
Pennington fingered. ''Is it really true.
Tom, that you could read it without key?''
he doubtfully asked.
OF course l could. Why, Pen, there is
nothing easier to read than that sort of ci-
pher. If you will write in cipher-and L
don't see why you shouldn't if you want to,
though you'll find it beastly tiresome-I can
tell you of cipher that no one can possibly
translate"
''If you would be so very kind, muir
INJURED Pennington.
"Why," continued Tom, "you select some
book Then out of the words in this book
you make your cipher. For instance, you
want to write dear, as | presume you do,
and you find it. say, on the twelfth page of
the book, in the second line from the top,
and the third word in the line. You then
represent it by the numbers IL, 2, 8. And
so with the rest of your note. You see, no
human being could possibly read it unless
they happened to guess what book you
used"
Pennington was overjoyed at this delight
ful plan, and, thanking Tom warmly, hast
ened to unfold the new cipher to Mary. He
felt at perfect liberty to disregard Mr. Nor
ris' advice not to write in cipher, for he now
decided that Mary's father would be justifi-
ably regarded as hoary-headed tyrant, bent
upon separating two loving hearts, and only
fit to be circumvented by careful strategy.
So he selected a novel of which he knew
that both Mary and himself possessed
copies; explained the new cipher with the
utmost care, and after he reached home put
it in Immediate practice by writing brief
note and sending it by post, as he would be
what he wrote:
35.9.5-332 .3-45. .4.4-69. 5 5.9-65.4.5-
-15I.4-171.I-S5 .19.9-834.2-
SIS. S.s.6-89.5 .2-39. 2. 2.6-117 .5.6-7l.17.s.
Now the book upon which this cipher was
based was printed in double columns. Un-
fortunately Pennington forgot to explain
which of these columns he intended TO use.
! However, he decided to use the outer column
trusting that the other heart, which, as he
frequently remarked, was one Of two (which
beat as one," would instinctively divine his
! selection
Two nights afterwards he reached the
| Morris door, full of delightful anticipations.
| He was met by old Mr.. Morris, who, thrust
| ing a note into his hand, explained, with
much unnecessary emphasis, and total
| disregard Of the commonest rules of polite
ness. that if he ever venturned to present
| himself at that house again he would be
| kicked down the front steps, mixed up in
complicated relations with the family bull
dog and committed to the final care of the