Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-04-06
THE IRON VAULT.
OR THE san FRANCISCO LoCKsMTH.

| AN locksmith by trade. My calling
is strange one, and possesses q certain
sort OF fascination. rendering it one Of
The most agreeable OF pursuits. Many
who follow il sec nothing in il but labor !;
think oil nothing but It's returns of god
and silver. To me il has other charms
than the money it produces. am cali
ed upon almost daily 10 open doors, and
peer into long.neglected apartments; 10
spring the stubborn locks of safes, and
gloat upon the treasures piled therein (;
| TO quietly enter upon the apartments Of
ladies with more beauty than discretion,
and pick the locks ofdrawers containing
peace destroying missives. that the dan.
gerous evidences Of wandering affect ion
may not reach The eye of the husband. or
father, in possession OF the missing key I;
10 force the iastenings Of cash boxes and
repositories Of records. telling of men
made suddenly rich, OF corporations
plundered. OF orphans robbed. of hopes
crushed, ol families ruined. Is there no
charm In all this? No scope for the
range OF pleasant iancyf Then who
would not be a loeksm!th, though bis
face Is begrimmed with the spot OF the
forge, and bis hands are stained with
rust'
But have o story 10 tell--not exactly
a story, either. for story implies The
completion as well as the beginning OF q
narrative and mine Is scarcely more
than the introduction TO one. Let him
who deals in things OF fancy write the
rest. In the spring Of 1856. think i!
was In April. | opened a shop on Kerney
Street, and soon worked myself into q
lair business Late one evening veiled
ady entered my shop. ..and pulling from
Lenealh her cloak small japanued box
requested me TO open it. The lock
was curiously constructed. and l was al
OF an hour in fitting it with key.
The lady seemed nervous at the delay
aad at length asked me 10 close the door
Shutting the door and returning 10 work
the lady withdrew her veil. disclosing al
sweet face rs can we'll be imagined
There was restlessness in the eye anC
a pallor in her cheek which plainly tolG
OF heart i'll at ease. and in q moment
every emotion Tor her had given place L
that Of pity.
perhaps you are not well. madam
and the night air is too chilly?" said
rather inquisitively. | felt rebuke il
her reply.
"In requesting you to close the door
had no other object than to escape th'
attention of people passing"
did not reply, but thoughtfully con
tinued my work. Sho resumed:
"That little box contains valuabl,
papers-private papers-and | have los
the key or it has been stolen. L shoult
not wish to have you remember that
came here on such an errand." she con
inued, with some hesitation. and giving
me look which it was no difficult mat
! ter to understand.
Certainly, madam. if you desire It
II | cannot forget your face, ] will o
least attempt to lose The recollection o
ever seeing it here"
The lady bowed rather coldly at wba
considered fine compliment, and
proceeded with my work, satiSfied that
suddenly discovered Partially for m
, had nothing to do with the visit. Hav
ing succeeded, after much filing ant
, fitting. in turning the lock. I was seize
with curiosity TO get glimpse at tn
, precious contents of the box, and sud
denly raising the lid, discovered small