The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-03-22

rendering it one of the most agreeable of
pursuits. Many who follow it see moth
ing in it but labor-6hink of nothing but
it's returns in gold and silver To me it
has other charms than the money it pro-
duces. am called upon almost daily
to open doors and peer into long-neg-
lected apartments; to spring the stub
born locks Of safes, and gloat upon the
treasures piled within; to quietly enter
the apartments OF ladies with more beauty
than discretion, and pick the locks Of
drawers containing peace-destroying mis-
sives, that the dangerous evidences of
wandering affection may not reach the
eye of husband or father, in possession
OF the missing key; to force the fasten-
ings of cash boxes, and repositories of
records, telling Of men made suddenly
rich, OF corporations plundered, of or
phans robbed, of hopes crushed, of fami-
lies ruined Isthereno charm in all this?
40 food for speculation? no scope for
the range of pleasant fancy? Then, who
would not be locksmith, though his
face is begrimed with the SCOT of the
forge, and his hands are stained with
rust?
But have story to tell-not exactly
"a story, either-for story implies the
completion as well as the beginning of
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 1861 think it
was in April opened little shop on
Kearney street, and soon worked myself
into fair business. Late one evening
q lady, closely yelled, entered my shop,
and, pulling from her cloak small
Japanned box, requested me to open it.
The lock was curiously constructed, and
/ was all Of an hour fitting it with a key.
The lady seemed nervous at the delay,
and at length requested me to close the
door. [ was o little surprised at the
suggestion, but of course complied.
Shutting the door and returning to my
work, the lady withdrew her VEIL dis
closing as sweet a face as can we'll be
imagined There was q restlessness in
the eye and pallor in the cheek, how
ever which plainly told of heart i'll at
ease, and In moment every emotion for
her had given place to that of pity.
C Perhaps you are not we'll, madam,
and the night air is too chilly?" said [,
rather inquisitiyely.
felt rebUke in her reply.
In requesting you to close the door,
L had no other object than to escape the
attention of other persons. "
! did not reply, but thoughtfully con-
tinued my work. She resumed
That little box contains valuable pa
pers-pClvate papers-and [ have lost
Che key, or it has been stolen I should
not wish to have you remember that [
= ever came here on such an errand." she
continued, with some hesitation, and
living me q look which it was no difficult
tier to understand.
" Certainly, madam, ii you desire it,
IT [ cannot forget your face, will at
least attempt to lose the recollection of
ever seeing it here.
The lady bowed rather coldly at what
considered fine compliment, and I
proceeded with my work. satisfied that a
suddenly discovered partialityfor me had
nothing to do with the visit. Having
succeeded, after much filing and fitting,
in turning the lock, / was seized with a
curiosity to get a glimpse at the precious
q contents OF the box, and suddenly rails
ing the hd, discovered a bundle of letters
and a. daguerreotype, as | slowly passed
q the box to its owner. She seized it hur-
riedly, and placing the letteK and pic
ture In her pocket, locked the box, and,
drawing the veil over her face, pointed
to the door. I opened it, and as she
passed into the street she merely whis-
Epered
Remember?
We met again, and I have been thus
particular in describing her visit to the
shop to render probable a. subsequent
recognition.
About o'clock in the morning, in the
aatter part OF May following, [ was
awakened from sleep by gentle tap
upon the window Of the little room back
of the shop, in which I lodged Think
dng of burglars, Isprang out Of bed, and
in moment was at the window, with q
heavy hammer in my hand, which [ usu-
ally kept at that time within convenient
reach of my bedside.
3Who's there ?" inquired raising
the hammer, and peering out into the
-darIness-for it was as dark as Egypt
when under the curse of Israel's God.
"Hist !" exclaimed figure, stepping
in front Of the window; "open the door;
[ have business for you"
Rather past business hours, Ishould
say but who are you ?"
"No one that would harm you, re-
turned the voice, which imagined was
rather feminine for a burglars.
@'And no one that can p I replied,
zEather emphatically, by way of warn
ing, as / frightened my grip upon the
hammer, and proceeded to the door, [
pushed back the bolt, and, slowly open
ing the door, discovered the stranger
already upon the steps.
"What do you want?" [ abruptly in
.quired.
81 will tell you," answered the same
soft voice, "if you dare open the door
wide enough for me to enter.