The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-03-23
TIE IRON VAULT.

smith by trade. My calling is strange
one, and possesses certain fascination,
rendering it one of the most agreeable of
pursuits. Many who follow it see moth
inc in it but labor-5hink of nothing but
its returns in gold and silver. To me it
has other charms than the money it pro-
duces. ann called upon almost daily
to open doors and peer into long-neg-
lectcd 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 continuing peace-destroying mis-
sivcs, 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. Isthere no charm in all this!
no food for speculation no scope for
the range of pleasant fancy! Then, who
would not be a locksmith, though his
face is begrimed with the SCOT of the
forge, and his hands are stained with
rust
But | have story to tell-Dot exactly
IA story, either-for story implies the
completion as we'll as the beginning of a
narrative-and mine is scarcely more
than the introduction to one Let him
who deals IL things of fancy write the
rest In the spring of 1867 think it
was i'll April opened little shop on
Kearney street, ans soon worked myself
into fair business. Late one evening
a lady, closely yelled, entered my shop,
and, pulling from her cloak a small
iapanned box, requested me TO open it.
The lock was curiously constructed, ana
L was all of an hour fitting it with key
The lacy seemed nervous ut the delay,
and at length requested me to close the
door [ was little surprised at the
suggestion but of course complied
Shutting the door and returning to my
work, tue lady withdrew her veil, dis
closing as sweet q face MS can well be
imagined Their was restlessness in
the eye ami pallor III the cheek, how
ever, which plainly told OF a heart i'll at
ease, ana III q moment every emotion for
her had given place to that of pity
" Perhaps You are not well, madam,
and the night air is too chilly?" said l,
rather inquisitively.
felt rebuke in her reply.
In requesting you to close the door,
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-priyate papers-and | have lost
the key, or 1t mas been stolen. / should
not wish 70 have you remember that /
ever came here on such an Grand" she
continued, with some hesitation, and
living me look which it was no difficult
tier to understand.
Certainly madam, if you desire it.
IL | cannot forget your face, / will Mt
least attempt to lose the recollection of
ever seeing it here
The lady bowed rather coldly at what
I considered fine compliment, and l
proceeded with my work, satisfied that Il
suddenly discovered partiality for me had
nothing 20 90 with the visit Having
succeeded after much filing and fitting,
in turning the lock, | was seized wSh
curiosity e. get glimpse mt the precious
contents OF the box, and, suddenly rails
ing the lid. discovered a bundle of letters
and a daSuerreotype, as L slowly passed
the box 70 it's owner. She seized 1t hur-
ricdly, aud placing the letters and pic
ture IN her pocket, locked the box, and,
drawing the veil over her face, pointed
ITO the door | opened it, and as she
passed into the street she merely whis-
pered
Remember !"
We met again, and have been thus
particular in describing her visit to the
shop to render probable subsequent
recognition.
About o'clock in the morning, in the
1attor part OF May following, | was
awakened from sleep by a gentle tap
upon the window of the little room back
OF the shop, in which lodged. Think
ing of burglars, sprang out of bed, and
IN moment WAS at the window, with
heavy hammer in my hand, which | usu-
ally kept at that time within convenient
reach of my bedside
who's there ?" / inquired, raising
tho hammer, and peering out into the
'darkness-for it was as dark as Egypt
when under the curse of Israels God
Hist !" exclaimed figure, stepping
IN front of the window "open the door;
L have business for YOU"
Rather past business hours, L should
say but who are you 2"
No one that would harm you," re-
turned the voice, which L imagined was
rather feminine for burglars.
"And no one that can p / replied.
rather emphatically by way of warn
ing, rs i frightened my grip upon the
hammer, and proceeded to the door. +
pushed back the bolt, and, slowly open
ang the door, discovered the stranger
already upon the steps.
"What do you wantl" abruptly in
quired-
&C. will tell you," answered the same
soft voice, eff you dare open the door
wide enough for me to enter"