The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-04-27
The Locksmith's Chanc !.

Th0 LOcKSm1tn'S Cnsuc's
Pat Lyon, the great locksmith of his
day, was often sent for by presidents OF
banks and other great people, and he
rather liked the idea of keeping the great
people waiting. So one morning Pat
said he would come as soon as he had
done his breakfast, which happened to
be a great deal later than usual this par
ticular morning.
Pretty soon came the second messen-
ger for Pat from the bank president, and
so Pat started off with messenger No. 2.
When he reached the bank he found the
president and cashier and clerks all in
fret and fume. They couldn't open
the safe to get the money out for the
business of the day; something or other
was the matter with the lock. They were
in deal of a stew, and hailed Pat on his
arrival with delight, for now they could
open the lock.
Pat was bald-headed, and had habit
of running his hands on his pate, thus
really rubbing his hair away. He wore
spectacles as general thug, but when
he was particularly DESTROYS of looking
at anything. or was particularly excited,
he took the spectacles off bis eyes and
nXed them on MS fOronead.
He now rubbed his hands lover his
head minute, put his spectacles over
his forehead, looked at the lock a half
minute, worked at it with his tools min
ute or two, and the lock was fixed all
right and the safe was ready to open.
The president was delighted and so
was the cashier. They shook hands with
Pat, who received their salutations with
good deal of style.
"And now, Mr.. Lyon" asked the
president, what is your charger
Pat put up his spectacles a little
higher, just little, and said:
Zone hundred dollars"
"What One hundred dollars for less
than three minutes work, Mr.. Lyon?
Why, this is outrageous" said the presi-
dent. a.. q. e-f-e
''It is extortion," said the cashier.
"All right, said Pat Lyon, rubbing his
hand over his head, and then putting his
spectacies little higher over his fore
head-just little. "You won't give me
my money! won't give you my work.
And I'll leave things as found them"
Here he took hold of the lock, and cir
cusing with it, got it out Of gear, as it
was first, and so left the safe in precisely
the same unopenable condition as he
found it. Then he started to go home.
But the president and cashier, appre-
ciating the situation, seeing what fix
they were in, begged Pat to let up on
them, and fix the lock so they could open
the safe.
Pat complied with their request, but
still kept his hand on the safe. 1t was
all ready to open, but wasn't yet opened.
"Now. be reasonable in your charges;
do, Mr.. Lyon" said the bank president.
"Two hundred dollars" said Pat, rub
bling his head and raising his spectacles
once more.
"Why, this is downright robbery
cried the president.
might a. we'll break into the safe
as to open it at that rate" remarked the
cashier.
Gan right" said Pat, circusing with
the rock rapidly, before anybody could
prevent him, and then banging the safe
door to, leaving it for the third time
sealed.
By this time the president bad his
mad up. He ordered Pat out of his Of
fee, and sent for . rival blacksmith. He
come quick enough, and worked and
fused long and hard enough, but he
didn't fix the loci, and he couldn't open
the safe. And it got to be nearly 10
o'clock. and no money available yet.
In despair the third messenger was
after Pat Lyon, who came
back with lot of extra dignity.
"Open that at your own terms, Mr..
Patrick Lyon" said the president.
Pat rubbed his head put his spectacles
way up on his forehead, and opened the
safe.
"Now, your TERMS" said the presi
dent.
"Three hundred dollars" said Pat
The cashier protested, but the presi-
dent paid the money. "Why, he will
ask for $500 next time" remarked the
the president to the cashier.
Excuse me-" said Pat, with dignity,
but my terms the next time will be
$780,"
"You see," said the president to the
cashier. as he gave him the check.
And Pat rubbed his head aud took his
check without word. He was master
of the situation, and he knew it.
A WONDERFUL OLD MAN.-Whatever
judgment may be passed on Victor
Hugos later work, saws q writer in the