Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-02-15
The LOcksmiths Chance.

:
A r. aud ends with OIL.
The LOcksmith's Chance.
Pat Lyon, the great lOcksmith of his
day, was often sent for by presidents
OF banks and other great men, aud he
rather liked the idea Of keeping the
great people waiting. So one morning
Pat said he wOnld cone as soon as he
had done his breakfast, which happened
to be great deal later th IN usual this
particular morning.
Pretty seen came the second messeu-
ger lor Pat from the bank president and
so Pat started off with messenger nun.
Der two. 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; sone-
thing or other was the matter with the
lock. They were in a deal of stew,
and hailed Pat on his arrival with de-
light, for now they could open the lock.
Pat was bald-headed, aud had habit
ofrubblng his hands on his pate, thus
really rubbing his hair away. He wore
spectacles as a general thing, but when
he was particularly desirous of looking
at any yLhing, or was particularly excited
he took his spectacles off his eyes and
fixed them on bis forehead.
He now rubbed his hands over his
head a minute, put his spectacles over
his forehead, looked at the lock a half
minute, worked at it with his tools a
minute or two, and the lock was fixed
all right and the safe was ready to
open.
The president was delighted. and SC
W as the cashier. They shook hand:
with Pat, who received their salutations
with good deal of style.
And now, Mr.. Lyon asked tbt
president, what is your charge p
Pat put his spectacles little higher
just a little, and said:
One hundred dollars
What. One hundred dollars for lest
than three minutes work, Mr.. Lyon
Why this is outrageous said the presi
dent.
1T IS extortion,' said the cashier.
All right said Pat Lyon, rubbing
bis hand over his head. and then put
ting his spectacles little higher owe
his forehead-just little. You won
give me my money! won't give 20
my work. And III leave things as
found them. Here he took hold tn
lock. and clrcusing with 1t, got it out
gear as it was at first, and so lett th
safe 10 precisely Tie same unopenabl
condition as he found It. Then b
started to 60 home.
But the president and cashier, az
preciatIng the situation, seeing what
fix they were in, begged Pat " let U
on them. and fix the lock so they coul
open the safe.
Pat complied with their request, br
still kept his hand on the safe. II wa
all ready to open, but wasn't "
opened.
Now, be reasonable in your charges
do, Mr.. Lyon said the bank pres
dent
Two hundred dollars said Pal
> rubbing his head and raising his spectf
cles once more,
why, this is downright robbery
, cried the president.
? might as we'll break into the sal
as open It at that rate remarked Il
cashier.
All right, said Pat, circussing WI
= the lock rapidly, before anybody cou
. prevent him. and then banging the sa
. door too, leaving it for the third tin
D Theoretically sealed.
Y BY this time the president had b
: mad up. He ordered Pat out of b
1 office, aud sent for rival blacksmit
s He came squick enough, aud wOrke
e and fused long and hard enough, but
b didn't fix the lock. and he couldn
omen the safe. And it got to be nearl
= 10 o'clock, and no mony available We
r In despair the third messenger WI
d dispatched alter Pat Lyon, who can
= hack with lot of extra dignity.
= Open that at your own terms, M
X Patrick Lyon, said the President.
!. Pat rubbed his head, put his spe
n tacles way up on his forehead, al
g opened the safe.
Q Now your tcrms,' said the Presideu
n Three hundred dollars said Pat.
o The chashier protested, but the Pre-
u dent pad tie money. why he W
e ask for 500 next time remarked {
l. President to the cashier.
g Excuse me- SAID Pat with dlgnll
'e but my terms next time will be sSV'
N You see,' said the President to I
cashier, as be gave him the check.
st And Pat rubbed his head, and 10
ID his check without word. lie W
m master of the situation, aud be knew
4, There is but one thing III all I
- universe 10 which man Is always Iai'
ful. and which he never iorsels' a.
vs. that is himself.