The Osceola times., 1886-01-02
THE IRON VAULT.
incident in the Life Of a locksmitt
and its Startling Revelations

and It's Startling Revelations
Fernandex Navarette lived in the city
of Mexico In 1850. and was a locksmith
by trade. His calling was to him q
strange one. aud possessed certain fas-
cination, rendering 1t one of the most
agreeable Of pursuits. Many who fol-
lowed 1t, saw nothing in it but labor
thought Of nothing but its return in gold
and silver. To Navsrette it had otter
charms thsn the money 1t produced.
Nsvareite was called upon almost daily
to open doors and peer into long neglect
ed apartments to spring the stubborn
locks Of saies. and eloat upon treasures
piled within tC quietly enter the apart.
ments Of ladies with more beauty than
discretion, and pick the locks of draw
ers containing peace-destroying missives,
that the dangerous evidences of wander
ing affection might not reach the eye of
. h..n.nd. az ~, father, in possession Of
the missing key to force the issVeninsss
O. cash boxes, aud repositories of records,
telling of men made suddenly rich, OF
corporations plundered, Of orphans
robbed, OF hopes crushed, of families
ruined. Was there 20 charm in this?-
no food for specnlation?-no scope for
the range of pleasant fancyf Then, who
would not be lo,ksmith, though his
face be beprimmed with the SCOT Of the
forge, and his hands stained with rust?
But of Navsrette there is an interest
ing story to tell-not exactly story.
7,.her-for story implies the compile
CIV .,", Is well as the beginning Of a nara
80. x.d Navareite's is scarcely more
IAN the introduction Of one.
IN THE SPRING OF 1860,
NSvnrette opened little shop in the
city Of Mexico, and soon worked bimsoli
into far business. Late one evening
q lady, closely veiled, entered his shop
and pulling from beneath cloak small
Japanned box, r, q iested the locksmith
to open 1t. Tae lock was ciriously con-
structed. and all of al. hour was occupied
in fitting il with a key. The lady seemed
nervous at the delay, and at length re-
Quested that the door of the shop be
closed. Navaretle was little surprised
at the suggestion, but ofcourse complied
Shutting the door n | returning to his
work. the lazy withdrew her veil, dis
cls,sing as swee. a face as could well be
imagined There was restlessness Ia
the eye, and paIlor in the cheek, how
ever, which plainly told of a heart i'll al
ease.
Perhaps you are not well, Sonora
and the night air is TOO chilly?" said the
lockrmiih rather inquisiIively.
Navareite ielt a rebuke in her reply
ain requesting you to close the door,
had no oiher object than to escape the
attention Of passers."
Navareue did not reply, hut h,
fhouchtk.ily continued sis s..s %Gis sois. 81 ss
resumed:
"Tnat little box contains valuable pa
pers-private pap"rs-and l have los
the key, or it has been stolen. / shoul'
NOT will 10 have you remember that
ever came here on such an errsnd," sh
continued, with some hesitation, ant
giving the locksmith look which wa
no difficult matter TO understand.
"Cerainly, Senora, il you desire it.
cannot forget your face, will at leas
attemp, to lose the recollection VI eve
seeing it here"
The lady bowed rather coldly at wins
was intenued fine compliment, an
the locksmith proceeded with his worl
satisfied that . suddenly discovered par
t!ality for him had nothing to do wit
the visit. Having succeeded, after muc
filing and fitting, in turning the 'ocl
Nsvsrette was seized with curiosity |
get : glimpse at the precious contents {
the boz, aud, suddenly raising the liz
discovered bundle Of letters aud
daguerreotype as he slowly passed tn
box 70 its owner. Sfe seized it hurriet
~, and, placing the letters and pictur'
in her pocs ct. locked the box, and draw
ing the vail over her face, pointed
the door. 1t was opened for her, and |
k..e passed out into the street, she mer
y uhispsssd, "R~nenben" Tue parti'
4 - 80, aud the rsenon q thus p
n isihi6s ~ la1ys ~
~ - ~ slb - u -
. 81 e .es.i.e' e e