The Osceola times., 1886-01-16
THE IRON VAULT.
Incident in the Life Of a locksmth
and its Startling Revelations


and its Startling Revelations.
Fernandez Navarette lived in the city
of Mexico in 1860. and was locksmith
by trade. His calling was to him
strange one. and possessed certain fas-
cinaton, rendering it one of the most
agreeable of pursuits. Many who fol-
lowed it, saw nothing in it but labor
thought of nothing but its return in gold
and silver. To Navarette it had otter
chsrms than thu money it produced.
Navareite was called upon almost daily
to open doors and peer into long neglect
ed apartments; to spring the stubborn
locks of safes, and glo,t 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 mis-ives,
that the dangerous evidences of wander
ing affection might not reach the eye Of
a husband, or lather, in possession uf
the missing key 10 force the fastenings
OF cash boxes, and repositories of records,
telling of men made suddenly rich, of
corporations plundered, of orphans
robbed, of hopes crushed, Of families
ruined. Was there o charm in this?-
no food for speculation?-no scope for
the range of ieasaht fancy? Then, who
would not be locksmith, though his
face be beerimmed with the SCOT of the
forge, and his hands stained with rust?
But of Nsvarelte there is an interest
in. story 10 tell-not exactly story,
either-for story implies the compile
ton a. well rs the beginning Of a nara
tive-ar.d Navarelte's is scarcely more
than the introduction Of one.
IN THE SPRING OF 1860,
Navarette openes little shop in the
city of Mexico, and soon worked bimsvlf
into a far business. Late one evening
lady, closely veiied, entered his shop,
and pulling from beneath cloak small
Japanned box, requested the locksmith
to open it. Toe lock was clriously con-
structed, and all of al. hour was occupied
in fitting it with key. The lady seemed
nervous at the delay, and at length re-
Quested that the door of the shop be
closed. Navarette was little surprised
at the suggestion, bit )fcuurse complied.
Shutting the door AMI returning to his
work. the lazy withdrew her veil, dis.
closing as sUee. face as could well be
imagined There was restlessness in
the eye. and pallor in the cheek, how
ever, which plainly told of heart i'll at
ease.
PERHAPS you are not well, Sonora,
and the night air is too chilly?" said the
locksmiih rather inquisiiively.
Navareile ielt rebuke in her reply.
an requesting you to close the door, |
had no other object than to escape the
attention of passers."
Navareue id not reply, but he
thoughtfully continued his work. She
resumed:
"Tnat little box contains valuable pa
pers-private papers-and have lost
the key, or it has been stolen. l should
not wish 10 have you remember that
ever came here on such an errand," she
continued, with some hesitation, and
hn l.so op,,th lnxE xx,k,nh
no difficult matter TO understand.
Certainly, Sonora, il YOU desire it. II
cannot forget your face, will at least
attempt to lose the recollection vf ever
seeing it here"
The lady bowed rather coldly at what
was intenued fine compliment, and
the locksmith proceeded with his work,
satisfied that suddenly discovered par
tiality for him had nothing to do with
the visit. Having succeeded, after much
filing and fitting, in turning the 'ock
Navarette was seized with a curiosity 10
get glimpse at the recious contents ol
the box, aud, suddenly raising the lid
discovered bundle of letters and 8
daguerreotype as he slowly passed the
box to its owner Size seized it hurried
ly, and, placing the letters and picture,
in her pocset. locked the box, and draw
ing the vail over her face, pointed t,
the door. II was opened for her. and a
sne passed out into the street, she mere
ly whispered, "Rsmeinber!" The partie
mst again. and the reason Of thus par
tiou1akly aescribing the ladys visls h
- dh1p = - ruadsr prObah's . s1hse
eunnt rssoGniiion.
- 49, No oelosk ons norninG. son
49, m1n1s lA1se. NsvasetAs was avail