Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1860-09-01

the victims vest, while tho watch has been passed
from one hand to another tilt it may be several
blocks away before IL is missed. IN buy ing watch
es it may be a good thing to know that when the
guard ring is riveied 10 the watch, instead Of being
simply sprung together, q pickpocket stands little
chance of getting it away, unless he cuts the
guard,
The most expert pickpockcts-thoso ct tho head
Of the profession--are rather inclined to avoid
New York, as the Detective Police have become
too thoroughly acquainted with them and their
modes Of operation. They accordingly turn their
attention to travelling and working railroad cars,
steamboats,, and the inland cities which they visit
on their route. Two or three generally travel
together, and take advantage of every crowd to
practice their arts upon uuwary strangers. After
a successful tour, they return to New York to
spend their ~ill-gotten gains in gambling and riot
Gus living. 1t is not an unusual thing for an ex-
pert to start from New York with scarcely any
funds, travel directly through to New Orleans or
some of the Western cities, and Immediately return
with sufficient money to enable him to live in idle
ness for several months. This leaves in the city
few besides the comparative novices, the women,
and the kids" or juvenile pickpockets. These
are particularly afraid Of the Detectives, and will
seldom attempt q job when they know them to be
near. 1t frequently occurs that at places Of
amusement q thief will present himself to a detec.
tive who may be there, and beg TO be allowed to
go inside. lie promises faithfully not to work
the audience, aud lf the Detective wishes, he will
wait till oil of the people are out of the building
before taking his departure. If the officer grants
him permission, the thief pays his money, goes in
side and seats himself in an obscure corner, from
whence he watches the performance with pleasure,
lie always keeps his promise faithfully, for no
knows that if any ono Of the audience is robbed,
the Detective will be sure to arrest him immedi-
ntely. AS AN ounce Of prevention is worth o
pound of cure so it often h~app,ns that the ap-
pearanco of a Detective in a crowd docs moro to
prevent crime than all the heavy penalties ever
inflicted by Judge Russell. The light fingered
gentry always keep well advised of all public
gatherings, and their first inquiry is what cop
pers' (policemen) will be thero7 Being satisfied
on this point, they know whether or not i. is
worth while to attend, and act accordingly. Near
y all Of them dress well, and some Of them being
Of agreeable manners and cheerful conversation,
it is not difficult for them to form the acquaintance
of q stranger, and engage his attention, while q
confederate picks his pockets. Many Of the Sec
ond or third rate pickpockets make it ALMOST their
exclusive business to keep track of the city cars
and stages. While passengers are hurriedly get
ting in or out, it requires but little dexterity to re-
lieve them Of some valuable article. A car crowd
ed full of mixed people, where it is almost impos.
sible to stir one way or another, affords them a
most favorable opportunity for c~rowdiug, and Lust-
ling. and rDlbinu their splpcte1 vietim
Tho female pickpockets are moro limited in
their opportunities, but many of them evince a de-
gree Of skill in their profession worthy a higher
sphere Of action. In the city they are confined to
working the stones, shop windows, stages, &C.,
being incapable of operating in the crowds in
which the males rejoice. They generally 60 in
pairs, and in passing through the streets, if they
spy q store that is well crowded with purchasers,
they boldly enter and desire to see SOME goods.
. One will examine the articles, being careful to
3, hold whatever it may be in such a position as TO
! cover the movements of her companion. In this
+ way they relieve many ladies of their purses or
small articles of jewelry. Seeing a number Of
ladies looking into a shop window, they join the
throng. ard are p%rofuse in their laudations of the
articles exhibited. One will crowd against the
i MY hOL lh'g eClCS w ISpJ "h'N a. OthSiB UO-
ing in tie rear, will transfer her valuables to one
Of the numerous pockets in her own garments. If
the female pickpocket be what is termed "a stage
buzzer,' she puts on her choicest costume, being
sure to wear a large mantilla. Taking her seat at
the right Of a respectable lady, (ladies' pockets
are all on the right hand side-as we have been
informed), she Carelessly throws her mantilla over
her neighbours lap. This gives her an opportuni-
ty to use her delicate digits unobserved. Her
hand steals softly among tho folds of the dress till
the pockets found, when down go the fingers 20
the bottom, and the purse is soon extracted. The
money is instantly taken from it and the purse
carefully returned to the owners pocket. Ladies
are always fearful Of being robbed, and as they
q are constantly feeling through their dress for their
d. purse, 1t is returned SO that they may be assured
y Of its presence. Even when they ascertain that
their money is gone, and the purse left, they are
more ap' to believe that it was lost than to suspect
n their ood-iooking n~eighbor. In some cases,
=, whore the purse cannot be returned, it is thrown
from the window, or dropped into the coat-tail
9 pocket Of some convenient gentleman. But in all
cases, whenever or however obtained, the thiePs
FIRST object is to get rid of the purse, or anything
else he may have taken that can be possibly lden-
tined.
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