Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1873-05-08
A shattered wreck;
PIcKPOCKETs.

i.
Some months ago, while going down
Broadway in an omnibus, as was look
ing at the people on the sidewalk, I felt
a hand very softly and gently making
it's way behind me, evidently progress
ing toward the pocket in the skirts of
my coat. Recollecting there was moth
ing but handkerchief in one pocket
and a pair of gloves in the other, knew
that [ could not lose very much, and
therefore sat still to enjoy this new sem
sation. The hand had very nearly
reached my pocket when I turned to
study the ss artist" He was man about
forty years of age, plainly and neatly
dressed, and looked like very respect
able citizen.
The instant began to turn toward
him his hand was swiftly but quietly
withdrawn, and when / faced him he
was looking gravely at something on
the sidewalk As 1 continued to study
him he turned his head, and we had a
good "square" look at one another
for moment without word being said
by either. He then pulled the strap and
left the stage to seek some other sphere
of action.
A few days ago, while standing on the
front platform of Fourth avenue car,
I happened to cast my eyes down, and
saw to my astonishment that my vest
was unbuttoned. As it could not have
unbuttoned itself, and as I certainly had
not done it, I took occasion, while slow
ly rebuttoning it, to quietly look around
and decide, if possible, which of my
neighbors had been thus attentive to
me. I made up my mind from the rela-
tive positions of all on the platform,
that it must have been done by gem
tleman standing nearest to and Just in
front of me, and who must have seen
me return my pocket-book to the inside
pocket of my vest after paying my fare.
Yet it seemed preposterous to think so,
for he was a very decent looking man !;
his clothes were neat and well cut, and
there was nothing loud" or extraya-
giant about him. He appeared perfectly
respectable, and it seemed utterly inn
possible that he could be-a pickpocket.
/ noticed, however, that he carried on
his left arm Light coat in ''bunchy'
way, which would very effectually con-
ceal his right hand when raised for such
an operation, and, since had to choose
between believing that my vest unbut-
toned itself, or that he had Gone it, I
felt forced to believe the latter. I no.
ticed, also, that he and I were the only
ones that were quietly studying our
neighbors. The rest had the usual
straight-ahead look of passengers in
tent upon their journey.
had uttered no exclamation when ]
made my discovery, SO the gentleman in
question appeared perfectly at his ease.
I felt convinced, however, that if he
were pickpocket, he must be in
the front rank of his profession for gen
tleness of touch, dexterity of fingers,
and imperturbable demeanor. After
studying us all quietly for a few mo-
ments, he made his way unobtrusively
to the rear platform, and spoke to tall.
er, but younger man, who, singularly
enough, had also light coat, carried il
the same bunchy way, on the left arm
After talking together a few seconds
they left the car on the corner O
Fourteeth street, ard I saw them M
more.
Not long ago a car conductor CAV,
quite an interesting account of hov
his pocket was picked, which I shal
repeat as nearly as possible in his owl
words
1t was not on my own car, or on M
own line. You see, 1 had got day OF
to attend to some business in Brooklyn
where I had to make payment of $50
Az 1 was leaving the honse, my brother
in-law said to me: 'Take care yo
don't get your pocket picked. We'll
said I, 'if any one picks my pocke
he's welcome to all he can get. Whe
1 got to the other side of the river,
went to pay my $50, but I no soone
touched my pocket than I knew ha
been robbed. I was thunderstrucE
My pocket had really been picked afte
all. So 1 just sat down and thought
all out, and when I got through it wa
just as clear as MONDAY. You see, as
was getting on the car, 1 noticed som
suspicious looking characters on th
platform, SO I just buttoned up my par