The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-10-01
RASCALLY INGENUITY.
Some Of the Devices Of Thieves.

~. Some Of the Devices Of Thieves.
1t Is not often that what is known as
"shop. lifting" brings much ingenuity to
the fore, yet there are sometimes rather
remarkable exceptions. One of these
may De lnstanced in the female shop-lift-
er not long since arrested for committing
robberles from drapery establishments in
y somewhat singular manner. When set
ting out for her predatory expeditions
she wore large, fat shoes, and had the
toe part of her stocking cut or to form a
sort OF mitten: and being very dexterous
for prehensory uses, she was able to pick
up articles from the floor and secre,e
them in her slipper. In looking oyc1
some pieces of lace in shop, she hao.
while the assistants attention was direct.
ed elsewhere, dropped one or two and
adroltly secreted them as described.
AS bright an example Of perverted in
genuity was developed in Paris during
the time Of the Exhibition. Three per.
sons, 1t seems, are necessary to carry out
inc tr1ck, the naode1s operasdi ofswhich is
as follows: A man, accompanied appar-
entity by his wife and daughter, enters a
shop In which the articles lie about q
little carelessly, and the gentleman at
once goes up to the head assistant behind
the counter and makes confidential COM
munlcatlon: II must warn you.' he
says, ''that my wife is afflicted with
kleptomania. Be SO good as to watch
her, but do not say anything TO her which
might make her think you have any sus
PIGEONS" The elder lady is consequently
watched with great care, all the shon
beng on the alert. Some article is pilfer-
ed IN due course, and the theft noticed,
and the gentleman on going out quietly
and promptly pays for what has been
taken. While the shopkeepcr is congratu-
iatlng himself On the honesty of the hus-
band, the trio are making ogs with val
liable Sooty secured by the younger lady,
whose movements had not been watched.
But the best part Of the stratagem re
mains to be told. In case the disappear
ance OF the articles really stolen should
be perceived little too soon, and the
party be followed by the indignant shop
keepers, nothing is easier than to express
regret and surprise that there should
have been other mistakes, and to return
the articles with profuse apologies. By
this ruse considerable degree of safety
is insured, even if the swindlers are
baked of their booty; the scheme pro-
vldes tor escape as well as for.success.
A German in Paris lately adopted
plan which was successful in despoiline
shopkeepers Of their goods. Provided
with loaf of bread, which he carried
unconcernedly under one arm, he would
walk up and down in front Of the shopwin-
doWs, till, watching his opportunity, he
would sieze some small article exposed
outside, or otherwise within bis reach,
and secrete it in his loaf. Suspected, and
at last arrested, he was subjected to
strict search, and was on the point of be
ing released, when some one Thought OF
the loaf, which the accused had laid un-
noticed on form. On examining it. a
watch, some rings, and other missing ar
ticles were displayed to the astonished
spectators, and another swindling dodge
thus exposed.
Equally successful for time was an
other system of robbery practiced not
long since in the streets of London. A
man dressed like clergyman would
walk about the crowded thoroughfares
carrying half opened umbrella in his
hand. Innocent as that useful article ap-
peared, it was acting all the time as a
convenient receptacle for sundry articles
Of value dexterously slipped within It's
| folds by two or three female pickpockets.
who were active in their depredations
among the foot passengers, but were cap
tured, together with their respectable
looking accomplice.
Thefts by means of any kinds of ruse
! are bad enough, but when they are COM
| mitted under the cloak of religion they
are UNNECESSARILY worse. A Sister of
Charity called on family in Paris to en-
list their sympathies for the poor; she
was most pleasant and attractive in her
manner. Eventually she induced those
present to join with her in an act of de-
votion, and the party knelt side by side
in the drawing-room while the sister Of
fered prayer, From the time of her
entering the house, and during this act.
she had kept her hands crossed upon Ler
bosom. When, therefore, in the middle
of a prayer lady felt somebody's hand
in her pocket, 1t required some nerve to
seize the sister and accuse her of the
THEFT. This she nevertheless. did, and
the mystery was solved The crossed
arms were of wax, and, being partially
hidden under the sleeves, seemed real,
while the actual hands were at liberty to
enable the lady to pursue her fraudulent
calling.
The Bill Skies fraternity. in following
out their profession of house breaking.
sometimes gives evidence OF an amount
of ingenuity worthy of a better cause. 4
burglar concealed under the bed of
married couple by some incautous move
ment almost betrayed his presence the
noise he made being sufficient to make
the wife call her husbands attention to
the sound. sits only one of the dogs"
was the sleepy answer, sand.ss swapping
his fingers, he called by its name one Of
his favorites which was supposed to be
present. The thief's presence, of mind
did not desert him though on the brink
Of discovery; for, divining the situation
at once, he Immediately licked the e1-
tended hand in hope Of confirming the
gentleman's surmlse. This clever ruse
was not, however, We believe, successful,
though one might say it deserved to be
for its holiness and ingenuity.