The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-02-15

was me even after l had made my
self known in his private Office.
"Well, well" said he, surveying
me from head to foot. I'm blest if
l am yet convinced that you are Mr..
Conrad CARRIER"
"We had quite a laugh over the
matter, and then I took my post of
observation behind a contrivance of
my own invention.
"There was an opening in the CEN
tire of the ceiling about six feet
square, which was on direct line
with the sky-light on the root. This
was constructed to admit sufficient
light to light the centre part of the
store on the first floor.
This opening | had covered with
a fine wire screen, and the opening
on the third floor l caused to be
covered with heavy oilcloth, so
that no one could possibly see me,
yet enabling me to see all parts Of
the store beneath me.
II remained at my post until
noon. but had only seen young
miss slip pair of kids beneath her
shawl, after purchasing nothing dur
ing the half hour she remained ex-
amining the goods.
"She was, evidently, not the one |
was looking for, so merely men
toned the circumstance to Mr.. Gil
lon and described her person and
dress. so that he might know her
should she call again.
"He scarcely paid any attention to
so trivial an affair, and advised me
to keep my eye on certain count
er, where the more costly goods
would be examined by the custo-
mers. He also said that the real
rush would begin after two o'clock
and continue until FIVE; then was
my opportunity.
"At about three the store was
crowded, plenty OF sales were made
and all the clerks were kept busy. |
was not surprised that an adroit
thief, especially if surrounded by
some of her confederates, could pill
fer with impunity in such a crowd.
The clerks were to busy to have their
eyes anywhere than on the goods
they were displaying to the custo-
mers. !
"But had plenty of opportuni-
ties for observation behind my i'm
penetrable screen, and it was not
long before l beheld something that
commanded my unqualified admi-
ration, even while / admitted the
wrong perpetrated.
"A fine, portly lady and beauti-
full young girl were standing at the
counter on which were spread a mis-
cellaneous variety of costly articles
-laces, ribbons and silk braids.
"The polite clerk was all smiles,
for the ladies had made number of
purchases already, as the pile of
paroles in paper testified.
Suddenly voice feminine one
called "Harry, here a moment"
and the clerk turned his head to the
right, when, like fash, the young
lady seized pile of lace, which she
had adroitly covered with her hand
kerchief, and thrust it beneath her
overskirt, and by the time the clerk
turned to the ladies again, the young
er one was quietly lingering some
ribbons.
Il glanced at the elder of the two,
and as far as my judgement went,
she was either ignorant of what
had occurred, or she was acting the
innocent to perfection.
Il kept a close watch now on eve-
nv movement made by the young
lady, for / beliefed she was the shop
LITTER that had so long robbed and
deceived Mr.. Gillon.
Before they left, the thief had
made two more appropriations" of
similar character, without being |
detectedzby the clerk waiting on
her.
"The elder lady paid for their
purchases. and when they left, the /
space vacated was soon taken by /
others.
Thus" thought I, "if the goods
are finally missed, it will be a hard
matter to say who did the pilfering,
for the thief probably never piled
her trade unless there is rush"
"The moment they had passed
ont, ! hurried down stairs and look
ed for Mr.. Gillon. He was engaged
in an earnest conversation with the
clerk who had waited on the shop
litter and her companion.
"Mr. Gillon was excited, and |
Judged that the thief had been dis
covered and the proprietor informed
of it.
.You are excited" said | smiling
ly. as l approached them. Quickly
turning around. the merchant ex-
claimed
'.Mr. CARRIER, this stupid fellow"
designating the confused clerk with
his finger, has permitted that shop.
litter to purloin about fifty dollars
worth of goods from under his nose,
and he was too blind to see it.
Nay, Mr.. G:llon," said /, ''be not
too impulsive in your condemna
ton the gentleman is not to blame
at ALL"
"Oh,n cried he, as a smile lit up
his features, "you were witness to
the act ?"
"Yes, saw how it was done. The
lady snatched the laces while your
attention was called to some one
who said, Harry, here moment"
said /. addressing myself to the
clerk.
ayes, .ir," admitted he. "some
one did call me, but l could not
find out who it was" Il
ut was the thief herselfr said /.
"But the voice came from my
right and from behind the counter"
said the clerk. 4
Possibly" returned / I; "but an
expert ventriloquist can send his or
her voice wherever they choose
a light seemed to freak over the
faces of both gentlemen, and Mr..
Gillon said:
CD. H. AZ. Covbor vou hovp :