Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-11-01
A GUARD AGAINST THIEVERY.
A Rule Adopted by a Wholesale Dry
Goods House to Prevent Population.

From the New York Mail and Express
young man, heavily freghted with bundles,
entered the wholesale department of one of the
largest dry goods establishments in this city q
few days ago and called IN the head of the de-
partment. He observed, sitting behind desk
at the door, middle-aged gentleman who eyed
him suspiciously and seemed on the point of
speaking to him, but as he was in hurry and
saw his friend sitting at the other end of the
room, he paid no attention to him. but hastily
brushed past the desk. carrying his packages
with him. After q few minutes conversation
with the manager he arose and again approach
ed the door. Before he could pass the desk,
however. the dOorkeeper-such was the posi-
ton of the middle-aged gentleman-requested
him to stop.
Il am sorry to trouble you, SIR" he re-
marked. "but should like to examine your
parcels"
Examine my parcels" exclaimed the young
man in surprise. ''What are they to you? I
brought them here with me, and intend to
take them away with me-"
That's all right, Sir, replied the doorkeeper
doggedly. but l must see what they contain
"What is that to you?" responded the visitor
angriy. "What do you care whether they hold
butter or dry goods? l paid for them myself,
and it's none of your business what they are.
Get out Of my way and let me pass"
HcdlluS Iuc lOuu tGlhliS GHC UOOr CnG
manager came quickly to the rescue Of his un-
| fortunate friend and inquired what was the
matter.
"He won't let me examine his bundle. SIR"
responded the doOrkeeper; land as l didn't
check them when he passed bv here, don't see
what am to do about it. know it's all right,
but you know as we'll as do that If / don't see
them myself I'll lose my place here"
'That's a TACT" explained the manager "You
see there has been SO much theving in the
store that we have adopted this rule. Look at
that sign on the door,"
The visitor looked up and read notice to the
effect that all persons coming into the store
with bundles in their hands should leave the
same with the door-keeper and receive a check
for them, otherwise the dOOr-keeper was re-
himself that they contained nothing plfered
from the store.
'There is no exception to the rule" con-
tinued the manager. Il couldn't take pack
age out of here myself. You see, the dishonest
salesmen-and every store has some of that
kind at one time or anOther-got into the habit
of having confederate come in here with a
large bundle. They would take him around
and show him goods, and meanwhile manage
to secrete some valuable articles in his pack
age. After this was done, the confederate
would walk out with the stolen goods under
his arm, and no one would be any the wiser for
the theft To prevent this the proprietors
adopted this rule. and this door-keeper would
be discharged If he made any exception to it."
AS the visitor, overcome with the logic Of
his friends remarks, was spreading out his
array OF parcels on the doOrkeeper's desk. a
well-dressed gentleman who had pencil
back of his ear and wore no hat came hur-
ing out of the door with q small paper bundle
in his hand
81 beg your PARDON sir," remarked the door
keeper, stepping out from behind his desk,
but "Orders is orders, you know"
ITO be sure, responded the gentleman, ito
be sure" and he promptly submitted the par
Gel to inspection. It was soon examined, the
contents noted down in book kept for that
purpose, and in minute 1t was returned to him
and he disappeared down the stairs.
'That is the senior partner" observed the
doorkeeper as he began untying the largest
parcel.