Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-11-08
Misfellanenns
A Guard Against fhievery.


A RULE ADOPTED BIZ A WHOLESALE DRY
GOODS House TO PREVENT REGULATION.
A young man. heavily freighted with
bundles entered the wholesale department
of one of the largest drygoods establish
ments in this city few DAYS ago and call
ed on the head of the department. He
observed, sitting behind desk at the door.
a middle-aged gentleman who eyed him
suspiciously and seemed on the point of
speaking to him, but as be was in hurry
and saw his friend sitting al the other end
OF the room. he paid no attention to him.
but hastily brushed past the desk. carrying
his packages with him. After few min
utes' conversation with the manager he
arose and again approached the door. Be-
fore he could pass the desk, however, the
door-keeper. such was the position of the
middle aged gentleman, requested him
to stop.
81 am sorry to trouble you, sir" he
remarked, "but I 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 is all right sir" replied the door
keeper doggedly, "but | must see what
they contain for myself"
what is that to you?" responded the
visitor angrilv. What do You care
whether they hold butter or drvgoods ? l
paid for them myself and it is none of
your business what they are. Get out OF
nv way and let me pass"
Hearing the loud talking at the door the
manager came quickly to the rescue of his
unfortunate friend and inquired what was
the matter.
He won't let me examine his bundle.
SIR" responded the doorkeeper. land as
didn't check them when he passed by
here don't see what am to do about it.
know it's all right, but YOU know as well
do. that if don't see them myself Fll
lose my place here"
That's a fact, explained the manager.
You see there has been so much thieving
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 doorkeep-
err, and receive check for them, other
wise the doorkeeper was required to
examine their contents and satisfy himself
that they contained nothing pilfered from
the store.
There is no exception to the rule"
continued the manager. 81 conldn't take
a package out of here myself You see,
the dishonest statesmen, and every store
has some of that kind at one time or
~ hA hoh % Ia,
confederate come in here with large
bundle. They would take him around
and show him goods, and meanwhile
manage to secrete some valuable articles
in his package. 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 proprletors adopted this
rule, and this doorkeeper would be dis
charged if he made any exception to it &"
As the visitor, overcome with the logic
of his friends remarks was spreading out
his array on the doorkeeper's desk, a well
dressed gentleman, who had pencil
back of his ear and wore no hat, came
hurrying out of the door with a small pa
per bundle in his hand
Il beg your pardon. sir" remarked the
doorkeeper. stepping out from behind his
desk. "but orders is orders you know"
$50 be sure" responded the gentle
man. TO be sure and he promptly
submitted the parcel to inspecting. 1t was
soon examined the contents noted down
in book kept for that purpose, and in
moment it 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.