The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-12-20
FASHIONABLE THIEVES.
The Harvests They Reap at the Weddings
of the Rich.
Detectives in Full Dress and the Work they
Find to do Among the Crowds at
Costly Marriage Receptions.
From the Philadelphia Press.

glass, walked into a detectives office
on SAMSON Street yesterday after
noon. AS he put down his cane and
removed one of his light yellow
gloves, he asked for the chief of the
agency. When the chief appeared,
the visitor had succeeded in freeing
one hand from the tight confines Of
the kid and said:
81 understand you send detectives
to Weddings
Eyes, sir, we do"
"Well, l wish you would send a
good man to my house next Thurs
day night
"What kind of people do you ex-
pect to have there? The same as
were at the -Belleville- Seidenberg
wedding??"
The gentleman put on his eye
glass and stared savagely. He did
not exactly remember the DeBelle-
ville-Seidenberg affair, but he man
aged to remark with touch of sar-
casm in his tone, 81 don't exactly
catch your meaning, sir, but | desire
to say that the people who have been
invited to my sisters wedding are
supposed to have some slight claims
to responsibility. live on West
Walnut Street"
"Thats all right, sir; that's all
right" explained the detective; ri
only wanted to know if you could
describe any people you wanted
watched in particular"
"No, cannot, but a great many
valuable presents will be exhibited,
probably SIS, 900 worth, and we can
not tell who may get into the house."
81 will send a man, but you will
have to give him an invitation"
That shall be attended to-" said
the gentleman, as he removed his
eye-glass and marched out.
"Is that sort of thing customary?"
asked reporter who had witnessed
the interview.
ooh, yes replied the detective.
eve send men by request not only
to weddings, but to churches and
fairs. One Of our men is up now at
the St. Chrysostom fair at the Bell
evue."
"Why is a detective required at a
wedding where everybody comes by
invitation?"
RICH KLEPTOMANIACS.
because it is not only the profess
sional crook you have to look out
for. There are plenty of wealthy
kleptomaniacs. When rich and
we'll dressed woman steals diamond
ring she is called kleptomaniac.
When dirty beggar steals a pair of
shoes he is called thief. We de-
tectives think this is a distinction
without difference. Then you must
remember that every now and then
a professional thief gets into a private
residence where a fashionable we'd
ding is being solemnized, notwith-
standing the fact that he has no invi-
tation.'
"How does he do it?
"Walks right in. The most ex-
pert and successful of petty thieves
always dress elegantly and have the
appearance Of the greatest respecta-
bility. 1t is peculiar thing, too,
that they can control some of the
handsomest and most accomplished
women. A thief gets mash in an
apparently respectable woman and
sometimes marries her. Some thieves
| know of have married into fine
families, and the people never knew
they we're crooks. If the thief doesn't
marry the girl he keeps her as his
mistress. When he makes a good
haul of $1,000 or $4,000, he throws
$500 in her lap. They live on the
top of the heap and dress as we'll as
the finest. 1t is the easiest thing in
the world for couple such as l have
described to get into a rich mans
house where wedding is going on.
They drive up to the door in hand
some carriage. What if they have
no cards? Plenty of people come
without them, although the invita-.
ton bears the explicit instruction,
"Present this card at the door," The
usher cannot afford to insult two
such distinguished looking guests, SC
they pass in. Once inside, what 4
harvest is spread before them Ere
quently at weddings Of the rich $780,
900 or 500, 900 worth Of jewelry, sill
verware and all sorts of most valua
bic articles are spread out in a room
without any protection whatever
Then look at the chances there arr
to steal jewelry and ornaments from
the ladies present. The thief is giver
a better opportunity than in Grove
on the street, because everybody i:
totally unsuspicious. All the womer
wear the most valuable gems and or
naments they possess. | am pretty
good judge of a diamond-can tel
one when | see it-and ! have sect
a woman at a wedding with S4o,oot
, worth displayed on her person, ii
her hair and ears, on her throat ane
breast and on the shoulders of he
short-sleeve dress. An expert THE
does not want an easier job than t.
slip off a pin here, or brooch there
and it does not take him long to col
, lect enough to support him in tn