The Bossier banner., 1884-11-06
THIEVES AND THIEYING.

The SkirEnishers of the Regular Army
Of Thieves-Adroit Tricks of Profess
sionals = Hiding Stolen Property -
Kleptomania-COmic Incidents.
A large number of thieves are mere
ly skirmishers, or auxiliaries rs it were,
on the TANKS of the regular army.
These auxiliaries do not live wholly by
crime, but have some ostensible occu-
patton which they follow. At the same
time, they never loss a good opportu-
nifty Of stealing. In all large towns
the cinder-gatherer may be seen. Late
at night and early in the morning she
goes through the streets and lanes,
probing with long knife the depths
and shadows of every dust heap, and
rescuing therefrom every scrap that
will sell Papers, rags, bones, cinders,
and old boots are transferred with
marvellous celebrity into the depths of
the capacious bag which she carries.
Should stray door-mat be lying handy,
OF an unsecured back door give access
to green where clothes lie bleaching.
her ideas of Daeupl and tuunl becomes
straightway rather hazy, and the
chances are that a theft is reported next
morning. A large number of thefts of
umbrellas and great coats from Hobbies
are the work of peddlers, beggars, or
old-clothesmen, who loaf around and
watch their chance. A smart '.profes-
slonal' OF our acquaintance, who is at
present in penal servitude, was an adept
at stealing great coats. He had a
piece of wire with sort of hook on
one end with which he could snatch
them from lobby pegs without making
his own appearance Each tsprofess-
lonal has his own particular style of
thieving in which he has graduated.
These soon become known to the de-
tectives, who, on learning the naoduS
operdndt of a theft, are often able to
pounce on the person wanted, even
when no description can be supplied.
One class of theft was very prevalent
IN dlasgow and neighborhood some
time ago. A man dressed like trades
man called at number of houses where
the owners happened to be absent. (Of
course the operator satisfied himself on
that point first) He represented that
ne mad been sent by some well-known
nrm OF upholsterers TO measure room
aor new carpet, or by joiner to re-
pair the windows. In various instances
ne got into houses and generally
found an opportunity to steal. Another
fnlef well known in Dundee does the
pigeon trick. His method is to look
out Tor an open window, ring the bell
ana say that a pigeon has Just flown
away from him on the street and
nnttered in at the window. Would
tney kindly search for it, or permit him
% 90 SOP Once in, ten to one but the
cleser thief manages to commit theft
pe,ore ne goes out lamenting the loss
oi ms bird, which, of course, can not be
found. : 'S' 70
a d!ecrepit youth used to go about the
city IN which the writer lives. This
sau legs were useless, so he had fiat
poards fastened with straps below his
AneeS, and, assisted by short crutches.
ne crept along the pavement. He was
dextrous thief. Ii a lady stopped to
@ .ooA 10 at shop window. he could Just
ssacn her handbag or pocket; and if
cue was unwary, she was minus her
purse IN few seconds, while the in
~ nincant appearance of the thief dis
armed suspicion.
AnieVes sometimes quarrel in their
sups' and if detective happens to
nn n.eee tnem before the heat of anger has
passed OH, spitefulness often induces
saem 70 give him valuable information.
I'm Ssamlnals are almost always prodigal in
oEs REssnalng their ill-gotten gains, and the |
olu proyerb, Lightly come, lightly |
o' seems specially applicable to |
;s .nem' II in funds, they share freelv |
ss;.1 ~;.n their needy brethren, probably |
whan Isa an eye to receiving similar help |
sha0oa aSn out at the knees snd elbows
4 ssolen property Is often slowed away
mar !, ,ery 3, curious hiding places. A lame |
iass -A We, we convicted at Leeds assizes
tn ss3 O passing base coin. When |