Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-08-06
9ai19R eagle
RICH WOMEN WHO STEAL
A FLOOR-WALKER IN A DRY GOODS
STORE TELLS HIS EXPERIENCE.

Oh6 Clio 6NFGhtGNN6s
A Fair Thief Caught in the Very Act-A
Sad Case of Kleptomania Easily Ex-
Misunderstanding . Bunch OF Hair
Crimpers-Methods Employed.
"Do you really have many cases of shop
hfting" inquired the reporter mot 90
many seem to get into print"
THAT is nothing to go by at all, " replied
the floor walker. HSomo stores have half
dozen day. 1t Is monotonous, not to say
worse, to 60 into court with them, and see
the firms name in print daily in such . con-
nection. WHO wants that No enc know.
Tho loss by stealage is enough, Lord knows,
but eyes have to be closed to it What
temptation there can be to most Of the
offenders passes my imagination. We have
good reason to know it is seldom for want of
money to make the purchase Perhaps they
think they have not their moneys worth in
q previous trade, and will run all the risks
to get even by stealing. Now look there,
for instance" pointing to the glove counter.
A portly lady, Hastily clad in plush cloak,
silk DRESS and fashionable hat seemed leis-
urely engaged in making q selection from
several boxes before her. She had stood
there some time, and called for one style
after another. The reporter and his asso-
ciate carelessly drew closer, avoiding the
appearance of attention. and overheard the
various running comments on colors, seams,
and tie other features of the stock exposed
The boxes all seemed drawn pretty close to
the front of the counter. The sales girl
looked rather annoyed, but expressed her
self with yawn, and light remark to q
clerk over the aisle, turned her back to the
customer, picked up a mirror and proceeded
to touch up her friZzies Almost directly
one OF the boxes Of gloves went over the
counter ana under the plush cloak. There
was no sign of discovery, apparently, and,
after a moments further handling, the
woman started to go, with the intimation
that she would call again.
CAUGHT IN THE VERY ACT.
But that mirror had not been held up for
frizzes alone. Over her shoulder the sales
g,rl had seen the customers actions reflected,
and she turned at once to say, I'VE generally
have all purchases wrapped up, mas am"
with significant look.
1What do you mean, you hussy" said the
stout lady, flushing up
The remark was repeated, and "Mr Jones"
to the floor walker.
30 near that he caught the box and gloves
half down the lady's dress as she loosered
her pressure on them, and sought to let
them fall on the floor. There was no get
ting out for the shoplifter. Her bushes
were profuse, and great drops of perspira
ton stood on her forehead. She seemed
glad enough to get off with the payment of
an extra price for the stock which was ar
ranged with as much expedition and quiet
ness as possible, and she left the stora
"Now," said the floor walker, returning tc
the reporter, "what do you think of that!'
ats too badl How her husband would
feel to hear of this! know her."
you think you do, perhaps, but I hope
you are not very intimately acquainted
Her husbands Ha! ha! Why, he's doing
time now. If he hears Of it at all it will be
by letter from her. telling how easy she got
off. II We hadn't been in court within a |
month believe I'd put her through, for she |
deserves it She's an old hand, and pretty |
well known in the stores But to take her |
up Ever been at the police courtl Well, |
once a month is often enough for me there. |
wonder how she came in to play that when |
there were SO few in the house. Why three |
or four were watching her and noting the
fun. Thought you knew her, did you!
How's thatl"
"She's the image Of the wife Of a we'll |
known architect" explained the reporter.
Suppose she is; know she is no archi-
tect's wife, She's stone-cutter's, by the |
way" laughing at the idea Nov, what
ever there is in it, I've a theory that such |
resemblances are designed by some profess !
ionais, and they study their prototypls |
most carefully, even to associations, SO as to |
talk Familiarity of friends if occasion brings |
about the opportunity. have been mis-
taken myself in assumptions, but got over it |
long ago. after a most Jisagreeable scrape |
was younger and brash
SAD CASE OF KLEPToMANIA
II saw q understanding woman take off a
half-dozsn as nice embroidered handker-
chiefs as we had in the store. / was posi- |
tive she was a certain customer on our books |
and was confirmed in the belief by recollect-
ing the ab,ent-minded way she worked. To |!
me it seen,sl a sad case of kleptomanja and
/ fancied her house full of all sorts Of stolen
nicknacks Of no use, but said to be presents
from friends That's the way, You know.
So let her pass out unnoticed, and at the
end of the month sent up the item with the
rest of the statement Of the months pur-
chaseS Then it all came out As soon as l
saw the lady l knew my error. But it was !
. close resemblance
mo, take no stock In kleptomania II
you notice, It's only q disease for rich
folks. Who knows but what fasteur will
be innoculating for it after he gets through
with by drophobia! There's more money in
It for him They say tho nobility Lave at
tacks Of it once in awhile Yes, every stock
suffers with US Oh, it might stop stealing
II We didn't display the COOS 20 much, but
It would stop trade too Why, the other
day actually saw q grown woman hook .
bunch OF hair crimpers of the notion coun-
Ter that were plainly marked two punches
for centA The gall Of it paraly.ed me and
the clerks around and we nearly laughed
aloud. We let her 60 her way, though
Silk remnants and bolts Of ribbon or lace
IRE the most tempting.
Yes, we do search, but moro frequently
Il Is not necessary, but a. you saw. ia
woman comes prepared TO steal, and has tho
customary bag or pocket sewed In her
clothss We can know whether she y good to
earch by beating around her clothing. !
when We tel uncommon objects for the
pocket From time to time We have 90
simulated upstairs stacks Of stuff taken
,ut Of such places, but not STOLEN from uA ! [
Rarely do they try to bragen II out but
ny. and talk Of their homes, and they never |
lid it before, and never will again, and - {
IN As I aid, ws don't core 70 % into I
'ourt, and lot most 60 II We gss our goods
Jack Articles regularly purchased, You
new, are wrapped and have cash checks
With thsm We have found such with goods
to be stolen, bat never keep
hem. OF soursa '-Intsr-Ocsan.
The Mystery Of ''Gray Mule Day.
A friend Of ours happened In one Of the {
Try counties, In another state, and where q