The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1886-08-21
WOMEN WHO STEAL.
A Floor-Walker Tells of His Elk
perience With Them.


wasn't it rather strange, the arrest
OF those respectable ladies the other
day, for stealing in aState street store?"
was asked of an old foor-walker in the
retail dry goods trade.
Eyes, it was strange that they were
arrested and put through" was the re-
ply. ut is nothing uncommon, though,
for women presumably respectable to
be caught slowing away on their per-
sons goods they have not paid for" he
went on to say. ''How they get eff de-
ponds on the store where they are
picked up. You know all don't have
the same classes Of customers, nor dc
all have the same ideas about the effect
publicity of such affairs would have on
their trade. tell you it is pretty hard
sometimes to refrain from prosecution,
considering the number of cases we
have, and no one will hesitate in
fragrant cases, even if it is only for
making an example of the parties"
do You really have many cases of
shop-lifting?" inquired the reporter.
mot so many seem to get into print"
That is nothing to go by at all.
Some stores have half dozen day.
1t is monotonous, not to say worse, to
go into court with them, and see the
trims name in print daily in such a
connection. Who wants thatP Not
any one, know. The loss by stealage
is enough, Lord knows, but eyes have
to be closed to it. What temptation
there can be to most of the offender
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 got their
moneys worth in previous trade, and
will run all the risks to get even by
stealing. Now look there, for in
stance" pointing to the glove counter.
A portly lady. lastly clad in plush
cloak, silk dress, and fashionable hat.
see med leisurely engaged in making a
selection from several boxes before her.
She had stood there some time, and
called for one style after another. The
reporter and his associate carelessly
drew closer, avoiding the appearance
OF attention, and overheard the various
running comments on colors, seams,
and the other features of the stock ex-
posed. The boxes all seemed drawn
pretty close to the front of the counter.
The salesgirl looked rather ANNOYED,
but expressed herself, and with a yawn.
and light remark to clerk over the
aisle, turned her back to the customer.
picked up mirror and proceeded to
touch up her frizzes. Almost directly
one OF the boxes of gloves went over
the counter and under the plush cloak.
There was no sign of discovery, appar-
emily. and, after moments further
handling, the woman started to 90.
with the intimation that she would cali
again.
But that mirror had not been held
up for frizzes alone. Over her
shoulder the salesgirl had seen the Gus
toner's actions reflected, and she
turned at once to say, "We general
ly have all purchases wrapped ND,
ma an" with significant look.
what do YOU mean. Won hussvp.
said the stout lady, flushing up.
The remark was repeated and "Mr.
Jones" to the fioor-wa1ker.
Mr.. Jones was not far of. In fact
he was so near that he caught the box
and gloves half down the lady's dress
as she loosened her pressure on them.
and sought to let them fall on the
floor. There was no getting ont for
the shoplifter. Her bushes were pro-
fuse. and great drops of perspiration
stood on her forehead. She seemed
glad enough to get off with the paw
ment of an extra price for the stock.
which was arranged with as much ex-
pedition and quietness as possible, and
she left the store
"Now," said the fioor-walker, re-
turning to the reporter, "what do YOU
think of thatP'
Its too bad! How her husband
would feel to hear of thisl l know
her."
''You think you do, perhaps, but I
hope you are not very intimately ac-
quainted. Her husbandp Ha! ha,
Why, he's doing time now. If he
hears of it at all II will be by letter
from her, telling how easy she got off.
IF we hadn't been In court within a
month / believe I'd put her through,
Tor she deserves it. She's an old hand. |
and pretty well known in the stores.
But to take her up. Ever been at the
Armory Police ConrtP Of course you
nave. Well. once . month is often !