St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-05-19

he color instantly IorSook the LADY S
face and deathly palor ensued. She
few ncrvously from one counter to
the other, casting furtive glances
about to find some place to deposit her
stolen goods, and at last dashed
frantically into one of the small
rooms. My assistant followed and
beheld the poor woman hastily de-
youring the candy. Occasionally she
would stop and burst into tears and then
resume her hurried repast She might
have thrown the candy away, but in
her fright it did not occur to her, so
she devoured the whole lot. / wouldn't
have eaten that candy for ten dollars.
and | thought that meal, with its
probable resulting acute cholera NOR
bus, was sufficient punishment, so I
let her 60. ..t.a
''A beautifully-dressed woman" the
detective added, ''tried to carry out
some concealed goods one day. She
seemed to have plenty of money, and,
in fact, had spent a considerable sum,
but when search was instituted. what
do you suppose we found? Two bright
silk undershirts. Now why in the
world that respectable middle-aged
woman wanted to steal those giddy
pink shirts, to. wear for the admira-
ton of her pious old hus band, l
couldn't imagine; but, thinking such
wifely devotion should be rewarded, l
let her 90 after she had given up the
stolen property.
Another stylish lady used to come
in here with q very elaborate parasol
decorated with lace and ribbon, and
having a heavy silver monogram on
the handle. She had a preference for
the notion counter, and as she sat
there one special sale day, when the
people crowded about the counter, I
took the parasol from her reluctant
hand and opened it suddenly. A
shower Of little articles fell. covering
a large circle on the floor, and in the
stir that followed my lady escaped.
When I looked around she was gone,
and had only the parasol left. I
have it still, lace, and f:ills, and silver
monogram and all.
Yes, a great many children are
sent to help themselves to things, and
a great many appropriate things with
out being sent. [ always watch the
lunch counter for evidence against
cash girls about whom my suspicious
are aroused. They don't dare buy
ribbons and trinkets to take home, so
they gorge themselves at the lunch
counter. and patronize every apple
and peanut stand On the way home.
That was the way first suspicioned
Lillian Smith. the little girl pickpocket
about whom so much was said in the
papers a few years ago. She was
beautiful little girl. with an innocent,
sweet face, whom you would never
suspect of any thing crooked. saw
her devouring sixty cent lunch one
day. and Immediately watched her,
and after little found that she was
taking eight or nine pocket-books
day. The Society for Prevention of
Cruelty to Children took up her case.
and Mr.. Gerry may we'll feel p roud of
her. for she has entirely reformed from
her bad habits, been adopted by a
family, and is growing up
into beautiful girl.
IA rather pathetic little incid ent oc-
Cured here at Christmas time. The
wife of an actor of very good reputa-
ton in the city took articles of consider
able value from the fancy work depart
ment. When detected, she made full
Of her guilt and stated.
with many tears, that her hus band
had been ill for some time; that she
had no money to make Christmas
presents to her friends, as was her
custom. and that she hated to let them
know she was so poor. In her pocket
was check from the Actors Relief
Association which partially corrobo-
lated her story and she was finally ex-
,used..
'.All the way from $40 600 to $50
700 a year are lost to proprietors of
arge stores through shoplifting. In
'ome of the Sixth avenue stores where
10 detectives are employed three. four
and even five sealskin cloaks are
stolen in day, and rarely do the de-
;ectives in stores where they are en-
,loyed seach person for stolen goods
hat they do not find concealed about
hem articles belonging in other stores
Ill along the avenue. In some of
hese stores plumber is regularly
Employed to keep the ladies' toilet in
,rder, for into the sinks are thrown
from which the money
las been taken. small parcels, when
he shoplifter finds she is being
cards and tags on goods.
md whole piece Of lace or embroid-
nv is sometimes crowded down out of
light to avoid detection.
About ninety per cent. of the pill
erers are women. In store where
40 prose- utions are recorded for one
ear. only foriy-three of the culprits
we're men.
There is no remedW Tor the pro-
,rietors for the losses BY theft save
h eesS+ui,n of The stolen oyands and the |