Wichita eagle., 1889-10-11
ShOPLlE1ERS.
Merchants Have to Exercise Judgment and
Nerve in Dealing with Them.

Merchants Have to Exercise Judgment and
Nerve in Dealing with Them.
l had an experience, said a merchant to
The Economist, which has had tendency
to make me go very slow with apparent shop
filters AS | entered the aisles where the
ribbon department is situated | saw q lady
place some ribbon in hand bag. For mo-
ment did not know what 70 do. did not
wish to make any fuss or noise, because it is
not a,ways wise but as we had lost much by
this class of thieving determined to invite
the lady TO the private Office and have a lady
clerk examine her and demand an explana-
ton. did not wish to have her arrested, be-
cause she looked refined and as she be-
longed to a family of Importance. Going up
to the lady, l said:
"Will you please come with met / would
like to see you for a moment" She replied.
naturally and pleasantly:
Certainly" and prepared to accompany
me. | had got about half way to the Office,
when was suddenly called aside by mer-
chant friend who fortunately had come in on
some business DO you know the ladyf'
No" ''She is the wife OF Judge -, and
she viii take anything that is not chained
down Ii she has done anything wrong, take
~,
band, and bowling TO the lady he passed on
| did not know what TO do had invited the
lady to my Office, and clearly under the cir
culnstanceS could not, nor did. wish to make
demonstration. In fact. | was heartily glad
that need not had TO do some tall think
ing in the few steps to the Office. | had no
sooner got in than l sent clerk for the sam
pie pieces Of dress silks that had just arrived,
and before the lady left she felt highly pleased
to think that she was the first to see the new
styles She appeared a little astonlshed that
| should know her, and take the trouble OF
going TO the private office TO show the pat
terms, but | explained that If my rivals IN
trade knew what goods had imported, they
would move heaven and earth to checkmate
me- | am perfectly confident the lady did
not associate the taking OF the ribbon with
guilt, and was entirely innocent OF any wrong
intent | was fortunate In receiving a hint
in time II l had not should have made n
mess of the matter and my business would
have suffered.
Il could send to prison dozen shoplifters
if / wished TO-" said another merchant, but
the papers would make much of the matter
that ladies would be afraid TO enter my store
lest they be mistaken for thieves have had
enough agitation on that score. had a suit
for damages 90 against NE, and close my
eyes TO many queer tricks"
At jewelry sale recently held in one OF
our largest dry goods stores, where articles Of
considerable value lay around on show cases
and counters a detective stationed on a
raised stand, where he could see and be seen.
The writer, seeing the prominent position OF
the detective, said to the superintendent:
ANY thief who contemplates getting away
with some of your goods will wait until the
detectives eye is turned away, and will then
get in his work.
1--WE have arranged for ell that" the SUI
perintendent assumed. ~ gu see that lady
at the second casel Well, it has got to be a
pretty sharp crook that can get the better of
her; it is on her We most depend The man
on the platform spots any crooks or suspicious
people that be knows, and sign sets her to
watching; but, bless your soul, unless we had
bright people behind the counter to sell the
! goods and keep their eyes open, we would lose
much more than we do. 1t Is on their watch
/ fulness that we rely. limited States Econo-
! >iS+