Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-10-01
A PREY TO ShARPERs.

To Garry Money IN . Pscksssoea. - Hes
Women Do. L. 70 Isviss Robbery.
All thoss handsome. fashionabiy stamped
leather portemonnaies, firmly strapped and
clasped beyond the peradventure OF mishAp,
Is well az the long, cunningly knitted aiken
purses, craftily linked to defy light and honest
fingers alike, are made exclusively for fsmt
nine use. No one ever heArs OF man keep
ing his money in anything Of the sort II b.
owns a pocketbook at all It 10 . shabby AFFAIR.
worn slick as glass and stuffed with memo
randa, promissory notes. q couple OF bills, pos
sibiy q receipt some business cards, and ten
to one q complimentary personal cut from
the newspaper: all manner Of odds and ends
in the way Of lottery tickets, silky curl,
registration papers, anything and everything.
in fact, except ready cash. The prudent
individual knows great deal better than to
put precious currency in his purse. Crumpled
out Of shape the bills are rammed down in his
vest pocket, while along with keys and
knife the loose silver jingles in the pockets OF
bis trousers And thus disposed Of be never
loses cent Indeed. it requires burglar to
carry of the garments bodily before the
seemingly reckless man is dspossessed OF his
treasure.
Now those who have taken the trouble to
observe woman's tactics when shopping are
familiar with the stereotyped rules she fol
lows and the poorest rogue has shrewdness
enough to avoid them when first entering an
establishment Get = shopgirl to describe
how loftily indifferent, languidly, disdainful
or coldly neglectful ninety mine women out
hundred look when they first step In from
the street. They then have themselves well
in hand, firm purchase on parasol and purse,
and green clerk wonld wonder what on
earth ever brought such dilettanti In to be
bored Before ten steps have been taken.
however, those wary glances are ensnared
Bargains boldly set forth on the center coun-
ter fetches glow of animation into listless
faces, and every digniiied muscle is relaxed
as the light Of trade shines like q lamp In
either eye.
Here the fray begins The thrifty shopper
goes hard To work to see how much stuff she
can get for the smallest amount Of money.
Bangs slowly dampen and uncurl, powder
fades as though it never had been; collars
melt; mitts creep stealthily down the arm;
wells moisten and part asunder, and yet
never does the ardent buyers attention relax
for an instant. Inspired by devotion to the
business in hand, she works faithfully and
well every thing is forgotten save that ten
cents difference on the embroidery, and as is
invariably the case patience and persever
ance conquer all difficulties Flushed with
triumph, reveing in the victory that will
create even in the bosom Of every woman
friend. she promptly turns to count out the
necessary nickels Abomination Of desola-
toni Where in heavens name is her pocket
book With feverish anxiety every article
up and down the counter Is overturned,
tossed ruthlessly about or pushed hastily
aside in one vain effort to catch . glimpse Of
its beaded fringe or oxidized clasp. During
this prolonged hunt every man, woman and
child in the vicinity is suspiciously eyed No
one knows or has seen anything Of the mis-
Alaid purse, but suddenly the light Of convic-
ton makes the whole thing clear. The robbed
woman sinks helplessly on the nearest stool
land tells Of those two well dressed blondes
WHO sandwiched her between them at the EN-
broidery counter. Too absorbed to notice
.ught beyond their sympathetic enthusiasm
over the goods she was jostled and jammed
about with this result ATLANTA Constitution.