The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-10-31
HOW "LIFTERS" WORK.
The Way Fair Thieves Prey on a
Dry-Goods Store.
Some Women Faint when They Are Caught
with Fluuder in Their Pockets-Oth-
ers Become historical and
Courageous by Turns.

A tall, handsome woman, fashion
ably attircd, walked into leading dry
goods establishment in Chicago ono
afternoon and was soon lost in the
throng of busy shoppers. She stepped
briSllly from one counter to another,
critically examined many goods of fine
texture, but apparently could not find
the article she desired. Approaching
the jewelry department sho glanced
hastily over her shoulder and then sat
down at the counter with languid, OK
hausted air. Several trays of iewclry
were brought out for her examination,
but the peculiar design sought was not
among them.
Let me see those bracelets" she
said, indicating q tray in ono Of the dis
play cases farther down tho counter
When the saleslady's back was turned
tho tall woman resumed her examina-
ton of the rings. Her movements
wore moro deft than before A large
handbag hung at her side, and before
the saleslady returned handful of
jewelry had been transferred to it.
None of the other clerks had witnessed
OAC GllClU, DuU llCH OllC Uldy VI DFdCc-
lets was deposited before the critical
customer the young saleslady silently
stgnalcd foor-walker. Her expo
rienCed eyo had detected the loss. Tho
tall woman pushed back the tray of
bracelets, with the remark: at is
strange that you have every design but
the one | want. l am sorry to have
troubled you, but 1 will not purchase to-
day"
When she stepped into the elevator to
descend tho f1oor-walSer was at her
side. Reaching the main floor, she was
on the point of walking out tho main
entrance when gentle tap ON tho Shout
der arrested her attention.
''Will you please step to the rear a
moment, madame" tho floor-walkcr
asked, pointing the way.
''What do you mean, sir?"
Simply that you can not leave this
You arc suspected OF having goods Sc
croted in your clothes that were stolen
from the jewelry department."
Il will Mother step to tho rear nor DO
searched" she replied, excitedly
''How dare you accuse ladies who come
here to make purchases"
The fioor-wall1er approached closer,
and said in low but emphatic tones:
MADAM, you can take your choice be-
tween going quietly and being arrested
by an officer. We arc not mistaken.
You have stolen goods in your hand
bag"
Tho tall woman did not stop to argue,
but stepped quickly to the Office of tho
superintendent OF floor-walkers. Two
salesladios were waiting to receive her.
Going into o small room they mado a
hasty examination of the critical GUS
toner's apparel. When they came out
one OF them had the stolen iewelry in
her hand. Tho tall woman broke down
and begged the superintendent to spare
hor.
This is the first time l ever took a
thing that did not belong to me, and l
will willingly pay you for all tho rings,
although ! nave no uSo for them. Do
not expose me, implore you, before
my friends"
"Madam, neither you nor all your
friends combined have enough money
to bay those rings now. You will bo
prosecuted like common thief. We
mako 10 distinction bot veen profess
sioaal shopliftors and first offenders
here" A moment later tho weeping
woman entered carriage and was
taken to the polica station. Yesterday
morning she was fined twenty dollars
oad allowed to depart Her friends
came TO the store IL largo numbers duI-
inr tho dav nrntaatiu0 that she was ro-