The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-12-19
HOW "LIFTERS" WORK.
The Way Fair Thieves Prey on a
Dry-Goods Store.
Some Women Faint when They Are Caught
with Piunder In Their Pockets-Oth-
Become Hysterical and
Courageous by Turns.

A tall, handsome woman, fashion
ably attired, walked into leading dry
goods establishment in Chicago one
afternoon and was soon lost in the
throng OF busy shoppers. She stepped
briskly from one counter to another.
critically examined many goods of fine
texture, but apparently could not find
the article shc desired. Approaching
the jcwclry department she glanced
hastily over her shoulder and thcn sat
down at the counter with langEid, cX-
hausted air. Several trays Of jcwclry
were brought out for her examination,
but the peculiar design sought was not
among them.
Let me see those bracelets" she
said, indicating a tray in ono Of the dis
play cases farther down the counter.
When the saleslady's back was turned
tho tall woman resumed her eXamina-
tion of the rings Her movements
were moro deft than before. 4 largo
hand bag hung at her side, and before
the saleSlady returned = handful Of
jewelry had been transferred TO it
None of the other clerks had witnessed
the theft but when tho tray OF brace
lets was deposited before the critical
customer tho young saleslady silently
rienced eye had detected tho loss. The
tall woman pushed back the tray Of
bracelets, with the remark: "It IS
strange that yon have every design but
tho one / want ] AM sorry to have
troubled you, but l will not purchase to-
day"
When she stepped into the elevator TO
descend the floor-walker was at her
side. Reaching the main floor, she was
on the point Of walking out tho main
entrance when q gentle tap on the shoul-
der arrested her attention.
"Will you please step to the rear a
moment, madam?" the foor-walker
asked, pointing the way.
What do you mean, sir?"
Simply that you can not leave this
store until you have been searched.
You are suspected OF having goods Sc
creted in your clothes that were stolen
from the jewelry department"
Il will neither step to the rear nor be
searched" she replied, exciUedly.
How dare you accuse ladies who come
here TO make purchaser
The fioor-walker 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 are not mistaken.
You have stolen goods in your hand
bag"
The tall woman did not stop TO argue,
but stepped quickly 10 the Office OF the
superintendent OF fioor-walkers- Two
saleslsdies were waiting to receive her.
Going into a small room they made
hasty examination OF the critical Gus
toner's apparel. When they came out
one OF them had the stolen jewelry in
her hand. The tall woman broke down
and begged the superintendent TO spare
her
This is the first time ! ever took a
thing that did not belong to me, and
will willingly pay you for all the rings,
although i have no use for them. DO
not expose me, ! implore you, before
my friends"
Madam, neither you nor all your
friends combined have enough money
10 bay those rings now. You viii be
prosecuted like a common thief We
make no distinction between profess
sional shoplifters and first offenders
here" A moment later the weeping
woman entered carriage and was
taken 70 the police station. Yesterday
morning she was fined twenty dollars
and allowed to depart. Her friends
came TO the store in large numbers dur
ing the day, protesting that she was re
spectacle, member Of an influential
family and had never been guilty Of
stealing before, and begged the firm TO
withdraw the charges. Their plead
ings were in vain and an hour later the
woman sat among common lot of Of
tenders at the armory.
This scene, with slight variations, is
enacted almost every day in some of
the large dry-goods stores in the cities
Shoplifters seldom Invade exclusive