New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-09-07

chance, will steal anything they can reach' even
il it is of trfing value. They generally haVc I"
deal with women, who are usually unsnspecuns
and become accompliccs without knowing H. al"
often make rich haul in the shape OF oia-
mol DIS and other Jewels Flrts afford an exteIien'
opportunity for these impostors to exercise thci
talents. An easy entrance is made INTO me ha'''
which communicate directly with the living rooms,
and the presence of a stranger in the mouse "o"iu
not excite suspicion: Even il they arc question:"
the names the lctter-boXes in the Ves'i""H
give them ready acquaintance with the tenants
that often serves 10 divert suspicion. Police-sta-
ton botters are filled with complaints OF these
robberies. but the thieves are rarely caught They
change their base of operations daily So aS ~
throw the police off the scent.
What are known technically as second-s'orE
sneaks, are those who make speciality OF entering
houses through the windows in the upper part OF
thc building and never through doors lheE are
cunning fellows, their method OF WORK Is ""''-
gcrous to life and limb. and they often get severe
falls from height of fifteen or twenty 1ec''
Two of them generally travel toSc'hcr' vi"
plants" TIE house and the other does the work
In order 10 make these robbercs successful The
ha bits of the family are carefully studied. The
iob is done early in the evening. The turning up
and down of lights are tell-taeS to the wa'chcr'
house is selected by the planter rs he Sann'cIS
through the avenue which is favorahlc ior thiS
sort of wOrk-that is, one that has porhco or
rear extension that can I've scaled The question
whether the job is worth trying or not comes up
and this is answered by the presence or absence
of sparkling gems in the ears or on the hh9crS
of the women of the household. II the invasion
gives promise of "panning out richly, then inc
occunan,s of the various rooms are picked ont
bv watching at nirlt. The dinner hour is care
fully noted and what the servants arc in the
la bit of doing at this time.
When this student of domestic life is satishrd
that the upper part OF the house is unprotected
and vacant at a certain hour every evening, inc
"worLcr" is called in. lie has an expert eye ana
pcks ont the easiest place to climb, either in the
front or rear lie is usually n young, supple and
athletic fellow, and wears either rub%rsord
Shoes or shoes with sharp, short spikes? When
the clattcr Of dishes is heard and the family are
uuietly enoying thcii dinner. the thirf climbs
quietly TO the secOnd-story window by IN" selected
path The windows Of these rooms are rarely
locked and the thief has trouble in getting IN
side Then he loses time, hut moves WITH
lightning speed. as quietly as possible. small
articles of value are picked mp. and IN the sleep
ing apartments rings, earrings and watches tha'
have been carclr>sly left bureaus or III expose"
jewe-hoxes preparatory To being worn IN the even
ing The plumber is put into "A small rl"'h nag
and when the thief thinks it time 10 take his
departure he tosscs the bag to his confedcraf"
ON the outside The exit is usually made through
the first door, unless the intruder is SURPRISED
q, work. when nc will slip out Of the window
as hc entered with tho agility Of a monkey. Tine
front door when the thief goes ont is always left
alar. 50 as TO make it appear that the entrance