Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1890-11-01
HOW "LIFTERS" WORK.
The Way Fair Thieves Prey on a
Dry-Goods Store.
Some Women Faint When They Are Caught
with Plunder In Their Pockets-Oth-
ers 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
brislSly 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 she glanced
hastily over her shoulder and then sat
down at tho counter with a languid, ex-
hausted air. Several trays of jewelry
were brought out for her examination,
but the peculiar design sought was not
among them.
Let me see those bracelets" she
said, indicating tray in one of the dis
play cases farther down tho counter.
When the saleslady's back was turned
the tall woman resumed her examina-
tion of the rings. Her movements
were more deft than before. A large
handbag hung at her side, and before
the saleslady returned a handful of
jewelry had been transferred to it.
None of the other clerks lad witnessed
the theft, but when the tray of brace
customer the young saleslady silently
.signaled fioor-walker. Her expe-
rienced eye had detected tho loss. The
tall woman pushed back the tray of
bracelets, with tho remark: at is
strange that you have every design but
tho one l want am sorry to have
troubled you, but 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 the main
entrance when gentle tap on the shoul-
der arrested her attention.
"Will you please step to tho rear a
moment, madam?" the floor-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.
81 will neither step to the rear nor be
searched" she replied, excitedly.
,"How dare you accuse ladies who como
here to make purchases?"
The hoor-wallser 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 to tho Office of tho
Rl nOrin N tandant of hOor-wa llyara Two
salesladies were waiting to receive her.
Going into small room they made
hasty examination of the critical GUS
TONER'S apparel. When they came out
ono of them had the stolen jewelry in
her hand. The tall woman broke down
and begged the superintendent to spare
her.
This is tho lrst time I sver took q
thing that did not belong to me. and
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 buy those rings now. You will be |
prosecuted like q common thief. We |
make no distinction bet yeen profess |
isional shoplifters and first offenders |
here" A moment later tho weeping |
woman entered carriage and was
taken to tho police station. Yesterday |
morning she was fined twenty dollars
Und allowed to depart Her friends
came to the store In largo numbers duI-
dng tha dav. nrotaain0 that sha waA re-