Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-01-22

ceiving houses. called in Paris meumers
| (millers), where they dispose of their
gleanings, and it is a remarkable feature
| Of these transactions that they are carried
on on both sides with scrupulous fairness
and honesty.
A sharp and observant person might
detect the pickpocket who shadows him.
with evil intent, by the peculiar rowing
reStlessness of the eye. Of which even the
most experienced ones cannot entirely
dlveSt themselves. The habit is contract
ed at the outset of their career, i'm perative
then, it becomes inveterate. The pick
pocket embraces at a glance the particular
article IN toy shop window calculated to
attract the passer-by, the conformation of
the victim pockets, the foot passengers
around him, and the quarter from which
his bogbear, the Bobby. is likely to APP
pear. The English pickpocket rarely offers
any opposition if caught in the act; he
submits silently to be led off by his captor.
Only the women howl. thrash, scratch and
fight. 1t is the characteristic national
GOODNESS and lack o. emotional irritabiIity
that contribute more than any physical
aptitude to make the British pickpoc.et
faclle prin3epS in his art, and an object Of
envy and admiration to members of the
pIOlcSSlOn OIupr countries.
N each country he professor retains
its own particular methods. She Span
lard, like the South American, does not at
tempt to operate save in tolerably thick
crowd the Italian works generally only
on ladies, because he Is too precipitate;
the Turk is fearless, awkward, audacious,
and even In the clutches of the police, with
one hand pinioned, attempts to steal with
ola
of recognition" which is effected by
some pal affecting to recognize in some
innocent, rustic-looking individual re-
latlon or old friend, effusively falling
on his or her neck; while the error is ex-
planned and apologies offered the deed is
done by an associate. The most danger
Gus of that species is the becoteuse, usually
young and very pretty girl, who rushes
into the arms Of a benevolent old man,
kisses him on both cheeks and calls him
uncle, relationship he will have good
cause to remember, as it has cost him all
his portable property
The utter carelessness of the public
facilitates the operations of the pick
pockets to a degree which has often
ELECTED from them expressions of whitening
contempt. To supplement the legend
which bids people beware of them The
authorities would do we'll to affix few
simple rules, the observance of which
would De an effective protection. Ordin-
airy precautions defeat many attempts at
subtractlng watches. The prac-
tic so common with women of
carrying their pocketbooks in their hand
is fatal: so also is the dangling by weak
handle of little leather bags palpably con-
tanning not only recent purchases but the
wherewlthal to make more. A prudent
dlstrust should be inculcated against any
person running up against you with an
0vercoat rug or an open newspaper in
his hands, also against reeling drunkards.
If you are suddenly tapped on the
shoulder IN crowd by a stranger, be on
your guard, for his partner is watering the
moment when you turn your head to rob
you; IN railway carriage, omnibus or
boat, respond guardedly to the advances of
travelling companions who politely offer to
assist you in entering or alighting; have
secret pockets for everything worth steal
ing; do not allow feminine vanity to haunt
much jewelry in public; the confraternity
is armed with sicsors sharp as raisors, that
clip the tastenings of necklaces, bracelets
and earrings without the wearer suspect
ing it. The number of thefts committed
IN this way is enormous, but being dis
covered only much later they are often at
tributed to other causes, and the real Of
tenders have gone UNPUBLISHED with reck-
less impunity.