The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-11-08
SOCIETY THIEVES.
Swell Guests Who Proy Upon
Their Hosts at Banquets.
Detectives Presence Now Required -
Fashionable Gathering IN New
York to Watch Kspto-

Everybody has heard Of the EQUATOR
zieme," the professional fourteenth
/ person" at dinners. There were men in
Paris not 80 very many years ago who
made it business to serve at short no
tice as guests at banquets where the
accident of thirteen at table occurred,
thus satisfying the superstitious by add
ing one to the number. The individual
thus called in was Introduced as friend
invited to the repast, and there was
nothing about his appearance CT de-
meanor which could arouse suspicion
that he was not present on the same
footing with the others.
1t seems surprising to hnd such a Gus
tom. in modified form, newly intro
duced into New York society, says a cor
respondent in the st. Louis Globe Demo
GRAFT The fashionable hostess nova
days, in giving dinner commonly en-
cages detective of gentlemanly aspect
and address to take the part of guest
superstitious reason, but to protect the
tableware and other household proper
~ from being stolen by the other
diners. Most strange does it appear
that the entertainer should take such a
precaution against possible dishonesty
on the part of the people whom she
knows well enough to regale with init
mate hospitality, but experience has
shown that it is very necessary. Such
articles as solid gold spoons are very
likely to be pocketed. and the fact has
long been notorious that no small and
costly piece of bric-a- brac is safe in tho
most exclusive drawing-room. KEEP
mania" is the term charitably applied
to a thieving habit which is not % very
rare among persons of good social
standing.
THE other day at Newport" said tho
chief of the principal detective agency
in this city, lone OF my men was en-
ployed to look out for large reception.
He saw handsomely dressed woman
deliberately take and secrete the top OF
beautiful vase. The object could have
been Of no use to her, but the loss OF il
would hare spoiled an ornament worth
$1,000. He stepped up to her and said
pleasantly: Madam, l presume that
you want to have duplicate of that
vase?' oh, yes she replied In some
confusion. Well he replied. 1 guess
You had better put it back. and you can
get duplicate by sending your artist
here OF course she gave it up at once.
Nothing more was said save that her
name was reported TO the hostess, who
dropped il from the list
That is the way we always manage
Exposure does no good in such cases
The same method Is prscticed at din
ner. where the detective keeps quiet
watch upon things, only eating and
drinking enough to keep up appear
ances- One lady of nv acquaintance
has all of her most valuable bric-a-hrac
fastened securely, So That the articles
cannot be removed She has given Up
having silver-b backed brushes and other
precious appurtenances in the dressing
rooms at her parties, because they were
stolen SO frequently
But il IS at weddings chiefly tina.
the society kleptomaniacs get n their
work At large affairs OF the kind we
ere sometimes called upon 10 furnish as
many as three meu-one "a walk about
IN the room where the presents are -y-
posed. another 10 stand By the Sisa-
monds and third TO remain outside on
the sidewalk. for the purpo~e OF keep
ing professional thieves trom entering