The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-06-07
A WOMAN DETECTIVE.
HOW SHE RECOVERED THE PoCk-
ETHOOKS or THREE SHOPPERS.

An Experienced witt, Pretty PicIspocIset
Which Is Duplicated Every Day In the
Lnrge Stores of New York-Why tho
Thieves Are So Seldom Punished.
A young woman with pretty face
pressed into crowd Of bargain hunters
gathered about the silver counter of a
Sixth avenue dry goods store on n recent
afternoon. Sho elbowed her way into tho
middle of tho throng, but got no further
Perhaps the lines in front of her were too
compact, or she was tired from tho exer-
ton of getting SO for. At all events she
remained stationary
A deInuro faced young woman who
walked about the outside of tho circle of
shoppers, apparently aimlcssly and with
her eyes fixed on the floor good part of
the time, seemed to take an interest in
the other after several glanccs in her direc-
ton Tho dcmurc woman kept her eyes
on tho pretty woman, and after awhile
sho elbowcd her way into tho crowd, so
that presently sho was right behind the
object OF her attentions When the pretty
woman moved, tho dcmurc woman kept
step with her and showed tho utmost Gu
riosity about her actions, pccring over her
shoulder when she could do so unobserved
and ut other times watching her arms and
nanuS ms closely us posi- bic.
Suddenly shopper directly in front of
tho pretty woman screamed and showed
an inclination to faint.
Somebody hos stolen my purscp' she
cried
Tho shoppers and clerks crowded around
The former made examinations to deter
Inlnc whether their own purses wcro safe,
md several declared Historically that
they too, had been robbed. Some frightcn-
cd women forgot oil about the bargains
md hurried away. The others, in whom
curiosity was stronger than fear, piled tho
victims with questions. Only two in tho
crowd did not seem greatly interested.
They were tho pretty woman and tho do
muro woman. Tho former was littlo
pale, but otherwise she appeared calm.
She moved slowly and deliberately toward
the cdgo of tho crowd, but rs she got FREQ
she stepped moro quickly. Just then sho
felt hand upon her shoulder, and turn
ing quickly looked into tho face of her fol-
lower.
"Ill trouble you for those pocketbooks,
said the demurc woman quietly.
What do you mean?" demanded tho
pretty one, not Indignantly, but in aDpar-
cnt surprise.
I'm trouble you to step into tho Office"
| said tho dcmurc woman. ~ will explain
there"
Tho pretty woman said nothing, but as
sumcd puzzled expression.
Come I'm the store detective" insist
ed the dcmurc woman.
Il am sure have dono nothing but
will go with you" was the reply.
This conversation had been carried on
SO quietly that mono of tho excited shop
pcrs around them heard 1t, and when tho
two walked away they were not noticed.
They went straight to ono Of the executive
Offices. There tho detective said sharply:
Now, there's no use of your playing 1t
any longer. l saw you take one purse
anyhow, and you've got them all If you
put me to the trouble of finding them, I'll
make 1t hot for you"
really think you must be crazy" ro-
turned tho accused woman calmly "I
know nothing about anybodys pocket
book but my own"
The detective started In mcthodically to
search her. Sho began by feeling the big,
pulled sleeves and worked down. Sho
found nothing. Sho stood back and look
cd sharply ut the suspect. Tho latter re-
turned her gaze in the frankcst fashion,
and. except that she seemed annoyed, there
was nothing to arouse suspicion about her
The detective began her search all over
ngain. Again she was foilcd, and her sem
tlmcnt changed to alarm. Visions of suits
tor damages filed her brain. AT that mo-
inent the accused moved uneasily and that
directed the detectives eyes to her feet.
There lay n we'll filled purse, and tho wom-
ans feet were making futile efforts to poke
1t under her skirts.
Tho detective caught her by the arm
and gave her quick shove Then two
moro pocketbooks were exposed Evident
I ~ the woman had slid them noiselessly
! down her dress and trusted to luck to re-
3cover them later.
! In the meantime the victims had been
making complaints to the superintendent,
,and tho latter understood the situation
swhen the detective flushed with triumph,
marched in with the thief and the pocket
books. Briefly the detective related her
experience, whilo the owners of the proper
ty INDUCED in EXPLANATIONS of wonder and
praise
II trust you will SEQ that this thief is
properly punished" said one to tho super
intendcnt.
"Of course" choruscd the other two.
Nothing would please me better" said
the superintendent gravcly. "Of course
you ladies will appear to testify against
herp'
There was dead silence for a moment.
Then one said
My husband would never allow me to
enter police court"
Certainly not" said another "Why,
the reporters would write horrd stories
about us"
u wouldn't have my name connected
with such an affair for dozen purses"
said the third.
The thief smiled, the detective groaned,
and the superintendent looked sarcastic.
But think of your duty to the public"
he sind. You don't want this woman to