Birmingham age-herald., 1895-06-02
ReCovers the POCketbookS of
 Three Shoppers.
A PlCKPOCKET EXPERIENCE
Which Is Duplicated Every Day in the Large Stores of New York-Who the Thieves
 Are So Seldom Punished.


 Sixth avenue dry goods store on recent afternoon. She clbowcd her way into the middle of the throng, but got no further Perhaps the lines in front of her were too compact, or she was tired from tho cxcr- tion of getting so far At all events she remained stationary.
 A dcmuro faced young woman who walked about tho outside of the circle of shoppers apparently aimlcssly and with her eyes fixed on the floor good part of tho time, seemed to take m interest in the other after several glanccs in her direc- tion. The demure woman kept her eyes on the pretty woman, and after awhile she elbewcd her way Into the crowd, so that presently she was right behind the object of her attentions. When the pretty woman moved, tho dcmuro woman kept step with her and showed the utmost cu- riosity about her actions, pcoring over her shoulder when sho could do so unobservcd and at other times watching her arms and hands us closely US possible.
 Suddenly shopper directly in front of the pretty woman screamed and showed an inclination to faint.
 Somebody has stolen my purse" she cried
 Tho shoppers and clerks crowded around Tho former made examinations to deter mine whether thoir own purses were safe, and several declared historically that they, too, had been robbed Some frighten- ed women forgot all about tho bargains and hurried away The others, in whom curiosity was stronger than fear, piled the victims with questions. Only two in the crowd did not seem greatly interested Tbcy were tho pretty woman and the do- mure woman. The former was little pale, but otherwise she appeared calm She moved slowly and deliberately toward tho edge of the crowd, but as she got free she stepped moro quickly. Just then she felt hand upon her shoulder, and turn ing quickly looked into the face of her fol lower
 "I'll trouble you for those pocketbooks, /" said the demure woman quietly.
 What do you moanp" demanded tho pretty one not indignantly, but in appar- ent surprise.
 "Ill trouble you to step into the office," said the demure woman. II will explain there"
 The pretty woman said nothing, but as- stunned puzzled expression
 "Come. I'm the store detective" insist ed tho dcmure woman.
 'I am sure have done nothing, but will go with you" was tho reply.
 This conversation had been carried on so quietly that none of the excited shop pers around them heard it, and when the two walked away they were not noticed They went straight to ono of tho executive offices. There the detective said sharply:
 Now, there's no use of your playing it any longer. I saw you take ono purse anyhow, and you vo got them all. If you put mo to tho trouble of finding them, I'll mako it hot for you"
 "I really think you must be crazy" re- turned the accused woman calmly. II know nothing about anybody's pocket book but my own" ;"
 The detective started in methodically to search her. She began by feeling the big, puffed sleeves and worked down. She found nothing. Sho stood back and look ed sharply at the suspect Tho latter re- turned her gaze in the frankest fashion, and, except that sho seemed annoyed, there was nothing to arouse suspicion about her. The detective began her search all over ngain Again she was foiled and her sen timent changed to alarm. Visions of suits for damages filled her brain. At that mo- mcnt tho accused moved uneasily and that directed tho detective's eyes to her feet There lay well filled purse, and the wom- ans feet were making futile efforts to poke it under her skirts.
 Tho detective caught her by the arm and gave her quick shove Then two more pocketbooks were exposed Evident ly the woman had slid them noisclessly down her dress and trusted to luck to re- cover them later
 In the meantime the victims had been making complaints to the superintendent and the latter understood tho situation when the detective, flushed with triumph, marched in with the thief and the pocket books Briefly tho detective related her experience, while tho owners of the proper ty indulged in exclamations of wonder and praise.
 Il trust you will sec that this thief is properly punished" said one to the super intendent
 ''Of course" chorused the other two.
 Nothing would please me better" said the superintendent gravely. "Of course you ladies will appear to testify against herf"
 There was dead silence for moment. Then one said:
 My husband would never allow me to enter police court"
 Certainly not, said another. "Why, the reporters would write horrid stories about us.
 "l wouldn't have my name connected with such an affair for 0 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 siad You don't want this woman to be let loose in the community, do youp"
 Your detcctive can prosecute her, /" re- piled one of the women.
 We have tried It over and over again." replied the superintendent "but 1t is i'm possible to get a jury to convict Q woman, especially If she is pretty, upon the uncor- roborated evidence of paid detective"
 Tho women shrugged their shoulders, but no amount of argument could induce