The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1900-08-10

sHoPLIFTERs AND THEIR METHODS
IN THE BIG STORES.

lN lite DIG Oj0R-Os
why the Proprietor of One Estab-
Iishment Was Taking No Chances
When He Bluntly Accused One OF
His Customers of Stealing.
There must be an irresistible fascina-
ton in stealing for some women, for,
although day after day the papers tell
of arrests for this crime in the big
stores of the cities, still the practice
goes on, and in most cases women who
are beyond the touch Of want are the
culprits.
One day not long ago toward the
close of the afternoon clerk in one of
the large dry goods emporiums on
Canal street saw, or fancied he saw, a
woman at the next counter slip bolt
of silk under her cloak. She was a
person of middle age, with plain but
attractive face, and her handsome at
tire and easy bearing indicated well
to do gentlewoman. The clerk beckon-
ed to nearby fioorwalker, and in an
excited whisper told what he had wit.
messed.
you're crazy" said the foorwalker.
'That lady is Mrs. ; she's an old
customer and is simply above sus-
picion."
Il don't care what she is" persisted
the clerk. II saw her steal that silk. >
At that the proprietor happened tc
pass and heard the story. He is a
man of much experience and habitual
promptitude. Are you absolutely
certain?' he asked.
81 am, SIR replied the clerk.
The merchant sighed and walked
down the aisle to where the woman
was standing. Excuse me, madam
he said quietly; will you kindly un.
fasten your cloak"
"Sirr' she exclaimed taking step
backward and turning CHASTITY pale.
Throw open that cloakw he said
sternly, dropping any pretense OF
courtesy, but still speaking in a very
low tone.
The woman's face had assumed q
frightened, hypnotic stare, and she
obeyed mechanically, her hands trem.
bling so violently that she could scarce.
ly unfasten the buttons. Under the
garment was the telltale bolt OF
silk and a strange collection of smaller
articles-a pair Of stockings, three
gloves, some lace, a quantity of edg
ing, white shawl roll of jet trim.
mings-evidently things snatched up
at random as opportunity offered.
AS the plumber was ranged on the
counter the woman hung her head and
began to sob Historically.
Now, madam" said the merchant
in matter of fact voice, 81 have Just
one thing to say to you: You have
traded here for over 10 years to the
best of my recollection, and were one
OF our most trusted customers. l
won't charge these things to you, as is
usually done in such cases, and the
affair shall not be mentioned. But /
must ask you never again to come into
this store"
Suppose you had found nothing I'M
der the cloak" suggested a newspaper
man, who CHANGED to witness the Incl
dent from beginning to end; wouldn't
that have put you in terribly awk
ward position?"
EYES," admitted the merchant frank
ly, but was really taking no chances.
l knew to an absolute certainty that
the woman was shoplifter before
addressed her"
is it trade secret?"
well, it's one l don't mind explain
ing. | knew because she had what |
call the 'Shoplifter's elbow By long
practice store pilferers acquire an ex-
traordinary grip with the left upper
arm and can hold anything with ease
that is slipped against the body on
that side. Their dexterity in that par
ticular is really astonishing, and it is
almost like the acquisition of a new
member. but to anybody who has made
a study of such legerdemain the posi-
ton in which the arm Is held Is unmis-
taxable. 1t is turned slightly outward,
with the elbow against the point of the
hip, and the forearm is entirely olsen
gagged.
1.-THE moment l got good, square
look at this woman knew she was
holding something under her cloak.
and then, of course, had no longer
any hesitation about accosting her. 1t
would never do to make a mistake, and
we avoid such thing by taking no
chances. If there is the slightest room
for doubt, the suspect Is allowed to
walk out without a word When we
detect shoplifter, our invariable pol
Icy is to warn her from the store, the
reason being that we wish to escape
the necessity Of watching people or of
making scene before our customers.
"Wethave blacklisted several dozen
in New Orleans. Yes; they belong to
all circles socially. know one woman
In town who would cheerfully give
$1,000 if she could cross our threshold.
She has importuned us repeatedly to
take her off the list, but we can't do
it."-New Orleans Times Democrat.