The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-01-15
PRETTY YOUNG SHOPLIFTER
Mrs. Moran Won Much Sym
pathy by Her Sorrows for
Wrongdoing.

Mrs. Bertha Moran. a. very pretty young
matron, who is but is years old, was ar
rested Saturday night, by Detective Fran
cis who is employed by Furst Brothers,
the Newark avenue dry good merchants,
on a charge of shoplifting. Mrs Moran,
resides at No. 31S Warren street.
When Mrs Moran entered the big dry
goods store she attracted considerable at
tention because of her beauty and stylish
costumes Presently one of the young
saleswomen noticed that the handsomely
attired stranger had concealed some neck
wear under her coat. Detective Francis
was notified and he Immediately question
ed the young woman.
Mrs. Moran seemed exceedingly sur
prised at being charged with theft. She
threw her naughty head back and re-
pulsed Detective Francis for accusing her.
ssYou will have to go up stairs to Mr.
Furst's private Office said the detective.
sYou are mistaken in making such a
charge against me-" pertly answered Mrs.
Moran.
"You had better accompany me" again
said the detective. ST don't want to have
a scene in the store"
The pretty young woman then consent
ed to go to Mr. Furst's office. On the way
I'D to the second floor the elevator boy
noticed that Mrs. Moran dropped several
pieces of neckwear to the floor. The boy
called Detective Francis's attention to the
matter. The officer picked up the neck
wear and carried it to Mr.. Furst's office
you will have to submit to search,
said one of the women employees,
AT first Mrs Moran refused to submit to
the request. She denied having any more
articles on her person. When threatened
with arrest Mrs. Moran broke down ana
confessed. She pulled from her coat three
collarettes which she had. secreted there.
Mrs Moran wept bitterly when she was
discovered She pleaded piteously to be re-
leased and cried bitterly as she told her
story. Mrs. Moran told Mr. Furst that
her husband was very SICK. having been
confined to his home for the past eleven
weeks suffering intensely from the e1fects
of rheumatism. She said
81 do not know what prompted me to
steal. I really did not need the articles
took. My husband has sufficient to keep
the wolf from the door, without having
me stoop so low. / have young papy
at home and she needs my care. Won't
YOU please let me go. 1t is my first oHense
and it has taught be a good lesson. VIII
never do it again if you let me CO.
Mr.. Furst refused to comply with the
request. He said, 1.-THE amount taken
does not figure in the case. If let you
go it will only give you more encourage
ment to commit crime. You will nave TO
be punished
Mrs. Moran was then locked up in the
Gregory street station house. She was
promptly released on bail, a well known
citizen became her surety.
s Mrs. Moran was arraigned this morning.
in the First Criminal Court before JUS
tice Nevin She felt her position keeniy
and cried bitterly during the proceedings
Her pretty face and innocent manners
evoked much sympathy.
Mr.. Furst asked the court to be
lenient with Mrs Moran, as he had been
Informed that she was well connected and
respectable He said he had received this
information from very near friend, who
was well acquainted with the unfortunate
woman.
Counselor Donolen, who had charge OF
Mrs. Moran's interests, also plead Tor
leniency with the court.
Justice Nevin, after reviewing the en-
tire testimony found Mrs. Moran guilty
and fined her $45 and costs.
After the sentence had been imposed
Rrs. Moran broke down completely. Tne
court followers were affected.