Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-10-31
WOMEN WHO PLIERS
SHoPuFTsRS AND THEIR METHODS
IN THE BIG STORES.

Why the Proprietor OF Ono Estun-
lishment Was Tekins No Chances
when He Blunsly 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 a clerk In one Of
the large dry goods emporiums on
Canal street saw, or fancied he saw, q
woman at the next counter slip q bolt
OF silk under her cloak. She was O
person OF middle age, with n plain but
attractive face, and her handsome at.
tire and easy bearing indicated a well
TO do gentlewoman. The clerk beckon-
ed TO a nearby floorwalker. and IN an
excited whisper told what he had wit
messed.
You're crazy" said the floorwalker
THAT lady is Mrs. - she's an old
customer and is simply above sHs-
picion."
II don't care what she is." persisted
the clerk. ct saw her steal that silk. I"
At that the proprietor happened TO
pass and heard the story He is o
man OF much experience and habituaI
promptitude. Are you absolutely
certain2" he asked
II 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 IN.
fasten your cloakT'
STRIP she exclaimed. taking a step
backward and turning CHASTITY pale.
Throw open that cloakP be said
sternly, dropping any pretense Of
courtesy, but stin speaking In q very
low tone.
The wOman's face had assumed a
frightened, hypnotic stare. and she
obeyed mechanically, her hands trem.
bling so violently that she could scarce
Iy unfasten the buttons. Under the
garment was the telltnIe bolt of
silk and a strange collection Of smaller
articles-a pair Of stockings, three
gloves, some lace, quantity Of edg.
Ing, white shawl. a roll Of Jet trim.
INDEPENDENTLY things spatched 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
ip matter OF fact voice, "I have tust
one thing TO say TO you: You have
traded here for over 10 years TO the
best of my recollection. and were one
or our most trusted customers.
won't charge these things 10 you, as Is
usually done in such cases, and the
affair shall not be mentioned. But ]
must ask you never again 20 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 a terribly awk
ward pos;tionT
Yes" admitted the merchant frank.
~, but was really taking no chances
1 knew 70 an absolute certainty that
the woman was u shoplifter before ]
addressed her"
lis ii trade secretT'
We'll, it's one don't mind explain.
Ing. l knew because she hnd what ]
call the 'shophfter's elbow By Ions
practice store pilferers acquire an ex.
traordinary grip with the left uppeI
arm and can hold anything with ease
that is slipped against the body or
mat side Their dexterity In that par,
dcuiar is really astonishing, and IL IL
almost like the acquisition of a new
member, but TO anybody who hos MADE
study Of such legerdemain the posi-.
ton In which the arm is beld Is unmis
taxable. 1t is turned slightly outward
with the elbow against the point OF the
hip. and the forearm Is entirely oisan.
gagged.
THE moment / got a good, square
look at this woman ] knew she WAS
holding something under her cloak
and then. or course, had no longer
any hesitation about accoeting her II
would never do to make q mistake, ant
we avoid such a thing by taking nc
chances. If there is the slightest Room
for doubt, the suspect Is allowed tc
walk out without word. When we
detect d shoplifter, our invariable Dol
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.
I'VE have blacklisted several dozen
IN New Orleans. Yes; they belong &c
all circles socially. ! know one woman
In town who would scheerfully give
$1,000 If she could cross our threshold
She has importuned us repeatedly tc
take her of the list. but we can't dc
it"-New Orleans Times Democrat.