The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-06-29

The fup-tO-date motel tnleL as euetAoi5
dinerjnt from the old fashioned sneak
thief. who prowlcd through corridors.
| oftenfoperating with the aid of servants
or ginning an entrance through the eel
lar way and back doors, says the ohlca-
go Ihtcr-ocean. IS
rhk new type Of hotel thief drives up
in styls to the summer hotel or city
NOTED that he has selected for his field.
sometimes he comes direct from an
oceaa liner, with his steamer trunks on
toDtof the cab Often he lla. valet,
and sometimes a wife, but as a rule he
.rayes alone.
He is as picturesque person IN MS
modern way as any Of the famous high
w;hnlen of history. Sometimes ne mas
followed his prey across the continent
of Europe without getting his chancei
sometimes it is only from the steamer
dacs, where he has struck up an ac-
ofantance with some capitalist whose
Weakness he has dicovered under the
gLlsa of cordial good fellowship.
WIFE AS A MARTYR.
when the up-to-date hotel thief be
domes a thorough master Of his trade
Ind is successful enough to travel IN
This fashion. he, as a rule, operates atone.
Until he amasses experience enough 10
lid him in carrying off big prizes that
enable him to have periods of rest ana
recreation between his enterprises ne ~
|is obliged often to take champer1 1.l,
land bel-boys into his confidence. SEND d
\ Ing them on ahead OF him sorneti1aes ~
prepare ways and means
fo
variably he handsome and finely gowned
and ieWeled. She will be gracious, often
fascinating. and will pose as martyr
To the male friends that are picked up
bv the couple on their journeys Notn-
ing appeals to a great many men ~
much s the idea of a pretty and neglect
ed wife who is sacrificing herself tor her
husband.
The couple will be extremely hospi.a'poie'
and will entertain in their hotei lo ,llEs.
Then there are various methoos ina. al {
put in operation Champaign VII
consumed and whist or poker proposed.
Or frenuently. as there has grown to be
degrae of SUSPICION about these hotei
ca RI games there is no talk OF cards.
GUEST BOLDLY ROBBED.
II +ha latter case the guest is boldly
robbed. His money or vaiua pies are
def+1v extracted from his pockets.
He may know quite well when ne ois-
covers his loss that he has been roooeu.
hut he Will have no proof. IN the case
ar cards he is cheated Invariably ana le 20
on 70 play. further by various means ',l.-
til he has given his note tor large
amounts. 49, -
snr,etines he is allowed to seem 10
Win large amounts, but in the end ne
is always the loser to. an extent .ha :
makes the game a very profita bic one y
those who pursue It, 80, ,,,,a
IA the corridors of some IA shloIldp -ut,
hotels each evening one can see many
OF these men and women, bearing caring IN !.
their dress and their faces no marx oi
n,.rslits. They are not, as rule, KNOWN
TO New York detectives.
They come from abroad, many OF .t u EN-
q "a others from the west. Some OF tne':1
a 70 native New Yorkers who pose as
brokers' and speculat tors. They belong
to that large. evergrowlng class whose
calling and means OF livelihood are
r:Sst cry. s. ....14,.. -.
They appear each evening in faultless az at
tire. frequent the cafe and billiard rooms.
sn::.ks acduaintances over stickers ara at
RAJ ing boards, often pose as generous
q. irons Of the turf or Of art ln ne are,
always we'll hammered. No hotei. tI'ieI
Of TINS class Is ever In the least snort OF
strus ure in his manner. he IS suafe,