The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-21

Il
"and 1 told the clerk who waited on me
that would bring them to you myself. as
1 had another bundle waiting here at the
desk
VAGUELY CONSCIOUS.
The young man, vaguely conscious of
the fact that this was somewhat unusual
proceeding. but not daring to question the
legitimacy of the purchase, wrapped the
books in heavy paper. handed them TO
their claimant and an instant later had for
gotten all about the matter in the hustle
and hustle of wrapping up large assert
ment Of purchases that had been dumped
upon the counter by the many little cash
girls scurrying about the big building.
1t is doubtful if the theft of the books
would have been discovered at all had it
not CHANGED that a clerk in the book de-
partment had set aside the very volumes
that were now missing to show to a certain
customer who had promised TO return from
an upstairs department later on to look
them over She learned. upon inquiry
among her fellow-clerks, that the reserved
books had not been sold by any of them,
and then suddenly she remembered having
noticed the woman in the raglan examn-
somehow the suspicion flashed upon her
that all was not exactly right-a suspicion
which led to an immediate investigation.
The result of the investigation was any
thing but satisfactory 10 the young man at
the transfer desk; ne had TO make good"
for the loss of the books in order to hold
his job She was such a nice-looking
woman" he explained. sorrowfully. who
would have thought that she'd steal any
thing?" You'll know better than to trust
these 'nice-looking' women next time" was
the answer of heartless fioorwalker.
land that is only one of many occur
rences of similar nature" said one OF
the managers of the department store in
telling the story, although L must own
that I've never before known anybody TO
possess nerve enough to actually walk up
to the transfer desk and demand to have
the stolen goods wrapped up. 1t was the
wonderful GOODNESS of the woman that dis
armed suspicion. You would be amazed to
know how many respectable people are af-
ficted with kleptomania in a mild form
during the days of the busiest shopping
season. The candy department suffers
more than any other from these small pill
hold UP their hands in horror at the very
thought of doing anything dishonest think
nothing of hooking a little candy on the
sly They seem to consider it their privi-
lege, just as the small boy sees nothing
really wrong in 'swiping apples from
peddler's cart. The clerks in the candy de-
partment are so accustomed to seeing many
of their customers-both men and women,
but mostly women-helping themselves to
a few extra pieces of candy in making pur-
chases that they have come to look upon
the thing as unavoidable.
OBLIGED TO CALL A HALT.
but once in awhile we are obliged to
call a halt, as it were, when these candy
stealers become little too nervy. The
other day a woman who had just bought a
pound of caramels took sudden fancy
to some other kind of sweets which were
being displayed temptingly on the counter
before her. She evidently didn't care to
spend any more of her money on the tooth
some morsels for she proceeded to care
lessly drop her handkerchief right on top
of the tray holding the dainty bonbons,
and when she regained possession of the
handkerchief she also managed to gain pos
session of several pieces of the candy. One
of the clerks observed the artful little trick,
but hesitated to raise any objection, know
ing the woman to be one who was eminent
ly respectable and very faithful customer
of the establishment But when, moment
after. the handkerchief act was repeated,
the clerk felt that she would be neglecting
her duty If she permitted any more such
pilfering. and leaning over the counter she
said in a low voice so that none but the
guilty party might hear:
"sReally, I'm afraid somebody else might
see you taking that candy-and-and, you
know they might misunderstood; they
might think that you were acting dishon-
estly'
"Was the woman angry? Well / should
say she was. And yet the clerk showed
good deal of tact, 1 think, in choosing her
words so as to reflect as little as possible
upon the honesty of the woman. But the
fair patron was too indignant for anything,
with an indignation that was painfully
mixed with embarrassment. She took
silver dollar from her purse. laid it on the
counter, and in freezing tones, she said:
If 1 have thoughtlessly taken a piece of
candy or two from your counter while buy
ing large bills of goods in this store. this
will doubtless recompensc the firm for its
loss And turning on her heel, she stalked
down the aisle to the elevator. The dollar
has been pat aside so that the clerk may
return it to her the next time she comes
into the candy departmental she ever
comes back