The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-18

Ev the nlcrest accident or good fortune
a notably successful shopl'fter was
caught in the very act at a broad otleet
store on Saturday afternoon
we'll dressed woman OF medium age
aud sizo had seated herself at the lace
counter The store was somewhat crown
ell at the time, and it may have peen d
minute or two before Il salesman co'tiu
find opportunity to inquire what she ue-
cd to purchase. Probably the Eouhs
ran vino did the turn. to walt on het
did SO suddenly or uleNpectsoiS. IL '5
at the crowded hour OF the DAY an"
statesmen were passing as rapidly as pos
s:blc from one customer to another Inc
Young man, turning TO this Woulo-pc pui
chaser, as lie thought, saw nothing 10
arrest his especial attention or excite MS
Suspicious. The woman was seated IN
front OF the lace counter on which there
was a display of valuable ]aces. many
of the S3 and more Il yard. She held in
her hand folded fashion paper or pat
torn. From one end of the fold projected
a., inch or two Of iaco OF costly make
ard texture.
Il want to match this lace replied
tbs woman to the salesmaES S inquiry as
to how he might have the pleasure OF
serving her
The, voting man, without any thought
or suspicion of irregular conduct on the
part OF tho woman, reached across the
counter and took from the wonlans hand
tbn folded fashion paper. The woman, II
seems, as unsuspectingIy gave it up with
out any thought Of the trap into which
she was falling.
Tho paper fell open in the young mans
hands and In it there was not a small
bit of lace to serve us d guide in another
purchase Of like make and quality, but a
full piece, probably four or live yards
of the most costly and delicate lace TO
be found in the store. The piece sold for
probably not less than Sl2 or S15, or pos
SibIy more.
The salesman at once recognized the lace
as a special lot put on sale by his firm
only four or five days before. He in
1uircd Of the woman where she had
procured it and she replied that she had
had it for three or four months. His
suspicious were fully aroused. The store
mana gers were called. The woman was
at first indignant that she should be sus-
pectcd, or that her statement IS to her
purchase of the lace. should be doubted.
After two or three OF the store autiori-
ties had arrived on the scene, however,
and there was some talk OF calling 4
policeman. he woman broke down ana
begged for mercy. claiming that this was
the first time she had ever stolen any
thing.
She was taken back to the rear OF the
store and searched thoroughly. Anenorm-
Gus quantity of costly lace was found
concealed in her clothing. There We're
full pieces Of lace up her sleeves. and
others concealed beneath her rather
loose blouse waist The whole lot made
quite a pile. Careful inspection in every
instance told what Broad Street stores
it came from, and at least three or four
had been successfully visited. The whole
lot was thrown into a basket and the
store employees had quite time carrying
it 5up and down Broad Street to its right
full owners.
The woman was told never to enter the
store again and was allowed TO depart
! No warrant was issued.
Her method. and d good one 1t was,
seems to have been to carry fashion
paper# in her hand. This is very custo-
mary among ladies' who are shopping.
and is not noticed. The woman would
sit down at the lace counter, put the
| fashion paper down over some costly piece
OF lace. whose value she recognized, and
| when she rose to depart, after an unsuc-
cessful quest for some particular kind
| Of lace desired. hut. of course, not to be
| found. up would come fashion paper. lace
| and ALL.
Richmond merchants have of late been
considerably annoyed by shoplifting.
| This is the latest expression which this
form Of activity has found for itself.