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

! ha Lifting, cigar-givins and most corulas
and eIlayle
Every hotel of note has it's private de-
tective nowadays and some of tie larger
l:ouses have a staff Of sieutfs who cir
culate among the guests, their real call
ifE being known to only few OF those
win whom they come in daily contact.
They do much clever work in ferretins
cut criminals, but their efforts have been
cohspicuously unsuccessful of late, Tor
despite the fact that hotel managers will
do everything in their power to keep
news OF a robbery secret. re.,nrts CT
mary jewel robberies Of late have reac!.-
ed the general public. while stories OF
shady transactions and sharp gambling
operations are getting more frequent.
The large hotels make special efforts
to prttect their guests known to be men
she fancies that she can get in direct
the fayorite prey for the Adventures
of this class, who will endeaTor to- dupe
II err by plans we'll conceived and ex-
ecuted. appealing to some special fad
or folly of the man to be victinliEed.
Many men nowadays carry not only
large sums of money with them. but
also quantities of unset gems of value,
this being one of the eccentricities that
modern millionares indulge themselves
In.
Such men, if once caught In the net.
are WllllflS 10 uDulfS lUStT iOSSrS, dS 1t
rule rather than have any news of their
experiences get out. When 1t is record
ed that one hotel detective was dis
charged not very long ago for intro
ducing a Chicago crook, posing as a
dealer in art treasures, to n New York
| millionaire. it will be seen at once that
the hotel s1euth is not SO astute nor so
Iynx-eyed as he should be at all times.
Sometimes 1t Is trifls difficult to tell
fJ1Cn
hotel dwellers. Women and men who
acquire wealth In other cities, IN repu-
table as well as questionable pursuits,
will come to town with unlimited cash
and plenty of good clothes
THE HONEST DRESSa1AKER.
They may choose to maintain absolute
secrecy as to their previous condition. NO
body knows who are they, but they are
guests at one Of tho highest-priced houses
in town and they pick up acauaint-
ances in the pariors and halls entirely
on the strength of their dwelling place
| successful dressmaker from small
town will visit the city for the purpose
of studying the fashions. She will have
! On excellent wardrobe with her. and
she win make for tho best hotel, where
she faucIes that she can get IN direct
touch with women Of fashion and posi-
ton.
The first acquaintance she may ACQUIRE
Will perhaps be an adventures posing
as western widow OF means.
Both women will keep strict silence az
ia their antecedents. and each Will lie
| nicturesauely in her endeavor to con-
vince the other that she is 9 lady o.
quality. .,.o -.,,,
frequently the honest dressn1aker VIII
he Swallowed by the hotel sleuth on &C.
count of her suspicious stories. reported
- him, perhaps. by the western widow
some amusing complications occur which
1.n,,ld make good material for comedy
~ ~ =, !. when crook meets crook and
dressuaker meets drummer. all four g 1ar
nosing as millionaires and al meeting
frequently at gay little theatre parties
and over suppers. the situation becomes
The hotel adventurer is always ready
"a turn Jewel rob5er II the chance pre-
e eor Itself, and if his funds be low.
Ia will secret himself in closets and
under beds and use false Keys and dis
e,,ises IN his efforts to constin,mate 9
ronhery. He does his work clsanly and
| cleverly, as ruls.
hote. clerk who has been twenty
Years In tie business said In regard to
.sIhere Is no doubt that hotel robber.es