The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-01-15
VALUE OF A STORE MIRROR.
Mow 1t Aids in Detecting Those Who
 Would Steal

Mow 1t Aids in Detecting Those Who
 Would Steal
 T don't believe that we could get along without that mirror at the back of the shop said the druggist to acus- toner who questioned the wisdom of exzpending so much money upon one big piece of plate glass 'Still, it did not save us from losing another lot of plasters the other day, now that plaster thieves are out of jail.
 You never heard of the plaster thieves? We'll, I will we hadn't No, it is not that people are in special need of being plastered up, but plasters are easy things to take. You can get a good deal of value in one big, flat box of plasters. There is no individual mark on them to prevent their being sold again, and they are lighter and easier to carry than bottles. Plaster stealing has become a regular business. A couple of young fellows who have made us victims several times were sent up to serve a term for the offense. We know they are out again now for they paid us a visit only the other day and took off a few boxes in taesame old way. You wouldn't think we could be caught half dozen times, mirror or no mirror. but we have been.
 T was taken in the first time Two young fellows came in and gave me a small order that took me away for a few minutes, and while I turned my back they put several boxes of plasters under their coats and walked out with them, and I didn't know it for some time. remembered them, however and the next time I chanced to come in just as someone else had taken a small order. but that time was in time to keep them from taking any thing It wasn't long before they were in again, however. and that time they were caught. It was the mirror that did it, for the man who waited on them was one who did not know them. But he saw suspicious movement, bounced upon them, made them put down half dozen boxes, and told them if they ever dared to show their faces again in the place ne would throw them out. They have been in jail since, but now they are out, and we have suffered once more What do you thing of that for persistence and cheek? They have a regular fence for these things.
 But it is not the regular thieves that we have to be most careful to guard against, though itswas one who took one of the first things I missed after I had been in the business. There was a big bottle of quinine pills standing on the top of the screen behind which we put up the prescriptions. It held 800 pills and they were more expensive then than they are now. I stopped back of the counter to get the salves that had been ordered, and the man reached up and slipped this into his pocket and was none the wiser for q long time. I didn't suspect him at first, thought one of the doctors who came in fre- quently had taken it.
 Doctors take such things? Well, I guess so. Take a doctor who has a drug habit of some kind and there is not much he will not take that he can get his hands on, if it is in his line. And then there are other people and al ways children who can't resist picking up something that is lying so conven- iently within reach. No, a mirror is a necessity when you have to have half your stock of goods lying around on the counter. From the New York Times.