The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-08-05


had SOME trouble in following our
guide. who squirmed into the thick Of
every jam. l began to think that. hav-
ing talked big to two green young fell
lows. he now wanted to give US the
slip, but determined just to tease him
he shouldn't get out Of our sight as
easily as he thought to.
The gents underwear" department.
rs happened to have observed In the
morning. was on the State street side.
near the door which we had just en-
tered. Nevertheless our friend was
leading Us away from that part and
seemed to prefer the most crowded
aisles. where ladies goods were dis
played. At the glove counter there was
q press Of women who were trying to
get near q heap Of ninety eight cent
gloves. Our guide was just ahead Of US
ut this point. and near his elbow I no
ticed an old gentleman and q young
lady. The latter. who was trying on .
pair Of gloves. kept asking the old gen.
tleman q string Of questions. He was
smiling at her without taking the trou-
bic to reply. The girl was pretty and
nicely dressed. and suppose l must
have looked at her hard. for she sud
denly glanced up at me and then turn
ed her back and faced the counter. As
she turned I noticed something white
drop from her hand. and I pressed
closer to her to pick 1t up. It was q
little handkerchief. As reached down
l saw q thin hand stretch out around
the young lady's waist and then give .
little Jerk. had just Strengthened my
self with the handkerchief In my I'm
gers when l heard the young lady ex-
claim:
Father, my purse has gone"
"Why. whyv' the old man stammer-
ed. "Your purse has gone? Where
could It have gone top
Just then some one grabbed my
arm, and voice said in my ear:
mot 50 slick az that. young Teller"
A man who looked like an offlcial Of
the store had hold Of me.
Don't make any fuss and hand over
that lady's purse" he added in low
voice.
uOvNu I 6OS ASA PuASSs )" M JuSS
going to give her this handkerchief.
which 1 saw her DROP" protested,
holding up the thing l had picked from
the floor.
That's all right" the man said, with
q grin. "And now hand over the purse
too
He began to feel my pockets, and Of
course I resented his familiarity and.
like a country jake, kicked up . muss
then and there. A crowd began to col
lect. The door manager rushed up at
this point, and between them was
hustled across the store and into one
OF the private Offices. The 6rst thing
I heard when I got there was the old
gentleman just behind me. suffering.
too much excited to talk plain.
''Yes, yes, my daughters purse! shs
just lost it!'
That's all right" I said. And
saw the fellow who took Il"
81 saw this man take IT." heard
the girl say to the manager.
Yes. yes. my daughter saw the thisl
take her pursev' the old man put IN
excitedly.
II was watching him all the time
said the man who had laid hold Of m,.
first HE came In at the State street
entrance q few minutes ago with q
green one and an old sneak. I didn'l
think he lad the time to pass the stuff
over"
was cool now and laughed a. thu
manager and the detective wenl
through my pockets carefully.
THE old ones got the stu6 fast
enough" the detective remarked dis
gustedly. 'Shall we have this one
locked up. Mr.. Marble?"
You'll do it at your risk" put in
loudly.
where's the young woman7" the
manager demanded.
TT happened just while my daughter
was buying a pair OF gioves." the old
man began to chatter. You were ask.
Ing ne. my love
The young woman looked little con-
fused. l thought. and not 50 sure OF
herself. Blu, she answered the mana
gers questions by saying promptly:
He must have taken it-'
You saw hamr' the detective ques
toned
.Ye-I must have seen him-I saw
him. of counsel"
Il den1 believe You could have sesz
me. ma'an.'' said. With q grin. Afoa
you had tsst turned your back on me-
.sHey .dA yop know tAatT' she aske(