The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-17
Written by Sophie Ly0ns

ooSn Two VI InTee years since ndQ
picked a pocket and until that afternoon
| had believed l was done forever with
this petty variety OF crime.
The prosperous crowd Of racegoers,
however. with their glittering studs and
scarfpins, their massive watch fobs and
bullying pocketbooks made my fingers
fairly itch with the old temptation. and
the desire TO put my hands to stealing
grew all the stronger when l thought of
our nearly empty purses
Come, Jack" said ! 10 my companion.
we simply must make some money, and
the only way | know of getting 1t is by
going through the crowd out al the track
this afternoon.
Jack knew as little about picking
most criminals. he had not started his
career in that kind of crime.
But as ] intended 10 do most of the
work myself, | did not worry on this
score. Jack was eager to help. and he
was such bright, Quick-witted fellow I
knew / would have no difficulty in teach
ing him TO do his part
clever pickpocket rarely works alone
Wherever possible ne is followed BY a con-
federate TO whom he hands the yaluables
as fast as he secures them. Thus, unless
the thief is actually caught in the act OF
picking a pocket. he never has in his pos.
session any stolen property. This is the
reason why the police find it SO hard to
catch pickpockets.
1t took nearly every cent we had to pay
our fare out TO the race TRACK and our ad.
mission TO the paddock, but il was worth
it, for no pckpocket could have asked for
a better opportunity than we found The
grounds were packed with well-to-do
Southerners, and while they were craning
their necks TO get better view of the
ponies even a novice would have had no
difficulty in appropriating a large number
OF pocketbooks and pieces or Jewelry.
Don't let me get out OF your sight," were
my final instructions to Jack. but on no
condition speak to me or pretend to take
any notice OF me. If should get into
trouble, leave town by the first train and
raise enough money on the booty you have
to get me a lawyer"
What rich harvest field that was for
my nimbe fingers! There were few
policemen and, so far as ! could see, no
detectives in plain clothes to worry about.
Five minutes after l got inside the gate
was robbing every one / could lay my
hands on, with all the dizziness for which
/ had long been famous.
1t was all new experience for Jack and
he was rather nervous. His lips were
twitching a bit and his eyes shining with
excitement when quickly slipped my first
watch into his hand. But as he watched
me rob man after man without being de-
tected his GOODNESS returned.
Long before the last race was run had
handed Jack all the booty he could COM
fortably carry, so gave him the signal
that it was time to go. He followed me al
n safe distance to the obscure little hotel
where he had registered.
Not half bad fer one afternoons work."
said l with satisfaction as Jack emptied
his pockets in the seclusion or my room.
There were dozen diamond studs and
scarf-pins, four or FIVE gold watches and
half dozen well-filled pocketbooks contain
Ing in all between five and six hundred
dollars.
We divided the cash equally. cut the
empty pocketbooks into shreds and hid
the pieces in the fireplace.
All the jewery we wrapped in some
soiled linen and tied up in a pasteboard
box. We checked this package at the rail-
road station and hid the brass check where
we could easily find 1t later on.
Jack was for returning to Memphis or
going on to New York at once-but | said
no. My success had only whetted my appe-
title for crime and l was determined to
return to that track the next afternoon
and try my luck again.