Year: 1870

A rich harvest is reaped by the pickpockets OF
New York f; and unlike the agriculturists, they
reap not alone in August, but in every month of
the year. They are astonishingly adroit. A de-
mure and modest lady, sitting next to lady
stranger in street car or Broadway stage, will
pick the latter's pocket of her purse, while both
hands apparently remain idly and demurely
folded on her lap for these are false hands,
made and goved for the occasion. The business
men, merchants, farmers and others from the
the country, are made to suffer heavily
4! The male operators are still more expert. They
| will steal mans watch or pocket-book so quick
Iy and so deftly that no amount of precaution
seems sufficient to protect him. instruments are
used to cut open deep pocket or to pull out
the pocket-book with pliers. Thousands of dol
lars are thus stolen every week in New York
street cars, of which no account ever gets into
| the papers. Too often the police are themselves
in league with the rascals, and share their plum
der as the price OF permitting them TO continue
their ''little game" case we have been told
Of is in point


| 1t is but q few weeks since Mr.. L., young
man. a resident of New York, on getting out of
Third avenue car 1.-THE worst gangs are there)
| found he had been robbed OF bis pocket-book,
containing 50, 500. He ran and hailed the driver
| stopped the car, got in, and kept his eye on
man who stood close against him in the crowded
| car wheiIs that man go out he got out and
following lin, he hailed policeman and told
him to arresi that man ms u pickpocket. Inc
! policeman said he would have 10 prove II, but
the victim insisting, the arrest WAS made ana
after the fellow had been put in The lookup the
! policeman came out and told the loser Of the
| p0cket-book that he 1.-THE loser) would he unable
| to prove that that man was the thief; that the
rogue would deuy it all, and no doubt get cleara
and that the best thing for him to do would DC
to tell him he would give him half the ''swagD
it he would hand back the other half Instead
OF insisting that the policemn should discharge
his duty and search the fellow, the young man,
acting on the maxim that half loaf is oetter
than no bread, assented to this plan OF robbery;
and no doubt the policeman divided with the
pickpocket. His name and number should have
been reported.


A lady of this city last week had her pocket
picked OF $500 in Fourth avenue car. A deli
cate pair of pliers or a hook was used, Two
other Hartford ladies were walking on Broad
way, one few steps in advance OF the other
and Mrs. D., who walked behind, was noticing
the color and pattera OF costly Cashmere shawl
worn by stranger who was walking ahead Of
her and close by the side OF her friend. She was
suddenly aware that hand Of the stranger lady
was moving under the shawl aud inserting itself
dexterously and swiftly into the pocket of Mrs.
B. as she walked beside her. She reached for
ward and struck blow with her parasol, hitting
the intruding hand as nearly as she could, ex-
claiming at the same time, "Mrs. B., that woman
! is picking yoar pocket ~ Instantly the unknown
fair one turned, and went off rapidly down a
side stree: and she carried an additional purse
of money with her.


A queer case was that Of a physician OF this
city. DR.. -, who on going 10 the opera With
n friend was cautioned at the ticket Office to look
IIa alann
watch-a valuable one, engraved with his name,
and the name of the society or friend who gave
il TO him. 1t was there, all right and he made
sure OF keeping it there by keeping his hand on
| It all through the performance of the opera. On
coming out, what was his astonishment to find
his watch was gone 1t had been taken, IN spite
| of his watchfulness.


Rejecting that watch so engraved could not
well be disposed of easily, even in New York, he
advertised his loss in the next mornings papers,
and added that reward 1--WE believe SlOO)
would be paid for its recovery, and mo questions
| asked.n Before noon, the bell rang, and very
elegantly dressed man, in appearance perfect
gentleman, inquired for the advertiser OF los'
watch. s'Have gou got il ''' asked the Doctor
~ have" coolly replied the stranger; "here II
is: | claim the reward" Here is the money,
said the Doctor, taking back his watch
tand now want to ask" 80, but you said
there would he mo questions, " answered
mousache. True" said the Doctor, "but
only want to know how under Heaven you got
thai watch, wich kept my hand owe
the time ?'' "Are you sure you KEEP


hand over it all tne time p ''Yes-positl


''Now let me refresh your memory Don


remember. at one interesting stage OF the


nance, there was a fly lit on your ear, and
raised your hand to brush it off ~ "Yes-its a
fact" said the Doctor, 81 do remember that"
"Well, sir" said the elegant stranger, stha was
the time you lost your watch. tickled the top
of your ear with a straw, and you brushed Oft the
supposed fy-and didn't notice, when, your
hand went back, that your watch was no longer
there. Good morning, sir."-Hqrttord4 Times