CHAPTER   XXXIX.

CUNNING SHOPLIFTERS AND SKILLFUL PICKPOCKETS—FEMALE

OPERATORS AND HOW THEY WORK - YIELDING TO

SUDDEN TEMPTATIONS.

A Congenial Crime for Women — An Open Field for the Shoplifter — The
Shoplifter's Dress and its Many Pockets—A Detective's Ruse — Working
with a Confederate — Kleptomaniacs — Conscience Stifled by Cupidity —
Detection, and its Results—An Adroit Thief and his Wonderful Bag —
Working in Gangs—Swallowing Gems — Pickpockets and their Rovings
— Personal Appearance of Pickpockets — How a Woman lay Concealed
for Years — Working under a Shawl or Overcoat — Tlie Use of the Knife —
An Overcoat without Pockets — Robberies at Churches and Funerals —
" Working " Horse-Cars and Railroad Trains — Quarrels among Thieves —
How a Victim Betrays Himself to the Gang—" Working a Crowd" — A
Delicate Touch — Signals between Confederates — Watching an Oppor¬
tunity — Stealing Watches.

HOLIDAY week in New York city is the shoplifters' har¬
vest. The ladylike and gentlemanly pilferers of the
city know that Christmas offers abundant opportunities for
plying their wicked trade. So the shoplifter sallies forth, and
the pickpocket wends his way, with keen eyes and ready hands
among the throng. Of the shoplifters who infest the city, the
large majority are females. There are various reasons for this.
The work of shoplifting is comparatively easy, it is often re¬
munerative, and above all it is congenial. There are few
ladies to whom a visit to the stores and the handling of the
rich and beautiful goods displayed are not joys which tran¬
scend all others on earth. The female shoplifter has that touch
of nature left in her which makes a dry-goods store, variety
bazaar, or jewelry establishment, a most delightful spot to exer¬
cise her cunning.

In the last few years, professionals of   this order have