CARELESSNESS OF LADY SHOPPERS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2667, 7 October 1881, Page 2

CARELESSNESS OF LADY SHOPPERS.

In a Dnndas street drjr goods store three ladies were purchasing goods side by side. One of them hung her umbrella by the handle on the edge of the counter and went to another part of the establishment. One of those who still remained laid her purse on the counter, and while making her purchases it was accidently shoved into the folds of the upturned umbrella. When the clerk tore oft' his check and the lady reached for her pocket-book it was gone. She had just laid in on the counter, and of course the lady who stood beside her must have taken it. Nothing could be clearer. In the excitement which followed the firstmentioned lady took possession of her

umbrella and walked out of the store* totally ignorant of what was withiu it. A policeman was called, and amid much indignation and grief on one side and blustering on the other the innocent woman was conducted up stairs and searched. Of course the purse was not found, and she was allowed to go. Now for the sensational part of the story. The umbrella was taken over to a hotel, thrown into a buggy, taken home, and laid away. A few days later the house was burned down, but tho umbrella among other things was saved. A few weeks passed, and then one day it was hoisted and out fell the missing purse. The lady remembered the incident id the store and on her next visit to the store brought back tho money and had it restored to the owner. In the period which intervened tho woman who _had been wrongfully accused had visited the store daily for the purpose of ascertaining whether anything had turned up to prove her innocence. The story is vouched for on the best authority, and is literally true (“ London Free Press.”)