Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-03-09
From the Chicago Post.

dies Caught tiifering from tne
stores.
From the Chicago Post.
A kleptomaniaca. epidemic seems to have
prevailed in Chicago for the past few weeks.
While it might be considered harsh to pro-
| duce the names of those who have been de-
tected, it is entirely proper that the facts
should be made public in such way as TO
expose the deeds and at the same time
screen the authors from the modification of
disgrace for which they are not response
| bic, and should not be called to public ac-
count.
A MERCHANTS WIFE,
lady who resides on the avenue, Is such q
confirmed shoplifter that her husband never
permits her to go upon the stree without
| an escort is employed to watch her move
ments, and prevent her from indalging in
the qualification of an unnaturaral desire to
steal. In defianc of this watchfulness, the
lady occasionally eludes the vigilance of
sharp eyes, aud makes tour of the shop
| ping emporiums. About two weeks ago
she visited Sone of our largest dry goods
stores, made few trifing purchases, and at
an opportune moment folded up and &C.
creted under her cloak valuable camels
| hair shawl. The article was soon missed,
but no one knew the culprit, although the
clerk gave an accurate description to the de-
tective who was employed to trace the mat
ter out. About week after the larceny was
committed, the officer attended McVicker's
Fheater aud saw the identical shawl, worn
by lady corresponding exactly to the one
described. She was accompanied By her
husband. The detective was confident that
he had discovered the thief, but not caring
to create sscene," he determined to delay
action until the performance was over, and
the woman and her escort were On their
homeHard way. To bis great surprise, an
elegant private carriage awaited them at
the door, and the liveried coachman drove
them to marble front residence ia one of
the most sristoeratic neighborhoods on
the South Side. The officer slept over
it, and finally determined to make
an investigation, let the consequences
be what they might. Egly in the morning
he repaired to the house of the rich mer-
chant, and informed the servant who at
tended the door that he desired to see the
lady of the house. The gentleman had just
descended the richly-earpeted stairway, and
was naturally curious TO know what good
looking, dashing young fellow wanted, at
that early hour, with his wife. When,
therefore, the lady appeared, she was &C.
companied by her mystiied husband. Po-
lisely, doubtingly, the messenger of justice
said 81 shall have to ask your kind for
bsarance, for the business that brought me
here is of a very delicate nature. May
l ask, madame, where you obtained the
shawl you wore at the theaer last
EVENING"" The woman said not single
word, but sank upon a sofa and burst into
tears, accompanied by hystericAl sobs.
Knowing her propensity, her husband at
once comprehanded the situation of affairs.
Conducting the officer to another room, he
related many instances Of q similar nature;
stated that his wife never knew what it was
to want for anything that money could pur-
chase, but that she never let an opportunity
to steal pass unimproved. "T-ll Messrs.
- (naming the firm) to send the bill to
me, together with all expenses, and it shall
be paid" As a matter of course, the I'M
fortunate lady's misdemeauor was looked
upon as a misfortune rather than fault,
and she is now watched with greater pre-
caution than before.
A SAD CASE.
In one of the largest dry goods houses in
the city, within few days, a sad instance
of this phase of insanity was brou hit to
light. A cleraym3n's wife, lady of re-
inement, culture, and undoubted purity of
characters the victim. She entered the
store, was greeted with friendly welcome by
those who knew her, and passed from one
counter to another, making a complete cir
cult OF the establishment. An employee saw
her, soon after she came in, slip package
of lace inside her muff. Following her,
and watching with sharp eyes, he saw the
lady conceal many other articles in the
same hiding-place, and dexterously trans
fer them to a capacious pocket in
side her cloak. As she was about
to take her leave, the young man
tapped her on the shoulde. MADAME"
said he, sit is with great p1in that am COM
PEELED to detain you" "Sir," said the lady,
Indignantly, "what do you mean?" "Only
this" was the reply; "you have taken a
large number of articles, have concealed
them about your person, and have not paid
for them" The lady protested that it was
false. "Wiu you permit me to examine
the pocket in your cloak?" OVerw helmed
with modification and shame, the woman
dropped her head, and the tel-tale blush
upon Der cheeks gave iDdubiEable evidence
of guilt. The man quietly took her arm,
and, without attracting the attention of the
large and fashionable gathering in the store,
proceeded to the private Office of the pc
prietor. There, with choking utterance, she
could only say, "FOr Gods sake, don't tell
my husband and my sisterv' 1t was found
that, altogether, she had appropriated goods
valued at $40. She stated that she had
never before taken the value of penny
that did not belong to her, and that the i'm
pulse was irresistible that she could not &C
count for it, aud begged in piieOus tones
for mercy. The proprietor of The store, be-
lieving that she was not morally responsible,
assured her that not pu lie exposure should
take place, the property was retained, and,
with prtfuse thanks, the victim of klepto-
mania hurried from the scene of an exploit
that only her high standing and unimpeach
able character rendered q calamity, and no.
a crime. This circumstance is vouched for
by one who witnessed it, but who would
under no CIRCUMSTANCES divulge the identity
Of the unfortunate woman.
SEVERAL OTHER INSTANCES
are related as having occurred within few
days, most Of them Of trivial character.
During the present week woman, dressed
in the height Of fashion and having every
appearance Of responsibility, was detected
in secreting silk necktie in her muff at
store where great sale was in progress.
At the same establishment another female,
when questioned, teariully confessed to
having appropriated several dollars worth
of small articles. In both instances they
were permitted to return what they had
taken, under the charitable inference that
the larceny was the result of temporary alb
erration of mind. The extent of this fear
full and deplorable mania cannot be esti-
mated. Insanity is proverbially clothed
with cunning that defes detection, and
where one case is brought to light it is rea-
sonable to infer that score are never re-
vealed. Were the whole truth known,
kleptomania would take front rank smon-
the glaring features of this age of strange
and unaccountable illusions.