The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1873-04-10
Kleptolnenia.
From the Chicago Post.


While it might he considered harsh to pro-
duce the names of those who have been de-
tectsd, 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 a dis
grace for which they are not responsible,
and should not be called to public account.
A merchants wife lady who resides on
the avenue, is such a confirmed shop-lifter
that her husband lever permits her to 60
upon the streets without an escort is en-
ployed. to watch her movements, and prevent
her from indulging in the qualification of an
unnatural desire to steal In defiance of
this watchfulness, the lady occasionally
eludes the vigilance Of sharp eyes, and makes
a tour of the shopping emporiums. About
two weeks ago she visited one of our largest
dry goods stores, made few trihing pur-
chases, and at an opIortune1 moment folded
up and secreted under her cloak valuable
cameRs hair shawl The article was soon
missed, but no one knew the culprit, al.
though the clerk gave an accurate descrip.
tion to the detective who was employed to
trace the matter out. About week after
the larceny was committed. the officer at
tended McVicker's Theatre, and saw the
identical shawl, worn by a lady, cores
ponding exactly to the one described. She
was accompanied by her husband. The de-
tective was confident that he had discovered
the thief, but not caring to createa scene"
he determined to delay action until the per-
formanco was over, and the woman and her
escort were on their homeward way. To his:
great surprise, an elegant private carriage
awaited them at the door, and the liveried
coachplan drove them to marble front resi-
dence in one Of the most aristocratic neigh
borhoods on the South Side. The officer
slept oyer it, and finally determined to make
an investigation, let the consequences be
what they might. Early in the morning he
repaired to the house Of the rich merchant.
and Informed the seavant who attended the
door rllat he desired to see the lady Of the
house The gentleman had just descended
the photographed stairway, and was natu-
rally curious to know what good looking,
dashing young fellow wanted, at that early
hour, With his wife. When, therefore, the
lady appeared, she was accompanied by her
mystiGal- husband Politely, doubtingly,
the messenger Of justice said: Il shall have
to ask your kind forbcarance, for the bust
ness that brought Inc here is of a very deli
cate nature. May I ask, madame, where
you obtained the shawl you wore at The
theatre last EVENING"" The woman said not
single word, but sank upon sofa and
burst into tears, accompanied by hysterical
sobs. Knowing her propensity, her husband
at once comprehended the situation Of af
fairs Conducting the foficer to another
room, he related many instances Of similar
nature; stated that his wifene knew what it
was to want for anything that money could
purchase, but that she never let an opportu-
nifty to steal pass unimproved. Tell
Messrs (naning the firm to send
the bill to ME, with all the expenses, and it
shall be paid" As a matter Of course, the
unfortunate lady's misdcmeanor was looked
upon as misfortune rather than a fault,
and she is now watched with greater pre-
caution than before.
In one of the largest dry goods houses in
the city, within a few days, sad instance
of this phase Of insanity was brought to
light. \ clcrgyman's wife--a lady Of refine
ment, 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 the another, making a complete
circuit Of the establishment. An employee
saw her, soon after she came in, slip pack
age of lace inside her muf. Following her,
and watching with sharp eyes, he saw the
lady conceal may other articles in the same
hiding place, and dexterously y transfer them
to a capacious pocket inside her cloak. As
she was about to take her leave, the young
man tapped her on the shoulder. MADAME .
said he, "it is with great pain that | am
compelled to detain YOU Sir SAID the
lady, Indignantly, what do you mean =
''unly this" was the reply; "you have taken
largo number of articles, have concealed
them about your person, and have not paid
for them" The lady protested that it was
false. "Will you permit he to examine the
pocket in your cloak!" Overwhelmed with
modification and shame, the woman dropped
he head and the tell-tas blush upon her
cheeks gave undubitcblc 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 ofthe proprietor There,
with choking uttorance, she could only say
"For Gods sake don't tell my husband and
sister" 1t was louzd that, altogether, she
had appropriated goods valued at $40. She
stated that she had never before taken the
value Of 4 penny that did not belong to her,
and that the impulse was irresistible; that
she could not account fYr il, and begged in
ptcous tones for mercy. The proprietor of
lhe store, believing that she was not moral
ly responsible, assured her thatno public ex-
posurc should take place; the property was
retained and, with proiusc thanks. the vic