St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1884-11-15
w. G.. kENTZEL, Edito

ceptacle in his wooden leg, in which a
considerable stock OF the bad money
was cunningly secreted. We have
sometimes seen considerable pile OF
coins unearthed from the yoluminous
folds of a ragged coat, trousers or
vest. Bank notes, for obvious reasons,
are capable of being slowed away in
little space; and thieves often hide
them in the cracked joints OF dilapi
dated old table, chair. or bed. Under
meath a picture, or between the portrait
and the back, appears to be favorite
place of concealment. Articles are
often ..planked' In the chimney behind
the CRATE; and a watch has even been
tossed into glowing coal-fire when
pursuit was close. although in at least
one instance the latte- device was un-
availing. Two detectives were once
searching the house of a well-known
thief for some stolen jewelry. The
scent was keen, and the examination
searching. High and low they rum
mayed, but without success. From
the air Of the thief the officers were
satisfied the stolen property was con:
cealed in or about the room. One of
them observed that the interest OF the
Suspect" got always most intense as
they approached the window. Taking
this as his cue, the officer narrowly eN-
amined the shutters, and even tore Oft
the straps that kept in the window
| sashes. but without result. Suddenly,
a thought struck him, and lifting the
lower sash, he scanned the outside of
the wall closely. About three or four
feet below the window-sill he saw a
stone in the wall that appeared to be
loose. Calling his comrade to hold
him by the legs, he reached down.
pulled out small square stone. thrust
in his hand, and found a nice little
..hide." containing not only the articles
he was in search of. but also other
property sufficient to connect the thief
with several "jobs." and to procure
him long term of quiet contempla-
ton.
Asmart female thief once very nearly
outwitted an officer by wrapping a
crumpled and dirty five-pound note
around a candle and stuffing it into a
candlestick. which she then Obligingly
handed to him. He searched a consid-
cradle time before discovering that ne
had the object of his search in his hand.
Another detective, after in vain search.
ing house for some trussed poultry
that had been stolen, cast one parting
glance around, when his eye chanced
/ to alight on a cradle in which woman
was vainly trying to hush squaiilng;
baby A thought struck him. He asked
her to lift the child. The woman made
some excuse, the officer insisted, and
was Immediately rewarded by finding
couple of the stolen fowls.
A slight clew, sometimes discovered
by the merest accident, often helps to
unravel not only one, but whole series
of thefts. A peculiar button. foot
mark, or portion of dress, will spring
a mine under the feet of a rascal who
thought he was off scot-free. OF late
wears, thefts of money by young clerk:
or salesmen from their employers have
become increasingly common. There
are several causes for this. Beyond
doubt the tastes and habits of the young
men of o-day are more expensive thar
those of their fathers. With small
means. or no means at all, they dres:
ND as ..mashers'' and smoke chOic'
cigars, attend theaters, concerts ball:
and race meetings. If often indulged
in, these are rather expensive luxuries
!: and as the supply of youths anxious fol
genteel employment is always in eXces
of the demand, the salaries g iven ar
in many cases low. Then firms ar
sometimes very lax in the oversight o
Young men who have large sums 0
money daily passing through their
! hands. It seems so easy to take tn
, loan of small sum. which. of course
. is to be put back again. After the tirs
, false step the descent is rapid: an,
+ MANY a young man fills felon $ cell
or has to fly the country under circum
! stances due to his masters carelessnes
, as well as his own folly.
! The plea of kleptomania Is now pu
: forward in defense of thieves muc
) oftener than it used to be. OF cours
: there are some cases in which klepto
r mania is indisputable. as. for instances
. when we hear of nobleman having t
( be watched by his valet to preven
| him from pocketing his own sllve
, spoons. We know respectable book
| seller who had for q considerable time
| at intervals. been missing books fror
, his shop. He was satisfied some OF hi
a customers were helping themselve:
t but he could not say which. At Ia:
; his suspicious rested on a reveren
E gentleman of great abilities, but rathe
Eccentric character. He watched hir
q narrowly. and one day caught him
) the act of surreptitiously carrying, Q
t a volume. The divine tried to explal
S it away; but the bookseller, after lis
!, ening gravely, called q cab, and il
5 sisted on accompanying him home an
0 examining his library. He hinted th'
It otherwise he would beundel the paint,
i necessity of calling in the police. ia
r clergyman made no further .obIe ctlol
! They went to his house; and the booi
= seller brought back a number OF valuab
books, some of which he had not befoI
r missed, and said no more about tt
0 matter The thief was wealthy mar
S and had large library; but ne was
S bibliomanic.
|. Some thefts, however, are OF difte
a ent character, and in these the plea
e kleptomania, like that of insanity
v cases of murder, is sometimes pushe
@ rather far. Without attempting
v argue the matter on scientific principle
V it seems rather strange that kept
D mania appears only to affect those WI
| <o ohio adv