Smyrna times., 1891-07-15
The Account Balanced.
BY A LAWYER.

materials, and had a well-selected
stock, which attracted a continual run
of gOOdly customers.
From time to time he missed trifling
articles from the counters, but could
account for their mysterious disap.
pearance. He directed his book.
keeper to open fictitious account in
his ledger, to which he gave the name
OF "Thiefs Account" to the debit side
of which was charged all the articles
that were missed-and which were
invariably stolen by some person OF
persons who visited the store.
So the thiefs account was regularly
kept up for nearly a year, and very
considerable number of items found
their way to the debtor side of the ac.
count, the aggregate value of which
had reached upward of 5000 at the
close OF the first twelve months of nv
clients business.
But as yet, no clew had been had as
to the actual cause af this improbable
leak, and for long time-despite the
most careful watching of strangers
the account remained open upon the
young merchants books.
One day there entered the store q
well-dressed, lady-like person, whom
the stOre-keeper knew by name, for
she had been there before, who bought
some small articles, and while waiting
for the parcel to be done up, the mer.
chant, who stood a short distance from
her, observed u small, but valuable
lace collar slip from the counter.
where there were several paper boxes
of goods open, and though he was
greatly astOnished and could scarcely
credit it, yet he was satisfied that the
lady had drawn the collar into her
capacious muff.
1t had disappeared at all events.
1t might have been accidental-it was
so, he first believed, for surely that
nicely attired lady, whom he knew
moved in the best society, and was
literally supplied with money by her
highly respected and generous hus.
band, could not be thief.
At night he said to the clerk at the
desk, "Charge thiefs account with
one lace COLLAR $1O," for it had gone
and this was rule in such cases.
And three days subsequently, having
thought the matter over, and called to
mind some cases of kleptOmania, of
which he had read and heard, he con-
cluded that this must be an instance
akin to that disease, which certain
persons are afflicted with, and which
Webster defines as "a morbid impulse
or desire to steal"
But my client was himself an honest
industrious young man, who was not
overbgrdened with capital, and he
could ill-afOrd to lose his goods OF
permit this style of genteel robbery to
go unchecked. So he said to his book.
keeper:
"Mr. Quill, draw me off the thiefs
account, and give me a fair copy of it,"
"What part, sir ?"
"The whole"
When the clerk had handed it to him
he asked:
"HOw much does it figure up?"
1.-TWO hundred dollars, sir.D
us the last item charged--the lace
collar ?"
"Yes, sir-$1O."
"All right. am going down town,
Quill. If any one calls for me, say to
them shall be back in an hour"
My client had never called at the
house to which he was now destined
but he had slight acquaintance with
the gentleman who lived there.
Mounting the stone steps he rang gen.
tly and was at once admitted.
us Mr.. Old at homer"
"Yes, sir" said the servant, showing
him into the parlor.
He entered the room, shook hands
with the host, and was about to open
up his business with him, when his
wife entered to accompany him down
to dinner. She was evidently aston
ished to meet the dry goods dealer,
who as quickly observed that the lady
had upon her neck the missing $40 lace
collar.
my wife, sir" said the gentleman,
presenting her to my client, whl
said
ayes, sir, have met the lady be.
fore" Then to her he added, "How
do you like your new collar, madam p
"The what, sir ?" she cody asked.
"Your new lace collar. It is very
becoming certainly"
"This ?" she said"
"Yes, madam
"Oh, it is not new though"
mo? It is not a new pattern, but it
is very pretty. have a few more like
it, and this is the first one that left my
store out of New York invoice"
"Your store ?"
eyes madam. That collar was on
my counter three days ago, am GER
tain"
81 think not, sirl"
''I am sure Of it, madam. Il was
taken away and without being paid for
too"
What do you mean ?" said the lady
heightening q little in color, and grow
ing not little indignant at my clients
seeming GOODNESS and eAronteFy.
''Iust what ! haYe said. That lace
collar was taken from my counter on
the day and hour you were in my
store on Tuesday last. 7 repeat that
it has not been paid for, and it is not
the FIRST article I have missed, In a
SIMILAR way, during the past year,
know Of what speak. / can prove in
any court of Justice what / have now
alleged here, and have brought my