St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-12-27
In Other Words, Kleptomania
Is Nothing More or Less
Than Plain Larceny.
Much Depends Upon the So
cial Standing Of the Per-
son Accused.
Celebrated Instances OF the
Strength Of the Mania in
Certain Persons.
Delicate Manipulation of
High Toned Kleptomani-
acs by Clerks.
GIN cinnaIi Gazette

One is. i'll Imagination, in a large
store. On every side are displayed the
costliest fabrics from all parts of the
world. Indeed one might. without
difficulty. fancy ones self for a time
transferred to an Eastern bazaar. so
magnificent IS the exhibition Of goods.
A fine eQuipage drawn by well-groomed
SteedS stops at the door. An obSiquiOuS
uniformed cUachman steps down and
opens the carriage for the descent of
lady beautiful in face. lovely in form,
and dressed as only those can dress on
whom the golden shower has fallen.
Her every movement has that almost
royal quality which is the characteristic
of those who have always been obeyed
and looked up 10, and whose lighteSt
wish is a command to her friends, and
whose fainteSt word is an order 10 her
menialS.
In the store my lady steps daintily
from one department to another. buy
ing little here and something there.
waited on with the greatest attention by
all. She reaches the lace counter. Her
expressions of Ianguid Indifference
lights up with one Of bright interest as
she looks over the complicated and deli
cate tracerY of the rich and rare materi-
ais placed before her. Yet she handles
air, as though she would say: These
are very beautiful. but | have better;
they are remarkable. but [ have old
iaceS which carry thread of history in
their mesheS reaching back through the
centuries"
Here is something very much out of
the Ordinary-in fact, | might say,
unique" says the salesman. as he gazes
with the loving eyes of an enthusiast at
barb which he has just brought out
from some hidden receptacle. II his"
he continues. was made by one of the
Orleans princesses while an exile in
Germany. We have here complete
history of the piece by the custodian of
the lace collection of Count c., of
Paris. whose collection was recently
sold in Paris by his executors, thus dis
SlDatlng the most magnificent assem-
blage-nOt only artistically. but histOri-
cally-Of laceS ever got together: the
work of lifetime on the part of man
who had knowledge of the art as well
as time and money, to say nothing of
the opportunities which his connection
and acquaintance with old and prOmi-
nent families gave him."
fine Lady
takes the piece of lace and ex-
amines it with admiring attention.
''HOw much | should like TO possess
this, but there must be a limit | suppose
even for those who are thought
wealthy, and this is at present beyond
me-" She made a purchase and the
salesman turned moment to write q
memorandum on printed slip Of paper
Then he gave the quick tap with his
pencil, which called boy, and the
little parcel was sent back after the
customary fashion, with directions to
charge TO Mrs. Y. The salesman turns
TO put by the goods he has been show
ing and the lacy strolls a few feet to
the next counter. listlesSly looking
about her. On sudden the move
meEtS Of the man at the lace counter
become rapid, idgety and nervous.
Hastily he turns over this piece and
that. and his face shows first a flush
and then becomes pale. while his hands
tremble perceptbly at this instant
Mr.. Jones, the superintendent. pauSeS:
the salesman calls him by motion of
the hand. A few words are inter-
changed. and Mr. Jones begins likewise
to look over the tumbled laceS, and the
salesman turns to open, look into and
shut all the boxes he has replaced, and
looks with close scrutiny over the floor.
Just then the boy returns with the par
Gel neatly tied and the lady walks back
L
fore, however, it is handed to her the
superintendent takes it and untieS il.
spreads its contents on the counter.
emOoths out the wrapping paper, again
ties the parcel, much to the seeming as
constituent Of the lady, who. just by the
slightest contraction of her brows. shows
that she is getting tired Of waiting.
Mrs. y" says the superintendent,
suavely, "a most curious thing has hap
pened; our man here cannot find the
piece of Orleans lace-aS we call it-Said
he showed it to you. Will you Just wait
one moment until we can make a thor
Ough Search?"
why should / waite" exclaims the
lady with righteous Indignation mant-
ling her cheek. II can give you no in
formation as to its Whereabouts. and my
time is precious. "
But. madam, must insist" says the
superintendent, with a shade of hard
ness in his voice. There is charity in
your seeing this young man freed from
the suspicion which will certainly fall
on him. Won't you walk back into the
private Office until we can have the mat
ter cleared?"
"What do you desire of me?" she in
Qulres.
lin case we do not find it." was the
answer, eve shall ask you to make a
statement OF what you know to the
senior member of our firm
This seems to strike the lady more
favorably, and the superintendent con-
ducts her back to the privacy of the
Office, which is vacant save for the pres
ence of an elderly gentleman who is
reading paper. Mrs. y. has not long
TO wait when the superintendent re-
turns, and with him the salesman.
motion Of the finger calls the elderly
gentleman into an adjoining room,
where whispered conversation is held.
Soon the elderly conference.-the is Mr..
p, the senior partner-returns and by
nod directs the salesman to retire to
the adjoining room. He approaches the
lady and with a most respectful Obeis-
ance places himself in a chair bv her
side. In an almost fatherly tone he
says: Mrs. X, this is most painful
incident to all concerned. We all have
our faults and our weaknesses. l as
well as you are denied the mantle of
charity"
Very Unpleasant.
"What do you mean, Sir?'' eXclaims
the lady in wrath; ''what talk is this?''
Madam. | suppose few words are
best. The fact is, the piece of Orleans
lace which we value at $500 cannot be
found. The only two persons who
~'NhNANNt ~ AO-NoA WC1C OuI ClcIk dll q
yourself. 1t must be in his possession
or"
My GOdr almost screams the lady.
''dO you suspect me OF stealing? Me
the wife of man who has the means to
purchase your entire establishment, 1t
is infamous."
ITO show how little we suspect you, y
returns the other blandly. ''our clerk is
now being searched to the skin by de-
tectiVe under the direction OF Mr.. Jones.
our superintendent"
Hardly have the words been uttered
when the door opens and Mr. Jones ap-
pears, ana with single motion of his
head. conveys the negative result of the
search.
Now, madame said Mr.. F.. "what
shall be done? The clerk has been
searched. and no trace of the lace
found"
9 shall leave this nIaca ratortc tI,a