The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-26
THIEVING AT DINNERS.
DETECTIVES HIRED TO WATCH
GUESTS AT SOClErY'S BANQUETs.

on the GOlQ FlGD6-T larOluS briC-a-
Brac at Weddings and Receptions
Kleptomanlacs IN Society - Disap-
pearances in High L!fs-A Detectives
"Reminiscences.
From the Washington Star.
NEW York, Sept. 15.-Guests are gem
eraIlv supposed TO be personal friends of the
host aud hostess, aud yet everybody has
heard OF the "quatorzieme"--the professional
"fourUesnth person" at dinners. There were
men in Paris, not 50 many years ago, who
made it their business to serve at short
notice as guests at banquet5 where the ac-
cident of thirteen at table occurred, thus
satisfying the superstitious by adding one
to the number. The individual thus called
in was introduced as a friend invited to the
repast and there was nothing about his APP
pearance or demeauor which could arouse
suspicion that he was not present on the
same footing with the others.
1t seems surprising to find such custom,
In a modified form, newly introduced In
New York society. The fashionable hostess
nowadays il giving dinner commonly
engages a detective OF geatlemanlike aspect
and address to take the part of guest at
her table. He Is invited not for any super
stitious reason, but to protect the tableware
and other household property from being
stolen by the other diners. Most strange
does il appear that the entertainer
should take such precaution against pos-
sible dishonesty Oh the part Of people whom
she knows well enough to reRale with init
mate hospitality, but experience has shown
that il is very necessary. Such articles as
solid gold spoons are extremely apt TO be
Docketed. and the fact has long been noto-
rlous that no small and costly piece OK brio
r. s.,N H., r,-A ot,,afv liza H.
room. "Klepbomania" Ia the term charit1
ably applied TO a thieving habit, which is
not so very rare among persons Of good
social station.
Alta NEWPORT RECEPTION.
THE other day at Newport" said the
chief Of the principal detective agency IN
this city, zone of my men was employed to
look out for u large reception. He saw
handsomely dressed woman deliberately
take aud secrete the top OF a beautiful vase.
The ject could have been Of no Use to her,
but the loss Of it would have spoiled an or
nament worth $500. He stepped up to her
and said pleasantly: Madame, l presume
that you want TO have Il duplicate Of that
made made "a .4vy; H'p she replied in a some con
you had better put it back and you can get
duplicate by sending your artist here.' OF
course, she gave 10 up at once. Nothing
more was said, save that her name was
reported to the hostess, who dropped it
from her list
That is the way we always manage
Exposure does no good in such cases. The
same method is practiced at dinner, where
the detective keeps a quiet watch upon
things, only eating and drinking enough to
keep up appearances. One lady Of my 0c-
qualntance has all her most valuable bric>a-
brac fastened securely, so that the articles
cannot be removed. She has given up hav>
ing silver-ba brushes and other such
precious toilet appurteDances in the dress
ing rooms at her parties, because they ware
stolen SO frequently. But it ia at weddings
chiefly that the society kleptomaniacs get
in their work. At large affairs Of the kind
we are sometimes called upon TO furnish as
many as three men-one to walk about in
the room where the presents are exposed
another to stand by the diamonds end a
third to remain outside on the sidewalk for
the purpose Of keeping professional thieves
from entering the home. It is a fact that
thieves in the regular line of business care
fully watch the announcement OF swell
weddings with a view to robbery.
KLEPTOMANIA AN ACTUAL DISEASE.
my observation has shown that kleDto-
mania is actually a disease. Il is much
more common among women than with
men. Furthermore, 1t is in a sense inner.
tied, aud the investigation of many cases
has tended to show that longings on the
child. So thoroughly am / convinced that
victims of it are not responsible that
always try to protect them fro D
exposure. They steal not from any
necessity, but from morbid fancy. AT
the same time they come under the
head OF opportunity thieves'-they only
yield to the temptation when good chances
offer and they think they are secure from
detection. Not long ago | caught a woman
OF the highest social position in the act Of
secreting diamond brooch at a jewelers.
followed her carriage home, asked to see
her privately, and obtained from her q 5000
check, which was the price Of the article
Stolen. Her husband is one of the best
known men in New York financial circles.
lie never heard of the transaction What
would have been the use of creating a
scandals
KEEPING SECRETS.
The detective often has it in his power
TO do great deal of good by keeping Sc
cret On one occasion, a few wears ago. a
gTl b years old, the daughter OF man of
social prominence, became enamored of q
Spanish artist of this city She ran away
70 live with him. l found her ten days
u later, being employed for that purpose She
q was overwhelmingly repentsnt and anxious
sogo back to her family, but shame with.
1eid her. What do you suppose | didl
oeh6erately deceived my employer. Going
10 hotelkeeper Of my intimate acquaint-
ance told him the whole story Now
said to him. 4 want you TO take this
young woman, dress her up as a
chambertnaid aud employ her as such in
your hotel Then l will bring her father
mere, ana you and your housekeeper will
ooth tell him that his daughter sought work
mere as chambermaid ten days ago and
mas been so occupied ever since, making her
IVlng respectfully Every thing was ar
ranged as requested, and the father came
with me to the hotel, where 1 said had
discovered her, and actually found her
making up the beds on the top floor. OF
course there was reconciliation. Nobody
outside her immediate family ever knew
mat the young woman had disappeared.
Que subsequently, married we'll.
A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.
One of the most mysterious disappear
snoes | ever Investigated occurred eight
N years ago. A girl of J6, belonging TO a rich
VI tguhly vanished. No tidings Of her being
n SGoIained for fortnight, was employed to
Iook her up. As as usual In such instances
made 1t my FIRST business TO find out who
n were her acquaintance of both sexes, and
parucuiarly whether she had exhibited
fancy for any man. There seemed
"A W De claw worth hut