Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1894-01-03

They act like tends when undreSS
them, and work themselves into danger
Gus frenzles, if show the least sign Of
mercy. Last week a German-just over
came in with diamonds on her fingers
and an 1880 gown under her black satin
cape. She was fool enough to wear the
shoplifter's pocket in her skirt, which
is a punishable otfense, you know. The
opening was at the edge of her round
belt, and the bag fell straight to her
knees. There were a lot of little trink
cts in it, and when | discovered them,
she threw herself around SO that / had
to call the detective. He couldn't do
anything with her, and before she left
the store three men almost literally sat
upon her while we tried to bring her to
reason.
The cutest pocket Isl long piece Of
cloth fastened with pins at each side.
which may be wound about the pins
when in use. But the instant discov-
er that pocket, the wearer pulls the
string and the goods tumble to the
floor under her skirts, and have absO-
lutely no evidence against her, since
neither pocket nor goods are found on
her person. A common trick is TO
sweep small articles into an umbrella;
another is to lay jacket or any other
wrap upon the counter and pick up
with it cloth, ribbon, lace, or almost
anything. Then, if worst comes to
worst, the litter can throw the whole
apparatus away. Yes, it is hard to
know whether a woman is kleptO-
maniac or not, but there are q few
pretty good proofs. The professional
comes in here, cool and collected, very
much annoyed at the indignity, and
perfectly overcome with surprise when
discovered. She eobs and shrieks and
hurls herself against the wall, offers i'm
mense brides and wants to draw checks
III her husbands name. If we agree
to that settlement she would bring a
blackmail case against the house next
week, you know. Yet, it's good policy
to let the toughest cases go on the plea
of kleptomania, because we know their
faces SO well that they never venture to
return.
But the poor women who come to
me by the dozen, half crazed with
fright! All, it's enough to make one
be safest behind asylum doors !" ex-
claimed the competent young cynic
who is herself type of the times.
'The men IN this house and the de-
tectives at police headquarters don't be-
heve there are kleptOmaniacs, but they
know better. What earthly reason has
a woman who is one of our best custom
ers for stealing sponges? And yet she
was brought here one day with two
squeezed in her handkerchief. The
detective had aroused her to her con-
dition, evidently, for when | took her
she was covering with shame. Her
hand was elapsed so tightly that l could
hardly open it. They weren't worth
buying she said, but they are so soft
[ must have them for my bath We
let her go, of course, but now she shops
with a maid. Her check is good for any
iewelry counter The glitter seems to
mesmerize them, and it's SO easy
to drop a handkerchief over a pin
or bracelet The kleptomaniac never
has any professional apparatus about
her. Her mutf, parasOl, or handkerchief
is enough, because it's the little things
she can't resist. Do you remember
that case which got into the papers
awhile since? The woman was an old
customer of a big firm, and a we'll
known kleptOmaniac. For long time
nothing was said; only the items were
put III her bill and were paid without
question. Finally, some friend or other
told, and her rooms were searched.
Under the carpets, in drawers, and on
shelves were dozens and dozens of tiny
toys worth about three cents apiece.
She was perfect mlSer on toys, and she
couldn't help taking them-even from
under the detectives very nose AS
class they are hysteric women with no
aims in life. They are weak and nerv-
Gus, well-to-dO, without much to long
for. They aren't bad or unprincipled
because their shame and anxiety for
their friends sake is greater than for
themselves.
"My husband 2 is almost the first
thing they say when they come before
me.
Its like the opium habit We ought
to have physicians as we'll as detectives
in these shops. I'm woman detective,
you know"
At police headquarters Supt. Byrnes
smiled knowingly when asked for opin-
ions. "kleptomaniacs, if there are any
such things, don't get down here" he
said. We have the old stagers and their
pictures, and the poor women who look
at something which would please the
youngsters at home until they just have
to take it. That's what this swell KEEP
tomania amounts tO-a poor woman who
wants a thing and thinks no one will
miss it. Do you want to see the photo
graphs OF Jno SnOpll1C0fS VINO are Ia
nous all over the world? We've run
'em in now, but we had to have de-
tectives in the shops before we could
spot them.
Here's somebody to look out for, be-
cause she has been pardoned out. She
is Mollie Holbrook, and she has been
arrested in Chicago, Boston, and New
York. She works with Jimmy Hoey,
who disposes of her goods. Mollie can
make $1G0 day.
This is Sophie Levy, who is the wife
Of Ned Lyons. She served in Sing
Sing, the penitentiary, and in Michigan
state prison. She has been shoplifting
in Europe with jim Brady, notorious
burglar. Sophie was arrested in Paris
for picking pockets, and posed as
Madame de Varney. She played the
lady so we'll that the officers discharged
her, apologizing humbly for the mis-
take. She's, we'll, say 40 years old,
light weight, brown hair, grey eyes,
pretty yet.
"She has just been arrested with Billy
Burke, robbing a bank in Sterling, XIV.