Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-02
THE ART or KLEPToMANIA.
How an AIienist of High Repute
Paid for Further Information.
(San Francisco Wave)

(San Francisco Wave)
Not so many moons ago there lived in
Turin a physician. noted far and wide
as a specialist in brain diseases. Men
and women from all ends Of the earth
came to him with their troubles and all
ments, with lost memories. hallucina-
tions, and mental vagaries as varied as
the materia medica or the penal code.
Uniformly courteous and graceful OF man
ner he afforded them such assistance OF
consolation as his skill or sympathy
prescribed, and waxed rich and popular
as his fame expanded. With the devel-
opment of fortune, for his fees were In
proportion TO his prominence, he cui-
tivated a pleasing taste for those pre-
cious relies of antiquity in which mil
llonalres alone are privileged to indulge.
He had I'm his library collection OF
costly objects of art-invaluable coins,
rare Jewels costly statuettes, inimitable
trifes chased by the chisels Of great ar
tlsans OF antiquity. The fame Of his
treasures was loud In the worlds ears,
with the note of his skin, and among
collections his was as great a name 10
coniure with as among alienists.
one day there came TO the residence
OF llf. y. an AlifiAAdH hNhNA'AAHNN "
dignl6ed address and that portliness Of
u,ien which is presumed 10 reflect lofty
nosition and wealth Admitted 10 the
great mans Office. the visitor introduces
himself as a banker. who had come all
The way from Chicago to consult him
about the condition of his wife At con-
siderable length ne explained her mis-.
fortiine-she was a kleptomaniac. His
lie was a burden to him. following her
from store to store. continually guarding
her reputation against the encrOachments
~ her fingers Though II had cost him
thousands. his wife knew nothing. sus-
rected nothing Of her own weakness.
Nor should she ever know II he could
,rovent II. To consult Or. 4. they had
come thousands of miles. and on his skill
and learning the hopes OF the husband
we're pinned. The great physician asked
a few questions and expressed deep in
terest In tho case, and demanded that the
patient be brought TO him.
"But she has TO idea Of all this ex-
claimed the husband. passionately III
have brought her to consult you as
physiclan fear she would suspect some
thing and il would kill her. II you VIII
hermit il I'll take her TO call on you az a
collector OF antiquities. She is deeply IN
'terested I'm ancient jewelry, and the os-
tansible object Of our visit VIII be ID us
cuss archaeological remains. DO not De
dlsconcerted. however. If during the IN
terview you find her pilferng, slipping
your relies and coins into her umbrella
or rockets. That is the ailment. and, OF
course whatever she takes Will be re
turned TO YOU at once. My references are
So and SO, bankers" This with much
dignity and the production OF documents
Dr. A. much fattered. made the ap-
nointment and bowed his patient 10 the
door. Next day the unhappy husband
and a stylish asd handsome young wo-
man presented themselves ~ the physl-
clans residence. They were FORMALLY
ushered into the library. where the gems
of the great mans collection were en-
shrlned. The conversation was turned at