The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-04
THE ART OF KLEPTOMANIA.
How An AIienist of Rich ReDuta
Paid Dearly for Information.

AAO AfCAEly lOE information,
From the San Francisco Wave.
Not so many moons ago there lived in
Turin a physician noted far and wide az
a specialist of brain diseases. Men and
women from all ends of the earth came
to him with their troubles and ailments
with lost memories, Authorizations and
mental vagaries as varied as the materia
medica or the penal code. Uniformly
courteous and graceful Of manner, he af
forded them such assistance or consola-
ton as his skill or sympathy prescribed
and waxed rich and popular as his fame
expanded With the development of fort
une. for his fees were in proportion to his
prominence, he cultivated a pleasing taste
for those precious relics of antiquity in
which millionaires alone are privileged to
indulge. He had in his library a colec-
ton of costly objects of art-invaluable
coins, rare Jewels, costly statuettes in
imitable trifIes chased by the chises of
great artisans of antiquity. The fame Of
his treasures was loud in the worlds
ears with the note of his skill and among
collections his was as great name to
conjure with as among alenists.
One day there came to the residence Of
DR.. A. an American gentleman of dig
nified address and that stateliness of miea
which is presumed to reflect lofty posi-
ton and wealth. Admitted to the great
mans office, the visitor introduced him
self as a banker who had come all the
way from Chicago to consult him about
the condition of his wife.
At considerable length he explained her
misfortune-she was a kleptomaniac. His
life was burden to him, following her
from store to store, continually guarding
her reputation against the encroachment
Of he had
thousands his wife knew nothing, sus-
pected nothing of her own weakness. Nor
should she ever know If he could prevent
it. To consult DIR. A. they had come
thousands of miles and on his skill and
learning the hopes of the husband were
pinned. The great physician asked few
questions and expressed deep interest in
the case and demanded that the patient
be brought to him.
But she has no idea of all this"' eX-
claimed the husband, passionately. IF
l brought her to consult you as a physi-
cian L fear she would suspect something
and 1T would kill her. If you will permit
1t I'll take her to call on you as a collector
of antiquities. She is deeply interested
in ancient jewelry and the ostensible OBJ
ject of our visit will be to discuss archa-
Biological remains. Do not be disconcert-
ed, however, if during the interview you
find her pilfering, slipping your relics and
coins into her umbrella and pockets. That
is the ailment and, of course, whatever
she takes will be returned to you at once.
My references are So-and-so, bankers.
This with much dignity and the production
of documents.
DIR. A., much f1attered. made the APP
pointment and bowed his patient to the
door. Next day the unhappy husband
and stylish and handsome young woman
presented themselves at the physicians
residence
They were formally ushered into the IL
brary, where the gems of the great mans
collection were enshrined. The converse
ton was turned at once on the objects or
art and Dr. A., with wonderful subtle
ty, conversed on antiquities while obtain
ing material for his diagnosis. He brought
out his treasures-wo coins, with
strange inscriptions, a bracelet of gold Gu
riously wrought and inscribed, a silver
statuette modelled by Benvenuto Cellini-
historic rarities on which he discanted
with much graceful learning. Every now
and then the lady slipped into her pocket
or dropped into her parasol a coin, leW~
ell, a vase, and as she did so her husband
winked at DIR. A to draw attention 10
her theft. When the physician finally gave
the signal that he had learned all he re.
quired she had accumulated the rarest OK
his possessions and yet prepared to depart
with an inimitable assurance OF manner.
I'll be back within an hour" said the
Chicago banker, with those things my
wife has taken. Poor, poor girl!' he burst
out. Doctor. my fortune, my life are
yours If you can but cure her" He fed az,
ter his spouse, handkerchief In hand anu
the alienist, with prospects of big Zee III
his mind, returned to his patients.
Two hours passed, then three, then tno
interval heightened to five. DIR. A. rain
er alarmed, sent his servant to the Amerl-
cans hotel to save him the trouble OF re.
turning the missing Jewels. The servant
returned. No person of the name was STOP
ping there. The police were called in. des-
criptions given. detectives went torth'
They Identified the culprits, who had tlIle
to make their escape. They were LONDON
pickpockets, two thieves whose characters
and depredations were notorious all over
England.