Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-08-16

NtIt.
upon me savagely and ask il accused
him Of being a thief. and then would
declare that he knew nothing whatever
OF the mysterious occurrences, so II
became useless to do anything except
watch.
".Aud have you ever seen him take
anything asked.
4" Never, she said, though, as you
have hinted, that may be the cunning
Of the extreme form Of his malady. for,
of course, decided that he was klep-
tomaniac.
{" Have you observed any other evi-
dences Of mania;' asked next.
"'Yes, indeed, she answered He
has had q number of attacks, during
which he has been excitable These
paroxysms have increased in frequency
and in severity until lat,erly it has been
necessary once or twice TO use actual
force to overpower him and compel hin
to 60 to his room
4" But surely, my dear young lady,
said !, you have sought medical advice
before this?'
"'It has been impossible for me TO do
so was her reply. Since my mothers 3
death my father has had the most ex'
traordiuary antipatby to doctors. He
claims that our old family physician
caused the death Of my mother through
q mistaken diagnosis Therefore when
I have suggested calling in a physician
he has opposed me. Besides, curiously
enough, between the attacks he seems
to be entirely well, and he has no recol-
lection Of having been delirious or OF
nything that has occurred during that
period. Thus it is impossible for me to
give him any reason for having advice.
"Now tell me, said |, about the
$40, 600 theft, of which you made some
mention
"Yes, that is the climax, said Miss
Milton. SO long as the thefts were re-
ktricted to articles of 10 value readily
accepted the theory of kleptomania. but
this last almost made me doubt. Last
evening my father retired to his room
Immediately after dinner and did not
see him again until this morning curly,
when | was aroused by my maid, who
announced that my father was i'll. i
hurried to his room, and to my horror
found him tied down to the bed, scream
ing and struggling terribly. 1t seems
that during the night one of hi' attacks
had come Oh, and his noisy cries arous-
ed his valet, who sleeps in the room ad-
joining. Lindley rushed in. but found
that for the first time in these expert
epces he was unable to subdue him. In
stead of calming down he grew worse,
SO that il became necessary to call up
the other menservants. Once they got
him back to bed they thought it wise to
tie him down. The sight distressed me
beyond wor,ls, but was obliged to ad-
init the wisdom of the course pursued.
A few inmates later he suddenly be-
came quiet aud then fell asleep. When
be awoke at about 10 o'clock, he was
oblivious Of the nights experience, but
declared that he did not feel very
we'll, and would not get up. A mes
sage was sent 70 his man of business,
who came to the house. Then my ia
ther spoke Of the money. He declared
that he had $4,000 in his bureau,
which he wished to have taken to the
bank. We could not find the money,
however. and when We reported this to
him he looked at me curiously mo-
ment and said: "Oh, well, never mind.
Let it go. 1t is Of no consequence. +"
Then without another word he turned
his face to the wall. He seemed to be
asleep when ! left tie house, determin-
ed to seek your advice. ;"
The doctor paused here to refill bis
glass, and after taking deep draft be
continued: