Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-07-09


for you to tell me air the details-aII
the facts, as far as you have observed
them:'.
- L will do 50, she replied firmly,
after you have answered my question.
Very well, said 1. / think il is
very rare for kleptonaniao to appro-
pirate money, but at the same time we
cannot lay down fixed rules for the con-
duct Of persons whose minds are dis
traught While the stealing of trash is
a sign of kleptomania, it does not fol-
low that he who appropriates large
sum of money is necessarily thief. He
might take money as he would waste
paper, not knowing it's value.
"'You are very kind, doctor, said I,
she, but you must not try TO comfort /
me. You must decide In this case dis /
passionately. If my father is demented, /
you must prove it TO me and then give |
him your best treatment. But Tiff he /
is thief, why, then-then-I want to !
know it.
Z" i assure you / will do everything
in my power for your father, said i.
Tell me about the money. How much
was the amount which you suppose he
has taken?'
"'Forty thousand dollars, said Miss
Milton. And he did not suppose it 60
be waste paper either, doctor. But
there, 1 ought to tell you the story from
the beginning TO the unfortunate end.
Up to two years ago, when my mother
died, my father was an exemplary par
emit, loving, generous and most oompan-
ionable. The loss of my mother was
very heavy blow, coming as it did most
Unexpectedly, and he has never been
quite the same since that sad event. l
cannot make any specific complaint as
TO his treatment of me, for he is as low
ingly kind and generous as of yore. But
there is an indefnable something which
gives me feeling Of restraint when
with him. / seem 10 recognize a gnaw-
ing pain at his heart. all outward evil
dences of which he strenuously repress-
es, and long TO throw myself in his
arms and try TO comfort him, but dare
not
"'It would have been we'll for you TO
do so, said L "A man should never be
allowed TO nurse his grief. 1t usually
Injuries the mind.
"'Yes, perhaps / ought TO have bro
ken down the barrier replied Miss
Milton, but then you have not met my
father. He is not man with whom
one would take liberties. Let me come
now to the first of the incidents which
have at last eliminated in the present
crisis. About year ago he came down
to the breakfast room one morning with
a puzzled look on his face. He showed
us a gold emblem, a club badge, and
declared that he had no idea how it had
come into his possession. examined it
; and found engraved on the back the
name of gentleman who had called up
ON him the evening before.
Z" My father declared that he had nc
recollection of his friends visit and
asked me, even admitting that he had
entertained the gentleman, to explain
how the badge had found its way into
his vest pocket. OF course / could not
explain it. The badge was returned,
and 1 dismissed the incident from my
mind. But from that time similar oc
3 currences were brought TO my attention
L with increasing frequency. Strange
gloves and handkerchiefs were often il
his pockets; odd hats hung in the hall
One night we entertained a party o
T. friends at dinner and the lace wrap o
one Of the lady guests disappeared. Tw'
days later it was found secreted in m,
= fathers bureau. On another occasion al
the overshoes disappeared from the hal
during an evenings reception, and i
" was notifying TO have 20 admit to GU
= company that sneak thief had been al
} lowed to enter the house, but it wa
> more terrible for me to feel certain tina
u those rubbers would turn mp in my ia
theirs possession, as they did when
y thorough search was made ON the fol
i lowing day.
! Did you ever speak to your fathe
J. about these acts?' asked.
> oh, yes. she replied, but not Of
% ten, for it enraged him. He would tur