Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-07-02
VERY we'll, said /. i think it is


Very we'll, said l. Il think it is
very rare for a kleptomaniac to appro-
pirate money, but at the same time we
cannot lay down fixed rules for tho con-
duct of persons whose minds are dis
traught While the stealing of trash il
sign of kleptomania, it does not fol-
low that he who appropriates a large
sum of money is necessarily thief. He
might take money as he would waste
paper not knowing its value.
"'You are very kind, doctor, said
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.
al assure you will do everything
in my power for your father, said l.
Tell mo about the money. How much
was the amount which you suppose he
has takenY
"'Forty thousand dollars, said Miss
Milton. And be did not suppose it to
be waste paper either, doctor. But
there, 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
ent, loving, generous and most compan-
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. /
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 indefinable something which
gives me feeling of restraint when
with him. seem to recognize gnaw-
ing pain at his heart, all outward evi.
dences of which he strenuously repress
es, and long to throw myself in his
arms and try to comfort him, but dare
not
1t would have been well for You to
do so, said /. "A man should never be
allowed to nurse his grief. 1t usually
Injuries the mind.
Eyes, perhaps l 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
puzzled look ON his face. He showed
us 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.
My father declared that he had no
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 | dismissed the incident from my
mind. But from that time similar oc-
currences were brought TO my attention
with increasing frequency. Strange
gloves and handkerchiefs were often in
his pockets; odd hats hung in the hall.
One night we entertained a party of
friends at dinner and the lace wrap of
one of the lady guests disappeared. Two
days later it was found secreted in my
fathers bureau. On another occasion all
the overshoes disappeared from the hall
during an evenings reception, and it
was notifying to have to admit to our
company that sneak thief had been al
lowed to enter the house, but it was
more terrible for me to feel certain that
those rubbers would turn up in my ia
theirs possession, as they did when a
thorough search was made on the fol-
lowing day.
E" Did you ever speak to your fathe.
about these acts?' | asked.
" 'Oh, yes, she replied, but not Of
ten, for it enraged him. He would turn