New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-28
SOME WAYS OF THE WORLD
INTERESTING ANECDOTES ABOUT THE
TELEPHONE.
A SOCIETY WOMAN TELLS OF A PECULIAR CASE OF
CIRCUMsTANTIAL EVIDENCE - WAS
1T KLEPTOMANIA?

1T KLEPTOMANIA?
In social life strange things often happen that
ere best forgotten. or at least ignored.
"A most curious and unpleasant experience oc-
Cured TO me not long ago." said Western woman
who has recently come to live in New-Yorh. land
as II a society woman who is well known
that the story of stranger would probably be dis
credited / have concluded TO let the matter drop
although 1t places me in most awkward position
Having been in New-York such short time | have
yet become familiar with the faces of the peo-
pie | in society. / should have been
able identify the heroine of my story except for
a rather peculiar circumstance
Shortly after our arrival in New-York l started
out for mornings shopping with pocketbook
containing bills amounting to several hundred dol
lars. After making few purchases at a coun-
ter at SIS. took out the thick roll. separated a
bill and gave ii to the shopwoman. replacing the
rest CT the money IN my purse, which put in my
mum. lying on the counter. As l did so / noticed
a well-dressed. aristocra tic-looking woman who
was standing near looking at some lace. but as
was thinking of other things she did not make
much impression upon me, especially she just
then received her parcel and walked away.
While waiting for my change fell in love with
another pattern Of lace that had not seen before
and. concluding TO buy that also put my hand in
my mum for the purse. 1t gone. That the
we-dressed woman had taken 1t admitted Of no
doubt as she was the only person at the counter
e&cept HSseIi, anu tne mum was so placed that the
shopwoman could not have reached II without an
obvious effort. SO far the affair was simple enough
the woman was shopifter and had adrotly
stolen my purse. But comes the strange part
OF the story. AS lifted my mum and gave it a
shake something rolled out OF II onto the counter
You're dropping your ring ma'am said the
woman behind the counter. handing II TO me- 1t was
peculiar ring. an opal with its colors repeated In
smaller jewels surrounding it-rubies amehysts
turouoises and pearls. at surmsed that in
pulling out the purse the ring which must have
been loose, had slipped from the wearer's finger
Deciding not 10 bring he looking little wom
an who had waited on me into a disagreeable and
useless investigation / made up my mind 10 saw
nothing about the loss Of my purse ard taking the
ling which had into my possession in such
peculiar manner. left the shop
Put II on and wear IT,. counseed my husband
wnen 1 was wondering that evening what to do
may discover the thief 'NN
Il followed his advice and added it to the rings
\ was In the habit OF wearing. Not long afterward
known social leader. and after putting on my best
clothes decided 10 my new ring III vonld do
10 tell story about. II converse ton waxed dull
AT the luncheon one Of my neighbors noticed the
ring at once. 49,
~ was looking at your ring she remarked.
apoioseucally as she saw was aware OF her gaze
That opal is exactly like one | know and ii Is so
odd Minniep she called suddenly across the IA bic
70 a distinguished looking woman whom | did nor
know are you wearing your opal? l want to show
my opal! exclaimed the other; I lost that
couple OF weeks ago. II somewhat large for
me: and one day neglected to put on the guard
ana when came back from shopping expedition