Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-06-14
DAILY SHORT STORY
Original Justice.
[Original.l

so many articles, by theft that at last
they organized their own detective
force to watch shOplifters, reclaim
offenders. They found that among
those who took things from their coun-
tiers were numbertof kleptomaniacs-
that is, when they are wealthy they
are called kleptomaniacs, bun when
they are poor they often have to suf-
fer like any other criminal.
Mr. SPARKLING, the head of the firm,
was an excellent man. Heihad a way
of managing his affairs to suit himself,
but was very kind hearted and treated
his employees with a great deal OF
consideration He was discovery indul-
gent to the kIeptomaniacs. They both
cred him a great deal, repeating their
| offenSes frequently, but he was patient
with them and usually permitted them
or those responsible for them to return
the articles taken when they could not
afford to pay for them and taking pay
when they were perfectly able.
Among Sparkline & Co.'S employees
was Mabel wainwright, girl of eight
cen. She had a very sweet face, but a
sad one. for she was the oldest of sew
eral children, none but herself being of
an age to earn money, and her mother
was an invalid and i widow, so that
Mabel produced about all the family
had TO live on. One evening after Ma
bel had gone home one of the firms
detectives while looking about for
some articles that had been missed
found several pairs Of gloves, dozen
handkerchiefs and some silk stockings
on a shelf under her counter. They
We're not covered or tucked away as If
for concealment, but their being found
where they were told against Mabel.
Mr.. SPARKLING was away at the time,
and, the case being referred to his
partner, a man who was opposed to
the head of the firm's Ileniency in such
cases, he discharged Mabel without
any very thorough investigation.
Mabel and the case passed into OBJ
livion so far as Sparkline & Co. were
concerned, and goods continued to be
sold and stolen as usual till three
years had slipped by; then one morn
ing the head of the firm read letter
containing Il check that had come in
with the mail:
Messrs. SPARKLING & Co.:
Dear Sirs-When you receive this I shall
doubtless have passed away. for L am
dying. on Sept. 80. IS. my little daugh-
ter. who is a kleptomantac. while in your
store with me stole a number of articles.
1 found an opportunity, when one of your
clerks was taking down some goods to
show me. her back being turned to slip
them under the counter. 1 know l should
have returned the goods. but you Will
sympathiZe with if you do not excuse a
mother whose dear little girl suffers under
so grievous n malady. L have directed aft
er my death that this be sent you. inClOs-
ing payment for the articles, as they may
have been lost to you. and / cannot die
feeling that 1 have not atoned for what
was dishonesty on my part, though not
criminal in my child.
The letter was not signed, and there
was nothing TO indicate from whom it
had been sent. Mr.. SPARKLING knit his
brows. The writer had either been IN
conscious of the gross injustice to the
clerk under whose counter she had hid
the stolen articles or had ignored it.
Tapping a bell. he gave directions that
the case be investigated and waited a
report.
1t was some time before the report
came in, AMI when it did it was not
calculated to alleviate the merchants
Indignation. Mabel wainwright was the
clerk who had suffered. She had been
found in Il condition of great distress,
which had been continuous since her
discharge. Her mother had succumbed
to her misfortune. and Mabel was left
to struggle on TO keep alive her broth
ers and sisters. which she did by ply
ing her needle from early till late. Mr..
SPARKLING directed that she be request
ed to call upon him.
She did so with terror, fearing that
the firm had after all determined to
prosecute her for theft and send her to
prison. When one morning she was
ushered into his private office and the
merchant looked at her wan face his
kind heart was overlooking with sym
pathy.
Miss wainwright" he said, I'VE have |
received a confession generating you
from the theft you were accused OF |
committing three years ago. 1 have |
raised your salary from the time of |
check for the amount If you wish TO |
come back with us you will receive n |
position bearing the highest salary |
paid TO any saleswOman."
Mabel was only too glad to be re- |
stored, especially on such terms, and /
her connection with the firm |
the next day.
This was not all. Mr.. SPARKLING, who
was n law unto himself, determined |
that those belonging to the better class /
of kleptomaniacs should contribute to
atone for the injustice done this girl
The way he contrived IL was this: He
directed that bills for various amounts
he sent TO those responsible for them.
He was not required 10 explain the
matter, for each person who received
one Of these bills. supposing that the
one for whom he was responsible had !