The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1904-07-21
Original Justice
fOrtginal.I


they organized their own detective
force to watch shoplifters, reclaim
goods taken and at times prosecute the
offenders. They found that among
those who took things from their coun-
ters were a number Of kleptomaniacs-
that is, when they are wealthy they |
are called kleptomaniacs, but when
they are poor they often have to suf
fer like any other criminal.
Mr.. Sparkline, the head of the firm,
was an excellent man. He had way
of managing his affairs to suit himself,
but was very kind hearted and treated
his employees with great deal Of
consideration. He was also very indul-
gent to the kleptomaniacs. They both
cred him great deal, repeating their
ofenses 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 Wainright, girl of eight
cen. She had very sweet face, but
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 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, a dozen
handkerehiefs and some silk stockings
on a shelf under her counter. They
| were not covered or tucked away as If
| for concealment, but their being found
where they were told against Mabel.
| Mr.. Sparkline was away at the time,
and, the case being referred to his
| partner, man who was opposed to
the head Of the firms leniency in such
cases, he discharged. Mabel without
any very thorough investigation.
| Mabel and the case passed into OBJ
| iivion 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 a check that had come in
with the mail:
|
Dear Sirs-When you receive this shall
doubtless have passed away, for I am
dying. On Sept. 80, 49,, my little daugh-
| ter who Is e kleptomaniac, while In your
store with me stole number of articles.
found an opportunity, when one of your
clerks was taking down some goods to
chow me, her back being turned, to slip
them under the counter. I know l should
have returned the goods, but you will
sympathize with II you do not excuse q
mother whose dear little girl suffers undeI
SO srievous a 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 I cannot die
feeling that l have not atoned for wha,
was dishonesty on my part, though mol
criminal in my child
The letter Vas not signed, and there
was nothing4to indicate from whom i
had been sent. Mr.. Sparkline knit hi'
brows. The writer had either been un
conscious of the gross injustice to th'
clerk under whose counter she had hit
the stolen articles or had ignored 1t
Tapping a bell, he gave directions tina
the case be Investigated and waited {
report.
1t was some time before the repor
came in, and when it did 1t was no
calculated to alleviate the merchant
Indignation. Mabel Wainright was tn
clerk who had suffered. She had beel
, found in condition Of great distress
which had been continuous since he
discharge. Her mother had succumbe'
to her misfortune, and Mabel was lef
, to struggle on to keep alive her broth
ers and sisters, which she did by ply
} ing her needle from early till late. MI
Sparkline directed that she be request
ed to call upon him.
She did so with terror, fearing tina
the firm had after all determined t
, prosecute her for theft and send her t
prison. When one morning she wa
! ushered into his private office and tn
merchant looked at her wan face hi
kind heart was overflowing with SYN
I pathy.
Miss Wainright," he said, 1--WE hav
received confession exonerating yo
from the theft you were accused Q
committing three years ago. I hav
raised your salary from the time
: your discharge till today, and here Is
check for the amount. If you wish
come back with us you will receive
! position bearing the highest salar
} paid to any saleswoman."
! Mabel was only too glad to be r.
stored, especially on such terms, an
? resumed her connection with the fri
I the next day.
) This was not ALL Mr.. Sparkline, wh
| was a law unto himself. determine
that those belonging to the better cias
of kleptomaniacs should contribute
{ atone for the injustice done this gir
The way he contrived it was this: h
{ directed that bills for various amount
: be sent to those responsible for then
S He was not required to explain II