Year: 1873

A kleptomauical epidemic seems tc
have prevailed in Chicago for The past
/ few weeks. While it might be consid-
cred harsh to produce the names OF
/ those who have been detected, it is en-
tircly proper that the facts should be
/ mado public in such a way rs to expose
tha deeds and at the same time screen
the authors from the modification Of a
disgrace for which they are not rcspon-
siblc, and should not be called TO public
+ account 4 merchants wife, q lady who
I resides on the avenue, is such confirm
ed shopliftcr that her husband never per
mitS her to 30 upon the street without
an escort is employed to watch her move
ments, and prevent her from indulging
i'm the qualification Of an unnatural de-
sire to steal. In defiance Of this watch
fulncss, the lady occasionally eludes the
vigilance Of sharp eyes, and makes a
tour of the shopping emporiums About
two weeks ago she visited one of our
largest dry goods stores, made a few
trifling purchases. and at an opportune
moment folded up and secreted under
her cl jak valuable cameis hair shawl


The article was soon missed but no one
knew the culprit, although the clerk
gave an accurate description to the de-
tectivc who was employed to work up
the matter.


About a week after the larceny was
committed the officer attended McNick-
er's theatre and saw the identical shawl,


worn by a lady corresponding exactly
to the one described She was accom-
panied by her husband The detective
was confident that he had discovered the
thief. but not caring to create 4 'scene"
be determined to delay action until the
performance was over, and the woman
and her escort were on their homeward
way To his great surprise, an elegant
private carriage awaited them at the
door, and the liveried coachman drove
them to a marble front residence in one
Of the most ariStocratic neighborhoods
of the South Side The officer slept
over it, and finally determined to make
an investigation, let the consequences be
what they might Early in the morn
ing he repaired to the house of the rich
merchant and informed the servant who
attended the door that he desired to see
the lady of the house. The gentleman
had Just descended the richly carpeted
stairway, and was naturally curious to
know what a good-looking, dashing
young fellow wanted at that early hour
with his wife. When, therefore, the
lady appeared, she was accompanied by
her mistified husband. Politely. doubt
inglv, the messenger of justice said 81
shall have to ask your kind forbearance,
for the business that brought me here is
of a very delicate nature. May ! ask,
madame, where you obtained the shawl
you wore at the theatre last evening. ="
The woman said not single word but
sank upon a sofa and burst into tears,
accompanied by hysterical sobs.


Knowing her propensity, her husband
at once comprehended the situation of
affairs. Conducting the officer to an
other room, he related many instances
of similar nature; stated that his wife
never knew what it was to want for any
thing that money could purchase, but
that she never let an opportunity to steal
pass unimproved. Tell Messrs. --,
(naming the firm) to send the bill to me,
together with expenses, and it shall be
paid" AS matter of course, the unfor-
tunate lady's misdemeanor was looked
upon as a misfortune rather than fault,
and she is now watched with greater
precaution than before. In one of the
SCSb Nll-SOANto VI tIC CITY >
within few DAYS, a sad instance of this
phase of insanity was brought to light.
A clergyman's wife-a lady of refine
ment, culture, and undoubted purity of
characters the victim. She entered
the store, was greeted with friendly
welcome by those who knew her, and
passed from one counter to another,
making a complete circuit of the estab-
lishment An employe saw her, soon
after she came in, slip a package of lace
inside her muff. Following her, and
watching with sharp eyes, he saw the
lady conceal many other articles i'll the
same hiding-place, anddexterously trans
fer them to a capacious pocket inside
her cloak. AS she was about to take her
leave, the young man tapped her on the
shoulder. MADAME" said he, sit is
with great pain that | am compelled to
detain YOU" ''Sir," said the lady in
dignantly, ''What do you mean?" ''On-
ly this" was the reply ''you have TAX
en- large number of articles, have con-
cealed them about your person, and have
not paid for them. The lady protested
that it was false. "Will you permit me
to examine the pocket i'll your cloak 2"
Overwhelmed with modification and
shame, the woman dropped her head, and
the telltale blush upon her cheeks gave
indubitable evidence of guilt. The man
quietly took her arm, and, without at
tracing the attention of the large fash
ionable gathering in the store, proceeded
to the private office of the proprietor.
There. with choking utterance, she
could only say, ssFor Gods sake, don't
tell my husband and sister.''


1t was found that altogether she had
appropriated goods valued Mt $40. She
stated that she had never before taken
the value of a penny that did not belong
to her, and that the impulse was irresis-