The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-05-02
VICTOR'S VICISSITUDES,
From the Freneh.I

being present, it never occurred to HIM
to try that great experiment which, ex-
cepting death, is the final resource of
men who have experienced all other
forms of misery and joy. He was not
adverse to les bellesdames, but his pref
erences being for male companions, he
had little leisure for the lighter and more
refined graces of female society.
One morning, following a day on which
Victor had partaken of an unusually pro-
tracted dinner, he awoke with difficulty,
and on rising had a vague impression
that there was something wrong with the
right side of his body. He approached
his mirror haltingly, and on looking at
his counterfeit presentment he saw, with
some dismay, that there was slight but
very ridiculous smile on the left side OF
his mouth. He turned pale and tried to
whistle, but his lips refused 10 pucker,a r,and
when he attempted to give vent to his
feelings by means of his customary ex-
pletive he found that his power of max
ing such remarks had mysterously dis
appeared. Victor was thoroughly
alarmed. Here was man who had re-
tired the evening before well and happy
elevated in fact-who awoke In the
morning to find the sense of feeling on
one side of his body diminished, his
mouth drawn to one side, and himself
unable to swear at his predicament He
dressed himself as we'll as the contradic-
tory state of his limbs would allow, and
sought in haste the Office Of physician.
But now a new phase of Victors troubles
presented itself. The unfortunate man
could not speak, and when he took up
the doctors pencil to state his case in
writing he found he could not write a
word that he desired, but that meaning
less marks and unconnected letters were
formed by the pencil, as if it were under
the control of one of those Indian war
riors who assume the direction of affairs
at spiritualistic gatherings. The doctor,
however, was skilled in his profession.
"Ah! | see," he exclaimed; "aphasia." "
He then asked Victor for his card, and,
receiving it, he found that his patient
could understand if he could not make
himself understood.
"Monseur Parlenon," said he, "your
affection is that known to lis as aphasia,
or loss of the faculty of speech, which is
a peculiar disease of the brain. it's held
by some that this faculty resides on the
inferior surface OF the anterior PolIl1n ono Oh
inc thlfu c9hEolulioh pl tlle leiV iieiiIl !il
not interest you. The simple fact is that
you y. Iie une1ao m ;Jnoa a;thor hu unoal; ;nr 0o W.
rnGGs'S " wbetSer AueI9 r,n,, vnn VIII pIwavs a.
m,o;n 80 can not ten You are still
yomno and If is to he boped Won will re-
covnT will ask Won 4 few questions
and then we can see lust where we stand.
Are vonr habits Of life reaularT'
~yos y hnIdIv answered Victor.
u0. ara +Lcy somewhat irrerularWn
confirmed the nhysician
DYas y answarad m Pr the natient
"Tionst" avclo;med the doctor who ner-
oo;voJ +bot Victor was rrsnonsihIe For
noitLar "f fine renIics, However he
llel1he5 neither = :. .,,;"J Wy onort;nn
0sS"feu s,i'i IN tho Iahit Of drinkino
ny !um gj i'l WV
NUN Igil,: Mii't. .,;to of bic dovo+;on to tbo
,,,. ,.oJ foI+ +h;a to hn anuivolpnt tO
r's! eoI, ns ICY r. I,,,' Wa wa. =" " dr9ntard He
aSk''s nin. andonvoroJ :, NV m to answer in the
pfoNiP1iy w. he Iorro,, H. ...''..'''1
hcgallE', w. ~ '''' 49, ''lo iHHho9SA- !
lapie yes aS"in e9c"peu lin.' iiS ~
enrage4 II MN l!iIS .'u, no 'NN04u1 ''''i'y VA
canned, D ~ ,., u,
ri dohc! iiloliSleur' s"lo VIC ooctor'
DO not swear
Nic'or 'il'' 'liHa did not attempt to
deavoring to utter denial by means
of pantomime. The physician insisted
that he had used protane language, ana
when Victor repeated his gestures could
not avoid asking w'th a smile: ne . :.
"but, theh' y you uo iio' hle"n W say ~
Swo[e Of ltseii = v;o.or. and for onoo 10
es, rfp''eu rras.ino r1osu, % Imseir i ',' to hi.
s"GoTo(' "t;-root;nn The doctor lauched and SO
oitiI,i'' ia h;S uotiertNat Ieast on one side of
hie hie n,onltb"-and mlY the physician then laid
nn,n nls rlI f"r Victor smcb rnles as if would he
Wv" ,'oaoasnru m for him tn follow, Two of
tLese ] r;,les were very importapt One
was vast that Victor should confne himself
to aon snrree. the other was that he
sTonIJ nd abandon all mental exertion, and
nncnnv himself with moderate physical
vlTrs overi;se 70 enforce these rules the doc.
tor ~., adTi.cd that Victor should 90 to the
oorltrr w, " for time, These 6relimina.
ries % nomnlrted Victor produced his wal
iat 10 and IpnEed at his medical adviser
n,So NV "% said. ~Mv fee for a first consuIta.
t;nn Gno % n":I s1o nresume Won can afford tC
,s, .,on +5s, IL -; D;
pa. wv. Sn,;' y ,osnondod Victor altbouqb he
meant the opposite, for he did not r" ',usl