The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1879-10-02
COULDN'T SAY NO.
From the New York World

from Ile new lOTk WOTluJ
1.-THE following veraciOus story of disease
of the brain complicated with an affection of
the heart is condensed from an undiscovered
manuscript. The author must not be con-
founded with the well known litterateur
whose name is pronounced similarly but
spelled differently
Victor Parlenon was by nature bach
elor. OF him it might be said he was
fated to be free; and the predisposition
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 otherform
of misery and joy. He was not averse
to les bellesdameS, but his preference
being for male companions, he had little
leisure for the lighter and more refined
graces of female society.
One morning following q day on
which Victor had partaken of an unu-
sually protracted 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 pre-
sentiment 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 to pucker, and when he at
tempted to give vent to his feelings by
means of his customary expletive he
found that his power of making such
remarks had mysteriously disappeared
Victor was thoroughly alarmed. Here
was a man who had retired the evening
before well and unprecedented 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
rs well as the contradictory state of his
limbs would allow and sought in haste
the office of n physician. But now q
new phase of Victor's trouble presented
itself. The unfortunate man could not
speak, and when he took up the Doc
tors pencil to state his case in writing
he found he could not write word that
he desired, but that meaningless marks
and unconnected letters were formed bv
the pencil as if it were under the control
of one of those Indian warriors who as
sumo the direction of affairs at spiritual
istic gatherings. The Doctor, however,
was skilled in his profession.
"Ah! see,'' he exclaimed;
"aphasia'
He then asked Victor for his card land
receiving it, found that his patient could
understand if he could not make him.
self understood.
" Monsieur Parlenon," said he, s'your
affection is that known to us as
'aphasia,' or loss of the faculty of
speech, which is a peculiar disease of
the brain. 1t is held by some that this
faculty resides on the inferior surface of
the anterior portion of the third convo-
luton of the left hemisphere of the
brain. However, that will not interest
you. The simple fact is that you are
unable to communicate your thoughts or
ideas either by speaking or writing.
Whether you viii always remain so |
can not tell. You are still young and it
is to be hoped you will recover. will
ask you few questions and then we
can see Just where we stand. Are your
habits of life regularp'
eyes," boldly answered Victor.
UT are tney somewhat irregular?"
continued the physician.
Yes," again answered the patient.
" ITEMS" exclaimed the Doctor, who
perceived that Victor was responsible
for neither of the replies. However, he
third question.
care you in the habit of drinking
much wine?n
Victor, in spite of his devotion to the
rosy god, felt this to be equivalent to
asking him if he was a drunkard. He
endeavored to answer in the
negative, but to his horror the monosyl-
able eyes again escaped him. This
% enraged him that he voluntarily ex-
,laimed t. iti''
/" FL done monsieur" said the Doc
or, ss do not swear
Victor this time did not ATTEMPT to