The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-10-04

AmbidextrOus Men.
One Of the New York papers not
long ago had an article on right and
left-handed people, or ambidexters, in
which several remarkable instances of
persons possessing this faculty were
given. Strange to say, however, no
mention was made of Ben Lusby or
George Tiffany. Lusby is famous the
country over, and is known as the
lightning ticket-seller. He travelled
for many years with the largest cir
cuses, and received almost fabulous
pay, being as great a curiosity as any
thing to be see in the tents. He used
both hands in selling tickets, taking in
money, handing out tickets and making
change more rapidly with each than an
ordinary ticket seller could with both
1t was no unusual thing TO see him Sc
lect six or eight full-price and chill
dren's tickets, receive a $40 or 500 bill
and pick out and return the change
with one hand, while he was selling
one or two tickets at time and max
ing change at the same time with the
other hand
George Tiffany, who had always had
a large acquaintance with theatrical
and show people, and who was friend
of Lusby, possessed the same faculty
to a considerable extent, and on several
occasions gave exhibitions to his friends
of his ability to initiate Lusby, having
probably practiced under his direction.
He was scarcely fourth as rapid as
Lusby, but was acknowledged "in the
profession" to be, with the exception of
Lusby, the ony two-handed ticket-seller
in the world.
Instances of people who write and
make figures with both hands are by
no means rare. In the old st. Louis
Democrat office. before the partnership
was dissolved, two accountants were
employed who, in posting the books,
generally made figures with one hand
and posted the items with the right. A
bookkeeper in one and cashier in
another large wholesale house in st.
Louis now work in the same way, and
reporter on morning paper writes
with either hand, and it is impossible
to distinguish any difference in the for
nation of the letters.
A more remarkable instance of dual
faculties than any mentioned is that of
gentleman well known in st. Louis,
Mr.. +. c. Lakeland Mr.. Lakeland
was for some time treasurer of the
Fair association, and excited no little
attention and remark among those
who saw him using alternately either
hand in writing letters or messages.
The on-lookers were, however, still
more astonished to see him when in a
hurry grasp pen or pencil and write
rapidly with both hands, and would
have been yet more amazed had they
known that the messages he was at
work on at the same time were adj
dressed to different people and entirely
different in character. When not busy
enough to employ both hands, he gen
orally uses the left, but the character
of the chirography is the same, and it
is doubtful if he himself knows the
difference. He does not seem to con-
slider himself possessed of an unusual
gift or talent, and would, no doubt,
have been much amused had he heard
the remark made by an acquaintance,
who, after seeing him write two let
ters at once, cOnfidentially informed a
friend that he must have his brains
parted in the middle or be possessed of
two sets. The science of medicine
teaches that unusual mental strain or
activity correspondingly depresses the
! system physically. but the rule eVi.
IDENTIFY does not apply to Mr., Lakeland