The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1882-09-21
hmbideXters,

Instances of people who write and
make figures with both hands are by no
means rare. In the Old Democrat office,
before the partnership was dissolved
and the Globe DenaQe1'tt started, two ac-
countants were employed who, in posi-
ing the books. generally made figures
with the left hand and posted the items
with the right. A bookkeeper in one
and q 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 i'm
possible to distinguish any difference in
the formation of the letters.
A more remarkable instance of dual
faculties than any mentioned is that of
gentleman we'll known in this city-Mr.
E. G.. Lakeland. Mr.. Lakeland was for
some time Treasurer of the Fair Associa-
ton 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, how
ever, 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
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 geuer-
ally uses the left, but the character of
the chirography is the same, and it is
doubtful ii he himself knows the differ
ence. He does not seem to consider
himself possessed of an unusual gift of
talent, and would no doubt have been
much amused had he heard the remark
made by an acquaintance, who, after
seeing him write two letters at once,
confdentially informed a friend that he
must have his brains parted in the mid lie
or be possessed of two sets. The science
of medicine teaches that unusual mental
strain or activity correspondingly de-
presses the system physically, but the
rule evidently does not apply to Mr..
Lakeland
1t has also generally been considered
that shot in the brain was mortal, and
few days ago an exchange came out
with what was stated as an unparalleled
case. A man had attempted to commit
suicide by shooting himself in the center
of the forehead. The pistol-ballb accord
ing to his statement, went through
his brains and lodged at the in
side of the skull at the back. The wound
was probed to the depth of three inches
or more, the brains oozed out of the
hole, but the man lived and seemed to
suffer no Inconvenience.
This is not an isolated case Several
years ago man living on Fifth Street,
near Myrtle, in this city, shot
his wife and then shot himself
through the head and brain, after which
he lay down on q lounge and awaited
death. Death did not come, but the po-
lice did, and a guard was left with him
till the next morning. Then he put on
his boots with a vigorous thump and
walked to carriage, in which he was
conveyed to jail. He lived to stand trial
for assault with intent to kill on his
wife, was sentenced to the penitentiarg
for several years, and had served out
part of his term when he died. The
wound had never healed and portions of
brain were continually coming from it.
While in Jail he told the reporter that he
suffered no Inconvenience from the
wound, but on two or three occasions
had felt "rather giddy-headed."
Perhaps one of the oldest and most
amusing instances of ''two-sided per-
sons' is that of a young man who lived
some years ago in Illinois. Frank, for
such was his name, was smart and
shrewd, and possessed powerful and
active frame. He had never been sick
since he was an infant. and had never
had the slightest touch of paralysis.
Notwithstanding, his face and chest on
one side were profusely bathed in per-
spiration, even on the coolest DAYS in
winter. while on the other side, taking
the nose for dividing line, no sign of
perSplratlon was ever seen in the hottest
days of midsummer. This. of course,
excited considerable remark and amuse-
ment. But his appearance was still more
striking when, sitting in one of the
country stores of an evening, he would
60 to sleep on one side with that eve fast
closed, while the other side would be
wide awake. and he would be keeping
up his end of the conversation. When
last seen he was to some extent outgrow-
ing his popularity, but probably never
fully did so. He had consulted one 0!
two country physicians, but never lad
his case before those competent to adj
wise him. 1t is to be regretted, as he
would have excited great interest in
medical circles.-St. Louis Globe Demo.
crdt.