Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-08-14
The Rescued Criminal.

great number of persons who know the
celebrated DR.. B-a professor of the College
of Surgeons, have often heard him relate the
following anecdotes
One day he had procured the bodies of two
criminals, who had been hung, for the purpose
of anatomy, but not being able to find the key
of the dssecting room at the moment the two
subjects were brought, he ordered them to be
deposited in an apartment contiguous to his bed
room. During the evening DR.. b, wrote
and read as usual before retiring to rest. The
clock had just struck one, and all at once dull
sound proceeded from the room containing the
bodies. Thinking that perhaps the cat had been
shut up there by mistake, he went to see what
could be the cause Of the unexpected noise.
What was his asonishment, or rather his horror,
on discovering that the sack which contained
the dead bodies was torn asunder, and on going
nearer, he found that one of the bodies was mis-
sing! The doors and windows had been fast
ened with the greatest care, and it appeared
impossible that the body could have been stolen.
The good doctor felt rather nervous on remark
ing this, and it was not without an uneasy sensa-
ton that he begun to look about him, when 10
| his horror and amazement he perceived the mis-
sing body sitting upright in a corner. Poor DR..
B., at this unexpected apparitlon, became
trans6xed with terror, which was increased by
observing the dead and sunken eyes OF the living
corpse fixed upon him--whchever way ne
moved, those dreadful eyes followed him. The
worthy doctor more dead than alive, now began
to beat quick retreat, without loosing sight of
the object of his terror; he retreated step bY
step. one hand holding the candle, the other ex-.
tended in search of the door, which lie at length
gained; but there is no escape, the spectre had
risen and followed him, whose livid features,
added to the lateness of the hour, and the still
ness of the night, seemed to consplre to deprive
the poor doctor of the little courage he had left;
his strength fails, the candle falls from his hand
and the terrible scene is now in complete dark
ness. The good doctor has, however, gained
his apartment, and thrown himself on his bed ;
but the fearful spectre has followed hint has
caught him, and seized hold of his feet with both
hands. At this climax of terror, the doctor
loudly exclaimed: "Whoever you arc, leave
me-" At this the spectre let 60 his hold, and
moaned feebly these words: "Pity, good hang
man, have pity on mel" The good doctor now
discovered the mystery, and regaihed, little by
little, his composure. He explained to the Grim.
inal, who had so narrowly escaped death, who
he was and prepared to call up some of his fam
lily.
"Do you then intend to destroy me" ex'
claimed the criminal. If nm discovered, my
adventure will become public, and ! shall be
taken to the scafold the second time. In the
name of humanity, save me from death! !"
The good doctor then rose and procured
lirht; he mufled the unexpected visitor in an
old dressing gown; and having made him take
some restoring cordial desired to know what
crime had brought him to the scaifod. He was
q deserter. The doctor did not we'll know what
means TO employ to save the poor creature. He
could not keep him IN his house, and to turr
him out would expose him to certain death. The
only way, then, was to get him into the country
so. having made him dress himself in some OLE
clothes, which the kind doctor selected from hi
warerobe, he left town early, accompanied b,
his protoge, whom he represented as an assstan
in difficult case upon which he had been calle
in. When they had got into the open country
the wretched creature threw himself at the fee
of his benefacto- and liberator, to whom he swor
an eternal gratitude; and the generous doctor
having relieved his wants by small sum
money, the grateful creature left him, with man
blessings and prayers for his happiness.
About twelve years after this occurrence, DI
R. had occasion to visit Amsterdam. Hav
ing gone one day to the bank, he was accoste
bv we'll dressed man one who had bee
, pointed out to him as one Of the most opuler