Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1851-05-17
The Rescued Criminal

| the following anecdote:
One dav he had procured the bodies Of
| two criminal who had been hung, for the pur
pose of ANATOMY; not being able to find the key
of the dissectug room at the moment the two
subjects were brought, he ordered them to be
deposited in an apartment contiguous to bis
bedroom.
During the evening, DR.. B--wrote and
read as usual, previous to retiring to rest. Tho
clock had just struck one, and all the family
slept soundy, when all at once dull sound
| proceeded from the room containing the bo-
dies
Thinking perhaps that the cat lad been shut
| up there by mistake, he went to see what could
be the cause Of the unexpected noise. What
was his astonishment or rather his horror, on
discovering that the sack which contained the
bodies was torn asunder, and on going nearer.
he found that one of the bodies was missing.
| The doors and windows had been fastened
| with the greatest care, and it appeared impos.
sible that the body could have been stolen The
good doctor felt rather nervous on remarking
| this, and it was not without an uneasy sensa-
ton that he began to look about him. when, to
| his horror and amazement, he perceived the
missing body sitting upright in the corner.
Poor DR.. B. 1T this unexpected appar-
ton, became transfxed with terror, which was
increased by observing the dead and sunken
eyes of the corpse fixed upon him whichever
| way he moved, those dreadful eyes still follow
ed him.
The worthy doctor, more dead than alive,
now began to beat quick retreat, without
however, oosing the sight of the object of his
terror; he retreated step by step, one hand
holding the candle the other extended in search
| of the door, which he at length gained; but
there is no escape, the spectre whose livid fea.
lures, added to the lateness Of the hour and
the stiffness of the night, seemed to conspire to
deprive the poor doctor of the little courage
he has left, has risen and followed him; 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 still followed hint has
caught him, and seizes hold of his feet with
both hands. At this climax Of terror the doc.
tor loudly exclaimed
sWho are you, leave me!
| At this, the spectre let 60 its hold, and moan
ed fcebly these words
sPity, good hangman have pity on me!
The good doctor now discovered the myste-
ry, and regained, little, his composure. he ex-
planned to the criminal, who had so narrowly
escaped death, who he was, and prepared to
call up some Of his family.
"Do YOU, then, wish to destroy me :" eS-
claimed the criminal. If am discovered, my
adventure will become public, and l shall be
brought to the scatfold the second time: In the
name of humanity save me from DEATH
The good doctor then rose and procured !"
light he muffled his unexpected visitor in an
old dressing gown; and having made him take
s;-.o al roc tHod n 1asirn To know
what crime had brought him to the scaf1old.
He was deserter.
The good doctor did not we'll know what
means to employ to save the poor creature. tie
could not keep him in his house, and to turn
4 him out would be to expose him to certain
death. The only way then was to get him into
the country; so, having made him dress himself
! in some old clothes, which the kind doctor Sc.
lected from his wardrobe, he left the town ear.
ly, accompanied by his protege, whom ne repre-.
sented as an assistant in a difficult case upon
which he had been called in
When they had got into the open country.
the poor fellow threw himselfa at the feet OF hl%
, benefactor and libcrator, to whom he swore an
eternal gratitude; and the generous doctor nav
inc relieved his wants by a small sum OF money.
the grateful creature left him, with many bless.
ings TOR his happiness. ~
About twelve years after this occurrence W.
: B--had occasion to visit Amsterdam. Iaa'
ine gone one day to the bank, he was aGcosteo
: by well-dressed man-one who had oeen
: pointed out to him as one OF the most opu'e"t
merchants of the city.
THE merchant asked him politely if he were
I Dr. b, Of London, and on his answering
I him in the affirmative, pressed him to dine at
!, his house; which invitation the worthy doctor
accepted. On arriving at the merchant . house
!; he was shown into an elegant apartment, where
: most charming woman and two lovely ch'l'
u dren welcomed him in the most friendly man
= ner, which reception surprised him the mofe'
: coming from persons he had never before met.
!. After dinner, the merchant having taken MN
: into his counting-house, seized him by the hand
. and having pressed it with. friendly warmth, SAID
: to him o. 1y=zss4.
"Do you not recollect me s: .-..ms..@
} "No," said the doctor.
aWell. I remember you well, and your fea'
!, lures will never be otliterated from my memory
for to YOU owe my life DO you not remem
Q her the poor deserter! On leaving you came
: to Holland. Writing good hand, and being
:. rood accountant, soon obtained situation as
Clerk in a merchants office. My good conduct
N and zeal soon gained for me the confidence Of
d nv employer and the affections ofhis daughter
u, When he retired from businessI succeeded hlm
ir and became his son-n-law; but without you
% without your care, without your, generous a. IS
N sstance, I should not have lived to ENJOY sc
I'd much happiness Generous man! CONSIDER hehee
r forth my house, my fortune and myself as "ho'
III ly yours. c..o, .ron 70 te,rs
o. The kind doctor was affected even ID te't
IN and both these happy beings participated IN IN
'ir most delightful expressions OF their lee,.hg
I'd which were soon shared by the merchants In
n teresting family, who came to join them'
e. -.
T The census of Great Britain was take'
i'll on the lst ult the whole business being don