Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-04-15

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
doctor loudly exclaimed, "Whoever you are,
leave mew
| At this the srectre let 90 his hand, and
moaned feehly these words: "Pity, good hang
man have pity on mel"
! The good doctor now discovered the mys-
terry, and regained, by little and little, his COM
posure He explained to the criminal, who
had so narrowly escaped his, death, who he
was, and prepared to call up some of his fam
lily.
"Do you, then, wish to destroy met" ex-
claimed the criminal "If | am discovered my
adventure will become public, and | shall be
brought to the scaffold second time. In the
name of humanity save me from death!'
The good doctor then rose and procured a
lignt; he muffled his unexpected visitor in an
old dressing gown; and having made him take
some restoring cordial, testified desire to
know what crime had brought him to the scat
fold.
He was deserter.
The good doctor did not know well what
means to employ to save the poor creature
He could not keep him in his. house, and to
turn him out would be to expose him to certain
death. The only way, then, was to get him in.
to the country so, having made him dress him.
self in some old clothes, which the kind doctor
selected from his wardrobe, he left town early,
accompanied by his protege, whom he repre-
sented as an assistant in n difficult case upon
which he had been called in.
When they had got into the open country,
the wretched creature threw himself at the feet
of his bemefactor and liberator, to whom he
swore an eternal gratitude; and the generous
doctor, having relieved his wants BY a small
sum of money, the grateful creature left him,
with many blessings and prayers for his happi-
ness.
About twelve years after this occurrence,
Dr. B. had occasion to visit Amsterdam
Having gone one day to the bank, he was ac-
costed by wcll.dressed man n-one who had
been pointed out to him rs one of the most op-
u!ent merchants Of the rity.
The merchant asked him politely if he were
DR.. b, of London, and on his answer
ing him in the affirmative, pressed him to dine
at his house; which invitation the worthy doc
tor accepted. On arriving at the merchants
house. he was shown into an elegant apartment,
where most charming woman and two lovely
children welcomed him in the most friendly
manner; which reception surprised him the
more, coming from persons he had never before
/ met
After dinner, the merchant, having taken
him imo his contingencies, seized his hand,
aud, having pressed it with friendly warmth,
said to him.
"Do you recollect met"
"NO," said the doctor.
"Wcll, then, | remember you well and your
features will never be obliterated from my
memory for to you owe my lite. Do you
not remember til. poor deserters On leaving
you went to Holland. Writing good hand,
and being good accountant, soon obtained
situation rs clerk in a merchants office. My
good conduct and zeal soou gained for .iie the
confidence Of my employer and the affections
of his daughter. When he retired from busi-
ness, succeeded him. aud became his sonin.
law: but without you, without your care, with
out your generous assistance, should not have
lived to enjoy SO much happiness Generous
man! consider henceforth my house, my for
tune, and myself as wholly yours"
The kind doctor was affected even to tears
aud both these happy beings partici pated i'll
the most delightful expression of their feelings,
which were soon shared by the merchants in
teres,ng family, who came to join them.