North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-05-03
THE RESCUED CRIMINAL.

n 81 IHE
/ great number of persons who know the celebra-
4 ted Dr. b, professor of the College of Sur
geens, have often heard him relate the following an
\ ecdote
One day that he had procured the bodies q two
criminals who had been hong. for the purpose of an
atomy not being able to find The key of the dssecng
room at the moment the two subjects were brought
he ordered them to be deposited in an apartment con-
| tiguous to his bedroom
| During the evening, Dr. B. wrote and read
as usual PREVIOUS to retiring to rest. The clock nao
Just struck one, and all slept soundy, when all al
once dull sound proceeded from the room containing
| the bodies.
Thinking perhaps that the cat had been shut up there
by mistake he what could be the cause OF
| the unexpected noise. What was his astonishmen,'
rather bis horror on discovering that the SACK
contained the bodies were torn asunder and on going
nearer he found that of the bodies was missing
The doors and windows had been fastened win the
greatest care and appeared impossible that the BODY
could have been stolen. The good doctor fet ratner
nervous remarking this, and 1t was not
uneasy sensation that he began to look about nm,
when his horror and amazement, he perceived the
missing body sitting upright In the corner.
Poor DR.. B., at this unexpected apPantlon.
became trans6xed with terror, which was increased
by observing the dead and sunken eyes of the corpse
fixed upon him whichever way he moved, these
dreadful eyes still followed him.
The worthy DOCTOR more dead than alive, now be-
gan to beat quick retreat without, however, losing
Sight of the object of his he retreated step by
step, one hand holding the candle the other extended
in search of the doUr, which he at length gained but
there is escape the spectre has risen and followed
him. whose vid features added to the ateness Of the
hour and the stiffness of the night seem to conspire
to deprive the poor doctor of the little courage he has
left his strength fails, the candle falls from his hand
and the terrible scene is now in complete darkness.
The good doctor has, however, gained his apart
ment and thrown himself on his bed but the fearful
spectre has still followed hint has caught him,
and sezes hold of his feet with both hands. At this
climax of terror, the doctor loudly exclaimed
Whoever you are, leave me y
At this, the spectre let 60 his hold, and moaned
feebly these words
PITY. good hangman have pity me!'
The good doctor discovered the mystery, and
regained, little by little, his composure. He explain
ed to the criminal who had narrowly escaped death,
who he was, and prepared to call up of his fam
lily.
do you. then. wish to destroy me :" exclaimed
the criminal. Ii l ain discovered, my adventure
will become public and shall he brought the scat.
fold the second time. In the name Of humanity
me from death y
The good doctor then rose and procured light {;
he muftied 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 scaffold.
lie was deserter.
The sood doctor did not we'll know " hat 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
to get him into the country; so, having made
him dress himself IN some old clothes, which the
kind doctor selected from his wardrobe, he left the
town early, accompanied by his proiege whom he
represented as an assistant in difficult case upon
which he had been called in.
When they had got into the open country, the
wretched threw himself at the feet of his
benefactor and liberator to whom he swore eter-
nal gratitude; and the generous doctor, having
Iieved his wants by small sum of money, the CRATE
fnl creature left him, with many blessings and pray
ers for his happiness.
About twelve years after this occurrence. DR..
D had occasion to visit Amsterdam. Having
gone day to the bank, he accosted by WELL
dressed man-one who had been pointed out to him
of the most opulent merchants Of the city.
The merchant asked him politely if he were DR..
b, of London, and on his answering him in
the affirmative, pressed him to dine at his house
which invitation the worthy doctor accepted. On ar
irving the merchants house he shown into an
elegant apartment, where a 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 into
his contingencies, seized his hand, and having
pressed it with friendly warmth, said to him
Is Do you not recollect me Z"
No. said the doctor.
swell, l remember you well, and your features
will never be obliterated from my memory, for to you
owe my life. Do you not remember the poor de-
serterl On leaving you, went to Holland. Writ
ing good hand, and being a good accountant,
obtained situation as clerk in merchants Of
fee. My good conduct and zeal soon gained for me
the confidence Of my employer and the affections of
his daughter When he retired from business, sue
ceeded him, and became his son-in-law but without
you, without your care, without your generous as
sistance, l should not have lived to enjoy much
happiness. Generous man! consider henceforth my
house, my fortune, and myself as wholly yours"
The kind doctor affected to tears and
both these happy beings participated in the most de-
lightfnl expressions of their feelings, which were
shared by the merchants interesting family, who
came to join them.
Black,UoOd's Magazine.