Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-04-11
From " Blaekwood's Lady's Magazine"
THE RESCUED CRIMINAL.

THE RESCUED CRIMINAL.
A great number Of persons who knew
The celebrated DR.. B, Professor
of the College of Surgeons. have often
heard him relate the following anec-
lote:
One day that he had procured the
bodies Of two criminals, who had been
hung, for the purpose oe anatomy, not
being able TO find the key of the dissect-
ing room al the moment the two subjects
were brought, he ordered them to be de-
posted in an apartment contiguous 10 his
bedroom.
During the evening DR.. B-wrote
and read as usual previous to retiring to
rest. The clock had just struck one,
and the family slept soundIy, when 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 aston
ishment, or rather his horror, on discov-
ering 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 fas-
tened with the greatest care, and 1t ap-
peared impossible that the body could
have been stolen. The good Docto: ap-
peared rather nervous on remarking this
and it was not without an uneasy sensa-
tion that he began to look about him,
when, TO his horror and amazement, he
perceived the missing body sitting up
right in corner.
Poor DR.. B, at this unexpected
!, apparition, became transfxed with ter
ror, which was increased by observing
the dead and sunken eyes OF the corpse
fixed upon him; which ever way he
moved, those dreadful eyes still followed
him.
The worthy Doctor, more dead thar
alive, now began TO beat quick retrea
without however losing sight OF the OBJ
ject of his terror +; he retreated, step bN
step one hand holding the candle, The
other extended in search Of the door
which he at length gained; but there i,
no escape, the spectre has risen anC
; followed him, whose livid features, ad
d Ied 10 the lateness of the hour and III,
stiffness Of the night, seem to conspir,
T to deprive the poor Doctor of the littl,
e courage he has left his strength fails
= the candle falls from his hand, and th'
IS terrible scene is now in complete dark
ness.
II The good Doctor has, however, game,
J. his apartment, and thrown himself Oh
e his bed; but the fearful spectre ha
e still followed him; it has caught him
l. and selzes hold of his feet with bot
n hands. At this climax of terror tn
= Doctor loudly exclaimed, /" Whoeye
= you are leave me p AT this the spec
IT ire let go his hold, and moaned feebI
e these words: PITY, good hangman
e, have pity on me!'' The good Doctc
m now discovered the mystery, and n
j. gained b, little and little his composurt
m He explained TO the criminal who ha
so narrowly escaped death who he wa
or and prepared TO call up some of his fan
OF lily.
4. Do you then wish to destroy me
Da exclaimed the criminal. II | am di
I'd covered, my adventure will become pu
i lie, and l shall be brought to the scaffo
lv second time. In the name OF human
n. ty save me from death!
: The good Doctor then rose and pr
bo cured light he mufled his unexpe
m ted visitor in an old dressing gown; al
,,it having made him some restoring cordi.
81 testified desire TO know what Grin
IN had brought him 10 the scaffold.
- He was deserter
;ts he good Doctor did not we'll knc
Id. what means to employ to save the pc
,ed creature. He could not keep him
o. his house, and to turn him out would
-, TO expose him to certain death. 7
-. only way then was TO get him into t
m. country; SO having made him dress hi
hI,, self in some old clothes which the ki
~, Doctor selected from his wardrobe,
- left town early, accompanied by his p
of tege, whom he represented as an ass
Nd tant in difficult case upon which
tLa had been called in.
onu When they had got into the or
country the wretched creature thr
himself at the feet of his benefactor a
liberator, to whom he swore eternal g
wa w itude; and the generous Doctor hav
'he relieved his wants by small sum
eek money, the grateful creature left |
MS with many blessings and prayers for
l.es happiness
llny About twelve years after this occ
,ms' renee DR.. B--had occasion to :
ish, Amsterdam. Having gone one da,
yea the bank, be was accosted by a
Inc dressed man-one who had been poir
root out to him as one Of the most opu
lrled merchants Of the city.
ood- The merchant asked him politel
bear ha mara No, Dr Ja,do,