Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-04-19
= Gk tt j.
From Backwood's Magazine.
THE RESCUED CRIMINAL,

A great number of persons who know
the celebrated DR.. B, a professor of
the College of Surgeons, have often heard
HIM relate the following anecdote -
One day that he had procured the bod
les of two criminals. who had been hung,
for the purpose Of anatomy, not being able
to find the key of the dissecting-room at
the moment the two subjects were brought,
he ordered them 10 be deposited in an
apartment contiguous 10 his bed room.
During the evening, DIR. B wrote
and read as usual previous to retiring TO
rest The clock had just struck one, and
all the family slept soundly, 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 astonshment, or
rather his horror, on discovering the sack
which contained the bodies was torn aSun-
der, and, on going nearer, he found that
one Of the bodies was missing!
The doors and windows had been fast
ened with the greatest care, and it appear
ed impossible that the body could have
been stolen. The good doctor felt rather
nervous on remarking this, and it was not
without an uneasy sensation that he began
to look about him, when, TO his horror and
amazement, he perceived the missing body
sitting upright in a corner.
Poor DR.. B, at this unexpected ap-
partition, 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 followed him.
The worthy doctor, more dead than
alive, now began to beat quick retreat,
without, however, losing sight of the OBJ
ject of his terror he retreated step by
step one hand holding the candle, and the
other extended in search OF the door,
which he at length gained but there is no
escape, the spectre has risen and followed
him, whose livid features, added to the
lateness of the hour and the stiffness of the
night, seem to consplre TO deprive the poor
f. doctor of the little courage he has left : bis
strength fails, the candle falls from his
: hand, and the terrible scene is now in COM
plete darkness.
The good doctor has, however, gained
his apartment, and thrown himself on hi
bed but the fearful spectre has still fol
lowed hint has caught him, and seize
hold of his feet with both hands. At TIN
climax of terror, the doctor loudly ex
claimed, "Whoever you are, leave me J.
AT this the spectre let go its hold, an
moaned feebly these words; "Pity, goo
\. hangman have pity on me-"
The good doctor now discovered tn
mystery, and regained, by little and littl
=, his composure. He explained 10 the Grim
" " nal, who had so narrowly escaped deati
= who he was, and prepared to call up SON
K of his family.
"Do you, then, wish to destroy me
exclaimed the criminal. "lf am disco
= cred my adventure will become public, al
- | shall be brought TO the scaiold secoT
time. In the name of humanity, save n
be- from death !"
pS lse The good doctor then rose and procur
At light; he mufiled his unexpected visit
ON in an old dressing-gown and having ma
on him take some restoring cordial, testified
desire to know what crime had broug
him to the scaffold.
ext He was deserter.
lin. The good doctor did not we'll knc
in what means to employ to save the pc
en- creature. He could not keep him in
!. house, and to turn him out would be to {
pose him to certain death. The only W;
= then, was to get him into the country
~" having made him dress himself in some
:. clothes, which the kind doctor seleci
from his wardrobe, he left to- yn ear,y