The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-01-22
THE DAILY DISPATCH,

/ -
From the (British) Union Magazine, of 1901.
AFFECTING STORY
RLLATEps BIZ PROFESSOR JUNKER, OF THE UNI
yERslrY OF HULL.
many, who were personally acquainted with
this celebrated character, have frequently
heard him relate the following story:
Being Professor Of Anatomy, he once pro-
eureo ior dissection, the body Of two criminals,
who had been hanged. The key Of the dis
secting room, not being Immediately at hand
when lhey were carried home to him, he order
ed them to be laid down in a closet which
opened into his apartment; the evening ceme,
and Junker, according TO custom, proceeded
to resume his literary labors, before he retired
70 rest. hwas now near midnight, and all his
family were asleep, when he heard a rumbling
noise IN his closet, thinking, that by some
mistake, the cat had been shut up with the
! dead bodies. he rose, and taking the candle,
went TO see what had happened. But what
must have been his astonishment, or rather his
panic, on perceiving the sack, which contained
the two bodies, rent in the middle; he ap.
preached and found one Of them was gone
ne doors and windows were well secured
and he thought il impossible the bodies could
be stolen; he tremblingly looked round the
closet, and observed the dead man seated in
the corner. Junker stood for moment, mo.
tionless; the dead man seemed to look towards
hum; nc moved, beth to the right and left, but
the dead man still kept his eyes on him. The
Professor then retired, step by step, with his
eyes still fixed on the object of his alarm; and
holding the candle in his hand, until he reached
the door; the dead man Instantly started up
and followed him.
A figure efso hideous an appearance. naked.
and in motion The lateness of the hour, the
deep silence, which prevailed-everything
concurred to overwhelm him with confusion.
He let fall the only candle which he had burn
ing. and all was darkness he made his es-
cape to his bedchamber, and there threw him.
self on the bed, thitber, however, he was pur-
sued, and he soon felt the man embracing his
legs and sobbng. Repeated cries of"Ieave
me! leave me-" released Junker from the
grasp of the dead man, who now exclaimed,
"Ah. good executioner have mercy upon
me-" Junker soon perceived the cause of
what had happened, and resumed his forii-
tude. He informed the terminated sufferer,
who he really was, and made a motion in
order to call up some of the family. "You
wish then TO destroy me-" exclaime the GRIM
inal; eff you call any one, my adventure will
bcomee public, and shall be taken second
time and executed-in the name of humanity,
implore you to save my lite." The physi-
clan struck light, decorated his guest with
an old night gown, and having bade him take
of a cordial, requested TO know what had
brsught him TO the gibbet
The poor wretch informed him, that he had
enlisted for soldier, but that having no great
attachment 10 the profession, he had deter
mined to desert-that he had unfortunately en-
trusted his secret to kind of crimp, fellow
OF no principle, who recommended him TO a.
woman, in whose house he was to remain con-
cealed that this woman had discovered his
retreat to the officer of police, &c. &c. Jun
ker was extremely perplexed how to save the
poor man; it was impossible 10 retain him in
his own house, and keep the affair secret;
and to turn him out of doors, was to eypose
him to certain destruction. He resolved to con-
duct him out of the city, in order that he might
get into foreign jurisdiction; but it was
necessary 10 pass the gates of the city which
were strictly guarded. To accomplish this
point, he dressed the man in some of his old
clothes, covered him with q cloak, and at an
early hour set out for the country with bis
prOtege behind him. On arriving at the city
gate, where he was we'll known, he said in a
hurried tone, that he ha6Dbeen SENT for to visit
sick person who was dying in the suburbs.
He was permitted 10 pass. Having both got
into the open fields, the deserter threw himself
at the feet of his deiverer, to whom he vowed
his enternal gratitude, and after receiving some
pecuniary assistance departed, Offering up
prayers for his happiness.
Tweive..years afterwards, Junker having oc-
casion to go TO Amsterdam, was accosted on
the Exchange by man well dressed and Of
the best appearance, who, he had been inform
ed, was one Of the most respectable merchants
in that city. The merchant, in polite tone,
inquired whether he was not Prot. Juuker, Of
Hull, and being answered in the affirmative,
he requested in an earnest manner, his compa.
ny to dinner; the Professor consented. Ha-
wing reached the merchants house, he was
shown into an elegant apartment, where he
found beautiful sife and two fne healthy
children; but he could scarcely suppress his
astonishment al meeting with so cordial re-
ception, from fumiy with whom he thought he
was entirely unacquained. After dinner the
merchant taking him into his counting room,
said. " You do not recollect me-not al all,
but we'll recollect you, and never shall your
features be erased from my memory. You are
my benefactor. | am the person who came TO
life in yonr closet, and TO whom you pal so
much attention. On parting from you took
the road TO Holland. ! wrote good hand,
was tolerably expert az accounts, and soon
obtained employment as g clerk. NV good
conduct and zeal for the interest of nv patron,
procured me his confidence and his daughter s
love. On his retiring from business. / sue
ceeded him and became his son-in-law, But
tor you, however, should not have lived to
experience these enjoyments. Henceforth look
upon my house. my fortune, and myself at
your disposal.
Those who possess the smallest portion of
senslbilisy, can easily represent to themselves
the feelings of Junker.
ANOTHER SHIP CAaAL.-The citizens OF