Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-01-30
From the (British) Union Magazine, Of iSol'
Affecting Story


mr. ArEp ny PROF JUNKER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HULL
MANY, who were personally acquainted with this
celebrated character have frequently heard him re-
late the following story:
Being Professor of Anatomy he once procured for
dissection the body of two criminals. who had been
hanged. The key of the dissecting room' not DelnS
immediately at hand when they were carried home
to him. he ordered them to be laid down in closet
which opened into his apartment; the evening came
and Junker, according to CUSTOM proceeded TO re-
sumo his literary labors before he retired to rest 1t
was now near midnight and all his family were a.
Sleep when he heard 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 perceivng the sack, which contained the
two bodies, rent in the middle he approached and
found one of them was gone. The doors and win
dows were well secured, and he thought 1t lmpossl
BILE the bodies could be stolen he trembllngy look
ed round the closet and observed the dead man seat
ed in the corner. Junker stood for a moment, mo-
tionless the dead man seemed to look towards him
he moved. both to the right and the left, but the
dead man still kept his eyes on him. The Professor
then retired step by step, with his eyes still fixed
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 of so hideous appearance, Naked and
in motion, the lateness of the hour the deep silence
which prevailed concurred to overwhelm
him with confusion He let fall the only candle
which he had burning, and all was darkness; he
made his escape to his bedchamber and there threw
himself the bed, thither, however, he pursued
and he soon felt the embracing his legs and
sobbing. Repeated cries of " leave me leave me !"
released Junker from the grasp of the dead man.
who now exclaimed, g All good ezeeutioner! have
mercy upon men Junker soon perceived the cause
of what had happened, and resumed his fortitude.
He informed the re-animated sufferer, who he really
was, and made motion in order to call up some of
the family. - You wish then to destroy me-
claimed the criminal: if you call any one. my ad-
venture will become public, and shall be taken a
second time and executed-in the name of humanity
implore you to save my life The physician struck
a light decorated his guest with old night gown,
and having babe him take of cordial. requested to
know what had brought him to the gibbet
The poor wretch informed him that he had enlist
ed for a soldier, but that having no great attach
ment to the profession he had determined to desert
that he had unfortunately entrusted his secret to
kind of crimp fellow of no principle, who recon-
mended him to woman, in whose house he was to
remain concealed; that this woman had discovered
his retreat to the officer of police, &C. sc. Junker
was extremely perplexed how to save the poor man ;
it was impossible to retain him in his house, and
keep the affair secret and to turn him out of doors
was to expose him to certain destruction. He re-
solved to conduct him of the city, in order that
he might get into fore jurisdiction; but il
necessary to pass the gates of the city which were
strictly guarded To accomplish this point he dress
ed the man in some of his old Clothes covered him
with a cloak and at early hour set out for the
country with his protege behind him. On arriving
at the city gate, where he we'll known, he said
in hurried tone, that he had been sent for to visit
sick person who was dying in the suburbs. He
was permitted to pass. Having both got into the
open fields the deserer threw himself at the feet of
his deliverer to whom he vowed his eternal graft
tude and after receiving some pecuniary assistance
departed, offering up prayers for his happiness.
Twelve years afterwards, Junker having occasion
to go to Amsterdam, was accosted on the Exchange
by a man we'll dressed and of the best appearance,
who, he had been informed was one of the most re-
spectacle merchants in that city The merchant,
in polite tone, inquired whether he was not Prof
Junker, of Hull and being answered in the afirma-
tive, he requested in earnest manner, his cOmpa-
ny to dinner the Professor consented. Having
reached the merchants house, he was shown into an
elegant apartment where he found beautiful wife
and two healthy children bat he could scarcely
suppress his establishment at meeting with cordial
reception from a family with whom he thought he
was entirely uDacquainted. After dinner the mer-
chant taking him into his counting said - You
do not recollect me-not at all, but well recollect
you and never shall your features be erased from
my memory. You my benefactor. | am the
person who to life in your closet, and to whom
you paid so much attention. On parting from you
I took the road to Holland. | wrote a good hand
was tolerabe expert at accounts, and soon obtain
ed employment as clerk. My good conduct and
zeal for the interest of my PATRON procured me his
confidence and his daughters love- On his retiring
from business | succeeded him and became his son.
n-aw. But for you. however, should not have
lived to experience these enjoyments. Hencefortl
look upon my house, my fortune and myself at youl
disposal"
Those who possess the smallest portion of sensibl
ity easily represent to themselves the feelings
of Junker.
i CoLoRED NoBILITY.-As the Kaffir war is now al