The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-09-22
From Black~ood's Ladys Magazine.
The Rescued Criminal.

heard him relate the following anecdote :
One day 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 disscctino room
at the time the two subjects were brought.
he ordered them to be deposited in build
ing contiguous to 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 10y mistake, he went to see
what had been the cause of the unexpcct-
cd noise. What was his astonshmcrt or
rather his horror, on discovering 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 fast
ened with the greatest care, and it appear
cd 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 corner
Poor DIR. b at this unlocked for
apparation became transfixcd 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 A.
live, now began to beat hastv retreat.
without, however, losing sight of the OBJ
jcct of his terror; he retreatcd step Ly step,
one hand holding the candle, the other cx
tended in search of the door, which he at
length gained but there is 10 escape, the
spectre has risen and f,llowcd him, whose
lvid features, added to the latencss ofthc
hour and the stiffness of the night, SEEM
ed to conspire to deprive the poor DIR. of the
little courage he has left his strength fails
the candle falls from his hand, and the ter
rlble scene is now in complete darkness.
The good Doctor has, however, gained
his apartment and thrown himself on his
bed but the fearful spectre has still fol-
lowed hint has caught him, and scizcs
climax of terror the doctor loudly cxcainr: ;ni
ed, Whoever you are, leave me-" At
this the spectre let 90 its hold, and moan
ed feebly these words, Pity, good hang
man. have pity on me- !" The good doc
tor now discovered the mystery, and re-
gained by little and little his composure
lie explained to the criminal, who had SO
narrowly escaped death, who he was, and
prepared to call up some of the family.
DO you then wish to destroy me :"
exclaimed the criminal. "If | am discoy-
cred, my adventure will become public,
and l shall be brought to the scaffold a
second time. In the name of humanity
save me from death. :"
The good doctor then rose and procured
a light; he mutfied his unexpected visitor
IN an old dressing gown and having made
him take some restoring cordial, testified
desire to know what had brought him to
the scaffold.
| He was dcscrter.
The good Doctor did not know we'll
what 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, was TO get him irto the coun-
try so having made him dress himself in
some old clothes which the kind Doctor
selected from his wardrobe, he left town
early, accompanied by his protege, whom
he represented as an assistant in a diff
cult case upon which he had been called
| in.
When they had got into the open coun-
try, the wretched creature threw himself
at the feet OF his h"nefactor and liberator.
to whom he swore an eternal gratitude ;
and the generous doctor having relieved
his wants by small sum of money, the
grateful creature left him with many pray
ers for his happiness.
About twelve years after this occurrence
DIR. B--had occasion to visit Amster-
dam. Having gone one day to the bank,
he was addressed by well dressed man
on" who had been pointed out to him as
one OF the most opulent merchants of the
city.
The merchant asked him politely if he
were not DIR. b of London, and on
ms answering HIM In the affirmative
pressed him to dine at his house: which
the worthy Doctor accepted. On arriv.
wing at the merchants house he was shown
into an elegant apartment, where most
charming woman and two lovely children
welcomed him in the most friendly man.
ner which reception surprised him the
more, coming from persons he had never
before met.
After dinner the merchant having taker
him into his counting house, seized hi.
hand, and having pressed it with friendly
warmth, said to him.
"Do you not recollect me?"
NO." said the doctor.
We'll, then, / remember you well, ant
your features never will be obliteratec
, | Nent,a tyau ,,,arnn.., r. n