Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-04-25
tFrom the Papers of the "Travelling Dentist. ~
TWO NIGHTS WITH THE DEAD.

tFrom the Papers of the "Travelling Dentist ~
TWO NIGHTS WITH THE DEAD.
Believe me, reader, there is no spot OF
earth where ones courage is wound al
to the same painful pitch of intensity as il
a grave yard at midnight, while engage
in the jackal trade of the resurrectionist
The deep silence of the scene, the wbis
pered word of consultation, the fear O.
interruption, the white monuments about
yo", the open grave at your feet, and tn,
shrouded corpse within it, all combine te
send chill to the stoutest heart. Ant
now, sitting safely in my office, how
deep chill pervades me as I think o
the events of that night, and day ant
night again, which l am about to relat,
for your benefit.
We were bound to have that subject.
AS Seth said, it was 'gone up, and i
was ridiculous, nay more it was ungen
erous and mean in the citizens of c.
to keep watch and ward over the grave
of one whom they know not, save as a
stranger, passing through and dying in
their town. So, with an experienced
party of four, beside our trusty old dri-
yer, (most trusty when most drunk) we
set out an early hour in the evening, our
object being to do our work and get away
before the guard reached the spot at about
nine O'Clock. In this we succeeded. The
grave was left as we found it; and so art
fully had everything been replaced that
had we left five minutes sooner, no sus-
picion would ever have been excited.
But alas we had gone but a little dis
tance on our return home, when we heard
the tr imp of horses in pursuit. Old H,
the driver, laid on the whip most yigor-
ously, but to no purpose. With muddy
roads, five persons in a wagon, and a
caput mortum' to boot, we were no
match in speed for our pursuers, all on
horseback, and, as we had reason to sus-
pect, all well armed. There were no
alternative; we must be overtaken. How
to save the body was the question. A
quarter of mile ahead we were to turn
corner in the road. Lying in the cor
ner was a recently cleared field with
many stumps of trees remaining, which
offered some chances for concealment.
Accordingly, some Of us left the wagon,
taking the subject with us, while H
drove more slowly around the corner.
Before l knew how it happened, or by
what process Of discovery we had hit
upon SO lucky hiding place, we had
mounted upon high stump, and with
some effort [ had succeeded in dropping
the dead-hcad' into the cavity of an ad.
joining stump which had broken off at
about twelve feet from the ground.
But we were late about it. Our pur-
suers were already in the field. I was
pcrched upon the top of the stub, aud so
near were they, that to spring to the
ground would betray our cache" and
most probably lead to my capture. The
boys were making for the wagon at /:
very praiseworthy rate of speed. So
gently lowered myself down into tn,
cavity where we had just "buried oul
dead" hanging on to the top with my
hands, to avoid too low descent. Iu :;
noment our followers were about me
They had noticed our pause at this spot
and supposing that we had abandoned
the subject, commenced careful search
for it. OF course l maintained a strict
reserve as to my whereabouts. An Un.
lucky cough or sneeze would betray me-
and in that case l was elected for an i'm.
prisonment " of not less than two, no,
more than five years ;" all of which
thought of during their tedious stay. Al
last they left with an agreement to return
in the morning and complete their search
But my troubles were not over. I hat
hung so long suspended at arms Length
by the hands, that on attempting to swing
up again to the top of the stub found i
was no go: and after several attempts
my cramped hands gave way, and dowI
[ went upon the head and shoulders O
my departed friend and fellow prisoner
The position was disagreeable, but wa:
ever q plucky fellow, and felt no wise
discouraged until, after resting a while
1 tried to Chamber up out of my long
chimney of a grave, and found the side,
so smooth and slippery with damp as t.
serve an effectual me exeat" upon me
Verify" thought l, 1.-The way of tn,
transgressor is hard % -...r ..-- 4
consoled myself for awhile with tn
hope of speedy return of my party, bu
hour after hour passed on, and they di,
not come. Day broke, and as the SUI
rose in the heavens, the light crept dow
into my prison and illuminated the CHA st
ly countenance of my fellow captive
His eyes were half opened; and, at last
my nerves growing weak from hungel
and long confinement in one position,
fancied that saw upon bis upturned fac
a strange and cunning leer; triumphan
expression, as if he were chuckling oyel
the horrible scrape into which my attemp
to disturb his rest had brought me. I
shifted my position so that | could onl,
see the back of his head and his bar
shoulders, but the rascal had kind O
French shrug in the latter, which still
left the same impression on my excite,
fancy.
It grew cloudy and cold, and sleet an,
and rain began to fall. My enemies c
the night before returned, and completes
theirunsuccessful search. Ifelta strang
temptation to cry out and reveal my hid
ing place; and had they come later in tn
day, believe l should have done Sc
Noon came. Hitherto my position ha'
been one of great discomfort, but not Q