Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-10-04
EVENING STAR.
THE REscUED CRIMINAL

the celebrated DR.. B. professor oi
the college of Surgeons, have often heard
him relate the following anecdote:
One day that he had procured the
bodies of two criminals, who had been
hung, for the purpose of anatomy, not
being able to find the key of the dissec-
ting,room at the poment the subjects
were brought, he ordered them to be de.
! posted IN an apartment contiguous to his
bedroom. .... '.-. ..-...
During the evening DR.. B wrote
and read as usual previous to retiring to
rest. The clock just struck one, and all the
family slept soundly, when all at once,
dull sound proceeded from the room
containing the bodies.
oa Thinking perhaps the cat had been
shut up there by mistake, he went to see
what could be the cause of the unexpect.
ed noise. What was his astonishment,
or rather his horror, on discovering that
the sack which contained the bodies was
torn asunder: and on going nearer, be
found that one of the bodies was missing.
The doors and windows had been fas-
tened with the greatest care, and it ap-
peared impossible that the body could
have been stolen. The good doctor ap-
pcared rather nervous on remarking this,
and it was not without an uneasy sensa.
ton that he began TO look about him, when
his horror and amazement he perceived
the missing body sitting upright in a
corner.
Poor DIR. Bat the unexpected ap-
partition became transfi1ed with terror,
which was increased by observing the
dead and sunken eyes of the corpse fixed
upon him; which ever 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 signt of the OBJ
ject of his terror; he retreated step by
step, one hand holding the candle, the
other extended in search Of the door,
which he at length gained; but there was
no escape; the spectre had risen and fol.
lowed him, whose livid features, added to
the lateness of the hour and the stiffness
of the night, seemed to conspire to deprive
the doctor of the little courage he had left;
his strength fails, the candle falls from
his hand, and the terrible scene is now in
complete darkness. 1s..
The good doctor has, however, gained
his apartment, and thrown himself on
his bed; but the fearful spectre has still
followed him it has caught him, and
seizes hold of his feet with both hands.
At this climax of terror the doctor loudly
exclaimed, whoever you ale, leave me..''
At this the spectre let go its hold, and
moaned feebly these words: "Pity, good
hangman! have pity on me-" The good
doctor now discovered the mystery, and
regained by little and little his composure.
He explained to the criminal, who had so
narrowly escaped death, who he was, and
prepared to call up some of his family.
"Do you then wish to destroy me l'
exclaimed the criminal: "If am dis
covered, my adventure will become pub.
lie, and shall be Brought to the scaffold
a second time. In the name of humanity
save me from death 2"
The good doctor then rose and pro.
cured light; he muffied his unexpected
visitor in an old dressing gown; and hav.
ing made him take some restoring cordial
4
brought him to the scaffold.
He was deserter.
The good doctor did not well know 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 in the country; so hav-
ing 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 rep.
resented as an assistant in a difficult
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 benefactor and liberator,
to whom he swore eternal gratitude: and
the generous doctor having relieved his
wants by small SUM of money, the
grateful creature left him with many
blessings and prayers for his happiness
About twelve years after this occur
renee, DR.. B had occasion to visit
Amsterdam. Having gone one day to
the bank, he was accosted by we'll
dressed man-one who had been pointed
out to him as one of the most opulent
merchants Of the city.
The merchant asked him politely If be
was not Doctor b, of London, and
on his answering him in the affirmative
pressed him to dine at his house: which
invitation the worthy doctor accepted
On arriving at the merchants s house. he
was shown into an elegant apartmen,
where a most charming woman and two
lovely children welcomed him in the most
friendly manner, which reception sur
prised him the more, coming from per.
sons he had never before met. .... -.
After dinner the merchant having
taken him into his counting-room, seized
his hand, and having pressed it with
friendly warmth, said to him: .- sla 20
| "Do you not recollect me 4! .,-a
"No," said the doctor, u.,yo sf.is4s.s,
! "Well, then, l remember gou well
and your features will never be oblitera.
ted from my memory; for to you owe
my life. Do you not remember the poor
deserter! Onleaying you l went to Hol
land. Writing 2 good hand and being
good accountant, soon obtained situa
tion as clerk in merchants s Office. Nv
good conduct and zeal soon gained >fol
me the confidence Of my employer and thu
affections of his daughter. When he re-
tired from business I succeeded him