American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-07-26
The Rescued CrlminnI.

the College of Surgeons, have often heard
him relate the following ancient auecdote:
One day that he had procured the bodies
Of two criminals, who bad been executed,
for the purpose Of fanatomy, not being able
to find the key Of the dissecting room at
the moment the two subjects We're brought,
he ordered them TO be deposited in an a.
partment contiguous to his bed room.
During the evening. DR.. 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 a dull sound proceeded from the room
containing the bodies.
Thinking that perhaps the cat had been
shut up there by mistake, he went to see
what could be the cause Of this unexpected
noise. What was his astonishment, or
rather horror, on discovering that the sack
which contained the bodies was torn asun-
der, and on going nearer he discovered
that Que of the two bodies was missing.
The doors and windows had been fast
ened with the greatest care, and it appeaed
impossible that the body could have been
stolen. The good doctor felt rather nerv-
GUS on remarking this, and it was not with.
out an uneasy sensation that he began to
look about him; when TO his horror and
amozement, he perceived the missing body
sitting upright in one corner.
Poor DR.. B, at this unexpected ap-
partition, became transfxed with terror,
which was increased by observing the
death-like sunken eyes Of the corpse fixed
upon him, and whichever way be moved,
those dreadful eyes still followed him.
The worthy doctor, more dead than a.
live, now began to beat a quick retreat,
without. however, losing sight of the OBJ
ject Of his terror; he retreated, step by step,
one hand holding the candle and the other
extended in search Of the door, which he
at length gained; but there is no escape,
the spectre had risen and followed him,
whose lived features, added to the lateness
of the hour and the stiffness of the night
seemed to conspire to deprive the poor
doctor of what little courage he had left
his strength fails-lhe candle falls from his
hand, and the scene is now in complete
darkness.
The good doctor has, however, gained
his apartment and thrown himself upon bis
bed; but the fearful spectre had followed
hint has caught him, and seizes hold of
his feet with both hands. At this climax
of terror, the doctor loudly exclaimed,
whoever you are, leave mel
At this the spectre let 90 his hold and
moaned feebly these words: PITY, good
hangman, have pity on me!'
The doctor now discovered his mystery,
and recovered, little by little, his compos-
ure. He explained to the criminal, who
had SO narrowly escaped death, who he
was, and prepared to call some of his fam
ily.
DO you, then wish to destroy me?' ex-
claimed the criminal If l am discover
ed, nv adventure will become public, and
shall be brought TO the scaffold the second
time. In the name of humanity save me
from DEATH
The good Doctor then rose and procur-
ed light; he muiiled his unexpected visi-
tor in an old dressing gown; and having
made him take some restoring cordial, tes-
tilted desire 10 know what crime had
brought him to the scaffold.
He was deserter.
| DR.. B--did not well know what
means to employ in order to save this poor
creature. He could not keep him in his
house, and to turn him out would be to ex-
pose him to certain death. The only way,
then, was to get him into the country; so
having made him dress himself in some
old clothes, which the kind doctor selected
| from his wardrobe, he left town early with
his portege; whom he represented as an as
sistant in difficult case upon which he
had been called in.
When they had got into the open part
of the country, the wretched creature
threw himself at the feet of his benefactor
and liberator, TO whom be swore eternal
gratitude, and the generous doctor having
supplied his wants by small sum ofmon-
ey, the grateful creature left him with
many blessings and prayers for his happi-
ness.
About twelve years after this occur
renee, DR.. B-had occasion to visit
Amsterdam. Having gone one day to the
1
bank, he was accosted by well-dressed
man-one who had been pointed out to
him as one Of the most opulent merchants
of the city.
The merchant asked him if he was not
Dr.. B, of London, and on his answer
ing him in the affirmative, pressed him to
dine at his house, which invitation the
worthy doctor accepted. On arriving at
the house OF the merchant be was shown
into an elegant apartment, where charm
ing woman and two lovely children well
coined him in a most friendly manner;
which reception surprised him the more as
coming from persons he bad never before
met.
After dinner, the merchant. having tax
en- him into his counting room. seized his
hand, and having pressed it with warmth,
said to him:
DO you not recollect mel
No. said the doctor.
We'll then, l remember you well, and
your features will never be obliteratec
from my memory-for to you l owe my
life. Do you not remember the poor de-
serter? On leaving you / went to Hol