Plymouth weekly banner. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1856, 1855-09-06
From the Blsckwoods Magazine.
Tile Rfsrned Criminal.


One day that he had procured the bod
les Of two criminals. who had been hung.
for the purpose of ana tetny. not being a Bile
TO fnd the key to the Adisecling room at
the nome nj the two subjects were brought,
he ordered them to be deposited in an
apartment contiguous to his bedroom
During The evening DR.. B wrote
and read as usual. previous 10 retiring Ia
rest. The clock had just struck one, and
all the family slept souhdly, when all at
once. dull sound proceeded from The
room containing The bodies.
Thinking that perhofs the cat had been
shut up there bv mistake, he went 20 see
whs, could be the cause OF the unexpect-
ed noise. What was his astonishment.
or rather his horror. on discovering that
the sa ck which contained the bodies was
torn asunder, ond on going nearer, he
found that one Of the bodies was missing
The doors and indows had been fnsten.
ed with the greatest care, and il appear.
ed impossible that the body could have
been stolen. The good doctor appeared
rather nervous on remsrking this, and il
was not without on uneasy sensation that
he began 10 look about HIN. when in his
horror and amazement he perceived the
missing body sitting upright in a corner.
Poor Dr. B at This unexpected APP
psration became transixed 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
alive. now began to beat hasty retreat.
without, however. losing sight OF the OBJ
jrcl OF his horror. lie retreated step By
step. one hand holding the candle. the
other extended in search Of the door,
which he at length gained; but there is no
escape. the spectre has risen and followed
him, whose livid features, added TO the
night, seemed TO conspre to deprive the
poor doctor Of the little courage he has
left; his strength fails. the candle falls
from his hand. and the terrible scene is
now in complete dorkness.
The good doctor has gained his apart
the fearful spectre has still followed him
it has caught him. tnd seizes hold Of
his feet with both hands. AT this climax
@wfhosveI I~ you are. sssso me- lA:eshis
the spectre let go It's held aud moaned
feebly these words. PITY. good hangman!
have pity on mel" The good doctor now
discovered the mystery. and rcguined by
little and little his composure. He ex-
planned 10 the criminal, who had so mar.
rowly escaped death, vino he was and pre-
pared to call up some of The family.
"Do you, then. wish 10 destroy me?'
exclaimed the criminal. "ll I'm discOv.
cred, rny adventure will become public.
and shall be brought 10 The scaffod the
second time. la the name Of humanity
save me from deaih!"
The good doctor then nrose and pro
cured light; he muffied his unexpe cted
visitor in an old dressing gown. and hav-
ing made him take some restoring cordial,
testified desire TO know what crime had
brought him 10 the scaffold.
b was deserter.
The poor doctor did not we'll know
what means to employ 10 Save the poor
creature. He could not keep him in the
house, and to turn him out would be to
expose him to certain death. The only
way. then. was 10 get him into the coun
try; so. having madehim dress himself in
some old clothes, W hich the kind doctor
selected from his wardrobe. he left the
town early. accompanied By his protege.
whom he presented as an assistant III n
difficult case upon which he had been nj
led in.
When they had got into tho open coun-
try, the wretched creature threw himself
at the feet of his benefactor and lberaior,
20 whom he swore eternal gratitude; and
the generous doctor having relieved his
wants by small sum Of money. the CRATE
full man 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 10 the
bank, he WAS accosted bv well dressed
mnn-one who hsd been pointed out to
him as one OF the most opulent merchants
OF the city.
The merchant asked him politely if he
was not DR.. B., of London, and on
his answering in the affirmative. pressed
him to dine at his house; which invitation
the worthy doctor accepted. On arriv-
ing at tho merchants house, he was
shown into an elegant apartment, where
a most charming woman and two lovely
children received and welcomed him in
the most friendly manner. which recep-
tion surprised him the more. coming from
person he had never before met.
After dinner the merchant. having tax.
en- him into his counting house. seized
his hand. and pressing i. with friendly
warmth, said TO him:
"Do you recollect me?"
mo-" said the doctor.
"Well. then / remember you we'll, and
your features will never be ooliterated |
from my msmory--for l owe you my
life. Do you not remember the poor de.
serter? On leaving you | went to Hol.
lard. Writing good hand and being
good accountant. soon obtained good |
situation as clerk in merchants Office. |
Ny good conduct and zeal soon gained for
me the confidence and esteem of my en-
ployer and the affections of his daughter. |
When he retired from business. succeed.
"a him and heran his SON IN Ia w-b,t