The national Republican., 1860-11-30
THE RESCUED CRIMINAL.

J
College Of Surgeons, have often heard him
relate the following anecdote:
Que day that he had procured the bodies of
two criminals, who had been hung, for the pur.
pose of anatomy, not being able to find the
key Of the dissecting room at the moment 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 to retiring to rest. The
clock had Just struck one, and all the family
slept soundiy, 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 the unexpected 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,
he found that one of the bodies was missing.
The doors and windows had been fastened
with the greatest care, and it appeared impos
sibe that the body could have been stol n.
The good doctor felt rather nervous on remark.
ing this, and it was not without an uneasy sen.
saton that he began to look about him, when,
to his horror and amazement, he perceived the
missing body sitting upright in the corner.
Poor DR.. B, at this unexpected appa.
rition, became transfxed 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 fol-
lowed him.
The worthy doctor, more dead than alive,
now began to beat quick retreat, without,
however, losing sight of the object of his ter.
ror he retreated step by step, one hand hold.
ing 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 lateness
of the hour and the stiffness of the night, seem
to conspire 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 darkness.
The good doctor has, however, gained his
apartment, and thrown himself on his bed but
the fearful spectre has still followed hint
has caught him, and seizes hold of his feet with
both hands. At this climax of terror, the doc,
tor loudly exclaimed
Whoever you are leave mel"
At this, the spectre let go his 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 80 mar.
rowly escaped death, who he was, and prepared
to call up some of his family.
"Do you, then, wish to destroy me?" ex.
claimed the criminal. "lf | am discovered,
my 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 procured a
light he muffled his unexpected visiter in an
old dressing gown; and, having made him take
some restoring cordial, testified desire to
know what crime had brought him to the scai-
fold.
He was a 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
to the country; 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 protegt, whom he
represented as an assistant in a difficult case
upon which he had been called in.
When they had got into the open country,
the wretched creature threw himself at the feet
of his benefactor and liberator, to whom he
swore an eternal gratitude; and the generous
doctor, having relieved his wants by a small
sum of money, the grateful creature left him
with many blessings and prayers for his hap
piness.
About twelve years after this occurrence, DR.
B. had occasion to visit Amsterdam. Hav
ing gone one day to the bank, he was accostet
by welldressed man-one who had beer
pointed out to him as one Of the most opulen
merchants Of the city.
The merchant asked him politely if he wer
DIR. B, Of London and on his answering
him in the affirmative, pressed him to dine
his house; which invitation the worthy docto
accepted On arriving at the merchants house
he was shown into an elegant apartment, wher
most charming woman and two lovely chill
dren 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 taken
him into his counting house, seized his hand
and having pressed it with friendly warmth
said to him
"Do you not recollect me?"
"No," said the doctor.
"Weh, then, / remember you well, and you
features will never be obliterated from memory
for to you owe my life. DO you not remem
Der the poor deserter2 On leaving you, wen
TO Holland. Writing a good hand, and ben
good accountant, / soon obtained a situatio
as clerk in merchants office. My good "or
duct and zeal soon gained for me the con6denc
of my employer and the affections of hi
daughter. When he retired from business,
succeeded him, and became his son.in.law br
without you, without your care, without you
generous assistance, should not have lived I
enjoy so much happiness. Generous man
consider henceforth my house, my fortune, an
myself, as wholly yours"
. . The Kind doctor was affected even to tears