The Shasta courier., 1871-09-23
: NUMBER 26.
<IScstLAR aDtENTURE.


A great number of persons who ktew
the eelrbrated DR.. Burton. have often
heard him relate the following anecdote;
One day he had procured the bodies Of
two criminals who had been hung, for the
purpose Of anatomy not being able to
hnd the key of the dissecting room, be
ordered theu to be deposited in an apart
ment continglpus to his bed-ruom Dur.
ing the evening he read and wrote late.
The clock had just struck one, when all
at once dull sound proceeded from the
room contaiDing the bodies, aud lhe doctor
" ef,t to STE what could be the cause of she
unexpected n.ise What u - his stapish-
ment. of~rather his horror, Oh discovering
that the sack which Contained the bodies
was torn asunder, and that one OF them
Was sitting upright IN the corner !
Po,r DR.. Burton, at this unexpected
apparition, became trans6xed with terror.
which was increased by observing the dead
and suuken eyes Of the corpse fixed upon
him. Shichever way he moved. The
worthy doctor, more dead than alive, now
began to beat quick retreat, without,
however, hsing sight Of the object OF his
terror. But the spectre had risen and
followed him his strength fails, the candle
falls from his hand, and be is now in CON-
plete darkness.
The good doctor has, however, gained
his ap rtment, and thrown himself on his
bed; bui the fearful spectre has still fol-
lowed him; it has caught him, and seixes
l. T.. ,.k L. A 81 a..
climax Of terror the doctor loudly exclam.
ed
"Whoever you are leave mo !"
t this the 81 ectre let go its hold, and
moaned feeb!y these words = J
"Pity, good hangman have pity on
me!'
The doctor now discovered the mystery,
AMI regained. little by little. his compos-
u-e. lie 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 ?"
exclaimed the criminal. ''If ain discov-
cred. my adventure will become public,
and shall be brou .ht TO the scaffpld q
StkpuI tihe III tue udluc W uum6ullJ1
save me from death ~ ~
The good doctor then rose and procured
a light He muffled his unexpected visi.
to- in an old dressing gown, and having
made him take some restoring cordial, de-
sired tu know what crime had brought
him TO the scafuld. "a
lie Was hanged for high treason.
Ia
means To employ TO save the poor creature.
He could not keep him in his house, and
tn turn him out would be to expose him to
certain death. The only way, then, was
. to get him into the county so having
made him uresS himself in some old clothes
which the kind doctor selected from his
wardrobe, he left town early. accompanied
by h prot~ge, whom he represented as an
assistant. When they had got into the
open country. the wrerched creature threw
himself at tn, feet of his beneflctor and
liberator, to whom he sw,re an eternal
gratitude; and the generous doctor hav-
ing relieved his wants by small sum of
money. the grateful creature left him with
many blessings AMI prayers for his happi-
ness
About twelve years after this occurrence,
r. Burton had occasion to visit Am-ter-
dam. II wing gone. one day. to the bank,
he was accosred by well dressed man
one who had been pointed ont to him as
one of the m'st opulent mer hsnts of the
city. The merchant asked him politely il
he were not Dr. Burton of London; and
\
him to dine at his house, which invitation
the W ,rt!y doctor accepted. On arriving
at the merchants house, he was shown
into an elegant apartment. where most
charming woman and two lovely children
weIc med him in the m'st friendly manner,
which reception surprised him the more,
cbtning from persons he had never before
met
After dinner, the merchant. having tax.
en- him into his countiny-house, seized his
an |, an hivny pressed it with friendly
nth, said To him.
do you not recollect me?"
"Nn." said the doctor.
SWELL then, remember y,u well, and
your features will never be obliterated
from my Ii, 'mory. for % you owe my
life DO you not remember the poor fel.
low who was hanged on charge Of con.
spring fur the dethronelpent of the King
-f,r high treason. in fact? On leaving
ynu, wen, to Holland Writing good
han.l, aud being also good accountant, |
som ob aimed situation as clerk in .
merchants office. My good conduct ana
ze,l >"oa giineI me the con6'ieuce of my
employer, aud the affections Of his daughter.
When he retired froL business succeed
ed him. and became his son nin-law; but
without you, without your care, without
your generous assistance. should not
have lived to enjoy sn much happiness.
Generous man !! consider henceforth. my
house. my fortune. and myself, as wholly
yours"
The kind ,ctor was affected even to
tears; and bnh these happy beings par.
tici patel in tho M y, delightful expression
Of their feelings. which ware som shs red
h,,t he ,,, rnh ms ,1k -Ho