The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-06-01
A Singular Adventure.

A great number of persons who knew
the celebrated DR.. Burton, have often
heard him relate the following anec-
dote -
One day 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 dissecting room,
he ordered them to be deposited in an
apartment contiguous to his bed room. Du-
ring the evening he read and wrote late.
The clock had just struck one, when all
at once dull sound proceeded from the
room containing the bodies, and the doc.
tor went TO see what could be the cause OF
the unexpected noise. What was his as
tonishment, or rather his horror on dis
covering that the sack which contained
the bodies was torn asunder, and that
one of them was sitting upright in the
corner
Poor DR.. Burton, at this unexpected
apparition, became transfxed with ter
ror, which was increasing by observing
the dead and sunken eyes of the corpse
fixed upon him, whichever way he moved.
The worthy doctor, more dead than
alive now began to beat a quick re-
treat, without however, losing sight OF
the object of his terror But the spectre
had arisen and followed him; his strength
fails, the candle falls from his hand, and
he is now in complete darkness.
The good doctor has, however, gained
his apartment, and thrown himself on 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 are, leave me p
At this the spectre let go his hold, and
moaued feebly these words:-
"Pity, good hangman have pity on
mep
The doctor now discovered the mystery,
and regained, little by little, his COM
posure. 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 ?"
exclaimed the criminal. eff l am dis
covered, my adventure will become pub
lie, and I shall be brought to the scaffold
a second time. In the name of humani-
ty save me from deathl'
The good doctor then rose and procured
light. He mufied his unexpected WIS.,
itor in an old dressing gown, and having
made him take some restoring cordial,
desired to know what crime had brought
him to the scafold.
He was hanged for high treason.
The good doctor did not we'll know
what means to employ to save the poor
creature. He could not keep him in his
house, and % turn him out would be to
expose him to certain death. The only
way, then, was to get him into the coun-
try: so having made him dress himself
in some old clothes which the kind doc
tor selected from his wardrobe, he left
early, accompanied by his protege, whom
he represented as an assistant.
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 hay
ing relieved his wants by small sum of
money, the grateful creature left him,
with many blessings and prayers for his
happiness.
Abouttwelye years after this occurrence,
Dr. Burton had occasion to visit Amster-
dam. Having gone, one day, to the bank
he was accosted by a well-dressed man--one
who had been pointed out to him as one OF
the most opulent merchant of the city. The
merchant asked him politely if he were not
DR.. Burton of London; and on his an
swering in the affirmative, pressed him to
dine at his house, which invitation the
worthy doctor accepted. On arriving at
the worthy merchants house, ne was
shown into an elegant apartment, 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-house, seized
his hand, and having pressed it with
friendly warmth, said to him:
do you not recollect me?"
"No," said the doctor.
"Well, then, remember you well, and
your features Will ueNeT Ue OullIehdIeu
from my memory, for to you I owe my
life. Do you not remember the poor fell
low who was hanged on charge of con-
spring for the dethronement of the King
for high treason, in fact? On leaving
you, went to Holland. Writing good
hand, and being also good accountant,
I soon obtained a situation as clerk in a
merchants Office. My good conduct
and zeal soon gained me the confidence
of my employer, and the affections of his
daughter. When he retired from busi-
ness I succeeded him and became his
son-in-law; but without you, without
your care, without your generous assis-
tance, I should not have lived to enjoyso
much happiness. Generous man con-
slider, henceforth, my house, my fortune,
and myself, as wholly yours.
The kind doctor was even affected to
tears; and both these happy beings par
ticipated in the most delightful express
ion of their feelings, which were soon