Arizona republican., 1899-06-19
CORPSE SAT UP IN HER GRAVE.
The Thievish Propersities of a Sexton
 Saved a WOman's Life.

Near Ilfracomb. in the southern portion Of England," said John Tap scott, from that country, to a News re- porter, "a lady of great wealth and social position was buried some time prior to 1920. By the way, she was cousin to my mother, from whom learned the somewhat remarkable story l am going to tell you. When the lady in question was buried there was upon her finger a large and valu- able diamond ring. The sexton who officiated at the funeral was aware of this fact and it excited his cupidity- He reasoned that he was poor, the lady was dead and the valuable jewel could be of no possible use to her dCwn in the cold, dark tomb but could he possess it the cash it would bring would buy many comforts for his wife and little ones. He resolved 10 disin- trs the body and steal the ring About the hour of midnight following the burial he stealthiIy exhumed the lady, opened her coffin by the pale glimmer of a waning moon and, lifting the white dainty hand, attempted to take off the beautiful ring. 1t fitted so tight, however, that he could not re- move it, and, desiring to get through with his greWsCme task as quickly as possible, he tock cut his pocket kniA intending to amputate the finger which refused to give up it's precious jewel.
 No sooner had he made an incision than the supposed dead woman sud denly sat bolt upright in her coffin. The startled sexton, frightened almost to death, fled with the speed of an American cannon ball train.
 You see, the lady was in catalep tic state and supposed to be dead. The moment the sextOn's knife entered} the flesh her nervous system responded with the rapidity of telegraphy, the circulation started up and she began to breathe. The cold night air soon revived her enough for her to get out of the coffin and walk to her home, some eight miles or more away. Ring ing the door bell, her husband looked down from a second story window and was startled at seeing a ghostly white robed figure standing on the porch be- lew. He was too frightened to come down, but after repeatedly ringing the bell the door was finally opened by servant. After the cOntsernatiOn of the moment was over a most happy reunion followed between the lady and her household.
 The poor sexton was not only not prosecuted for grave robbing, but the gateful lady presented him with the coveted ring, while her husband gave him a large sum of money. His greedy desire for the Iady's ring had been the means of her rescue from a horrible death and her gratitude knew no bounds. She lived a number of years after this. tragic event and bore sev- eral children before she died in fact.
 Another case occurred in England about this time,'' the gentleman con tinued, fin which an 8-year-old girl was put into her coffin, but before il was closed 9 lady present fanCied she saw a very slight heaving of her breast A mirror was held to the child's face, which was soon covered with a faint cloud of moisture. Re storatives were applied and she soon revived. After she grew up to wO- manhood this same person was twice more coffined ready for burial and twice more rescued from living tomb. She finally died at the advanced age of S7 years and was put into her fourth and last coffin.
 Tt is things like these,' the English gentleman remarked in conclusion,