The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-02-13

NEW ORLEANS, SUNDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY 10, 1870.

"Thcrc is no JUSTICE" he said in a hoarse
voice. at is better to die soon"
We obtained no other words. They came to
tell must leave for the night. Then
Jean Louis spoke in n whisper, asking me,
What sshe doing -
| "She is counting your making an appeal"
I answered. at will be the death blow of all
there if you keep to yonr obstinacy."
Goods will be done" he said; "my mind is
When found myself in the street with NJ.
,Jourdan, it seemed as though my brain. were
rceling. He gave me an appointment for
o'clock the next morning.
| We bad resolved to return to the prison at
early hour, and bring there with us all the fam
lily, i'll hopes to obtain our permission of free
action. We found the father and daughter
seated on stools before the dead ashes of a fire
they gave no heed to relighting. They had
spent the night there, motionless and silent.
The father rose and came to grasp the hand of
NJ. Jourdan "Do not thank me yet, Nayl," he
said, II have not done with the case. l hope
that shall save them; but they must help me-"
There was no break in the settled gloom of the
old mans countenance, and / saw that he had
no hope. The old wife is going mad" he said
to with air of helpless distress. And
presently learned from Marion that her mother
in-law really appeared to have become uncon-
scious of what was passing around her For
her part, Marion was active and resoute; and
one could that hope survived in her, and
with it firm purpose to will and do.
When sic was sufficiently possessed of the
occurrence of the preceding night by cur
port, and spoke to her of trying to move
the brothers, at is of no USE" she said 'since
their minds are made up. But if the judge
| himself told them they ought to appeal, that
might make difference" Here was a flash of
| light for These few words let us into the
secret of the persistence of the three men, who
no longer believed in human justice and no
| longer desired to dispute their life, partly from
disgust e.. 1.n.;rsa wi III al, ,,s.a to the Roxa, At
torney. What do You wish r. he asked of NJ.
| Jourdan ~ will do everything in my power
| to aid your efforts. Although the sentence is
just, the thought of seeing these three, whose
| lives were hitherto pure, dying thus in the
! prime of their young manhood most painfully
| shocks me- l cannot sign the petition for mer-.
cy: but when my report is called for, will
| tell you in advance that 1T Will be favorable to
Il coinmntation.'
a petition for mercy" exclaimed Jourdan,
s. why. sir. they will not even appeal! They
want to die, all three they don't listen to us,
they don't listen t" their parents. Bnt, NJ
| IIcrvo, he went OH t" say, eve are no longer
III the court room: am not masking a pleading
here. lou before you old friend lou
know that lie is honest: You admit that he has
common sense. Mark now what am going to
tell y"n: they are gniltlrss, all three.
He uttered the last words with til" emphasis
of deep conviction, and tn" tears came to his
| eyes rs he spoke. 1t was III vain that NJ. licrNo
attempted Ia resume the argument he had adj
dressed t" the court; J"nIdan interrupted. and
with extraordinary animation and au c!n-
mouth, he began Il pleading, of " iIich thu effect
was irIc9si bic He spoil Sc 81 tn" c"nii'iri.tihi
commitment ions lac had received and his visits
to t he prison, catering into tthc fullest detail
aud showin.. the int gritty tlhr:or of LAc>l-
three noble souls. Ii WAS not train of rra-
suning that would havEsucccrded with II bench
of judges: bat there III that solemn hour, II
was Impossible not to Yield I" the empire 81
this ardent eloqurucc and absolute conviction"
NJ. li.rvo moved ut first, then shaken.
His scrnplrs we're awakened; and as soon rs
! Z ~ in nd Inc I,t.:
eager than NJ. IourtlIu himself to obtain a de
claration OF appeal. Hardly had his friend
done speaking. than we saw INN prepared t"
go out we followed rather than accoHpaffird
him. From time to time on the way, he
stopred-to ask us Il rapid question. We had
an answer always ready: lie was not p'lS'ad-
ed, however, but he doubted and for his ten
der conscience doubt in such matter WIS the
! beginning of ?cmoisc
We found the prisoners still together for NJ.
Hcrvo had requested this consolation to h" al
lowed them. His first words on entering were.
IL am come to tell you that VI. Jourdan alailnS
me. | conducted your prosecution with II quiet
conscience; but this morning | am startI' a.
If Won guiltlc>s, you must not 90 to the scat
fold ii would he making me answcrahlc tn
God for your death. Daring twenty years of
official life | have been ruled by the sole desire
of firmly and strictly fulfilling my duty. ~liith-
crto have kept ut peace with myself. The
thought of Il judiciary error makes me trcm-
BILE. Jnurdan, draw up the form. All. You
have il with You Give me Il pen. Sign he
said to lvonic. with an air full of dignity ahd
authority. Yvonic did not hesitate an instant.
The language and bearing of this upright man
had rcrunc!rd him with society. lie had come
to understand that Justice might make mis-
takes, but that there was Il Justice ilr was
the one who was To be priest, and although
he was not the oldest he had "A certain author
ity over the whole family. His two brothers
signed after him. Hardly was the act c"mpI"t-
ed when they hrcu:ur different men. lh"Ir
stubborn mood of suppressed defiance gave
waV to anxiety and dI~CuuriG cement. NJ. llvrEo
/ had left immediately after the signing. We
did all we could to revive their courage.
" Bur everything is against us, they com
pIaiurd. I'VE shrIl he cuudcmncd over Il gain
all have gained is II lcngtheminS ont ot our
death agony"
In those first moments we could not share
their dependency. Happy at having over
come the obstacle that arrested us, we lndulSed
in that feeling of release that always follows
success of this kind; but the following days
hope left also.
The Judgment set aside for some defect
of form which have forgotten. We reJoced
| at it respite, without any of MS daring TO
thing of the fut ire. Marion admirable,
dividing her life between the poor orazed
mother, the old father, and her husband al
ways busy, as diligent in her attentions to