The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-03-05

the respondents identity. VI these nearly
forty swore that they had known Martin
Guerre from infancy, and were sure that
the prisoner was Martin. They appeal
ed also to certain scars and marks on his
person as proof of the correctness Of their
judgment On the other hand, there were
n great many witnesses equally confident
that the person before them was Arnaud
Du Tilh, also called Pansette. Sixty re-
manning witnesses, who had known both
Guere and Du Tilh, said that they looked
SO much alike that it was impossible to
determine which was which. The judges
decided that the prisoner was Du 1ilh, and
sentenced him TO death by decapitation.
From this the condemned appealed TO the
Parliament OF Toulouse.
On the second trial the parties were con-
fronted in open court. The accused main
tanned 30 steady face, spoke with so much
assurance and made answers so apparently
truthful that the members of the tribunal
wero much inclined in his favor, and equally
prejudced against his accusers. Thirty
new witnesses were examined, nine or ten
of whom believed that the defendant
was Martin Guerre; seven or eight were
positive that he was Arnaud Du Tilh, and
the remainder declared that they could not
decide. The parliament was in much
trouble. 1t did not wish by concurring
with the judge to condemn man who
might be innocent, neither did it feel justi-
fled in acquitting possibly atrocious crimi-
nal. Nothing remained but to sift the
evidence more carefully.
1t appeared that forty five witnesses had
clearly identified the prisoner as Du Tilh
Among them was his mothers brother
Most Of these persons said that Guerre was
a little taller than the prisoner and darker
in complexion; had slightly crooked legs,
round shoulders, turned-up chin, large
and fiat nose, and two scars on his face.
The prisoner, on the contrary, was we'll
proportioned, and had large and straight
legs, and chin and nose differing from
those of Guerre. He had, however, the
two scars on his face. A shoemaker who
had been employed by Guerre testified that
his foot extended to the twelfth mark on
the rule, while that Of the accused reached
no farther than the ninth. Another man
swore that while Guerre was an expert
wrestler, the prisoner knew nothing about
the art. Three persons deposed to direct
and indirect Acknowledgements on the part
of the respondent that he was Du Tilh.
There was also heresay evidence to the
effect that Guerre was still alive in Flanders,
and had q wooden leg. 1t was remarked
by some that Guerre, being Biscayan,
had the accent of his province, whereas the
accused could not speak the Basque, but
took pains to minglc few words which he
had learned Of it with his French, repeat.
ing them in markedly affected tone.
There was no end of testimony to the
wicked character of Du Tilh.
If these charges seemed strong, the op-
posing evidence was not less formidable
Four sisters Of Martin Guerre, who were
brought up with him and were persons Of
} good reputation, were sure that the
prisoner was their brother. Two of theil
husbands also recognized him. Several Of
the guests at Martins wedding, and who
had seen warts and other marks ON Martin
which the accused likewise had, were equal
ly decided in their Identification. Evidence
was introduced rendering the existence o.
a conspiracy against the alleged Martin ex
tremely probable. The parliament begar
to waver, and the reversal of the sentence
of the lower tribunal would have followed
but circumstance occurred which put al
end to all doubt. No less parsonage
that the genuine Martin came into court
He had wooden leg, as rumor had affirm
ed, and said he came from Spain. He CAV,
distinct account of the impostor who hat
assumed his name, and demanded that hi
claims should be heard.
The false Martin was not at all abashed
He denounced the new conner AZ the hireC
tool of Peter Guerre, and cross questioned
him fiercely. Martin, being frightened
, answered rather family, but his interrOga
tor being removed and his composure re
stored, gave clear and obviously truthful
, account of himself. The two claimant
were next placed side by side and submitted
to the examination of Martin Queries rsla
| tives. The sisters at once acknowledge
their former mistake, and Berthande recog
r nized the cripple as her husband. Du Till
, was then condemned "to make an amend
r honorable in the market place of Antiques
in his shirt, his head and feet being bare
! halter about his neck, and holding in hi
hand a lighted torch; to ask pardon of God