The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-12-15

Iuii ucignts WIN h"A'0 ~
swered:
"You guilty, Henri You guilty.
Who dare accuse your"
Then hesitating, and seeming to real
ize the full situation of the wretched
doom that threatened her son, she ex-
claimed:
80, no, no. You are not guilty.
You cannot be, you are so good and
true. There, there. Now you look
Just as you used to when on your knees
1 first taught you your little prayer in
our dear old"
"Come, come, old woman, stand
aside and don't hinder us any longer.
The young man is wanted yonder,"
said one of the officers pointing toward
the Court House.
80, SIR" said the woman, ''do you
not see that he is injured-that he is in
nocent? / know he is.
..How do you know that ? Maybe
you can swear for him." said the Off
observation-disclosures 1 am his mother,
and-and I taught him his prayer
and"
Eyes, yes. You amt the first good
woman who had a bad boy tor a son.
Come on my covey, Monsieur lie Judge
will see to that"
Gaston's progress was arrested by
this pathetic scene. Deeply touched by
the appearance of the mother and son,
he followed them to the Court House.
Just as they were about to ascend the
steps that led to the Court House the
young man paused . moment.
Mother" said he, sis NJ. Belot go
ing to undertake my defense ?''
mot unless we pay him in advance,
and-and we have not got the money,
you know"
30, God, have mercy upon me-"
exclaimed the young man, completely
breaking down. ..What shall | do p
''Come along; don't stop to blubber
here. The Court will appoint some
one to defend you "
He was soon seated in the prisoners
box to await the proceedings of Court.
The young lawyer followed the Off
Ger into the Courtroom and seated
himself behind the bar. After scan
ming more carefully the features of the
prisoner he said to himself: eff that
young man is guilty of any serious
crime then / am no Judge of features. "
Presently the loud tap announced the
approach of Monsieur lie Judge.
| "Officer," said the prosecuting law
yer, sis Henri Gourard in court?"
"He is" was the reply.
"Has the prisoner counsel?" asked
the Judge.
.No monsieur; 1 expected M. Belot
to defend me, but he refuses now"
| "Why does he refuse?" asked the
Court.
because I have no money to pay
him." was the reply.
"Then. as you have no means to en-
ploy counsel, the Court win see that you
have counsel"
The Judge now addressed a respect
ably appearing lawyer present, but he
declined under the plea that he had
pressing business. The Court then ad-
dressed several other lawyers, with the
same result. At this moment another
lawyer entered, to whom the Judge
said:
"Mons. Mordaunt, the Court desires
you to undertake the defense of Henri
Gourard, the prisoner at the bar"
.sAh, yes. Your Honor can always
command my poor services; but in view
of the prisoners means-I mean the
nature of his great offense-I think thai
he had better plead guilty and be done
with it."
A sob of deep, broken-hearted an
guish resounded through the court
room. 1t was from the poor mother
who heard in this the knell of her sons
doom.
s.lf the Court please will undertak,
the defense of the young man." said M
CASTOR in voice whose tones attracted
the attention of every one in the court
room.
1 With some surprise at the youth o
the young lawyer, the Judge asked i
he desired assistance, to which Castor
replied that he would undertake tn,
entire charge of the defense.
The case was then adjourned one da,
to give M. CASTOR an opportunity to con
suit with the prisoner.
J The prisoner was the only son of tn
|, poor woman present, and she was
, widow. A few days before the com
! mission of the crime to which he wa
charged he came to Paris for the pur
pose of obtaining employment. HI
, soon made the acquaintance of a yer,
friendly appearing man, who took mucl
interest in him and kindly offered Il
assist him in obtaining employment
/ One evening he was invited by hi
: friend to accompany him and examin
some personal property he had in th
: Rue Madeleine in certain building h
, had rented. Although twas quite lat
, Henri assented. On their way hi
friend overlook another person wit
} whom he was acquainted, and whom
he also invited. His friend nov
informed him that he greatly de
. sired to enter a building, whicl
1 he pointed out, saying that it was hi
7 store, but as he had forgotten his ke
. he produced small iron bar, which h
! | handed tn Henri TELLING him tn mr.