Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-10-04
NIGH UNTO DEATH.


but little. II appears. uuNefti- that Oil
the morning Of February -, lo49, as the
Waterman. accompanied by fellow OH
Ger. was passing he noticed that one OF
the side shutters had apparently been
removed This aroused the suspicious OF
the officer. and advancing few steps ne
stumbled over the bleeding and inanim3te
form Of a young man. At this moment
Two men rushed out OF a rear door. The
companion Of the officer gave chase, and
succeeded in capturing one OF the Two
who had Just left in such great haste.
The Waterman then summoned ASSIST
ance and the limp body Of the young man
was borne to the Palais de Justice. Fur
Their search revealed the fact that VI. Ber-
trand had been murdered while IN his
warehouse. When sufficiently restored 70
consciousness the Young man, Henry
Gourard By name. protested his innocence.
His story was heard but not believed.
Alas he exclaimed. why did they
not kill NE and save my mother this great
sOFrOW:"
The one captured by the watchman's
companion. Richet, an ex-galley slave,
then told his story on promise Of being
set at liberty.
The three had put up job to ''gut" NJ.
Bertrand's warehouse SOule. the one
who had escaped. GOurard and himself.
They had entered the place and were pro-
crossing admirably when a noise startled
them. 1t was NJ. Bertrand, who had en-
tered the place TO ascertain the cause OF
the shutters being down. As he ap-
preached to where the three were crouch
ing. Gourard struck him tremendous
blow on the head with Jimmy" which
felled him lifeless to the floor. Apparently
terrified at his own act, GOurard then
rushed down stairs. and when he reached
the middle he stumbled, his head striking
the corner of the counter. He fell senSeless.
They carried him from the building, intend
ing 10 convey him TO place OF secrecy.
They had Just reached the street when
they remembered that they had left some
thing compromising behind. and had gone
in search Of it when the officers arrived.
The rest is known. GOurard was re-
manded 10 be tried before the presiding
Judge at the TribuneuX. He first, how
ever. sent a letter to his mother inform
Ing hec of his great trouble. and assuring
her of his innocence. His mother, hasten
ing TO Paris. had secured the services Of
one ". BelGt TO defend her son. The day
OF trial at length arrived. 1t happened,
however. that on that very day a young
LAWYER. Pierre CASTOR, was stopping in
Paris awaiting the arrival of certain per-
sons with whom he had important bust
ness. Not having anything to do he sought
the courtroom for the purpose Of passing
the time in observing the proceedings Ofthe
court. His route led him by the Jail where
GOurard was incarcerated. just before
reaching the grim receptacle of crime and
misery two officers, having in charge a
pale young man. apparently about q,
came from the prison, stepped upon the
walk Immediately in front of him, and
moved in the same direction he was going.
VI. CASTOR had then an opportunity to OBJ
serve the features of the young prisoner.
HIS features, his manners. his respectable
bearing. all struck the young lawyer
favOrably. The three persons walked
with rapid strides toward the court house,
They had proceeded but a short distance
when they were met by spectably-ap-
pearing woman of about 40 years of age.
The moment she saw him she sprang for
ward and clasped him in her arms, eX-
claiming:
"Oh, Henri, Henri! NV boy. my son.
The sudden appearance of the woman
caused the officer to halt.
Mother. why did you not wait at the
court house for me:' said the young man.
endeavOring to smother his emotions.
Because did not see you there, Hen
ri. and | thought perhaps YOU might not
have your trial to-day, after all, and so /
started TO see you at the Jail. Oh, my
my darling" said the wretched woman.
her voice now broken with sObs, '.are
they going 20 try YOU today"
yes. mother. 7 am 10 Ue tried to-day.
But calm yourself. | trust all Will De well
with me, for God above knows that | am
not guilty"
The woman. raising herself to her full
height. with flashing eyes, answered:
You guilty, Henri: You guilty; Who
dare accuse yOu|'
Then hesitating. and seeming to red
lie the full situation Of the Wretched
doom that threatened her son, she eX-
claimed:
son. 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 l first
taught you your little prayer in our dear
old"
s.Come. come. old woman, stand aside
and don't hinder Us any longer. The
young man is wanted yQnder,' said one Of
the officers, pointing toward the court
house.
"Oh, sir" said the woman. do you see
that he is injured-that IS, innocent? l
know he is
Glow do you know that: Maybe you
can swear for him." said the officer, gruf-
..Because-because l am his mother
and-and taught him his prayer and"
I
man who had a bad boy for SON. Come
on. my coyey, Monsieur le Judge viii see
to that"
Gaston's progress was arrested by this
pathetic scene. Deeply touched by the
appearance of the mother and son. he fol-
lowed them to the court house. just as
they were about to ascend the steps that
led to the court house the young man
paused a moment.
Smother said he. sis II. Belot going to
undertake my defense:"
Not unless we pay him in advance.
and-and we have not got IT, money. YOU
know
"Ohi God have mercy upon me" eN-
claimed the Young man, completely break
inc down. ''What shall l do:'
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 officer
into the court room and seated himself
behind the bar. After scanning more
carefully the features of the prisoner he
said TO himself, If that young man Is
guilty of any serious crime, l am no
Judge of features"
Presently the loud tap announced the
approach of Monsieur lie Judge.
|Offcer.'' said the prosecuting lawyer.
lis Henri GOurard in cOurt:'
He is" was the reply
HAS the prisoner cOunsel:' asked the
Judge.
NO. monsieur: l expected NJ. BelOt TO
defend me. but he refuses now.
''Why does he refuseF' asked the court.
Because l have no money to pay him,
was the reply.
Then. as you have no means to employ
counsel. the court Will see that you have
counsel.
The Judge now addressed a respecta-
disappearing lawyer present, but he de-
clined under the plea that he had pressing
business. The court then addressed sew
eral other lawyers. with the same result
At this moment another lawyer entered
to whom the Judge said:
Mons. Mourdaunt. the court desires
YOU to undertake the defense Of Henri
GOurard. the prisoner at the bar
"Ah. YES, Your honor can always com
mand my poor services: but in view Of
the prisoners means mean the nature
+ of his great offense-I think that he haC
! better plead guilty and be done with it
\ sob of deep, broken-hearted anguish
( resounded through the court room; ii was
from the poor mother. who heard in thi;
the knell of her sons doom.
If the court please, / will undertake
f the defense Of the young man. said NJ
CASTOR. IN a voice whose tones attracted
the attention Of everyone in the cOur
room.
With some surprise at the youth of th'
/ Young LAWYER. the Judge asked if he de