The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1883-12-12

aside and don't hinder us any longer.
The young man is wanted yonder," said
one of the officers, pointing toward the
court house.
ooh, sir" said the woman, edo you
not sec that his injured-that is inno-
cent 2 know he isn
How do you know that2 Maybe
you can swear for him, said the officer,
gru6ly.
I" Because because ! am his mother,
and-and taught him his prayer, and"
"Yes, yes. You amt the first good
woman who had bad boy for son.
Come on my covey. Monsieure le Judge
win 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 a moment.
Mother" said he, is M. Belot going
to undertake my y'defence2"
"Not unless we pay him in advance,
and--and we have not got the money,
you know"
"Ohl God have mercy upon me-" ex-
claimed the young man, completely
breaking down
What shall 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 proceeding of Court.
The young lawyer followed the officer
into the courtroom 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, then am no
judge of features"
Presently the loud tap announced the
approach of Monsieur lie Judge.
"OfIicer," said the prosecuting lawyer.
"is Henry Gourard in court2n
''He is" was the reply.
elias the prisoner counsel9" asked the
Judge.
"No, Monsieur; expected NJ. Belot
to defend me, but he refuses now"
"Why does he refuse2" asked the
Court.
because I have nomoney to pay him, ="
was the reply
"Then, as you have no means to en-
ploy counsel the Court will see that you
have counsel"
The Judge now addressed respecta-
bly-appearing lawyer present, but he de-
clined under the plea that he had pressing
business, The court then addressed
several other lawyers, with the same re-
suit. At this moment another lawyer
entered to whom the judge said:
Monsieur Mordaunt, 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-I mean the nature
of his great offense--I think that he had
better plead guilty and be done with it. "
A sob of deep, broken-hearted anguish
resounded through the court room; it was
from the poor mother, who heard in this
the knell of her sons doom.
IF the court please, will undertake
the defense of the young man, said NJ.
CASTOR, in a voice whose tones attracted
the attention of every one in the court
room.
With some surprise at the youth of the
young lawyer, the judge asked if he de-
sired assistance, TO which CASTOR replied
that he would undertake the entire charge
of the defense.
The case was then adjourned one day
to give NJ. CASTOR an opportunity to con-
suit with the prisoner
The prisoner was the only son of the
poor woman present, and she was a
widow A few days before the commits
sion of the crime with which he was
charged, he came to Paris for the pur-
pose of obtaining employment He soon
made the acquaintance of very friendly
appearing man, who took much interest
in him, and kindly offered TO assist him
in obtaining employment. One evening
he was invited by his friend to accom-
pany him and examine some personal
property he had in the Rue Madeleine in
a certain building he had rented. Al
though it was quite late, Henri assented.
On their way his friend overlook another
person with whom he was acquainted,
and whom he also invited. His friend
now informed him that he greatly de-
sired TO enter building which he pointed
out, saying that was his store, but as he
had forgotten his key he produced a
small iron bar WHICH he handed to Henri,
telling him to pry open one of the shut
ters. In a moment the young man un-
derstood that he was in the presence of |
burglars, and, horror-stricken at the
thought, he attempted to run away; but
ere he had made two steps he received
heavy blow on the head which felled him
to the earth insensible.
When he returned to consciousness he
was in the office of monsieur, the examin-
ing magistrate. From the testimony of
Richet he learned that the building had
been broken open and entered, and that
NJ. Bertrand, the proprietor, had been
murdered. OF all that he knew abso-
lutely nothing. The friendly person
whom he had started out with had made
his escape, while Richet had been
captured.