The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-11-09

| as they were about to ascend the steps
that led to the court house, the young
man paused moment.
"Mother," said he, is " NJ Belot going
to undertake my defence2"
Not unless WE pay him in advance,
and-and we have not got the money,
you know"
Oh! God have mercy upon me" ex-
claimed the young man, completely
breaking down.
"What shall do2"
"Comc along; don't stop to blubbcr
here. The Court will appoint some one
to defend you"
He was soon seated in the prisoner
box to await the proceeding 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: 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 lawyer
"is Henry Gourard in court~
Gle is, was the reply.
elias the prisoner counselp' asked the
Judge.
"No, Monsieur; l expected NJ. Belot
to defend ne, but he refuses now"
"Why does he refusel" asked the
Court.
because Hhave nomoncy 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 a rcspecta-
disappearing 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 mcans--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-heartcd anguish
resounded through the court room; it was
the knell of her sons doom.
60 If tae court please, | will undertake
the defense of the young man." said NJ.
Castor, in 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 Il
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 a 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
II certain building he had rented. Al
though it was quite late, Henri asscnted.
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 a building which he pointed
out, saying that was his store, but as he
had forgotten his key he produced II
small iron bar which he handed to Henri,
telling him to pry open one of the shut
tiers. In "A moment the young man I'M
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 fclled him
I to the earth inscnsiblc.
When he returned to consciousness he
was in the office of monsieur, the eXamin-
ing magistrate. From the testimony of
Richct he learned that the building had
been broken open and entered, and that
W. 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.
The next morning the trial began
The ex-galley slave repeated the same
story that he had originally told. On
the cross-eXamnation by NJ. CASTOR, how
ever, at first he sustained himself but at
length he stumbled, hesitated, and be-
came confused, and it was evident that
his testimony was considerably shaken
The chief clerk of the murdered man was
then put on the stand, and to the ques-
tions put by NJ. CASTOR, it was learned
that no blood had been found on the
floor below the one where VI. Bertrand's
body was found, and where Richet had
testified that the prisoner had struck his
head on the counter.
The officer who first discovered the
prisoner testified that on the spot where
Gourard's head rested there was great
pool of blood. NJ. Castor then called
the surgeon, who testified that the wound
on the head of Gourard could not have
been made as Richet had swOrn-that it
was inflicted by a club or some heavy
instrument.